Published by Candlewick Press
Print Length: 368 pages
Publisher: Candlewick Press (October 8, 2025)
Publication Date: October 8, 2025
Language: English
ISBN1536211281/9781536211283
Young Adult Novel/Hardback
Praise for THE RIFT
“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
As corporate greed is pitted against supernatural forces, two young friends must try to protect the precious Old Herd — and their island itself.
For generations, the rangers of Black Water Island have guarded the Old Herd against the horrors released by the Rift. And Cal West, an apprentice ranger, fights daily to prove he belongs within their ranks. But even greater challenges await with the return of his childhood friend Meg Archer and the onset of a new threat that not even the rangers are prepared for. Now Meg and Cal, while struggling with their mutual attraction, must face their darkest fears to save the island from disaster. In a possible near future where Big Pharma is pitted against ancient traditions and the supernatural, Rachael Craw’s gripping and brutal tale, inspired by Greek mythology, will immerse readers and leave them intoxicated by its richly imagined world.
Rachael Craw began her working life as an English teacher after completing a degree in Classical Studies and Drama at the University of Canterbury. She dabbled in acting, directing and writing for amateur theatre productions and small independent film ventures. Her passion for dialogue and characterisation finally led to long-form writing with the Spark series. Rachael’s enthusiasm for classical heroes, teen angst and popular culture informs much of her creative process. She enjoys small town life teaching, writing and mentoring at the top of the South Island of New Zealand where she lives with her husband and three daughters.
INTERVIEW
- What is on your nightstand?
On top of my beside table…
Under my bedside table.
- What author would you totally fan?
Soooo many. Gosh! But my most recent new author discovery is Katherine Arden. I read the Bear And The Nightingale series and I was sooo in love with the story, the world, the writing. I couldn’t get enough.
- What makes you cringe?
In writing, my biggest cringe is wooden dialogue. Like, has this person ever had a conversation?
- Do you obsessively plot out each point or just go with the flow?
I dream of being a plotter. I long to be a plotter. I cannot plot. My brain just hits a brick wall. I only seem to be able to figure it out by writing from within the skin of my character, seeing the world through their eyes and then stuff happens.
- Is there a word you love to use?
Pearling.
Also, if you have any pictures of your pet you would like to share, please attach them. My readers love animals!
This is Miss Jingles, she is a very sweet, very naughty, very embarrassing dog. She likes to bark.
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