Readers voted this feminist folk horror debut as the 2026 Nota Bene Prize winner

Lucy Rose has won the 2026 Nota Bene Prize for her debut novel The Lamb following a public vote celebrating some of the most influential fiction recommended by readers across the literary community . The prize focuses on thought-provoking, accessible and relatable reads that resonate long after the final page, highlighting titles that spark conversation and engagement among readers. Rather than being decided by traditional critical judging panels, it is shaped by " notable readers " who are influential voices within the reading community such as authors, booksellers and online creators. Their recommendations play a key role in shaping wider reading habits and guiding which books make it onto readers’ TBR lists and into wider cultural discussion. The Nota Bene Prize positions itself as a celebration of books that matter to readers beyond traditional review spaces, highlighting fiction that sparks conversation, emotional response and community recommendation. By focusing on “notable readers” rather than industry panels, the award reflects the growing influence of reader-led discovery across platforms such as BookTok, bookstagram and online reading communities more broadly. In this context, Rose’s win reflects the strong word-of-mouth momentum behind The Lamb, a feminist folk horror novel that blends gothic atmosphere with contemporary themes of identity, control and survival. Set in an isolated forest, the story follows Margot, a young girl living under the rule of her enigmatic mother, as the narrative unfolds through unsettling imagery and emotional intensity. The novel has been praised for its ability to balance visceral horror with deeper thematic concerns, particularly around femininity and autonomy. Speaking about her inspiration, Rose said the book was rooted in the “campfire stories” and ghost tales she grew up with, alongside a personal journey back into reading after struggling with literacy in childhood. “I really struggled with reading and literacy growing up,” Rose explained in an interview with Nota Bene Prize . “It wasn’t until I was kind of an adult that I was able to reconnect with reading and engage with it properly, and oral storytelling was a huge part of what filled that chasm.” Rose also emphasised that beneath the horror elements lies a more hopeful message about resistance and speaking out against injustice. “Despite the horror… sometimes in our houses - whether those are literal houses with four walls and a door or countries - sometimes we have to step a toe out of line to set things right,” she said. “I really hope that it inspires courage and hope.” Want to hear the latest books news and reviews from The Mirror's resident bookworm? Follow Aimée Walsh on Tiktok and Instagram She also highlighted the way the novel challenges conventional ideas of beauty, pointing to her favourite sections as those describing characters through nature-inspired imagery rather than “rigid patriarchal beauty standards” shaped by capitalism. Alongside Rose, the shortlist for this year’s prize featured a wide range of titles, encompassing thirteen books. The shortlisted books include A Room Above a Shop by Anthony Shapland, Confessions by Catherine Airey, Deep Cuts by Holly Brickley, We Love You, Bunny by Mona Awad. Also listed for the prize was Lisa Ridzen's When The Cranes Fly South, Nell Stevens's The Original, Kate Kemp's The Grapevine and Saba Sams' debut novel Gunk. Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year shortlistee Liadan Ni Chuinn was also recognised on the shortlist for their short story collection Every One Still Here. Other books included in the shortlisting were Nicola Dinan's Disappoint Me, Jessica Stanley's Consider Yourself Kisses, and Dur e Aziz Amna's A Splintering. In awarding The Lamb , this year’s result underlines that shift - where visibility, recommendation and reader engagement play an increasingly important role in shaping which books rise to prominence. Love reading? Join our community of fellow readers in the Mirror Book Club to dive deeper into the books everyone is talking about.