Talismans of Fate

On Talisman Day in Arylia, every child receives an object that gives them special powers and reveals their destiny. Every child except for the Wintrish girl, Penn, that is. There’s no need for a Talisman to reveal her fate. Penn already knows that she’s doomed to a miserable, lonely life as a servant and outcast.

All Penn has ever wanted is the impossible: to return to her home in Midwinter and find her true family. But she’s trapped in Arylia, where a long-forgotten evil is stirring …

When sinister events start to occur, the blame falls on the Wintrish girl. Suddenly Penn finds herself running for her life. Straight into deadly peril. Facing dangerous enemies with terrifying powers, what can an ordinary Wintrish girl do? Because without a Talisman, there’s no changing your fate … is there?

A wildly fun adventure featuring at least five impossibly daring escapes, important life lessons about friendship and cucumbers, a dragon with a fear of unicorns and some stylish execution wear.

And one vicious berry.

2022, Aurealis Award, Winner

2023, Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Book of the Year Younger Readers, Nominated