Best Selling Books by Alaya Dawn Johnson

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 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.

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.

"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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

“Juju assassins, alternate history, a gritty New York crime story... in a word: Awesome” —N.K. Jemisin, New York Times bestselling author of The Fifth Season. Download a FREE sneak peek today: The dangerous magic of The Night Circus meets the powerful historical exploration of The Underground Railroad in this timely and unsettling novel, set against the darkly glamorous backdrop of New York City, where an assassin falls in love and tries to fight 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? Alaya Dawn Johnson''s 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. At the Publisher''s request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Swordplay, scandal, and sex—welcome to the world of Tremontaine, a glittering new entry in Ellen Kushner''s classic Riverside series. This is the 6th episode in the second season of Tremontaine, a 13-episode serial from Serial Box Publishing. This episode written by Mary Anne Mohanraj. Kaab takes Tess to a feast at her family''s compound. Rafe fears he''s reached a dead end in his search for Will. Diane''s daughter, Honora, interrupts her scheming by making an unexpected visit. Esha seeks help in dealing with an unwelcome admirer. 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.

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.

Flashing swords and eerie dreams set the stage for murder in the tenth installment of Tremontaine, the episodic online serial set in the world of Ellen Kushner''s beloved Swordspoint. When Tess finds herself plagued by nightmares of the murdered Ben, Kaab vows to solve the case. But she may never get the chance, for Reynald is on her trail, with more murder on his mind. Meanwhile, Will tells Diane of Micah''s discovery, but her response is not what he had hoped for. And Micah gets an unexpected job offer. This episode is brought to you by Joel Derfner, who always adds a dash of the unexpected to his prose.

Swordplay, scandal, and sex—welcome to the world of Tremontaine, a glittering new entry in Ellen Kushner''s classic Riverside series. This is the 3rd episode in the second season of Tremontaine, a 13-episode serial from Serial Box Publishing. This episode written by Mary Anne Mohanraj. Alliances shift as relationships on both the Hill and in Riverside grow complicated. Shade and Florian seek out Tess, causing concern for her safety. As his family tries to cheer him, Rafe takes stock; finding himself wanting, he ventures out to renew his friendship with Micah. 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.

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!

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.

Swordplay, scandal, and sex—welcome to the world of Tremontaine, a glittering new entry in Ellen Kushner''s classic Riverside series. This is the 9th episode in the second season of Tremontaine, a 13-episode serial from Serial Box Publishing. This episode written by Tessa Gratton. 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.

Swordplay, scandal, and sex—welcome to the world of Tremontaine, a glittering new entry in Ellen Kushner’s classic Riverside series. This is the 11th episode in the second season of Tremontaine, a 13-episode serial from Serial Box Publishing. This episode written by Tessa Gratton. 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.