Winner, Tir na n-Og English-language category 2026
The Wicked Lies of Habren Faire by Anna Fiteni
Author Anna Fiteni’s debut novel, The Wicked Lies of Habren Faire, (published by Electric Monkey, Harper Collins) is a dark fae romantasy for teenage readers, inspired by Welsh mythology and with Welsh myths and traditions woven throughout.
For Sabrina Parry, the world is tough, cruel and practical. With her father in prison, her aims in life are: 1. hold onto her job, 2. hold her tongue and 3. set up her sister Ceridwen with a man rich enough to look after her. But then Ceridwen vanishes into the eerie woods leaving only an iron ring behind, and Sabrina is drawn into a beautiful but decaying world of fairies and monsters of old.
The judging panel said: “From its bilingual chapter titles and drawings from folklore, to the title of the mythical land where Sabrina’s quest to save her sister Ceridwen takes place, this is a book imbibed in Welsh culture. But rather than tick-box tropes, author Anna Fiteni delves into Welsh mythology and mining history in a new and unique way, to produce a hard-edged fairyland fantasy with strong female characters, a duplicitous fae prince, and a fresh twist to established staples of Welsh folklore.”
Readers’ Choice Award, Tir na n-Og English-language category 2026
10 Fascinating Stories from Welsh History (that you’ll want to talk about) by Siân Lewis and Charlotte Williams, illustrated by Kyle Legall
10 Fascinating Stories (published by Rily) takes young readers on a thrilling journey through Welsh history, uncovering the remarkable and the unexpected.
With each story, discover a timeline, map and vibrant illustrations that bring the past to life. Meet the Welsh heroes and ordinary people whose actions helped shape both the Wales we know today and the wider world.