Deadly Ever After - by Brittany Johnson (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Two dead princesses must find true love's kiss to be brought back to life in this heart-stopping romantic fantasy debut. Now in paperback!

"A captivating blend of suspense, romance, and fantasy." --Kalynn Bayron, New York Times bestselling author of Cinderella Is Dead

Amala has spent her whole life trying to be the perfect princess: delicate, quiet, obedient. But when she's murdered on the night of her wedding, her story is cut short before it begins.

Kha'dasia has been told her whole life that she is too rough, too loud, too much. She's no ordinary princess but a ruthless warrior on a quest to fulfill her late brother's dying wish. Except she dies before reaching her destination.

When both girls wake up in a cursed forest, the gods offer them a second chance at life--if they can find true love's kiss. But there's a catch, the gods warn. While the right kiss will save you, the wrong kiss will kill you.

On their journey, the princesses must overcome challenges that force them to face the truth of their lives... and their deaths. And as Amala and Kha'dasia grow closer, they can't help but wonder if true love has been standing right in front of them all along.

Review Quotes

"A captivating blend of suspense, romance, and fantasy that will keep readers turning the pages. Johnson's 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

"Johnson's debut novel features strong worldbuilding and character development and will remain with readers long after they've finished reading. . . A queer romance with a winning combination of humor and magical adventure." --Kirkus Reviews

"[A] complex and insightful romantasy debut . . . Amala and Kha'dasia's percolating chemistry--portrayed via the duo's distinctly rendered alternating first-person perspectives--is magnetic, and the novel's traditional fantasy setting teems with timeless feeling dreamlike elements." --Publishers Weekly

"Johnson's debut novel strikes a perfect balance between character growth and a propulsive plot.... Kha'dasia and Amala each have a unique voice, and readers will enjoy seeing them fall for one another even as they fear they aren't each other's true love. Those readers looking for a fast-paced, magical adventure will want to join this journey." --Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Told in the princesses' alternating perspectives, this novel by first-time author Johnson twines the blossoming romantic relationship between the princesses with their personal growth to create a fairy tale unlike others. An excellent addition to teen romantasy collections." --Booklist

About the Author

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.