Titan Books nets Joan He's debut YA fantasy

Titan Books will publish Joan He’s YA debut, a Chinese-inspired fantasy novel about a princess whose father is murdered.

Descendant of the Crane was acquired in a two-book UK and Commonwealth rights deal, struck between Titan Books’ assistant editor Jo Harwood and Joseph Campbell, president of Albert Whitman & Co which published it in the US earlier this year.

The book will be published as a lead Spring title for Titan Books on 12th May 2020, retailing at £8.99 and backed by a comprehensive marketing and publicity campaign. Alongside Descendant of the Crane, Titan Books will also be publishing the sequel for the same markets.

“A shimmering Chinese-inspired fantasy from a leading voice in the Own Voices movement, Descendant of the Crane introduces a determined and vulnerable young heroine struggling to do right in a world brimming with deception,” the synopsis reads.

“Princess Hesina of Yan has always been eager to shirk the responsibilities of the crown, but when her father is murdered, she's thrust into power. Determined to find her father's killer, Hesina enlists the aid of a soothsayer—a treasonous act in Yan, where magic was outlawed centuries ago.”

Harwood said: "I am absolutely thrilled that Titan will be bringing Descendant of the Crane to the UK. Joan's debut novel is a rich and compelling YA fantasy that blew me away with the strength of its characters and the intricacy of its worldbuilding. I couldn't be more pleased to welcome such a talented author to Titan Books."