Gollancz triumphs in a 13-way bidding war for Adalyn Grace's new romantic fantasy trilogy

Gollancz has triumphed in a "ferocious" 13-way bidding war for The Wretched Divine, a new romantic fantasy trilogy by Adalyn Grace, the author of the Belladonna trilogy (Hodderscape) and the All the Stars and Teeth duology (Titan Books).

Editorial director Bethan Morgan acquired UK and Commonwealth rights in a three-book, seven-figure deal from Kathryn Toolan at Park & Fine Literary and Media.

Publication of the first book is planned for June 2026 in hardback, export trade paperback, e-book and audiobook. Rights were also sold to Bess Braswell and Kat Brzozowski at Feiwel, in a seven-figure deal, at auction, by Pete Knapp at Park & Fine Literary and Media in North America; to Emily Leuter at arsEdition in Germany, in a six-figure deal, at auction, by Mohrbooks; and to Leonel Teti at Urano in Spain, at auction, by The Foreign Office.

The synopsis states: "Set in a French Renaissance-inspired kingdom, The Wretched Divine follows a young knight who is caught in a warring attraction between a vengeful demon and a battle-hardened angel as she’s thrust into the middle of an ancient supernatural conflict."

Grace said: “To say that I’m delighted to begin this partnership with Orion is an understatement. The UK has always been a key part of my readership, so I’m happy to work with a powerhouse publisher who has such a strong pulse on the fantasy market."

Morgan added: “No words will ever do justice to how elated I am to be publishing this series. I’ve been an Adalyn Grace superfan for years, so when the opportunity arose to pitch for this sensational story and finally realise my dream angels and demons book, I set a new world record for number of exclamation marks sent by email. I’m already obsessed with everything about it and saying readers will be too is the understatement of the decade."