Best Selling Books by Alaya Dawn Johnson

A girl matches wits with a war god in this kaleidoscopic, thought-provoking tale of oppression and the cost of peace, where stories hide within other stories, and narrative has the power to heal -- or to burn everything in its path -- from World Fantasy Award–winning author Alaya Dawn Johnson. A girl and a god, alone in communion ... In the winding underground tunnels of the Library, the great peacekeeper of the three systems, a heinous secret lies buried -- and Freida is the only one who can uncover it. As the daughter of a Library god, Freida has spent her whole life exploring the Library's ever-changing tunnels and communing with the gods. Her unparalleled access makes her unique -- and dangerous. When Freida meets Joshua, a Tierran boy desperate to save his people, and Nergui, a Disciple from a persecuted religious minority, Freida is compelled to help them. But in order to do so, she will have to venture deeper into the Library than she has ever known. There she will discover the atrocities of the past, the truth of her origins, and the impossibility of her future. With the world at the brink of war, Freida embarks on a journey to fulfill her destiny, one that pits her against an ancient war god. Her mission is straightforward: Destroy the god before he can rain hellfire upon thousands of innocent lives -- if he doesn't destroy her first.

World Fantasy Award winner. "Juju assassins, alternate history, a gritty New York crime story . . . in a word: awesome." —N.K. Jemisin, New York Times- bestselling author NPR Best Book of the Year USA Today 's "Five Books Not to Miss" Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year The dangerous magic of The Night Circus meets the powerful historical exploration of The Underground Railroad in Alaya Dawn Johnson's timely and unsettling novel, set against the darkly glamorous backdrop of New York City, where an assassin falls in love and tries to change her fate at the dawn of World War II. Amid the whir of city life, a young woman from Harlem is drawn into the glittering underworld of Manhattan, where she's hired to use her knives to strike fear among its most dangerous denizens. Ten years later, Phyllis LeBlanc has given up everything—not just her own past, and Dev, the man she loved, but even her own dreams. Still, the ghosts from her past are always by her side—and history has appeared on her doorstep to threaten the people she keeps in her heart. And so Phyllis will have to make a harrowing choice, before it's too late—is there ever enough blood in the world to wash clean generations of injustice Trouble the Saints is a dazzling, daring novel—a magical love story, a compelling exposure of racial fault lines—and an altogether brilliant and deeply American saga. "As glamorous, smoke-filled, and noir as anyone could hope for. Trouble the Saints is the perfect lush summer fantasy read, with an ending that will stay with you long after you turn the last page." — Literary Hub

A heart-stopping story of love, death, technology, and art set amid the tropics of a futuristic Brazil. The lush city of Palmares Tres shimmers with tech and tradition, with screaming gossip casters and practiced politicians. In the midst of this vibrant metropolis, June Costa creates art that's sure to make her legendary. But her dreams of fame become something more when she meets Enki, the bold new Summer King. The whole city falls in love with him (including June's best friend, Gil). But June sees more to Enki than amber eyes and a lethal samba. She sees a fellow artist.

In Reconstruction Award-winning writer and musician Johnson digs into the lives of those trodden underfoot by the powers that be: from the lives of vampires and those caught in their circle in Hawai’i to a taxonomy of anger put together by Union soldiers in the American Civil War, these stories will grab you and not let you go.

The author of Racing the Dark returns to the world of magic wielded by women who understand the dark trade-offs of power and sacrifice. Lana, the heroine, has become the black angel—a harbinger of destruction unheard of in the islands for five hundred years. The sleeping volcano of the great city Essel has erupted. In the chaos, the city is reshaping itself and violence threatens from all corners. A rebel movement has formed in the destroyed heart of the city, determined to oust Kohaku, the mad ruler of Essel. Lana wants no part of the rebels' cause—the death spirit still chases her, and the great witch Akua has kidnapped Lana's mother. But the more Lana looks for her mother, the more she is drawn into the city's political conflicts. As Kohaku descends deeper into madness, determined to subdue the city by any means necessary, his wife has run away to the fire temple, where she too is slowly converted to the rebel's cause. When long-running tensions spill over into civil war, Lana must make her hardest decision yet: her mother's life, or a city's freedom? Praise for Racing the Dark "An engaging debut fantasy novel with a fresh, innovative setting and an intriguing central mythos. I look forward to reading more!" —Jacqueline Carey , New York Times-bestselling author "[A] bold debut . . . Johnson's story is reminiscent of Ursula Le Guin's Earthsea books . . . this proposed series could be a stand-out." — Publishers Weekly "What an enthralling tale this is. It's beautifully written and I recommend it to all readers of fantasy." —Cecilia Dart-Thornton, author of The Bitterbynde Trilogy

