Charlotte, Branwell, Emily, and Anne. The Brontë siblings find escape from their constrained lives via their rich imaginations. The glittering world of Verdopolis and the romantic and melancholy world of Gondal literally come to life under their pens, offering the sort of romance and intrigue missing from their isolated parsonage home. But at what price? As Branwell begins to slip into madness and the sisters feel their real lives slipping away, they must weigh the cost of their powerful imaginations, even as the characters they have created—the brooding Rogue and dashing Duke of Zamorna—refuse to let them go.
Gorgeously written and based on the Brontës’ juvenilia, Worlds of Ink and Shadow brings to life one of history’s most celebrated literary families in a thrilling, suspenseful fantasy.
Praise
"This sad but fascinating look into the tragically short lives of the famed siblings successfully mixes facts with a fantastical premise to create a gripping and innovative story. VERDICT A strong historical fantasy that will appeal to readers who are already fans of the Brontës’ novels and spark interest among those unfamiliar with their works and lives."School Library Journal
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"Taking her inspiration from the Brontës’ juvenilia, Coakley offers an imaginative story of their childhood, in which the four supremely talented siblings have the power to transport themselves to the worlds of their fiction...readers familiar with the writers will likely enjoy noticing hints of the novels to come... this will nonetheless likely appeal to fans of clever literary fiction."Booklist
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