'The runaway hit of the year: haunting, steeped in atmosphere, with themes of the significance of story, language and myth.' The Sapling
'Splendidly inventive, expertly controlled, full of passion and compassion, and a narrative I would give four fingernails to have thought of.' David Hill

'A compelling and lovingly crafted novel.' David Mitchell


The same evening Josh Underhill went missing, the black horse appeared on the hill above the house.

Thirteen-year-old Ella knows that words are powerful. So she should have known better than to utter a wish and a curse on the same day, even in jest.??

When the boy she has cursed goes missing, in the same sudden, unexplained way as her father several years earlier, Ella discovers that her family is living in the shadow of a vengeful kelpie, a black horse-like creature.

With the help of her beloved pony Magpie, can Ella break the curse of the kelpie and save not just her family, but the whole community?

Rachael King's writing is immersive and vibrant, rich in lore and an appreciation of the natural world that fans of Katherine Rundell, Susan Cooper and Kiran Millwood Hargrave will love.



'There is a freshness of imagination in this story combined with prose that delights in exploring language while also telling an arresting tale.' Nicholas Tucker, Books for Keeps

'Stunningly original. I loved it!' Bren MacDibble

'I was gripped until the very end and it left me in tears.' Stacy Gregg

'Eerie and beautiful.' Elizabeth Knox

'Exquisitely crafted and thrumming with old magic.' Rachael Craw

'I could not put it down.' Zana Fraillon

'Set to become an all-time favourite for adults and children alike.' Tania Roxborogh

'Filled with evocative landscapes and stunning horses, this exciting novel also has the classic feel of The Dark Is Rising and other stories of ancient magic come to life. A wonderful read for ages 10+.' Readings