The Afterward

Praise

“Johnston’s love for storytelling is catching.”—The New York Times

“I love this book so very much. It’s an epic quest, with female knights and female camaraderie and companionship. I so love how E. K. Johnston took all the epic’s tropes, then not so much subverted them as reinvented them in her own female-centric image.”—Robin LaFevers, New York Times bestselling author of the His Fair Assassin trilogy

“Delicately wrought politics, women in all kinds of roles, and a queer love story. I absolutely loved The Afterward.“–Samantha Shannon, New York Times bestselling author of The Bone Season and The Priory of The Orange Tree

“The Afterward features a band of lady knights, a lovely F/F romance, and a unique look at what happens after the heroes save the world. High fantasy lovers, you’ll love this.”—Julie C. Dao, author of Forest of a Thousand Lanterns

“Absolutely delightful. The Afterward is a queer fantasy that evokes series like The Belgariad and The Mallorean but puts a modern twist on them. I adored everything about this book.”—Shaun David Hutchinson, author of We Are the Ants

“The Afterward is a beautifully tender romance woven deftly into a compelling adventure. Or maybe it’s a commanding adventure braided neatly into an irresistible romance? Either way, E. K. Johnston has written yet another gorgeous, thoughtful book that I could have kept reading forever.”—Sarah Gailey, Hugo award winning author

“A dream come true for teens who love fantasy but never got to see queer representation in those traditionally cis-het-normative worlds. Pick this book up and let it take you on a wonderful, magical, queer adventure!”–ALA Rainbow List

“This is a tremendously accomplished novel. I admire it for its craft as well as loving it for what it made me feel. I recommend it wholeheartedly. Go and read it. Now.”—Tor.com

★”Both the world-building and the LGBTQ romance are well done and appealing…. Delightful.”—SLJ, starred 

“A compelling fantasy world in which meticulously crafted female characters slip easily between chain mail and dresses.”—Kirkus Review

“[E]verything I’d been hoping and expecting from a queer novel.”—Hypable

“If there’s a Bechdel test for male representation, this book does not pass it.”—Rach H., Goodreads.com

“By the time I turned to the last page, I was basking in that warm, tingly glow of having spent worthwhile time with some great new friends.”—Forever Young Adult