Thirst

Name: Thirst
Price: 22.99 AUD
Availability: PreOrder
ISBN: 9781782695721

Darren Simpson

$22.99

Paperback

Forthcoming
Pre-Order now

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English

Pushkin Press
03 February 2026

General fiction (Children's&YA); Fantasy & magical realism (Children's&YA); Historical fiction (Children's&YA); Young Adult Fantasy

'Gripping, gruesome, dark and dripping' A.F. Harold

Nobody talks about the strange happenings in Maimsbury. No one speaks of the hooded figures glimpsed in the woods, nor the children's game that went so horribly wrong. But most of all, nobody dares whisper their doubts about the river they have worshipped for centuries.

Like everyone in Maimsbury, Gorse is used to the sacrifices made every spring to the River Yeelde. The life of a farm animal - in return for a year of plenty - seems a fair trade. That is, until a tragedy leads Gorse to a blood-curdling discovery.

Because this year is a Brim Year, and after giving so much, the river needs more than an animal's life to sate its thirst...

PRAISE FOR THIRST:

'A gripping tale infused with dark secrets and superstitions' Phil Hickes, author of The Haunting of Aveline Jones

'What a story! Properly creepy Wicker Man vibes with seemingly effortless world building and characters you'll take to your heart. Loved it' Jennifer Killick, author of Crater Laker

'This gruesomely imagined folk horror is the most brilliantly dark and dangerously fun book I've read all year' Keith Gray, author of Creepers

By: Darren Simpson
Imprint: Pushkin Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 198mm, Width: 129mm,
ISBN: 9781782695721
ISBN 10: 1782695729
Pages: 288
Publication Date: 03 February 2026
Recommended Age: From 12 years
Audience: Children/juvenile , English as a second language
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Darren Simpson is the critically acclaimed author of Scavengers, The Memory Thieves, Furthermoor and Thirst. His award-winning books have been translated into several languages and he's been nominated twice for the prestigious Carnegie Medal. He also once won a budgie at school. Darren lives with his wife and sons in Nottingham and loves long walks with headphones, playing the drums and reading in bed on rainy Sunday mornings.

Reviews for Thirst

""Darren Simpson’s Thirst draws on folk horror, with its focus on the evil that men do in service of tradition and superstition, and combines it with quintessential coming-of-age quandaries... Creepy and thought-provoking."" —Irish Times