Socks & Secret Quests
Triona Murphy author James Firnhaber illustrator
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Simon & Schuster
Publishing:5th Nov '26
£8.99
This title is due to be published on 5th November, and will be despatched as soon as possible.
Howl’s Moving Castle meets Dungeons & Dragons in this debut cozy illustrated middle grade fantasy adventure that follows an unlikely heroine who rallies a ragtag team to face a dark wizard, uncovering her own magic along the way.
Peri has been waiting for her magic to show up, but there’s been no sign of it since she was chosen as an Apprentice Shopkeeper a year ago. Now she travels with a magical shop that equips adventurers for their quests, unsure if she’ll ever do more than stock shelves, mend mittens, and knit non-magical hats that don’t do anything but keep heads warm.
Then a dark wizard kidnaps the Master Shopkeeper, intent on using her power to create an unstoppable army.
To save her master, Peri must leave the cozy shop and seek help from the closest adventuring party, who is really good at arguing and really bad at working together. As Peri’s magic unexpectedly begins to show itself in the items she’s knitting, it’s up to her and her team to stop the dark wizard before war breaks out—or it won’t be just her shop at stake but the entire kingdom.
“The wonderfully rendered world feels cozily familiar but makes room for fresh ideas—magic manifested via knitting needles is a particularly charming detail. The other questing partners make for complex characters of their own, while Peri’s plight will especially appeal to any reader struggling under the weight of outsized expectations. A riveting read that reveals that there’s a hero—and a little magic—hidden in everyone.” -- Booklist
“With its magical items and roving adventurers, the worldbuilding in Murphy’s debut will appeal to fans of tabletop role-playing games. A spirited tale of fiber arts and hard-won friendship.” -- Kirkus Reviews
"An action-filled romp, perfect for young Dungeons & Dragons fans." -- School Library Journal
"A tale of high adventure, magic, and friendship! A must-read!" —Jessica Day George, New York Times bestselling author
“With clever characters, an intriguing world, and quick pacing, Socks and Secret Quests is a novel about the ultimate group project: saving the kingdom from an evil wizard. For the fantasy nerds and the knitters alike, Triona Murphy's joyful debut celebrates the magic of making things. I loved it.” —Jodi Meadows, knitter and New York Times bestselling author of Bye Forever, I Guess and coauthor of My Lady Jane
"A whirlwind adventure full of delightful characters, compelling choices, and magics large and small!” —Deva Fagan, author of A Game of Noctis
"Cozy and quest-filled, this is a story I loved getting lost in! Peri is the perfect heroine, and it was a joy watching her magic knit her adventurous group of friends together." —Ryan Graudin, author of The Girl Who Kept the Castle
“A charming adventure told at a sizzling pace, Socks & Secret Quests seamlessly knits together a lovable band of heroes with a twisty, action-packed plot. I mean, enchanted sweaters, sinister wizards, fireball spells, and wandering shops—what more could any fantasy fan ask for? Young readers will want to follow Peri and her trusty knitting needles everywhere!” —Jessica Khoury, author of The Mystwick School of Musicraft
ISBN: 9781665990004
Dimensions: 210mm x 140mm x 24mm
Weight: unknown
272 pages