Lifeling, Kirsty Applebaum
Lifeling, Kirsty Applebaum
List: $16.95 | Sale: $11.87
Club: $8.47

Lifeling

Author: Kirsty Applebaum

Narrator: David Dawson

Unabridged: 5 hr 14 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 04/12/2022


Synopsis

Twelve-year-old Lonny can stop death in its tracks. But there’s a price to pay for his magic. Each time he saves a life, he must sacrifice years of his own. In order to keep his power a secret, he's always stayed away from the nearby town of Farstoke, where the townsfolk might take advantage of a lifeling boy for their selfish and dangerous ends.But when Lonny’s family is left with no money, he and his brother Midge are forced to venture into Farstoke in search of work. Lonny soon finds that the people of Farstoke aren’t the frightening monsters he’s been told to fear. Or so they seem at first glance. As Lonny debates revealing his secret ability to the town, he must ask himself if the people of Farstoke are really who they appear to be, and if he is willing to risk his life to save another.

About Kirsty Applebaum

Kirsty Applebaum was born in Essex, England, and grew up in Hampshire. She’s had a wide variety of jobs including bookselling, railway re-signaling, picking stones off conveyor belts, putting lids on perfume bottles, and teaching Pilates. She now lives with her husband on top of a hill in Winchester. Kirsty is also the author of The Middler. Follow her on Twitter @KirstyApplebaum.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Quill&Queer on October 04, 2024

It took me a couple of tries to get into this unusual story, but once I did I was hooked. Set on the outskirts of a small, clearly English town called Farstoke, Lifeling Lonny can bring animals and people back from the brink of death - at the cost of his own years. Lonny feels trapped in his own hom......more

Goodreads review by Peter on March 22, 2021

Beautifully written first person middle grade voice. Original story concept.......more

Goodreads review by Emma Ann on July 29, 2022

WHAT was that ending? Maybe I’m just a terrible person idk but I really don’t like how Lonnie’s character arc was framed.......more

Goodreads review by Daisy May on March 13, 2021

I've had a lot of time for Kirsty Applebaum's previous work, so when Nosy Crow sent me a proof of The Life And Time of Lonny Quicke, I was fascinated to see what she did with it. The premise is remarkable: what would happen if you could save a life with the touch of your hand -and what if it meant t......more

Goodreads review by Stephanie on April 14, 2021

Heartwrenching and emotionally INTENSE. I don't know if I enjoyed it, exactly - because I was SO upset for the main character for so much of the book! - but I was utterly compelled by it from the first chapter to the last, and I will absolutely be reading more of Kirsty Applebaum's books! Utterly dr......more


Quotes

“[A] gripping drama full of intense emotion [with a] thought-provoking premise musing on life, love, and sacrifices made for others.” Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“Slightly older fantasy fans will be dazzled…This is a book to keep the reader thinking long after it's finished.” The Guardian (London)

“Applebaum’s third novel confirms her as one of the most exciting new voices in children’s fiction, exploring complex moral dilemmas—what does it mean to live a full life?—through the prism of worlds almost like our own.” The Bookseller