Electric Monkey pre-empts romantic fantasy from Doyle and Webber

Electric Monkey has pre-empted an “utterly compelling” romantic fantasy for readers aged 12+ about twin princesses separated at birth, by authors and future sisters-in-law Catherine Doyle and Katherine Webber.

Fiction publishing director Lindsey Heaven and editorial director Liz Bankes acquired UK and Commonwealth rights to Twin Crowns from Claire Wilson of RCW. Twin Crowns has also been snapped up in a six-figure German deal and is currently the subject of a series of simultaneous auctions around the world in all major territories. In the UK, it publishes spring 2022. 

Electric Monkey said: “Epic in scale and set against a sweeping backdrop inspired by Doyle’s native Ireland and Webber’s childhood in the California desert, Twin Crowns is an irresistible romantic comedy, bursting with high-stakes adventure and crossover appeal.”

The story centres around two sisters. The blurb explains: “Wren Greenrock has always known that one day she would steal her sister’s place in the palace. Trained from birth to avenge her parents’ murder and usurp the princess, she will do anything to rise to power and protect the community of witches she loves. Princess Rose Valhart knows that with power comes responsibility, including marriage into a brutal kingdom. Life outside the palace walls is a place to be feared and she is soon to discover it is wilder than she ever imagined. Two sisters separated at birth and raised into entirely different worlds are about to get to know each other’s lives a whole lot better—but who will ultimately rise to power and wear the crown?”

Heaven said: “Twin Crowns is a dream book to have on our list, and to work with two such talented and creative authors as Katherine and Catherine is a complete delight. The world they have created is epic in scope and beautifully connected to nature, as well as being achingly romantic. I’ve lost count of the amount of times I’ve re-read this book for the sheer treat of it. We’re incredibly proud to publish what is soon to be one of the world’s biggest fantasy YA series.”

Doyle added: “It's been a joyous whirlwind getting to write this book with one of my best friends and my future sister-in-law, Katie. Grounded in Irish culture with whispers of the California desert, Twin Crowns was inspired by our love of sweeping romance, magical adventure and, most importantly of all, the enduring power of sisterhood. I couldn’t be happier that it has found a wonderful home at Egmont/Electric Monkey.”

Webber commented: “Writing Twin Crowns has been one of the things that has got me through 2020. It started as a passion project for me and Cat, and we had the best time putting in so much of what we love in it and combining our favourite elements of fantasy stories and romantic comedies. I've never laughed so much while working on a project. We are so thrilled that readers will soon be discovering the world we have created, and are so proud to be joining the amazing YA list at Electric Monkey and Egmont.”