Of Blood and Lightning
by Micki Janae
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Pub Date 8 Oct 2024 | Archive Date 15 Nov 2024
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Description
In a small, idyllic town in North Dakota, 17-year-old Ophelia Johnson and five other teens inherit the powers of the ancient gods—Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Artemis, Apollo, and Ares—and embark on a mission from the Vessel of Destiny to find the missing Fates, restore the Codex, and save the ancient world.
Still grieving the recent and mysterious death of her father, Ophelia begins to unravel the secrets woven into her family’s history as she and her friends plunge into the quest of a lifetime. Armed only with powers they don’t totally understand, Ophelia, Roman, Cassius, Olivia, Alessia, and Baxter are soon immersed in a mythical chess match upon which rests the fate of the universe. As they journey into a world of blood pacts and war, the diverse teens find more than they bargained for, and Ophelia discovers a family tie that might mean the ensuing chaos and destruction is her fault. Of Blood and Lightning is a contemporary YA fantasy (age 14-18) with a gripping and fresh twist on Greek mythology as the ancient pantheon of gods inhabit an ensemble of diverse teenaged characters.
Debut author Micki Janae is a writer on a mission. Tired of growing up with sparse representation of young Black women in fantasy, Janae has taken matters into her own hands to craft a compelling novel full of intricate world-building, electrifying storytelling, and compelling diverse characters. Of Blood and Lightning will appeal to lovers of Rick Riordan, Alexandria Bracken, and Tracy Deonn.
Advance Praise
“Micki Janae’s novel Of Blood and Lightning sizzles with excitement as a diverse group of high schoolers are swept into a world of myths . . . An engrossing epic novel in which teenagers battle an older generation of deities and monsters.” —Foreword Reviews
“In her electrifying debut novel, Of Blood and Lightning, Micki Janae rebirths the gods of Olympus for a new generation. In prose that is thrilling, vivid, and full of palpable human emotion, Janae tells a story of grief, love, power, and the strength we all need to face our past to make a better future. From start to glimmering finish, this is a novel with unstoppable light, unflinching spirit, and remarkable skill. What a debut!” –Ashley M. Jones, Poet Laureate, State of Alabama
“Engagingly written with a charmingly heartbroken lead, Of Blood and Lightning feels like a modern twist on the classic YA era. It's filled with humor, heart, and a surprising amount of chills and bloodshed that's in no way sanitized. This is an absolute win for teen readers!” —Sami Ellis, author, Dead Girls Walking
“Janae's storytelling prowess shines through in Of Blood and Lightning, weaving the tales of contemporary Black teenagers with Greek mythology, transforming anger into the drive take action to save the world.” —Peter Carlaftes, author, Life in the Past Lane
Marketing Plan
- National publicity campaign and bound galley outreach targeting reviews and mentions in Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, Booklist, School Library Journal, Forward, Horn Magazine New York Times, Time, People, Teen Vogue, etc.
- Regional publicity campaign targeting reviews and mentions in Time Out, Down East, Atlantic, New Yorker, New York Magazine, etc.
- Publicity push to HBCU radio stations and media outlets
- Online outreach to 100+ book bloggers including Rumpus, Book Slut, Good Reads, Book Riot, YA Why Not, YA Books Central, Teen Link, Bustle, etc.
- Extensive outreach to BIPOC blogs and reviewers
- Direct outreach to booksellers and participation in regional trade organizations
- Extensive social media push via posts, videos and tweets • In-store and virtual launches
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781953103444 |
| PRICE | US$17.00 (USD) |
| PAGES | 386 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Kathryn M, Reviewer
This uses the Greek mythology element perfectly, I was engaged with the story and how everything worked with the world and characters. The characters had a unique feel to this and enjoyed the overall story being told with them. Micki Janae has a great writing style and was glad I was able to read this.
Lisa T, Reviewer
Thanks to Net Galley for this ARC.
Well, as soon as j saw it was a mythology theme book, I had to have a nose. Especially when it's based on Greek mythology.
To be honest, the first chapter wasn't grabbing me, but I thought I would push on, and I'm glad I did.
If I had to describe this book, I would say it's definitely a Percy Jackson ish vibe but more late teen based. There's no camp but is based around high school, and houses are involved. Don't expect the intervention of God's as they are mostly gone. I love the way other parts of Greek mythology have been involved, like the old gods before the Olympians and even some mythological creatures. The story was fast flowing, and at one point,I didn't want to put this book down. For a debt novel, this book was brilliant. I don't like to give too much away when reviewing books, but I think the author got the balance of of modern day and mythology just about right.
If I had to give it any negative input, I would say a list of who and what the houses are as a glossary as at times I was confused at who and why these houses existed. Also, i think the cover of the book needs to be improved. I know you should judge a book by its cover, but unfortunately, it's jot just the title of the book that grabs me and draws me in.
From the way the book ended, there must be more to come. I'm not sure if it will be a dualogy or more. I am looking forward to continuing this adventure.
I would definitely recommend this for the older teens. Well done on such a great book.
Blair E, Reviewer
I recently read “Of Blood and Lightning” by Micki Janae with my teenage daughter, and we both really enjoyed it. The books unique blend of Greek mythology and contemporary issues, along with its diverse cast of characters, kept us thoroughly engaged. The book does start off with a bit of a slow pace but it quickly picks up and then you are in for a fun ride, We found the story of Ophelia and her friends, who inherit the powers of ancient gods, both captivating and surprisingly relatable. The book’s detailed world-building and compelling storyline made it a standout read. It’s a fantastic choice for anyone who loves mythology with a modern twist and appreciates strong, diverse characters.
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