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The Ordeals

By Rachel Greenlaw
Series: Killmarth Trials
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Brief Description
The Ordeals, a Waterstones' Best Romantasy Book of 2025, is the captivating first book in an addictive duology. Read now and order the second book, The Divines. 'A quite creepy atmosphere and… Buffy-esque vampire slaying into the mix' 5 star reader review 'The magic system is... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$2699
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Releases 2nd February 2027 (Approx. Date) Pre-order  "The Ordeals" now to secure your copy from our first shipment

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The Ordeals, a Waterstones' Best Romantasy Book of 2025, is the captivating first book in an addictive duology. Read now and order the second book, The Divines.

'A quite creepy atmosphere and… Buffy-esque vampire slaying into the mix' 5 star reader review

'The magic system is captivating, and the ending will leave you yearning for the second book' The Express

'A rich romantasy ideal for fans of dark academia' The Mirror

'Sizzling and addictive romantasy' Sunday Post

'I absolutely treasured it from beginning to end' Cecelia Ahern, Sunday Times Number One bestseller on The Woodsmoke Women's Book of Spells

Old Magic. New power. A contest to die for.

Sophia DeWinter has been bound to her cruel uncle, the Collector, since he exacted a blood bond from her as a child. When she learns of Killmarth, an elite academy for magic wielders outside of the Collector’s control, she seizes it as her only chance to break free.

Each hopeful must prove their worth by competing in brutal and deadly challenges – the Ordeals. And that’s just the beginning, because hopefuls are also being viciously picked off one-by-one. To survive, Sophia could team up with another challenger, perhaps the powerful wielder Alden Locke. But how to identify an ally from a rival? Or even a murderer?

In her haste to escape the Collector's power over her, has Sophia risked everything only to run from the flames and into the fire?

'Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets the Scholomance series!' Reader review *

'Combines captivating world building, a seriously twisty plot, and a steamy romance… impossible to put down' Demi Winters, author of The Road of Bones

'Deliciously dark with high stakes and a sizzling hot romance, The Ordeals is not to be missed!' Tessonja Odette, author of A Rivalry of Hearts

Readers ADORE The Ordeals:

'Mysterious, chilling, and utterly addictive'

'This completely swept me away. The world-building is absolutely stunning' Reader review, *

'Exciting and unique, quick paced and kept you guessing throughout' Reader review, *

'I could not put down and devoured in one sitting. I absolutely recommend this book' Reader review, *

PRAISE FOR RACHEL GREENLAW:

'It is an absolute masterpiece' Frost magazine

'Completely captures the imagination' Muddy Stilettos

'The characters are so raw and relatable and the mystery so intriguing that I hated slipping out of this magical world and back to reality.' Kate Robb, author of This Spells Love

Series: Killmarth Trials

View all
  • The Divines
    Pre-order
    The Divines
    Sophia DeWinter will return so pre-order the sequel to a Waterstones Romantasy Book of the year, The Ordeals. 'A rich romantasy ideal for fans of dark academia' The Mirror 'The magic system is captivating, and the ending will leave you yearning for the second book' The Express Brace yourself, for the Great Hunt has begun… In the aftermath of the...
    By Rachel Greenlaw
    Paperback
    $3699
    Pre-order
    Out 2 Feb 2027
  • The Ordeals
    Pre-order
    The Ordeals
    The Ordeals, a Waterstones' Best Romantasy Book of 2025, is the captivating first book in an addictive duology. Read now and order the second book, The Divines. 'A quite creepy atmosphere and… Buffy-esque vampire slaying into the mix' 5 star reader review 'The magic system is captivating, and the ending will leave you yearning for the second book' The Express...
    By Rachel Greenlaw
    Paperback
    $2699
    Pre-order
    Out 2 Feb 2027

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780008741303

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 10 September 2026

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: HQ

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 30.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 280g

Pages: 416

Collections

Coming Soon in Fiction Fantasy Fiction General Fiction Grumpy x Sunshine Romance Horror & Supernatural Pre-order Books Pre-order Romantasy Pre-Order Science Fiction & Fantasy Pre-orders Pre-orders by Release Date Rachel Greenlaw Romance Romantasy (Fantasy Romance) Sci-Fi & Fantasy Series: Killmarth Trials

About the Author

Rachel Greenlaw studied English with Creative Writing at Falmouth University before moving to an island in the Atlantic, where she lives with her husband and two children. The Compass and Blade trilogy is her first YA fiction series. Rachel's first novel for adults, One Christmas Morning was shortlisted for The Fantasy Romantic Novel Award 2024. Her second, The Woodsmoke Women's Books of Spells featured on Waterstones' Best Romantasy Books of 2024.

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    Get ready to be swept away. An irresistible YA romantasy – perfect for fans of Alexandra Christo, Sarah Underwood, and Shelby Mahurin. ‘A magical tale with a lot of heart’ – Alexandra Christo, author of To Kill a Kingdom ‘Brimming with wild magic, adventure and dreamy romance’ – Catherine Doyle, co-author of Twin Crowns Mira is a wrecker, one of...
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  • One Christmas Morning
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    By the author of The Woodsmoke Women's Book of Spells, featured as a Waterstones' Best Romantasy Book. "I absolutely treasured it from beginning to end" — Cecelia Ahern, Sunday Times Number One bestseller on The Woodsmoke Women's Book of Spells. Old Magic. New power. A contest to die for. Sophia DeWinter has been bound to her cruel uncle, the Collector,...
    By Rachel Greenlaw
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  • The Woodsmoke Women’s Book of Spells
    Practical Magic meets Gilmore Girls – a gorgeous cosy read and a Waterstones Best Romantasy Book of the year. Magical and grounding at the same time, otherworldly and natural. I absolutely treasured it from beginning to end.' Cecelia Ahern, Sunday Times Number One bestseller An old tale whispers of love as the snow falls. And then of a broken heart…...
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    Practical Magic meets Gilmore Girls – a gorgeous autumnal, cosy read. 'Magical and grounding at the same time, otherworldly and natural. I absolutely treasured it from beginning to end.' Cecilia Ahern, Sunday Times Number One bestseller There is an old tale that weaves through the mountain town of Woodsmoke. It whispers of a stranger who appears as the snow falls,...
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  • The Divines
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    By Rachel Greenlaw
    Paperback
    $3699
    Pre-order
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  • Shadow and Tide
    The second irresistible adventure in the Compass and Blade trilogy, full of intrigue, sizzling romance, dark magic and monstrous beings. A magical bargain always comes at a cost. On Rosevear, Mira is plagued by nightmares. She is lost and untethered, and then the watch strike, burning her home. The attack ignites a spark within her, and Mira knows it’s time...
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  • Compass and Blade Special Edition
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    Get ready to be swept away. An irresistible YA romantasy – perfect for fans of Alexandra Christo, Sarah Underwood and Shelby Mahurin. Romance. Betrayal. Magic. The YA romantasy debut of 2024. Compass and Blade Special Edition follows Mira, a wrecker, one of the seven chosen to swim out and plunder the wrecked ships beyond the Isle of Rosevear. The waves...
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