The Raven's Eye Runaways - Claire Mabey

WINNER: 2025 NZSA Best First Book Award, New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults SHORTLISTED: 2025 Esther Glen Award for Junior Fiction, New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young AdultsWINNER: NZ Booklovers Award for Best Junior Fiction Book 2025 STORYLINES NOTABLE BOOK 2024Three friends and a one-eyed raven find themselves up against the rulers who restrict the gifts of writing and reading to an elite few. They must go on a wild and unpredictable rescue mission. Who and what will they meet along their way? And what is the terrible truth behind everything they think they know about their world? 'The work of a writer who wields her words with exquisite care and understands the power of great storytelling.' NZCYA judges'You will be bewitched!' GRACI KIM 'Sparky and spooky, humorous and luminous.' ELIZABETH KNOX 'I adored it.' RACHAEL KING 'Beautiful, warm and assured debut.' HERA LINDSAY BIRD 'Claire Mabey writes like a dream.' ANNA SMAILL'The whole novel is a riff on the transformative power of reading and writing... done with a terrific panache.' HARRY RICKETTS'This is the fantasy read of the year for students.' Jackie Rodgers, Read NZ'It's a lyrical, lively debut, and promises more good things to come. No maybe about this Mabey.' David Hill, Kete Books'A compassionate and intelligent book, full of a deep reverence for the world and those in it. And for miracles of all kinds, in whatever manner they occur.' Hera Lindsay Bird, The Spinoff'A bewitching story that will captivate readers. There's twists and turns a plenty, and magic too, with Mabey setting a cracking pace. The characters are full of vigour and personality, and flaws too.' Rebekah Lyell, NZ Booklovers'Mabey's world is evoked with rich, immersive imagery and prose that is delightfully of its world. It's an adventure story, perfect for young readers who love books about books, and being transported into a realm of fantasy and magic.' Aotearoa NZ Review of Books'Great world-building, wholly-developed characters and whimsical-yet-earthy. Excellent middle-grade fiction, perfect for readers who enjoyed The Grimmelings or Crookhaven.' Alex, Scorpio Books'With a gorgeous turn of phrase, unique characters and an exciting plot, The Raven's Eye Runaways is worth a read no matter your age.' Kristin Stefanoff, Glam Adelaide