A stolen dragon pearl. A city ruled by criminals. And a group of unlikely heroes about to change the fate of an empire.
Welcome to Rainshadow City.
A dazzling metropolis where ancient magic collides with cutting-edge technology, dragons soar above neon-lit streets, Sun Spirits wander unseen, and powerful criminal syndicates control everything from the shadows.
For Toshiko, Jun, and Mei Kawakami, survival means living outside the law. Bound together by loyalty rather than blood, they are united by a single goal: avenging the murder of the woman who raised them.
For Haru, heir to the Archipelago's throne, life is no easier. Destined to inherit a corrupt empire, he finds himself drawn instead to the mysterious Sun Spirits only he can see.
And for Theo, an immigrant trapped in the service of the ruthless Lucky Crows gang, every day is a struggle to stay alive.
When Toshiko steals a priceless dragon pearl from the leader of the Lucky Crows, their lives collide in ways none of them could have imagined. As gang wars erupt, ancient powers awaken, and long-buried secrets emerge, they are swept into a race that will determine the future of Rainshadow City-and the entire Archipelago.
Epic, immersive, and impossible to stop listening to, The Rainshadow Orphans is the thrilling first book in a brand-new fantasy trilogy inspired by Japanese folklore, Studio Ghibli, cyberpunk adventure, and unforgettable found-family storytelling.
Perfect for listeners who love richly imagined worlds, morally complex characters, dragons, magic, political intrigue, and high-stakes adventure.
A breathtaking new fantasy series begins here. Naomi Ishiguro was born in London, in 1992. Her debut novel, Common Ground, was published by Tinder Press in the spring of 2021, and her collection of stories, titled Escape Routes, was published in the spring of 2020 (also by Tinder Press). She's a graduate of the University of East Anglia's MFA Creative Writing Programme, and has worked as both a secondary school English teacher and a freelance creative writing teacher. She also spent a lovely two years in her early 20s working as a bookseller and bibliotherapist at Mr B's Emporium of Reading Delights in Bath. 'A perfect fusion of cyberpunk and fantasy, this electric debut, packed with memorable characters, will keep your heart pumping all the way through. The world is richly detailed, the stakes are high as a dragon flies, and the pace is addictive. Pick it up now' 'A breathtaking adventure set in an immersive cityscape like no other. The Rainshadow Orphans has a wonderful cast reminiscent of Avatar: The Last Airbender, and a message of hope that made my diaspora heart soar' 'The Rainshadow Orphans shimmers with wondrous worldbuilding and sublime writing. A luminous blend of folklore, sci-fi and aching humanity – I couldn't put it down.' 'Accomplished, ambitious worldbuilding and dynamic, determined characters. I love Naomi Ishiguro's writing both for its thrilling sense of adventure and her resolutely humane engagement with the most important questions of family, loyalty and friendship' 'Like the best fantasy/sci-fi anime… The Rainshadow Orphans will stay with me for its kickass characters, devastatingly-imagined world and Hiranaya: the most memorable dragon in fiction!' 'Spectacular. Rainshadow Island is redolent with wonders to rival Barrie's Neverland and threats fiercer than anything in Collins' Panem. Ishiguro has crafted an essential and propulsive novel about the magic of truly connecting with a land and its history. I will follow these wonderful characters wherever they take me'
