NEWCON PRESS ACQUIRES DEBUT FANTASY NOVEL ‘THE CRAFTER’S WIFE’ BY DANI RAANAN
Ian Whates at Newcon Press has acquired World English rights in the debut fantasy novel THE CRAFTER’S WIFE, by Dani Raanan, which will appeal to fans of SPINNING SILVER by Naomi Novik and THE SNOW SONG by Sally Gardner. It is inspired by the rich mythology of her Jewish culture. The agent was John Jarrold.
24-year-old Shosha is married off by her witch-hunter father and a magic-fearing king to a man she knows by reputation only: the mysterious, arrogant Crafter. Long suspected of conducting illicit magical arts, the Crafter has many secrets the king wishes to employ. Shosha is tasked with uncovering these secrets, for she has a talent of her own: the ability to ‘sense’ magic – its flavour, its scent, its essence. If she fails, her family will surely face the block – but her success will come at the cost of her husband, whose head will hang from the palace gates. She and the Crafter begin a life of deception, a game of cat-and-mouse, each fighting for survival at the expense of the other and – against their wills – gradually getting to know each other. All the while watched by the Crafter’s animated collection of humanoids: his living, breathing army of golems.
THE CRAFTER’S WIFE is a standalone novel that encompasses the author’s love of science with her fascination with magic and Jewish mythology – primarily, with golems. Dani works as a Research Integrity Manager for a scientific publisher and lives under the tyrannical rule of a large cat in Leeds with her husband and two children.
John Jarrold said: “I’m so delighted for Dani. The wit, imagination and wonderful characters drew me in immediately, as did the truly outstanding feel for setting. There’s peril, romance and dark dealings. And the use of magic here fascinates me.”
Ian Whates said: “A refreshingly different take on fantasy, combining familiar elements with the less familiar, all seasoned with fresh perspective. Add to that the quality of the writing, which belies the fact that this is the author’s debut novel, and you have a winner.”
Dani’s website is at: https://daniraanan.com/