The Wild Dark

by Katherine Harbour

Overview

One last heist. One last chance at revenge.

Once an outcast and an orphan, Evie Wilder now finds herself as the new leader of the Dark Fable. But the secret group of globetrotting thieves is not the prestigious magical crew it once was, after suffering losses in their last heist. Evie must plan their next series of thefts carefully, to keep them alive until they can regain their strength and reharness the demons that control their unique magic.

But the Basilisk--the most ruthless criminal in their dark world--is set on destroying the Dark Fable. Only one of them can win, and Evie's best chance requires a dangerous alliance between an arch enemy and a former friend . . .

In this heart-pounding finale, loyalties are tested, and no one is safe as the Dark Fable plans their biggest heist yet.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781547613786
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication date:	03/11/2025
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	384
File size:	4 MB
Age Range:	13 Years

About the Author

Katherine Harbour was born in Albany, NY, where she attended the Russell Sage Junior College of Albany and wrote while holding down jobs as a pizza maker, video store clerk, and housekeeper. She then attended the Minneapolis School of Art and Design and, after moving to Sarasota, FL, sold her paintings in cafes and galleries. She now lives in upstate New York, where she works as a bookseller. She's a lover of nature, folklore, and ancient things. She's the author of the Thorn Jack series, an adult contemporary dark fantasy threaded with Celtic myth, and The Dark Fable.
katherineharbour.com
Instagram: @katharbour77
Twitter: @katharbour
Katherine Harbour was born in Albany, NY, where she attended the Russell Sage Junior College of Albany and wrote while holding down jobs as a pizza maker, video store clerk, and housekeeper. She then attended the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and, after moving to Sarasota, Florida, sold her paintings in cafes and galleries. She now lives in upstate New York, where she works as a bookseller. She's a lover of nature, folklore, and ancient things. She's the author of the Thorn Jack series, an adult contemporary dark fantasy threaded with Celtic myth.

Editorial Reviews

Fast-moving and twisty. . . . This YA fantasy is a great read for fans of magical heists and found family.” —Booklist, on THE DARK FABLE

“Witty dialogue, immersive world building, original magic systems, and emotionally rich characters culminate in a tale that celebrates the intimacy of being seen and accepted.” —Publishers Weekly, on THE DARK FABLE

From the Publisher

03/07/2025

Gr 9 Up—This YA romantasy sequel to The Dark Fable finds Evie Wilder, her siblings Ezra and Juliet, and her found-family of thieves, Dev, Queenie, and Mad, recovering from the devastating losses they took during their last heist. Now the leader of La Fable Sombre, Evie must juggle repairing the prestigious magical crew's reputation, planning their latest heist, and keeping them alive as they each recover their strength and learn to fully harness their unique demon's magic. However, when a new, dangerous criminal named the Basilisk appears with plans to destroy La Fable Sombre, their best chance at survival is to align with Ciaran Argent, a nemesis, and Jason Ra, a friend feared lost to the wasteland of the Wild Dark. Together, they travel the globe searching for a way to defeat their enemies and discover the vault key that will unlock all La Fable Sombre's secrets. Harbour's novel is overflowing with lush description, suspense, and romantic tensions. VERDICT, Recommended for readers who enjoy the romantasy genre, a good heist, and similar titles by Leigh Bardugo, Libba Bray, or Stephanie Garber.—Linsey Milillo

School Library Journal

2025-01-18
This sequel returns readers to the jet-setting world ofThe Dark Fable (2024).

Evie Wilder and the criminal crew of the renowned La Fable Sombre, including core members Dev, Queenie, and Mad, navigate rainy streets, engage in rooftop conversations, and gather in a graffiti-covered castle, all in pursuit of the talismans that will bring the answers they seek. With Ciaran released from the Wild Dark’s icy-cold grip and the arrival of a unicorn who travels via pentacle, the light-fingered crew go after Pandora’s jar and the Tiger’s Heart gem. They steal, trade, and lose and steal back items, hoping to later barter them to the Basilisk, a dangerous murderer. Evie keeps a protective eye on her teenage siblings, Ezra and Juliet, and reunites with Jason, who’s returned from the Wild Dark a changed person. French phrases, colorfully dyed hair, frequent espressos, and a torrid kiss or two cue the cosmopolitan nature of LFS. The gang members outwit and outfight rivals, following the high-adrenaline lifestyle Evie has come to crave. Unfortunately, events often come together surprisingly neatly, magical talents conveniently match the characters’ needs, and priceless objects seem too easily stolen. The story allows ample space for atmospheric descriptions of clothing, settings, and furnishings. Most main characters read white; Liverpudlian Dev has dark brown skin. The cast is diverse in gender identity and sexuality.

Dark and lovely on its shimmering surface but with a thinnish plot reliant on luck and coincidence.(Fantasy thriller. 14-18)

Kirkus Reviews