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The Sign of the Raven
Not yet published
Expected 10 Nov 26Sixteen-year-old Ashlyn Threadneedle lives a double life in a world where dreams are more real than ever before.
By day she works as a government messenger, by night she escapes into vivid, lucid dreams, navigating a world called the Stream. When her long-dead mother appears in a dream, Ashlyn is thrown into a world where time bends and thoughts are weaponized. She joins The Corvi Signum, a secret society of dreamers who are fighting to protect the Stream. But their fight is against a powerful enemy who wants to control it, manipulate people’s thoughts, and seize control of London.
Join Ashlyn as she navigates a world of dreams and danger, where the only way to save her friends and fight for freedom is to change the past.
Pippa Dunn is an author, teacher and creative facilitator based in East London. She began her career by founding an independent Scottish arts festival, and then moved to London to work with a whole host of cultural and change-making charities. Most recently, she has co-curated Wayne Infinite Bodies, a landmark exhibition at Somerset House. Now, she can usually be found scribbling in one of her local coffee shops, exploring London’s hidden history, or waiting for the house lights to go down at one of the city’s many theatres.
2026 Pippa Dunn (P) 2025 DK Audio
By day she works as a government messenger, by night she escapes into vivid, lucid dreams, navigating a world called the Stream. When her long-dead mother appears in a dream, Ashlyn is thrown into a world where time bends and thoughts are weaponized. She joins The Corvi Signum, a secret society of dreamers who are fighting to protect the Stream. But their fight is against a powerful enemy who wants to control it, manipulate people’s thoughts, and seize control of London.
Join Ashlyn as she navigates a world of dreams and danger, where the only way to save her friends and fight for freedom is to change the past.
Pippa Dunn is an author, teacher and creative facilitator based in East London. She began her career by founding an independent Scottish arts festival, and then moved to London to work with a whole host of cultural and change-making charities. Most recently, she has co-curated Wayne Infinite Bodies, a landmark exhibition at Somerset House. Now, she can usually be found scribbling in one of her local coffee shops, exploring London’s hidden history, or waiting for the house lights to go down at one of the city’s many theatres.
2026 Pippa Dunn (P) 2025 DK Audio
- GenresYoung AdultFantasy
320 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication November 10, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I’ve just read The Sign of the Raven by Pippa Dunn. I had already pre-ordered this book based on its description before I was offered a review copy!
It’s a thrilling adventure, which plays out across both the waking world and an infinite dreamscape.
This book has a lot of my favourite ingredients: a strong female protagonist; a quirky found family; an alternate historical setting; a terrifying villain; a secret society; a twinkle of romance; and a really good pub.
Throw in some absolutely brain-busting, physics-defying possibilities, which meld memories and time and space, and you have the makings of a gripping, page-turning adventure.
By day, Ashlyn Threadneedle works as a courier for the government. I loved her from the moment we meet her, chaotically clattering down the cobbles on her bike; desperate not to incur the wrath of her line manager. Bullied by this jobsworth of a boss, and docked pay at whim, there has to be more to life for someone so young and vivacious?
Ashlyn discovers the answer by night, as she enters the world of a lucid dreamer. In dreams, Ashlyn discovers the Stream, somewhere, or something, between time, space, and the imagination, where multiple possibilities play out and terrible dangers await. Luckily, she discovers she is not the only one to possess the power of lucid dreaming. But, what is for some an opportunity to do good, is to others an ideological playground.
It’s beautifully written, with delightful period vocab and phrasing which adds to the authenticity. The author’s love of London, with all its idiosyncracies comes through really strongly and there are some gorgeous descriptive details (for instance, I love the way the many bridges across the Thames are described). The setting feels absolutely intrinsic to the plot.
It’s impossible to read The Sign of the Raven without making links between the world of the book and our own. Imperilled by would-be dictators, the influence of tech on critical thinking and creativity, psy-ops, historical revisionism and fake news- this describes our reality as much as Ashlyn’s.
Literary references bob up everywhere through the book like flotsam in the swirling tides of the Thames.
For fans of Tyger by SF Said; The Lie Tree (& other works) by Frances Hardinge; Nevermoor by Jessica Townsend
KS3+
It’s a thrilling adventure, which plays out across both the waking world and an infinite dreamscape.
