A funny, fiercely feminist YA epic fantasy—following the adventures of a tavern wench
Tanya has worked at her tavern since she was able to see over the bar. She broke up her first fight at 11. By the time she was a teenager she knew everything about the place, and she could run it with her eyes closed. She’d never let anyone—whether it be a drunkard or a captain of the queen’s guard—take advantage of her. But when her guardian dies, she might lose it all: the bar, her home, her purpose in life. So she heads out on a quest to petition the queen to keep the tavern in her name—dodging unscrupulous guards, a band of thieves, and a powerful, enchanted feather that seems drawn to her. Fast-paced, magical, and unapologetically feminist, Wench is epic fantasy like you’ve never seen it before.
Praise
“A fierce, feminist romp through the adventures of a tavern wench. Like an old classic fairytale, with bands of thieves and magical feathers, but with more badass female characters.”Shea Ernshaw, NYT bestselling author of The Wicked Deep
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“WENCH is a power fantasy for every girl yearning for a body-positive, snarky, wonderfully queer heroine. Kaplan’s prose is warm and inviting, and her characters utterly endearing. A witty and charming romp!”Ashley Poston, National Best-Selling author of Geekerella
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“Smart, plucky, resourceful ... Tanya is exactly the kind of character I love to root for. Readers are sure to delight in the fresh, inventive magic of Wench. This story of lost family and found friends is a heartfelt exploration of what it means to come home.”Megan Bannen, author of The Bird & the Blade and Soulswift
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“Charming, thrilling, and always surprising, Wench offers a wildly refreshing reimagining of the fantasy genre, one you won’t be able to put down!”Andrew Shvarts, author of the Royal Bastards series
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“A spirited, fast-paced adventure that reminds readers not all tough heroines need be handy with a sword.”Ellen Goodlett, author of Rule and Rise
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"Compelling... The powerfully depicted feminine characters are a joy to see develop, and the casual acceptance of same-sex relationships is portrayed exceptionally well."School Library Journal
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"A twisty, magical, romantic, and exhilarating adventure."Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
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"The root concept of an adventuring barmaid in a feminist fantasy world will be enough to pull readers in, and Tanya’s energy and determination will win them over along the way."Booklist
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"An empowering fantasy debut."Publishers Weekly
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