The Tear Collector - by R M Romero (Hardcover)

About the Book

"In a post-apocalyptic world created by climate change, Malka and her brother, Ezra, learn to survive on an isolated island, where people afflicted by a mysterious illness change into monsters"-- Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

Set after the end of the world, this darkly fantastical climate change tale explores hope, memory, and what really makes a monster.

Climate change culminated in the Flood, an enormous wave that wiped out entire countries. Malka and her younger brother Ezra survived and now live with Dr. Jonas Hollman on the Island, the only piece of land left on Earth. Scavenging useful things from the shoreline under the watchful eye of the Island's sinister leader Mr. Gray, Malka and her family get by. Barely.

But an illness called the Sorrow is changing people into monsters when their memories of the Mainland grow too sad...and Ezra is the latest to get sick. Desperate not to lose her brother, Malka throws herself into helping "Uncle" Jonas with his research to find a cure.

Then her family's dismal lives are turned upside down by the mysterious Olivia, who crashes a plane on the beach. More people are out there, she says. The world isn't lost forever. To save Ezra and the other Islanders, Malka will have to uncover the secrets of her flooded world--and the lies even the people she loves have told her about the true nature of the Sorrow.

R.M. Romero tackles our fear and anxiety surrounding climate change and weaves it through with hope in this beautifully told adventure that will resonate with readers young and old.

Review Quotes

Praise for Tale of the Flying Forest:

"With stunning prose and deeply relatable characters, Tale of the Flying Forest is a love letter to Jewish storytelling wrapped in a fairy-tale bow. As lyrical as a song and decadent as storybook chocolate, this story will sweep you away among its fox-shaped clouds." --Kalyn Josephson, New York Times bestselling author of the Ravenfall series

"A delightful middle grade fantasy that's really quite timeless. It's absolutely charming, with lovely illustrations." --Charles de Lint, award-winning author of The Cats of Tanglewood Forest

"Rich, lyrical storytelling in a breathtakingly imaginative world. A joy to read!" --Sophie Anderson, award-winning author of The House with Chicken Legs

"A tale for anyone who's ever felt something was missing from their life, and what it is actually like to find it. No story has ever invited me into its pages like this. Romero's Tale of The Flying Forest will live in my imagination forever." --Chris Baron, author of All of Me and The Magical Imperfect

"R. M. Romero's lush, lyrical fairy tale takes us through an unforgettable mythical forest where marvels abound and menaces await, and bravery, kindness, and love can conquer all. I was enchanted by this story." --Anne Ursu, author of Not Quite a Ghost

"Romero (Death's Country) mixes fairy tale, Jewish lore, and homage to German poet Rainer Maria Rilke in this family-driven fantasy....spun with both a feminist and Judaic twist." --Publishers Weekly

"Seamlessly integrates quotes from the Torah and prayers throughout the text....[and] makes the novel read like a fairy tale itself." --School Library Journal

"An exciting, tender, and appealing adventure." --Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

R.M. Romero is a critically acclaimed and international bestselling author of fairy tales for children and adults. She is the author of Tale of the Flying Forest, illustrated by E.K. Belsher; The Dollmaker of Kraków and The Ghosts of Rose Hill, both Sydney Taylor Notable Books; A Warning About Swans; and Death's Country. R.M. Romero lives in Miami Beach with her cat Robin Goodfellow and invites you to visit her online at rmromero.com.