Del Rey on both sides of the Atlantic pre-empts for YA star Laura Steven's first adult fantasy

Del Rey UK and US have bought Silvercloak, the first romantic fantasy from award-winning YA author Laura Steven with the book sold into multiple translation territories.

Publishing director Sam Bradbury pre-empted UK and Commonwealth rights, in a three-book six-figure deal, from Chloe Seager at Madeleine Milburn Literary. Del Rey dubbed it a “thrilling and propulsive, adrenaline-filled" novel which is scheduled as a lead title across hardback, e-book and audiobook in autumn 2025.

North American rights were also pre-empted by Emily Archbold at Del Rey US. Elsewhere, translation rights have sold in 11 further territories, including Denmark (Alpha/Bonnier Books, pre-empt), France (Albin Michel, auction) and Germany (Penhaligon/Blanvalet, pre-empt).

Silvercloak is set in a world "riddled with crime, where magic is fuelled by pain and pleasure, mafia groups lurk in every alley" with Silvercloaks, the magical policing force leading the fight for justice. When a young Saffron’s parents are murdered "by the vicious Bloodmoons", destroying her idyllic childhood, she dedicates her life to revenge by any means, and lies her way into the Silvercloaks, despite her lack of magical talents. 

Steven said: “To experience this level of global passion for my adult fantasy debut is the stuff of dreams, and it means so much more that it’s happening 10 years into my career.” 

Bradbury commented: “I fell head over heels for Silvercloak as soon as I heard that the magic system was fuelled by pleasure and pain, and my excitement was only confirmed further when I met the complicated, ambitious and determined main character Saff. This is the kind of incredible series that doesn’t come along often and I immediately knew we had to have it at Del Rey.” 

Seager added: “Laura is unstoppable; a phenomenal talent and truly the hardest worker I’ve ever met. This book is a genuine stop-everything-you’re-doing, heart-in-throat, whirlwind of a page-turner.” 

Steven is an award-winning author based in the North of England who has also worked at Mslexia Magazine and written several books for young adults published by Egmont and Electric Monkey, many translated and optioned for TV and film. Her latest YA novel, Our Infinite Fates sold in a six-way auction to Penguin UK last year.