Available Formats
Deadly Ever After
By (Author) Brittany Johnson
Penguin Putnam Inc
G.P.Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers'
27th January 2026
4th November 2025
International edition
United States
Young Adult
Fiction
Childrens / Teenage fiction: General, modern and contemporary fiction
Childrens / Teenage fiction: Romance and love stories
Childrens / Teenage personal and social topics: Abuse / exploitation
Childrens / Teenage personal and social topics: LGBTQIA+
Paperback
288
Width 140mm, Height 210mm, Spine 18mm
278g
In this romantic YA fantasy, two dead princesses must find the kiss that will bring them back to life. For fans of Cinderella Is Dead and Girl, Serpent, Thorn. In this romantic YA fantasy, two dead princesses must find the kiss that will bring them back to life. For fans of Cinderella Is Dead and Girl, Serpent, Thorn. When Princess Amala is murdered on the night of her wedding, she wakes up in an enchanted garden with a rare second chance at life. If she can find true love's kiss in the next five days, the gods promise to revive her . . . but beware, they warn, while the right kiss will save you, the wrong kiss will kill you. To accomplish her quest, she will need the help of the only other girl in this cursed forest-even if she is rude, rash, and charmingly arrogant. Kha'dasia has bigger problems than surviving some magic flora and fauna. She has no true love to administer her reviving kiss. Luckily, when a spoiled and frustratingly pretty princess stumbles into the wrong end of Kha'dasia's spear, the gods extend Kha'dasia a lifeline- help the love-struck girl find her prince and escape death. The Garden will play tricks on their minds, uprooting old scars, and the girls will have to trust each other to tend the wounds. But as the two grow closer, sparks fly and Amala begins to question if her true love is waiting at the end of this journey or standing right in front of her.
"A captivating blend of suspense, romance, and fantasy that will keep readers turning the pages. Johnsons writing effortlessly draws readers into a unique and immersive setting that feels magical on every level. This fairytale, where the princesses save themselves, is a must read. Kalynn Bayron, New York Times bestselling author of Cinderella Is Dead
Brittany Johnson is a contributor in the YA anthology We Mostly Come Out at Night (Running Press Teen/Hachette, 2024). She has also published articles with The Mighty, Autostraddle, and Medium on the intersections of race, mental health, gender, and sexuality. Deadly Ever After is her debut novel, and it's a love letter to soft Black girls who rarely get to see themselves in media.