The Vengekeep Prophecies

At the publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management software (DRM) applied.

1537. A man hurries through city streets in a gathering snowstorm, clutching a box in one hand. He is Johann Faust, the greatest magician of his age. The box he carries contains a mirror safeguarding a portion of his soul and a small ring containing all the magic in the world. Together, they comprise something unimaginably dangerous.

London, the present day. Fifteen-year-old Gavin Stokes is boarding a train to the countryside to live with his aunt. His school and his parents can’t cope with him and the things he sees, things they tell him don’t really exist. At Pendurra, Gavin finds people who are like him, who see things too. They all make the same strange claim: magic exists, it’s leaking back into our world, and it’s bringing something terrible with it.

Winner of the TEXT PRIZE FOR YOUNG ADULT AND CHILDREN’S WRITING

Sadie is sixteen and bored with life in Perth. It’s summer, and lazing on the beach in the stifling heat is a drag. Then something comes out of the sea.

Dark menacing forms attack an old man, leaving him for dead and Sadie wracking her brains to understand what she saw. Then there’s a mysterious inheritance, a strange young man called Jake and a horned beast trampling the back yard.

Sadie finds herself caught in the middle of an ancient conflict that is nearing its final battle, a showdown that threatens to engulf Perth and all those she loves in a furious tsunami.

Fire in the Sea is a fast-paced thrilling adventure with a feisty heroine who is not afraid to fight for what she knows is right.

Myke Bartlett was born in Perth, and spent his first twenty years trying to escape. Like every other young Australian, he fled to London and, like most of them, didn't stay. He currently lives in Melbourne with his wife and a Boston Terrier called Moxy. mykebartlett.com

textpublishing.com.au

'Fire in the Sea is a magnificent tale, which young adults aged 13 and up (in particular, fans of Skulduggery Pleasant and Percy Jackson) will enjoy reading.' Bookseller and Publisher

'Imagine John Marsden and Suzanne Collins co-wrote a Narnian story. That’s the closest approximation I can make for the entirely unique story, tone, and feel of Fire in the Sea...It’s been too long since I was excited about a debut book. It’s been too long since there was a strong, new, male voice in the Australian YA scene. It’s been too long since I felt confident in recommending a book to an older teen (particularly male) audience. Thank you, Myke Bartlett and Text Publishing.' Centre for Youth Literature blog 

'It’s fast paced and exciting, violent at times but emotionally rich and interesting at others…A timely reminder that sometimes when stepping out of your comfort zone you get a rewarding surprise.’ Fairfieldbooks On Kids blog

'I really shouldn’t be so surprised that another Text Prize novel is incredible, but I am. Fire in the Sea is a fantastic new addition to the Aussie young adult paranormal scene...Myke Bartlett has written a parade of paranormal creatures and a thrilling sea-depths mystery . . . I, for one, hope that this is just the first of many more novels from an interesting new Aussie YA voice. 5/5' Alpha Reader blog

'A thrilling adventure with a Katniss Everdeen-style heroine...this is one showdown you won't forget in a hurry!' Dolly Magazine

'Fire in the Sea is a fantastic, action-packed adventure, blending the Australian setting of Perth with ancient mythology - definitely a book to check out if you’re a fan of Australian YA or paranormal stories.' Vegan YA Nerds

'Part romance, part fantasy and part adventure, the story races along.' Magpies