A Tale of Plagues and Perfumes - Peter Kujawinski & Jake Halpern | Buy Online at Beetle Bookshop

A Tale of Plagues and Perfumes

(Authors: Peter Kujawinski & Jake Halpern)

Impossible Creatures meets The Inquisitor's Tale in this immersive middle grade fantasy adventure about a girl whose extraordinary sense of smell may be the key to saving her world.

Every scent tells a story. In Nia’s world, being branded a "Sinsory"—someone with unusually heightened senses—is just as dangerous as the deadly plagues sweeping across the desert continent. Nia keeps her extraordinary nose a secret, shared only with her beloved Auntie and best friend, Fox. But when the worst plague in a century strikes, everything changes.

A mysterious invitation arrives in the form of a jar of blackcurrant jam, summoning Nia to the Cloister: a secluded academy for children with extraordinary sensory gifts. Here, she meets fellow Scentiers, Gazers, and Whisper-Gatherers. At the Cloister, Nia discovers that her nose holds powers far beyond what she ever imagined—powers that could reveal a cure for the plague, or unmask the sinister secrets hidden within the academy's walls.

Praise for the Book:

• “A stunningly original fantasy world that will blow your mind.” — Eoin Colfer, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Artemis Fowl

• “A delightful, redolent adventure—I couldn’t put it down! . . . I’ll never sniff a spice drawer the same way again.” — Catherine Gilbert Murdock, Newbery Honor-winning author of The Book of Boy

Key Highlights:

• Unique Magic System: Built around hyper-attuned senses including scent, sight, and hearing.

• Acclaimed Co-Authors: Written by Peter Kujawinski and Jake Halpern (author of the World Fantasy Award winner Nightfall).

• Thrilling Fantasy Adventure: Perfect for fans of immersive world-building, academy mysteries, and high-stakes quests.