Broken Ground

by Lu Hersey

Things aren’t going well in Arlo’s life, but they get a whole lot worse when a strange, heavily tattooed girl keeps appearing everywhere he goes.

Turns out she’s even more sinister than he thought. Local rumour has it she’s been seen in the village before, many times, over many lifetimes.

She only comes when something terrible is happening to the land – like the current plans for gas exploration on a local farm. Trouble is, villagers say, she won’t leave until a forfeit is paid in blood. And right now, the blood she seems to have in mind is Arlo’s.

Arlo is sure it's all just stupid superstition. But is it? When he starts losing everything and everyone he cares about, is he prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice to save his friends and family?

Broken Ground draws on the ancient folklore surrounding the harvest, giving it a contemporary and timely context.

Paperback

Published June 21, 2022

About the author

Lu Hersey worked as an advertising copywriter until she escaped to become a librarian and study for an MA in writing for young people at Bath Spa University. She shares her house with a surfeit of young adults who won’t leave home and keep calling her “Mum” – although, surprisingly, she finds their dialogue, strangely disturbing habits and erratic sleeping patterns a constant source of inspiration. She lives in Bristol, but her heart is in Cornwall.

Reviews

[Emma Pearl · Rating 5 out of 5]

An utterly compelling read from start to finish! Like the author's fabulous first novel, Deep Water, this is an exciting YA adventure with a deep connection to the natural world. The story highlights the way we are destroying the environment for financial gain without being preachy, and showcases New Age ideology without being flaky. Arlo was such a relatable character, and I loved that he was able to feel and fail, and was portrayed as a flawed, troubled but compassionate teenage boy with zero masculine toxicity. The way he cared about the chickens! And all the feels at the way he reacted to the events that unfolded. The cast of characters is vibrant and inclusive at so many levels. And there are crop circles - what's not to love? Absolute perfection.

[Siân · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book!

I loved the landscape; fields, a mound, a grove with ancient trees, crop circles. I want to have a coffee in the cafe in the town 😊

all the characters were really likeable too (except those you're meant to hate!)

I really wasn't sure how it was going to end and then cried when the little twist happened 😭

Oh and there is "the other place" and maybe a deity... just read it 🤣

[The Reading Jackdaw]

A captivating and exciting YA eco-thriller that draws on ancient folklore and magic within a contemporary setting, whilst exploring pertinent environmental themes. With a strong sense of place, a perfectly paced plot and with a cast of believable characters, this novel drags you in and holds you in its grip.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is so atmospheric, and I loved the underlying mythology. The characters are well-rounded and develop with the plot. If you like Susan Cooper, you'll love this.

[Finbar Hawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lu Hersey's novel is a captivating blend of mystery, folklore, and self-discovery that grips readers from the very first page. The story follows 15-year-old Annie, who, after her mother’s disappearance, is sent to a remote village in Scotland. As she uncovers dark secrets about her family and the land, Annie is drawn into an ancient world of myths and magic.

Hersey’s writing is atmospheric and evocative, painting the rugged Scottish landscape with vivid detail. The novel expertly balances the eerie mystery with Annie’s personal journey of growth and resilience. The supernatural elements are woven seamlessly into the narrative, creating a sense of enchantment and danger that keeps readers on edge.

The themes of identity, belonging, and the clash between modern life and ancient traditions are beautifully explored, making the story both thought-provoking and emotionally resonant. Annie is a strong, relatable protagonist, and her struggle to piece together her past is both thrilling and heartfelt.

"Broken Ground" is an enthralling, imaginative novel that will appeal to fans of magical realism and folklore-infused mysteries.

[Jennifer Burkinshaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

With a hugely sympathetic protagonist in fatherless Arlo, Broken Ground will instantly draw you into its world of crop circles and community tensions in a thrilling plot of mystery and magic. Truly menacing villain, Phelps, means the stakes are life and death, right to the end. A unique and unmissable story.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story about friendship and community.

[Paul Rand · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story with larger than life characters that also makes you think about the fragile and important connection we have with nature.