Maiden header 1180×660

Extracts

Exclusive Extract from Maiden by Georgia Leighton

Spellbound

THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER! 
 Step into a dark and magical world in the enchanting new fairytale retelling, perfect for fans of Katherine Arden, Naomi Novik, and M. A. Kuzniar. 
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 
 
'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!' &#11088; &#11088; &#11088; &#11088; &#11088; 
 
'A spellbinding retelling that omits the shiny Disney magic of the childhood classic in favour of a dark fantasy retelling' &#11088; &#11088; &#11088; &#11088; &#11088; 
 
'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' &#11088; &#11088; &#11088; &#11088; &#11088; 
 
'A fantastic retelling of Sleeping Beauty which is a story I adore. This book was insane! It was twisted, it was gripping but it was so darn good!' &#11088; &#11088; &#11088; &#11088; &#11088; 
 
'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' &#11088; &#11088; &#11088; &#11088; &#11088; 
 
'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' &#11088; &#11088; &#11088; &#11088; &#11088; 
 
'Spellbound is a book that subverts expectations while still honouring the essence of the classic fairytale' &#11088; &#11088; &#11088; &#11088; &#11088; 
 
'The characters are really well written and I felt really invested in them as individuals and also how they intertwine for the story' &#11088; &#11088; &#11088; &#11088; &#11088; 
 
'An absolutely perfect book to read before bed. Highly recommended it' &#11088; &#11088; &#11088; &#11088; &#11088; 
_ 
 
**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! ** 
 
Spellbound was number 3 in the hardback fiction chart w/c 28/04/25

Captivating . . . immersive, magical, and of course, spellbinding!

Beautifully written and atmospheric . . . a fresh, imaginative take on the classic fairytale

Sophie Keetch, author of MORGAN IS MY NAME

A deliciously magical novel . . . I devoured it!

Menna Van Praag, author of THE SISTERS GRIMM

A perfect blend of fairy tale magic and family drama

A wonderfully imaginative retelling

Rosie Hewlett, bestselling author of MEDEA

An exquisitely feminist twist on the age-old tale of Sleeping Beauty, subversive, imaginative, and wholly immersive

Olesya Salnikova Gilmore, Author of The Witch and the Tsar

Georgia Leighton lives in London with her family. Her debut adult novel, Spellbound, a reimagining of the classic fairy tale of Sleeping Beauty, was an instant Sunday Times bestseller. To hear more from Georgia, visit georgialeightonauthor.com and follow her on Instagram @georgialeightonauthor.

An atmospheric, feminist retelling of a classic fairy tale that asks, 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 . . .

Georgia Leighton

Maiden is a fiercely feminist tale of family, friendship and female rage. Leighton has expertly crafted a story of glittering proportions that sizzles off the page. Utterly breathtaking.

Hazel McBride, Sunday Times bestselling author of A FATE FORGED IN FIRE

Leighton is an expert at taking well-known tales and making them her own. Epic and vivid, the world of Maiden captivates from the very first page and thrusts you into an unforgettable journey alongside characters you can’t help but root for.

Samantha Sotto Yambao, Sunday Times bestselling author of WATER MOON

'Georgia Leighton has created a beautiful, enchanting world with twists and turns as captivating as her characters'

Isabelle Schuler, author of LADY MACBETHAD

Maiden interweaves the stories of three very different women. Rich in folkloric elements and full of surprises, this is a powerful tale of women finding their true selves. Highly recommended!

Juliet Marillier, internationally bestselling author of DAUGHTER OF THE FOREST

Leighton has breathed fresh life and the fire of feminine rage into her reimagining of St George and the Dragon. I was enthralled from the very first page, immersed in its vivid setting and rich folklore, and swept up in the deftly braided lives of its three central characters. MAIDEN is a celebration of the multiplicity of womanhood, the importance of honouring your true nature, and the abiding power of female friendship

Venetia Constantine no. 1 Sunday Times bestselling author of THE LAST STARBORN SEER

The Kingdom of Calestra was built on blood. Every spring, when the snow melts in the mountains, one young woman is chosen by lot to be sacrificed to the Great Dragon. 
 
As the Maiden Sacrifice draws near once more, three women stand at the heart of its brutal ritual: Cressyda, desperate and trapped, Alinore, torn between duty and rebellion and Maylie, whose secrets burn hotter than dragonfire. Together, they carry the power to shatter a treaty written in blood and ash. 
 
Yet freedom comes at a cost, and first they must face the ancient fury of the Great Dragon. 
 
The sacrifice is coming. 
But this time, the maidens refuse to burn.

Georgia Leighton

Praise for Maiden

Maiden is a fiercely feminist tale of family, friendship and female rage. Leighton has expertly crafted a story of glittering proportions that sizzles off the page. Utterly breathtaking.

Leighton is an expert at taking well-known tales and making them her own. Epic and vivid, the world of Maiden captivates from the very first page and thrusts you into an unforgettable journey ...

'Georgia Leighton has created a beautiful, enchanting world with twists and turns as captivating as her characters'

Maiden is a fiercely feminist tale of family, friendship and female rage. Leighton has expertly crafted a story of glittering proportions that sizzles off the page. Utterly breathtaking.

Leighton is an expert at taking well-known tales and making them her own. Epic and vivid, the world of Maiden captivates from the very first page and thrusts you into an unforgettable journey ...

'Georgia Leighton has created a beautiful, enchanting world with twists and turns as captivating as her characters'

Maiden is a fiercely feminist tale of family, friendship and female rage. Leighton has expertly crafted a story of glittering proportions that sizzles off the page. Utterly breathtaking.

Leighton is an expert at taking well-known tales and making them her own. Epic and vivid, the world of Maiden captivates from the very first page and thrusts you into an unforgettable journey ...

'Georgia Leighton has created a beautiful, enchanting world with twists and turns as captivating as her characters'

Books by Georgia Leighton

Articles featuring Georgia Leighton

Exclusive Extract from Maiden by Georgia Leighton

Follow penguin

Follow ladybird

Follow puffin

Sign up to the Penguin newsletter