The Destiny of Minou Moonshine

Gita Ralleigh's debut children's novel will be released on Thursday 6th July.

Following on from her two poetry books, CLCC lecturer Gita Ralleigh has written her first children's novel, The Destiny of Minou Moonshine.

The story of a Queendom set in an alternate colonial India, blending Frances Hardinge with Kipling's Kim. A debut rich in fantasy, friendship and faith, and an original adventure that sparkles with storytelling magic.

About the Book

Aimed at children aged 9-12 years, the story follows fierce orphan Minou as she sets off with a secret, a map and a mechanical elephant, through the lush landscape of Indica, in search of her destiny.

“As a child, I loved fantasy adventures" says Gita. "At the time, I never expected to find a small brown girl within those stories. I was determined that my fantasy adventure would be about a girl like me who discovers both her inheritance and her very own magic."

Gita grew up reading stories that took her to faraway lands. The closest she came was on family holidays to India, where old palaces, ice-capped mountains, monkeys and elephants were part of everyday life.

"I set my story in Indica, an alternate India, with a dynasty of queens
and a goddess, the Dark Lady, who guides Minou to her destiny. I cannot wait for young readers to meet her."

The Destiny of Minou Moonshine will be published by Zephyr/Head of Zeus on Thursday 6th July. It is available for pre-order: 

Buy The Destiny of Minou Moonshine in Hardcover, Kindle or Audiobook.

Reviews

"Masterful, a wonderfully original fantasy adventure that feels like a timeless classic. A brilliant new voice in the world of children's fiction."

- Anthony McGowan, winner of the 2020 CILIP Carnegie Medal for Lark

"Gita Ralleigh builds a vivid world bursting with jeopardy in this beautifully lyrical debut. So many unexpected twists to love, including the mechanicals. Minou is a great hero - kind-hearted, brave, and full of fire."

- Jasbinder Bilan, Costa prize-winning author of Aasha and the Spirit Bird 

"With forbidden goddesses, a lost queen and a mechanical elephant, this is a gently unfolding, rich narrative full of fantasy and wonder, which champions the power of girls and women to manage their own destinies."   

- The Bookseller, One to Watch

About the Author

Gita Ralleigh is a writer, poet and doctor born to Indian immigrant parents in London. She began writing after having her two children and has written short stories, poetry and children’s fiction. She won the Wasafiri New Writing Prize in 2013 and was a London Library Emerging Writer for 2022-2023. Gita has an MA in Creative Writing from Birkbeck, University of London and an MSc in Medical Humanities from King’s College London. At Imperial College London She teaches Creative Writing for Horizons/I-Explore.

Visit Gita Ralleigh's website.