I’m not exactly sure what it is—maybe it’s because it’s finally autumn, or because I’ve been spending too much time in antique stores, or because I’ve been on a good streak with the media I’ve consumed recently—but I feel creatively fulfilled in a way I haven’t in a long time. I’ve been whittling away at my current project for a few months now, and I’ve found it so fun and grounding during a time of upheaval. But the time has come where I must emerge from my hermitage and remember how to talk about my work online.
My next young adult novel, Immortal Game, will soon (if you consider August 2026 to be soon) be available for you to read. It feels soon to me, at least, because it has a cover, which I’m beyond thrilled to share with you today. I ADORE it, and I hope you do, too!
This gorgeous cover was illustrated by Syd Mills and designed by Kerri Resnick. It’s moody and yearning—and feels so classic. Truly, I couldn’t have asked for anything more! The US hardcover will have green gilded edges, a foiled case stamp, and very cute checkered endpapers. It’s available for preorder now. I just finished reading through this book for the last time yesterday, and I’m so proud of it. Really, I can’t wait for you to read it.
Six years ago, Shea Fury’s sister was whisked away by the High King of the Otherworld, the ruler of the treacherous land of fae. Although Shea has spent the years since dreaming of rescuing her sister from captivity, the Iron Veil that separates the human world from the fae has made it only a wish. That is, until an invitation to participate in a once-in-a-lifetime chess tournament in the Otherworld arrives on Shea’s doorstep. The winner of the tournament may ask the High King to grant one wish, and Shea’s is finally within reach.
But entering the tournament and winning it are two different feats. Dark magic lurks around every corner in the Otherworld, and her cutthroat opponents are willing to bend the rules to make their own wishes come true. To make it to the end – and to find her sister – Shea is forced to strike an alliance with her longtime rival, the sharply beautiful fae princess, Ciara of Bri Leith. One wrong move, though, and Shea may lose more than just the competition. She’ll lose her sister, her dignity, and maybe even her life.
The Queen’s Gambit, Check & Mate, or playing chess yourself. I’ve done my very best to make this story accessible for people who have no interest in or knowledge about chess. The games on the page are more about emotions and relationships than the moves the players make. But I hope that readers who do love chess find details that delight them.
Irish mythology. I have embraced the weirdness of the source material. This is a world where a dog can be your cousin and your wife was once a fly.
Fae who are both whimsical and sinister. These ones love games and value hospitality above almost everything else.
Competition stories when only one of the romantic leads can emerge victorious.
Narratives about creative burnout. When the thing you love most in the world becomes poisoned by turning it into a means to an end, how do you find meaning again? Immortal Game is about chess, but it is also maybe about writing (or drawing, or dancing, or what have you).
The UK edition of A Dark and Drowning Tide released in paperback last month! You can still get one of these gorgeous Waterstones exclusive editions.
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