Publisher's Synopsis
THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER!
Step into a dark and magical world in the enchanting new fantasy and fairytale retelling, perfect for fans of Katherine Arden's The Bear and The Nightingale, and Uprooted by Naomi Novik.
'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
'A gorgeously atmospheric Gothic fantasy that had me hooked from the first page to the last!' 5-star reader review
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 . . .
Praise for Spellbound
'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
'I can't explain how much I enjoyed it. I can't even put it into words' 5-star reader review
'A spellbinding retelling that omits the shiny Disney magic of the childhood classic in favour of a dark fantasy retelling' 5-star reader review
'I devoured this story in 24 hours as I was captivated by it. The book reeled me in and kept me hooked until the end' 5-star reader review
'A compelling and thought-provoking read that lingered with me long after I turned the final page. It's a testament to the strength of women, the complexities of morality, and the enduring power of motherhood, love and friendship' 5-star reader review
'The magic and world building in this book was incredible…If you are looking for your next fairy tale re-telling obsession then look no further!' 5-star reader review
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**If you loved Spellbound, don't miss Georgia Leighton's next novel Maiden, a magical feminist retelling of the legend of St George and the Dragon - coming 2026 and available to pre-order now! **
Sunday Times bestseller, April 2025
