This Shattered Promise

Author: Sharada Keats

Interest age: from c 14 years

Published on 14 August 2025 by Scholastic in the United Kingdom.

Paperback | 448 pages
197 x 128 x 30mm | 296g

In a world where life itself must be paid for if you want to

survive... what would happen if you could buy more? This

sequel to the Carnegie-nominated These Stolen Lives is a

thrilling and beautifully written dystopian romantasy, full of tension,

romance and godly powers. Perfect for fans of Malorie Blackman

and Tahereh Mafi.

After her secret involvement in a rebellion against the Skøl government,

seventeen-year-old Mora has now been separated from her friend

Kit, just as they realized their feelings for each other. Targeted

for her rare memory and drawing skills, she has been dragged

to help unscrupulous Sciencemaster General, Sacrifice Sting,

deliver a breakthrough for the High Governor: the key to immortality.

Can the Skøl conquer death itself? And at what price?

The secret may lie in ancient Xan wisdom that Kit's native people,

sequestered in their last enclave in the Badlands, have long guarded.

In the wrong hands, these powers would be utterly devastating.

Can Kit and Mora manage to find each other again - and save

their future?

These Stolen Lives was nominated for the Carnegie

Medal for Writing 2025 and longlisted for the Branford Boase

Award 2025.

A gorgeous, slow-burn romance full of longing and hope, drawn

in a dual narrative.

New villains, mysterious new allies, rich new settings and a

deeper exploration of folkloric, mythic fantasy magic and dangerous

gods...

Sensitive and intelligently explored themes of colonialism,

greed, injustice and equality.

PRAISE FOR THESE STOLEN LIVES:

'A striking, thought-provoking YA dystopia' - The Guardian

'Fabulously detailed world-building' - Patrice Lawrence, author of

Orangeboy