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The Golden Feather
The brand-new uplifting and unputdownable novel from an internationally bestselling author.
Saul Bonnytop – penniless, uneducated and very, very old – has a secret to enter the mighty Emperor’s storytelling competition. But the contest, to find the most marvellous tale in all the land, is out of reach for someone like Saul – until the arrival of a mysterious golden feather. Despite the impossible odds, Saul and his family embark upon the ultimate road trip, making an unlikely assortment of friends and a dangerous enemy. If Saul fails, the Bonnytops will return to poverty. If he succeeds, they’ll be in greater danger than ever. Saul’s journey is full of splendid tales told in grand halls – but his own quest might be the most remarkable story of all.
Praise for The Golden Feather:
“The Golden Feather completely transports you to a fantastical land. Beautifully crafted, full of depth and originality. You cannot put it down.” Melanie Walters (Gavin and Stacey)
“A shimmering tale about friendship, love and sacrifice, The Golden Feather will transport you to a realm of fable and magic and ultimately remind you of the redeeming power of stories. A delight!” Mike Gayle
“Oh how I loved this funny, warm-hearted, beautiful book! Full of glittering characters and imbued with all the magic of a fairytale, The Golden Feather had me absolutely enthralled. It’s about determination and a journey and a dream that comes true. It celebrates stories and friendships. And it’s truly gorgeous.” Hazel Prior
“This gloriously imaginative tale about the joys and power of storytelling will capture all hearts and remind us why books are so important.” Rachel Hore.
“The plot is multi-layered and fiendishly addictive, the characters are colourful, and the writing is unfailingly beautiful. Tracy Rees is the consummate storyteller.” Gill Paul.
“Utterly enchanting... a welcome reminder that adults need a little magic and wonderment too. Thank you, Tracy Rees, for sharing your beautiful imagination with us.” Hazel Gaynor
“I absolutely loved The Golden Feather and couldn’t wait to get back to it, savouring every page as I knew I would be sad to finish. Exquisitely written, remarkably original and highly imaginative, The Golden Feather is the perfect escapist read. A celebration of story, told with humour and suspense. An absolute gem of a novel from a very gifted storyteller.” Louise Fein
“A wondrous, spellbinding ode to the power of storytelling, I absolutely loved The Golden Feather! It has everything you could wish for in a great story, from mesmerising prose to brilliant adventure and a cast of characters I didn't want to say goodbye to. Tracy's ability to transport the reader to the gorgeous, fairy-tale like world of the novel had me riveted. I couldn't put it down!” Linda Wilgus
“Such an absolute delight that I couldn't put it down. I was completely transported to this vividly imagined world, shot through with magic – utterly beguiling and satisfying.
Saul Bonnytop – penniless, uneducated and very, very old – has a secret to enter the mighty Emperor’s storytelling competition. But the contest, to find the most marvellous tale in all the land, is out of reach for someone like Saul – until the arrival of a mysterious golden feather. Despite the impossible odds, Saul and his family embark upon the ultimate road trip, making an unlikely assortment of friends and a dangerous enemy. If Saul fails, the Bonnytops will return to poverty. If he succeeds, they’ll be in greater danger than ever. Saul’s journey is full of splendid tales told in grand halls – but his own quest might be the most remarkable story of all.
Praise for The Golden Feather:
“The Golden Feather completely transports you to a fantastical land. Beautifully crafted, full of depth and originality. You cannot put it down.” Melanie Walters (Gavin and Stacey)
“A shimmering tale about friendship, love and sacrifice, The Golden Feather will transport you to a realm of fable and magic and ultimately remind you of the redeeming power of stories. A delight!” Mike Gayle
“Oh how I loved this funny, warm-hearted, beautiful book! Full of glittering characters and imbued with all the magic of a fairytale, The Golden Feather had me absolutely enthralled. It’s about determination and a journey and a dream that comes true. It celebrates stories and friendships. And it’s truly gorgeous.” Hazel Prior
“This gloriously imaginative tale about the joys and power of storytelling will capture all hearts and remind us why books are so important.” Rachel Hore.
“The plot is multi-layered and fiendishly addictive, the characters are colourful, and the writing is unfailingly beautiful. Tracy Rees is the consummate storyteller.” Gill Paul.
“Utterly enchanting... a welcome reminder that adults need a little magic and wonderment too. Thank you, Tracy Rees, for sharing your beautiful imagination with us.” Hazel Gaynor
“I absolutely loved The Golden Feather and couldn’t wait to get back to it, savouring every page as I knew I would be sad to finish. Exquisitely written, remarkably original and highly imaginative, The Golden Feather is the perfect escapist read. A celebration of story, told with humour and suspense. An absolute gem of a novel from a very gifted storyteller.” Louise Fein
“A wondrous, spellbinding ode to the power of storytelling, I absolutely loved The Golden Feather! It has everything you could wish for in a great story, from mesmerising prose to brilliant adventure and a cast of characters I didn't want to say goodbye to. Tracy's ability to transport the reader to the gorgeous, fairy-tale like world of the novel had me riveted. I couldn't put it down!” Linda Wilgus
“Such an absolute delight that I couldn't put it down. I was completely transported to this vividly imagined world, shot through with magic – utterly beguiling and satisfying.
