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The Afterward
It has 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 the gem home are renowned in story and song, but for two fellows on the quest, peace and prosperity do not come easily.
Apprentice Knight Kalanthe Ironheart wasn't meant for heroism this early in life, and while she has no intention of giving up the notoriety she has earned, her reputation does not pay her bills. With time running out, 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, pick pocket, thief, she lived hand to mouth on the city streets until fortune--or fate--pulled her into Kalanthe's orbit. And now she's quite reluctant to leave it. Even more alarmingly, her fame has made her recognizable, which makes 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.
Apprentice Knight Kalanthe Ironheart wasn't meant for heroism this early in life, and while she has no intention of giving up the notoriety she has earned, her reputation does not pay her bills. With time running out, 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, pick pocket, thief, she lived hand to mouth on the city streets until fortune--or fate--pulled her into Kalanthe's orbit. And now she's quite reluctant to leave it. Even more alarmingly, her fame has made her recognizable, which makes 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.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published February 19, 2019
93 people are currently reading
8099 people want to read
About the author
E.K. Johnston
23 books2,667 followersE.K. Johnston had several jobs and one vocation before she became a published writer. If she’s learned anything, it’s that things turn out weird sometimes, and there’s not a lot you can do about it. Well, that and how to muscle through awkward fanfic because it’s about a pairing she likes.
You can follow Kate on Twitter (@ek_johnston) to learn more about Alderaanian political theory than you really need to know, or on Tumblr (ekjohnston) if you're just here for pretty pictures.
You can follow Kate on Twitter (@ek_johnston) to learn more about Alderaanian political theory than you really need to know, or on Tumblr (ekjohnston) if you're just here for pretty pictures.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 425 reviews
March 6, 2019
I always enjoy E.K. Johnston's books. Each one is completely different, in terms of both story and subgenre, but the thing that remains consistent is that the emotional lives of the characters are at the forefront of the story.
While The Afterward is nominally fantasy, the fantasy action is really just the underlayer for the real story, which is about the emotional states of the characters including a f/f romance as a significant focal point. The story goes back and forth in time, so we see the events that lead to the emotional aftermath, the changes wrought on the participants, and how the return to everyday life following completion of their quest subsequently affects them.
Other things I enjoyed about this book includes the expansive diversity that Johnston always incorporates so well and in a positively natural way into her stories. In addition, gender equality is just a given here, and so an explanation of "why" the quest knights were all women isn't even an issue requiring explanation or justification within the story.
This isn't a book that will necessarily appeal to someone looking for a lot of emphasis on action, but I think it will be enjoyed immensely by those who like to read about the feelings and inner workings of the characters.
An aside, but relevant, is that I just really love E.K. Johnston. I know the characters in her books might struggle, sometimes severely, but I also know they will get to as good a place as they can by the end. I love the hopefulness that ultimately gets delivered by the end of each book and the potential for happiness that is always there.
While The Afterward is nominally fantasy, the fantasy action is really just the underlayer for the real story, which is about the emotional states of the characters including a f/f romance as a significant focal point. The story goes back and forth in time, so we see the events that lead to the emotional aftermath, the changes wrought on the participants, and how the return to everyday life following completion of their quest subsequently affects them.
Other things I enjoyed about this book includes the expansive diversity that Johnston always incorporates so well and in a positively natural way into her stories. In addition, gender equality is just a given here, and so an explanation of "why" the quest knights were all women isn't even an issue requiring explanation or justification within the story.
This isn't a book that will necessarily appeal to someone looking for a lot of emphasis on action, but I think it will be enjoyed immensely by those who like to read about the feelings and inner workings of the characters.
An aside, but relevant, is that I just really love E.K. Johnston. I know the characters in her books might struggle, sometimes severely, but I also know they will get to as good a place as they can by the end. I love the hopefulness that ultimately gets delivered by the end of each book and the potential for happiness that is always there.
March 5, 2019
Hello this is my new favorite fantasy f/f relationship!!! Please read this book
Scream review to come
Scream review to come
June 5, 2019
Me and E.K. Johnston's writing just don't get along. It's not bad by any means, it's just that the narrative choices don't make any sense to me: in years of reading fantasy, I've never read a book that had at the same time this many infodumps and a worldbuilding as generic, inconsistent and lacking in details as The Afterward.
