Marta Palazzesi, winner of the Premio Strega award, is back with an ambitious and captivating novel, a fast-paced fantasy with spectacular, film-like settings.
The son of one of the most prominent Archemists in Paris, Theo is about to turn 13 and is waiting to receive his Apt, the animal companion who will guide him through life and wisdom. Until the night everything changes. At the stroke of midnight, a fire fox appears out of nowhere, and the boy must face the truth: he’s actually an Alkrem, a survivor of the ancient allies of the Archemists, later massacred by them in the name of alleged wrongdoings. And the fox is his Mutol – his guardian animal, strong and wild. During the flight necessary to their survival, Theo’s father is injured, while the boy and his fox are rescued by a group of Alkrems. But from this moment on, Theo’s only goal is to find the Alkrex, a mighty Alkrem weapon also capable of healing any wound, and to save his father’s life. During his adventure, Theo will learn that the truth is not always what he’s been taught…