X-Book

Nocturne

Already purchased

Click to open directly in the xigxag app.

Standard price shown. Sign in for personalised pricing.

Send as a gift Get in the xigxag app

Added to cart

Continue shopping or head to checkout

View cart

Listen to a sample

What to expect

Brought to you by Penguin.

In this gorgeous and haunting fantasy set in 1930s Chicago, a talented ballerina finds herself torn between her dreams and her desires when she's pursued by a secretive patron who may be more than he seems.


'A fever dream of a novel, surreal and intricate, and enchanting in every way.' Ava Reid, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Wolf and the Woodsman

Grace has always wanted to be a ballerina, ever since she first peered through the windows of the Near North Ballet company. The elegance of the dance seemed transcendent to an immigrant child of the working poor, and so, when she is orphaned, it is to the ballet that she flees.

Years later, Grace is on the verge of becoming the company's new prima ballerina - though she is beginning to realise that achieving her long-held dream may not be the triumph she once envisioned. Then Grace attracts the attention of the enigmatic Master La Rosa, and realises that the world may not be as small or constricted as she had come to fear.

But who is her mysterious patron, and what does he want from her? As Grace begins to unlock the Master's secrets, she discovers that there may be another way entirely to achieve the transcendence she has always sought.

©2023 Alyssa Wees (P)2023 Penguin Audio

Critics Review

In Nocturne, Wees robes the classic story of Beauty and the Beast in lush prose and infinite splendor. A fever dream of a novel, surreal and intricate, and enchanting in every way.
Ava Reid, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Wolf and the Woodsman
Absolutely captivating, Nocturne is a delicious and radiant treat of a novel. Prepare to be spellbound!
Sarah Beth Durst, award-winning author of The Queens of Renthia series
An enchanting and lyrical fever dream bursting with dazzling prose and dark romance. Nocturne enthralled me.
Erin A. Craig, New York Times bestselling author of House of Salt and Sorrows
Nocturne reads like a fable, a mythical tale full of magical power, but imbued with the very real and wonderfully graceful power of ballet . . . You will be enchanted!
Louisa Morgan, author of A Secret History of Witches
Richly imagined and heartbreakingly told, Nocturne is a lush gothic romance that will dance you dizzy.
Hannah Whitten, New York Times bestselling author of For the Wolf
No one writes the way Alyssa Wees does, and Nocturne is her latest masterpiece. Like the ballet pulsing at its core, the story is both sinuous and quick on its feet, leading the reader through a labyrinth of emotions that range from the brightest passion to the darkest grief. A powerful, haunting read.
Joan He, New York Times bestselling author of Strike the Zither
A beautiful nightmare and a fairy tale all at once. Wees's lyrical prose swept me away in this unique story about the battle between love and despair. Nocturne is not to be missed.
Evelyn Skye, New York Times bestselling author of Damsel
Haunting and immersive - like a dream poured onto a page. Alyssa Wees has deftly spun a dark tale of romance, betrayal, and destiny. Nocturne kept me in its sinister grip from the first page to the last.
Heather Walter, author of Malice
Author Alyssa Wees
Narrator Zura Johnson
Duration 12 hours and 3 minutes
Release Date
ISBN 9781804944806
Format Audiobook
Publisher Cornerstone
Genre Historical fantasy, Magical realism
Availability AU, GB, IE

About xigxag

Experience the best audiobooks with xigxag, an innovative and user-friendly audiobook platform designed for seamless discovery, purchase, and enjoyment of your favorite titles. Our flexible pricing model offers bestselling audiobooks for less, providing affordable prices and the best audiobook deals without requiring a subscription. Perfect for gifting, xigxag also features convenient audiobook gift cards and in-app audiobook gifting options.

 

Beyond the listening experience, xigxag stands as an exciting alternative to big tech, embodying a strong commitment to sustainability and ethical practices. As the only B Corp certified UK audiobook service, we ensure a guilt-free listening experience from a leader in audiobook innovation.

 

Effortlessly search audiobooks, access honest audiobook reviews that evaluate both the content and narration, and easily discover hidden gems. Whether you prefer to download or stream top audiobook titles, xigxag provides the best possible listening experience anytime, anywhere, on the UK’s best independent audiobook app. Discover the future of audiobooks today.