Let's talk about what I mean:
I had a similar problem with That Inevitable Victorian Thing, so I think she's just not the author for me.
Now, let's mostly focus on the positives, since this was, after all, a three star book - and three stars isn't a bad rating for me.
The Afterward is a quietly subversive fantasy novel. It looks generic on the surface, and its world is, but what it does with the set-up isn't. Instead of having a group of men with the one woman™ go on a quest, it's a group of female knights (one of which is a trans woman) and thieves with only one man, and the story centers an f/f relationship between two young women of color. What it did with arranged marriage tropes was really interesting to see too, as it didn't approach it the way most YA fantasy novels do.
I thought that The Afterward would be about what happens after the quest, but it isn't, not really - half of it is set during the before. I can't really complain about that, since those are the parts of the book in which we actually see the f/f couple instead of only hearing about it while the girls are separated. However, the quest itself wasn't that interesting to read about.
And finally: the f/f romance. I loved Olsa and Kalanthe's dynamic, but they aren't in the same place for most of the book. Which is sad, because the scenes in which they were together were enough to make me at least believe in the romance, so I wonder how strongly I would have felt about it had it had more page time.
Let's talk about what I mean:
• generic: this book has a typical medieval fantasy aesthetic, with knights and kings and magical gems, which is fine, if not exactly my preference;
• inconsistent: what sets it apart from many other fantasy books is that it has gender equality to a degree and less queerphobia, which would have been great if the book hadn't gone about it in an extremely inconsistent way, for example by telling us that the language shifted to include non-binary people but constantly using binarist phrasings - and since we're talking about the way things are phrased, some parts were really uncomfortable to read as an aromantic person;
• lacking in details: the Mage Keep is the only place that was really described, and I have no idea how anything else looked like. It relied a lot on the idea that the reader could envision a generic medieval fantasy world, but that's both boring for me and lazy writing.
I had a similar problem with That Inevitable Victorian Thing, so I think she's just not the author for me.
Now, let's mostly focus on the positives, since this was, after all, a three star book - and three stars isn't a bad rating for me.
The Afterward is a quietly subversive fantasy novel. It looks generic on the surface, and its world is, but what it does with the set-up isn't. Instead of having a group of men with the one woman™ go on a quest, it's a group of female knights (one of which is a trans woman) and thieves with only one man, and the story centers an f/f relationship between two young women of color. What it did with arranged marriage tropes was really interesting to see too, as it didn't approach it the way most YA fantasy novels do.
I thought that The Afterward would be about what happens after the quest, but it isn't, not really - half of it is set during the before. I can't really complain about that, since those are the parts of the book in which we actually see the f/f couple instead of only hearing about it while the girls are separated. However, the quest itself wasn't that interesting to read about.
And finally: the f/f romance. I loved Olsa and Kalanthe's dynamic, but they aren't in the same place for most of the book. Which is sad, because the scenes in which they were together were enough to make me at least believe in the romance, so I wonder how strongly I would have felt about it had it had more page time.
March 23, 2020
rep: Black bi mc, poc lesbian mc, poc side characters, trans side character
the sapphic imagery? five stars
the writing & pacing & constant changes in pov & character development? one star
the sapphic imagery? five stars
the writing & pacing & constant changes in pov & character development? one star
January 28, 2019
Absolutely delightful. The Afterward is a queer fantasy that evokes series like The Belgariad and The Mallorean but puts a modern twist on them. I adored everything about this book.
December 27, 2020
Why did I wait so long to read this!?! QUEER KNIGHTS!!! Also, this cast is so diverse, not only in sexual orientation but also skin color, like praise!! This is the kind of cast I want for all the books written by white people.
The Afterward follows two characters mainly: Knight Apprentice Kalanthe Ironheart, and thief Olsa Rhetsdaughter. It has been a year since they were both selected for a quest to find the godsgem, and while they came back successful, the godsgem isn't done with either of them yet. Olsa is struggling with her new title of hero and how to make a living now that she isn't tied to the thieves guild. But she doesn't have any other marketable skills, and the thieves masters keep giving her increasingly reckless jobs. She's been arrested several times and she's afraid the next time may be the last. Kalanthe is approaching her 18 birthday when she'll finally be knighted. But she still has many debts to pay off from Knight training and the only options available to her are marriage.
