It's here! Browse the 2024 Penguin Christmas gift guide
The Hollow Sea

The Hollow Sea

The unforgettable and mesmerising debut inspired by mythology

Summary

FOR FANS OF SARAH MOSS, EMMA STONEX AND MAGGIE O'FARRELL


'A bold, magical story' JO BROWNING WROE, Sunday Times bestselling author of A Terrible Kindness


'A majestic work of the imagination . . . I woke up thinking about it' ROSIE ANDREWS, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Leviathan


'An atmospheric tale, shot through with folklore. The writing shimmers' KATE SAWYER, Costa shortlisted author of The Stranding

___


THE ISLANDERS SAY IT'S CURSED. BUT THAT'S ONLY ONE SIDE OF THE STORY . . .


They say the Hollow Sea is cursed. A wild expanse separating the remote islands of St Hía, not even the locals brave its treacherous waters.


But new arrival Scottie feels a pull she can't ignore. Because behind the curse is the legend of Thordis: a woman whose story feels eerily familiar. No one knows what became of her, but Scottie believes Thordis's fate may answer questions about her own past.


Despite the islanders' warnings, Scottie sets out to discover the truth. But as she dares to cross the Hollow Sea, will its secrets give her the answers she needs?


Or will the past drag her under?

____


'A heart-rending atmospheric novel of finding what makes one whole' Melissa Fu, author of Peach Blossom Spring


'Mesmerising' Good Housekeeping


'A poetic tale' Prima

Reviews

  • A bold, magical story about the letting go of long-held hope and building a different future
    Jo Browning Wroe, Sunday Times bestselling author of A Terrible Kindness

About the author

Annie Kirby

Annie Kirby lives on the south coast of England where she works part-time as a university researcher. She has an MA in Creative Writing from the University of East Anglia and a PhD in American Studies. Her short stories have been published in anthologies and broadcast on national radio and she is a winner of the Asham Award for short fiction. Annie is a graduate of the Penguin WriteNow programme.
Learn More

Sign up to the Penguin Newsletter

For the latest books, recommendations, author interviews and more