“Janae’s writing style is compelling … A fast-paced debut.” —Kirkus Reviews/span>

“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

“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 a small, idyllic town in North Dakota, 17-year-old Ophelia Johnson and five other teens inherit the powers of the Greek 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.

OF BLOOD AND LIGHTNING: A Novel
by Micki Janae
978-1-953103-44-4 | Trade Paper | Three Rooms Press
$17 | 400 pages | TRP-110 | Pub Date: 10/08/24 

Available directly from Three Rooms Press or wherever fine books are sold, including:

High Praise for OF BLOOD AND LIGHTNING

“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

“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

About the Author

Micki Janae is an author on a mission. Tired of growing up with scant representation of young Black women in fantasy, Janae took matters into her own hands to craft OF BLOOD AND LIGHTNING (the first book of The Godender Saga), a compelling novel full of ­intricate world-building, electrifying storytelling, and diverse characters. Currently, Janae is studying at the University of Alabama, Birmingham, where she continues her passion for literature and explores visual creativity as a budding filmmaker with an eye on expanding the voices of young Black women in both fields. Currently Micki Janae lives in Birmingham, AL.

Press Kit

Click the button on the left or click here to access the OF BLOOD AND LIGHTNING press kit. Includes: press release, cover image, author headshot and discussion questions. Galley available via Edelweiss or NetGalley.