Penny Thomas, Publisher at award-winning children’s and YA publisher Firefly Press, has acquired World English Language rights to YA romantasy This Dark Heart by debut author Zeena Gosrani, from Gemma Cooper and Zoë Plant at The Bent Agency UK Ltd.
In a world where the shadow-like ‘daayan’ stalk the night, the mages of Agraal are the only ones able to defend the realm. So, when Princess Thiya discovers she has the powers of a healing mage, her royal destiny is no longer certain and a precarious existence on the frontline fighting against the daayan might be impossible to avoid. That is until the love of her life, Amara, is taken hostage by earth mage Isaac in order to lure Thiya and her extraordinary power from the palace.
Together with fire mage Kaayan and her brother Lochan, Thiya must make a perilous journey to rescue Amara. But not everything is what it seems and the powers at work behind Amara’s abduction might come from the darkest heart of them all.
A poignant, moving love story set in a rich and vivid world inspired by Indian folk tales.
Firefly Editor, Hayley Fairhead said: ‘The relationship between Thiya and Amara is beautifully drawn and the colourful land of Agraal is a stunning backdrop for this extraordinary love story. I can’t wait for readers to be swept away in this magical world of mages and daayan.’
And Zeena Gosrani added: ‘I’ve had so much fun weaving together parts of my culture and identity to create a world where Thiya and Amara could come alive. Thiya is a character that is dear to my heart and I hope readers love her as much as I do.’
The novel is slated for publication in October 2024.