“Kelly Braffet is extraordinary . . . Familiar yet entirely unique, THE UNWILLING is the sort of story that seeps under your skin and pulses there, intimate and vibrant and alive. Fantasy at its most sublime.”
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The Unwilling
A novel by Kelly Braffet
The Unwilling is the story of Judah, a foundling born with a special gift and raised inside Highfall castle along with Gavin, the son and heir to Lord Elban’s vast empire. Judah and Gavin share an unnatural bond that is both the key to her survival…and possibly her undoing.
As Gavin is groomed for his future role, Judah comes to realize that she has no real position within the kingdom, in fact, no hope at all of ever traveling beyond its castle walls. Elban—a lord as mighty as he is cruel—has his own plans for her, for all of them.
SOCIAL
CHATTER
3 months ago
Hey, Facebooketeers! I am . . . not great about being active here, but if you're on IG I now have a public account there: @kellybraffetwriter. If you follow me there, I can promise lots of pictures of our animal horde, and occasional work-stuff updates.
In the words of the great Laurel Bristow (@kinggutterbaby on IG and my very serious infectious-disease-researcher crush): wash your hands, cover your face and be excellent to each other.
ETA: IIRC more people will see this if I add a photo, so here's a screenshot of my favorite piece of non-virus @kinggutterbaby advice. WHERE WAS THIS WOMAN WHEN I WAS SINGLE. (Answer: like, grade school, I think.) ... See MoreSee Less
6 months ago
Exciting times: the JOSIE & JACK film, directed by the inimitable Sarah Lancaster, is finally streaming! On Amazon Prime, iTunes, OnDemand, and a bunch of other services that I've never heard of. But maybe you have, so check your favorites! I am very excited and impressed and proud of our little movie, and I hope all of you like it, too. ... See MoreSee Less
This book -- LUCKENBOOTH, by @Jenni_Fagan -- is fantastic and I HIGHLY recommend clicking this link.
For those of you in the US who were asking if it was possible to get LUCKENBOOTH sent over to you — it is, pls see below! https://twitter.com/PortyBooks/status/1351563135367454724
Books I’ve loved reading/listening to in 2020. ❤️
THE UNWILLING @KellyBraffet read by @TalkToMeVO
THE RED LOTUS @ChrisBohjalian read by @TheOtherRebecca
ONE BY ONE @RuthWareWriter read by @ImogenChurch
SMASHED @KorenZailckas
OUT THERE @wearesuperman
Owen’s a great guy and a helluva writer. https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/a34987976/owen-king-the-stand-cbs-tv-show-book-differences/
reviews & blurbs
“What makes this thriller exhilarating is the unexpected strength a clueless but determined mother finds in herself and how much the reader comes to care about her difficult daughter. Each is a missing person well worth finding.”
“This summer’s must-read…with prose that simmers and thrums.”
“Braffet uses graceful prose, astute dialogue, and vivid characters to carry the plot to an unexpected and believable finale.”
“Braffet writes beautifully.”
“Braffet’s eerie writing will have you hearing footsteps and seeing shadows. Be prepared to contemplate these characters’ fates long after you’ve passed the book on to friends.”
“Kelly Braffet is extraordinary . . . Familiar yet entirely unique, THE UNWILLING is the sort of story that seeps under your skin and pulses there, intimate and vibrant and alive. Fantasy at its most sublime.”
“Braffet’s first novel packs a powerful punch, and readers won’t soon forget the chilling, unexpected ending.”
“Put this on the shelf beside Naomi Novik and George R. R. Martin. Kelly Braffet is a marvel and I’ll read anything she writes.”
“Kelly Braffet’s Save Yourself is that rare and beautiful thing—a novel that takes us to dark places not just through vivid storytelling but also through keen emotional force… You’ll find yourself breathless, shaken, moved.”
“Braffet’s skillful portrayal of unresolved grief and shattered relationships will secure the author’s place as a novelist of note.”