Moira Buffini has won the 2025 YA Book Prize with her explosive post-apocalyptic novel Songlight. The first book in The Torch Trilogy series, Songlight is a powerful story of danger, connection, and survival.

Set in the seemingly idyllic coastal town of Northaven, where those with the rare telepathic gift of songlight are hunted by their own neighbours, the novel follows Lark, who has long concealed her abilities. When she saves a young woman from a distant city, their bond becomes both a source of strength and peril in a world where power decides everything.

What the Judges Thought

"This is a wonderful book by a wonderful writer. It’s gripping, emotionally moving, philosophical, political, strange, action-packed. Set in the distant future, it has deep connections to the world as it is today." - David Almond OBE, award-winning author

"Packed with mystery, intricate politics, heartbreak, and betrayal, Songlight is an unforgettable journey that will keep you hooked until the very last word!" - Rachel Fox, children and schools programme director at Edinburgh International Book Festival

"With extremely cinematic prose and expert storytelling, it pulls you in and doesn’t let you go.” - author and BookToker Busayo Matuluko

What is the YA Book Prize

Launched in 2014, the YA Book Prize was created to champion outstanding fiction for teenagers and young adults, with the goal of inspiring more teens to read and buy books. It is organised by book trade magazine The Bookseller, in partnership with the Edinburgh International Book Festival.