Styx: The River

Nikita Gill is an Irish-Indian poet who has the attention of 750,000 Instagram followers worldwide for her work. Her work offers a shift of perspective which centres women in both Greek and Hindu myth as well as folklore. She has given a TEDx Talk, spoken at every major literary festival in the UK and been shortlisted for the Goodreads Choice Award in poetry three times, the Childrens Poetry Award two times and longlisted for the Jhalak Prize. Gill has written seven poetry collections and two verse novels. Her book of fables for children, Animal Tales from India (Walker Books), and her newest verse novel for Doctor Who, The Angel of Redemption (a 2010s story) (BBC Children’s Books), were both out in October 2023.

'Styx is that rare sequel which not only stands as a wonderful book in its own right but also deepens and enriches your experience of the book which went before... One of the things I loved best was the unapologetic and comprehensive focus on the female experience hidden in plain view in these ancient stories. We have Styx and Asteria's childhood friendship as a bond that rivals their eventual marriages, we have mothers, sisters, grandmothers and all the complexities, love and rivalry of those relationships. The book is in many ways a love story revolving around a female friendship. It absolutely broke my heart. It also contains a devastating warning – if as a woman you serve the Patriarchy, it will devour you... Absolutely cannot wait to see how Nikita concludes her extraordinary trilogy!'ELODIE HARPER 'Styx is a rich, gleaming jewel of a novel. A story of war and tyrants, and of love and family, that feels both immensely ancient and profoundly relevant today. Nikita Gill weaves a heartbreakingly beautiful story of feminine rage and strength, illuminating the destructive nature of patriarchy and the resilience and hopefulness of women with her unmatched wisdom, compassion and flawless verse'JENNIFER SAINT 'Poignant, powerful, and sharply observed'KIRKUS, starred review