Welcome to the ebonwilde...
You've found yourself at the home of Crystal Smith, author of the Bloodleaf Trilogy, artist, unapologetic fangirl, and lover of all things romantic and spooky.
You are invited to stay awhile and explore, but tread carefully.
You never know what might be lurking in these dark woods.
August 20, 2019
Big news for fans of bloodleaf!
EXCLUSIVE: Cavalry Media has acquired Bloodleaf, Crystal Smith’s recently published YA fantasy novel, to develop as a television series. Jennifer Bosari will oversee the project for Cavalry. A search is out for a writer.
In Bloodleaf, Princess Aurelia is a prisoner to her crown and the heir that nobody wants. Fearing her magic, the people have turned against her. After an assassination attempt, Aurelia must flee her country and disguise herself as a commoner in a distant land. As she hides in plain sight and perfects her magic, she begins to fall for a man who is forbidden to rule beside her. But the ghosts that haunt Aurelia refuse to abandon her, exposing a wicked plot that only she can defeat and forcing her to choose between the weight of the crown and the freedom of her new life.
Bloodleaf was published in March by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children’s Book Group. It is the first of a planned trilogy, with the second novel Greythorne publishing in March 2020.
Smith is repped by CAA, Park & Fine Literary and Media, and Cowan, DeBaets, Abrahams & Sheppard.
greythorne's cover
is now live!
Check out the reveal video here!
And get ready to meet the Grey Horseman
in June 2020!
Praise for bloodleaf:
"The plot is breathlessly fast, complete with creepy spirits, a satisfying romance, and complex but clear political twists and turns. The plot is purely fantasy, involving a cure-all that only comes after bloodshed, a horrifying ghost called the Harbinger, and the violent undoing of protective spells. However, some aspects will feel immediately relevant to savvy readers.
Political, romantic, magical, timely, yet also traditionally appealing."
KIRKUS
“Bloodleaf is one of those rare stories that truly grabbed me from the very first paragraph and never let me go. So much more than a retelling of the Grimm fairy tale the Goose Girl, Crystal Smith has woven a tale of identity, secrets, adventure, magic, and love that I just adored. I cannot wait for what comes next!”
Lauren D’Alessio
Wellesley Books, Wellesley, MA
"I am all in my feelings about this book. This book got under my skin and poked at my soul.
Bloodleaf is gritty, raw, and dark but it is also beautiful and powerful. Crystal Smith is like the George R.R. Martin of YA.
A roundhouse kick to the heart and readers will ask for more—Crystal has a new fan!"
kim brock
Joseph Beth Booksellers, Cincinnati, OH
"[A] riveting read....rife with surprising twists....This novel is a well-developed page-turner that will have fans of both the fantasy and mystery genres rushing to finish."
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"The writing is strong and engaging...romance, danger, and magic make for a winning combination that will keep readers glued to the pages long after bedtime.
A lovely, dark, and twisted fantasy for those of who have never quite outgrown fairy tales."
School library journal
"Debut author Smith explores the power of sacrifice in this darkly romantic reimagining of the Brothers Grimm’s 'The Goose Girl.'"
Publisher's Weekly
"A multifaceted scheme, mistaken identity, and a simmering romance will keep readers riveted and dying to know how it all unfolds. The exploration of the land’s religion and people’s conflicting understandings of it seems to be a reflection of the real world, lending the story a deeper commentary without sidelining the main plot.
An excellent choice for fans of smart, independent female leads, intriguing fantasy worlds, and a race against the clock to defeat evil."
booklist
“I was so absolutely enthralled with what was going on that I wasn't even thinking more than a sentence ahead.
Highly, highly recommend!!”
nichole cousins
White Birch Books, North Conway, NH
Crystal Smith
Crystal Smith is a writer, photographer, and artist who developed an early love of storytelling in a family of voracious readers. She resides in Utah with her high school sweetheart husband and two lively sons. When she isn't writing or creating, she can be found re-watching Jane Eyre and Howl's Moving Castle or reading ghost stories with all the lights on.
Represented by Pete Knapp of Park and Fine Literary Management.