Fly By Night

by Frances Hardinge

Winner of the Branford Boase award, Fly By Night is the stunning YA fantasy novel from Frances Hardinge, author of the Costa Award winning The Lie Tree.

As the realm struggles to maintain an uneasy peace after years of civil war and tyranny, a twelve-year-old orphan called Mosca Mye and her loyal companion, a cantankerous goose, are about to become the unlikely heroes of a radical revolution.

Mosca is on the run, heading for the city of Mandelion. There she finds herself living by her wits among cut-throat highwaymen, spies and smugglers. With peril at every turn, Mosca uncovers a dark plot to terrorize the people of Mandelion, and soon merry mayhem leads to murder . . .

Fly By Night has an unforgettable cast of characters and an inspiring message at its heart – sometimes the power of words can change the world.

Fly By Night is followed by its thrilling sequel, Twilight Robbery.

'Everyone should read Frances Hardinge. Everyone. Right now' - Patrick Ness, author of A Monster Calls.

• ISBN10: 1509842330
• ISBN13: 9781509842339
• Publish Date: 8 February 2018 (first published 7 October 2005)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: Pan Macmillan
• Imprint: Macmillan Children's Books
• Format: Paperback (B-Format (198x129 mm))
• Pages: 464
• Language: English

Reviews

3,5 stars

"I don't want a happy ending, I want more story."

A clever and humorous read that's full of flair...

Mosca Mye is a lover of words in a world wherein books are censored. It's Mosca's love for words that leads to a burning mill, a 'prison' rescue, and a life on the run with Eponymous Clent and a homicidal pet goose. 

Mosca is an interesting and likable heroine. She's clever, curious, bad-tempered and stubborn and she's hunting for knowledge and an adventure. Eponymous Clent, Mosca's travel companion, is a smooth talking con man. Their relationship dynamics - from begrudging companionship to a begrudging companionship with shared adventures and secrets - is funny and delightful. The rest of the characters are extremely colourful. Saracen, the pet goose, is a scenestealer and the twists involving Captain Blythe are hilarious. 
 
The world is unique. It resembles England in the early 18th century but it has some fantastical aspects. There's nobility, parliament, guilds, coffee houses, an illegal printing press and so much more. There's political intrigue, religious unrest and plenty of twists. Every part of Fly by Night has a purpose. 

The writing is witty and humorous and I love the unique descriptions and dialogue. However, the writing is a little dense at times. 

A weird and wonderfully unique read! 

"Words were dangerous when loosed. They were more powerful than cannon and more unpredictable than storms. They could turn men's heads inside out and warp their destinies. They could pick up kingdoms and shake them until they rattled."