Songlight: The Torch Trilogy

Star-crossed lovers, against-all-odds friendship, and a brutally unforgiving world make this first in a trilogy utterly unforgettable.

They are hunting those who shine . . .

Don’t be deceived by Northaven’s prettiness, by its white-wash houses and its sea views. In truth, many of its townsfolk are ruthless hunters. They revile those who have developed songlight, the ability to connect telepathically with others. People with Songlight also have healing abilities and other powers in varying strengths.  Anyone found with this sixth sense is caught, persecuted and denounced.  A father would even turn on his own child…

Welcome to the future.

Elsa is used to hiding the most important parts of herself—her feelings for her brother’s friend, Rye, her distaste for a world ruled by men, and, most crucially, her gift of songlight. She buries that secret deep inside. In Brightland, those with songlight are called Unhumans and are abhorred. Rye is the only other person Elsa has known with songlight, and their shared bond has brought them together. 

Elsa’s world begins to fall apart one desperate, heart-wrenching day and she doesn’t know where to turn until a girl appears before her. But the girl isn’t really there—her songlight has been drawn to Elsa’s frantic grief.

Elsa lives in a remote seaside village; Nightingale, her new friend, lives in a city hundreds of miles away with her father, a government official responsible for rooting out Unhumans. The two never expected to connect via songlight. But when they do, and when they realize the extent of their power, they’ll be thrust in the middle of a war that threatens their very existence. Friends, neighbours, family are quick to turn on each other and those with songlight are pawns in a dangerous game of politics.

When power is everything, how will they survive? Featuring an array of interlinked characters and viewpoints this is a gripping and enthralling debut young adult novel about an epic battle for truth, justice and forgiveness. The excellent world building and strong, intriguing characters lift this above other dystopian Sci-Fi series. I couldn’t put it down!

“I would highly recommend Songlight… I think this might be Hunger Games for a new generation, especially those who are a bit more aware of all the things happening in the world. Dystopian fiction is sometimes the thing we need, to see where we fit into the world.”  Verushka Louw, Children’s Sales Representative, Jonathan Ball Publishers. 

Added extra: Listen to the very cool Songlight inspired playlist here. 

Meet the Author

Moira Buffini is one of the UK’s leading scriptwriters. She has written acclaimed TV, films and plays, including The Dig (Bafta-nominated), Harlots, Jane Eyre, Tamara Drewe, Dinner and Handbagged.  Songlight is her debut novel.  Watch an interview with the author here, as she shares her filmmaker’s approach to her meticulous world-building.