In the bitter winter of 1500, Joanna Pengerran runs for her life. To escape a murderous stepfather and the dangers that stalk a young woman alone, she seizes the only freedom open to her — she becomes a man.

As Jarkman Joe, Joanna learns to survive on the road with tinkers, to bargain in markets, to drink in London taverns, and to walk unchallenged through a world ruled by men. But disguise has its price. Every friendship is a risk, every slip could cost her life, and her heart still yearns for safety, love and belonging.

From snow-lashed forests to the crowded streets of London, Joanna's journey is one of courage, danger, and transformation. Yet fate is merciless, and the life she fights to build carries an irony more cruel than she could ever imagine.

Rich in historical atmosphere and unflinching in its truths, The Unicorn Summer is a haunting tale of survival, identity and endurance — and of the fragile hope that drives us all.