The Victors
He saved the world – now he has to live in it: a funny, moving enemies-to-friends graphic novel about The Chosen One finding purpose after the final battle
Age 14+
Comic Strip Fiction / Graphic Novels
From the author of Tiktok sensation The Quiet at the End of the World comes a graphic novel about what happens after you've saved the world.
"This witty, stylishly drawn enemies-to-friends YA graphic novel elegantly subverts the 'chosen one' trope" Guardian
"Funny and fantastical, with a generous helping of trauma!" Alice Oseman
The prophecy foretold they would be enemies … it didn’t mention they’d be flatmates.
Four years ago, Dirk Earnest defeated the Demon Overlord and his horde. Now he’s just a normal university student. (Or trying to be.) Dirk has many adoring fans who follow his every move in person and online, but he’s also crushingly lonely. Cue his new flatmate, Medusa de la Tempête: art student, former evil minion, war criminal … and Dirk’s nemesis.
Either the two of them will kill each other, or they're going to discover what it really means to live.
For readers who love:
Forced proximity
Enemies to friends
Found family
Platonic soulmates
University AUs
... and quippy banter
Creators
Wren James is the Carnegie-longlisted British author of many Young Adult novels as "Lauren James", a RLF Royal Fellow, and the story consultant on Netflix’s Heartstopper (Seasons 2 and 3). They like writing stories where queer characters get to be messy and toxic, and exploring "bad representation".
As the founder of the Climate Fiction Writers League, Wren works as a consultant on climate storytelling for museums, production companies, major brands and publishers, with a focus on optimism and hope. They run a Queer Writers group in Coventry and are on Instagram at @wrenjameswriter. The Victors is Wren's debut graphic novel.
Beth Fuller is an artist from Dublin, Ireland. Accustomed to getting into trouble for drawing in school, she then decided to subvert that by going to art college. Now based in Copenhagen, she draws anything from concept art for for video games and animation to comics. She can usually be found somewhere between the wine and biscuit aisles of her local supermarket or taking bad black and white film photographs of her friends. The Victors is Beth's first time illustrating a graphic novel.
Reviews
A cool and witty graphic novel from James
The Bookseller
Funny and fantastical, with a generous helping of trauma! A little story about what happens after the Chosen One has saved the world and has to go back to normal life: university lectures, moving in with a sworn enemy, and learning how to let go.
Alice Oseman
This witty, stylishly drawn enemies-to-friends YA graphic novel elegantly subverts the “chosen one” trope, asking pointed questions about what happens after the final battle.
Guardian
Wren’s distinctive writing style did not disappoint. The world they have created feels very alive, the humour is once again top notch, with several laugh out loud moments, and the way fandom is portrayed is so accurate. There are also some fun easter eggs from the author’s other works, which made me really happy every time I spotted one!… I highly recommend The Victors if you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind story about lovable misfits finding friendship, and discovering self-worth in the process.
NetGalley Reviewer
The characters were great and I feel like we got a lot of background info on them for such a short read. The story was fully fleshed out and the pacing was great. The plot was enjoyable and I loved the messaging of this.
NetGalley Reviewer
