Castles traded places sometimes. Everyone knew that. It was always something that <\/i>might happen, except that it never had. It was one of those unlikelihoods, like finding treasure, or being eaten by a wolf, or having a handsome, powerful stranger turn up to right all your wrongs. It could happen, except it didn’t.<\/p>\n
Until all of a sudden it did.<\/i><\/p>\n
Far above the valleys and villages of the Kingdom of Thaletal, a Great Game is played. Players move castles around the realm like chess pieces – and the ordinary villagers are mere pawns at the whim of their tactics.<\/p>\n
When 15-year-old Burr’s peaceful village is disrupted by the arrival of an ominous new castle, he decides he’s had enough. But what starts as a plucky coup soon escalates – and soon the castle is wrenched away to a far-flung corner of the kingdom, where whispers mount of a mysterious ancient maiden whose magpies collect her debts at dangerous prices.<\/p>\n
Here, the stakes are higher than the tallest turrets, and every move counts. Burr must work with his sisters and friends – and rely on the unexpected help of a strange and intriguing heiress – to unravel the secrets of the Magpie Maiden and the origins of the Great Game before he becomes just another casualty of the Players’ deadly contest.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
SIGNED SPRAYED EDGE HARDBACK PRE-ORDER<\/strong><\/p>\n Signed Sprayed Edge Hardback Pre-Order | Traitors’ Nest<\/em> by Frances Hardinge<\/strong><\/p>\n Pre-order a signed sprayed edge hardback copy of Traitors’ Nest<\/em> by Frances Hardinge, one of the most acclaimed writers in children\u2019s and YA fantasy. This magical new release is perfect for readers who love immersive world-building, dark intrigue and unforgettable storytelling.<\/p>\n Published by First Ink, this 432-page hardback is a beautiful collectible edition, featuring signed copy status and striking sprayed edges. A brilliant choice for fans of Frances Hardinge and readers of fantasy and magical realism.<\/p>\n Publication date:<\/strong> 27 August 2026. All signed sprayed edge hardback pre-orders will be dispatched as soon as stock arrives.<\/p>\n Secure your signed sprayed edge copy today from an independent UK bookshop. Carefully packaged to ensure it arrives in excellent collectible condition.<\/p>\n Castles traded places sometimes. Everyone knew that. It was always something that might happen, except that it never had. It was one of those unlikelihoods, like finding treasure, or being eaten by a wolf, or having a handsome, powerful stranger turn up to right all your wrongs. It could happen, except it didn’t. Until all of a sudden it did. Far above the valleys and villages of the Kingdom of Thaletal, a Great Game is played. Players move castles around the realm like chess pieces – and the ordinary villagers are mere pawns at the whim of their tactics. When 15-year-old Burr’s peaceful village is disrupted by the arrival of an ominous new castle, he decides he’s had enough. But what starts as a plucky coup soon escalates – and soon the castle is wrenched away to a far-flung corner of the kingdom, where whispers mount of a mysterious ancient maiden whose magpies collect her debts at dangerous prices.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"product_brand":[],"product_cat":[16428,27510,26102],"product_tag":[26862],"class_list":["post-119807","product","type-product","status-publish","product_cat-pre-order-carousel","product_cat-sci-fi-fantasy-hardback","product_cat-signed-and-special-editions","product_tag-childrens-teenage-fiction-fantasy-magical-realism","pa_book_author-hardinge-frances","pa_cover-hardback","pa_dewey-823-92-edition23","pa_edition-hardback-original","pa_imprint-first-ink","pa_language-english","pa_pages-9229","pa_publisher-first-ink","pa_readership-young-adult-code-c","first","instock","sold-individually","taxable","shipping-taxable","purchasable","product-type-simple"],"yoast_head":"\n