Over a career spanning five decades, Isobelle Carmody has written more than 40 books, garnered a slew of awards and accolades, and amassed a fiercely dedicated, multigenerational fanbase.

When she’s not working on her craft, she maintains a demanding schedule of domestic and international festivals, conventions, residencies, and speaking events, including a recent event at the Australian Embassy in Japan.

The indefatigable author/ illustrator has also found time to complete a PhD, host writing mentorships and retreats, and regularly collaborate on creative projects with other talented artists. She is also a passionate human rights advocate whose work deeply engages with philosophical and sociopolitical questions.

This month marks the release of Comes the Night, Carmody’s wildly inventive, unputdownable epic young adult fantasy set in post-eco-apocalyptic Canberra, a hermetically domed place of intense government supervision.

Doming enables governments and powerful commercial entities to control us and how we interact with the world for good or ill ….  it promotes a bunker mentality that prevents us demanding that our governments commit money and resources to cleaning up the planet.

When his beloved uncle Adam dies under suspicious circumstances, leaving behind cryptic clues and curious devices, Will finds himself embroiled in an ever-deepening plot of lies and corruption. The subsequent disappearance of his best friend Ender and her neurodivergent twin sister Magda forces Will on a perilous quest into an alternative dreamspace riddled with deception, danger, dreamwalkers, and a horde of deadly Despoilers who are relentless in accomplishing their dark objective. Aided by a syndicate of tech-savvy renegades in the real world, Will must brave the dreamscape alone and face a series of threats and challenges that test his ingenuity, courage, and integrity.

Blending tropes from a range of science fiction and fantasy subgenres, the story explores interconnected parallel realities and alternative timelines which gradually coalesce to reveal compelling character and narrative arcs. The author’s trademark sophisticated world building and attention to detail guarantees a vivid, immersive reading experience. Gripping tension, psychological intrigue, and clever plot twists are balanced with authentic human moments among the memorable cast of unique, layered characters. Comes the Night thoughtfully considers unchecked political power, environmental damage, corporate greed, the impact of technology, and the future of civilisation. The imaginative future tech that permeates all areas of life in the book raises further questions about the controllers and facilitators of technology. Peppered throughout are fascinating facts concerning the Burley Griffins’ original vision for Canberra, which serve to reinforce Carmody’s incisive critique of political and bureaucratic regimes.

Equally entertaining and thought-provoking, Comes the Night is a compulsive read that speaks to our hopes and fears for our world and culminates in an immensely satisfying conclusion.

(Watch this space for an in-depth interview with Isobelle)

By Bec Stafford

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