<p><b>An epic tale of trees of power and a world under threat, from the author of the bestselling Five Realms series.</b><br><br><i>Here come the roots of the Shadow Tree.</i><br><i>Whatever they touch will never get free.</i><br><br>Liska lives in Arborven, a city surrounding an extraordinary tree that gives all those living there special powers. As a shapeshifter, Liska is training as a warrior. When she discovers that the Tree is under threat, it is her duty to act ¿ but she can¿t convince anyone to listen to her. So with Lug, whose power over earthworms is dismissed as useless, and a ghost-girl, Elowen, she goes on an epic journey to defeat the worst threat their world has ever known.<br><br>Illustrated by Chris Wormell this is a richly woven and thrilling fantasy with a wonderful affinity between humankind and nature ¿ a current and vital message for young readers everywhere.<br><br>''An epic, exciting feat of imagination.'' - Kiran Millwood Hargrave, author of <i>The Girl of Ink