440 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 4, 2026
About the author
Tracy Rees
12 books573 followersTracy Rees is a Cambridge graduate with a degree in Modern and Medieval Languages. After an eight-year career in nonfiction publishing, she worked as a counselor for people with cancer and their families. Amy Snow is her first novel. She lives in Swansea, Wales.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Being used to Tracy Rees’s historical fiction in particular, it took me a little while to attune to The Golden Feather because it felt so different and initially I was unsure if I’d enjoy it. However, I didn’t just enjoy the story of Saul et al, but I absolutely adored it.
In effect (and magnificently given that this is a narrative about story-telling) elements of whatever genre of book a reader enjoys can be found between the pages of The Golden Feather. Drawing on the great traditions of oral story-telling, here we have fairy story and fable, romance and fantasy, a touch of horror and a great epic journey, quest and self-discovery, magic and rags to riches to name but a few. There really is an aspect of The Golden Feather that appeals to everyone. The layers of the story can be accessed and appreciated in many ways so that the narrative could be read simply as a magical adventure whilst simultaneously being a love letter to narratives, to life and to what makes community, friendship and humanity so special. The plotting is so deftly handled that there are some true surprises along the way.
The characters in The Golden Feather are superbly created and the links between them are spun together in such a satisfying way that I found myself completely drawn into the circle of Bart and the Bonnytops. It’s simply wonderful that the aged, poverty-stricken Saul learns just as much about himself, others and what is important in life as does the initially brash, conceited Bart. Even the near-perfect Marralda learns something in the narrative, but you’ll need to read the book to discover what it is! This has the effect of avoiding cliche where the worst character simply learns to be a better person, and instead illustrates how all of us have the potential to change and grow, even if not all of us choose to do so. It gives realism amongst the magic and is a powerful and affecting combination.
More importantly, I feel, is the awareness that dawns on the reader. I found myself finding a childlike, but never childish, delight in rediscovering the power of story, of being drawn into an imaginary world where I had no idea how events might resolve themselves, but being able to relax in the wonderment of knowing they probably would. It’s no exaggeration to say that The Golden Feather is highly entertaining, captivating and compelling, but equally that it brings the most glorious joy to the reader. Having begun the first few pages unsure about the register of the story, I found myself ensnared in the magical quality of plot and authorial style. I could not draw myself away from the people between the pages.
At the risk of being hyperbolic, I can honestly say that reading The Golden Feather restored my soul. I felt uplifted, as if I’d been privy to the innermost thoughts and actions of people I care about, and I closed the story with the most warm feeling of deep satisfaction. For those, like me, who usually eschew anything bordering fantasy (and there are fantastical aspects here), I urge you to put aside any preconceived opinions and read The Golden Feather. It’s an absolute gem!
In effect (and magnificently given that this is a narrative about story-telling) elements of whatever genre of book a reader enjoys can be found between the pages of The Golden Feather. Drawing on the great traditions of oral story-telling, here we have fairy story and fable, romance and fantasy, a touch of horror and a great epic journey, quest and self-discovery, magic and rags to riches to name but a few. There really is an aspect of The Golden Feather that appeals to everyone. The layers of the story can be accessed and appreciated in many ways so that the narrative could be read simply as a magical adventure whilst simultaneously being a love letter to narratives, to life and to what makes community, friendship and humanity so special. The plotting is so deftly handled that there are some true surprises along the way.
The characters in The Golden Feather are superbly created and the links between them are spun together in such a satisfying way that I found myself completely drawn into the circle of Bart and the Bonnytops. It’s simply wonderful that the aged, poverty-stricken Saul learns just as much about himself, others and what is important in life as does the initially brash, conceited Bart. Even the near-perfect Marralda learns something in the narrative, but you’ll need to read the book to discover what it is! This has the effect of avoiding cliche where the worst character simply learns to be a better person, and instead illustrates how all of us have the potential to change and grow, even if not all of us choose to do so. It gives realism amongst the magic and is a powerful and affecting combination.
More importantly, I feel, is the awareness that dawns on the reader. I found myself finding a childlike, but never childish, delight in rediscovering the power of story, of being drawn into an imaginary world where I had no idea how events might resolve themselves, but being able to relax in the wonderment of knowing they probably would. It’s no exaggeration to say that The Golden Feather is highly entertaining, captivating and compelling, but equally that it brings the most glorious joy to the reader. Having begun the first few pages unsure about the register of the story, I found myself ensnared in the magical quality of plot and authorial style. I could not draw myself away from the people between the pages.
