'I was born as part of a monstrous structure -- the grotesque, hideous, ugly, ghastly, gruesome, horriblerelations of power that constituted colonial Britain. A structure that shaped me, that shapes the very language that I speak and use and love. I am the daughter of an empire that declared itself the natural order of the world.' From award-winning writer and critic Alison Croggon, Monsterstakes as its point of departure the painful breakdown of a relationship between two sisters. It explores how our attitudes are shaped by the persisting myths that underpin colonialism and patriarchy, how the structures we are raised within splinter and distort the possibilities of our lives. Monstersasks how we maintain the fictions that we create about ourselves, what we will sacrifice to maintain these fictions -- and what we have to gain by confronting them.
Alison Croggon Book order
Alison Croggon is an acclaimed author whose literary contributions span captivating fantasy series that have garnered significant attention. Beyond her narrative fiction, she is also a distinguished poet, holding multiple awards for her verse, and a theater critic, recognized as critic of the year. Her versatility extends to writing opera libretti, with some works earning accolades as musical works of the year and others receiving nominations for prestigious literary awards. Her multifaceted writing offers readers a rich and diverse literary experience.






- 2021
- 2020
An atmospheric and riveting fantasy adventure, perfect for fans of Frances Hardinge and Cornelia Funke. Pip lives on his wits in the city of Clarel. When he pickpockets the wrong man, he finds himself in possession of a strange object - a heart in a silver casket. What's more, the heart seems to be trying to communicate with Pip, and the royal officials who lost it will stop at nothing to get it back.Pip has unwittingly broken an ancient spell, and his theft will have far-reaching consequences for the whole city. As the ancient war between the Spectres and witches of Clarel reignites, the heart prepares to seek revenge for all it has suffered...Alison Croggon conjures a rich, immersive world with brilliant and memorable characters in this captivating story of loyalty, courage and friendship.
- 2019
Exploring themes of mental turmoil, colonial violence, and dark secrets, the narrative intertwines the lives of diverse characters. A woman grapples with her sanity as she hears a medieval mystic, while a convict's wife confronts the harsh realities of colonization. A man on the run after committing murder seeks refuge, and a girl discovers her lineage through an encounter with a vampire. Each storyline delves into the complexities of identity, guilt, and the haunting echoes of history.
- 2017
New and Selected Poems 1991-2017
- 328 pages
- 12 hours of reading
Confronting various forms of violence, Alison Croggon's poetry reveals a difficult beauty within a fractured world. Her selected poems from 1991 to 2017 showcase her artistic range, blending formal inventiveness with intellectual curiosity and stylistic confidence. The collection captures raw and passionate expressions, reflecting on themes of patriarchy, colonialism, and emotional turmoil.
- 2017
The Singing: Book Four of Pellinor
- 496 pages
- 18 hours of reading
"Epic fantasy in the Tolkien tradition, with a strong girl hero who is entirely believable in her struggles. . . . I couldn't put it down!" — Tamora Pierce, author of the Protector of the Small and the Circle Opens quartets In a battle-ravaged land, Maerad and Hem desperately search for each other as the Black Army advances, and all of the Seven Kingdoms are threatened with devastating defeat. Yet in Maerad and Hem lives the secret to the mysterious Singing, and prophecy holds that if they release the music of Elidhu together, they have the power to defeat the Nameless One.
- 2017
The Crow: Book Three of Pellinor
- 528 pages
- 19 hours of reading
Orphaned Hem is sent to Turbansk for safety but, as the armies of the Dark overrun the city, he flees with his mentor Saliman, his white crow Irc, and the orphan girl Zelika to join the resistance forces of the Light.
- 2017
"First published as The gift by Penguin Books Australia, 2002"--Title page verso.
- 2017
In a highly anticipated prequel to the Books of Pellinor, Alison Croggon captivates fans old and new with her ancient, legendary world of Annar. After being seduced into sorcery by an agent of the Dark, the promising Bard Cadvan of Lirigon recklessly unleashed the terrible Bone Queen, bringing destruction down upon Annar. Cast out of the Schools of Barding for his crime, Cadvan now lives in exile, burdened by memories of his dealings with the Dark. At his former home, Cadvan’s mentor, Nelac, and his rival, Dernhil, begin to suspect that the Bone Queen may yet lurk in Annar, and a young Bard named Selmana is plagued by an ominous presence and an unsettling new ability to step between worlds. With darkness gathering and Bards giving in to fear and paranoia, a guilt-ridden Cadvan must once again earn the Bards’ trust and Selmana must gain control of her newfound powers if they are to bring peace to the living and the dead. Fans of the Books of Pellinor will savor this glimpse into Cadvan’s past, and readers new to Alison Croggon’s intricately built world will relish The Bone Queen as a stand-alone epic of light, dark, magic, and redemption.
- 2016
Cadvan of Lirigon, one of the most powerful Bards of his time, has been exiled from the School of Lirigon for a grievous crime that unleashed the power of the Bone Queen. Isolated and guilt-ridden, he is burdened by memories of his dealings with the Dark. Meanwhile, across Edil-Amarandh, a number of disturbing events suggest that the Bone Queen may not have been successfully banished, as was previously believed. The Light is under threat, but does Cadvan have the strength to face the Bone Queen again?
- 2015
Combining magical realism and fable, this lyrical tale is the story of a landscape and community destroyed by Western greed.
