The Touchstone Trilogy

Winter Wood

The third book in the enthralling trilogy about the Various, a fiercely independent and individual tribe of people whose livelihood takes on a truly wondrous life of its own.

Readers will find that it is almost impossible to put the book down once they have started reading it

Steve Augarde was born in Birmingham, but spent most of his life in the West Country, working as an illustrator, paper-engineer, and semi-pro jazz musician. He has written and illustrated over 70 picture books for younger children, and has produced the paper-engineering for many pop-up books, including those by other artists - as well as providing the artwork and music for two animated BBC television series. Steve lives in Yorkshire.

In this astonishing final part of Steve Augarde's captivating trilogy, past and present are connected and the interwoven threads lead to an astonishing series of revelations. 
 
Midge's discovery of the hidden tribes is like a dream to her now, their existence all but forgotten - but then a voice calls out to her in the winter darkness. The Various have returned, and their desperation has made them all the more dangerous. They must travel to Elysse or perish. The only way that Midge can help the little people is by tracing the whereabouts of her great-great-aunt Celandine. But Celandine must be long dead, surely? 
 
A story of danger and magic, friendships and betrayals, this is fantasy writing at its very best.

The Various

The first novel in a gripping trilogy about twelve-year-old Midge, and her discovery of the Various, a tribe of fairies whose livelihood and existence is becoming increasingly threatened.

An exciting and absorbing novel . . . completely believable

The story unfolds, with its mixture of fantasy and real life, in a most engaging and enthralling way

A well paced, absorbing fantasy . . . Augarde builds up the complex backstory to a brilliantly-handled climax

Steve Augarde has worked as an illustrator, paper-engineer and semi-pro jazz musician. He has written and illustrated over 70 picture books for younger children, as well as producing the paper-engineering for many pop-up books. He has also provided the artwork and music for two animated BBC television series. 
 
Steve is married with two daughters.

A gritty and captivating story of courage and strength against terrible odds, this is the story of Midge, abandoned with her eccentric uncle during the holidays, and her adventures with the Various, a band of earthily realistic fairies. The existence of the Various, who are strange, wild and sometimes even deadly, has been kept secret since the beginning of time, but when their world begins to clash with that of human beings, their livelihood is threatened with extinction. This is a wonderfully imaginative story of love and loyalty, and is the first in a powerful trilogy.

Celandine

The second in the enthralling trilogy about the Various, a fiercely independent and individual tribe of people whose livelihood takes on a truly wondrous life of its own.

Quality fantasy writing with a fine feel for the past

Beautifully crafted, this book is sure to capture the imagination of readers

The narrative pace never falters, the writer so confident and respectful of his creation that the reader is drawn gladly into the enchantment. . . . For all that adults might find to admire in it, it is nevertheless a big, generous children's book

Steve Augarde was born in Birmingham, but spent most of his life in the West Country, working as an illustrator, paper-engineer, and semi-pro jazz musician. He has written and illustrated over 70 picture-books for younger children, and has produced the paper-engineering for many pop-up books, including those by other artists - as well as providing the artwork and music for two animated BBC television series. Steve is married with two daughters and lives in Yorkshire.

Set seventy years before The Various, the second book in the trilogy follows the adventures of young Celandine at the onset of the First World War. Having run away from her detested boarding school, Celandine is too afraid to go home in case she is sent back. As she seeks shelter in the Wild Wood near her home, little does she think she will encounter in a world where loyalty and independence is fiercely guarded, and where danger lurks in the most unlikely places. Celandine's troubled character finds both refuge and purpose among the secret tribes of little people that she alone believes in. These novels are full of mystery, beauty and adventure; this second novel is both page-turning and life-affirming. This is a truly remarkable trilogy.

Steve Augarde

Totally emotional and a truly captivating read. I give this book five out of five

This is an excellent book; everything that Steve Augarde does is to a high standard. The characterisation, world building, narrative and pacing are all spot on and the result is a fantasy thriller that will appeal to teenagers all around the world

Billed as Lord of the Flies for the new generation, this book is dark, disturbing, compelling and utterly brilliant

Ever since the floods came and washed the world away, survivors have been desperate to win a place on X-Isle, the island where life is rumoured to be easier than on what's left of the mainland. Only young boys are in with a chance, the smaller and lighter the better. 
 
Baz and Ray are two of the lucky few to be chosen, but they soon discover that X-Isle is a far cry from paradise. Ruled by Preacher John, a dangerous religious fanatic, it's a violent, unpredictable place where terrible things can happen at any moment. 
 
The boys hatch an extraordinary plan in order to protect themselves - the construction of a mighty weapon of defence. But can they complete this weapon in time, and are they really prepared to use it in order to secure their freedom? 
 
Powerful and compelling, X-ISLE is a fast-moving thriller that will keep you guessing right to the very end.

Steve Augarde

Praise for X-Isle

Totally emotional and a truly captivating read. I give this book five out of five

This is an excellent book; everything that Steve Augarde does is to a high standard. The characterisation, world building, narrative and pacing are all spot on and the result is a fantasy thriller that will appeal t ...

Billed as Lord of the Flies for the new generation, this book is dark, disturbing, compelling and utterly brilliant

Totally emotional and a truly captivating read. I give this book five out of five

This is an excellent book; everything that Steve Augarde does is to a high standard. The characterisation, world building, narrative and pacing are all spot on and the result is a fantasy thriller that will appeal t ...

Billed as Lord of the Flies for the new generation, this book is dark, disturbing, compelling and utterly brilliant

Totally emotional and a truly captivating read. I give this book five out of five

This is an excellent book; everything that Steve Augarde does is to a high standard. The characterisation, world building, narrative and pacing are all spot on and the result is a fantasy thriller that will appeal t ...

Billed as Lord of the Flies for the new generation, this book is dark, disturbing, compelling and utterly brilliant

Books by Steve Augarde

Series by Steve Augarde

The Various

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