At the risk of being hyperbolic, I can honestly say that reading The Golden Feather restored my soul. I felt uplifted, as if I’d been privy to the innermost thoughts and actions of people I care about, and I closed the story with the most warm feeling of deep satisfaction. For those, like me, who usually eschew anything bordering fantasy (and there are fantastical aspects here), I urge you to put aside any preconceived opinions and read The Golden Feather. It’s an absolute gem!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is one of those stories you keep on your shelf to revisit whenever you need a lift. I was genuinely sad when it was over, having been emotionally invested in Saul and loving every step along the way.
It’s difficult for me to pinpoint just one thing that makes this novel so magical because it’s the story as a whole that works its charm. The unforgettable characters, the friendships that form, the beautiful settings, and the quest itself as the competitors travel through each Circle on their way to the Emperor of Jillibora’s storytelling competition, come together to create the magic. And then there’s the Palace, with its secrets, revelations, and sense of wonder.
Saul is the perfect underdog, the man everyone believes least likely to succeed. It’s not only that he’s illiterate or considered “very, very old”; for years, Saul’s own mindset has held him back too. Meeting Bart changes everything.
Bart is open-minded, curious, and willing to embrace new experiences which is the complete opposite of Saul. I loved the strong friendship that develops between them.
Dieter Redjacket is another character who experiences a kind of rebirth. The mistake made by his parents gave me a chuckle, although I did feel rather sorry for the unfortunate victim.
The motivation behind the recurring conflict is incredibly clever. I never worked out the connection beforehand, and loved this surprise element.
As much as I loved the quests through the Circles, I may have enjoyed the time spent at the Palace even more 🙂 It felt utterly magical. I loved the Emperor’s Healing Room and Toussek’s remarkable skills.
The book is made even more special by the beautiful original vignette illustrations by illustrator Carina Roberts. The hand-drawn artwork adds another layer of enchantment to the story and I think it perfectly complements the fairytale feel. Each illustration is like a little treasure tucked between the pages, deepening the sense of wonder and transporting you further into Saul’s world.
I keep thinking of more things I adored about this story and want to share, but I could go on forever. If you loved fairytales as a child but haven’t read one in years, The Golden Feather will awaken that sense of wonder all over again.
It’s difficult for me to pinpoint just one thing that makes this novel so magical because it’s the story as a whole that works its charm. The unforgettable characters, the friendships that form, the beautiful settings, and the quest itself as the competitors travel through each Circle on their way to the Emperor of Jillibora’s storytelling competition, come together to create the magic. And then there’s the Palace, with its secrets, revelations, and sense of wonder.
Saul is the perfect underdog, the man everyone believes least likely to succeed. It’s not only that he’s illiterate or considered “very, very old”; for years, Saul’s own mindset has held him back too. Meeting Bart changes everything.
Bart is open-minded, curious, and willing to embrace new experiences which is the complete opposite of Saul. I loved the strong friendship that develops between them.
Dieter Redjacket is another character who experiences a kind of rebirth. The mistake made by his parents gave me a chuckle, although I did feel rather sorry for the unfortunate victim.
The motivation behind the recurring conflict is incredibly clever. I never worked out the connection beforehand, and loved this surprise element.
As much as I loved the quests through the Circles, I may have enjoyed the time spent at the Palace even more 🙂 It felt utterly magical. I loved the Emperor’s Healing Room and Toussek’s remarkable skills.
The book is made even more special by the beautiful original vignette illustrations by illustrator Carina Roberts. The hand-drawn artwork adds another layer of enchantment to the story and I think it perfectly complements the fairytale feel. Each illustration is like a little treasure tucked between the pages, deepening the sense of wonder and transporting you further into Saul’s world.
I keep thinking of more things I adored about this story and want to share, but I could go on forever. If you loved fairytales as a child but haven’t read one in years, The Golden Feather will awaken that sense of wonder all over again.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I absolutely loved The Golden Feather and couldn’t wait to get back to it, savouring every page as I knew I would be sad to finish. Exquisitely written, remarkably original and highly imaginative, The Golden Feather is the perfect escapist read. A celebration of story, told with humour and suspense. An absolute gem of a novel from a very gifted storyteller.
June 5, 2026
An excellent tale worthy of the Six Circles of Story.
I started at 10 am and finished at 18.30, but Saul and the others will be in my head for much longer.
I started at 10 am and finished at 18.30, but Saul and the others will be in my head for much longer.
July 21, 2026
Read all other of her books, they were great, The golden fearher was difficult to complete.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews