Orbit triumphs in five-way auction for Soraya Bouazzaoui's 'powerful' mythic fantasy

Orbit has triumphed in a five-way auction for former Bookseller Rising Star Soraya Bouazzaoui’s debut mythic fantasy, Aicha Kandicha. 

Commissioning editor Nadia Saward and Angelica Chong, associate editor, US, acquired world English-language rights in a two-book deal from Rachel Mann at Creative Artists Agency. Publication is scheduled for early 2026. 

Aicha Kandicha is billed as a "powerful" retelling of a mythological figure from Moroccan folklore. The story follows a warrior goddess, her strange magic, a rebellion and "devastating" love affair.

Bouazzaoui said: "Nadia finding the book felt like fate; both our families come from Amazigh tribes in the same area. How could I not work with her? She understood the book, and Aicha’s history, on such a deep level that it felt as if she had sat beside me when I originally wrote it. To have her and Angelica as my editors, and Orbit as my book’s home, feels so incredibly wonderful. This book was the product of all my rage, anguish and adoration of unconditional love, and I believe Orbit understands that intimately."

Saward added: "I grew up hearing stories of Aicha Kandicha [from] my aunts and grandmother, so I was blown away seeing this fierce warrior goddess on the page in a story that was told with such heart and boldness. Aicha Kandicha is the perfect blend of myth, magic and romance and fans of Madeline Miller and Shannon Chakraborty are going to be obsessed."