Rock the Boat signs Amie Kaufman fantasy duology

15th May, 2023

Oneworld’s Rock the Boat has acquired UK & Commonwealth rights ex Can and ANZ, including audio, to The Isles of the Gods, ‘the stunning opener to a fantasy duology from bestselling YA author, Amie Kaufman.’

Senior Commissioning Editor Katie Jennings bought the rights in a two-book deal from Christabel McKinley at David Higham Associates, in association with Tracey and Josh Adams at Adams Literary. It will publish in hardcover, ebook and audio on May 4th, and the author will be undertaking an extensive publicity tour in the UK and Ireland in June and July.

The acquisition statement continues: ‘Magic, romance and slumbering gods clash in the start of a “riveting” series set on the high seas spanning gangsters’ dens, forgotten temples, and a dangerous mission from the New York Times bestselling co-author of the Illuminae Files and the Aurora Cycle.

‘When a handsome stranger with tell-tale magician’s marks on his arms commandeers Selly’s ship under cover of darkness, she is presented with a perilous mission: to cross the Crescent Sea without detection so he can complete a ritual on the sacred Isles of the Gods. The journey will lead to acts of treason and sheer terror on the high seas, bringing two countries to the brink of war, two strangers closer than they ever thought possible and two dangerous gods stirring from centuries of rest…’

Kaufman said: “I’m thrilled to be working with the wonderful team at Rock the Boat again – I know there’s no better home for my solo debut. I wrote this book in lockdown, when I was desperately in need of fun – and that’s what it is. It’s an adventure. It’s got romance, banter, chase scenes and dances, shipwrecks and battles and a bookworm who gets caught up in a quest when he was just trying to get to a library. It’s got one of the squads I just love to create. I took my first steps on a boat, and I’m so happy to be sharing my love of the sea with my readers.

“I’ve been waiting years for the chance to come and see my UK and Irish fans, and it’s finally happening this June and July. I’m not joking when I say I’ve already made my packing list – I’m looking forward to meeting as many of them in person as possible.”

Jennings said: “We’ve loved publishing Amie’s Aurora Cycle and Illuminae Files series, co-authored by Jay Kristoff, on the Rock the Boat list, so when I found out she’d written her solo YA debut I couldn’t wait to jump on board. This sumptuous, sweeping, seafaring romantasy swept me up instantly, with its hugely immersive world coupled with an eclectic cast of characters – including one very attractive prince. I hope readers will fall for The Isles of the Gods just as I have and I’m so looking forward to bringing Amie over to the UK to celebrate publication of this wonderful book.”

Kaufman is the New York Times and internationally bestselling co-author of the Illuminae Files, the Aurora Cycle, the Starbound Trilogy, and the Unearthed and Other Side of the Sky duologies. Her award-winning work has been translated into nearly thirty languages. She has degrees in history, literature, law and conflict resolution and is pursuing a PhD in creative writing. Raised in Australia and occasionally  Ireland, she now lives by the sea in Melbourne.