This book has a lot of my favourite ingredients: a strong female protagonist; a quirky found family; an alternate historical setting; a terrifying villain; a secret society; a twinkle of romance; and a really good pub.
Throw in some absolutely brain-busting, physics-defying possibilities, which meld memories and time and space, and you have the makings of a gripping, page-turning adventure.
By day, Ashlyn Threadneedle works as a courier for the government. I loved her from the moment we meet her, chaotically clattering down the cobbles on her bike; desperate not to incur the wrath of her line manager. Bullied by this jobsworth of a boss, and docked pay at whim, there has to be more to life for someone so young and vivacious?
Ashlyn discovers the answer by night, as she enters the world of a lucid dreamer. In dreams, Ashlyn discovers the Stream, somewhere, or something, between time, space, and the imagination, where multiple possibilities play out and terrible dangers await. Luckily, she discovers she is not the only one to possess the power of lucid dreaming. But, what is for some an opportunity to do good, is to others an ideological playground.
It’s beautifully written, with delightful period vocab and phrasing which adds to the authenticity. The author’s love of London, with all its idiosyncracies comes through really strongly and there are some gorgeous descriptive details (for instance, I love the way the many bridges across the Thames are described). The setting feels absolutely intrinsic to the plot.
It’s impossible to read The Sign of the Raven without making links between the world of the book and our own. Imperilled by would-be dictators, the influence of tech on critical thinking and creativity, psy-ops, historical revisionism and fake news- this describes our reality as much as Ashlyn’s.
Literary references bob up everywhere through the book like flotsam in the swirling tides of the Thames.
For fans of Tyger by SF Said; The Lie Tree (& other works) by Frances Hardinge; Nevermoor by Jessica Townsend
KS3+
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This is a gorgeous story.
The writing, the world building and the characters are all brilliant in equal measure and it felt like Victorian London was ready to leap off the page.
Ashlyn is a 16 year old lucid dreamer who discovers the world she visits in her sleep is not so separated from reality as it is at first glance. 1889 London is now apart of the New Republic, a world set into motion after the assassination of Queen Victoria and the rise of the Party. Ravens have been removed from the Tower of London (as the myth goes, the kingdom will fall when they do) and the only Raven-y thing left is the Ravenshaw Arms in Leadenhall Market - the family business of our protagonist. We also come to find it is the meeting place of the secret society of lucid dreamers the Corvi Signum.
No spoilers but this book was more than I ever hoped. A romance, historical moments everywhere and somehow the beating heart of London. (this book even inspired me to visit Leadenhall for the first time and I am so glad it did)
If you are reading this I hope, if you haven't already, that you will give this book a try. It speaks to the importance of dreams in dark moments and I hope you may find as much joy in these pages as I have.
The writing, the world building and the characters are all brilliant in equal measure and it felt like Victorian London was ready to leap off the page.
Ashlyn is a 16 year old lucid dreamer who discovers the world she visits in her sleep is not so separated from reality as it is at first glance. 1889 London is now apart of the New Republic, a world set into motion after the assassination of Queen Victoria and the rise of the Party. Ravens have been removed from the Tower of London (as the myth goes, the kingdom will fall when they do) and the only Raven-y thing left is the Ravenshaw Arms in Leadenhall Market - the family business of our protagonist. We also come to find it is the meeting place of the secret society of lucid dreamers the Corvi Signum.
No spoilers but this book was more than I ever hoped. A romance, historical moments everywhere and somehow the beating heart of London. (this book even inspired me to visit Leadenhall for the first time and I am so glad it did)
If you are reading this I hope, if you haven't already, that you will give this book a try. It speaks to the importance of dreams in dark moments and I hope you may find as much joy in these pages as I have.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5 stars. This was an entertaining, interesting and gripping read!
Set in nineteenth century London, people are able to travel in their dreams in a place called the Stream. Our fmc Ashlyn is a lucid dreamer, someone who’s advanced at travelling. One day she uncovers a plot by the government to trap people in their dreams and manipulate them, so that when they wake they will be under their control. Ashlyn and her friends join the Corvi Signum, a group including her aunt and lost mother, who vow to protect the Stream.
I thought this was a strong book, I thought the idea of people being able to travel and do things in their dreams was really interesting and unique. We have issues around class systems, politics, resistance, oppression, the rich vs the poor, all cleverly showcased in the book, especially for that time. I loved the setting of the 19th century London, it made it more fascinating and almost like real life, especially with the many issues that our characters were fighting in the book. The mystery behind Ashlyns mother’s disappearance in the Stream also kept my intrigue, I wanted to know how and where she disappeared, especially as by searching for her we were learning more about how it all worked.
