2025 Winner, NZSA Best First Book Award
Judges Comment, "Rich, atmospheric prose propels this beautifully-inked fantasy quest, set in a medieval realm in which reading and writing are forbidden arts restricted strictly to the elites. Contemporary concerns are given profound, allegorical parallels and resonate on the page. Claire Mabey's genuine love of language shines brightly and her ability to craft pacey narrative sweeps you up and away into this dark, dangerous world where young bookbinder Getwin, her friends and a one-eyed raven seek to unravel the mysteries of Prime. The Raven’s Eye Runaways is the work of a writer who wields her words with exquisite care and understands the power of great storytelling."
Joint Winner of the NZ Booklovers Award for Best Junior Fiction Book 2025
www.nzbooklovers.co.nz/2025-awards
"Captivating and enchanting, The Raven’s Eye Runaways is a stunning debut novel by Claire Mabey. The Raven’s Eye Runaways introduces us to a world where books are magical and powerful, forbidden to most, and a young bookbinder, a secret reader, must embark on a journey to go up against the system to save her mum. Mabey’s page-turning plot, electric prose, rich world-building and plucky characters are sure to delight young readers."
Rebekah Lyell's review, nzbooklovers.co.nz, "....Author Claire Mabey's debut is a gripping fantasy quest, perfectly pitched to the intended reader, and beyond. Aimed at 10-14 year-olds, Mabey has crafted a thrilling read, set in a medieval world...... The Raven's Eye Runaways is a bewitching story that will captivate readers."
Click here to visit nzbooklovers.co.nz & read Rebekah Lyell full review
A gripping, beautifully-told fantasy quest set in a parallel medieval world.
Three friends and a one-eyed raven find themselves up against the rulers who restrict the gifts of writing and reading to an elite few.
They must go on a wild and unpredictable rescue mission. Who and what will they meet along their way? And what is the terrible truth behind everything they think they know about their world?
'You will be bewitched!' GRACI KIM
'Sparky and spooky, humorous and luminous.' ELIZABETH KNOX
'I adored it.' RACHAEL KING
Claire Mabey is the founder of Verb Wellington, LitCrawl Wellington and Lōemis. She is also books editor at The Spinoff, book critic at RNZ and co-curator of the writers' programme at the Aotearoa NZ Festival of the Arts.
Paperback, 336 pages
H: 198mm W: 128mm
Weight: 256 grams