Book Three of the Tales from the Riven Isles.
The Hatter’s Daughter is an action-packed adventure of a retelling, and fans of the original story will love seeing the appearances of many reimagined characters—even as their seemingly perfect world of Wonderland is taken over by a new and very dangerous forces that threaten heroine Faith and her entire Underneath. This book takes you on a wild ride down the rabbit hole and all the way up again, and it won’t let you off until everything you’ve ever thought was impossible in this world becomes compellingly curious.
~Kelly Ann Jacobson, author of Tink and Wendy and Lies of a Toymaker
“THE HATTER’S DAUGHTER is a fun and fresh adventure through a land of magic and encroaching decay. This fast-paced, magical tale is filled with charm and surprises, and features a world at once familiar and unique.” ~ M. H. Ayinde, author of A Song of Legends Lost & 2021 winner of the Future Worlds Prize
“Simpson’s newest installment from the Riven Isles is filled with whimsy and wonder. Based loosely on the tale of Alice in Wonderland, we are introduced to the realm of Brigantia. With protagonists you can root for and a supporting cast of characters both old and new, familiar and unique, this book will charm fairy-tale readers of all ages!” ~ Elana A. Mugdan, author of The Shadow War Saga
On the night Faith was born, a fire raged, and her mother perished, but not before sending Faith to safety, deep in the Underneath to a place of legend known to some as Wonderland, though its true name is Brigantia. Discovered by the enigmatic Mad Hatter within the Rabbit Burrow, he takes Faith home and raises her as his own.
On her 21st birthday, the Rot invades, spreading its malevolent tendrils across Brigantia. Determined to save her homeland, with her Gift of transmutation, Faith resolves to confront this darkness. She won’t face it alone; Prince Rowan, sent by the Queen and King of Hearts, accompanies her on this perilous quest.
Summoned to the Grotto, the sacred abode of the Caterpillar who has metamorphosed into the ethereal butterfly woman Jade, they are entrusted with her discarded chrysalis. With a voice like the whisper of ancient winds, Jade commands them to seek the legendary Spinner Queen in Tidaholm. This enigmatic artisan will weave the chrysalis into an armor of unparalleled invincibility. Yet, a shadow looms over Brigantia, as the malevolent Rot spreads its tendrils, inflicting a wasting illness that saps vitality and leaves its victims in a near-comatose state.
As dark fey wage war against Tidaholm and Brigantia, Faith and Rowan return home to lead the army of the Queen of Hearts in a desperate battle, only to face a crushing defeat. The Hatter, now confined to his bed, gives what may be his final instruction to Faith: find Alice.
Faith must journey back to her birthplace to seek out this near-legendary figure. The world aboveground is rife with avarice and deceit, and the Rot’s minions relentlessly pursue them. If they can find the Legendary Heroine, she may hold the key to salvation. If not, the Rot will consume everything, leaving them adrift in a world not their own..
Book Two of the Tales from the Riven Isles
“Intricate plotting and sympathetic characters underpin this unique magical fantasy” – Jacey Bedford, author of the Psi-Tech and Rowankind series.
Harper was barely out of diapers before the cards started speaking to her. Abandoned in a gambling den, the owner took her in and taught all about games of chance. Using her Gift, she makes a modest living, although Harper feels there must be more to her power. She befriends a thief, known only as Red, after saving him from certain death. Neither have last names or pasts. Such things do not matter in their world.
But everyone has a past.
Red’s catches up with him during a job which could set them him up for life. Now forced home to the last place Harper wants to go—Underneath. For Red is the infamous Reynard the Fox. The shape-shifting trickster wanted for crimes against the Kingdom of Vale. King Noble has been searching for him for decades, for the lives of the citizens of Vale far surpass normal humans.
Torn between fighting for Red’s life and her growing attraction to the King, Harper knows Red’s many crimes and she cannot forgive them. But there is more to the citizens of Vale seeking retribution.
Red learns of the Rot and how it feeds on hatred, but they banish him to the Cesspit, leaving Harper to fight The Rot alone. But if she cannot control her own contempt, the Rot will take her and all of Vale.
Book One of the Tales from the Riven Isles
“This promising debut features strong world building and well-developed systems of magic. It will appeal to readers of Kacen Callender’s Queen of the Conquered (2019), N. K. Jemisin’s The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms (2010), and L. Penelope’s Song of Blood and Stone (2018).” — Booklist
Fans of Andrea Hairston’s Master of Poisons and other secondary world fantasy will enjoy this expansive magical adventure. — Publisher’s Weekly ~See full review here.
I enjoyed reading Tinderbox due to its wonderful description and characters, as well as the plot itself. In my opinion, it’s well-paced and most of the chapters are short, which I also love. The title and cover are so beautiful! It fits in the fantasy and adventure genres, with some romance in the mix. If that’s something that you like, maybe check it out. – Million Pages
Tinderbox is a riveting tale about personal strength and hidden magic. — Aleena Ortiz Foreword Reviews, July / August 2022 ~See full review here.
A tinderbox, three huge hounds within, and an underground kingdom of old magic. Fans of Sarah J. Maas and Holly Black, myth and magic, fairy tales and fantasy, will love the dark adventures of the Riven Isles. — Amazon.com
“A grisly murder, a missing box, a dangerous task, and a cranky magical talisman. Expect betrayals, intrigue, peril, and romance in this smartly moving fantasy.” — Jacey Bedford, author of the Psi-Tech and Rowankind series.
“W.A. Simpson begins with a simple tale of revenge and quickly weaves a grand adventure bound together with the threads of fairy tales and fey creations… where possessed staffs speak, wil-o-wisps roam, and Jack’s giant vine protects the world both above and below.” — Troy Carrol Bucher, author of Lies of Descent
The Riven Isles. A place outside of our known world, where the characters of myth and fairy-tales exist, and their legends influence the lives of the people.
Among them is Isbet, a witch skilled in the craft. Her return home marred by the murder of the woman who raised her. Her return home leads first to sorrow, then fury when she finds the old witch who raised her murdered and her prized possession,–the Tinderbox, stolen and used by a common man to seize a throne.
Prince Bram is a prisoner of the usurper. His one desire is to free his homeland from the reign of this false king. But Isbet and Bram must set aside their personal goals and work together. Dark fey are bringing an ancient source of magic back to life. When they receive a summons to an underground kingdom, they must set aside their personal desires as they discover an ancient source of magic, long dormant, is being brought to life by beings unnatural and it threatens to destroy the land. They have pulled Isbet and Bram into a battle not their own and struggle to locate the source of the darkness. However, the aura of shadows surrounding the king and the demonic creatures within the box ensnare Bram, filling him with fear. If they cannot halt the rise of the old magic, it will tear the Riven Isles apart.
Author WA Simpson 