This book follows the girls as they try to rekindle their romance after being apart. But interspersed through this is flashbacks of their journey to find the godsgem and how they originally fell for each other. I loved both of these girls so freaking much. I love how much they want the best for each other but currently can't see a way for it to work out between them. Every time they separated, my heart cried for them.
I can't remember all the names because I listened to the audio (and i have no idea how to spell any of them), but there is a trans woman who is a Knight; a Knight that is described as Shield Maiden--doesn't feel attraction like others, so I'm taking it as aroace; a Knight who dealt with chronic pain due to a head injury (this might also be the aroace Knight, I can't remember); a Black Knight who teaches Olsa how to braid her hair and more. Plus Sir Erris who becomes the Queen (possibly the only straight character of the main cast?). In addition to Olsa and Kalanthe, the also have Mage Ladros with them, the only male aligned person in the main cast. I'm unsure of his sexual orientation though.
Regardless, this book just had so much rep and as a person who deals with chronic pain from headaches to see not one but TWO characters (the second is a side character Kalanthe is possibly entering a marriage of convenience with) who dealt with chronic headaches/migraines meant a lot!
This book was so much fun and all about found family. Please read it. I will definitely be rereading this soon, after i binge That Inevitable Victorian Thing! Also super excited for Aetherbound next year!
The Afterward follows two characters mainly: Knight Apprentice Kalanthe Ironheart, and thief Olsa Rhetsdaughter. It has been a year since they were both selected for a quest to find the godsgem, and while they came back successful, the godsgem isn't done with either of them yet. Olsa is struggling with her new title of hero and how to make a living now that she isn't tied to the thieves guild. But she doesn't have any other marketable skills, and the thieves masters keep giving her increasingly reckless jobs. She's been arrested several times and she's afraid the next time may be the last. Kalanthe is approaching her 18 birthday when she'll finally be knighted. But she still has many debts to pay off from Knight training and the only options available to her are marriage.
This book follows the girls as they try to rekindle their romance after being apart. But interspersed through this is flashbacks of their journey to find the godsgem and how they originally fell for each other. I loved both of these girls so freaking much. I love how much they want the best for each other but currently can't see a way for it to work out between them. Every time they separated, my heart cried for them.
I can't remember all the names because I listened to the audio (and i have no idea how to spell any of them), but there is a trans woman who is a Knight; a Knight that is described as Shield Maiden--doesn't feel attraction like others, so I'm taking it as aroace; a Knight who dealt with chronic pain due to a head injury (this might also be the aroace Knight, I can't remember); a Black Knight who teaches Olsa how to braid her hair and more. Plus Sir Erris who becomes the Queen (possibly the only straight character of the main cast?). In addition to Olsa and Kalanthe, the also have Mage Ladros with them, the only male aligned person in the main cast. I'm unsure of his sexual orientation though.
Regardless, this book just had so much rep and as a person who deals with chronic pain from headaches to see not one but TWO characters (the second is a side character Kalanthe is possibly entering a marriage of convenience with) who dealt with chronic headaches/migraines meant a lot!
This book was so much fun and all about found family. Please read it. I will definitely be rereading this soon, after i binge That Inevitable Victorian Thing! Also super excited for Aetherbound next year!
January 15, 2020
god tier sapphic fantasy
February 19, 2019
Review Originally Posted On The Sassy Book Geek
**** Huge thank you to Penguin Random House for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review as well as allowing me to participate in the blog tour! ****
4.5 Stars
This was my first time experiencing the writing of E.K. Johnston and I have to say the hype is worth it! I had a ton of fun reading “The Afterward” and was even a bit surprised by how much I enjoyed it since it focuses on romance but also weaved in plenty of action and adventure.
Plot
The story is told from the two alternating POVs of Olsa Rhetsdaughter, a thief, and Kalanthe Ironheart, a knight in training. They are currently living “post-Quest” after saving the entire kingdom from an ancient evil, I really loved this idea for a story and it’s unique I just think it’s interesting to see what happens to the heroes after their quest is completed. The story is also told in two different timelines, Before and After the completion of the quest. I know it sounds kind of confusing but it really isn’t, it’s actually very easy to follow and really adds a lot to the plot being told this way. I personally LIVED for it!
The focus of the story is mostly on Olsa and Kalanthe’s relationship as they try to conquer the obstacles they face and find their way back into each other’s lives. Normally I’m not super big into romance focused plot lines especially in YA Fantasy as they are usually full of tropes. However, I thought it was an adorable romance and the author did a fantastic job of adding in enough action, adventure, and world building to keep things lively. I would say this is moderately paced, never slow, and will definitely keep your attention.
“The Afterward” takes place in a high fantasy world with moderate amounts of magic and a classical take on knights but with a more feminist twist, a TON of the knights are actually female in this world. I enjoyed the world and world building a lot and loved that it was simple yet intriguing. I have to say I’m definitely a little sad that this is a standalone because I would love to read more about this world Johnston created!
Then just a little side note here that is about a seemingly random scene in the book but one that I feel is important to mention. I actually really liked that menstruation was mentioned and in a normal, healthy manner. Most books, especially fantasy, skip over this and if they do ever mention it, it’s usually in a……darker way. I just think it’s nice to see it mentioned like this and I think it’s important especially in the YA genre since the audience are teens/young adults.
Overall I’d say this was excellently written, nothing ever felt too convenient, I was interested the entire time, and the ending wasn’t rushed or abrupt but rather perfect and satisfying.
Characters
This was very much a character driven book and while the story and plot held strong you can tell the characters are the real stars here. I couldn’t help but fall in love with every single one and that’s how I know I read a damn good book!
Olsa and Kalanthe made for great main characters with their flaws that they learn to overcome and overall development throughout the story. Olsa has a bit of a temper and is stubborn but she’s smart and extremely brave. While Kalanthe is almost too good and honorable for her own good, she’s so kind and generous you can’t help but feel like she’s the most precious thing ever!
There are also some fantastic side characters that I loved just as much as Olsa and Kalanthe and are their former companions on the Quest. Sir Erris, Sir Branthear, Sir Uleweya, Sir Terriam, and Mage Ladros. Honestly they all had a lot of depth and personality even if they didn’t have a lot of “page time” and I really loved each of them because of it.
The cast of characters are also very diverse: Olsa, Kalanthe, and Uleweya all have dark skin though Kalanthe’s is described as being a bit lighter; there is a minor female character who wears a headscarf; Branthear is transgender; Terriam I believe is aromantic or asexual since she is described as not having romantic interest in men or women; Olsa is bisexual; and Kalanthe is gay. I think the author did a fantastic job of being inclusive and it’s very refreshing to see such diversity in YA Fantasy!
Romance
As I already mentioned this is a very romance focused book but in the best way possible! Olsa and Kalanthe are really fantastic together, though they have their differences. The way the story is told with the timeline jumping back and forth it’s hard to say if it was actually slow burn but I’d say it was, there definitely wasn’t any insta-love that’s for sure. I think it’s just a timeless romance where they strive to overcome obstacles to be together and I thought they were a cute couple! If you couldn’t tell already it is a F/F romance as well.
In Conclusion
What I Loved:
Engaging story full of romance and adventure
Interesting world building with magic and knights
Evenly paced, never a dull moment
Fantastic writing
Menstruation mentioned in a positive, healthy manner
Diverse cast featuring many different POC and LGTBQ+ characters
Adorable F/F romance
Characters full of depth and personality
What I Didn’t Love:
Honestly? Nothing.
Recommend?
I highly, highly recommend checking out “The Afterward” it’s honestly just such a fun read full of romance and adventure! The writing is nothing short of excellent and I think there’s something for every YA fantasy fan to enjoy here. Also if you’re looking for a fantasy book featuring POC and LGTBQ+ characters, look no further!
************************
Pre-Review
Absolutely fantastic! I was so completely invested in these characters I'm a little sad it's all over, plus on top of that there are more than a few POC and LGTBQ+ characters and it's all about an F/F romance that I LIVED FOR!
**** Huge thank you to Penguin Random House for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review as well as allowing me to participate in the blog tour! ****
4.5 Stars
This was my first time experiencing the writing of E.K. Johnston and I have to say the hype is worth it! I had a ton of fun reading “The Afterward” and was even a bit surprised by how much I enjoyed it since it focuses on romance but also weaved in plenty of action and adventure.
Plot
The story is told from the two alternating POVs of Olsa Rhetsdaughter, a thief, and Kalanthe Ironheart, a knight in training. They are currently living “post-Quest” after saving the entire kingdom from an ancient evil, I really loved this idea for a story and it’s unique I just think it’s interesting to see what happens to the heroes after their quest is completed. The story is also told in two different timelines, Before and After the completion of the quest. I know it sounds kind of confusing but it really isn’t, it’s actually very easy to follow and really adds a lot to the plot being told this way. I personally LIVED for it!
The focus of the story is mostly on Olsa and Kalanthe’s relationship as they try to conquer the obstacles they face and find their way back into each other’s lives. Normally I’m not super big into romance focused plot lines especially in YA Fantasy as they are usually full of tropes. However, I thought it was an adorable romance and the author did a fantastic job of adding in enough action, adventure, and world building to keep things lively. I would say this is moderately paced, never slow, and will definitely keep your attention.
“The Afterward” takes place in a high fantasy world with moderate amounts of magic and a classical take on knights but with a more feminist twist, a TON of the knights are actually female in this world. I enjoyed the world and world building a lot and loved that it was simple yet intriguing. I have to say I’m definitely a little sad that this is a standalone because I would love to read more about this world Johnston created!
Then just a little side note here that is about a seemingly random scene in the book but one that I feel is important to mention. I actually really liked that menstruation was mentioned and in a normal, healthy manner. Most books, especially fantasy, skip over this and if they do ever mention it, it’s usually in a……darker way. I just think it’s nice to see it mentioned like this and I think it’s important especially in the YA genre since the audience are teens/young adults.
Overall I’d say this was excellently written, nothing ever felt too convenient, I was interested the entire time, and the ending wasn’t rushed or abrupt but rather perfect and satisfying.
Characters
This was very much a character driven book and while the story and plot held strong you can tell the characters are the real stars here. I couldn’t help but fall in love with every single one and that’s how I know I read a damn good book!
Olsa and Kalanthe made for great main characters with their flaws that they learn to overcome and overall development throughout the story. Olsa has a bit of a temper and is stubborn but she’s smart and extremely brave. While Kalanthe is almost too good and honorable for her own good, she’s so kind and generous you can’t help but feel like she’s the most precious thing ever!
There are also some fantastic side characters that I loved just as much as Olsa and Kalanthe and are their former companions on the Quest. Sir Erris, Sir Branthear, Sir Uleweya, Sir Terriam, and Mage Ladros. Honestly they all had a lot of depth and personality even if they didn’t have a lot of “page time” and I really loved each of them because of it.
The cast of characters are also very diverse: Olsa, Kalanthe, and Uleweya all have dark skin though Kalanthe’s is described as being a bit lighter; there is a minor female character who wears a headscarf; Branthear is transgender; Terriam I believe is aromantic or asexual since she is described as not having romantic interest in men or women; Olsa is bisexual; and Kalanthe is gay. I think the author did a fantastic job of being inclusive and it’s very refreshing to see such diversity in YA Fantasy!
Romance
As I already mentioned this is a very romance focused book but in the best way possible! Olsa and Kalanthe are really fantastic together, though they have their differences. The way the story is told with the timeline jumping back and forth it’s hard to say if it was actually slow burn but I’d say it was, there definitely wasn’t any insta-love that’s for sure. I think it’s just a timeless romance where they strive to overcome obstacles to be together and I thought they were a cute couple! If you couldn’t tell already it is a F/F romance as well.
In Conclusion
What I Loved:
Engaging story full of romance and adventure
Interesting world building with magic and knights
Evenly paced, never a dull moment
Fantastic writing
Menstruation mentioned in a positive, healthy manner
Diverse cast featuring many different POC and LGTBQ+ characters
Adorable F/F romance
Characters full of depth and personality
What I Didn’t Love:
Honestly? Nothing.
Recommend?
I highly, highly recommend checking out “The Afterward” it’s honestly just such a fun read full of romance and adventure! The writing is nothing short of excellent and I think there’s something for every YA fantasy fan to enjoy here. Also if you’re looking for a fantasy book featuring POC and LGTBQ+ characters, look no further!
