.jpg){kind=logo}
The Seventeenth Quest by Elisabeth Kamakawiwoole
- Mia
- Feb 2
- 2 min read
This debut novel from Elisabeth Kamakawiwoole is set to be a 2026 sensation. It’s charming, witty, adventurous and so well-written that I couldn’t put it down. Whilst being somewhere in between The Wild Robot by Peter Brown and Silver by Olivia Levez, it offers a new and engaging voice that feels completely fresh.
The Seventeenth Quest traces an unforgettable journey to find humanity. It follows Seventeen, a robot whose database is filled with poetry and fairy tales - and a desperate urge to go on a meaningful quest. When tasked with finding humanity, Seventeen meets Hazel - a young girl living completely alone. Although Hazel has no memory of her past, she has all the notions of a regular nine-year-old, and an unwavering determination to find her family.
When Seventeen and Hazel embark on a unique adventure, they face strange creatures and unsettling obstacles along the way. Building a friendship unlike any other, Seventeen and Hazel try to decode the world they are living in and learn what humanity truly means. Interspersed with Seventeen’s poetic recitations, Hazel learns all about monumental writers from Ezra Pound to Mary Oliver. In exchange, Seventeen compulsively absorbs information into his database, analysing everything he can about the natural world and the human body. The two friends become immersed in literature, science and philosophy - but they have even bigger questions about friendship and bravery.
Seventeen sets out to learn about humanity from Hazel, but perhaps it is Hazel who learns exactly what it means to be human. Jealous of Seventeen’s robotic invincibility, Hazel sees her humanity as a flaw - her emotions and body feel like weaknesses. Seventeen reminds her that all the things that make us human prove that we are truly living.
You will leave this book with a newfound sense of appreciation for humanity - and all the pains and sometimes weaknesses that come with it. It is a book about modernity and science fiction, whilst also being infused with the past: Shakespeare, poets throughout history, and stories which have every essence of being classic and nostalgic. The Seventeenth Quest is completely unique and Elisabeth Kamakawiwoole is a brand new voice you won’t want to miss this year.
The Seventeenth Quest by Elisabeth Kamakawiwoole
Publication date: 1st October 2026
Ideal ages 11+
Final cover to be revealed