Renegade Books triumphs in three-way auction for BookTokker Hazel McBride's 'exhilarating' duology

Dialogue imprint Renegade Books has won a three-way auction for BookTok creator Hazel McBride’s "exhilarating" A Fate Forged in Fire. 

Editor Alexa Allen-Batifoulier acquired UK and Commonwealth rights in a two-book deal from Ciara Finan at Curtis Brown. US rights are with Mae Martinez at Dell and the novel has been pre-empted in Germany (Aufbau) and Italy (NeoN Libri). Renegade Books will publish A Fate Forged in Fire in early 2025.

Pitched as "Outlander" meets Sarah J Maas’ Throne of Glass and "House of the Dragon", A Fate Forged in Fire is the first in a "epic" duology which "flawlessly blends searing romance, political intrigue and elemental magic". 

The synopsis reads: "Aemyra has always known she is destined for more than the life she leads as a blacksmith: gifted with fire magic from the Goddess Brigid, she is the first female heir born to the throne of Tìr Teine in two hundred years. But when her true identity is revealed, Aemyra is thrust into a game of vicious politics and plots, one she finds herself woefully unprepared for." 

Allen-Batifoulier added: “A Fate Forged in Fire is everything you dream of in a fantasy duology – rich with tension, politics, feminist themes and more. Hazel is a dream to publish, and I’m happy to be working alongside Dell on this ambitious debut.”

McBride commented: "I have to thank my wonderful Agent Ciara for seeking me out and being A Fate Forged in Fire’s biggest champion. From the moment we bonded over morally grey villains, I knew it was meant to be."

Finan added: "It’s been so exciting to see Hazel’s journey as a writer and I can’t wait for readers to experience the world she has created – there’s a unique magic system, heart-breaking romance, political intrigue and betrayal all wrapped together in an edge-of-your-seat plot I know fantasy lovers won’t be able to put down."