Description

The rich and atmospheric new novel from prize-winning author Sally Gardner, set in the 18th century between the two great Frost Fairs.

Neva Friezland is born into a world of trickery and illusion, where fortunes can be won and lost on the turn of a card.

She is also born with an extraordinary gift. She can predict the weather. In Regency England, where the proper goal for a gentlewoman is marriage and only God knows the weather, this is dangerous. It is also potentially very lucrative.

In order to debate with the men of science and move about freely, Neva adopts a sophisticated male disguise. She foretells the weather from inside an automaton created by her brilliant clockmaker father.

But what will happen when the disguised Neva falls in love with a charismatic young man?

It can be very dangerous to be ahead of your time. Especially as a woman.

Praise for Sally Gardner:
'Superbly written and wonderfully atmospheric... A triumph!' Caroline Lea, author of The Glass Woman
'Lashings of adventure, suspense, warmth and wonders... I was completely captivated' Amanda Craig, author of The Golden Rule
'[A] dab hand at literary world-creation' Observer
'Rich and haunting historical fiction' The Bookseller
'A glorious love story, a spellbinding fable' Adele Parks
'A truly original voice' Spectator
'Sally Gardner has a rare ability to build worlds that are rich, strange and totally unique to her... A story that will enthral you from beginning to end' Absolutely South East