Hi, E.K.! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?

One time I ate a bowl of lentil soup in Egypt and it made me sick, so I missed our scheduled tour of the Valley of the Kings. Fortunately, we had scheduled the following day to go shopping and I didn’t really want to do that, so when the tourguide said I could come by myself if I wanted to, I jumped at the chance. No one else in that second group spoke English, so I spent most of the day chatting with the guide as he drove us around and talked about how much he loved his country. At the end of the tour, we left the van and got in a little boat to cross the Nile. I remember looking down at the water and thinking about how long I’d been dreaming about seeing all the things I’d seen that day, and how excited the guide was to see them every day. I haven’t eaten lentils in 21 years, but it was more than worth it.

When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?

I grew up in a house in the country, with several acres and a woodlot. I spent most of the first decade of my life doing what I now know is Live Action Role Play of Star Wars and The Chronicles of Narnia (at the same time) in the trees.

Quick lightning round! Tell us:

• The first book you ever remember reading: Heidi by Johanna Spyri
• The one that made you want to become an author: Ash by Malinda Lo
• The one that you can’t stop thinking about: Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

Your latest novel, Sky on Fire, is out July 22^nd! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

Grad Student Forced Group Project

What can readers expect?

Sky On Fire is the story of a girl with a secret the rebels wants to discover and a discovery the establishment wants to keep secret. Readers can expect an exploration of what it means to mean something for reasons you didn’t choose, and the difference between accepting your fate and running with it.

And a couple of really cool ship-to-magic space battles. Those were fun.

Where did the inspiration for Sky on Fire come from?

I texted my editor Andrew from Corner Brook, Nfld in 2018 to tell him that I’d found some of my books at the mall there, and he asked if it was the most isolated spot I’ve found them, and I think we talked about Grande Prairie, AB as a comparison, and ANYWAY, he texted “I’m sure it’ll show up in a book someday,” and then I had to pull over on the TransCan to write down how it was going to show up in a book: a series of space stations based on islands that the Vikings visited. I already had Aetherbound spinning around in my head, but this finally nailed the story down. Newfoundland was Brannick and Iceland was Katla and Greenland, the ghost station, was Enragon, and I went from one book to, well, The Æther Saga, right there on the side of the road.

Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?

I love Morgan so much. She’s the second character I wrote as asexual on purpose, and it was so much fun to throw her into the mix with the Aetherbound characters. It was also really interesting to explore a character who is the FURTHEST from being a rebel getting caught up in a rebellion, and eventually choosing it, not because she’s become a rebel herself, but because it’s the right thing to do.

Also I wanted to put goats on a space station because I thought it would be funny.

Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?

Well, we had a global pandemic. Which we didn’t really overcome as much as we let various governments lie to us because they decided that the economy was more important than public health. So that wasn’t fun. I wrote the draft in 2022, but after talking with Andrew, we decided to publish Pretty Furious first. I actually wrote four other books—and published three of them—before we started editing SKY in 2024. Obviously this led to massive burn out which I treated with Dragon Age, fanfiction, and help from my doctor.

What’s next for you?

So there’s some murder. And some hockey. And some light exorcism. You know, author stuff.

Lastly, what books have you enjoyed reading this year? Are there any you’re looking forward to picking up?

I loved The Mercy Makers by Tessa Gratton, and I’m pretty sure that Emily Skrutskie wrote The Legionnaire’s Guide to Love and Peace for me specifically. I’m also really enjoying The Second Death of Locke by V. L. Bovalino. I’m REALLY looking forward to finishing the Star Wars: The High Republic books, and I’m a little bit scared of them, too.

Will you be picking up Sky on Fire? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Q&A: E.K. Johnston, Author of ‘Sky On Fire’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

We apologise in advance to your TBR and bank account, but there’s so many fantastic upcoming young adult books hitting shelves between January and June 2025! There’s new releases from Brigid Kemmerer, Libba Bray, Neal Shusterman, Allison Saft, Tracy Deonn, Ava Reid, Jennifer Dugan, Dahlia Adler, Elizabeth Lim, Becky Albertalli, and many more, plus incredible debut novels!

