Walk on Earth a Stranger

A New York Times bestseller and National Book Award longlist selection

The first book in a new trilogy from acclaimed New York Times–bestselling author Rae Carson. A young woman with the magical ability to sense the presence of gold must flee her home, taking her on a sweeping and dangerous journey across Gold Rush–era America. Walk on Earth a Stranger begins an epic saga from one of the finest writers of young adult literature.

Lee Westfall has a secret. She can sense the presence of gold in the world around her. Veins deep beneath the earth, pebbles in the river, nuggets dug up from the forest floor. The buzz of gold means warmth and life and home—until everything is ripped away by a man who wants to control her. Left with nothing, Lee disguises herself as a boy and takes to the trail across the country. Gold was discovered in California, and where else could such a magical girl find herself, find safety?

Rae Carson, author of the acclaimed Girl of Fire and Thorns series, dazzles with the first book in the Gold Seer Trilogy, introducing a strong heroine, a perilous road, a fantastical twist, and a slow-burning romance, as only she can.

But on a trail filled with desperate men and untold dangers, can one girl with a magical secret survive long enough to find freedom?

An Epic Wagon Train Journey: Join Lee on the perilous trek from Georgia to California, facing treacherous terrain, harsh weather, and the constant threat of discovery on the American frontier. Found Family on the Trail: On a path filled with desperate strangers and few allies, Lee must learn who to trust—including her childhood friend, Jefferson—as they forge new bonds in the face of adversity. High-Stakes Historical Fantasy: Lee can sense gold, a magical gift that feels more like a curse. It’s the reason her parents are dead and the secret she must protect at all costs from her murderous uncle. A Young Woman in Disguise: To survive the journey alone, Lee chops her hair, binds her chest, and becomes ‘Lee,’ a boy seeking his fortune. But maintaining the lie is a constant danger.