Gollancz signs Foody’s ‘utterly magical’ adult trilogy from Orbit US 

Gollancz has signed The Whisper Between Worlds by Amanda Foody and two other books, a “warm, rich and wonderful” portal fantasy trilogy for fans of T J Klune and Alix Harrow.

Gillian Redfearn, deputy publisher at Gollancz, acquired UK & Commonwealth rights, excluding Canada, in a three-book deal from Orbit US. The first book in the series, The Whisper Between Worlds, will be published on 13th June 2024.

The publisher’s synopsis reads: "A lighthouse stands at the edge of the worlds, guiding voyagers between them and maintaining the balance of the universe. When the lighthouse master vanishes without warning, his duties pass to his assistant, Dillon Havelock, and though Dillon shares his mentor’s power – the greatest magic in all the realms – he utterly lacks the charm needed to navigate the tumultuous political affairs of each world. 

"Then disgraced socialite Cassidy Leighton is shipwrecked on the lighthouse’s island. She comes from a world with no knowledge of other realms or magic. To her, the lighthouse is a romantic figment from her father’s stories, and she gave up on such whimsical, childish notions the day her father was murdered. Except, the other worlds are real. Magic is undeniably, marvellously real. And, somehow, her father’s death is connected to the lighthouse master’s disappearance…"

Foody, also author of All of Us Villains (Tor Teen), the Wilderlore series (Margaret K McElderry Books), the Shadow Game series (Inkyard Press) and more, said: “Whisper serves as a love letter to those of us who never stopped peering into wardrobes or venturing into tall grass, yearning for the adventure that our cherished children’s stories promised. It is also an invitation to an adventure of nearly that exact sort.

“The only difference is that it has aged with us, offering romance with its wonder and darkness with its whimsy. This tale has enraptured me for years, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to be working with the fantastic teams at both Gollancz and Orbit US to bring it to readers.” 

Rachel Winterbottom, senior commissioning editor at Gollancz said: “Gollancz is absolutely delighted to be publishing Amanda’s gorgeous, romantic and utterly magical adult trilogy alongside Orbit US.” Meanwhile Brit Hvide, executive editor at Orbit US, called the book "warm, immersive, and completely unputdownable", saying it "has all the charm of your childhood favourite portal fantasies, and all the salt and drama of a roiling sea.”