The Afterward

E.K. Johnston

Feb 2019 · Penguin Random House Audio · Narrated by Lisa Flanagan, Meera Simhan, and Adenrele Ojo

About this audiobook

"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.

Ratings and reviews

I thoroughly enjoyed the world building in this novel, especially the different kinds of magic and how people learned to use their own magical abilities. The author puled me into this world and had me traveling along side these well-developed characters on horseback. The female/female romance was well done and their relationship developed in a sweet and loving way that I appreciated. What detracted me from this novel was the layout. I found it confusing at times and had to reread places to figure out which character was talking/thinking. I also found the back and forth between "before" and "after" confusing. Overall, this novel was a fun fantasy/romance to immerse myself in and the main characters Olsa and Kalalanthe were well drawn and popped off the pages.

About the author

E.K. Johnston is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of several YA novels, including the LA Times Book Prize finalist The Story of Owen and Star Wars: Ahsoka. Her novel A Thousand Nights was shortlisted for the Governor General's Award. The New York Times called The Story of Owen "a clever first step in the career of a novelist who, like her troubadour heroine, has many more songs to sing" and in its review of Exit, Pursued by a Bear, the Globe & Mail called Johnston "the Meryl Streep of YA," with "limitless range." E.K. Johnston lives in southwestern Ontario. Follow her on Twitter at @ek_johnston