Cinders and Sparrows

Written by Stefan Bachmann

Narrated by Justine Eyre

A suspenseful tale of witches, family, and magic from internationally bestselling author Stefan Bachmann. When a twelve-year-old orphan unexpectedly becomes the mistress of a seemingly abandoned castle, she is thrust into a mysterious plot involving murderous spells, false identity, and a magical battle of wills between the living and the dead. Readers of Kate Milford's Greenglass House, Victoria Schwab's City of Ghosts, and Diana Wynne Jones will be riveted.

Twelve-year-old Zita, an orphan and a housemaid, has resigned herself to a life of drudgery when a strange letter arrives, naming her the only living heir to the Brydgeborn fortune. Now the mistress of the castle, Zita soon realizes foul play led to the death of her family. And as she is guided through lessons in the art of witchcraft by the somewhat mysterious Mrs. Cantanker, Zita begins to wonder who is friend and who is foe.

Unforgettable and utterly enchanting, this stand-alone tale about family, belonging, and friendship will bewitch readers of Tahereh Mafi’s Whichwood, Katherine Arden’s Small Spaces, and Diana Wynne Jones’s Howl’s Moving Castle. Cinders & Sparrows is a magical page-turner by the author of The Peculiar, the acclaimed international bestseller.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Oct 13, 2020
• ISBN: 9780063005303

Stefan Bachmann

Stefan Bachmann was born in Colorado and spent most of his childhood in Switzerland, where he graduated from Zurich University of the Arts with degrees in music composition and theory. He is the author of The Peculiar, his debut, which was published to international acclaim when he was nineteen years old. His other books include The Whatnot, A Drop of Night, and Cinders and Sparrows. He is the coauthor (with April Genevieve Tucholke) of The Secret Life of Hidden Places. He lives in Zurich, Switzerland, and Berlin, Germany. 

Reviews for Cinders and Sparrows

[Bridgette Burnett · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Absolutely loved this gothic fairy tale! Loved the twists as well. I want more!

[J · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Excellent middle grade book. It is the perfect read for spooky season.

[3jujud011 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was so delicious and just adorable and grim all-around listen!

[Joanna Disch · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Eine richtig tolle und magische Geschichte, wundervoll inszeniert und gelesen. Mein bisher liebster Bachmann.

[sennebec · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A delightful fantasy that has twists that will challenge and ensnare young teens. It's a book I can imagine reading to my granddaughter when she's a few years older. Solid choice for school and public libraries.