Read on to discover new books hitting shelves in the first half of the year and be sure to check out our other 2025 round-ups too, including our Most Anticipated, Romance, Fantasy & Sci-Fi and Fiction lists.

JANUARY 2025 YA BOOKS

Breath of the Dragon by Fonda Lee and Shannon Lee

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A young warrior dreams of proving his worth in the elite Guardian Tournament, fighting not only for himself but the fate of everything he loves.

Bingsu For Two by Sujin Witherspoon

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This outrageously charming and infuriatingly adorable enemies-to-lovers coffee shop romance is perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Better Than the Movies.

Everything Is Poison by Joy McCullough

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This historical novel in prose and verse tells the story of a deadly secret hiding in plain sight and of the women who risk everything to provide care for those with nowhere else to turn, perfect for fans of Blood Water Paint and The Lost Apothecary.

Royal Heirs Academy by Lindsey Duga

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In this story filled with “romantic tension, royal drama, and family secrets” (Kristy Boyce), four teens living in a glamorous boarding school must compete in order to inherit a European kingdom.

Liar’s Kingdom by Christine Calella

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An Into the Woods-inspired fairy tale retelling where Cinderella never went to the ball and must lie to get her prince.

Brewed With Love by Shelly Page

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A cozy sapphic romantasy about a teen witch trying to keep her family’s apothecary up and running, with a little help from her ex-best friend—and first crush.

I Am Not Jessica Chen by Ann Liang

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From the bestselling, and award-winning author of If You Could See The Sun comes a new page-turning speculative YA about a girl who wishes she could be as perfect and successful as her cousin… then wakes up the next morning in her cousin’s body.

Ex Marks the Spot by Gloria Chao

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A swoony rivals-to-lovers romance . . . Family secrets that can’t stay buried . . . A globe-spanning treasure hunt with puzzles to solve . . . This latest YA novel by acclaimed writer Gloria Chao takes readers on a soaring adventure through love, loss, and the lively streets of Taiwan.

The Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King by Harry Trevaldwyn

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Heartstopper meets Derry Girls in this wonderfully hilarious rom-com about finding your first love when your personality might be too big for the world around you.

The Queen’s Spade by Sarah Raughley

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In this riveting historical thriller inspired by true-life events, Belladonna meets Bridgerton as revenge, romance, and twisted secrets take center stage in Victorian England’s royal court when Sally, a kidnapped African princess and goddaughter to Queen Victoria, plots her way to take down the monarchy that stole her from her homeland.

Build A Girlfriend by Elba Luz

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A teen deep-dives into her dating history to uncover her mistakes, become the perfect girlfriend, and get revenge on the wrong guy so she can ride into the sunset with the right one in this debut rom-com.

Carving Shadows into Gold by Brigid Kemmerer

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Dangerous magic. Fateful choices. Broken promises. The spellbinding series by New York Times bestselling author Brigid Kemmerer continues.

FEBRUARY 2025 YA BOOKS

The Otherwhere Post by Emily J. Taylor

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The New York Times bestselling author of Hotel Magnifique returns with another glittering dark fantasy about a deadly mystery that spans worlds and a teenage girl who must risk everything to uncover the truth.

Wicked Darlings by Jordyn Taylor

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From the author of The Revenge Game comes a twisty YA thriller about the underbelly of Manhattan’s high society, where nothing is off-limits—not even murder.

Under the Same Stars by Libba Bray

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From New York Times-bestselling author Libba Bray comes an evocative and groundbreaking young adult historical mystery that examines truth, rebellion, reconciliation, and what must be sacrificed for a better world.

Needy Little Things by Channelle Desamours

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In this debut speculative YA mystery, a Black teen with premonition-like powers must solve her friend’s disappearance before she finds herself in the same danger, perfect for fans of Ace of Spades.

These Vengeful Wishes by Vanessa Montalban

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A vengeful female spirit with a thirst for justice ignites a teen girl’s rage in this new YA horror, perfect for fans of She Is a Haunting and House of Hollow.

