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Once There Was

Once There Was, Book 1

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About this listen

 Discover a world of extraordinary beasts and unexpected heroes in the dazzling debut from New York Times ​bestselling author Kiyash Monsef.
Perfect for listeners aged 9+ and fans of Philip Pullman, Neil Gaiman, J.K. Rowling and A.F. Steadman.

Once was, once wasn’t . . .

So began the stories Marjan’s father told her as a little girl – tales of mythical beasts that filled her with curiosity and wonder: Griffons. Unicorns. Dragons.

But Marjan is not a little girl anymore. After her father’s sudden death, she is trying to hold it all together: her schoolwork, her friendships and her dad’s struggling veterinary practice. But a mysterious visitor soon reveals that Marjan’s father was no ordinary vet. The creatures from his stories are real – and he travelled the world to care for them.

Stepping into a secret world hidden in plain sight, where magical creatures are bought and sold, treasured and trapped, Marjan must take her father’s place. The deeper in she gets, the closer she comes to a shocking truth that will put both humans and beasts in terrible danger.©2023 Kiyash Monsef (P)2023 Simon & Schuster, Inc. Fantasy Fiction Growing Up & Facts of Life Literature & Fiction Mysteries Mystery & Suspense Science Fiction & Fantasy Thrillers & Suspense Mythology
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Such a well thought through delicate story and excellent performance. Had constantly the feeling to not want to put the story aside. Really enjoyed it.

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