The Beasts of Grimheart : Five Realms

The third instalment of Podkin's epic battle against the Gorm

The bard looks up at the three figures who now surround him. They have black hooded cloaks and long robes. Beneath their cowls, sunlight gleams on polished bone carved with whorls, spirals and runes. From the holes in their masks, three pairs of eyes watch him: cold, calm, emotionless.

'Yes,' says the bard. 'They're bonedancers. You don't need to sound quite so excited, though. They have come to kill me.'

And so it is that the bard and and his young apprentice Rue are taken to Spinestone, the temple warren of the bonedancers. It is here that the bard is ordered to retell the tale that has got him in so much trouble, and set a contract on his life . . . and so to the next instalment in the astonishing tale of Podkin One-Ear . . .

Podkin, Paz and Pook once again find their home under threat, but this time they are ready to fight! The Gorm are razing the forest in order to flush out the Dark Hollow rabbits, so Podkin and the others leave for Sparrowfast to ask their uncle for the use of his magic bow. It's the one weapon that could save them all. But as they flee into the forest depths, it seems they have been betrayed . . .

About the Author

Kieran Larwood has been passionate about stories and storytelling ever since he first read The Hobbit aged six. He is a full-time writer and ex-teacher and has won the Blue Peter Book Award for The Legend of Podkin One-Ear. He lives on the Isle of Wight with his family, and between work, fatherhood and writing, doesn't get nearly enough sleep.

About the Illustrator

David Wyatt is an illustrator living in Devon. He has illustrated many novels and is also much admired for his concept and character work. He has illustrated tales by well-known authors such as Diana Wynne Jones, Terry Pratchett, Philip Pullman, and J. R. R. Tolkien.