Listen to a sample
In the Heart of Hidden Things
The Gyrford series (Related to this series)
- Author
- Kit Whitfield
- Narrator
- Juanita McMahon
- Publisher
- Quercus
- Publish Date
- 19 July 2022
- Run Time
- 13 hours 41 minutes
- Format
- Audiobook
Not available in your country
We don't have the rights to sell this audiobook where you are. If it's already in your library you can still listen to it in My Books.
What to expect
But shielding the weak from the strong can make enemies. Ephraim Brady has money and power, and the bitter will to hurt those who cross him. And if he can't touch elder farrier Jedediah Smith, he can harm those the Smiths care about.
The Smiths care about Tobias Ware, born on a night when the blazing fey dog Black Hal roared past the Wares' gate. Tobias doesn't understand the language or laws of men, and he can't keep away from the Bellame woods, where trespass is a hanging offence. If Toby is to survive, he needs protection.
It should be a manageable job. Jedediah Smith has a head on his shoulders, and so too (mostly) does his son Matthew. Only Matthew's son John has turned out a little . . . uncommon. But he means well.
It wasn't his fault the bramble bush put on a berry-head and started taking offence. Or that Tobias upset it. But John's not yet learned that if you follow the things other folk don't see, they might drag those you love into the path of ruin.
(P) 2022 Quercus Editions Limited
Critics Review
-
An impressive debut
TANANARIVE DUE, author of AFRICAN IMMORTALS, on BAREBACK
-
Resonates with real issues of power, responsibility and blame
LISA TUTTLE, THE TIMES on BAREBACK
-
A powerfully intelligent novel
INDEPENDENT on IN GREAT WATERS
-
Whitfield shows undoubted powers of imagination and talent
DAILY MAIL on IN GREAT WATERS.
See more reviews See fewer reviews
-
Whitfield is a criminally under-appreciated world-building master
EVERY BOOK A DOORWAY
-
Takes a traditional genre and changes it into something extraordinary
KATE ATKINSON on BAREBACK
-
It's warm, witty, compassionate, filled with People, with a village and woods in which it's sweet to get lost. Fellow Good Folk aficionados, I know you're out there, I know you should get this book the minute it's out
FRANCESCO DIMITRI, award-winning author of The Book of Hidden Things, on IN THE HEART OF HIDDEN THINGS
-
Engaging, believable characters who draw us into a world of walking bramble bushes and spectral, fire-breathing hounds . . . stands out for its depiction of a family deeply connected to a community, helping those who need it the most, regardless of the danger to themselves
THE GUARDIAN on IN THE HEART OF HIDDEN THINGS
-
A beautiful exploration of masculinity, of what it means to . . . potentially have control over others, and how a person accepts responsibility
SFX on IN THE HEART OF HIDDEN THINGS
-
As tart, dark and juicy as a summer pudding . . . combines power and poetry to serve up the perfect slice of folk Gothic
DAILY MAIL on IN THE HEART OF HIDDEN THINGS
-
Kit drew heavily on her own experience of being part of a neurodiverse family, and as someone whose own family mirrors this, it's really brilliant to see inclusion at play in commercial fiction; this is how we change minds and make our children accepted. Bravo.
Dulwich Diverter
-
Power struggles, violence, mistakes and responsibility are threaded throughout the story. John is a strong, nuanced protagonist whose sound heart gives this book its warmth, even when things start to go wrong. Whitfield's world-building is detailed, the magic of this story is enticing and I found plenty to enjoy in this book.
BETH O'BRIEN, DISABLED TALES, on IN THE HEART OF HIDDEN THINGS
-
I really loved In The Heart of Hidden Things
TERRI WINDLING, winner of the World Fantasy Award for Lifetime Achievement, on IN THE HEART OF HIDDEN THINGS
-
As powerfully intelligent as it is entertaining, Whitfield's marvellously assured fantasy debut leads the reader into a mysterious world of fairy-smiths, weaving a gripping tale of trespass, revenge and responsibility
WATERSTONES on IN THE HEART OF HIDDEN THINGS
-
A very engaging novel
SFCROWSNEST on IN THE HEART OF HIDDEN THINGS
-
One of 2022's more enjoyable discoveries . . . Whitfield studs the tale with artful digressions, which provide useful backstory without really interrupting the story. The prose is skilful and appropriate to a fairy tale
ISN'T LIFE STRANGE on IN THE HEART OF HIDDEN THNGS
-
[This] gentle meander through a village touched by the fae is not without peril but leaves you feeling like you are wrapped in a warm blanket, seeing the world around you with new wonder. All the stars!
Ida Keogh, award-winning author of "Infinite Tea in the Demara Cafe" and FISH!
-
I consider Kit Whitfield to be one of the most exciting writers of mythic fantasy today. Her Gyrford novels are utterly enchanting, and her use of fairy lore to explore themes of neurodiversity is compelling and brilliant. I loved the first two novels in this series, and can't wait for the next one
Teri Windling, ten-time World Fantasy Award winner
User Reviews
No reviews yet.
Details
- Author
- Kit Whitfield
- Narrator
- Juanita McMahon
- Duration
- 13 hours 41 minutes
- Release Date
- 19 July 2022
- ISBN
- 9781529414905
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- Quercus
- Genre
- Fantasy, Fiction: literary and general non-genre, Traditional or cultural fiction and true stories, tales and retellings
Synopsis
Everyone knows that if you fall afoul of the People, you must travel the miles to Gyrford, where uncounted generations of fairy-smiths have protected the county with cold iron, good counsel and unvarnished opinions about your common sense.But shielding the weak from the strong can make enemies. Ephraim Brady has money and power, and the bitter will to hurt those who cross him. And if he can't touch elder farrier Jedediah Smith, he can harm those the Smiths care about. The Smiths care about Tobias Ware, born on a night when the blazing fey dog Black Hal roared past the Wares' gate. Tobias doesn't understand the language or laws of men, and he can't keep away from the Bellame woods, where trespass is a hanging offence. If Toby is to survive, he needs protection. It should be a manageable job. Jedediah Smith has a head on his shoulders, and so too (mostly) does his son Matthew. Only Matthew's son John has turned out a little . . . uncommon. But he means well. It wasn't his fault the bramble bush put on a berry-head and started taking offence. Or that Tobias upset it. But John's not yet learned that if you follow the things other folk don't see, they might drag those you love into the path of ruin.(P) 2022 Quercus Editions Limited
About xigxag
xigxag is an independent, UK-based audiobook platform and the UK's only B Corp certified audiobook company. We offer nearly 150,000 audiobooks, all with professional human narration. No AI-generated voices. xigxag is rated an Ethical Consumer Best Buy for audiobooks and a top-rated ethical bookshop.
There is no subscription. You buy the audiobooks you want, you own them permanently, and prices start at $13.95. The more you listen over the year, the less you pay per book, and there is always a selection in Listen for Less from $7.95. You can also send audiobooks as gifts using our audiobook gift cards or in-app gifting.
Every audiobook on xigxag has honest reviews covering both the book and the narration, and our community features make it easy to share what you are listening to, discover what others recommend, and find your next listen.
Download or stream on iOS, Android, or in your browser. Browse the full catalogue at xigxag.co.uk.