The House of Dusk

Moments after a fatal car accident, a boy wakes up in the underworld, and an extraordinary journey begins. A unique, gripping and life-affirming children's novel, perfect for fans of Philip Pullman, Liz Hyder and Patrick Ness, and featuring stunning artwork from Hugo-nominated illustrator Tom Roberts.

Moments after a fatal car accident, a boy wakes up in the underworld, and an extraordinary adventure begins. A unique, gripping and life-affirming children's novel featuring stunning artwork from Hugo-nominated illustrator Tom Roberts.

'With the vibes of A Wrinkle in Time and The NeverEnding Story, but with an originality all its own, The House of Dusk stands out like a beacon. Give it to your most daring readers. They’ve been waiting for this' - Patrick Ness, Carnegie Medal-winning author of A Monster Calls and the Chaos Walking trilogy

'Wildly ambitious, weird, wonderful . . . I loved it. It'll stay with me for a very long time. An extraordinary book . . . Masterful' - Liz Hyder, Waterstones Children's Book Prize-winning author of Bearmouth

The last thing Ismail remembers is the sudden flash of headlights through the rain. When he wakes, he is alone, and somewhere very different.

His journey through the underworld begins at the base of a sprawling house: so vast and dark that he cannot see the top. It's here that Ismail learns of the legend: whoever can make their way through the House, up to the highest point, will win their heart’s desire. If they choose it, they will win life.

The House is a dangerous place, with vicious beasts and perilous traps at every turn. No one has made it before. But as Ismail travels through halls, libraries and whole worlds within worlds, strange things begin to happen. Locked doors swing open, broken lights flicker on - almost as if the House recognises Ismail.

Almost as if this is not his first time in the House.

'A gripping and poetic book that breathes, heart, warmth and humour into a monstrous underworld' - Beth O'Brien, Carnegie Medal-winning author of Wolf Siren

'Breathtakingly imaginative and brilliantly written' - Thomas Taylor, author of Malamander and The Lantern and the Labyrinth

'Strange and thrilling and properly epic, The House of Dusk is absolutely bursting with imagination and heart - I couldn’t put it down' - Rebecca Orwin, author of The Monsters at the End of the World