Scarlet Morning, Book 1: Scarlet Morning - by ND Stevenson (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Viola and Wilmur have been waiting for their parents for fifteen boring years in the colorless town of Caveat. Their lives are a drudge of salt, trash, pirate stories, and what-ifs . . . until one very stormy night, when Captain Cadence Chase breaks down their door. They cut a deal with the captain: Chase can take their most prized possession, a mysterious book, but only if she takes them, too. After all, if their parents aren't coming, Viola and Wilmur might as well have a grand adventure to find them. Setting sail into the treacherous and beautiful world beyond Caveat, the two inseparable friends must uncover the facts behind legend -- and the key to saving all of Dickerson's Sea from obliteration -- before the truth tears them apart. Wickedly funny, deeply emotional, and sharply incisive, Scarlet Morning is a tale of love, betrayal, and the extraordinary lengths we'd go to save a world broken beyond repair."--

Book Synopsis

AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * USA TODAY BESTSELLER * NATIONAL INDIE BESTSELLER * NPR BEST BOOKS OF 2025 * KIRKUS BEST BOOKS OF 2025 * BOOKLIST 2025 EDITOR'S CHOICE * NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY BEST OF YEAR * CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY BEST OF YEAR
From the powerhouse creator of Nimona comes a breathtaking illustrated novel, the start of a trilogy, following two orphans who leave the only home they've ever known to sail with an eccentric crew of pirates.
Viola and Wilmur have been waiting for their parents for fifteen boring years in the colorless town of Caveat. Their lives are a drudge of salt, trash, pirate stories, and what-ifs . . . until one very stormy night, when Captain Cadence Chase breaks down their door. They cut a deal with the captain: Chase can take their most prized possession, a mysterious Book, but only if she takes them, too. After all, if their parents aren't coming, Viola and Wilmur might as well have a grand adventure to find them.
Setting sail into the treacherous and beautiful world beyond Caveat, the two inseparable friends must uncover the facts behind legend--and the key to saving all of Dickerson's Sea from obliteration--before the truth tears them apart.
Wickedly funny, deeply emotional, and sharply incisive, Scarlet Morning is a tale of love, betrayal, and the extraordinary lengths we'd go to save a world broken beyond repair.

Review Quotes

"Engaging, exciting, and enthralling in equal measure. Acclaimed graphic novelist Stevenson shines in his prose debut; his worldbuilding is clever and highly immersive, conveying an atmosphere that's completely novel while also nostalgic. With its pirates, magic, adventure, friendship, and found family, this middle-grade gem comes very close to achieving the impossible--having something for everyone." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"Riveting...Stevenson deploys lush, lyrical writing to craft an original pirate adventure." - Publishers Weekly

"Stevenson's foray into prose is a fantastic demonstration of his ability to create immersive worlds and eclectic, engaging casts of characters in which each stands out without crowding the narrative. His mixed-media illustrations add charm and thrill, and the complexity of this soon-to-be classic will keep readers hooked and ready for the duology closer." - Booklist (starred review)

"So begins the adventure of a lifetime...This is a truly fantastic title, offering complicated heroes and villains, intriguing mysteries and backstories, and moments of genuine creepiness that will have readers gripping their seats. Reading this is like finding a pot of gold." - School Library Journal (starred review)

"Suspenseful and exceptional... Laced with horror and humor--including both the clever wordplay and the silly chaos often favored by children--the story perfectly balances the whiplash of a traditional high fantasy pirate adventure set in a terrifying world reshaped by adults." - Shelf Awareness (starred review)