The Letter for the King (The million copy bestseller - Winter Edition) - Softcover

Tonke Dragt

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1782690816 ISBN 13: 9781782690818

Publisher: Pushkin Children's Books, 2014

Synopsis

A gorgeous winter edition of the bestselling classic fantasy novel, acclaimed as a Times, Sunday Times and Metro Book of the Year

When Tiuri answers a desperate call for help, he finds himself on a perilous mission that could cost him his life. He must deliver a secret letter to the King who lives across the great Mountains - a letter upon which the future of the entire realm depends.

It means abandoning his home, breaking all the rules and leaving everything behind - even the knighthood he has dreamed of for so long.

The fate of a kingdom depends on just one person...

He must trust no one.

He must keep his true identity secret.

Above all, he must never reveal what is in the letter.

About this title

Review:

‘A true page-turner’ Sunday Times

‘A cracker’ Spectator

‘Beautifully constructed... gripping, delightful and true’ Guardian

‘This 1962 pulse-pounding epic follows Tiuri, a young knight-candidate who breaks hits sacred vigil to heed a desperate cry for help. Translated from the Dutch for the first time, this old-school quest story will keep all high-fantasy addicts riveted from the first page’ Metro

‘A seamless translation...Tonke Dragt's novel has the simplicity of plot and clarity of expression characteristic of great children's fiction... this spellbinding classic of high fantasy never once flags’ James Lovegrove, Financial Times

‘A medieval fantasy of the highest order, action-packed and atmospheric’ Robert Dunbar, Irish Times

‘A thrilling, page-turning tale of 16-year-old Tiuri's adventure...My 10- and 11-year-old were both gripped’ Telegraph Magazine

‘Gripping from its opening moment onwards, this award-winning book doesn't miss a beat from its thrilling beginning to its satisfying ending’ Julia Eccleshare

‘My ten-year-old daughter says [The Letter for the King] is the best book she's ever read’ Cerys Matthews, Mail on Sunday

‘A fast-moving, wonderful old-style adventure... cinematic in its visual detail... a European classic... far loftier than Harry Potter and beautifully presented in this most attractive edition’ Eileen Battersby, Irish Times

‘A classic quest narrative... a thoughtful and endearing hero, whose loyalty and nobility - qualities much ignored today - sustain him throughout. Dragt's illustrations are mystical and timeless’ Philip Womack, Literary Review

‘A fantasy about a 16-year-old medieval squire who finds danger, true friendship and first love on a mission to deliver a letter that can save a kingdom. The award-winning translator Laura Watkinson conveys its rich symbolism, vividness and economy of style’ Nicolette Jones, Sunday Times

‘The Letter for the King will get pulses racing... Pushkin Press deserves every praise for publishing this beautifully translated, well-presented and captivating book’ Amanda Craig, The Times

‘Gripping... inspiring’ Rachel Khoo

‘Now, finally published in English, we too can read this brilliantly epic tale’ Sunday Express

‘Fluidly translated by Laura Watkinson [The Letter for the King] is an old fashioned quest story... a wonderfully simple, wonderfully gripping story’ Melanie McDonagh, Spectator

‘A fast-paced quest... Great for high-fantasy fans’ Metro

‘Epic story’ Guardian Children's Books

‘The publishing in English of Tonke Dragt 's The Letter for the King brings back ancient, yet deeply pleasant memories. She's always at the top of the list when writers of my generation are asked which books they loved in their childhood, and justly so’ Erwin Mortier

‘A charming story told simply and captivatingly... the first English translation of a classic of European children's literature which ... deserves to be richly treasured’ Booktrust

‘An absolute pleasure... immensely enjoyable... vivid and intelligent’ Newbooks

‘The plot is central, and extremely gripping, but the writing also delivers lovely detail and evocative description’ Guardian Children's Books

‘Explores themes of bravery, loyalty, and commitment, along with a coming of age story which will inspire budding young readers today, just as it did when first released. The Letter for the King not only caters for a young adult audience but would also be an ideal bedtime story for parents looking to share reading with their children’ We Love This Book

‘A compelling story which twists and turns and keeps the reader gripped throughout’ Parents in Touch

‘If you find Game Of Thrones too gory or simply want to be ahead of the curve then this is for you. It's an epic adventure that will sweep you up into a world of knights, villainy and peril’ Melissa Cox, Waterstones, Stylist

‘If you enjoy classic fairytale journeys through forests, over mountains and across kingdoms then this is the book for you’ We Love This Book

‘Has all the essential and traditional ingredients of a timeless and heroic tale with its motifs of friendship, first love, courage, loyalty, chivalry... the compelling, twisting and turning story has an ethereal and hypnotic elegance which delights as much as it excites’ Lancashire Evening Post

‘A glorious, elf-free epic’ Jewish Chronicle

‘Dutch Tolkienesque epic saga novel... A warm-hearted exhilarating fantasy novel for children, or young at heart grown-ups’ Bath Life

‘A classic of European children's literature... this is the gripping tale of a squire, a dangerous mission and a kingdom in peril’ The School Run

‘An absolute classic for children who love a gripping novel - buy it now’ Creative Steps

‘The best thing since Tolkien. The word on everyone's lips. Knights. Villainy. Deadly intrigue. And that cover. What more can we say?’ Scholastic, Teen Book Club

‘[Tiuri] keeps us leaning close to catch every surprise, every thrill of suspense, every uplifting discovery and crushing disappointment, that propels this book along at a captivating pace, all the way to its most satisfying finish’ Mugglenet

‘Easy and enjoyable to read’ Bookwitch Blog

‘A sweet and rather innocent book’ Sfcrowsnest Blog

‘It's a richly imagined, gentle and reassuring story’ Books for Keeps

From the Back Cover:

A young messenger. A secret mission. A kingdom in peril. When sixteen-year-old Tiuri answers a desperate call for help, he finds himself on a perilous mission that could cost him his life. He must deliver a secret letter to the King who lives across the Great Mountains - a letter upon which the future of the entire realm depends. It means abandoning his home, breaking all the rules and leaving everything behind - even the knighthood that he has dreamed of for so long. The fate of a kingdom depends on just one person...He must trust no one. He must keep his true identity secret. Above all, he must never reveal what is in the letter.

About this edition

• Publisher: Pushkin Children's Books
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 1782690816
• ISBN 13: 9781782690818
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 512