Firefly swoops for Gosrani's YA romantasy debut

Firefly Press has swooped for This Dark Heart, a YA romantasy debut novel "steeped in Indian folklore", by Zeena Gosrani.

Publisher Penny Thomas acquired world English language rights from Gemma Cooper and Zoë Plant at the Bent Agency. The novel is slated for publication in October 2024.

Inspired by Indian folk tales, This Dark Heart is a "poignant, moving" love story set in a world where shadow-like creatures known as "daayan" wander the night and the mages of Agraal are the only ones who can defend the realm. The novel follows Princess Thiya, a healing mage, who must embark on a perilous journey with a fire mage and her brother to rescue Amara, the love of her life, who has been taken hostage by Isaac, an earth mage.

Editor Hayley Fairhead commented: "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."

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."