Maiden cover art

Maiden

The magical new feminist fantasy adventure from the Sunday Times bestselling author of Spellbound
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Maiden

By: Georgia Leighton
Narrated by: Taj Atwal
Pre-order: Try Premium Plus free

£8.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically. See here for eligibility.

Pre-order Now for £12.06

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Summary

THIS PRINCESS IS GOING TO SAVE HERSELF

Discover a world of forbidden magic, court politics and sacrifice in this enchanting new myth retelling from the Sunday Times bestselling author, perfect for fans of Katherine Arden and Naomi Novik.

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.

Prepare for…

  • ancient dragons
  • lady knights
  • cunning princesses
  • castle libraries
  • fierce fairy folk
  • forbidden magic
  • and much more!



© Georgia Leighton 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026

 Dragons & Mythical Creatures Fantasy Historical Fiction
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Critic reviews

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 alongside characters you can’t help but root for.
'Georgia Leighton has created a beautiful, enchanting world with twists and turns as captivating as her characters'
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!
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
Praise for Spellbound
Captivating . . . immersive, magical, and of course, spellbinding!
Beautifully written and atmospheric . . . a fresh, imaginative take on the classic fairytale
A deliciously magical novel . . . I devoured it!
A perfect blend of fairy tale magic and family drama
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