The wait is finally over Cliffs of Wayward, the gripping sequel to the award-winning Down The Well, has officially arrived.
Following the success of Down The Well, which was named a 2025 Distinguished Favorite by the Independent Press Award, readers have been eager to return to the vividly enchanting world Veronica King crafted. Now, the journey continues in a story filled with deeper magic, higher stakes, and secrets that reshape everything you thought you knew.
A Return to a “Bewitching” World
Kirkus Reviews described Down The Well as “bewitching,” (and “whip-smart and laced with poetry”), and Cliffs of Wayward dives even further into that mesmerizing atmosphere. This sequel invites readers back to Thimbleton, a realm where talking animals are the norm, forgotten histories lurk around every corner, and magic bends memory in unexpected ways.
For readers who have been longing for more after the first book’s cliffhanger, this new installment delivers adventure, revelation, and emotional depth in every chapter.
A Heroine Searching for Herself
Still determined to recover her lost memories and return to her own world, our protagonist embarks on her next perilous journey—this time accompanied by fan-favorite characters like Mathilde, the sharp-tongued mouse, and a cast of allies whose motives and pasts may not be as clear as they seem.
As she treks through Thimbleton and begins her ascent up the treacherous Cliffs of Wayward, she’s thrust into a test of trust, loyalty, and identity. When secrets among her companions come to light, she must decide who she truly is—and who she wants to become.
A World Built on Secrets
What sets this sequel apart is its stunning exploration of what defines a person when their past is shattered. Cliffs of Wayward asks a question that resonates through the story:
Does your past define you or can you choose who you become?
From unraveling magical histories to navigating precarious new alliances, every step brings readers deeper into the lore of Thimbleton. Fans will appreciate how the world expands with new myths, creatures, and mysteries.
A Stunning Continuation From Veronica King
Veronica King continues to shine with her signature blend of whimsy, danger, heart, and humor. Her ability to balance enchanting worldbuilding with deeply emotional character arcs makes Cliffs of Wayward an unforgettable sequel.
We’re thrilled to celebrate this incredible book and the extraordinary work and imagination behind it. Congratulations to Veronica King on bringing this next chapter to life.
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Ready to return to Thimbleton?
Cliffs of Wayward is available now.
Down The Well
A Distinguished Favorite in the 2025 Independent Press Award's Young Adult Fiction category
Lore Deoradán wants to be happy when she grows up. But navigating her parents' mercurial moods, moving to a new town just two weeks before her high school graduation, and dealing with her beloved grandma's declining health all make that dream seemingly impossible. Will her new job be the first step toward happiness, or will it be yet another disappointment?
When she falls down a well into a magical world with talking animals that haven't seen a human for years, she must clear her name of the mayor's murder. Although, how anyone believes she killed a Herculean-sized alligator is beyond her. Now, her survival is tied to a mouse with a chip on her shoulder. There's also a cat who owns a pub where the animal patrons might be cannibals, a giant snake librarian who probably wants to eat her, and sentient lampposts who are never there when you need them.
Can Lore prove her innocence, help a newfound friend save the town from a dark and dangerous schemer, and find her way home?
Cliffs of Wayward
Still eager to recover her memories and return to her own world, Lore Deoradán is bound for another adventure with the sassy mouse Mathilde and some new friends since she first fell down the well on her grandmother’s property.
After defeating a tyrannical and power-crazed Wielder in Charmsend, she is on her next adventure in Thimbleton. Along the way, Lore and her companions must trust each other, confront one of their own’s questionable past, and survive climbing the grand Cliffs of Wayward.
Delve deeper into the world of Thimbleton, as Veronica King dives deeper into fan favorite characters, learn more about the history of a world where talking animals are normal, humans are extinct, and there is always someone with a secret.
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