A Harvest of Hearts

Howl's Moving Castle meets The House in the Cerulean Sea in Andrea Eames’ debut cosy fantasy: a cheeky butcher's daughter, a befuddlingly handsome sorcerer, and his clever talking cat unlock magical secrets in the dark heart of their kingdom –and just might discover the meaning of true love.

Everyone in Foss Butcher’s village knows what happens when the magic-workers come; they harvest human hearts to use in their spells. That’s just how life in her kingdom works. But Foss, plain, clumsy, and practical as a boot, never expected anyone would want hers.

When a sorcerer snags a piece of Foss’s heart without meaning to, she is furious. For once a heart is snagged, the experience is … well, unpleasant. So, Foss finds herself stomping toward the grand City to keep his enchanted House and demands that he fixes her before she keels over and dies, or whatever happens when hearts are Snagged.

But the sorcerer, Sylvester, is not what she expected. Petulant, idle, and new to his powers, Sylvester has no clue how to undo the heart-taking, or how to do much of anything really, apart from sulk. Foss’s only friend is a talking cat and the walls themselves have moods.

As Foss searches for a cure, she accidentally uncovers that there is much more to the heart-taking – and to the magic-workers themselves – than she could have ever imagined…

Review

'If you want more Howl vibes in your life, complete with absolutely beautiful prose, a true Ghibli cat, a sentient house, and a heroine caught between her no-nonsense nature and the insistent tug of love that may or may not be unnatural…be ready to grab this as soon as it's out' Laini Taylor, New York Times bestselling author of Daughter of Smoke and Bone

'Down-to-earth and completely irresistible, Foss is fantastic, as is her talking cat! A HARVEST OF HEARTS is that rare story that feels both classic and unique at the same time. I loved it!' Sarah Beth Durst, New York Times bestselling author of The Spellshop

'Andrea Eames crafts an intriguing and immersive world to host a gripping story, but it’s the bright, clever, and delightfully unflinching protagonist, whose sharp insight and depth of voice kept me hooked on this book. A beautifully rendered debut!' Rowenna Miller, author of The Fairy Bargains of Prospect Hill

'If you are looking for a dark fantasy with a perfectly ordinary heroine amidst terrible beauty and magic akin to Beauty and the Beast, this book is where you'll find it' Delemhach, author of the House Witch series

'Hold on to your heart, because Foss Butcher will steal it like she stole mine. A HARVEST OF HEARTS combines fresh, original writing and a sparky heroine to create a joyous fairytale with claws as sharp as Cornelius the cat’s. Andrea Eames is a bright new star in fantasy writing' Rachael King, author of The Grimmelings

About the Author

Andrea Eames is the author of two critically acclaimed novels, The Cry of the Go-Away Bird and The White Shadow, which was shortlisted for the Dylan Thomas Prize in 2012, as well as a children's Renaissance Faire series, Elsewhere Faire. After living in England, Zimbabwe, and New Zealand, she now lives in Texas. You can find her at andreaeames.com.