The Sign of the Raven

Set in Victorian London, this thrilling teen adventure is about a secret society of lucid dreamers fighting for freedom of thought

In this teen historical fantasy set in nineteenth-century London, the boundary between sleep and the waking world begins to dissolve, forcing one audacious dreamer to face a reality more dangerous than any nightmare.

Sixteen-year-old Ashlyn Threadneedle lives a double life. By day she works as a government messenger for Lord Whitaker, but by night she escapes into vivid, lucid dreams, navigating the Stream – a dreamworld in which time bends and the only limit is her imagination.

When her long-dead mother appears in a dream, secrets of the Stream are uncovered, Ashlyn's life is turned on its head, and the future of her loved ones hangs in the balance. In a quest for answers, she joins a secret society of lucid dreamers who are fighting to protect the Stream from a powerful enemy who wants to manipulate people's thoughts and seize control of London.

Ashlyn must unravel the mysteries of her family and the Stream before the freedom of thought is lost. But the Stream is a dangerous place and Ashlyn must risk both her past and future to protect the freedom of thought itself.

‘Incredibly vivid storytelling - atmospheric, dangerous and fast-paced. Pippa Dunn is a wonderful new voice!’ – Jasbinder Bilan, winner of the Costa Children's Book Award

'The Sign of the Raven is that rare thing: a book at once timely and timeless, which will captivate readers for years to come. Spellbinding, exhilarating and full of heart, Ashlyn's story is destined to be an instant classic.' – Bori Cser, author of Mirrorwoven

'The Sign of the Raven is an instant classic. Ashlyn’s story is exciting, magical, and full of mystery. With a big cast of fascinating characters, high stakes and imagination, The Sign of the Raven is a book to read by torchlight, and it reminded me of why I fell in love with reading. Dunn will surely soon be counted among our best writers for young, curious readers.' – Anna Fiteni, author of The Wicked Lies of Habren Faire

'With richly imagined historical detail, beautiful writing and a plucky heroine, I galloped through sixteen year old Ashlyn’s double life as a government messenger by day and lucid dreamer by night. Fresh and original, this is a fantastic teen adventure and I’m sure it will fly off the shelves!' – A. M. Howell, bestselling author of The House of One Hundred Clocks

'A dazzling dream of a debut. Gorgeously written and impossible to put down, this is an extraordinary story. I loved it!' – Laura Noakes, award-winning author of the Cosima Unfortunateseries

'Gorgeously written and as multi layered as a bird’s wing. The alternate London setting is so evocative and gothic, but the real standout is the characterisation. The author’s natural way with dialogue feels like breathing. I love love love.' – Emily Randall-Jones, author of The Witchstone Ghosts

'Utterly enthralling, The Sign of the Ravenlovingly creates a new Victorian world' – Dr Fern Riddell. Historian. Author. Broadcaster

'A heart-pounding adventure through both a vividly-rendered nineteenth-century London and a shimmering, treacherous dreamscape. Dunn's masterful debut had me racing through the pages even as I marvelled at the richly woven prose.' – Sadie Turner, author of Tidespeaker

'The Sign of the Raven is pacy, gripping and fizzing with life, a captivating read!' - Becca Rogers, author of The Girl with Gills

'Pippa Dunn’s writing is nothing short of astonishing. Her prose is easy to read and pacy, but simultaneously wonderfully poetic. It felt like I stepped straight into her Victorian world; I saw Leadenhall Market around me, heard the clock bells chime, and smelled the pies in the pubs.' – Lottie Saahko, author of Lumi and the Wolf