Piper at the Gates of Dusk
by Patrick Ness
Interest age: 12 to 14
Reading age: 11+
Published by Walker Books, 2026
About this book
The day a screaming, burning giant comes crashing through the trees, brothers Ben and Max hear about a mysterious object in the sky sending out signals. And now every teen - except Ben - is having nightmares. Humans settled this planet over 20 years previously, but there are many things they still don't understand - mostly the indigenous people., the Land. Now into the fragile peace between them, there are destructive 'gods' appearing, the foreboding new 'star' and there may be a kind of prophecy about a threat to all the children.
This is a return to the world of Patrick Ness's bestselling Chaos Walking trilogy, set a generation later. The planet is different to Earth, but there are many relevant themes for teenagers to consider: identity, religion, family, belonging, fear of 'the other', masculinity and what it means to be human.... Told in alternating chapters by the two brothers, both narrators feel different and set apart from their peers and each other: Ben is mute and Max is trans. But ultimately, both are relatable in their determination to protect and love their family.
A gripping dystopian adventure full of action that will resonate deeply with contemporary teenagers.
About the author
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