Breath and Bone

by K.V. Johansen

From K.V. Johansen, author of the brilliant The Wolf and the Wild King as well as the extraordinary series Gods of the Caravan Roads, comes a gorgeous new fantasy told by a godling-turned-minstrel. Johansen is known for settings that feel steeped in history, where the past always intrudes to complicate the present, and for complex, often conflicted characters struggling to live with the consequences of their own actions, and Breath and Bone is no exception.

Naskanna was the emperor’s vhalgod daughter, and then she became Naskanna Deathdealer, who killed the emperor her father, and disappeared with her lover, the wild godling Thallyn, when that war was over. Now she is known as Hedge, and she and Thallyn, called Pony for one of her favorite shapes, live quietly in the northwestern hills. But a desperate girl has heard their names, and comes seeking their help to rescue her lost brother, and the witch who holds him in thrall is their old enemy…

236 pages, Paperback

Expected publication May 18, 2026

About the author

Mostly, I write secondary world fantasy about people on the edges, with shapeshifters, demons, gods, and occasionally dragons. These days, I largely write for adults, though I've written many children's and YA fantasy novels and some children's science fiction, as well as picture books, plus I've been known to perpetrate literary criticism. I also write as Kris Jamison -- a contemporary lit book, Love/Rock/Compost.

My main scholarly interests are ancient and medieval history and languages, and the history of children's fantasy literature. What else can I say? My life is unexciting. I'm acquiring more guitars as I get older; music is very important to me even though I'm no good at it. I'm also, occasionally, an artist.

Here on Goodreads, I'm only rating/reviewing books I've really liked a lot. Sometimes I rate with stars, sometimes I don't, but a book is only on my Goodreads shelves if I liked it. For serious critical analysis from me, you'll have to turn to Quests and Kingdoms or Beyond Window-Dressing.