Peculiar

Description: This international bestseller and debut novel by a teenage author and classical musician is part murder mystery, part gothic fantasy, part clockwork adventure. A changeling suddenly finds himself at the center of a web of intrigue and danger when he is stalked by a sinister faery.

Brief description: Stefan Bachmann was born in Colorado and spent most of his childhood in Switzerland, where he graduated from Zurich University of the Arts with degrees in music composition and theory. He is the author of The Peculiar, his debut, which was published to international acclaim when he was nineteen years old. His other books include The Whatnot, A Drop of Night, Cinders and Sparrows and Release the Wolves. He is the coauthor (with April Genevieve Tucholke) of The Secret Life of Hidden Places. He lives in Zurich, Switzerland, and Berlin, Germany.

Review Quotes:

"It's not your typical faery story-it has elements of steampunk and murder mystery that make it a really exciting, fresh read." - The Atlantic Wire

"The Peculiar has the kind of enchantment, whimsy, and utter wonder that stands the test of time. An astounding debut!" - Marie Lu, New York Times best-selling author of the Legend trilogy

"Stefan Bachmann's sparkling debut is sure to get a lot of well-deserved notice. He breathes fresh life into ancient magic." - RICK RIORDAN, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Kane Chronicles and Percy Jackson and The Olympians

"Richly realized . . . accomplished ... This is a story young fantasy buffs are sure to enjoy." - The New York Times Book Review

"Imaginative, highly descriptive writing . . . Thrilling adventure." - Booklist

"An absolute treat for readers of any age." - Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Gripping . . . with a wry humor and unusual characters. Fans of Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book (HarperCollins, 2008) and young steampunk enthusiasts will find much here to enjoy." - School Library Journal

"Polished and fun to read...Bachmann's steampunk fairy tale...recalls Dostoevsky, Dickens, and more recent classics, such as J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter and Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events....Bachmann leavens the dark goings-on with whimsy...in spectacular and hilarious fashion....[An] unusually gifted young writer." - Los Angeles Times

When a teenager writes a publishable book, it's noteworthy, but when the book is this good, it's something special. Bachmann, now 19, has a polished and witty writing style; his characters are skillfully developed, the action is nonstop, and his faery society is fascinating. An absolute treat for readers of any age." - Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Bachmann's prose is beautiful, and his story is swift, strong, and entertaining. Highly recommended. I can't wait to see what Bachmann writes next." - CHRISTOPHER PAOLINI, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Eragon (The Inheritance Cycle)