One of the odder things about being an author (and there are quite a few odd things) is that I am almost invariably working on one book and publicising another – usually one that I haven’t looked at for some time. So it can get quite confusing. But every now and then it can also be inspiring.

Like this week.

Liz Szabla from Feiwel & Friends emailed me the following STARRED review from Kirkus, who she says are ‘notoriously tough’:

‘This new trilogy will bait readers with its intriguing premise, hook them with its starkly beautiful setting, and reel them in with its fascinating characters. While others look toward the revival of technology to save them, Petrel’s humanity in the face of brutal ideology makes her the perfect heroine. Two talking ship’s rats make splendid companions for Petrel; Tanner’s knack with vivid names and textured dialect help to complete the intriguing worldbuilding. An artfully crafted adventure that’s equal parts thought-provoking and thrilling.’

As Liz said, ‘What a wonderful debut for ICEBREAKER!!’

So I’m really pleased about the review, but it also has the effect of getting me excited all over again about ‘Fetcher’s Song’, which I’ve been working on for months and months and months. That bit of encouragement was all that was needed. 🙂

And as August (which is when Icebreaker will be published in the US) draws closer, I’ve set up a giveaway on Goodreads for North American readers. You can find it here.