Awakening

Born of the Hyddenworld but living in our reality – Jack knows that he has a foot in both worlds but doesn't wholly belong to either. Even his relationship with his wife can't convince him that this is the place where he truly belongs. He has to decide – is he human, or hydden? Leaving everything he loves behind, including his daughter Judith, Jack travels back to the Hyddenworld to try to find the missing gem of summer.

Judith is also a child of two worlds with her human mother and giant-born hyddenworld father. She knows her destiny, she knows who she is supposed to be – but she's tortured. She feels just like a normal teenage girl, with typical teenage angst. How could she possibly be the legendary Shield-Maiden?

While Judith tries to come to term with her future, the world around her is starting to deteriorate. The weather is changing and destruction and upheaval follow in its wake. Jack knows that the four gems need to be reunited soon and that the Shield-Maiden needs to be ready to wield them.

And if Judith can't accept her destiny, or the gems can't be found, then both the Hydden world and the human are threatened with extinction.

About the Author

William Horwood is the author of the bestselling classic Duncton Wood and Wolves of Time series. William has returned to his hallmark fantasy in this epic series following the flow of the seasons. William lives and works in Oxford.