Maiden

THIS PRINCESS IS GOING TO SAVE HERSELF 
 
Discover a world of forbidden magic, court politics and sacrifice in this enchanting new myth retelling, perfect for fans of Katherine Arden and Naomi Novik. 
 
The Kingdom of Calestra was built on blood. Every spring, when the snow melts in the mountains, one young woman is chosen by lot to be sacrificed to the Great Dragon. 
 
As the Maiden Sacrifice draws near once more, three women stand at the heart of its brutal ritual: Cressyda, desperate and trapped, Alinore, torn between duty and rebellion and Maylie, whose secrets burn hotter than dragonfire. Together, they carry the power to shatter a treaty written in blood and ash. 
 
Yet freedom comes at a cost, and first they must face the ancient fury of the Great Dragon. 
 
The sacrifice is coming. 
But this time, the maidens refuse to burn. 
 
Prepare for…<ul><li>ancient dragons</li><li>lady knights</li><li>cunning princesses</li><li>castle libraries</li><li>fierce fairy folk</li><li>forbidden magic</li><li>and much more!</li></ul>Praise for Georgia Leighton 
 
'A wonderfully imaginative retelling of Sleeping Beauty, Spellbound weaves together atmospheric prose with enchanting characters to bring fresh new life to this classic fairy-tale' 
--Rosie Hewlett, bestselling author of MEDEA 
 
'Beautifully written and atmospheric, Spellbound is a fresh, imaginative take on the classic fairytale you thought you knew' 
--Sophie Keetch, author of MORGAN IS MY NAME 
 
‘A deliciously magical novel and an absolute delight to read. I devoured it!’ 
-- Menna Van Praag, author of THE SISTERS GRIMM 
 
‘Immersive, magical, and of course, spellbinding…this book is sheer joy' 
--Naomi Kelsey, author of THE BURNINGS

Captivating . . . immersive, magical, and of course, spellbinding!

Beautifully written and atmospheric . . . a fresh, imaginative take on the classic fairytale

Sophie Keetch, author of MORGAN IS MY NAME

A deliciously magical novel . . . I devoured it!

Menna Van Praag, author of THE SISTERS GRIMM

A perfect blend of fairy tale magic and family drama

A wonderfully imaginative retelling

Rosie Hewlett, bestselling author of MEDEA

An exquisitely feminist twist on the age-old tale of Sleeping Beauty, subversive, imaginative, and wholly immersive

Olesya Salnikova Gilmore, Author of The Witch and the Tsar

Georgia Leighton lives in London with her family. Her debut adult novel, Spellbound, a reimagining of the classic fairy tale of Sleeping Beauty, was an instant Sunday Times bestseller. To hear more from Georgia, visit georgialeightonauthor.com and follow her on Instagram @georgialeightonauthor.

The Kingdom of Calestra was built on blood. Every spring, when the snow melts in the mountains, one young woman is chosen by lot to be sacrificed to the Great Dragon. 
 
As the Maiden Sacrifice draws near once more, three women stand at the heart of its brutal ritual: Cressyda, desperate and trapped, Alinore, torn between duty and rebellion and Maylie, whose secrets burn hotter than dragonfire. Together, they carry the power to shatter a treaty written in blood and ash. 
 
Yet freedom comes at a cost, and first they must face the ancient fury of the Great Dragon. 
 
The sacrifice is coming. 
But this time, the maidens refuse to burn.

Georgia Leighton

An atmospheric, feminist retelling of a classic fairy tale that asks, What if Beauty never went to sleep? 
 
In a remote castle perched atop a windswept island, a long-awaited royal heir is born. In accordance with ancient custom, a blessing ceremony takes place to bestow the princess with magical gifts – along with a terrible curse. 
 
But this is not the love story you may think you know. 
 
There is no enchanted sleep for the princess, and no handsome prince to save the day. Just three women, who together concoct a desperate plan of misdirect that changes the course of all their lives. 
 
Except dark magic cannot be tricked, and as the end of the curse edges closer, Violanna, Meredyth and Sel each has a choice to make. 
 
They can wait to find out if the worst will happen, or they can turn to face the coming storm . . .

Georgia Leighton

Praise for Spellbound

Captivating . . . immersive, magical, and of course, spellbinding!

Beautifully written and atmospheric . . . a fresh, imaginative take on the classic fairytale

A deliciously magical novel . . . I devoured it!

Captivating . . . immersive, magical, and of course, spellbinding!

Beautifully written and atmospheric . . . a fresh, imaginative take on the classic fairytale

A deliciously magical novel . . . I devoured it!

Captivating . . . immersive, magical, and of course, spellbinding!

Beautifully written and atmospheric . . . a fresh, imaginative take on the classic fairytale

A deliciously magical novel . . . I devoured it!

Books by Georgia Leighton

Follow penguin

Follow ladybird

Follow puffin

Sign up to the Penguin newsletter