The Destiny of Minou Moonshine

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Could you say a bit more about the creative writing teaching that you do with science undergraduates? Armed with a secret and a map, Minou sets off with her friends and a mechanical elephant, through the lush jungles of Indica, in search of the Dark Lady, a diamond and her destiny.

Gita Ralleigh builds a vivid world bursting with jeopardy in this beautifully lyrical debut. So many unexpected twists to love, including the mechanicals. Minou is a great hero - kind-hearted, brave, and full of fire." When fierce orphan girl Minou Moonshine's life is unexpectedly shattered, she joins the ragtag band of rebels, the Green Orchids, who are plotting to overthrow the General. This story is set in an alternative, steampunk version of India called ‘Indica’– a vivid world, full of colour and magic. With the focus on faith, fate and fighting for what is right, Minou’s journey has the feel of a traditional mythical story with everyone getting their just desserts at the end. When fierce orphan girl Minou Moonshine's life is unexpectedly shattered, she joins the ragtag band of rebels, the Green Orchids, who are plotting to overthrow the General. Armed with a secret and a map, Minou sets off with her friends and a mechanical elephant, through the lush jungles of Indica, in search of the Dark Lady, a diamond and her destiny. About This Edition ISBN:Minou, or ‘Sparrow’ as she is known to her friends, has lived on a dilapidated houseboat with her adopted Grandmother since the day she was found abandoned as a baby during the monsoon, thirteen years earlier. Their home, the former Queendom of Moonlally is suffering under the oppressive rule of a tyrannical General, but a rebel force called The Green Orchid are fighting for freedom and to restore the power of the goddess called the ‘Dark Lady’.

This charming fantasy adventure is accessible and straightforward with just a few moments of jeopardy but plenty of excitement and personal challenges. And the conviction that fate is something we decide for ourselves. Masterful, a wonderfully original fantasy adventure that feels like a timeless classic. A brilliant new voice in the world of children's fiction."Zephyr has scooped two standalone middle-grade titles by debut children’s author Gita Ralleigh. A pre-empt was made for world all-languages rights to The Destiny of Minou Moonshine and a second book, from Catherine Pellegrino at Marjacq. When Dima is killed, Minou’s future lies in the Home for Orphan Girls but, knowing she’ll hate it there, she joins a band of rebels, takes matters into her own hands and goes searching for the legendary diamond, the Dark Lady and her own destiny. The Destiny of Minou Moonshine is published by Head of Zeus/Bloomsbury in July and tells of Minou Moonshine’s quest to overthrow the General and restore the queendom. Armed with a secret, a map, and a mechanical elephant, Minou and her rebel friends must travel through the lush jungles and blue hills of Indica (an alternate colonial India) to discover her destiny.

Aimed at children aged 9-12 years,the story follows fierce orphan Minou as she sets off with a secret, a map and a mechanical elephant, through the lush landscape of Indica, in search of her destiny. As a child, I loved fantasy adventures" says Gita. "At the time, I never expected to find a small brown girl within those stories. I was determined that my fantasy adventure would be about a girl like me who discovers both her inheritance and her very own magic." Masterful, a wonderfully original fantasy adventure that feels like a timeless classic. A brilliant new voice in the world of children's fiction.' - Anthony McGowan, winner of the 2020 CILIP Carnegie Medal for Lark

Minou is a feisty and determined protagonist who fiercely protects and defends her friends, but when her world is upended, will Minou have the courage to step into her destiny? The Destiny of Minou Moonshine’ is a captivating and atmospheric read, perfect for fans of Nizrana Farook and Radiya Hafiza’s ‘Rumaysa’. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I’m sure it will be popular in the library. Masterful, a wonderfully original fantasy adventure that feels like a timeless classic. A brilliant new voice in the world of children's fiction.'—Anthony McGowan, winner of the 2020 CILIP Carnegie Medal for LARK

Following on from her two poetry books, CLCC lecturer Gita Ralleigh has written her first children's novel, The Destiny of Minou Moonshine. The story of a Queendom set in an alternate colonial India, blending Frances Hardinge with Kipling'sKim. A debut rich in fantasy, friendship and faith, and an original adventure that sparkles with storytelling magic. About the Book I find I am far more disciplined when working in prose – setting a word count goal helps – and, of course, you have an idea or outline of the plot. Working in poetry is more mysterious to me: I often start with an idea or image but need time to play with it before it crystallises into words. The story of a queendom set in an alternate colonial India, blending Frances Hardinge with Kipling's Kim. A debut rich in fantasy, friendship and faith, and an original steampunk adventure that sparkles with storytelling magic. 'A land that loses its stories loses its way.' With forbidden goddesses, a lost queen and a mechanical elephant, this is a gently unfolding, rich narrative full of fantasy and wonder, which champions the power of girls and women to manage their own destinies."An awesome alt-India middle grade book, with adventure and emotional twists, tied together with friendships and the family we find, and an incredible heroine in Minou, who fights for freedom and Queendom!' - Roopa Farooki, author of A Double Detectives Medical Mystery: The Cure for a Crime Currently I’m writing a second novel for young readers, due to be published in 2024. The book is set in the same fictional world of Indica as The Destiny of Minou Moonshine, but with a new lead character and an island setting. I’m also hoping to return to poetry and work on my third manuscript later in the year. I’d published short fiction in Wasafiri and Bellevue Literary Review, and was first invited as a guest lecturer. I now teach a full creative writing module based on the short story, with writing exercises on aspects of craft and a workshop semester. The students produce wonderfully original stories, often influenced by their scientific or medical studies. They all agree that creative writing has a positive effect on their main degree, as well as on the university experience generally. Magical, multi-sensory storytelling...that will enchant readers, rest in memories and spark imaginations.'—Sita Brahmachari, Yoto-Carnegie shortlisted author of WHEN SHADOWS FALL