Tor snaps up Lindsey Byrd's 'vividly imagined' fantasy duology

Tor has snapped up a "lyrical" fantasy duology from Lindsey Byrd, described as a "vividly imagined and character driven queer fantasy". 

Publisher Bella Pagan acquired UK and British Commonwealth rights, excluding Canada, from Maddy Belton at the Madeleine Milburn Agency. North American rights went to Amanda Ferreira at Random House Canada. The Sun Blessed Prince, the first book in the series, will be published in hardback in spring 2025. 

The Sun Blessed Prince follows an assassin and a prince with the ability to deliver death and grant life, respectively. 

The synopsis continues: "But can two enemies forge a future together, after generations of war? As the pieces of a deadly plot emerge – featuring abduction, treachery and forbidden magic – tensions escalate at court and on the battlefield. As the fires of conflict burst into new flame, who will wield the powers of life and death? And could love really change a world and stop a war?" 
Pagan commented: "I fell so in love with Lindsey’s lyrical voice and compelling characters. Her incredible story is emotional, relatable and shot through with yearning and magic, and I absolutely cannot wait for readers to discover it for themselves."

Byrd added: "For as long as I can remember, I have been fascinated by stories that asked deeper questions about what ’life’ and ’death’ really meant. Writing this duology was a way to continue that tradition and explore all those threads in a brand new mythology. I am beyond thrilled to be able to work with the Tor UK and Random House Canada teams to bring this book to life for readers around the world."