PB 400 | 198 x 129 | ISBN: 9781922858825 | $21.99
Young Adult | Also available as ebook
MidnightSun Publishing | October 2026
Distributed by NewSouth Books
Sala knows it’s dangerous to leave. Outside the secret shack where she and her friends have been hiding, foraging among the burnt-out ruins of a raided land, heartless scavengers will kill for any technology they find. Vicious tree cats stalk the night for prey. And giant water-ants have overrun Palude’s carnivorous-tree swamps. But when the love of her life needs help, Sala has no choice but to trade everything they possess for his freedom.
She’s not the only one making decisions of course. As ecosystems collapse, and everyday life fractures, desperate leaders will risk everything for control. Soon, no amount of sacrifice can stop the poison of lies and betrayals set to bring the explosive world of Palude to its limits. Sala’s courage to kindle hope from the ashes will only do so much.
The greatest enemy always hides within.
‘I couldn’t put this book down. Smooth, poetic, and immersive prose, with a deep romance and contemporary parallels impossible to ignore. If you love sci fi and action/adventure, this book is for you. I highly recommend. 5/5 stars!’
USA Today bestselling author Dionne Lister.
‘Vividly imagined, relatable, gripping. When Dark Worlds Rise questions both the choices we face today and the future we still have the power to shape.’
Gisela Ervin-Ward, author of True South.
‘Like the best speculative fiction, When Dark Worlds Rise reminds us that individual actions matter, and that even amongst overwhelming turmoil, ecological exploitation and official corruption, a more sustainable world can still be built.’
Craig Cormick, author of The Floating City.
‘Filled with danger, tension, and intrigue. Blending fantasy, sci-fi, and a dash of dystopia… not to be missed.“ The AU Review