Overview

“An essential middle grade fantasy where all readers will find heroes to love and to cheer!” —Alex London, author of Battle Dragons and The Princess Protection Program “Every kid deserves to see themselves as princesses or knights or whatever role they wish to play, and Nijkamp carves out the space for them to do so. Thoughtful, inclusive, and an outright joy, Splinter & Ash shines; a new classic that belongs on the shelves of every fantasy reader.” —Nicole Melleby, author of Hurricane Season and coeditor of This Is Our Rainbow “Splinter & Ash is a rare gem: a shining example of a fantasy novel that will engage readers of any age.” —A. J. Sass, award-winning author of Ellen Outside the Lines and Ana on the Edge New York Times bestselling author Marieke Nijkamp's middle grade prose debut is an immersive medieval fantasy starring queer and disabled young heroes. For two young misfits, a dangerous quest to save their kingdom will also mean saving each other. For fans of B. B. Alston’s Amari and the Night Brothers, Soman Chainani’s School for Good and Evil, and Tamora Pierce’s Tortall books. Ash—or Princess Adelisa—is the youngest child of the queen, recently returned to the city of Kestrel’s Haven after spending six years on the other side of the country. Ash was hoping for a joyous reunion, but the reality is far from it. Her mother is holding the kingdom together by a thread; her brother has only taunts and jibes for her; and court is full of nobles who openly mock and dismiss Ash, who uses a cane and needs braces to strengthen her joints. Splinter is the youngest child of one of Haven’s most prominent families. She’s fierce, determined, and adventurous, and she has her sights set on becoming a knight just like her older brother. Even if everyone says she can’t because she’s not a boy. So what She’s not a girl, either. A chance encounter throws Ash and Splinter into each other’s orbits and changes the course of the kingdom's history. The princess and her new squire will face bullies, snobs, gossips, and their own disapproving families. But when they uncover a shadowy group of nobles plotting to overthrow the queen, they will show everyone how legends are born. Together. The first in a trilogy, bestselling author Marieke Nijkamp’s medieval fantasy is an action-packed love letter to nonbinary, queer, and disabled kids. Splinter & Ash evokes the classic adventure and atmosphere of fantasies by Lloyd Alexander and Tamora Pierce and the fresh, inclusive lens of writers such as Rick Riordan, Angie Thomas, and Soman Chainani. It invites everyone—no matter who they are or what they look like—to fight for what they believe in.

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9780063326262

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Reviews

"""Visit Nijkamp's enchanting city of Kestrel's Haven, and be transported! Intrigue, danger, and pernicious plots abound in the kingdom of Calinor. But it's the brave, fierce, and deeply kind Splinter and Ash, unlikely squire and unconquerable princess, whose friendship defies labels and whose adventures make Splinter & Ash an essential middle grade fantasy, where all readers will find heroes to love and to cheer!"" -- Alex London, author of Battle Dragons and The Princess Protection Program ""Every kid deserves to see themselves as princesses or knights or whatever role they wish to play, and Nijkamp carves out the space for them to do so. Thoughtful, inclusive, and an outright joy, Splinter & Ash shines; a new classic that belongs on the shelves of every fantasy reader."" -- Nicole Melleby, author of Hurricane Season and co-editor of This Is Our Rainbow ""Nijkamp weaves dual narratives that deftly explore the intersections of identity, disability, and allyship in Splinter & Ash, a remarkable fantasy that is sure to become an instant classic. I wish I could live in a world where characters like Splinter, Ash, and Lucen exist, where internal biases about gender and disability are challenged and people learn to empathize with others and celebrate differences. Splinter & Ash is a rare gem: a shining example of a fantasy novel that will engage readers of any age."" -- A. J. Sass, award winning author of Ellen Outside the Lines and Ana on the Edge ""Splinter & Ash is an inviting fairytale with my favorite sort of characters, the kind who rise up in the face of challenges, and who follow their hearts no matter where they lead. Settle into your comfiest chair; you won't want to leave soon."" -- Stacey Lee, New York Times-bestselling author of Reese's Book Club pick The Downstairs Girl"