The Wildest Things by Andrea Hannah

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In this sapphic Snow White retelling, if Snow is to save her kingdom from being ravaged by the Blight, she’ll have to kill the Evil Queen’s daughter…if she doesn’t fall in love with her first.

All Better Now by Neal Shusterman

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From New York Times bestselling author Neal Shusterman comes a young adult thriller about a world where happiness is contagious but the risks of catching it may be just as dangerous as the cure.

The Rose Bargain by Sasha Peyton Smith

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The Cruel Prince meets The Selection in this captivating duology opener brimming with heart-pounding romance, vicious competition, and beautiful, cruel fae, from the New York Times bestselling author of The Witch Haven, Sasha Peyton Smith.

Wings of Starlight by Allison Saft

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Brimming with magic and romance, a young fairy queen must form an unlikely alliance or risk an unspeakable danger destroying all she holds dear in this fantasy adventure from New York Times bestselling author Allison Saft.

Unlock the Dark by Sasa Hawk

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Perfect for fans of Brigid Kemmerer and Lexi Ryan, this debut romantasy stand-alone novel blends an immersive world, unique magic system, and swoon-worthy romance to create an unputdownable read that explores the great and terrible lengths to which love compels us to go.

Unhallowed Halls by Lili Wilkinson

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A teen girl travels to an exclusive boarding school after a deadly incident at her old school, but the wood-paneled halls of Agathion are built over centuries of secrets—including an ancient society which may have ties to demonic magic—in this dark academia fantasy perfect for fans of Curious Tides.

This Ends in Embers by Kamilah Cole

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Perfect for fans of Raybearer and Fourth Wing, this astonishing sequel to the bestselling novel So Let Them Burn doesn’t hold back. After all, there are no easy endings in war—especially when sisters are forced to fight on opposite sides.

MARCH 2025 YA BOOKS

All the Hidden Monsters by Amie Jordan

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With a crew so entertaining and unique―All the Hidden Monsters is funny, serious, scary―and you’ll never guess who did it. There’s a world below our own, but who is killing who in both of them?

Say a Little Prayer by Jenna Voris

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Saved! meets Casey McQuiston in this wry, heartfelt tale of a teen who’s taking her church camp by storm—one deadly sin at a time.

Nightweaver by R.M. Gray

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Filled with elemental magic, forbidden romance, and breathtaking twists, Nightweaver is a propulsive romantasy about an iron-willed heroine avenging her brother and discovering her destiny.

Oathbound by Tracy Deonn

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Tracy Deonn’s #1 New York Times bestselling Legendborn Cycle continues in the sensational third book about a dazzling contemporary fantasy world that blends Southern Black Girl Magic with secret societies and the legend of King Arthur!

When The Bones Sing by Ginny Myers Sain

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From New York Times bestselling author of Dark and Shallow Lies comes a new southern gothic supernatural thriller about a teen girl in a small Ozark town who can hear the bones of the dead.

Fable For The End of the World by Ava Reid

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The Last of Us meets The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes in this stand-alone dystopian romance about survival, sacrifice, and love that risks everything.

Hangry Hearts by Jennifer Chen

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Jennifer Chen’s Hangry Hearts is a funny, big-hearted romance about friendship, family, and first love―and being brave enough to have it all.

Lovely Dark and Deep by Elisa A. Bonnin

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From author Elisa A. Bonnin comes Lovely Dark and Deep, a YA dark academia novel exploring magic, loneliness, and the power of found family.

What Wakes the Bells by Elle Tesch

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Inspired by an ominous Prague legend, What Wakes the Bells is a lavish gothic fantasy by debut author Elle Tesch that is perfect for fans of Adalyn Grace, Margaret Rogerson, and V.E. Schwab.

In The Company of Killers by Elora Cook

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Gossip Girl meets The Sopranos in this fast-paced drama about a teenage mafia heiress who would do anything to avenge her family, even join forces with her handsome enemy.

How to Survive a Slasher by Justine Pucella Winans

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You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight meets Scream in this YA slasher that turns classic horror tropes on their heads.

Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

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The phenomenal fifth book in the Hunger Games series. Sunrise on the Reaping revisits the world of Panem twenty-four years before the events of The Hunger Games, starting on the morning of the reaping of the Fiftieth Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell.

APRIL 2025 YA BOOKS

The Notorious Virtues by Alwyn Hamilton

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Bestselling Rebel of the Sands author Alwyn Hamilton is back with a glittering fantasy thriller about a glamorous media darling, a surprise heiress, and the magical competition of a lifetime.

Run Away With Me by Brian Selznick

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From #1 New York Times bestselling author/illustrator Brian Selznick, a profoundly romantic YA novel about two boys finding each other and falling in love over one summer in Rome.

The Floating World by Axie Oh

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From Axie Oh, the New York Times-bestselling author of The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea, Final Fantasy meets Shadow and Bone in this lighthearted romantic fantasy reimagining the Korean legend of Celestial Maidens.

Somadina by Akwaeke Emezi

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From the National Book Award finalist and author of Pet comes a novel set in a magical West African world, about a teen girl who must save her missing twin while learning to navigate her own terrifying new powers.

Boys with Sharp Teeth by Jenni Howell

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We Were Liars meets The Raven Boys in this mind-bending YA debut about dark revenge, twisted desire, and the sinister secrets lurking behind the walls of an elite boarding school.

Pride or Die by C.L. Montblanc

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In this delightful dark comedy debut, when the members of an LGBTQ+ club find themselves accidentally framed for attempted murder, it’s up to them to clear their names before it’s too late.

The Coven Tendency by Zoe Hana Mikuta

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Zoe Hana Mikuta delivers a bloody and unrelenting fantasy about young witches dangling on the edge of love and obsession, of magic and madness, of life and death (and death and death and death). . .

If We Were a Movie by Zakiya N. Jamal

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Booksmart meets Phantom of the Megaplex in Zakiya N. Jamal’s debut enthralling enemies-to-lovers queer romance, set against the backdrop of a historic Black-owned movie theater, the quirky employees who work there, and the suburbs of Long Island. Perfect for fans of Leah Johnson and Today Tonight Tomorrow.

Nav’s Foolproof Guide to Falling in Love by Jessica Lewis

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Giving the new girl lessons in romance so she can woo your best friend couldn’t possibly go wrong…right? Perfect for fans of Becky Albertalli and Casey McQuiston, this romantic comedy from Jessica Lewis is packed with heart.

Murder Between Friends by Liz Lawson

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Two years ago, the murder of a neighbor tore three best friends apart–now the killer is going to walk free and the ex-friends are going to have to face the past–and each other–in another twisty thriller from the New York Times bestselling co-author of The Agathas.

Chaos King by Kacen Callender

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The explosive sequel to instant New York Times bestselling YA debut Infinity Alchemist by Kacen Callender.

Lady Knight by Amalie Howard

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The daughter of a duke defies the rules of London high society with the help of the resident rake—who just so happens to be her brother’s best friend—in this fun teen historical romance from the USA Today bestselling author of Queen Bee.

MAY 2025 YA BOOKS

The Thrashers by Julie Soto

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A twisty thrill-ride of unforgettable drama and suspense that “encapsulates the vulnerability of adolescents playing adult games” (Ali Hazelwood) from USA Today bestselling author Julie Soto, The Thrashers will keep you up at night desperate to read just one more page.

Audre and Bash Are Just Friends by Tia Williams

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Scorching-hot summer. Scorching-hot chemistry. Two teens can’t forget they’re just friends in this sweet, funny, electrifying romance from New York Times bestselling author Tia Williams. Perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Nicola Yoon.

Salvación by Sandra Proudman

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In this Latinx YA fantasy inspired by El Zorro, Lola de La Peña becomes the masked heroine Salvación in order to save her family and town from a man who would destroy it for the magic it contains…if she doesn’t fall in love with one of his men first.

The Lost Queen by Aimee Phan

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A heroine like no other, ancient magic unleashed, a fated epic battle–the first book in an enchanting YA fantasy duology inspired by Vietnamese lore, weaving magic, sisterhood, and self-discovery.

