about the book
Thirteen-year-old Petrel lives aboard a giant icebreaker ship called the Oyster, which has been travelling the world on the same route for three hundred years. Its inhabitants have all turned against the outside world ever since the Anti-Machinists destroyed all things mechanical, causing the downfall of society. Those who escaped have been living aboard the massive ship, though they have split themselves into three tribes with distinct differences and beliefs, causing tension among those onboard.
Petrel, or “Nothing Girl,” as those on the ship call her, lives in the hidden places onboard. Her only friends are two talking rats, named Mister Smoke and Missus Slink. When a boy stranded on an iceberg is pulled aboard, however, she becomes intrigued and names him Fin, as he can’t remember who he is. The only thing Fin does know is that he is on an important mission to destroy a terrible secret that is on board the ship.
The tribes on the Oyster have been in a state of quiet dislike for one another for decades, but as one thing leads to another, a full-on war breaks out onboard. Fin is to be executed, and Petrel will have to think fast and move quickly as she tries to save him from his awful fate.
about the author
Lian Tanner was born and raised in Tasmania, and she has lived there for most of her life. She has three big brothers, and loves books and horses. As a child she was very shy, which is why today she likes to write about strong, bold girls in her stories.
She went to college for Earth Science, because she loved to learn about how the earth was shaped and what causes it to change. She wasn’t very good at it, though, and ended up dropping out. When she turned 38, she returned to studying and attended drama school. After that, she was a professional actor for three years, touring Tasmanian schools.
Lian is often inspired by the world around her, especially when she is spending time at the beach by her house. When she gets stuck in her writing, she often goes on a walk to become “un-stuck” and finds new ideas on her way. She likes to keep a scrapbook of ideas and pictures when she is planning a book, and also creates a big idea web using butcher paper and felt markers to keep track of things. She continually writes down questions about her stories (which aren’t always answered) and is an avid daydreamer—which is an important part of her work!
When Lian isn’t writing, she likes to garden and spend time with her chicken, Clara, and her tomcat, Harry-le-beau.
Sources:
Author website
Author inspiration
Also by Lian Tanner:
Sunker’s Deep (Icebreaker Trilogy, Book 2). Feiwel and Friends. August 2016.
Path of Beasts (Keepers, Book 3). Delacorte. 2012.
City of Lies (Keepers, Book 2). Delacorte. 2011.
Museum of Thieves (Keepers, Book 1). Delacorte. 2010.
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