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Swifter than Starlight: A Wilder than Midnight Story
From celebrated children's author Cerrie Burnell comes a new, wonderfully inclusive, magical tale set in the whimsical world of Wilder than Midnight .Long ago, on a winter's eve, two sisters walked into a wolf-wild wood but only one returned. . .The Faraway Wood is full of twisting thorns and sharp teeth. Stirring with myth and music. It's the perfect place for bandits, thieves and secrets to hide.Until a prince goes missing.Lilac is a strong girl, happy with her found family, yet searching for her sister.Clover is a determined girl, eager to find what's been lost to her, though scared to leave her village.Hester is a smart girl, one step ahead of trouble, and ready for adventure.Together, they will unite the realm.Praise for Wilder than Midnight :'Guaranteed to bring beauty, magic and joy into the hearts of all who read it' - Sophie Anderson, author of The House with Chicken Legs'Pure fairytale magic with so many twists' - Jasbinder Bilan, author of Asha and the Spirit Bird' [a] book about love and friendship and driving your own destiny in the face of prejudice. But mostly, it's a story of girls, glorious girls, in all their feisty, feminine brilliance' - Nizrana Farook, author of T he Girl Who Stole an Elephant
304 pages, Paperback
Published July 13, 2023
6 people are currently reading
113 people want to read
About the author
Cerrie Burnell
27 books42 followersCerrie Burnell is one of the UK's best-known children's TV presenters and has in recent years made a name for herself as one of the most exciting new children's authors on the scene. Her picture book Snowflakes was performed at the Oxford Playhouse to great acclaim in 2016 and Harper, her fiction series, has been set to music by the Liverpool Philarmonic Orchestra.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 9, 2024
Lark nodded, and suddenly Clover's entire universe shifted, tilting her into a new reality. One where she knew for sure that her sister lived. One where wolves were merciful. One where bandits were saviours and queens.
Sometimes - well, oftentimes - people disappoint me, and this is one of those moments, because how in fucking hell is it possible that I am only the second person to rate and review this book of all Goodreads users?! You should all have been begging for a Swifter Than Starlight copy as soon as the book shops opened. Tsss.
I actually do not have that many things to add. First and foremost, I'd like to refer you to my review of Wilder Than Midnight, because all my general remarks there are valid for this book too.
Swifter Than Starlight was a book that took me by surprise in the meaning that I hadn't expected it to actually exist. I thought that (to my great distress, let that be known) Wilder Than Midnight would be a standalone in the broadest sense. You can imagine I had a very good day when I accidentally stumbled upon this book's page a couple of months' prior to its release.
It's set seven years after the ending of Book 1 and follows a new bunch of characters who are all just as terrific as the older generation, and I was very pleased that Wild Rose, Aurelia, Saffy and all the other important characters from the first story - up to Verity! - were present. It was fantastic seeing how they had all evolved and changed and made new lives for themselves, all the while clearly staying true to themselves as well and keeping in touch with one another.
This book, too, combines several fairy tales; at least four them of stand out very clearly. And the author remains as adept at writing - especially descriptions and worldbuilding - as before. Honestly, this is an author whose writing style probably makes nearly all other authors jealous. And so it should, because most people can't pull off something like this at all - not by a long shot.
While Wilder Than Midnight depends heavily on secrets, that aspect is less present in this book. The story is more straightforward, and it's also clear from the start what - at least part of - the novel is about. Sure, there are surprises and twists that Burnell has in store, but the basic story remains the same for quite a while. (Maybe that's why there was a very, very, very small part of me that still prefers Book 1. But we're taking about an eenie-meenie-miny small part here.) It's only at the very end, in the final chapters, that that and the emphasis change.
It seems to me that, now, the story is definitely finished, and that we won't need to expect a Book 3. But hey, I was wrong last year as well, so Ms Burnell, feel free to prove me wrong two years in a row. I can take it - you know what, scratch that; I would love to take it, because these are simply some of the best stories of all time.
Out in the depths of the deep dark wood,
A rider comes riding in a scarlet hood.
Her heart is wild,
Her hair spun from stars.
Through the night she journeys,
No distance too far.
Her eyes stolen jewels, teeth sharp as knives.
If you cross her path, you'll fear for your life.
But if you're in danger,
And can meet the cost,
Call for the Bandit Queen,
And your life won't be lost.
9,5/10
Average rating for the series: 9.6/10
Sometimes - well, oftentimes - people disappoint me, and this is one of those moments, because how in fucking hell is it possible that I am only the second person to rate and review this book of all Goodreads users?! You should all have been begging for a Swifter Than Starlight copy as soon as the book shops opened. Tsss.
I actually do not have that many things to add. First and foremost, I'd like to refer you to my review of Wilder Than Midnight, because all my general remarks there are valid for this book too.
Swifter Than Starlight was a book that took me by surprise in the meaning that I hadn't expected it to actually exist. I thought that (to my great distress, let that be known) Wilder Than Midnight would be a standalone in the broadest sense. You can imagine I had a very good day when I accidentally stumbled upon this book's page a couple of months' prior to its release.
