The Destiny of Minou Moonshine by Gita Ralleigh

Their queen is dead, worship of their goddess, the Dark Lady, is forbidden, and the precious black diamond that protects the city - a rare fragment of fallen star ¬- has gone missing. The beautiful queendom of Moonlally has fallen under a tyrant's rule. 'A land that loses its stories loses its way.'

A debut rich in fantasy, friendship and faith, and an original steampunk adventure that sparkles with storytelling magic. With an indomitable hero in Minou Moonshine, this is an inspiring, delightful read-young readers are in for a ripping ride.The story of a queendom set in an alternate colonial India, blending Frances Hardinge with Kipling's Kim. 'High adventure and a lavish, sensory world of mystery, magic and mechanical marvels. 'Magical, multi-sensory storytelling.that will enchant readers, rest in memories and spark imaginations.'-Sita Brahmachari, Yoto-Carnegie shortlisted author of WHEN SHADOWS FALL 'A rich and thrilling adventure.'-Sophie Anderson, author of THE THIEF WHO SANG STORMS 'An awesome alt-India middle grade book, with adventure and emotional twists, tied together with friendships and the family we find, and an incredible heroine in Minou, who fights for freedom and Queendom!'-Roopa Farooki, author of A DOUBLE DETECTIVES MEDICAL MYSTERY: THE CURE FOR A CRIME Minou is a great hero-kind-hearted, brave, and full of fire.'-Jasbinder Bilan, Costa prize-winning author of AASHA AND THE SPIRIT BIRD So many unexpected twists to love, including the mechanicals. 'Gita Ralleigh builds a vivid world bursting with jeopardy in this beautifully lyrical debut. A brilliant new voice in the world of children's fiction.'-Anthony McGowan, winner of the 2020 CILIP Carnegie Medal for LARK 'Masterful, a wonderfully original fantasy adventure that feels like a timeless classic. When fierce orphan girl Minou Moonshine's life is unexpectedly shattered, she joins the ragtag band of rebels, the Green Orchids, who are plotting to overthrow the General.Īrmed with a secret and a map, Minou sets off with her friends and a mechanical elephant, through the lush jungles of Indica, in search of the Dark Lady, a diamond and her destiny. Their queen is dead, worship of their goddess, the Dark Lady, is forbidden, and the precious black diamond that protects the city-a rare fragment of fallen star-has gone missing.

The story of a queendom set in an alternate colonial India, blending Frances Hardinge with Kipling's Kim.

The Destiny of Minou Moonshine by Gita Ralleigh