Stravaganza: City of Swords

Desperately unhappy, Laura has resorted to secretly self-harming. But Laura is a Stravagante, somebody who can travel in time and space. When she finds her talisman, a small silver dagger, she stravagates with it to sixteenth-century Fortezza, a town similar to Lucca in Italy, where she meets her Stravagante, who is a swordsmith. But Laura also meets the charming and attractive Ludo, and falls for him. Their love for each other is tested when Ludo lays claim to the crown of Fortezza, and Laura finds herself fighting on the side of the Stravaganti opposing him . . .
A thrilling tale filled with battles on the field and battles of the heart.

Mary Hoffman is an acclaimed children's writer and critic. She is the author of the bestselling picture book Amazing Grace. Her Stravaganza sequence for Bloomsbury is very popular and has its own fan forum. Mary is also the author of The Falconer's Knot (shortlisted for the Guardian Fiction Award and winner of the French Prix Polar Jeunesse 2009), Troubadour (shortlisted for the 2009 Costa Book Award) and most recently David, a rich and epic tale based upon the creation of Michelangelo's renowned statue of David. Mary lives with her husband in West Oxfordshire.To follow Mary's thoughts on books and writing, go to http://bookmavenmary.blogspot.com