Derkholm

Diana Wynne Jones

When Derk, a gentle wizard and devoted father, is forced to serve as the figurehead of a disastrous fantasy adventure, his family and fellow magical beings are drawn into a dangerous struggle against a powerful exploiter. Every year, visitors from another world arrive expecting heroic quests, fearsome monsters, and spectacular battles—but the cost of maintaining their entertainment is threatening to destroy Derk’s home. Blending sharp satire with inventive world-building, the novel explores family, responsibility, free will, and the consequences of turning living worlds into playgrounds. It is a witty, imaginative fantasy that both celebrates and cleverly dismantles the conventions of the genre.