The Tinder Box | M. R. Carey

The Tinder Box

Accolades & Praise

• Notable Author: From the million-copy bestselling author of The Girl With All the Gifts.

Extended Synopsis

In a kingdom forgotten by history, a legend unfolds. Wounded in his country's endless wars, former soldier Mag Tresti finds work in the home of a reclusive widow, Jannae Mirchella. But Jannae is more than she seems. A witch of great skill and might, she hides her powers and her deep-laid plans behind a mask of harmless respectability.

When a dead demon falls out of the sky, the fates of the soldier and the witch are irrevocably intertwined. On the demon's body, Mag finds a tinderbox—an artifact of terrifying magical power that can not only grant his every wish but also change the fate of nations.

The Tinder Box is an utterly unique and completely spellbinding dark fairy tale. It is a story of spellcraft and devilry, of witchcraft and trickery—of the wickedness that resides within a few, the goodness that lies deep within us all, and the choices on which our lives turn.

About the Author

M. R. Carey is a critically acclaimed and million-copy bestselling author renowned for his gripping speculative fiction and comic book writing. He is best known for his post-apocalyptic masterpiece, The Girl With All the Gifts, as well as extensive work for DC and Marvel Comics.

Reader Targeting

• Fans of dark, subversive fairy tale retellings and folklore-inspired fantasy.
• Readers who appreciate morally complex characters navigating political and magical turmoil.
• Admirers of M. R. Carey's immersive world-building and spellbinding narratives.

Bibliographic & Physical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the premise of The Tinder Box?
The novel is a dark fantasy reimagining of a classic fairy tale, following a wounded soldier and a secretive witch whose lives are forever changed when they discover an artifact of terrifying magical power on the body of a fallen demon.

Is this book part of a series?
No, The Tinder Box is a standalone dark fantasy novel.

What themes are explored in this novel?
The story subverts traditional tropes to explore themes of profound power, the brutality of social divides, the trauma of war, and the heavy true cost of human desire.

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