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 small, land-locked nation of Corfuia is known for its strict customs, historic battles and mountainous borders. And for its dragons. 
 
On the first day of Spring each year, a young woman chosen by lot from the towns and villages is sacrificed to the dragons in a legendary treaty known as the Maiden Sacrifice. 
 
As spring approaches, and the Maiden Sacrifice with it, the fates of three women are called into question. Between them, Maelle, Cressyda and Alinore hold the key to breaking free of the centuries-old treaty that hangs over Corfuia. 
 
But first, they must face the dragons... 
 
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

Georgia Leighton is a Senior Marketing Manager in publishing. Before working in publishing, she completed an MA in Creative Writing at Royal Holloway, University of London, receiving a distinction. 
 
Georgia lives in London with her family and many books. Her debut adult novel, Spellbound, is a reimagining of the classic fairy tale Sleeping Beauty.

The small, land-locked nation of Corfuia is known for its strict customs, historic battles and mountainous borders. And for its dragons. 
 
On the first day of Spring each year, a young woman chosen by lot from the towns and villages is sacrificed to the dragons in a legendary treaty known as the Maiden Sacrifice. 
 
As spring approaches, and the Maiden Sacrifice with it, the fates of three women are called into question. Between them, Maelle, Cressyda and Alinore hold the key to breaking free of the centuries-old treaty that hangs over Corfuia. 
 
But first, they must face the dragons...

Georgia Leighton

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

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. 
 
Except 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. 
 
But dark magic cannot be tricked, and as the end of the curse edges closer, each of the women 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 . . . 
 
An atmospheric, feminist retelling of a classic fairy tale that asks, What if Beauty never went to sleep?

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