Rock the Boat snares ‘riveting’ fantasy duology by Kaufman

Rock the Boat has snapped up a fantasy duology, kicking off with The Isles of the Gods, in which “magic, romance and slumbering gods clash”, by Amie Kaufman.

Senior commissioning editor Katie Jennings acquired UK and Commonwealth rights, excluding Canada, Australia and New Zealand, including audio, to the two books from Christabel McKinley at David Higham Associates, in association with Tracey and Josh Adams at Adams Literary.

The Isle of the Gods will be published in hardcover, e-book and audio on 4th May, and Kaufman will be undertaking an extensive publicity tour in the UK and Ireland in June and July.

The publisher says the “riveting” series is set on the high seas, spanning gangsters’ dens, forgotten temples, and a dangerous mission.

"When a handsome stranger with tell-tale magician’s marks on his arms commandeers Selly’s ship under cover of darkness, she is presented with a perilous mission: to cross the Crescent Sea without detection so he can complete a ritual on the sacred Isles of the Gods", the synopsis to the first book reads.

Kaufman said: “I’m thrilled to be working with the wonderful team at Rock the Boat again – I know there’s no better home for my solo debut. I wrote this book in lockdown, when I was desperately in need of fun – and that’s what it is. It’s an adventure. It’s got romance, banter, chase scenes and dances, shipwrecks and battles and a bookworm who gets caught up in a quest when he was just trying to get to a library. It’s got one of the squads I just love to create. I took my first steps on a boat, and I’m so happy to be sharing my love of the sea with my readers.

“I’ve been waiting years for the chance to come and see my UK and Irish fans, and it’s finally happening this June and July. I’m not joking when I say I’ve already made my packing list – I’m looking forward to meeting as many of them in person as possible.”

Jennings said: “We’ve loved publishing Amie’s Aurora Cycle and Illuminae Files series, co-authored by Jay Kristoff, on the Rock the Boat list, so when I found out she’d written her solo YA debut I couldn’t wait to jump on board. This sumptuous, sweeping, seafaring romantasy swept me up instantly, with its hugely immersive world coupled with an eclectic cast of characters – including one very attractive prince. I hope readers will fall for The Isles of the Gods just as I have and I’m so looking forward to bringing Amie over to the UK to celebrate publication of this wonderful book.”