We are excited to share the news that SANG by Elina Pitkäkangas won the City of Tampere Literature Prize!

The jury had great things to say about this outstanding YA fantasy novel

“Sang, Elina Pitkäkangas’ fantasy novel, is an incredibly beautifully built title, rich in its language, intensive, and truly exciting, luring the reader into the story right from the start and keeping its grip till the end – and in a way that the reader waits for the sequel. Sang is a story about poverty and wealth, about power and oppression, about the relationship between nature and humans, about love and brotherhood. Its timeless, enchanting, multilayered story utilizes the cultures from China and East Asia skillfully, respecting them. A fantastical work, also for those who are not traditional friends of fantasy literature.” – the City of Tampere Literature Prize jury

SANG is the first part in a LGBTQIA+ friendly YA fantasy / romantasy duology with cross-over potential that has been praised for its inclusivity and world-building. It won the prestigious Topelius Award early this year and rights have been sold to Denmark and Turkey, with an offer for another language on the table. The eagerly-awaited sequel, NARAKA, will publish in Finland this fall.

Rights are still available for France, Spain, the Netherlands, Italy, UK, etc – make sure not to miss this powerful novel!

Download the materials for SANG here! 

We are thrilled to share the news that SANG by Elina Pitkäkangas won the Topelius Award!

The Topelius Award is an annual award that celebrates outstanding YA books. The jury was very impressed by SANG:

“The dystopian novel upholds a beautiful and dark atmosphere in the state of Fusang. Sang is an epic story about a youngster trying to fight against the impossible circumstances of a totalitarian state. Kong Dawei joins the rebels, and breathtaking events follow one another. Pitkäkangas’ skill to conjure with believable details a whole world is enchanting. Our choices create a chain which not only joins us together, but also in the end defines who and what we are. Sang is a story about love, but above all it is a story about morale: all the things we are ready to do for one another.”   – the Topelius Award jury

SANG, part one in a YA fantasy duology, has already been sold to Denmark and Turkey. Rights for all other languages are still available – be quick to read this captivating title!

Since its publication in Finland last September, SANG has been an instant hit with young readers in Finland, who gave it glowing reviews and made Elina Pitkäkangas the most popular author for book signing at Helsinki bookfair!

Here is some of the praise SANG received:

“In the dystopian world recovering from a brutal war the different societal classes are miles apart, and the distance grows with a citizenship debt to be paid yearly. [–] Pitkäkangas describes the inequality and abuse of power skillfully. Warmth and balance is brought by the love between the brothers, but also romantic love and sexual desire. The object of the feelings is a friend, another boy, and the queer theme fits Sang without a fault.”
– Arla Kanerva in Helsingin Sanomat newspaper

“Elina Pitkäkangas is an incredibly skilled storyteller. The story of Sang sucks me in before I can blink. With all my senses, I’m deep in the story, thanks to the detailed descriptions. I love it when I can feel so many emotions when reading a book – sadness, joy, anger, relief, happiness… [–] I also want to applaud the representation and using sensitivity readers. This is how a good book is made!”
– Paperimato bookstagram

“An indescribably magnificent and tear-inducing work that deals with really tough topics in such a deep and realistic way. Great reading trip with Dawei, and doesn’t leave a moment for breaks. Such wonderful work from Elina”
– Ella on goodreads

The sequel Naraka is coming out in Finland autumn 2023, continuing Dawei’s story!

Download the materials for SANG here!