The Short Knife

Elen Caldecott

Winner of the Tir na n-Og Award
Shortlisted for the Young Quills Historical Fiction Award
Longlisted for the Carnegie Medal

It is the year 454AD. The Roman Empire has withdrawn from Britain, throwing it into the chaos of the Dark Ages. Mai has been kept safe by her father and her sister, Haf. But when Saxon warriors arrive at their farm, the family is forced to flee to the hills where British warlords lie in wait. Can Mai survive in a dangerous world where speaking her mother tongue might be deadly, and where even the people she loves the most can’t be trusted?

Reviews

"A distinctive and engrossing tale"
David Almond

"It is full of thrills and kills … while not scrimping on plot and character. Caldecott writes with a breezy lyricism … The story of a divided Britain and the girls' mission to rebuild their family and survive in a country they barely recognise feels relevant and important"
Alex O'Connell - The Times

"Bright and real as the midsummer sunlight, and as powerfully drawn as a sharp, short knife"
Hilary McKay

"I just loved The Short Knife. Beautifully written, lyrical and powerful – it’s a fascinating insight into dark and desperate times which I found utterly absorbing. Grim and gritty but ultimately uplifting – it’s a beautiful tribute to the courage and ingenuity of sisters"
Tanya Landman

"Set in the author’s native Wales during the dark days of the fifth century, Elen Caldecott’s The Short Knife is an energetic, edge-of-your-seat page-turner with present-day resonance ... The cinematic scene-setting, first person narrative, and succinct, magnetically lyrical style make for a thrilling experience that will hook the most reluctant of readers"
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