A Friend. A Father. A Kingdom. Which one would you sacrifice?

This compelling trilogy of court intrigue, adventure and romance is a winning combination of imagination, powerful storytelling and magnificent characters.

Fifteen-year-old Wynter Moorehawke returns home after a five-year sojourn in the bleak Northlands. All has changed in her absence. Wynter is forced to make a terrible choice: stay and bow to the King’s will, or abandon her ailing father and join her friend Razi and the mysterious Christopher Garron in their efforts to restore the fragile kingdom to its former stability. But this changed kingdom is a dangerous place, where all resistance is brutally suppressed and the trio constantly risk assassination, torture or imprisonment.

Atmospheric and intriguing, evokes an enchanting and convincing other world – love, treachery, jealousy, tenderness, war, wisdom and court life are all vividly depicted.

Set in a fantastical medieval Europe, The Poison Throne is a gothic tale of intrigue, adventure and romance which draws the reader in from the very first sentence and doesn't loosen its grip until the last.

fiercely political and actually, just fiercely written in general

Kiernan has a great sense of theatricality at her fingertips: the story unfolds and is revealed at exactly the most climatic moment . . . Kiernan is masterly in her storytelling.

Teen novel that will baroque your world ... all the ingredients of an international bestseller ... the writing is extraordinary ... recommended for both teen and adult readers

'power of the writing, the concentration and the wonderful attention to detail.'

'much-acclaimed first book in the Moorehawk trilogy.'

'an impressive stylish debut.'

'one of the strongest emerging authors in Ireland.'

Robert Dunbar’s Top 30 Children’s books of 2008 'An excellent historical fantasy.'

'beautifully written ... Celine Kiernan is a superb writer ... Atmosphere oozes from every page'

‘This is marvellous, vivid writing, and storytelling at its absolute best. It reminded me of the first time I read Philip Pullman - I was utterly engrossed’

'Striking debut novel, a fascinating historical fantasy characterized by vivid, colourful writing.'

'Well-delivered messages of friendship, familial love and tolerance.'

'The narrator’s voice is strong and the writing stylish. An excellent story from a debut Irish author'

‘a spectacular fantasy by a prolific, creative and multi-talented artist and author’

‘Do you remember that sensation of growing incredulity as you read on through a manuscript? I mean that feeling of absolute happiness that an editor experiences when she realises she is not reading a few rough pages from a would-be writer, but the polishe

‘I was amazed to find such excellence of style and plot from a debut author. I couldn’t stop reading the story until I was finished, and was left dying for more’

'engages her readers in a carefully-realised semi-fantastical adventure fraught with familial and political tensions and a graphic violence that is never gratuitous but more a release of the emotional tensions generated by the novel’s main themes'

'The beginning of what promises to be a powerful trilogy with YA crossover appeal, this epic starts strong and doesn't falter one iota, ending with a cliffhanger that will leave readers demanding more.'

'Atmospheric, complex, and intense'

'Told with great assurance and attention to detail, this is an exciting fast-paced story - very much anchored in the fears, loyalties and vulnerabilities of its sympathetically drawn characters. It makes for an absorbing read - Kiernan's plotting keeps th

' Kiernan will stun you with her debut novel, as her extraordinarily drawn characters invite themselves into your head for a nice visit. With deep societal intrigue and political machinations at the fore, her investment in the "what if" of medieval Europe

‘This is marvellous, vivid writing, and storytelling at its absolute best. It reminded me of the first time I read Philip Pullman - I was utterly engrossed’

'Kiernan has a great sense of theatricality at her fingertips: the story unfolds and is revealed at exactly the most climatic moment . . . Kiernan is masterly in her storytelling.'

'power of the writing, the concentration and the wonderful attention to detail.'

Robert Dunbar’s Top 30 Children’s books of 2008 'An excellent historical fantasy.'

'one of the strongest emerging authors in Ireland.'

'an impressive stylish debut.'

'much-acclaimed first book in the Moorehawk trilogy.'

'beautifully written ... Celine Kiernan is a superb writer ... Atmosphere oozes from every page'

'The first volume of this suspenseful trilogy encompasses both romance and political adventure. Set in a medieval Europe with some fantasy elements, it races the reader along at breath-taking speed and doesn’t release its grip until the very last page.'

'A meaty read for young adults to get stuck into over the summer holidays, this has mystery, malevolence and romance – something for everyone'

'Atmospheric, complex, and intense'

'The beginning of what promises to be a powerful trilogy with YA crossover appeal, this epic starts strong and doesn't falter one iota, ending with a cliffhanger that will leave readers demanding more.'

'Told with great assurance and attention to detail, this is an exciting fast-paced story - very much anchored in the fears, loyalties and vulnerabilities of its sympathetically drawn characters. It makes for an absorbing read - Kiernan's plotting keeps th

'The Poisoned Throne is a slowly building, character driven piece - one set to surprise a lot of readers by the sheer force of its storytelling and the promise of its scope. I for one am looking forward to the next two novels, which I understand will expa