The Bloodless Queen is an odd, melancholic near-future sci-fi standalone about two parents determined to save their daughter, turned strange and fae after her death, by seeking answers deep within mysterious nature preserves.
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In This Spotlight On The Bloodless Queen
About The Bloodless Queen
On the autumnal equinox of 1987, the countries of the world closed the gates on vast fenced-in nature preserves called Harbors, created to combat the escalating effects of climate change.
132,329 people died that day, but instead of going cold, they endured, becoming odd and fae before disappearing beyond the fences, never to be seen again. Each autumnal equinox thereafter, the same happens again.
In the present day, Evangeline and Calidore are working as fencers: government-employed protectors of the Harbors with magical powers. Returning home after an equinox spent patrolling, they find their daughter Winnifred, not yet six, has died and grown fae, killing her babysitters and leaving strange symbols etched into the walls.
Unwilling to surrender their child, Evangeline and Calidore chain her in iron and carry her into the lands beyond the fence, crossing over into enemy territory with a desperate plan: use Winnifred to find the Faerie Queen, kill Her, and steal whatever power She holds over death to bring Winnifred back.
An imaginative and melancholic sci-fi standalone, The Bloodless Queen is an atmospheric odyssey set against a tense chase as parents race to reclaim the life of their lost child.
Praise for The Bloodless Queen
“In this rich and well-realized world, magic has an ecological price as well as profit, and conflicts are between equally complicated communities rather than simplistic good vs. evil. This ending of this excellent debut promises more adventures in its fragile, Miyazaki-esque world.”—Booklist (starred review)
“Johnson’s beautiful coming-of-age saga touches on subjects of conservation, water rights, morality, and relationships…. The book’s setting and plot are so original as to be a breath of fresh air to the fantasy genre.”—Library Journal (starred review)
“Lush descriptions of plant life abound… When combined with the exceptional protagonist and themes of embracing the unknown, [The Forever Sea] calls to mind Ursula K. Le Guin’s Earthsea series. With a good balance of grit and tenderness, this entertaining story makes a nice addition to the growing hopepunk subgenre.”—Publishers Weekly
“Richly imagined and beautifully written, with a highly original and very creepy magic system—The Forever Sea is wonderful.”—R. F. Kuang, Astounding Award-winning author of Babel
“This series finale showcases the wonder and strangeness of Johnson’s world, with descriptions both terrifying and hauntingly beautiful. Readers looking for inventive, thoughtful fantasy will find plenty to enjoy.”—Publishers Weekly
“I can rarely remember being this excited for a debut novel. This was everything I wanted it to be. Wind-swept prairie seas, pirates, magic, and found families.”—Mary Robinette Kowal, Hugo, Nebula, and Locus Award-winning author of the Lady Astronaut series
“What an amazing world—from the ecosystem, to the ships that ply the deep grass sea, to the magic and people within!”—Fran Wilde, two-time Nebula-winning author of Riverland
“Loved The Forever Sea. Loved it. Sheer joy.”—Joanne Harris, internationally bestselling author of Chocolat
“A beautifully imagined dive into the unknown.”—G.V. Anderson, World Fantasy Award winning author of “Das Steingeschöpf”
“Beautifully lyrical and imaginative, Johnson’s debut sings a twisting tale of adventure full of diverse characters and a lush world ripe to fall in love with. With a heart that will haunt you, this ecopunk story is unlike any you’ve seen before.”—Linden A. Lewis, author of The First Sister
About Joshua Phillip Johnson, Author of The Bloodless Queen
Joshua Phillip Johnson lives in a little green house on what used to be the prairie with his partner and their child. His work has appeared in Syntax & Salt, The Future Fire, and Metaphorosis Magazine, among others. He teaches at a small liberal arts university.
You can connect with Joshua Phillip Johnson on their website, and on Instagram.
Source: Publisher
Publisher: Penguin Random House – Daw
ISBN: 9780756419196
Pub Date: Jul 8, 2025
Titles by Joshua Phillip Johnson and Others
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