“When the Rift opens, death follows.”

For generations, the Rangers of Black Water Island have guarded the Old Herd against horrors released by the Rift. Cal West, an apprentice Ranger with a rare scar and even rarer gifts, fights daily to prove he belongs within their ranks. After nine years away, Meg Archer returns to her childhood home only to find the Island is facing a new threat that not even the Rangers are prepared for. Meg and Cal can’t ignore their attraction, but can they face their darkest fears to save the Island from disaster?

Praise for The Rift:

"Fantasy and reality are deftly interwoven, making suspension of disbelief possible. The action unfolds swiftly; events of the past are revealed at a subtle pace...A delicious blend of survival, fantasy, and romance."

Kirkus Review.

"Thrilling … A fresh and original story; a standout in the fantasy genre. The romance between Cal and Meg blends envy, desire and uncertainty with a potent authenticity. Written with a sparse lovely poetry, The Rift demands an immersion that is intoxicating. I can’t recommend this enough."

Isabelle Carmody, author of The Obernewtyn Chronicles and The Gathering.

"Gripping, brutal, tender. You won’t be able to put this book down."

Michael Pryor, author of The Laws Of Magic series and Gap Year in Ghost Town.

“Beautiful, dark and deliciously tense – an astonishing world that will hold you in its finely wrought claws.”

Alison Goodman, author of the Lady Helen series and the Eon series.

"Masterful and brilliant! Beautiful world building, stunning writing, a cracking plot, perfectly paced and hot romantic tension. Craw has outdone herself."

Fleur Ferris, best-selling author of Risk, Black, Wreck and Found.

Storylines Notable Book Award, 2019

Finalist, New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults, 2019

Hardcover edition coming to USA & Canada, October 2019 with Candlewick Press.

Read the first chapter of The Rift here.

Chapter One

The Rift Playlist

Spotify
Playlists

The Rift is set on a mysterious island, peopled by an isolated community with ancient traditions. I fell in love with the compelling and haunting atmosphere of Black Water Island and its inhabitants. I often write to music and these songs reflect that haunting atmosphere, the characters and relationships. Songs that helped me with the atmosphere of Black Water Island: Song for Jesse & The Proposition by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis, Home by Elvett, In the Pines by Inga Liljeström. Songs that resonate with the love story in The Rift: Love Is Blindness by Jack White, All My Tears by Ane Brun, It Takes A Lot To Know A Man by Damien Rice, Hollow by Beulah Songs that reflect Meg’s particularly complex relationship with the Head Ranger on Black Water Island: Shape Shifter by Lera Lynn, If I Had A Heart by Fever Ray, Conman Coming by Monica Heldal and Snake Song by Townes Van Dandt. After you’ve read The Rift you might like to explore the playlist and see if you can pick up on some of the relevant themes in the songs.