Isabella Nagg and the Pot of Basil

This book is a delightful modern fairytale full of strangeness and wonder, and no small amount of humour. Oliver Darkshire has done a wonderful job bringing us into his fresh, fantastical world, and it’s somewhere you want to stay. – Alice Bell, author of Displeasure Island and Grave Expectations
I lost track of the number of times that I audibly chortled, snorted, and made startled little noises of exclamation through my nose while tearing my way through Isabella Nagg and the Pot of Basil. Funny, inventive, and deeply unsettling in the grand tradition of some of the more obscure fairy tales it references, this book is a gem that was perfectly cut to fit the Pratchett-shaped hole in my heart – C.M. Waggoner, author of The Ruthless Lady’s Guide to Wizardry
Brings to mind the works of Terry Pratchett … a delightful read. It will make you laugh and surprisingly tug on your heartstrings – Vanessa Armstrong * Reactor Magazine

Witty and wry, a book filled with untrustworthy herbs, far too much porridge, and the most unusual and compelling explanation for goblins you will ever see.
*and punctuated by an egregious number of delightful footnotes

– Caitlin Rozakis, author of Dreadful
With more humour than you can shake a homemade apple-tree wand at, and a folkloric world of magic tomes, snarky almost-cats and the twin menaces of goblins and capitalism, Darkshire’s story is a bubbling cauldron overflowing with imagination and charm – Chris Sugden, Sunday Times bestselling co-author of High Vaultage
I have been longing for fantasy stories with middle-aged heroines, so I was delighted to discover the pragmatic and intelligent Isabella. Oliver Darkshire weaves a vivid story with a humorous, fantastical voice and complicated world-building – Katy Nyquist, author of A Holy Maiden’s Guide to Getting Kidnapped
Darkshire’s humorous and clever fantasy borrows from poets and folklorists alike * Washington Post *
Delightfully deranged … a new and original kind of enchantment * Reactor Magazine *
PRAISE FOR ONCE UPON A TOME
Laugh-out-loud – Garth Nix, award-winning author of The Left-Handed Booksellers of London
Peculiarly hilarious and/or hilariously peculiar! – William Gibson
Witty and heartwarming * Publishers Weekly *
A mischievous Terry Pratchett tone … Uproariously funny * Fine Books Magazine *
Witty. Whimsical. Smart. A cozy gem – Jenny Lawson, New York Times bestselling author of Broken (In the Best Possible Way)
With its mixture of exaggerated misanthropy and eloquent surrealism, Once Upon a Tome calls to mind the cult television sitcom Black Books * Times Literary Supplement *
Enchanting … every page is a pleasure – Lindsey Fitzharris, bestselling author of The Facemaker
Darkshire is an exciting new voice brimming with self-effacing charm – Caitlin Doughty, author of Smoke Gets in Your Eyes
Utterly charming – Tom Holland, bestselling author of Dominion
Mr. Darkshire is a witty observer … charming * Wall Street Journal *
An utter treat – Book of the Week * Daily Mail *
Extremely entertaining – Neil Gaiman