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A Skinful of Shadows

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A Skinful of Shadows

By: Frances Hardinge
Narrated by: Tuppence Middleton
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About this listen

Shortlisted for Waterstones Book of the Year 2017.

'A Skinful of Shadows confirms Hardinge's status as one of our finest storytellers. It's rare to find a book which is every bit as intelligent and stylish as it is riveting - I was enthralled' - Sarah Perry, author of The Essex Serpent.

Frances Hardinge weaves a dark, otherworldly tale in A Skinful of Shadows, her first book since the Costa Award-winning The Lie Tree.

When a creature dies, its spirit can go looking for somewhere to hide.

Some people have space inside them, perfect for hiding.

Makepeace, a courageous girl with a mysterious past, defends herself nightly from the ghosts which try to possess her. Then a dreadful event causes her to drop her guard for a moment.

And now there's a ghost inside her.

The spirit is wild, brutish and strong, but it may be her only defence in a time of dark suspicion and fear. As the English Civil War erupts, Makepeace must decide which is worse: possession – or death.

 Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths Historical Fiction History & Culture Literature & Fiction Science Fiction & Fantasy
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I wanted a really enjoyable stand alone book to listen to after finishing a few heavy weight fantasy series.. But I’m not a fan of mainstream fluff. And I love things that are a bit quirky/offbeat/different. ChatGPT recommended this book and it was perfect. I think young adult fiction too often gets ignored by adults, and it’s so their loss, this is definitely not “childish”.

A thoroughly engaging and interestingly story, equally for adults,

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