SHORTLISTED FOR THE WATERSTONES CHILDREN'S BOOK PRIZE 2026
"A gripping, vivid magical action adventure." Louie Stowell, author of Loki
"Phenomenal!" Sophie Anderson, author of The House With Chicken Legs

Ancient magic and all-new heroes in a battle between the living and the dead - an epic story of chaos, myth and adventure for fans of Percy Jackson, from the author of The Boy to Beat the Gods.

When her island home is overrun by evil spirits, Evie is saved only by the powerful gemstone her parents entrusted to her. Her best friend Arthur is not so lucky - caught in the magical crossfire, he finds himself in the body of a cat.

On a mission to return him to his body and defeat the ghouls, Evie and Arthur team up with Cai, a trainee shaman, who helps them discover the truth. The terrifying Blackheart Man is plotting to steal the island's four magical gemstones and use their power to destroy the barrier between the worlds of the living and the dead. It will take all of Evie's magic, Cai's bravery and Arthur's talent for thievery to stop him.

Prizes

Short-listed for Waterstones Children's Book Prize 2026 (UK)

A compulsively readable 9+ fantasy adventure, richly laced with Jamaican folklore and genuine terror. * The Guardian *
I enjoyed it immensely. It's a deep dive into Jamaican folklore, belief systems and vivid storytelling. * Alex Wheatle, author of Crongton Knights *
Phenomenal! Magic, myth and history woven into a heart-pounding adventure. * Sophie Anderson, author of The House With Chicken Legs *
A gripping, vivid magical action adventure. * Louie Stowell, author of Loki *
Fantastic, inspiring heroes, a funny Freaky Friday-style body swap (a human in a cat's body chasing a cat in a human's body made me chuckle!) and a twist-packed tale make this one of summer's must-have books! * Tom Griffiths, headteacher and reviewer at Check 'Em Out Books *
Magical, captivating and almost impossible to put down. Ashley is one of the best middle-grade authors currently writing * Seven Stories - The National Centre for Children's Books *
Youngsters will be willing on this plucky trio as they battle against the odds in a heart-thumping danger mission full of magical world-building, fast and furious adventures and spine-tingling danger. Epic fun from start to finish! * Lancashire News syndicate group *
Spirit Warriors is a stunning historical fantasy adventure, an enthralling story of danger, discovery and daring, that completely captured me from start to finish. * Book Craic blog *
Rooted in Caribbean folklore, this fast-paced fantasy adventure blends spirit magic, cultural traditions, and high-stakes action in a race to protect both worlds. Highly recommended for UKS2. * The School Reading List *
This story was inspired by the history and folklore of Jamaica and is utterly gripping! The cast of characters face some difficult choices but through drawing strength from each other, they battle through some truly terrifying situations! 9+ * Library Girl and Book Boy *

Ashley is an author and editor living in Manchester with his partner and a greedy cat. His fantasy adventures The Boy to Beat the Gods and Spirit Warriors put a compelling spin on West African and Caribbean mythology and folklore. When he isn't reading or writing stories, Ashley enjoys making music, gaming, anime, and being out in nature.