The Monsters at the End of the World: City of Shadow

Sunny and Mo return in a gripping sequel to The Monsters at the End of the World. 
 
After narrowly avoiding a terrible conflict, the humans and monsters of Seawaren have fallen into an uneasy truce. Sunny still hopes the monsters can be persuaded to help her community with the mysterious Goo they produce, which has the power to heal their poisoned crop fields. Mo is less sure, and his brother Blue – traumatised by his imprisonment by humans – remains openly hostile. 
 
But when Mo is kidnapped by a pair of wandering strangers and carried away, Sunny, Mo and their friends set off in pursuit. Their chase leads them through the Burnt Land to an impossible place beyond – the island of Pontyme, which is mysteriously free of poison. 
 
Here, monsters are revered as Divine Protectors, responsible for keeping Pontyme fertile and protected. But Sunny is suspicious of the island’s charismatic leader, Hadrian, and the power he seems to wield. While beneath the island, a shadow lurks, nursing a terrible thirst for revenge . . . 
 
Perfect for fans of Hannah Gold and David Almond.

Rebecca Orwin (Author) 
Rebecca Orwin was brought up in Chesterfield, by a mum who loves books and a dad who loves films and ended up loving stories in all their forms. She has a BA in English Literature and an MA in Creative Writing from Newcastle University, and lives in Sheffield with her husband and son. 
 
Oriol Vidal (Illustrator) 
Oriol Vidal is an illustrator and storyboard artist living in Barcelona, Spain.

After narrowly avoiding a terrible conflict, the humans and monsters of Seawaren have fallen into an uneasy truce. Sunny still hopes the monsters can be persuaded to help her community with the mysterious Goo they produce, which has the power to heal their poisoned crop fields. Mo is less sure, and his brother Blue – traumatised by his imprisonment by humans – remains openly hostile. 
 
But when Mo is kidnapped by a pair of wandering strangers and carried away, Sunny, Mo and their friends set off in pursuit. Their chase leads them through the Burnt Land to an impossible place beyond – the island of Pontyme, which is mysteriously free of poison. 
 
Here, monsters are revered as Divine Protectors, responsible for keeping Pontyme fertile and protected. But Sunny is suspicious of the island’s charismatic leader, Hadrian, and the power he seems to wield. While beneath the island, a shadow lurks, nursing a terrible thirst for revenge . . .

Rebecca Orwin

Oriol Vidal

A powerful tale of compassion and understanding between a girl and a so-called monster. Sunny is the heroine who inspires us all to build a gentler, kinder world.

A richly drawn study of empathy, curiosity and kindness – I loved every minute of it.

Beth Lincoln, New York Times bestselling author of The Swifts

A spectacular debut, full of adventure and bravery. Sunny and Mo have stolen a piece of my heart.

Clare Harlow, author of Tidemagic: The Many Faces of Ista Flit

A heart-warming tale packed with mystery, magic and monsters. Tender and thought-provoking.

Abi Elphinstone, author of Sky Song and Saving Neverland

A superb new voice in children’s fiction, Orwin’s writing is beautifully balanced between clarity, heart-tugging emotion and grippingly tense action. Sunny is a memorable, loveable character, finding her way in an atmospheric post-apocalyptic world that might just be saved by her sensitivity and courage.

Sunny waited until her mother was asleep before she went back for the monster . . . 
 
All her life, Sunny has known three things about the creatures that prowl the seas off her tiny coastal town. They are dangerous. They are violent. They are monsters. 
 
But when a chance encounter leads to an unexpected connection, Sunny discovers just how wrong she has been. The monster she meets – Mo – is intelligent, gentle, and searching for his lost brother. 
 
Sunny desperately wants to help, and to keep her new friend a secret. But other people are keeping secrets too. And as hunger grips the town, new truths will emerge about the real monsters in Seawaren . . .

Rebecca Orwin

Praise for The Monsters at the End of the World

A powerful tale of compassion and understanding between a girl and a so-called monster. Sunny is the heroine who inspires us all to build a gentler, kinder world.

A richly drawn study of empathy, curiosity and kindness – I loved every minute of it.

A spectacular debut, full of adventure and bravery. Sunny and Mo have stolen a piece of my heart.

A powerful tale of compassion and understanding between a girl and a so-called monster. Sunny is the heroine who inspires us all to build a gentler, kinder world.

A richly drawn study of empathy, curiosity and kindness – I loved every minute of it.

A spectacular debut, full of adventure and bravery. Sunny and Mo have stolen a piece of my heart.

A powerful tale of compassion and understanding between a girl and a so-called monster. Sunny is the heroine who inspires us all to build a gentler, kinder world.

A richly drawn study of empathy, curiosity and kindness – I loved every minute of it.

A spectacular debut, full of adventure and bravery. Sunny and Mo have stolen a piece of my heart.

Books by Rebecca Orwin

Series by Rebecca Orwin

Monsters at the End of the World

Follow penguin

Follow ladybird

Follow puffin

Sign up to the Penguin newsletter