It's set seven years after the ending of Book 1 and follows a new bunch of characters who are all just as terrific as the older generation, and I was very pleased that Wild Rose, Aurelia, Saffy and all the other important characters from the first story - up to Verity! - were present. It was fantastic seeing how they had all evolved and changed and made new lives for themselves, all the while clearly staying true to themselves as well and keeping in touch with one another.
This book, too, combines several fairy tales; at least four them of stand out very clearly. And the author remains as adept at writing - especially descriptions and worldbuilding - as before. Honestly, this is an author whose writing style probably makes nearly all other authors jealous. And so it should, because most people can't pull off something like this at all - not by a long shot.
While Wilder Than Midnight depends heavily on secrets, that aspect is less present in this book. The story is more straightforward, and it's also clear from the start what - at least part of - the novel is about. Sure, there are surprises and twists that Burnell has in store, but the basic story remains the same for quite a while. (Maybe that's why there was a very, very, very small part of me that still prefers Book 1. But we're taking about an eenie-meenie-miny small part here.) It's only at the very end, in the final chapters, that that and the emphasis change.
It seems to me that, now, the story is definitely finished, and that we won't need to expect a Book 3. But hey, I was wrong last year as well, so Ms Burnell, feel free to prove me wrong two years in a row. I can take it - you know what, scratch that; I would love to take it, because these are simply some of the best stories of all time.
Out in the depths of the deep dark wood,
A rider comes riding in a scarlet hood.
Her heart is wild,
Her hair spun from stars.
Through the night she journeys,
No distance too far.
Her eyes stolen jewels, teeth sharp as knives.
If you cross her path, you'll fear for your life.
But if you're in danger,
And can meet the cost,
Call for the Bandit Queen,
And your life won't be lost.
9,5/10
Average rating for the series: 9.6/10
March 26, 2024
5/5 Stars
I really enjoy this book, it is a follow up to Wilder Than Midnight, but it follows three different characters who appear from many of the characters seen in the first book. It’s such a brilliant way to adapt fairy tales for younger children.
In this tale, you follow Hester, who is a minor character in Wilder Than Midnight, Clover and Lilac, two sisters that have been separated from each other and a lost prince. The story touches on a lot of the same topics that the first book did, such as physical disabilities, sexual orientation and how a society can fear such things, if they don’t understand them. The use of sign language throughout the story is brilliantly woven into the plot and something you don’t see in many books. I actually can’t think of any books where sign language is used as a form of communication by the main characters.
One thing I noticed in this book and it was present in the first book as well, I just didn’t take much notice of it, is the repeating of lines over and over again, sometimes it’s even entire paragraphs that were repeated. I just skimmed over them, when they appeared, just to make sure I wasn’t missing anything important.
Another thing that I found fun was Hester and Lilac claiming they were the best thieves in the forest, but everytime they went to steal something, they would either get seen or caught or sometimes both. There is not one time where this doesn’t happen and I just found that really funny.
Overall, a brilliant read and definitely one that I would read again.
I really enjoy this book, it is a follow up to Wilder Than Midnight, but it follows three different characters who appear from many of the characters seen in the first book. It’s such a brilliant way to adapt fairy tales for younger children.
In this tale, you follow Hester, who is a minor character in Wilder Than Midnight, Clover and Lilac, two sisters that have been separated from each other and a lost prince. The story touches on a lot of the same topics that the first book did, such as physical disabilities, sexual orientation and how a society can fear such things, if they don’t understand them. The use of sign language throughout the story is brilliantly woven into the plot and something you don’t see in many books. I actually can’t think of any books where sign language is used as a form of communication by the main characters.
One thing I noticed in this book and it was present in the first book as well, I just didn’t take much notice of it, is the repeating of lines over and over again, sometimes it’s even entire paragraphs that were repeated. I just skimmed over them, when they appeared, just to make sure I wasn’t missing anything important.
Another thing that I found fun was Hester and Lilac claiming they were the best thieves in the forest, but everytime they went to steal something, they would either get seen or caught or sometimes both. There is not one time where this doesn’t happen and I just found that really funny.
Overall, a brilliant read and definitely one that I would read again.
December 29, 2023
3.5 stars
I enjoyed this dive into the woods where there’s wolves and treasure trees. I loved how there weee fairy tales intertwined into this. The characters were lovely, and I love a story about people who are different/outcasts for being unlike everyone else. Definitely one for my classroom library.
I enjoyed this dive into the woods where there’s wolves and treasure trees. I loved how there weee fairy tales intertwined into this. The characters were lovely, and I love a story about people who are different/outcasts for being unlike everyone else. Definitely one for my classroom library.
November 1, 2024
It was adorable. Truly building up the Near Far camp, although I must say, I miss the young Wild Rose and her mischievous self. I may personally have like Wilder than Midnight better, but it was still absolutely amazing and beautiful.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 10, 2025
This book is absolutely beautiful and meaningful. I enjoyed reading it every single moment. I can't believe a perfect book like this exists, so unbelievable. I was lost in the characters, and in the story of course. This book was beautifully written in every detail. Highly recommend!!!
December 22, 2025
Just got a bit boring
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews