New Releases by E.K. Johnston

A fast-paced and thought-provoking queer sci-fi/fantasy novel from #1 New York Times bestseller E.K. Johnston. Morgan Enni has things to do. A science prodigy in a university full of mage-scientists, she’s notable for having no magical ability, which only increases her ambition and drive to prove herself. Her research has the potential to devastate every aetherworker in the galaxy and shake the crumbled foundations of the Stavenger Empire. It''s no wonder she can''t find anyone who wants to listen to her, much less fund her expedition. But Morgan is stubborn, and eventually her work catches the attention of a group of rebels, who hope it might turn the tide in their favour. When they try to recruit the young scientist, they get much more than they bargained for. Morgan Enni has secrets of her own. Set in the world of Aetherbound, E.K. Johnston continues to entwine Arthurian myth and the history of North Atlantic fisheries in a clever, character-driven space fantasy.

Alien meets The Titanic in this tense YA science fiction horror series by #1 New York Times bestselling author E.K. Johnston. Celeste knows every inch of this ship. She''s proud of her work as apprentice engineer. And as the maiden voyage of the Titan launches, she''s optimistic for the promises of this new journey from Earth to Mars — this new life. Dominic arrives at his suite where his valet is busy unpacking his things. His chest is tight, already feeling anxious inside his dad''s precious new ship. Once it launches, he''s trapped, inside the ship and inside the life his father has chosen for him — a life that will leave his dreams of art school behind. Discovered under melted ice caps, ancient aliens have been brought onto the Titan as well, and stored in display cases for the entertainment of the passengers . . . until an act of sabotage releases them into the ship, with zero discrimination for class, decks or human life . . .

#1 NYT Bestseller E.K. Johnston returns to contemporary feminist YA. This story of a small town, fierce friendships, and revenge served cold is a perfect companion to Exit, Pursued by a Bear. In the small town of Eganston, Ontario, five good girls have had enough. They’ve experienced the best of what their community has to offer, but they’ve seen the darker side too. Together, they’ve decided that it’s time for a reckoning and that justice is their privilege to give.

New York Times bestselling author E. K. Johnston, author of the Queens series starring Padmé Amidala, brings fans an untold story about Qi''ra, portrayed by Emilia Clarke in Star Wars: A Solo Story. Not everyone gets to be the hero. Qi’ra listened to the dreams and promises of a boy with a reckless smile, only to be torn away from him and returned to the White Worms gang while Han made his way to freedom. Now freedom seems like a luxury she can’t afford while she concentrates on survival and despairs of ever leaving Corellia. But her fortunes seem to turn when a representative of the crime syndicate Crimson Dawn plucks Qi’ra from captivity and brings her to the syndicate’s leader, the mysterious and mercurial Dryden Vos. Vos offers Qi’ra an opportunity she’s never had before: the chance to build something resembling a comfortable life if she can prove her worth to his organization. With failure meaning certain death, Qi’ra knows she must immerse herself in the merciless, murderous world of Crimson Dawn. What she doesn’t know is just who she will be if she survives. . . . "An exquisite portrait of an intrepid character in the Star Wars universe, Johnston’s latest richly plots Qi’ra’s ascent through Crimson Dawn with verve. . . . A propulsive read for fans of a galaxy far, far away." —Kirkus Reviews

Padmé Amidala faces a time of war in another thrilling adventure from the author of the New York Times best-sellers Queen''s Peril and Queen''s Shadow! Padmé is adjusting to being a wartime senator during the Clone Wars. Her secret husband, Anakin Skywalker, excels at being a wartime Jedi. In contrast, Padmé is horrified by the casualties on the war-torn front lines. Meanwhile, Padmé’s handmaiden Sabé steps into the role of Senator Amidala. Sabé is equally horrified by the machinations that happen there. She comes face-to-face with a gut-wrenching decision as she realizes she cannot fight a war this way, not even for Padmé. Chancellor Palpatine hovers over it all, manipulating everyone to his own ends… The stakes have never been higher for the galaxy. Don''t miss these other Star Wars young adult novels: Queen''s Peril by E. K. Johnston Queen''s Shadow by E. K. Johnston Ahsoka by E. K. Johnston Leia, Princess of Alderaan by Claudia Gray Into the Dark by Claudia Gray Out of the Shadows by Justina Ireland Midnight Horizon by Daniel José Older Path of Deceit by Tessa Gratton and Justina Ireland Path of Vengeance by Cavan Scott

Explore the thrilling origins of the druid Doric in this original prequel to Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. For as long as she can remember, Doric has felt alone. Abandoned by her human parents, she wandered for years before being taken in by a community of Neverwinter Wood elves. But her horns and tail proclaim a tiefling heritage, and even among the kindest of elves, her fledgling druidic abilities mark her as different from the rangers around her. And as humans begin to encroach farther and farther into the once pristine woods, Doric knows she needs to master her druidic capabilities if she is to be any help to her adopted family. With no means of helping Doric themselves, her guardians see no choice but to send her somewhere she can come into her own. Tucked among the ancient pines of the Ardeep Forest hides the Emerald Enclave, an order of warriors tasked with preserving the natural world. They fight to maintain balance between the forces of the wild and civilization, and in doing so, protect the sanctity of each. Among their order, Doric begins to find power in her differences. But not all her fellow initiates are so capable of new growth, and as her training continues, Doric is forced to confront the very beliefs that brought her into the Enclave’s fold. If she’s going to protect her home, she’ll have to reckon with her people, her power, and the walls she’s built to keep herself safe from both.

A prequel to the New York Times best-selling novel Queen''s Shadow, further exploring the life of the iconic Padmé Amidala! When fourteen-year-old Padmé Naberrie wins the election for Queen of Naboo, she adopts the name Amidala and leaves her family to the rule from the royal palace. To keep her safe and secure, she''ll need a group of skilled handmaidens who can be her assistants, confidantes, defenders, and decoys. Each girl is selected for her particular talents, but it will be up to Padmé to unite them as a group. When Naboo is invaded by forces of the Trade Federation, Queen Amidala and her handmaidens will face the greatest test--of themselves, and of each other.

A thought-provoking new YA space adventure from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Star Wars: Ahsoka. Set on a family-run interstellar freighter called the Harland and a mysterious remote space station, E. K. Johnston''s latest is story of survival and self-determination. Pendt Harland''s family sees her as a waste of food on their long-haul space cruiser when her genes reveal an undesirable mutation. But if she plays her cards right she might have a chance to do much more than survive. During a space-station layover, Pendt escapes and forms a lucky bond with the Brannick twins, the teenage heirs of the powerful family that owns the station. Against all odds, the trio hatches a long-shot scheme to take over the station and thwart the destinies they never wished for.

"I love this book so very much."—Robin LaFevers, New York Times bestselling author of the His Fair Assassin trilogy Romantic high fantasy from the bestselling author of Star Wars: Ahsoka and Exit, Pursued by a Bear. It''s been a year since the mysterious godsgem cured Cadrium''s king and ushered in what promised to be a new golden age. The heroes who brought home the gem are renowned in story and song, but for two fellows on the quest, peace and prosperity don''t come easily. Apprentice Knight Kalanthe Ironheart wasn''t meant for heroism so early in life, and while she has no intention of giving up the notoriety she''s earned, reputation doesn''t pay her bills. Kalanthe may be forced to betray not her kingdom or her friends, but her own heart as she seeks a stable future for herself and those she loves. Olsa Rhetsdaughter was never meant for heroism at all. Beggar and thief, she lived hand to mouth on the streets until fortune--or fate--pulled her into Kalanthe''s orbit. And now she''s reluctant to leave it. Even more alarmingly, her fame has made her profession difficult, and a choice between poverty and the noose isn''t much of a choice at all. Both girls think their paths are laid out, but the godsgem isn''t quite done with them and that new golden age isn''t a sure thing yet. In a tale both sweepingly epic and intensely personal, Kalanthe and Olsa fight to maintain their newfound independence and to find their way back to each other.

Dragons terrorize modern day North America in this brilliant follow-up to the critically acclaimed Story of Owen. Seventeen-year-old dragon slayer Owen and his bard, Siobhan, are set to join the Oil Watch, the international organization charged with protecting the world from the vicious, carbon emission-eating creatures. Owen is destined by birth to carry on his family''s heroic legacy, but what makes him different is that he doesn''t enlist alone. His two closest friends stand with him shoulder to shoulder. Steeled by success and hope, the three are confident in their plan. Still, try as they might, Owen and his friends may not make it. Not all the way. Not all together. Readers who love alternate history will devour this quirky, clever tale of friendship, sacrifice, and adventure.

"Includes an excerpt from Queen''s Peril.

A #1 "New York Times" bestseller! Fans have long wondered what happened to Ahsoka after she left the Jedi Order near the end of the Clone Wars, and before she reappeared as the mysterious Rebel operative Fulcrum in "Rebels." Finally, her story is told.

Speculative fiction from the acclaimed bestselling author of Exit, Pursued by a Bear and Star Wars: Ahsoka. Victoria-Margaret is the crown princess of the empire, a direct descendent of Victoria I, the queen who changed the course of history. The imperial tradition of genetically arranged matchmaking will soon guide Margaret into a politically advantageous marriage. But before she does her duty, she''ll have one summer of freedom and privacy in a far corner of empire. Posing as a commoner in Toronto, she meets Helena Marcus, daughter of one of the empire''s greatest placement geneticists, and August Callaghan, the heir to a powerful shipping firm currently besieged by American pirates. In a summer of high-society debutante balls, politically charged tea parties, and romantic country dances, Margaret, Helena, and August discover they share an extraordinary bond and maybe a one-in-a-million chance to have what they want and to change the world in the process. Set in a near-future world where the British Empire was preserved not by the cost of blood and theft but by the effort of repatriation and promises kept, That Inevitable Victorian Thing is a surprising, romantic, and thought-provoking story of love, duty, and the small moments that can change people and the world. ★ "This witty and romantic story is a must-read.”—SLJ, starred review ★ "Compelling and unique—there''s nothing else like it."—Booklist, starred review. ★ "[A] powerful and resonant story of compassion, love, and finding a way to fulfill obligations while maintaining one’s identity."—PW, starred review

From #1 New York Times bestselling author E.K. Johnston comes a brave and unforgettable story that will inspire readers to rethink how we treat survivors. Hermione Winters is captain of her cheerleading team, and in tiny Palermo Heights, this doesn’t mean what you think it means. At PHHS, the cheerleaders don''t cheer for the sports teams; they are the sports team—the pride and joy of a small town. The team''s summer training camp is Hermione''s last and marks the beginning of the end of…she’s not sure what. She does know this season could make her a legend. But during a camp party, someone slips something in her drink. And it all goes black. In every class, there''s a star cheerleader and a pariah pregnant girl. They''re never supposed to be the same person. Hermione struggles to regain the control she''s always had and faces a wrenching decision about how to move on. The rape wasn''t the beginning of Hermione Winter''s story and she''s not going to let it be the end. She won’t be anyone’s cautionary tale. "This story of a cheerleader rising up after a traumatic event will give you Veronica Mars-level feels that will stay with you long after you finish."—Seventeen Magazine

Listen! For I sing of Owen Thorskard: valiant of heart, hopeless at algebra, last in a long line of legendary dragon slayers. Though he had few years and was not built for football, he stood between the town of Trondheim and creatures that threatened its survival. There have always been dragons. As far back as history is told, men and women have fought them, loyally defending their villages. Dragon slaying was a proud tradition. But dragons and humans have one thing in common: an insatiable appetite for fossil fuels. From the moment Henry Ford hired his first dragon slayer, no small town was safe. Dragon slayers flocked to cities, leaving more remote areas unprotected. Such was Trondheim''s fate until Owen Thorskard arrived. At sixteen, with dragons advancing and his grades plummeting, Owen faced impossible odds—armed only with a sword, his legacy, and the classmate who agreed to be his bard. Listen! I am Siobhan McQuaid. I alone know the story of Owen, the story that changes everything. Listen!