Like the other women of her island, Lana expected to become a diver, harvesting jewels from a native fish. But during her initiation dive, she finds a blood-red jewel that marks her as someone with power. Though she hides the jewel, the mark it represents will drive her away from her home island and into an apprenticeship with a one-armed witch. Alaya Dawn Johnson has created an unforgettable coming-of-age story set in a world where wielding the power of magic requires understanding the true meaning of sacrifice.

In Alaya Dawn Johnson's latest original short story with Reactor, "What I Saw Before the War," a woman losing her sight turns to small family magics to save the lives of those she loves the most. At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

From the author of The Summer Prince, a novel that's John Grisham's The Pelican Brief meets Michael Crichton's The Andromeda Strain set at an elite Washington D.C. prep school. Emily Bird was raised not to ask questions. She has perfect hair, the perfect boyfriend, and a perfect Ivy-League future. But a chance meeting with Roosevelt David, a homeland security agent, at a party for Washington DC's elite leads to Bird waking up in a hospital, days later, with no memory of the end of the night.Meanwhile, the world has fallen apart: A deadly flu virus is sweeping the nation, forcing quarantines, curfews, even martial law. And Roosevelt is certain that Bird knows something. Something about the virus--something about her parents' top secret scientific work--something she shouldn't know.The only one Bird can trust is Coffee, a quiet, outsider genius who deals drugs to their classmates and is a firm believer in conspiracy theories. And he believes in Bird. But as Bird and Coffee dig deeper into what really happened that night, Bird finds that she might know more than she remembers. And what she knows could unleash the biggest government scandal in US history.

This exceptional and powerful anthology explores the joys, heartbreaks and triumphs of immigration, with stories by critically acclaimed and bestselling YA authors who are shaped by the journeys they and their families have taken from home—and to find home. WELCOME From some of the most exciting bestselling and up-and-coming YA authors writing today…journey from Ecuador to New York City and Argentina to Utah…from Australia to Harlem and India to New Jersey…from Fiji, America, Mexico and more… Come On In. With characters who face random traffic stops, TSA detention, customs anxiety, and the daunting and inspiring journey to new lands…who camp with their extended families, dance at weddings, keep diaries, teach ESL…who give up their rooms for displaced family, decide their own answer to the question “where are you from?” and so much more… Come On In illuminates fifteen of the myriad facets of the immigrant experience, from authors who have been shaped by the journeys they and their families have taken from home—and to find home.

"A duchess's beauty matched only by her cunning; her husband's dangerous affair with a handsome scholar; a foreigner in a playground of swordplay and secrets; and a mathematical genius on the brink of revolution. Suddenly long-buried lies threaten to come to light and betrayal and treachery run rampant in this story of sparkling wit and political intrigue."--Amazon.com.

Throughout this graphic novel about a student taken into fairyland while on a trip to Scotland's Orkney Islands, the reader makes choices to determine the outcome of the fairies' battle with the Goblin King, as well as the hero's fate. Simultaneous.

Celebrate Wonder Woman's 80th anniversary with this original new saga about Diana Prince. When a magical threat targets both Washington’s elite and its most marginalized, Wonder Woman and the Crimson Avenger unite to mete out justice. Diana Prince lives a double life. No one would ever suspect the studious anthropologist of secretly being Wonder Woman, gifted with godlike powers from her home in Themyscira. Only a few people—such as Dr. Barbara Minerva, the famed archeologist—know the truth, and Diana intends to keep it that way. When she witnesses the very-public murder of an influential Washington D.C. insider, Diana’s two worlds collide. Because only someone with powers like hers would be capable of siphoning a man’s heart. She’s determined to stop them before they strike again. Meanwhile, Jill Carlyle—also known as the Crimson Avenger— is investigating a murder of her own. Frustrated by how justice is often awarded to the privileged, Jill will do anything to ensure that marginalized victims aren’t forgotten. Even if it means getting in Wonder Woman’s way. As more hearts are stolen across the city, Diana, Barbara, and Jill realize the crimes are connected. Restoring harmony requires overcoming their biases—and the dark secret one of them is keeping— before the chaos tears them further apart. Written by Natalie C. Parker, Tessa Gratton, Alaya Dawn Johnson, and Heidi Heilig. Voiced by Tiana Camacho. TM & © DC Comics. (s20)

Welcome to Tremontaine, the prequel to Ellen Kushner’s beloved Riverside series that began with Swordspoint! A Duchess whose beauty is matched only by her cunning; her husband’s dangerous affair with a handsome scholar; a foreigner in a playground of swordplay and secrets; and a mathematical genius whose discoveries herald revolution—when long-buried truths threaten long-held deceptions, betrayal and treachery know no bounds. Mind your manners and enjoy the chocolate in a dance of sparkling wit and political intrigue.

