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Jo Fletcher Books has fallen for two "sweeping romantasies" from TikTok "sensation" Emily Rath in a "fiercely contested" seven-way auction.
Publishing director Anne Perry acquired UK and Commonwealth rights from Steve Finegan at Zeno Literary Agency on behalf of Susan Velazquez at the JABberwocky Agency. US rights were acquired by Sarah Guan at Erewhon Books with rights in Poland going to Zwysk. North is the Night, the first book in the duology, will be published in January 2025 with South is the Sea following in 2026.
"Emily is such an incredible talent and North is the Night will undoubtedly be beloved by her army of romance readers while also making a huge splash in the fantasy world," said Finegan.
Rath’s "epic" duology retells the Finnish epic poem the "Kalevala". North is the Night, the first book in the Tuonela Duet, follows best friends Aina and Siiri. When Aina is kidnapped by the god of death Siiri embarks on a quest to rescue her not knowing that Aina is hatching a plan of her own to escape, which involves marrying the god of death. This is a "sweepingly romantic, epic story of love across time and unimaginable distance".
Rath commented: "I’m excited to be working with Erewhon and Quercus on this fantasy project. When I got off the phone with their respective houses, I remember I had the biggest smile on my face. I love the vision both teams have for bringing this story and this world to life, and I just can’t wait for my readers to dive into Finnish mythology with me. It promises to feel familiar, while offering a world and a magic system that is unique."
Anne Perry added: "I knew from the moment I started reading North is the Night that I’d found something special; a duology that will sit on shelves alongside Uprooted and The Bear and the Nightingale; a novel that will be read and reread by its fans for years to come."