Wildfire falls for dark romantasy series by Scottish 'TikTok sensation' Chloe C Peñaranda

Wildfire has snapped up the Nytefall trilogy, a dark romantasy series by Scottish "TikTok sensation" Chloe C Peñaranda.

Assistant editor Areen Ali acquired UK and Commonwealth rights from Imogen Bovill and Anna Carmichael at Abner Stein, on behalf of Jessica Watterson at the Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency, in a three-book deal. North American rights were sold to Monique Patterson at Bramble—an imprint of Tor.

Originally self-published, the first book in the series, The Stars are Dying, is available in e-book, and will be published in hardback, trade paperback and audio on 8th October 2024, including two new chapters. The second book in the series, The Night is Defying, is due in January 2025, with the third to follow in autumn 2025.

"The Stars are Dying follows Astraea as she seeks to put together the fragmented memories of her past and escape the clutches of the tyrannical king who holds her captive," the synopsis says. "As she is forced to take part in a succession of trials hosted by the king, in which five human lands compete for a cycle of safety from the vampires seeking blood and claiming souls after dark, Astraea is offered help by a mysterious and dubiously charming figure called Nyte."

Peñaranda said: "Loosely inspired by the Greek myth of Astraea and the Golden Age, I love exploring this darkly whimsical world and delving into the conflicts of a villain who battles to be good, falling for a saviour attracted to the darkness. I couldn’t be more excited for the Nytefall trilogy to have found a perfect home with Wildfire in the UK and Commonwealth!"

Ali added: "Chloe’s series is exactly what readers in this space are hungry for: an epic scale spicy romantasy—filled with tension, fantastic world-building and a morally grey, swoon-worthy love interest. I’m thrilled to welcome Chloe to the Wildfire family and work on this fantastic series."