We have a strong, likeable fmc in Ashlyn who is determined to find her mother and stop prime minister Whitaker from his plans to control people through their dreams. I liked all the side characters, it was fun to see them working together as a resistance group against the governments oppression. I thought it amped up towards the end with Ashlyn working out how to manipulate the Stream in order to save not only her mother but the people of London from being manipulated by the government.
I also loved the ending and thought it was really cute and a perfect way to end the book.
Overall a fun solid read that I finished in less than 24 hours.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Set in nineteenth century London, people are able to travel in their dreams in a place called the Stream. Our fmc Ashlyn is a lucid dreamer, someone who’s advanced at travelling. One day she uncovers a plot by the government to trap people in their dreams and manipulate them, so that when they wake they will be under their control. Ashlyn and her friends join the Corvi Signum, a group including her aunt and lost mother, who vow to protect the Stream.
I thought this was a strong book, I thought the idea of people being able to travel and do things in their dreams was really interesting and unique. We have issues around class systems, politics, resistance, oppression, the rich vs the poor, all cleverly showcased in the book, especially for that time. I loved the setting of the 19th century London, it made it more fascinating and almost like real life, especially with the many issues that our characters were fighting in the book. The mystery behind Ashlyns mother’s disappearance in the Stream also kept my intrigue, I wanted to know how and where she disappeared, especially as by searching for her we were learning more about how it all worked.
We have a strong, likeable fmc in Ashlyn who is determined to find her mother and stop prime minister Whitaker from his plans to control people through their dreams. I liked all the side characters, it was fun to see them working together as a resistance group against the governments oppression. I thought it amped up towards the end with Ashlyn working out how to manipulate the Stream in order to save not only her mother but the people of London from being manipulated by the government.
I also loved the ending and thought it was really cute and a perfect way to end the book.
Overall a fun solid read that I finished in less than 24 hours.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you to DK for a proof copy!
Wow that was such a wonderful read! Pippa is so talented and I cant believe this is her debut!!
This book is full of heart, hopes and dreams and found family. Trying to change the world one dream at a time. The main character Ashlyn was my favourite, shes brave and loyal and makes mistakes just like any regular teen.
Dimitri didnt have any massive scenes in the book but everytime he came onto the page he would steal the show. He is just so sweet and I loved all his poetry! His rejections from the ladies made me sigh as everyone can see who his heart really desires....apart from him 😅.
Set in a moody London, the book weaves a fantasy london with real places and events that have actually happened. Ashlyn is trying to find her lost mother in a dreamlike world where nothing is as it seems. She knows the 'party' who are in charge of the city are corrupt and voices are being silenced. Her voice really comes through with wanting change and with the help of her bestfriend Dimitri, the two teens try to investigate what is happening.
This is aimed at a young teen audience and really made me feel like I was a teenager once again and holding my breath that my favourite characters make it out alive.
All the stars for this book. If you loved 'Stravaganza - City of Masks' and 'Northen Lights' by Philip Pullman, your going to love this!
Wow that was such a wonderful read! Pippa is so talented and I cant believe this is her debut!!
This book is full of heart, hopes and dreams and found family. Trying to change the world one dream at a time. The main character Ashlyn was my favourite, shes brave and loyal and makes mistakes just like any regular teen.
Dimitri didnt have any massive scenes in the book but everytime he came onto the page he would steal the show. He is just so sweet and I loved all his poetry! His rejections from the ladies made me sigh as everyone can see who his heart really desires....apart from him 😅.
Set in a moody London, the book weaves a fantasy london with real places and events that have actually happened. Ashlyn is trying to find her lost mother in a dreamlike world where nothing is as it seems. She knows the 'party' who are in charge of the city are corrupt and voices are being silenced. Her voice really comes through with wanting change and with the help of her bestfriend Dimitri, the two teens try to investigate what is happening.
This is aimed at a young teen audience and really made me feel like I was a teenager once again and holding my breath that my favourite characters make it out alive.
All the stars for this book. If you loved 'Stravaganza - City of Masks' and 'Northen Lights' by Philip Pullman, your going to love this!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews