Image 1 of 1
Celine Kiernan
Represented By: Sallyanne Sweeney
Celine Kiernan is an award-winning author of fantasy novels for young adults.
Her critically acclaimed work combines fantasy elements with the exploration of political, humanitarian and philosophical themes. She is best known for The Moorehawke Trilogy, a dark, complex trilogy of fantasy YA books set in an alternative renaissance Europe. First published in Celine’s native Ireland in 2008, the trilogy has since been published in 15 different territories, and translated into 10 different languages. In 2009 the first book of the Moorehawke Trilogy, The Poison Throne, won The Readers’ Association of Ireland Award for best book; it was included in the White Raven Collection and short listed for the 2009 Irish Book Awards in two categories (Best Newcomer and Best Children’s Book senior category). In 2010 it was long-listed for an Australian Silver Inky Award.
Celine’s fourth novel, Into the Grey (aka Taken Away) – a YA ghost story set in 1970′s Ireland – won the 2012 CBI Book of the Year (formerly The Bisto award) and the CBI Children’s Choice Award. It is the first book to have won both categories. It won the RAI Book of the Year 2013, and has been shortlisted for the Sakura Medal (English High) 2014. In 2013 the Irish Times named it as one of the best children’s books of the past 25 years.
Born in Dublin, Ireland, 1967, Celine has spent the majority of her working life in the film business, and her career as a classical feature character animator spanned over seventeen years, before she became a full-time writer.
Represented By: Sallyanne Sweeney
Celine Kiernan is an award-winning author of fantasy novels for young adults.
Her critically acclaimed work combines fantasy elements with the exploration of political, humanitarian and philosophical themes. She is best known for The Moorehawke Trilogy, a dark, complex trilogy of fantasy YA books set in an alternative renaissance Europe. First published in Celine’s native Ireland in 2008, the trilogy has since been published in 15 different territories, and translated into 10 different languages. In 2009 the first book of the Moorehawke Trilogy, The Poison Throne, won The Readers’ Association of Ireland Award for best book; it was included in the White Raven Collection and short listed for the 2009 Irish Book Awards in two categories (Best Newcomer and Best Children’s Book senior category). In 2010 it was long-listed for an Australian Silver Inky Award.
Celine’s fourth novel, Into the Grey (aka Taken Away) – a YA ghost story set in 1970′s Ireland – won the 2012 CBI Book of the Year (formerly The Bisto award) and the CBI Children’s Choice Award. It is the first book to have won both categories. It won the RAI Book of the Year 2013, and has been shortlisted for the Sakura Medal (English High) 2014. In 2013 the Irish Times named it as one of the best children’s books of the past 25 years.
Born in Dublin, Ireland, 1967, Celine has spent the majority of her working life in the film business, and her career as a classical feature character animator spanned over seventeen years, before she became a full-time writer.
Published Works
Illustrator: Celine Kiernan
Genres: Children’s
New Friends. Old Enemies. Who can you trust?
Wynter Moorehawke travels alone and unprotected in bandit-infested forests, searching for the rebel Prince Alberon. But many enemies are lurking in the shadows. It seems that every tyrant and zealot who has ever threatened the Kingdom is sending emissaries to meet Alberon. Wynter becomes increasingly nervous of the prince’s intentions.
She is overjoyed when Razi and Christopher re-appear, but where old friends go, old enemies soon follow and Wynter finds herself confronted with the infamous Wolves – the Loups-Garous. It is to Christopher’s adopted people, the Merron, that Wynter and Razi must now turn for sanctuary. But the Merron have sided with their mortal enemy, Marguerite Shirken. What is behind these strange alliances and is Alberon at the centre of it all?
“Ireland’s answer to J.K. Rowling … at the forefront of Irish fantasy writing.”
- Sunday Independent“This is a book to be read, reread and treasured.”
- Inis Magazine“Compelling and complex, romantic and suspenseful, populated by memorable characters and intricately detailed, this impressive middle volume will leave readers demanding the conclusion.”
- Publisher’s Weekly“Irish author Celine Kiernan is back with Book 2 of her excellent Moorehawke trilogy, The Crowded Shadows, a cracking theatrical historical fantasy set in medieval Europe.”
- Irish Independent
Illustrator: Celine Kiernan
Genres: Children’s
Wynter is at last reunited with the exiled Prince Alberon, as he plots insurgency from his forest encampment.
But she is losing faith with her companions, as they attempt to drive Alberon’s plans in different directions. Caught between Razi’s complex diplomacy, Alberon’s desire for martial strength and Christopher’s fierce personal loyalty, Wynter finds herself torn. Can she combine these philosophies, and find a way to heal the rift between king and heir? Or will each side destroy the other, causing Wynter to lose everything she holds dear? She fears the answers lie veiled in conflict and loss.
Illustrator: Celine Kiernan
Genres: Children’s
CBI Book of the Year Award (2012); CBI Children’s Choice Award (2012); Reading Association of Ireland Award (2013); Shortlisted for the Sakura Medal (2014); Kirkus Review Best Teen Books (2014)
An evocative and chilling ghost story from the creator of the internationally acclaimed Moorehawke Trilogy.
After their nan accidentally burns the family home down, twin brothers Patrick and Dominick move with their parents and baby sister to a small cottage by the sea. The family has spent many a happy summer there but never a winter – and against a backdrop of howling storms and wild seas, the haunting of the twins begins…
“Vivid descriptions and consistently polished, well-paced prose... A gripping, highly original ghost story.”
- Kirkus“A truly haunting story.”
- The Irish Times“Young teenagers will be gripped by this supernatural thriller... An impressive work for the 12+ age group... Offers thrills alongside an important, but understated, lesson in humanity.”
- Sunday Business Post“...Her most impressive fiction to date. This is writing of an extremely high order, eloquent in its imagination and warm in its empathetic humanity.”
- Robert Dunbar
Illustrator: Celine Kiernan
Genres: Children’s
What does it mean to be alive? What is it worth to stay alive?
Ireland, 1890: two ruthless immortals prowl the theatre district in search of food for their ‘Angel’. Ancient, pitiless and caring for none but their own twisted family, they will stop at nothing to maintain their grip on life.
A seamstress, the young man who loves her and a penniless American magician soon find themselves imprisoned in a snow-bound country estate, the latest addition to the family’s warped collection. Here, they are nothing but food, nothing but entertainment, and soon they will be nothing at all.
Far from their homes and fighting for survival, Tina, Joe and Harry will come to understand that far more is at stake than their lives.
“Celine Kiernan blends the supernatural, sci-fi and romance to superb effect... as compelling and unsettling as Poe's ghastlier moments.”
- Madeline Keane, Irish Independent
Illustrator: Celine Kiernan
Genres: Children’s
In the third book in The Wild Magic Trilogy, Witches Borough is dying, and no one knows how to save it.
Into this scorched landscape, storms a raggedy witch named Magda, trailing ashes in her wake. She wants Mup. She wants Mup to fulfil a promise. And woe betide any who stand in her way.
“There is so much colour; so much life and vibrance in The Promise Witch...the perfect ending to a perfect trilogy. A gloriously woven spell. Just read it...”
- Fallen Star Stories Blog“Celine Kiernan's Wild Magic books are much loved by readers who like fantasy stories with a dark, witchy twist. In this instalment, book three in the trilogy, brave young witch Mup returns, along with best friend Crow, who still speaks in rhyme. Danger is all around in Witches Borough. Mup's evil grandmother, the old Queen expelled from the castle in book one, is still lurking, and Magda, a "raggedy witch" storms into Mup's world demanding that Mup fulfil a promise. Start with the first book, Begone the Raggedy Witches and lose yourself in this exciting, beautifully
written trilogy.”
- Irish Independent
Illustrator: Celine Kiernan
Genres: Children’s
Second book in a fantasy adventure trilogy about witches and forbidden magic from a multi-award-winning author.
Fans of Abi Elphinstone and Katherine Rundell will adore this fantasy adventure trilogy about witches and forbidden magic from a beloved and award-winning Irish writer. In the second book in The Wild Magic Trilogy, the queen and her raggedy witches have fled, but the kingdom is not yet healed. The castle is haunted by memories of its brutal past. The ghosts are angry, and one of them in particular possesses a magic which may be too much for even Mup and Mam to handle.
“[...] it is filled to the brim with drama and danger, true, heartwarming and heart-stopping, and magical...so very magical. Just read it.”
- Fallen Star Stories“A breath-stealing second installment to read and reread in anticipation of the third.”
- Kirkus Review“A stunning tale of family and friendship with themes of oppression, new beginnings, bravery, and hope.”
- Elizabeth Konkel from Booklist“A strong and satisfying follow-up that continues to explore timely, real-world issues in a highly engaging fantasy setting.”
- Sophie Kenney, Delray Beach Public Library
Illustrator: Celine Kiernan
Genres: Children’s
A middle-grade fantasy adventure perfect for fans of Frances Hardinge, Katherine Rundell and Sally Gardner.
On the night that Aunty dies the Raggedy Witches come for Mup’s mam. Pale, cold, relentless, they will do anything to coax Mam back to Witches Borough. When they kidnap Mup’s dad, Mup and her mam must leave the mundane world to rescue him. But Mam is strange on this side of the border – striding, powerful, and distant. Even if they can save Dad, Mup is not sure anything will ever be the same again…
“Travel to the Glittering Land with Mup and her mates—you’ll emerge streaming with magic and half-transformed into some other creature.”
- Margo Lanagan“Ireland's answer to JK Rowling.”
- Sunday Independent“The loveliest children’s fantasy book I’ve read in a while ... Wonderful in every sense of the word”
- Kate Forsyth (Author of The Impossible Quest)“Deliver[s] readers an unexpected twist of richness. It's fortunate a trilogy is planned, for readers will surely demand more.”
- Kirkus Reviews“A powerful, wild fantasy-adventure tale [...] From its gripping opening […] to the last page, Kiernan’s writing is wonderfully confident, and swells with colour and magic and passion. […] Unmissable!”
- Irish Independent
Illustrator: Celine Kiernan
Genres: Children’s
Wynter returns from a five-year exile in the bleak Northlands to find her beloved homeland in turmoil.
King Jonathan’s civilised, multicultural realm is no more; the gibbets and cages have returned. Days of laughter, friendly ghosts and gossipy cats remain only in Wynter’s memory – the present confronts her with power play, dark torture chambers, violent ghosts, and cats (those still alive) too scared to talk to humans. The Inquisition is a real and present danger.
Crown Prince Alberon is missing. There are murmurings of a ‘Bloody Machine’ of untold destructive power. And as Wynter and her friends, Prince Razi and the mysterious Christopher Garron, seek to restore stability to the fragile kingdom, risking death at every turn, Wynter is forced to make a terrible choice.
Set in a fantastical medieval Europe, this is the first book in a compelling trilogy of court intrigue, adventure and romance. It draws the reader in from the very first sentence and doesn’t loosen its grip until the last.