I am absolutely overjoyed to share the news that Amber Chen, author of the #1 Sunday Times bestselling duology Of Jade and Dragons and The Blood Phoenix, will be coming out with a brand new duology in fall 2026 and 2027, beginning with An Auction of Souls!

Kelsey Murphy at Viking has acquired An Auction of Souls by Amber Chen (Of Jade and Dragons), a YA fantasy duology that follows a girl who runs a legendary magical auction house, whose life is upended after a stranger shows up wanting to sell a soul. She must embark on a dangerous journey with two Hell guardians to save her grandmother and unravel the mystery of the soul—before hell is literally set loose on earth. Publication is slated for fall 2026; Laura Crockett at Triada US negotiated the two-book deal for world English rights.

A few years ago, I had the pleasure of reviewing the manuscript that became Of Jade and Dragons. I remember thinking how great it was, too. Though I did not offer representation at the time, Amber was an author whose career I wanted to follow. Her manuscript stuck with me. I’m not sure if other agents feel this way, but there are a few authors out there whose work I’ve read at the querying stage (and enjoyed but passed) who have great careers now, and it makes me smile to see them thriving with their agent. I don’t necessarily see it as a missed opportunity for passing on their projects or not offering rep (or offering rep and not being selected)––because I truly, firmly believe they are with their perfect agent match.

But sometimes things happen in publishing and the author needs to seek new rep. I was so happy to have been on Amber’s radar still, and when I saw the premise and sample of An Auction of Souls as well as some other project ideas in the works, I knew I needed to work with her. I wasn’t going to let this second chance pass me by!

…and the rest is history!

Congratulations, Amber! And if you haven’t already, add An Auction of Souls to your TBR!