Lightlark (The Lightlark Saga Book 1) by Alex Aster

Lightlark (The Lightlark Saga Book 1) by Alex Aster

By Alex Aster (author) Part of the The Lightlark Saga series

"This high-stakes opener to a high-concept YA fantasy series sees a deadly game play out amidst danger, deception, betrayal and romance"

Paperback Pre-order. 27th October 2026 £11.99 £10.79

Hardback In Stock £13.99 £12.59

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Alex Aster’s Lightlark, the first book in the The Lightlark Saga series, sees the TikTok sensation serve YA readers a feast of cinematic fantasy centred on a deadly game. Suffice to say, the concept is sure to entice fans of The Hunger Games , with the story also delivering the lushness, romance and twisting secrets of novels by Leigh Bardugo and Sarah J Maas .

In a richly-imagined world, Lightlark island manifests itself every 100 years as the stage for the Centennial — a game that rulers of six different realms are summoned to play. The game is deadly, but success means said rulers will break the centuries-old curses that have been thwarting their realms. But there’s a catch — a ruler must die if the curses are to be broken.

Into this, Isla — ruler of a domain of despised Wildlings who are cursed to kill those they fall in love in with — finds herself having to lie and cheat her way to survival, while grappling with high-stakes matters of the heart.

Alongside the central story, fans of YA fantasy romance will love the gadgets and potions, and the lush, glamourous settings and breathless encounters.

#BookTok phenomenon and award-winning author Alex Aster delivers readers a masterfully written, utterly gripping YA fantasy novel.

Read the full description

Welcome to the Centennial.

Every 100 years, the island of Lightlark appears to host the Centennial, a deadly game that only the rulers of six realms are invited to play. The invitation is a summons—a call to embrace victory and ruin, baubles and blood. The Centennial offers the six rulers one final chance to break the curses that have plagued their realms for centuries.

Each ruler has something to hide. Each realm’s curse is uniquely wicked. To destroy the curses, one ruler must die. Isla Crown is the young ruler of Wildling—a realm of temptresses cursed to kill anyone they fall in love with. They are feared and despised, and are counting on Isla to end their suffering by succeeding at the Centennial.

To survive, Isla must lie, cheat, and betray…even as love complicates everything.

Filled with secrets, deception, romance, and twists worthy of the darkest thrillers, Lightlark is a must-read for fans of legendary fantasy writers Marie Lu, Marissa Meyer, and Leigh Bardugo.

'Gorgeously lush and cinematic Lightlark is the kind of fantasy that indulges all your senses, makes you swoon, and then knocks you sideways with twists. You won't want to put this down.' - Marie Lu, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Skyhunter

'If The Hunger Games was a dark fairy tale, you'd get the vicious and enchanting Lightlark . Get ready to be transported into a dazzling world where love is a death sentence.' - Adam Silvera, #1 New York Times bestselling author of They Both Die at the End

Alex Aster is an author of YA fiction as well as award-winning middle grade fiction, including the Emblem Island series, which was published to critical acclaim. Alex graduated summa cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania, where she studied creative writing. Aster has a dedicated audience of more than 905,500 followers on TikTok with 100 million views, and 60K followers on Instagram. Find out more on TikTok @alex.aster

She lives in New York.

Photo credit Jennifer Trahan

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#BookTok phenomenon and award-winning author Alex Aster delivers readers a masterfully written, utterly gripping YA fantasy novel. Welcome to the Centennial.

The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Lightlark (The Lightlark Saga Book 1) and determined it is suitable for children aged 13-18 years old

Lightlark (The Lightlark Saga Book 1) features in the following genres: Fantasy / Magical, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Featured Books for Young Adults, Recommendations, Romance / Relationship Stories, Thrillers, Adventure Stories, Featured Books for 13+ readers

Paperback, Hardback. £12.59, down from the £13.99 cover price. In Stock.

Lightlark (The Lightlark Saga Book 1) was written by Alex Aster and published by Amulet Books an imprint of Abrams

Lightlark (The Lightlark Saga Book 1) has 409 pages

Yes it is part of The Lightlark Saga series

£12.59, reduced from £13.99. In Stock.

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