The Damsel
A YA Superhero/Chosen One/Princess novel - e-Book preorders now open, paperback soon
Comps: GENIE LO x INVINCIBLE
The only girl in the world who doesn't have superpowers wants to prove that she can do more than look pretty and scream, but becoming a crimefighting vigilante might be a step too far. Is punching the patriarchy in the face worth your friends, family and even the world?
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Art by Meg Sadler
The Gist
In the Synthetic Universe, there's a world where everyone has superpowers. Everyone, that is, except for one girl. She is THE DAMSEL. Having been isolated from society and her duties as an idol of peace, Sara is shocked to learn her parents have enrolled her in public school. She's willing to bet this nightmare of social anxiety and sexual harassment has something to do with the TV studio and its lead executive, Gupta, who only wants her to scream and look pretty in their new reality TV show.
In a bid to escape the cameras, Sara stumbles upon a reclusive hero who hides a bitter secret. With his help, she might be able to fulfil her childhood dream of becoming normal like everyone else-becoming a superhero. Yet, if the studio executives discover the secret identity of the new vigilante around town, Sara will be locked away in shame and her family destitute.
If the public discover she's shirked her sacred duties, there will be riots— and when 8 billion people have the power to punch holes in mountains, you won't like them when they're angry. Just what is a poor helpless damsel to do to achieve her dreams? It's time to kick butt and not worry about taking names.
Some traditions are meant to be broken
Features: bisexual, pansexual representation, f/f romance, slow burn, sapphic themes, anxiety disorder representation, neurodivergent, undiagnosed autistic representation, unreliable narrator, infrequent strong swear words, kick ass action and plenty of tea,
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Content Warning for mild stalker scenes, mild sexual harassment, infrequent intense claustrophobia and terrible jokes.
Sara Newton
The Damsel, 1st Person perspective MC, Art by Jude
Sara is a teenage girl who just wants control of her own life. She's grown up in secret seclusion, homeschooled and bored, but she's an inventive girl, regularly making gadgets to help her live in a world that never felt like it was made for her. It’s fine for super strong people who can fly, and those who aren’t undiagnosed autistic. Feeling so weak and trapped, she's eternally downtrodden, but endlessly determined to realise her dream of being a hero. She's sweet, but socially anxious, loyal and honest, but stubborn to a fault to get what she wants. Despite the damsel's natural beauty, she has a significant self-esteem problem due to being the weakest human alive and the misogyny inherent in the system, not to mention her beauty is a constant reminder of a role she can never fill. She proves to be a great tactician, smart and creative, and driven by a sense of justice she can’t define, but people and her own failings get in her head way too easily.
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Sara has long blonde hair and eyes so blue they are ethereal. She can best be described as a fairy tale princess in a superhero world, but she has discreet muscle and an athletic figure from years of home training. She loves wearing baggy casual clothing to limit the harassment and hates drawing attention to herself.
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Make pen pals with Sara.
Lorna a.k.a. Lady Lux
Supporting character, occasional POV, Art by Shels_Megan
Descended from a long line of heroes and bound by their traditions, Lorna is the dark knight and mirror to Sara’s life. Where Sara feels trapped, Lorna is proud and aggressive in the face of opposition. She can frequently be found beating up jerks who try to sneak a peek under her permanent face coverings or giving the whole school thing a wide berth. As such, she has plenty of walls and projects the baddest bitch around. Yet, to her special friends, she’s soft as a cloud and insanely loyal. Her friends are the sun around which she orbits.
She wears black boots that melt into matching leggings and a tight corset of black with a red top underneath. She has bright red hair almost to her shoulders, neatly cut with no taper, just two long strands of fringe on either side and brown eyes. She always wears a matching face mask. The reason for her mask is tradition. The real reason is a secret known only to her closest and dearest and she has sworn never to remove the mask until she meets her true love.
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Be pen pals with Lorna