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HQ acquires romantasy duology from Rachel Greenlaw
HQ, an imprint of HarperCollins, has acquired a romantasy duology from Rachel Greenlaw. Publisher Manpreet Grewal and editor Seema Mitra acquired UK and Commonwealth rights (excluding Canada) from Maddalena Cavaciuti at David Higham Associates. The first book, The Ordeals, will publish in hardback, trade paperback, e-book and audio in October 2025.
The book follows 20-year-old Sophia De Winter, who has been bound to her cruel uncle, known as the Collector, after he exacted a blood bond from her as a child. The synopsis continues: "Killmarth College, an elite academy for magic wielders could offer her the chance to break free, but she can only gain entry by completing a series of brutal challenges known as Ordeals. Sophia’s skills as an illusionist are weak and even powerful magic wielders like Alden Hughes should not be trusted, however much he offers to help. In her haste to escape the Collector’s power, has Sophia fled straight towards her own death sentence?"
Greenlaw is the author of books for adults and YA fiction, including The Woodsmoke Women’s Book of Spells, which was named as a Waterstones romantasy recommendation of 2024.
Grewal said: "It’s been so exciting to witness Rachel’s evolution as a storyteller, and the whole team is thrilled to be working with her on her first foray into adult romantasy. The world Rachel has created in The Ordeals is imaginative, creative and inspired, and will deliver everything fans of the genre want – and more. Readers are going to become obsessed with Sophia’s journey."
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Mitra said: "It’s a delight to be working with Rachel following the success of The Woodsmoke Women’s Book of Spells. With The Ordeals, I was drawn in by that central premise of a naive character who thinks she has finally been liberated, only to realise that she has leapt straight from the frying pan into the fire."
Greenlaw said: "Getting to write a romantasy duology for the adult market is an absolute dream come true moment, and I’m so thrilled to work with HQ and Seema to bring readers this atmospheric, high-stakes tale with dark academia vibes. Cannot wait for readers to meet Sophia and Alden."
Cavaciuti said: "Rachel’s propulsive storytelling, beautiful world-building and wild, infinite imagination have come together once again in The Ordeals. I am thrilled to have Seema’s exceptional editorial eye and the excitement and ambition of the whole HQ team behind us for publication next year."
