Wren

It’s 1870 and Wren lives in an ancient castle on an island in North Wales. Her house whistles and groans so often that sometimes she thinks it’s singing to her. Her father tries to restrict her activities, and her aunt mostly ignores her. They are all mourning the loss of her mother in an accident. But Wren is busy trying to re-create a flying machine that will soar above the creaking, cracking house and all of her problems.

It’s only when her dreams of escape are shattered that Wren turns her attention to the house again. Exactly what is so different about it? And why is her father so secretive about the new cracks in his study? Could there be more than one desperate creature trapped in Wren’s home?

This moving novel touches on a variety of topics: from family legends to Welsh mythical creatures, coping with grief to the theory of flight, and even explores the power of a choir of Welsh voices to move mountains. Wren is a headstrong, likeable character who is struggling with her bereavement and against society’s conventions. Infused with longing – for freedom, for choice, for a much-missed loved one – this is also packed with drama and soaring action.