HarperVoyager lands magical Thomas series in six-figure pre-empt

HarperVoyager has bought four novels in a new series by début author Cari Thomas in a six-figure pre-empt.

Publishing director Natasha Bardon acquired UK & Commonwealth rights from Alice Lutyens at Curtis Brown for The Language of Magic series, set in contemporary London where magic exists on the fringes. The first novel, Threadneedle, will be published in hardback in spring 2021.

Its synopsis explains: "Anna is a witch who is not allowed to cast spells. Living in modern-day London with her controlling Aunt, she has one year left until she must become a Binder, her magic bound forever. That is, until she meets Effie and Attis. Luring Anna into a coven, they unleash magical chaos and plunge her into London’s fantastical underbelly. But when Anna’s magic begins to reveal the symbol of a curse, she is forced to unravel the secrets of her past and the truth about her parents’ violent death. Torn between her Aunt and magic, Effie and Attis, lies and the truth, Anna soon finds herself and her heart utterly tangled, yet time is running out."

Bardon said: "I fell in love with Anna’s world. From her aunt’s knot magic, to the hidden magical library hidden beneath our own British Library, Cari’s book weaved its spell over me. I’ve always loved books which hide magic within the modern day. Not only are Cari’s characters brilliantly formed and full, but her world within Threadneedle is one you’re aching to explore. I cannot wait to see where the series leads us."

Thomas, a journalist and marketing creative who previously ran teen magazine Sugar’s YA book club, added: "I am absolutely thrilled to be working with Natasha Bardon and her team at HarperVoyager. Their passion for my book series and their creativity was an instant attraction. I can’t wait to bring the magical world of Threadneedle, that has lived for so long in my head, into the real world."

Lutyens said: "I am thrilled to have placed the hugely talented Cari Thomas with the equally unsurpassable HarperVoyager imprint and know they will make magic together."