Gift of Dark Hollow

The legend of Podkin One-Ear continues in this second Five Realms' adventure from the winner of the Blue Peter Best Story Award.The bard tiptoes out of his room, the crow-dream still echoing in his head, making him twitch at imaginary creaks of iron wings . . .The bard must leave Thornbury. It is not safe for him to stay. Rue, his new apprentice, travels with him - keen to learn his trade - and hear the next installment in the legend of Podkin One-Ear . . .Podkin and his fellow rabbits have been sheltering in Dark Hollow after their battle with Scramashank. Paz tends to the rabbits with sleeping sickness; Crom meets with the war council . . . Podkin has nothing to do! Frustrated, Podkin goes exploring and discovers an abandoned underground chamber. Armed with the Gift of Dark Hollow, Podkin learns to moonstride, and Paz is rewarded with a magical gift of her own . . .'A spellbinding story full of friendship, excitement and magic.' Guardian'Kieran Larwood's talent and his passion for his wonderful characters leap off every page.' David Long, author of Survivors'One of the best books I have ever read.' Cally Evans, age 10, Lovereading4kids

Kieran Larwood was born in Kenya. He moved to the UK when he was two and lived in various places before settling on the Isle of Wight, where he can still be found: exploring rockpools, climbing trees and writing - slowly disappearing behind a mountain of notebooks and empty coffee mugs. He has done a wide range of jobs, including being an archery instructor and working the night shift in a cake factory (which was nowhere near as much fun as it sounds). He taught Reception class in a primary school for fifteen long years before finally escaping to become a full-time author. Kieran's books have won several awards, including the Blue Peter Best Story and the Prix Sorcières. He is inspired by a life-long love of fantasy stories, which all began when - as a young boy - he picked up a copy of The Hobbit and saw the map inside. It just goes to show - you never know where opening a book will lead . . .David Wyatt is an illustrator living in Devon. He has illustrated tales by well-known authors such as Terry Pratchett, Philip Pullman and J. R. R. Tolkien.