A dark fantasy in the vein of Alan Garner... a beguiling tale of ancient magic, good and evil, deeply rooted in the Welsh landscape.
The Observer
A tale steeped in folklore, reminiscent of Alan Garner.
Financial Times
The ancient past is rendered vividly in this book that is ideal for tweens and teens who love beachcombing for fossils.
The Times
Original, moving and beautifully written, this is contemporary fantasy at its best.
Irish Independent
An absolutely mesmerising, unputdownable text... Both thrilling and thought provoking, this is a deeply satisfying fantasy adventure, with a brilliant mix of contemporary issues, characters with real depth and an evocative imaginative mythology that emphasises humankind's responsibility to look after our planet. Truly a book to savour.
Books for Keeps
From the author of the acclaimed Bearmouth comes another deliciously spooky YA gem centred on folklore and ancient ritual, as two sisters test a prophecy on the Winter Solstice with world-changing consequences.
Waterstones Says
Dark, dreamy, surreal and beautiful. Liz Hyder is a sublime writer.
Katya Balen, author of October, October
Another can't put it down story. I was hooked at once. Liz (is) a natural born storyteller, shades of early Alan Garner in here!
Nicola Davies, author of The Song that Sings Us
It transports you straight to the wonder, strangeness and fear of childhood. Perfect for fans of The Dark is Rising or The Whispering Knights.
Zoë Marriott, author of The Swan Kingdom
Everything you want it to be and more. Full of heart and love and wonder. I can't think of anyone who wouldn't adore this.
Caryl Lewis, author of Drift
Love this! A new classic.
Catherine Johnson, author of Sawbones
Another belter… it pulls you in, unsettles you, and gets under your skin. This timeslipping YA is twisty, complex and satisfying (what an ending!).
Lesley Parr, author of Fallout
The Twelve is a FANTASTIC read! I feel envious of anyone who hasn't read it, because you still have that journey to go on! (It) brings to mind classic books such as The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper, with all of the magic, darkness and atmosphere, but a very contemporary pacing and energy. In short, I absolutely loved it!
Tom Percival, author of Dream Defenders
What an utter joy… a glorious novel. The Twelve feels like a work of classic children's literature, while simultaneously being hugely modern and fresh.
Katie Lumsden, author of The Secrets of Hartwood Hall
Absolutely breathtaking! Beautiful storytelling: dark, illuminating and magical. Set on the Pembrokeshire coast, this story of friendship, hope and kindness, of bravery and possibility has made my heart so full.
Elaine Canning, author of The Sandstone City
The Twelve reads like a modern classic, with echoes of Alan Garner, Marcus Sedgwick, and C.S. Lewis. A remarkably compelling story which will appeal on many levels- filled with mysteries, wonders, and wisdom.
Essie Fox, author of The Fascination
An engrossing story; a time slip adventure… Exquisite, mythical and full of beauty.
Julie Pike, author of Flame Chasers
A novel that reaches deep into the past, and, with a deftness of touch weaves the wonder of the ancient with an urgency for the present and a hope for the future. Glorious! I loved it!
Joanne Burn, author of The Bone Hunters
Love the deep earth magic of the Pembrokeshire landscape woven through this beautifully written tale of family and friendship.
Gill Lewis, author of Sky Hawk
Drawing deeply on folklore and ritual and with mystery, time travel, history, and a missing sister, exquisite descriptions of nature and wildlife, and set in (my most beloved) Pembrokeshire. Also highlighting the undeniable climate emergency but leaving room for hope. Beautiful illustrations throughout by Tom de Freston gave me the feeling of reading something ancient, deliciously dark, and magical, recently unearthed. Wonderful stuff!
Eloise Williams, author of Honesty & Lies
Liz Hyder's The Twelve is a deeply atmospheric triumph of a story. It is many things: an un-put-downable adventure, a time and space travel mystery, a tender love story and a hope-questing tale that meanders among ancient standing stones to explore how the long held wisdom, folklore and mysticism of our ancestors can be potent reminders to restore and protect this beautiful planet for present and future generations.
Sita Brahmachari, author of Artichoke Hearts
Eerie and beautiful, moving and magical - I loved it.
Hana Tooke, author of The Unadoptables
A fantastic, dazzling adventure, equally fluent in folklore and science, The Twelve has a magical, irresistible gravity that sets the mind happily marvelling. This energetic story whirls the reader on a journey through time and space and imagination towards wholeness and positive transformation. One of the best YA novels I've read this or any other century!
Kevin MacNeil, author of The Brilliant & Forever
Liz Hyder spins a vivid tale full of ancient magic and folklore. You will find yourself drawn into Kit's daring adventure where there are challenges to be overcome, evil to be fought, and hearts to be broken. With time going haywire and our very existence under threat, the stakes couldn't be higher. In the end, this is an uplifting story with a message of hope: our world can be saved when we choose to be a bit braver.
Jamie West, author of Death on the Pier
Prepare to be spellbound by this brilliant story of loss, resilience, and the enduring quest for truth in a universe where anything is possible. This is one of the best books showing ways to enlighten the plight of nature and friendship that will shape many readers to come. This is definitely going to be one of my favourite books of the year.
Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books