Secrets are revealed and dark bargains offered in the twelfth and penultimate installment of Season 1 of Tremontaine, the episodic online serial set in Ellen Kushner's Swordpoint universe. Kaab seeks out the services of a good forger before paying a visit to the Duchess Tremontaine. Diane, meanwhile, pays a visit to Highcombe House, the Tremontaine country estate. And at long last, Kaab and Diane face off in a drawing room duel where the weapon of choice is words. This climactic episode is brought to you by Malinda Lo, who has been waiting eagerly all season to write it!

The sky is not the limit. From outer space to a magical alternate New York, Tor and Tor.com Publishing are proud to present Chaos and Cosmos Sampler, featuring excerpts of some of 2020’s most deliciously chaotic new sci-fi and fantasy. Includes free sample ebook chapters from the following: Deal with the Devil (Mercenary Librarians #1), by Kit Rocha The Relentless Moon (Lady Astronaut series #3), by Mary Robinette Kowal WORLD FANTASY AWARD WINNER Trouble the Saints, by Alaya Dawn Johnson I Come With Knives (Malus Domestica #2), by S. A. Hunt Unconquerable Sun (The Sun Chronicles #1), by Kate Elliott The Sin in the Steel (The Fall of the Gods #1), by Ryan Van Loan. At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

As a young, distressed servant girl in London in the late nineteenth century, thinking that her friend Eleanor is murdered and the body snatched, the reader is asked to make choices to determine the outcome of the story.

Love is the most dangerous game of all in Tremontaine, the hot new online serial set in Ellen Kushner's Riverside universe. An unexpected offer from the Duke de Tremontaine forces a difficult decision upon Rafe. Pursuing her infatuation with the forger Tess, Kaab stumbles across evidence of murder . . . and hears the tale of a legendary crime. Meanwhile, Micah takes a bold step forward in unlocking the mystery of celestial navigation, putting the security of Kaab's people at risk. This episode is brought to you by Malinda Lo, who knows that the secret to a good wake is to keep the beer and the stories flowing.

From Ellen Kushner and her team of talented creatives, a thrilling new chapter in the beloved Riverside saga that began with Swordspoint. The dance begins as paths cross in surprising ways. Kaab inserts herself into the family business and makes the happy acquaintance of Rafe, who is not too consumed by politics to pass up a chance at intrigue, and of Micah, who is finding higher education—and her innate skill at card counting—quite to her liking. Rafe has a much less friendly—but far more heated—encounter with the handsome Duke of Tremontaine as the University turmoil comes to a boil around them. And later, the Duchess Tremontaine tips her hand, while two con artists find a locket bearing dangerous secrets. This episode is brought to you by team-writer Alaya Dawn Johnson and sets the wheels turning on the plots, schemes, and scandals of the season.

Follows ten teens who are left alone in the wilderness amid a three-day survival test.

Swordplay, scandal, and sex—welcome to the world of Tremontaine, a glittering new entry in Ellen Kushner's classic Riverside series. This is the 5th episode in the second season of Tremontaine, a 13-episode serial from Serial Box Publishing. This episode written by Alaya Dawn Johnson. Diane hosts a spectacle as she campaigns to be named duchess in her own right, forcing Vincent to confront his past. Kaab and Rafe exchange notes on the thefts plaguing both their families. Rafe tries his own hand at spycraft in his attempt to find Will. Domestic strife with Tess causes Kaab to consider—and reconsider—who, what, and where she considers home. Welcome to Tremontaine, where ambition, love affairs, and rivalries dance with deadly results. A Duchess whose beauty is matched only by her cunning; a handsome young scholar with more passion than sense; a foreigner in a playground of swordplay and secrets; and a mathematical genius whose discoveries herald revolution when games of politics begin, no one is safe. Keep your wit as sharp as your steel in this world where politics is everything, and outcasts are the tastemakers.