HarperVoyager signs romantasy duology from Kritika H Rao

HarperVoyager has snapped up Kritika H Rao’s The Legend of Meneka in a two-book deal. 

Publisher Natasha Bardon bought UK and Commonwealth rights with HarperCollins US from Naomi Davis at BookEnds Literary Agency. It will publish at the beginning of 2025. Ajebowale Roberts, editor, will be working with Rao while Bardon is currently on parental leave. 

The Legend of Meneka is the first in a romantasy duology that reimagines the Indian myth about a celestial dancer who is tasked with seducing a mortal sage. “But when she begins to fall in love with her mark she will be forced to choose between loyalties and being true to herself” the publisher said, descibing the work as “an exploration of female identity, our inner cosmic power, and finding love within ourselves”. 

Rao said: "The Legend of Meneka is a story close to my heart, with a woman’s empowerment – both sexual and spiritual – at the depths of it. The romance between Kaushika and Meneka, which has historically been so underplayed, is at the forefront of this book, and I am delighted to have the opportunity to bring it to so many audiences. And to do so with an imprint I’ve admired so much is so exciting – I’m fortunate to be with a team that really gets my Meneka, and the underlying Hindu philosophies of love and devotion that she grapples with.” 

Bardon said: “The Legend of Meneka was an up-all-night read. It’s a future classic.”