'Beautifully written, with lyrical evocations of the rural setting and a tense playing out of a myth that seems all too real, this is an all too believable blend of magic and realism. The striking cover and delicate line drawings which pepper the pages make it a lovely object as well as a gripping read' School Librarian. 'Magical realism meets incisive social critique' The Lady. 'Handsomely produced, with delicate line drawings, this is a skilfully told and original novel' The Tablet. 'A stunning coming of age tale interwoven with folklore, mysticism and villainy at the village fete' Lounge Books. 'A gripping novel of rural intrigue, loss and awakening' BBC Countryfile. 'Fishwick's sense of wonder (childlike but never childish), expertly paced plot and relatable characters make it a highly original and deeply moving read' The Lady. 'The further along I got the more the suspense built up and more than once I felt a chill run down my spine' Typewritered. 'A magical and thoughtful tale about the place where old and new communities meet, this is also a sensitive, well-told story about the rifts that occur in families and friendships, and how they can be healed. Fishwick's writing is fine and stylish and never loses the grip of a slowly building, powerful story' Booktrust. 'It's got a clarity about what it evokes, and a sterling mood to its pages. It could do very well indeed for this new imprint' Bookbag. 'If you like your stories lilting and poetic do give this one a read' Books, Occupation... Magic! 'A wonderfully atmospheric novel. It's a real achievement to combine a family drama about grief, family and friends with a central mystery which has a dangerous edge to it, all magically bound up in nature and legend, but Fishwick has done it with consummate skill. This novel should delight the 12+ audiences of its primary target, but it also entranced me (9/10)' AnnaBookbel. 'Gripping ... a modern day fairy tale' Books Books Books. 'Both the reader and story are richly imbued with the essence of the countryside and nature ... A great look at a teenager finding his place in a new world' Sherborne Times. 'A promising tale of how ancient folklore is steeped in everyday life in a small community' Books for Keeps. 'Fishwick combines the pangs of bereavement and the perturbations of adolescence, exploring (often with a comic touch) family tensions as well as the terrors of the deep past, and all the time propelling his narrative along with an adventure that unfolds in the present ... this is the best sort of magical realism' The Spectator. 'The launch title for Head of Zeus's new children's imprint, Zephyr, and it sets the bar very high ... Fishwick's depiction of place and landscape as well as his creation of the atmosphere and mythology of the novel is excellent ... it is exactly the sort of book that deserves to figure in the reading lives of young people' Nudge Book. 'Alongside the magic and the fables, there are some difficult and bang up-to-date modern themes running through this book, and the author has combined the two very well. His attention to detail, his description of the countryside and his well-rounded and realistic characters work so well together to create an enjoyable and quite different story for children and young adults ... Fishwick has a rich imagination and is a skilled writer. The White Hare is thought-provoking and a pleasure to read' Random Things Through My Letterbox. 'His tense relationship with Sheila, the new woman, and her daughters, shows Fishwick to be a keen observer of blended-family life, particularly in Robbie's relationship with his stepsisters, which is edged with resentment and rivalry but also affection and friendship' Evening Standard. 'Myth, mystery, love and loss collide in an utterly gripping, deeply atmospheric, coming-of-age novel' Fiona Noble.

Michael Fishwick is a publisher and novelist. He has written two other acclaimed novels, Smashing People and Sacrifices.