Hodderscape victorious in four-way auction for Sue Lynn Tan's YA fantasy duology

Hodderscape has won a "sweeping" young adult fantasy duology from Sue Lynn Tan in a four-way auction.

Publishing director Molly Powell acquired UK and Commonwealth rights from Naomi Davis at BookEnds Literary Agency. Never, Ever After, the first book in the series, will be published in autumn 2025, simultaneously with Little, Brown Books for Young Readers in the US. 

Davis said: "[Tan’s] work has attracted so many readers in the adult category, and I just know YA readers 
will love getting to know her lush fantasy settings, impassioned characters and delightful storylines featuring magic, mystery and action."

Never, Ever After is inspired by a Chinese fairytale where a girl must defy fate to vanquish an evil prince. 

Powell said: “Sue Lynn always brings something new and inventive to fantasy with her writing, and Never, Ever After is no exception. From start to finish it is an utterly magical and completely unputdownable story.”

Tan added: “I have always loved fairytales – the wonder they evoke, threaded with darkness. Never, Ever After is my first book for young adult readers, a fantasy inspired by a beloved fairytale, set in a new world filled with magic and danger, of cursed mountains and enchanted forests. Deirdre and Molly’s incredible vision and excitement for the story resonated deeply with me, and I am honoured to be working with them.”