Stephanie Stein at Tor Books has acquired Anji Kills a King by debut author Evan Leikam, co-host of the Book Reviews Kill podcast. This breakneck fantasy adventure for fans of Nicholas Eames and Christopher Buehlman follows the unlikely assassin of a king as she attempts to escape the clutches of a legendary bounty hunter, in a tale of grit, dark humor, inventive action, and surprising heart.
Publication is planned for Summer 2025; Seth Fishman at The Gernert Co. brokered the three-book deal.
“Publishing with Tor is an honor beyond words. To work under the same banner which has produced some of the best fantasy novels of all time is truly a dream come true. The books I’ve been asked to contribute to this legendary catalogue would hardly be readable without my editor, Stephanie Stein, and my agent Seth Fishman. Anji Kills a King is a story about how our decisions and our journeys shape us, inspired by some of my favorite fantasy adventures: Roland’s quest through Mid-World, Fitz’s struggles in the Six Duchies, and Ged’s confrontation with darkness in Earthsea. Thanks so much to everyone in the BRK community for your undying support, patience, and enthusiasm—it will forever mean the world to me.”
—author Evan Leikam
“This fantasy road trip is the grumpy-meets-grumpy adventure of my dreams: fun, a little bit feral, and full of surprising twists. Anji knocked me over from Chapter 1, and then kept me scrambling to turn pages as she bickers and fights her way toward survival. This is an incredibly gripping debut that crackles with mysterious magic and lovable characters doing their best in a difficult world. I’m so thrilled to be the first to sign up for Anji’s revolution!”
—editor Stephanie Stein
Evan Leikam is a co-host of the Book Reviews Kill podcast, and a book influencer on TikTok and Instagram. Prior to his career as a content creator, he toured the United States and Europe as a drummer in various rock bands, where he read the biggest fantasy books he could get his hands on to pass the time on the road. Anji Kills a King is his debut novel.
