A Wild Radiance
An epic, queer romantic fantasy about power, magic and revolution, sizzling with enemies-to-lovers tension
Published on 12. February 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
368 pages
978-1-5295-3641-6 (ISBN)
Description
A searing and romantic fantasy about an oligarchic state on the verge of a magical industrial revolution. Perfect for fans of Arcane, Wicked, and Iron Widow.
Josephine Haven is a pupil at the House of Industry, the school for those who can wield radiance, an electricity-like magic. Banished for her fiery outbursts and sent to a remote Mission, she must learn to work with standoffish Julian and flirtatious Ezra.
Meanwhile, a deadly disease is spreading across the countryside, and not everyone is eager to embrace Progress. As Josephine questions the systems that raised her - and gives in to suppressed desire - she must decide what she's willing to sacrifice to expose the truth.
"Alluring and electrifying magic." Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Perfect for readers who love Queerplatonic and Poly Relationships, Anti-Capitalism, Hurt/Comfort, Sunshine/Grump/Gremlin Dynamics, Messy Exes, and Fantasy Road Trips!
Josephine Haven is a pupil at the House of Industry, the school for those who can wield radiance, an electricity-like magic. Banished for her fiery outbursts and sent to a remote Mission, she must learn to work with standoffish Julian and flirtatious Ezra.
Meanwhile, a deadly disease is spreading across the countryside, and not everyone is eager to embrace Progress. As Josephine questions the systems that raised her - and gives in to suppressed desire - she must decide what she's willing to sacrifice to expose the truth.
"Alluring and electrifying magic." Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Perfect for readers who love Queerplatonic and Poly Relationships, Anti-Capitalism, Hurt/Comfort, Sunshine/Grump/Gremlin Dynamics, Messy Exes, and Fantasy Road Trips!
Reviews / Votes
This fast-paced, romantic, abundantly queer, historical fantasy explores the intertwined pain, fear, joy, and beauty of self-discovery in defiance of oppression from an authoritarian society. Alluring and electrifying magic. * Kirkus Reviews (starred review) * Furiously tender and radically hopeful, A Wild Radiance is the book all of us need right now. It's a book for a bad world, which helps us imagine a better one-and begin the work of building it for one another. I just adored it. * Alix E. Harrow, New York Times bestselling author of The Everlasting * This successful poly love story with an inventive anti-capitalist worldview will find an audience with progressive steampunk fans. * Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books * Balancing scenes both grim and heartwarming, Mora (The Immeasurable Depth of You) weaves a cathartic, hopeful tale of awakening to the realities of indoctrination, fighting against exploitative capitalism, and the redemptive power of human connection. * Publishers Weekly *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Target group
Young adult
Interest Age: From 14 years
Dimensions
Height: 195 mm
Width: 127 mm
Thickness: 26 mm
Weight
255 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-5295-3641-6 (9781529536416)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Maria Ingrande Mora (they/she) is the acclaimed author of Fragile Remedy, a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection, the Ranger Academy series, and The Immeasurable Depth of You, an Amelia Elizabeth Walden Book Award finalist, which earned three starred reviews, with Kirkus Reviews calling it "raw and compassionate." A queer, AuDHD single parent, Mora lives in Florida with their two teenagers and three cats. Instagram: @MariaMoraWrites.