Otherworldly, and rooted in the magic of nature, Kieran Larwood’s The Treekeepers will strike a chord with anyone attuned to environmental issues (no matter how old), and young readers who love fantastical adventures and the enchanting outdoors.
Liska is a shapeshifter, training to be a warrior under her mother’s guidance. At the heart of Arborven, their city in a forest, stands the awe-inspiring Undrentree – “the thing was monumental. God-sized”. In fact, the city is contained within the tree, a complex of villages and temples; castles and mansions. What’s more, the Undrentree lends its magic to Arborven’s wizards, facilitating a partnership between the city and wildlife that enables both to survive.
So, when Liska finds out the nourishing, balancing tree is under threat and no one listens to her, she steps up to save it in the company of a ghost girl and a boy named Lug whose wizard power is the ability to “summon and control the worms in the soil of Arborven.” Though this skill is often overlooked, in actual fact Lug’s ability ensures the earth remains full of food for the life-sustaining trees.
Balancing the thrills of a classic quest adventure with imparting valuable ecological messages, The Treekeepers is a beaut of a book, with Chris Wormell’s line-drawings and story-world map adding to its glory.
An epic tale of trees of power and a world under threat, from the author of the bestselling Five Realms series.
Here come the roots of the Shadow Tree. Whatever they touch will never get free. Liska lives in Arborven, a city surrounding an extraordinary tree that gives all those living there special powers. As a shapeshifter, Liska is training as a warrior. When she discovers that the Tree is under threat, it is her duty to act - but she can't convince anyone to listen to her. So with Lug, whose power over earthworms is dismissed as useless, and a ghost-girl, Elowen, she goes on an epic journey to defeat the worst threat their world has ever known.
Illustrated by Chris Wormell this is a richly woven and thrilling fantasy with a wonderful affinity between humankind and nature - a current and vital message for young readers everywhere.
'A thoroughly absorbing story...all set in a richly realised and epic fantasy world.' School Reading List
'The first in an exciting new series.' The Bookseller
'A phenomenally rich and thrilling story you won't be able to put down.' Vicky's Never Ending TBR
Author
About Kieran Larwood
Kieran Larwood was born in Kenya. He moved to the UK when he was 2 and lived in various places before settling on the Isle of Wight where he can still be found: exploring rockpools, climbing trees and writing - slowly disappearing behind a mountain of notebooks and empty coffee mugs. He taught Reception class in a primary school for fifteen years before becoming a full-time author.
Kieran’s books have won several awards, including the Blue Peter Best Story and the Prix Sorcières.
He is inspired by a life-long love of fantasy stories, which all began when – as a young boy – he picked up a copy of The Hobbit and saw the map inside. It just goes to show – you never know where opening a book will lead…
