The Left-Handed Booksellers of London

by Garth Nix

Overview

A girl’s quest to find her father leads her to an extended family of magical fighting booksellers who police the mythical Old World of England when it intrudes on the modern world. From the bestselling master of teen fantasy, Garth Nix.

In a slightly alternate London in 1983, Susan Arkshaw is looking for her father, a man she has never met. Crime boss Frank Thringley might be able to help her, but Susan doesn’t get time to ask Frank any questions before he is turned to dust by the prick of a silver hatpin in the hands of the outrageously attractive Merlin.

Merlin is a young left-handed bookseller (one of the fighting ones), who with the right-handed booksellers (the intellectual ones), are an extended family of magical beings who police the mythic and legendary Old World when it intrudes on the modern world, in addition to running several bookshops.

Susan’s search for her father begins with her mother’s possibly misremembered or misspelt surnames, a reading room ticket, and a silver cigarette case engraved with something that might be a coat of arms.

Merlin has a quest of his own, to find the Old World entity who used ordinary criminals to kill his mother. As he and his sister, the right-handed bookseller Vivien, tread in the path of a botched or covered-up police investigation from years past, they find this quest strangely overlaps with Susan’s. Who or what was her father? Susan, Merlin, and Vivien must find out, as the Old World erupts dangerously into the New.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062683250
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	09/22/2020
Pages:	416
Sales rank:	21,019
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.20(h) x 1.40(d)
Age Range:	14 - 17 Years

About the Author

Garth Nix is a New York Times bestselling novelist and has been a full-time writer since 2001, but has also worked as a literary agent, marketing consultant, book editor, book publicist, book sales representative, bookseller, and as a part-time soldier in the Australian Army Reserve.

Garth’s many books include the Old Kingdom fantasy series, beginning with Sabriel and continuing to Goldenhand; the sci-fi novels Shade’s Children and A Confusion of Princes; the Regency romance with magic Newt’s Emerald; and novels for children including The Ragwitch, the Seventh Tower series, the Keys to the Kingdom series, and Frogkisser!, which is now in development as a feature film with Fox Animation/Blue Sky Studios. Garth has written numerous short stories, some of which are collected in Across the Wall and To Hold the Bridge. He has also cowritten several children’s book series with Sean Williams, including TroubleTwisters and Have Sword, Will Travel.

More than six million copies of his books have been sold around the world and his work has been translated into forty-two languages. You can find him online at www.garthnix.com.

Editorial Reviews

07/27/2020

Nix (Angel Mage) immediately thrusts readers into the action in this immersive fantasy, set in 1983, as Susan Arkshaw, 18-year-old art student, is forced to flee a London flat with bookseller Merlin St. Jacques, pursued by an ominous black fog. Merlin is part of a clan of London booksellers who deal with the “ancient weird shit” that seeps into the world from myth, legend, and folklore. Susan came to London to study and identify her father, but when an otherworldly being targets her, she, Merlin, and others in the family St. Jacques must discover who is after her and why. Between doing arcane research and dodging supernatural baddies, they stumble upon a mystery that threatens the magical bookselling world. Nix builds meta mentions of genre greats into his tale, which marries fey elements and spectacular bookshops with booksellers who wield mystical artifacts, cold steel, and magic. Though the plotting covers well-trod ground, unflappable Susan and wonderfully costumed, magically gender-fluid Merlin make for a fantasy that genre fans, teen or adult, won’t want to miss. Ages 14–up. Agent: Jill Grinberg, Jill Grinberg Literary. (Sept.)■

Publishers Weekly

"A character-driven fantasy that still stays true its adventure roots [with] thoughtful, complex world building. Well-wrought differences in the character and voice of those teens . . . add nuance and depth to their racial diversity . . . [and] play on gendered expectations. Overall, this is a captivating and memorable tale that will please longstanding Nix fans and other lovers of intelligently written fantasy."

Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

10/01/2020

Gr 9 Up—Newly turned 18, aspiring artist Susan Arkshaw leaves home to attend college in London and to research her father's identity. Chronically dreamy and detached, Susan's mother Jassmine has always been tight-lipped about the matter. However, while visiting a family "friend" in London, Susan witnesses his death and joins a mysterious young man in flight from supernatural Old World creatures. Soon realizing that some Power is determined to stop her from solving the puzzle of her heritage, Susan gives in to the "weirdness" and teams up with her left-handed escape partner Merlin and his right-handed sister Vivien to find some answers. With the help of the siblings' clandestine Bookseller organization, the trio embark on a quest for information that will take them across 1980s England and through a few very odd in-between spaces. A tribute to England—its myths, bookstores, and people—and a celebration of writers and stories in general, this is the fantasy novel equivalent of a cozy blanket and a cup of tea on a cold day: comforting and much needed. The story is full of wry humor such as jokes about how children's authors ("a dangerous bunch!") cause the Booksellers trouble by sharing stories steeped in truth. The novel is also a great example of Nix's love for varied characters. Susan is described as muscular and wiry with a punk aesthetic and a shaved head with the stubble dyed blond. In contrast, fair-haired and delicate Merlin is perfectly comfortable sporting dresses or trousers. Other members of the Booksellers organization are represented by various ages, races, and gender expressions. VERDICT This book promises to charm veteran Nix readers and welcome new fans into the fold. Recommended for school and public libraries.—Lara Goldstein, Forsyth County P.L., NC

School Library Journal

2020-07-08
A girl searching for her father finds a whole secret world in 1980s London.

