Serpent of the Sands

Vashti Hardy, George Ermos

From Shelf: Official Indie Children's Bestsellers (week 21, 2023)

Gan is back home in Nadvaaryn after her epic adventure with the Brightstorm twins in the north. But her uncle is ill, so she needs a cure in the deserts outside the capital city. But her adventures lead her to question her broader mission: what's the right thing to do, when those she seeks to protect also pose a grave danger?

A leap of faith in a race against time. When Princess Ganzorig's uncle falls gravely ill, she sneaks out of the Citadel to find a powerful cure, said to be guarded by the Serpent of the Sands. But is it only a story? Is she chasing false hope? But the further Gan travels, the more secrets are revealed - and the more she questions everything she believes... The fourth adventure in the Brightstorm Chronicles series, but this book can be read on its own! The story is told from the perspective of Princess Gan, a fan-favourite character from Firesong Perfect for fans of The Cogheart Adventures, Sky Song, Dragon Mountain, and The Land of Roar Praise for Serpent of the Sands: "A brilliant adventure story for upper KS2 and younger KS3 readers. Hardy builds a unique world that feels authentic and engaging and this book, and the series that it comes from, will feed the imaginations of young readers." Just Imagine Praise for Brightstorm (book 1) "Brightstorm is a wonderfully paced, absorbing read that delivers a special feeling of adventure reserved for stories that you just cannot put down." Fantasty Book Review "This is an unputdownable Victoriana adventure with characters that are vivid and most refreshing in their portrayal of gender roles. " BookTrust