Usborne acquires Girls of Dark Divine and one more romantasy title from E V Woods

Usborne has acquired the Gothic fantasy Girls of Dark Divine and one further romantasy title from E V Woods. 

Sold to Delacorte (PRH) in the US for a six-figure deal, Alice Moloney, who was previously fiction editor for Usborne, acquired UK and Commonwealth (excluding Canada) rights from Alice Sutherland-Hawes of ASH Literary. Usborne will publish in August 2025, simultaneously with Delacorte (PRH) in the US.

"Emberlyn is a Marionette—one of a troupe of hauntingly beautiful girls who have been cursed to perform like marionettes by a Puppet Master until they turn to dust," the synopsis says. "When another one of her sisters falls, Emberlyn decides she must fight back against their Puppet Master and free them from this violent dance."

Usborne will launch the marketing and publicity campaign for Girls of Dark Divine at this year’s YALC, giving readers a chance to win exclusive early proofs at the Usborne YA stand.

Becky Walker, senior commissioning editor at Usborne, commented: “With the mesmerising combination of a dangerous curse, simmering romance and Gothic setting, bringing to life a darkly glamorous vision of the early 20th-century ballet, Girls of Dark Divine enthralled Usborne, and we know it is going to do the same for readers everywhere.”

Woods added: “Girls of Dark Divine is dark, deadly, but ultimately full of hope. I’m thrilled that Usborne connected with the novel and to be working with such a wonderful team on the book of my heart and soul.”