The Beholder

Front Cover
HarperCollins Publishers, May 12, 2020 - Juvenile Fiction - 464 pages

"Sparkles with beauty, intrigue, and romance."--Kiera Cass, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Selection series

Selah has waited her whole life for a happily ever after. As the only daughter of the leader of Potomac, she knows her duty is to find the perfect match.

But after an excruciatingly public rejection, Selah's stepmother suggests an unthinkable solution: Selah must set sail across the Atlantic to visit a series of potential suitors--and if she doesn't come home engaged, she shouldn't come home at all.

From the gardens of England to the fjords of Norge, Selah's quest will be the journey of a lifetime. But her stepmother's schemes aren't the only secrets hiding belowdecks...and the stakes of her voyage may be higher than any happy ending.

Lush landscapes, dazzling romance, and captivating intrigue await in this stunning alternate historical YA debut--perfect for fans of The Selection or Caraval.


  • A Royal Quest for a Husband: After a humiliating public rejection, Selah is sent across the ocean with an ultimatum from her cruel stepmother: find a royal suitor, or never return home.
  • YA Alternate History: Explore a world of sprawling kingdoms and treacherous courts, where America was never united and the shadow of a European empire looms.
  • A Treacherous Ocean Voyage: On the open sea, Selah discovers that her stepmother's plotting isn't the only danger--and the secrets hidden on her own ship may be the deadliest of all.
  • Sweeping Fantasy Romance: From the lush gardens of England to the stark fjords of Norge, Selah must navigate a series of princely courts, each with its own secrets, temptations, and dangers.

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About the author (2020)

Anna Bright is an indie bookseller by day and an author by night who still gets in trouble for reading when she's supposed to be doing other things. When not hiding out among books, she loves concerts, roller coasters, and adventures at home and abroad. Anna lives with her family in a charming cobblestoned neighborhood in Washington, DC, but you can find her online at annabrightbooks.com and on Instagram at @brightlyanna.