From the Newbery-Medal winning author of The Girl Who Drank the Moon comes a spellbinding fantasy adventure spun around a haunting prophecy: The wrong boy will save your life, and you will save his.

A Washington Post Best Book ★ A Kirkus Reviews Best Children's Book ★ A Publishers Weekly Best Book ★ A Chicago Public Library "Best of the Best"

When Ned and his identical twin brother tumble from their raft into a raging river, only Ned survives. Villagers are convinced the wrong boy lived. But when a Bandit King comes to steal the magic Ned’s mother, a witch, is meant to protect, it’s Ned who safeguards the magic and summons the strength to protect his family and community.

Meanwhile, across the enchanted forest that borders Ned’s village lives Áine, the resourceful and pragmatic daughter of the Bandit King, who is haunted by her mother’s last wordsto her: “The wrong boy will save your life and you will save his.” When Áine’s and Ned’s paths cross, can they trust each other long enough to stop the war that’s about to boil over between their two kingdoms?

“Barnhill is a fantasist on the order of Neil Gaiman.” —Minneapolis Star Tribune
“This is a book to treasure.” —Nerdy Book Club

DON’T MISS THESE OTHER ACCLAIMED BOOKS BY KELLY BARNHILL:
The Mostly True Story of Jack
Iron Hearted Violet
The Girl Who Drank the Moon
The Ogress and the Orphans