Zarita, only daughter of the town magistrate, lives a life of wealth and privilege. Indulged by her parents, she is free to spend her days as she pleases, enjoying herself in the company of an eligible young nobleman, horse riding, or leisurely studying the arts. Saulo, son of a family reduced by circumstances to begging, witnesses his father wrongfully arrested and dealt with in the most horrifying way. Hauled off to be a slave at sea and pursued by pirates he encounters the ambitious mariner explorer, Christopher Columbus. Throughout his hardships Saulo is determined to survive - for he has sworn vengeance on the magistrate and his family. As Zarita's life also undergoes harsh changes the formidable and frightening Inquisition arrives in the area, bringing menacing shadows of suspicion with acts of cruel brutality - and ultimately, amid the intrigues of the court of Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand in the splendid Moorish city of Grenada, betrayal and revenge...
Theresa Breslin O.B.E. is the popular, critically-acclaimed author of over 50 books for children and young adults and winner of many literary prizes including the prestigious Carnegie Medal. Her work has been adapted for television, stage, and radio, and is translated worldwide.
Theresa is an Honorary Fellow of the Association of Scottish Literary Studies, has received an Outstanding Achievement Award from Scottish Book Trust, and was appointed an OBE for Services to Literature. She lives near Glasgow, Scotland, is passionate about children's literature and literacy and a regular visitor at book festivals and schools. Theresa is the author of An Illustrated Treasury of Scottish Folk and Fairy Tales,An Illustrated Treasury of Scottish Mythical Creatures and An Illustrated Treasury of Scottish Castle Legends illustrated by fine artist Kate Leiper. Her numerous historical books for children include Mary Queen of Scots: Escape from the Castle and Illustrated Legends of Scotland's Kings and Queens, published by Floris Books.