Eighteen-year-old Susan Arkshaw goes up to London ahead of her studies so she’ll have time to hunt down the identity of the father she’s never met. Her first night in London, dangerous encounters pull her into the wild world of the booksellers—in between selling books, they’re tasked with policing interactions between what we know as reality and the more mythic levels of existence. Her guide is Merlin, an attractive gender-questioning boy (for now). As the Old World of magic seems to be targeting Susan, Merlin and the booksellers take interest in her as well, especially in helping to solve her mysterious parentage. The worldbuilding is exquisite, hopping from an ’80s punk aesthetic and Margaret Thatcher references to wide-ranging supernatural threats and the customs they uphold; the bookstores themselves are sure to please readers. While certain plot elements may be somewhat expected—Susan’s special by way of birth; Merlin has a personal mystery that eventually ties in to the main plot; and there’s a conspiracy storyline that becomes quickly apparent—the broad, immersive world and the specific rules for types of booksellers maintain a sense of discovery, and Susan and Merlin, the heroic protagonists, have vibrant, entertaining personalities (and a realistic romantic storyline). Susan and Merlin are White; the booksellers are ethnically diverse.

Readers will beg for more adventures in this London. (Fantasy. 12-adult)

Kirkus Reviews

Praise for SABRIEL:  “Sabriel is a winner, a fantasy that reads like realism. Here is a world with the same solidity and four dimensional authority as our own, created with invention, clarity, and intelligence. I congratulate Garth Nix. And I look forward to reading his next piece of work.

Philip Pullman

"Nix’s latest offers a thrill-packed fantasy adventure. Strong world building is clearly informed by a deep knowledge of local mythologies, and the allusions, literary shoutouts, and pseudo-historical references become a game for the clued-in reader. Overall, this is a fresh, engaging fantasy with an old-school, nostalgic vibe."

Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Goldenhand reaffirms why Nix is a master of the genre: his exquisitely detailed world-building is unparalleled, and his characters are so tremendously alive and compelling that.

Sarah J. Maas

A swashbuckling adventure with lashings of swordplay, dastardly intrigue, and the most original magic I’ve seen in years.

Joe Abercrombie

"A warm, whimsical delight—The Left-Handed Booksellers of London is a witty, clever adventure in an exquisitely detailed world you will love escaping into."

Veronica Roth

"As in his high-fantasy novels, Nix puts a strong, capable, and resourceful young woman front and center within a diverse cast [with] tropes from British spy stories. A thrilling, suspenseful romp with lots of humor and romantic tension; we haven’t seen the last of Susan and Merlin."

The Horn Book

There is no joy like returning to the Old Kingdom. Once again, Nix sets the standard for fantasy, bringing us a tale full of old friends and new enemies, gruesome monsters, and heroines of wit, will, and imagination.

Leigh Bardugo

"Nix wastes no time getting to the action, throwing readers headlong into the splendid new world alongside the bewildered but determined heroine. It’s an incredibly diverse, detailed, and . . .  Nix puts in enough twists to make it his own. A remarkable romp through a fantastical new world."

Booklist

Garth Nix is one of the best worldbuilders in fantasy, and this book is merely further proof. I love the Old Kingdom series, and Goldenhand is an excellent continuation, packed with the excitement and passion of a storytelling virtuoso at the height of his abilities.

Brandon Sanderson

Nix’s tale provides a complete experience unto itself. But his focus on this strong character whose overriding passion is to go her own way provides a hugely satisfying background to the other Abhorsen books. A suspenseful prequel to the much-loved Abhorsen books, showcasing the independent Clariel.

Shelf Awareness (starred review)

The vivid characters . . . jump off the pages. Their growing relationships steal the show. But there are plenty of embellishments that enhance the more personal aspects of the story. And kudos to fantasy stalwart Nix for a story with gender and racial equality.

Booklist (starred review)

This is my favorite kind of tale, one where the magic and the real nest together like pages in a book. A delightful read.

V.E. Schwab

"With their complementary personalities and easy affection, the four friends are an endearing, sibling-like group; Liliath makes a fascinating antagonist. In addition to its fantastical elements, Nix’s setting is characterized by wel­come gender equality, orientation inclusivity, and racial diversity."

Horn Book Magazine

"A compelling magical romp, both familiar and inventive. These bookshops would be worth visiting at any time—but they feel like a special treat while I can’t set foot in a real one."

Molly Templeton

A fantastic journey. Fans of Garth Nix's works should enjoy this exhilarating volume. Action, light romance and otherworldly machinations keep the tension flowing as Nix reveals a warm-hearted and clever fantasy. Readers will almost certainly leave this magical London searching for hints of the Old World peeking through our own.

Shelf Awareness

This is a fast-paced, rich, and entertaining read. The deep magic consumed my attention; I was in love with Merlin’s overflowing personality and Susan’s unflappable drive. This is sure to be one of my top recommendations when it comes out. I love a good bookseller with a sword!

Breanna Spiegel

"Nix wastes no time getting to the action, throwing readers headlong into the splendid new world alongside the bewildered but determined heroine. It’s an incredibly diverse, detailed, and . . .  Nix puts in enough twists to make it his own. A remarkable romp through a fantastical new world."

Booklist

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