Description

“Sparkles with beauty, intrigue, and romance.”—Kiera Cass, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Selection series

Selah has waited her whole life for a happily ever after. As the only daughter of the leader of Potomac, she knows her duty is to find the perfect match in an arranged marriage.

But after an excruciatingly public rejection, Selah’s cruel stepmother suggests an unthinkable solution: Selah must set sail across the Atlantic to visit a series of potential suitors—and if she doesn’t come home engaged, she shouldn’t come home at all.

From the gardens of England to the fjords of Norge, Selah’s quest will be the journey of a lifetime. But her stepmother’s schemes aren’t the only secrets hiding belowdecks…and with layers of political intrigue, the stakes of her voyage may be higher than any happy ending.

Lush landscapes, dazzling romance, and captivating intrigue await in this stunning alternate historical YA debut—perfect for fans of The Selection or Caraval.

  • An Epic Journey: Selah must sail from the gardens of England to the fjords of Norge, tasked with winning a royal engagement—or being exiled from her home forever.
  • A World of Royal Suitors: Forced to court a series of princes she’s never met, Selah must navigate glittering courts where everyone has a secret.
  • Fairy Tale Retelling: With a heartless stepmother scheming against her and a public rejection haunting her, this Cinderella-inspired story gives the classic tale an alternate-history twist.
  • High-Stakes Romance: With secrets hiding belowdecks and her stepmother’s schemes in motion, Selah’s quest for a husband might just cost her everything.

About the author(s)

Anna Bright is an indie bookseller by day and an author by night who still gets in trouble for reading when she’s supposed to be doing other things. When not hiding out among books, she loves concerts, roller coasters, and adventures at home and abroad. Anna lives with her family in a charming cobblestoned neighborhood in Washington, DC, but you can find her online at annabrightbooks.com and on Instagram at @brightlyanna.

Reviews

“Sparkles with beauty, intrigue, and romance. The Beholder will leave you clutching your poor heart and aching for the sequel.” - Kiera Cass, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Selection series

“Full of romance and political intrigue that had me captivated from the very first page. I can’t wait to find out what happens next.” - Evelyn Skye, New York Times bestselling author of The Crown’s Game series

“Wholly unique, yet familiar in all the right ways. Put this at the top of your to-read pile if you love fairy tales, epic voyages, and—of course—swoon-worthy love stories.” - Jodi Meadows, New York Times bestselling author of My Plain Jane (with Cynthia Hand and Brodi Ashton) and the Fallen Isles trilogy

“High adventure, political intrigue, and swoon-worthy romance. A glittering paean to storytelling.” - ALA Booklist

“It’s impossible not to root for Selah. A fully captivating story.” - Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

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