“[A]bsolutely spellbinding… Just when you think you’ve got a handle on where it’s going, something forces you to rethink everything you think you knew.” — Booklist on All This and More
“A tantalizing and well-knit story.” — Publishers Weekly on All This and More
“Shepherd returns with another clever novel that plays with time and space.” — LA Times on All This and More
“Equal parts thriller, fantasy and family drama, [with] layers upon layers of expertly told story.” — New York Times on The Cartographers
“There are echoes of Borges and Bradbury, Pynchon and Finian’s Rainbow, but Ms. Shepherd’s exhilarating and enjoyable work casts a magical glow all its own.” — Wall Street Journal on The Cartographers
“Peng Shepherd has done it again! The Cartographers is an exquisitely written, brilliantly plotted, absolutely fantastic novel. A story like this reminds us of why we all fell in love with reading to begin with. Be prepared to be swept away on an incredible journey that will stay with you long after you turn the final page.” — Brad Thor, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Black Ice
“Reminiscent of the work of Dan Brown, Shepherd’s absorbing, inventive second novel showcases the art of mapmaking as one young woman’s obsession puts her in the sights of a determined killer….Shepherd toys expertly with the known unknowns, how we navigate the gloomy backroads of the heart.” — Oprah Daily on The Cartographers
“The Cartographers is wildly imaginative and totally mind-bending in the best possible way. Shepherd has crafted a juicy mystery masquerading as a grown-up scavenger hunt filled with astonishing twists and revelations. The result is a romp that’s pure pleasure to read and will keep readers guessing.” — Bookpage (starred review)
“The Cartographers is a story about magical maps that lead to your heart’s desire, the sort of people who would do anything to find them, and the joy, regret, and possibility they bring. A vastly rich experience. I loved this book.” — Charles Soule, author of The Oracle Year
“Cleverly imagined…. With an elaborately realized plot, fanatic cartographers, maps with surreal powers generated by phantom settlements (intentional errors), and many-faceted suspense, Shepherd contrasts science and art, obsession and love in a bedazzling metaphysical tale of lost and found.” — Booklist on The Cartographers
“Shepherd plots page-turning twists and revelations with ease and excels in her knowledge of historical maps and cartographical mysteries. The inclusion of map diagrams and detailed flashbacks carry the reader right alongside Nell as she attempts to disentangle an increasingly complex, slightly supernatural secret. In an author’s note, Shepherd promises that ‘something magical happens’ when a person follows a map that lies, and this book will make you believe it. A highly inventive novel that pushes the boundaries of reality.” — Kirkus Reviews on The Cartographers
“A shimmering delight, full of wonder, danger, and marvel.” — Library Journal on The Cartographers
“Shepherd’s convincing blend of magic from old maps with the modern online world both delights and thrills.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review) on The Cartographers
“Shepherd merges old-fashioned maps with modern technology for a labyrinth of a plot that surprises at every turn.” — Sun-Sentinel (Florida) on The Cartographers
“The Cartographers constantly astonishes readers.” — Associated Press
“This is an apocalyptic thriller with heart. . . . The Book of M is devastating and inventive as Shepherd examines the value of memory, packing in imaginative twists as she goes.” — USA Today
“A beautiful and haunting story about the power of memory and the necessity of human connection, this book is a post-apocalyptic masterpiece and the one dystopian novel you really need to read this year.” — Bustle on The Book of M