"""Marieke Nijkamp's Splinter & Ash is an action-packed adventure about bravery, friendship, and the universal quest for acceptance, sure to stir young readers' hearts. Celebrating the power of queer and disabled heroes, this novel shines as an example of inclusive middle-grade. The start of a bold new fantasy trilogy, Splinter & Ash introduces us to a world where every child, irrespective of who they are, can wield the sword of a hero and stand tall in the face of adversity. Nijkamp invites all to discover their inner strength and the boundless potential to forge their own legends."" -- Soman Chainani, author of The School for Good and Evil ""Splinter & Ash is an inviting fairytale with my favorite sort of characters, the kind who rise up in the face of challenges, and who follow their hearts no matter where they lead. Settle into your comfiest chair; you won't want to leave."" -- Stacey Lee, New York Times-bestselling author of Reese's Book Club pick The Downstairs Girl ""An exciting, twisty story packed with everything you want from a fantasy adventure: hidden tunnels, long-buried secrets, dastardly plots, and, best of all, irresistible protagonists who uncover it all. I loved watching Splinter and Ash, two ostensible misfits, claim their space in a world that doesn't know what to do with them. A wonderful read, full of depth and heart."" -- Anne Ursu, author of Not Quite a Ghost ""Visit Nijkamp's enchanting city of Kestrel's Haven, and be transported! Intrigue, danger, and pernicious plots abound in the kingdom of Calinor. But it's the brave, fierce, and deeply kind Splinter and Ash, unlikely squire and unconquerable princess, whose friendship defies labels and whose adventures make Splinter & Ash an essential middle grade fantasy, where all readers will find heroes to love and to cheer!"" -- Alex London, author of Battle Dragons and The Princess Protection Program ""An inspiring, fast-paced adventure with an abundance of heart. Readers will fall in love with Splinter and Ash and wish they could be best friends with them--and hope for more of their stories in the future."" -- Shannon Messenger, New York Times-bestselling author of the Keeper of the Lost Cities series ""A thrilling fantasy adventure full of exciting swordplay, dangerous spycraft, cleverness, and courage, with characters I loved. I'm hoping for many more stories in this world!"" -- Stephanie Burgis, author of The Raven Heir and The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart ""Every kid deserves to see themselves as princesses or knights or whatever role they wish to play, and Nijkamp carves out the space for them to do so. Thoughtful, inclusive, and an outright joy, Splinter & Ash shines; a new classic that belongs on the shelves of every fantasy reader."" -- Nicole Melleby, author of Hurricane Season and co-editor of This Is Our Rainbow ""Nijkamp weaves dual narratives that deftly explore the intersections of identity, disability, and allyship in Splinter & Ash, a remarkable fantasy that is sure to become an instant classic. I wish I could live in a world where characters like Splinter, Ash, and Lucen exist, where internal biases about gender and disability are challenged and people learn to empathize with others and celebrate differences. Splinter & Ash is a rare gem: a shining example of a fantasy novel that will engage readers of any age."" -- A. J. Sass, award winning author of Ellen Outside the Lines and Ana on the Edge ""Splinter & Ash is a heartfelt and gorgeously woven story that expertly blends inclusivity with a fantastical world readers will want to return to again and again. Splinter and Ash are characters to laugh with, bond with, and demand justice for. Nijkamp has written a stupendous adventure sure to become a firm favorite with readers."" -- L. D. Lapinski, bestselling author of Jamie and the Strangeworlds Travel Agency series ""In this thrilling trilogy opener, Nijkamp assuredly introduces an intersectionally diverse cast of complex and fiercely resourceful characters who must navigate threats both physical and social. With Ash's kindness and intelligence, and Splinter's indomitable knightly spirit, the two make an ideal partnership and a winning addition to boundary-defying heroines heroines like Alanna of Trebond and Sir Callie."" -- Publishers Weekly (starred review) ""Can a disabled princess and her gender-nonconforming squire make a difference to their country's war efforts? . . . The characters all have depth and flaws and believably grow into stronger versions of their true selves who value their own self-worth. . . . A thoughtful fantasy exploring loyalty, self-worth, and the ethics of war beyond the battlefield."" -- Kirkus Reviews ""A -character-driven fantasy series opener with tons of adventure"" -- School Library Journal"

Author Information

Marieke Nijkamp (she/they/any) is the author of the middle grade graphic novel Ink Girls as well as several books for young adults, which include #1 New York Times bestsellers, a critically acclaimed anthology, graphic novels, and comics. She studied philosophy and medieval history, and when she isn't writing, she loves to garden, roll dice, and daydream. Marieke Nijkamp lives and writes in Small Town, the Netherlands.

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