"When we are born, we cry that we are come
To this great stage of fools."
King Lear, Act 4 Scene 6

It's 3035. There is no fuel left. Human brain-power is used instead.

TV talent shows like The Stage exist to keep people's brains buzzing.

But who are the performers, and what do they lose for a place in the spotlight? Do they even want to be there?

Do we care?

A fitting addition to our moody Dark Reads II collection, Bright Lights is based on one of Shakespeare's greatest tragedies – King Lear. The story is set in a futuristic world, drawing further inspiration from dystopias such as The Hunger Games as well as the popular TV talent show format.

We are confident in this story's appeal to a teenage audience, and the low reading age of 6-7 specifically includes and encourages those teenagers who are otherwise reluctant or struggling readers. At no more than 600 words long, this story presents a realistic goal and therefore a real prospect of creating the sense of achievement that results from finishing a book.

Bright Lights is Claire Morgan's debut fictional book for Badger, and is packed full of excitement and sadness in equal measures. The words are brought alive by fantastically imaginative illustrations by Amit Tayal.