Relic of Thieves

The Underwild #2

by Shana Targosz

For the first printing only! This hardcover features sprayed edges while the special edition supply lasts.

An ordinary girl’s longing to return to the way things were sets off a chain of events that lands her and her best friend in the Underwild in this second book in the New York Times bestselling middle grade fantasy series The Underwild—perfect for fans of Greenwild and Rick Riordan.

The best ways Anya knows how to cope with the struggles life throws her way is to keep her head down, stay invisible, and stick close to her best friend, Lizzie. Lizzie has been Anya’s rock since second grade. Together, they pretend the world away. But when Lizzie moves out of state, Anya is left adrift and desperately lonely.

One day, Anya follows a strange girl home from school and is shocked to see her go into the home of the woman who everyone in town swears is a witch. As Anya spies on the pair, she realizes the woman really does have magic—including a set of magical keys that can deliver you anywhere you want to go…keys that could reunite Anya with Lizzie. Anya has seen all she needs to; as soon as she has the chance, she steals the keys.

But magic always has a price. The keys do bring Anya to Lizzie, but then the girls are transported to the dark and chaotic world of the Underwild. Before long, Lizzie is snatched away by a terrible creature! Now wracked with guilt and paralyzed by fear, Anya has no choice but to trust the girl from school, Senka, when she unexpectedly shows up and offers to help. But can Anya find the bravery locked away deep inside herself in time to rescue her friend?

Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy

464 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication March 24, 2026

About the author

Shana Targosz writes about magical girls, budding friendships, ghosts who may or may not be friendly, and fiercely held hope. She is an Oregon Literary Arts Fellow and the 2021 recipient of the Edna L. Holmes Fellowship for Young Readers. Her debut novel is The Underwild: River of Spirits (Aladdin books - March 25, 2025). When not writing or reading through a stack of books, she spends her time playing Zelda with her son, designing solo journaling games, walking her domesticated monster disguised as a Labradoodle, and dreaming up different worlds.

Reviews

[Anastasia ｼ]

Thank you for the ARC, Simon Schuster!!
The cover is gorgeous, and I can't wait to read this!!
✦•······················•✦•······················•✦
⊹ 𝔀𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓮𝔁𝓹𝓮𝓬𝓽 ⊹
❥Mythology
❥Witches
❥Journey to the Underworld
❥A beast on the hunt
❥Magical key that can take you anywhere
❥A girl going to the ends of the world for her one person
❥Giant messenger ravens (& their queen)

[Sarah Butland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC from Simon and Schuster Canada in exchange for an honest review.

Not my typical read, I was hesitant to get started, but once I did I was absolutely addicted.

Anya, the main character, is completely relatable as a young girl feeling lost, trapped and curious. A storyteller herself, she finds her courage to explore after the heartbreaking news of her best, and only, friend moving away.

This is an adventurous tale of courage, friendship, exploration and gods. With many life lessons sprinkled throughout, the fast-paced story is written vividly and brilliantly to pull any curious reader into a spellbinding journey.

[LizNReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a children fantasy book taking place in a magical realm with Greek Mythology.
This book is about a young girl whom, after finding out her one and only friend is moving away, breaks the rules just to get her back, not knowing all the danger she exposes, not only for herself but also for her friend. A Great story that talks about learning to trust others, the importance of believing in yourself & the good that comes with having a great self-esteem.

Thank you GoodReads, Aladdin, Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing, NetGalley, & Shana Targosz for the ARC.

[Deb]

it was definitely an exciting book!! I think there should be a series going on!!!