Summer Girls by Jennifer Dugan

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From the author of Some Girls Do comes a YA sapphic romance about two girls from different sides of the tracks.

This Moth Saw Brightness by A. A. Vacharat

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A weird and revelatory debut that vividly captures the dislocation of growing up BIPOC and neurodivergent in a country awash in both conspiracy theories and genuine conspiracies.

Come As You Are by Dahlia Adler

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Dahlia Adler’s Come As You Are is about refusing to accept less than you deserve, and realizing that the best relationships are with people who know exactly who you are.

Cruel is the Light by Sophie Clark

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An epic new fantasy about a demon hunter and a foot soldier thrown together in a centuries-old war. . . and the forbidden love that could change the course of history.

All-Nighter by Cecilia Vinesse

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Booksmart meets Today, Tonight, Tomorrow in this page-turning romp about two archnemeses—the valedictorian and the class slacker—who band together for a whirlwind night after discovering that they need each other to achieve their very different sunrise goals.  

Out of Step, into You by Ciera Burch

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Out of Step, into You is a sapphic contemporary romance following childhood friends turned cross-country team rivals who are forced to work together to win the state championship – for fans of She Gets the Girl.

Titan of the Stars by E.K. Johnston

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Alien meets The Titanic in this tense YA science fiction horror series by #1 New York Times bestselling author E.K. Johnston.

Death in the Cards by Mia P. Manansala

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The young adult debut from the award-winning author of Arsenic and Adobo! When a high school tarot reader’s latest client goes missing after a troubling reading, she must apply everything she’s learned from her private investigator mother to solve a case of her own.

JUNE 2025 YA BOOKS

Celestial Banquet by Roselle Lim

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Iron Chef meets The Hunger Games in Roselle Lim’s dazzling YA fantasy debut, following a young noodle chef who competes in a cutthroat cooking competition for the gods.

Heir of Storms by Lauryn Hamilton Murray

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RED QUEEN meets SHADOW AND BONE in this explosive start to a YA romantasy trilogy about dangerous magic, forbidden love, and a cut-throat competition for the throne in an empire where crowns are not inherited — they’re won.

The Beautiful Maddening by Shea Ernshaw

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From #1 New York Times bestselling author Shea Ernshaw comes a haunting romantic contemporary fantasy about a teen navigating her family’s love curse that blooms with their enchanted tulips every year.

Never Thought I’d End Up Here by Ann Liang

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From the author of the instant New York Times bestseller I Hope This Doesn’t Find You, Never Thought I’d End Up Here is another hilarious and romantic romcom from Ann Liang, this time following a former model determined to get revenge on the boy who ruined her life.

A Forgery of Fate by Elizabeth Lim

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A breathtaking romantic fantasy inspired by Beauty and the Beast about a girl who paints the future and a cursed dragon lord, bound by love and deception in a plot to bring down the gods.

Nobody in Particular by Sophie Gonzales

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Young Royals meets The Prince and Me when a disgraced princess falls for a new student at their all-girls boarding school, but the two must hide their forbidden love at all costs.

Kill Creatures by Rory Power

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From the bestselling author of Wilder Girls and queen of twisty narratives, Rory Power, comes her highly anticipated new Young Adult thriller.

A First Time for Everything by K.L. Walther

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From the New York Times bestselling author of The Summer of Broken Rules comes a fun new coming-of-age romance full of dating disasters, powerful firsts, and the importance of family.

Amelia, If Only by Becky Albertalli

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The beautiful and heartwarming new romance from Becky Albertalli, best-selling author of Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda.

A Treachery of Swans by A.B. Poranek

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From the New York Times bestselling author of Where the Dark Stands Still comes an atmospheric fantasy based on Swan Lake, following Odile as her plan to restore magic to her kingdom gets disrupted by a murder—forcing her to beg for help from the young woman whose identity she stole.

Among Ghosts by Rachel Hartman

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Set in the world of New York Times bestseller Seraphina, a boy on the run from a dragon—among other dangers—seeks refuge in a haunted abbey in this wholly original ghost story about what haunts us, and what connects us.

If We Survive This by Racquel Marie

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The Walking Dead meets Yellowjackets in If We Survive This, a tense and emotional young adult horror novel from award-winning author Racquel Marie about a teen girl leading a group of survivors on a perilous journey during the apocalypse.

What YA books are you looking forward to? Any other recommendations? Tell us in the comments below!

The post 72 Of The Most Anticipated YA Books Of 2025 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Releasing on January 30th 2024, Annie Cardi’s new release Red is a modern retelling of The Scarlet Letter for the #MeToo era where a Christian girl who is stigmatised by her peers after seeking an abortion.

When I was in high school, my favorite part of art class was working with found objects. I made a purse out of old neckties; angel wings out of wire hangers; a sculpture out of old lipstick tubes; a recycled paper book. Similarly, I love books that repurpose old, familiar stories into new tales that help the reader reexamine something they thought they understood.

I especially love this when it comes to retellings of classic English literature. I was an English major, so I love a lot of the classics, but they often frame stories around a particular (often white/cis/het/male) experience. That’s something that a lot of teen readers either can’t relate to or something they’ve already seen a lot of in many years of required reading. One thing I love about YA adaptations of classic novels is the opportunity to deconstruct these stories and reframe them in a way that’s both fresh and also touches something familiar in the reader’s own life.

When I first read The Scarlet Letter in high school, I was so pissed that Hester Prynne was shamed for getting pregnant outside of marriage while her romantic partner didn’t admit his involvement until the very end and kept on living his normal life. I wanted better for Hester. For my newest novel Red, I kept thinking of abuses of power in small religious communities, standing strong despite public shame, and stigma around sex and reproductive rights—all aspects of The Scarlet Letter that are part of teen readers’ lives today.

For readers looking for more fantastic spins on classic novels, here are a few of my favorite YA contemporary retellings. In no particular order:

As I Descended by Robin Talley

Macbeth is one of my favorite Shakespearean plays, so I was thrilled to read this queer take on the classic tragedy set at an elite boarding school. Talley weaves together the interpersonal intrigue and the supernatural creepiness to create a thrilling story of betrayal, desperation, and guilt.

Ana of California by Andi Teran

Like many readers who grew up with the Lucy Maud Montgomery series and the CBS miniseries, I am very protective of Anne of Green Gables and was therefore suspicious of a contemporary YA adaptation. But Teran handles the transition from late 19^th century Prince Edward Island to early 21^st century California with care as Ana deals with trauma from her past while moving forward with hope and love as she forms a new family.

The Dead Fathers Club by Matt Haig

When I was in high school, I dragged myself through Hamlet and was frustrated with the title character. Matt Haig’s The Dead Father’s Club gave me a deeper sympathy for the main character, torn between guilt and grief and loyalty and fear. It’s also a great exploration of toxic masculinity and the pressures sons feel from their fathers.

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

This is more inspired by King Lear than a straight retelling, but Lockhart’s story of a rich family on a private island off the coast of Massachusetts pulls so much of the emotional core from Lear that I had to include it here. It’s a fantastic look at privilege, family trauma, and the cost of honesty. I also love this as an example of how an adaptation can veer so far from the source material and still connect so deeply on a thematic and emotional level.

Exit, Pursued by a Bear by EK Johnston

Johnston’s adaptation of The Winter’s Tale has so much I love to see in YA: a strong, smart main character, fierce female friendships, and a frank but supportive depiction of reproductive rights and surviving sexual assault. Readers will connect with cheer captain Hermione as she navigates what it means to live with and after trauma.

Where the Rhythm Takes You by Sarah Dass

Persuasion, Jane Austen’s novel of second chance romance gets an update in Dass’s Where the Rhythm Takes You, which centers on a seventeen-year-old who manages her family’s hotel in Tobago and an ex-boyfriend-turned-music-superstar. Reyna is relatable as someone who takes on more responsibility than most would at her age while also feeling the longing and heartbreak and hope of first love. It’s also great to see a YA set in the Caribbbean!

I, Claudia by Mary McCoy

It’s difficult to think of many contemporary YA political thrillers, but in I, Claudia, McCoy creates a sharp, dynamic retelling of I, Claudius centered around high school student government. Claudia is a smart, observant, wry narrator who draws the reader in while also keeps us guessing at her motivations and machinations. I need a mini-series of this.

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Aetherbound started with a text message:

The year was 2015. My second book, Prairie Fire, had just come out, and I was doing some traveling to promote it. Something I did to amuse myself in airports was text my agent, Josh Adams, where I was going and what I was doing, but only use emojis to do it. This would invariably garner the reply “I don’t speak emoji and the girls are at school, but have fun!” which always made me smile. I was on my way to Kansas when he asked for a movie recommendation, and I said that Jupiter Ascending had been wacky fun. The next day, in the airport again, I texted him four bees, and he immediately responded with how wild and ridiculous the movie had been.

“I’m going to steal it,” I said. “But with magic instead of vampires.”

“I can’t wait,” he said.

He did, though.

Aetherbound is the longest simmering book I’ve ever worked on. I had the idea for the world in Kansas in 2015. I met Pendt Harland on the I-90 in Upstate New York two weeks later. I realized Fisher’s name could double as the Fisher King at Skara Brae, Orkney, in 2017. I was driving home from Newfoundland in 2018, building space stations in my mind as I crossed the Maritimes. In 2019, I went to Norway and saw the midnight sun, and I thought I might finally be able to start writing.

This all makes it sound like Aetherbound is a huge epic that required me to travel the globe before I could sink my teeth into it, but that’s not exactly true. I traveled because I could, and because work-related travel for research is a tax write-off. I went and saw all those things because I could afford to, because my back had healed enough to carry a backpack for two weeks. It’s a big world out there, and Aetherbound’s world is big too, but the story is personal, something you can hug tight to your chest for warmth.

When the pandemic started, I, like billions of other people, had to completely re-engineer my life. I had never taken food for granted, exactly, but suddenly I was responsible for literally everything I ate (and all the clean up, which is no fun). I had to plan meals days in advance to get my grocery order in, and then I had to stick to it, or things would rot in my fridge. I made bread. I taught myself to make pie. I learned that I am actually a pretty good cook, when I have time to build a pantry. I resented it, though, because I was by myself. Aetherbound was always built around food (not being able to just stop for milk is my favourite thing about space stories), but during lockdown, it became about hunger and want and isolation, too.

In the early chapters of Aetherbound, my guiding concept was “how can Pendt’s family be worse?” It wasn’t fun to come up with more and more ways for them to abuse her. As I read reports of increasing domestic violence and exacerbated mental health problems, it was almost too easy to imagine ways to be terrible. But that wasn’t everything that was happening. My neighbours would stop to take pictures of each other’s flower gardens. There was sidewalk chalk art everywhere. You could always tell when someone was having a birthday or an anniversary. We shared flour and eggs and toilet paper, and taught our parents and grandparents how to use FaceTime. We grieved. And it sucked, but we did it together.

I drafted Aetherbound in July of 2020, at the end of a depression spiral. I was not in a good place. I could, at least, leave the house a bit, but I know I channeled a lot of pain into that book. I listened to Taylor Swift’s Lover album over and over and over again while I was writing. It became my emotional touchstone by choice. I wanted to find something good. I wanted to make happiness, somewhere. I wanted to choose love. And my characters did the same. They are building a world where they can be happy, regardless of what other people think. This is their house, they make the rules.

This essay was supposed to be about the inspiration for Aetherbound, and I think I might have gotten off track. At the same time, that was the point. You can’t plan a book for six years and expect it to hold still. You can’t live through what we’ve lived through and not make it part of your decision making process. I could tell you the book was inspired by Jupiter Ascending and the Fisher King mythology and the 1992 cod fishery collapse and Viking settlement patterns in the Atlantic and how much I love cheese, and all of those things would be true, but there’s that gaping wound we’re still trying to patch up, and I don’t want to leave that out.

Aetherbound grew. It grew with me for half a decade while I learned the truth of the words “There is a fine line between survival and cruelty.” Now, it’s time for Aetherbound to grow with you. May you always have enough to eat.

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