Soft cover book in good condition.

Experience the witty and wondrous adventure of Fly by Night by Frances Hardinge — a delightfully clever tale of secrets, storytelling, and a girl who dares to change the world with words!

In the kingdom of Larkinge, where reading and writing are forbidden to common folk and controlled by the oppressive guilds, twelve-year-old Mosca Mye lives a cramped, quiet life with her cruel guardian in the tiny village of Chough. Mosca dreams of escape and craves the forbidden thrill of books — she even keeps a pet goose named Saracen as her only true companion. When a chance encounter with a smooth-talking conman named Eponymous Clent offers her a way out, Mosca seizes it, becoming his reluctant secretary and traveling companion. Together they stumble into a web of intrigue involving rival guilds, a mysterious murder, a locked bridge, and a plot that could topple the fragile balance of power in the city of Toll. With her sharp tongue, quick wits, and love of stories, Mosca must navigate danger, deception, and her own growing sense of purpose in a world where words are weapons and knowledge is the ultimate rebellion.

Frances Hardinge’s sparkling prose, full of humor, vivid characters, and inventive world-building, creates a richly atmospheric story that celebrates the power of literacy, courage, and cleverness against tyranny.

Ideal for middle-grade and young teen readers who love smart, feisty heroines and intricate plots, fans of fantasy adventures with a touch of Dickensian flair and social commentary (think The Graveyard Book meets The Thief), lovers of books about books and the magic of reading, and anyone who enjoys humorous, thought-provoking tales of rebellion and self-discovery.