Tidemagic: The Many Faces of Ista Flit

About this book

Ista Flit is a thief. She’s also a face-changer, which makes her the perfect person to slip through the misty town of Shelwich, performing her ‘errands’. Errands she's forced to carry out, as part of her search for her missing father. Danger is everywhere. As well as evading the authorities, Ista must hide from the monsters rumoured to snatch people when the water and magic are high. Perhaps they took Ista's father? However, when Ista meets Nat and Ruby, who’ve also lost family members, she realises that there might be something more sinister going on. Can the new friends use their Tide-Blessing magic to unravel the mystery? 

This debut novel is original and gripping, with twists and turns that will keep readers guessing. The world-building is assured, and there are various themes explored that would spark debate, such as good versus evil, valuing friends’ talents, and even what magical blessing readers would like to have themselves. It has been shortlisted for several awards, winning The Week Junior’s ‘Breakthrough Children’s Book of the Year 2025’.