A chilling, stylishly written and utterly memorable story * Guardian, Best New Children's Books 2016 *

A small wonder, and for once a book worthy of the hype * Alex O'Connell, The Times *

The breakout WWII drama . . . is causing quite the stir amongst both adults and the pre-teens it's aimed at * Stylist - 'Your Essential 2016 Reading List' *

Tense, moving, original and skilled, this phenomenal debut will seize sophisticated readers * Nicolette Jones, Sunday Times - Children's Book of the Week *

It sometimes seems there can be no stories left to tell about the anguish of Nazi-occupied countries in 1939-45 but the debut novel by Gavriel Savit makes the territory new * Observer *

A beautifully haunting and thought-provoking story of friendship that lingers long after the last page * Ruta Sepetys *

A bold first novel that promises more from the undoubtedly talented Savit * Guardian *

A beautifully written debut * Sunday Express *

This wonderfully original concept, enigmatic in style yet grounded in brutal reality, is written with deceptive power and grace * Daily Mail *

A stark and beautifully written tale that will leave you feeling unsettled yet enthralled * Woman Magazine *

Savit's young adult novel reveals the power and danger of language, the necessity for deceit when humanity is under siege and . . . the hope that we will all find a guardian when we most need it * Sainsbury's Magazine *

Savit brilliantly dramatizes the adventures of survival . . . this book has an enticing sense of fable * Daily Telegraph *

Savit's story is aimed at anyone who will listen. A 10-year-old may identify with Anna. A teenage reader will absorb the deftness and sophistication of the telling. An adult will find his or her expectations challenged * New York Times *

There's much for adults to love about Gavriel Savit's beautiful tale * Sun, Fabulous Magazine *

The book that brings magic to the 20th century's darkest hour * Mashable *

Savit captures the moods, fears and delightful conversation of this odd couple on their implausible odyssey. It's a touching tale, both sad and sweet * Mail on Sunday, EVENT magazine - Best New Fiction *

An astonishingly accomplished debut about war, survival and humanity . . . this is very much in the territory of The Book Thief and The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas with all the potential that such a comparison suggests * Fiona Noble, The Bookseller - One to Watch *

[a] complex graceful book * Financial Times *

Exquisite * Irish Independent *

Exquisite debut novel * Wall Street Journal *

Like the characters in his debut novel, author Gavriel Savit has harnessed the power of language. He's a talented wordsmith, wielding words and sentences with a precision that allows them to wriggle deep into this reader's heart, leaving me both enchanted and brokenhearted * Sara Grochowski, Publishers Weekly *

One of those all ages and no age stories . . . told by a genuine wordsmith . . . And it's a story of generosity in the worst of times. Of friendship and loyalty and yes, of love despite all the horror. We won't forget how it felt to read it. Ever * Jill Murphy, The Bookbag *

A beautiful and stunning read . . . It creeps slowly into your heart just like Morris Gleitzman'sOnce, and The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas did * Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books *

Such an important, painful, beautiful, hopeful read * Bloggers Heart Books *

A harsh tale of innocence lost, yet touched with magic * Herald *

This is cleverly done and beautifully written tale of loss, hope, survival and trust * Kate Ormand *

Savit spins a dark and heart-breaking tale of history and fable seen through the eyes of a child. A thought-provoking read, great for book clubs * South Wales Evening Post, Children's Book of the Week *

A complex, gruelling trip through the midnight of the last century * Financial Times - Summer Reading 2016 *