The Tinder Box - Softcover

Carey, M. R.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0356528081 ISBN 13: 9780356528083

Publisher: Orbit, 2026

Synopsis

'A MARVELLOUS DARK FABLE' Christopher Buehlman, author of Between Two Fires
'SPARKS WITH WONDER AND PERIL' Melissa Caruso, author of The Last Hour Between Worlds

Prepare to be entranced by this utterly unique dark fantasy with a fairytale feel from the million-copy bestselling M. R. Carey, author of The Girl With All the Gifts.

In a kingdom forgotten by history, a legend unfolds . . .

Wounded in his county's endless wars, former soldier Mag Tresti finds work in the home of a reclusive widow, Jannae Mirchella. But Jannae is more than she seems. A witch of great skill and might, she hides her powers and her deep-laid plans behind a mask of harmless respectability.

When a dead demon falls out of the sky, the fates of the soldier and the witch are irrevocably intertwined. On the demon's body Mag finds a tinderbox - an artefact of terrifying magical power that can not only grant his every wish, but also change the fate of nations.

This is a tale of spellcraft and devilry, of witchcraft and trickery - of the wickedness that resides within a few, the goodness that lies deep within us all, and the choices on which our lives turn.

Discover this dark and enchanting fantasy tale from one of the most original voices in speculative fiction - perfect for fans of Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik, The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden and A Sorcerer Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher.

Praise for The Tinder Box:

'Carey's craft manages to feel at once familiar and startling, which for me is a hallmark of exceptional writing . . . Confirms M.R. Carey's place among the best living writers in fantasy' Christopher Buehlman, author of Between Two Fires and The Blacktongue Thief

'The Tinder Box sparks with wonder and peril . . . It holds all the magic of a fable and all the complex kindness and cruelty of a human heart. Prepare to be enchanted!' Melissa Caruso, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Last Hour Between Worlds

'Witty, crisp, sharp and tender in all the right places. Exactly on the border between gunpowder and fairy tale. You'll find yourself missing these big characters after they're gone' Paul Cornell, Hugo Award-winning novelist and screenwriter

'In a grey age of violence and greed, Carey's tale strikes a spark of kindness, humanity, and hope' Marie Brennan, author of A Natural History of Dragons

'Carey masters yet another subgenre of speculative fiction' Kirkus

'Fantasy fans - especially of Joe Abercrombie's The Devils - will love Carey's updated version of the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale' Booklist (starred review)

About this title

About the Author

M. R. Carey has been making up stories for most of his life. His novel The Girl With All the Gifts has sold over a million copies and became a major motion picture, based on his own BAFTA Award-nominated screenplay. Under the name Mike Carey he has written for both DC and Marvel, including critically acclaimed runs on Lucifer, Hellblazer and X-Men. His creator-owned books regularly appear in the New York Times bestseller list. He also has several previous novels including the Felix Castor series (written as Mike Carey), two radio plays and a number of TV and movie screenplays to his credit.

Edition details

• Publisher: Orbit
• Publication date: 2026
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0356528081
• ISBN 13: 9780356528083
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 400