Of Blood and Lightning by Micki Janae

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.

"Fans of Rick Riordan, Alexandria Bracken, and Tracy Deonn will be drawn to the narrative's fast-paced action, complex family ties, and diverse, relatable protagonists at its heart. This book is a great read." -City Book Reviews, Kids Book Buzz

"A fresh take on Greek mythology. This is a great book to introduce Greek mythology to teenagers and is a book that will keep them hooked once the action begins. Adults who love Greek mythology will also love seeing a different take on their favorites from the past." -Unconventional Quirky Bibliophile

"Janae's writing style is compelling ... A fast-paced debut." -Kirkus Reviews

"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

"Percy Jackson meets Legendborn and it's so much fun! Ophelia, who has lost a lot in her young life, meets new friends and later they learn they are descended from the greek gods. So much action and a deep dive into the mythology makes this a series to watch." -Audrey Huang, Bookseller, Belmont Books

"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