************************
Pre-Review
Absolutely fantastic! I was so completely invested in these characters I'm a little sad it's all over, plus on top of that there are more than a few POC and LGTBQ+ characters and it's all about an F/F romance that I LIVED FOR!
March 11, 2019
In theory, I love this book. I love that it’s a high fantasy with queer women and a fantastically diverse cast.
But in reality, I’m just so bored reading it. I put this one down at over 50% through the book and I’ve been doing well this year at putting books down that I’m not loving. I skimmed a bit further to see if maybe it’d pick up and be worth continuing, but it didn’t.
The plot is very slow and there isn’t a clear direction of where the story is going. As well as the perspectives switch up quite a bit and made it harder to get invested in the characters.
Honestly I didn’t hate this book. I’m really upset I didn’t love it because there’s so many great things about it. The writing was great and the world-building was phenomenal but I just couldn’t help myself from yawning while trying to continue.
If this book sounds like your thing and you’re up for a slow paced but heavy on developed characters and world-building, I’d definitely still recommend this one.
I’m usually a huge fan of high fantasy as well, so it may just be timing for me. I’m gonna put this down for now but I won’t say I won’t come back to it. Maybe picking it up at another time will be what’s best. Right now is just a big case of “it’s not you, it’s me.”
*ARC provided by the publisher for an honest review*
Review can also be found on my blog!
But in reality, I’m just so bored reading it. I put this one down at over 50% through the book and I’ve been doing well this year at putting books down that I’m not loving. I skimmed a bit further to see if maybe it’d pick up and be worth continuing, but it didn’t.
The plot is very slow and there isn’t a clear direction of where the story is going. As well as the perspectives switch up quite a bit and made it harder to get invested in the characters.
Honestly I didn’t hate this book. I’m really upset I didn’t love it because there’s so many great things about it. The writing was great and the world-building was phenomenal but I just couldn’t help myself from yawning while trying to continue.
If this book sounds like your thing and you’re up for a slow paced but heavy on developed characters and world-building, I’d definitely still recommend this one.
I’m usually a huge fan of high fantasy as well, so it may just be timing for me. I’m gonna put this down for now but I won’t say I won’t come back to it. Maybe picking it up at another time will be what’s best. Right now is just a big case of “it’s not you, it’s me.”
*ARC provided by the publisher for an honest review*
Review can also be found on my blog!
March 26, 2019
A labor of love and an homage to those fantasy books of yore, especially David Eddings' Elenium! The book is, in fact, dedicated to David and his wife/co-author Leigh, which I found doubly precious. This is a story you might have heard before: about a group of brave nights, a thief and a mage, going on quest for a mysterious gem that could destroy the world . . . but it's also what happens after. What happens when you go home? When there are songs about you, but songs don't pay the rent? What happens, from a practical standpoint if you fell in love on the quest, but your role in society demands you leave that love behind?
I adore Kate, and her dedication to dealing even-handedly with elements of magic and practicality. What do lady knights on the road do about menstruation? What if holding the cursed gem kills you? What's the best way to wear your hair if you're putting a helmet over it? Do I have time to braid this magically poisonous spike into my hair before the battle? This is like, All the things you ever wanted to know about knights, quests, and sexuality but were afraid to ask! with bonus Star Wars references.
And of course there are goats. And TWO references to Anakin's "I hate sand!" line from Attack of the Clones. Because it's Kate.
I adore Kate, and her dedication to dealing even-handedly with elements of magic and practicality. What do lady knights on the road do about menstruation? What if holding the cursed gem kills you? What's the best way to wear your hair if you're putting a helmet over it? Do I have time to braid this magically poisonous spike into my hair before the battle? This is like, All the things you ever wanted to know about knights, quests, and sexuality but were afraid to ask! with bonus Star Wars references.
And of course there are goats. And TWO references to Anakin's "I hate sand!" line from Attack of the Clones. Because it's Kate.
March 24, 2019
I loved the concept for this story, of female knights and a thief going on a difficult and successful quest together, then having to continue with their lives after. I loved each of the women and their friendship. I even enjoyed much of the writing, even with some of the editing problems (occasional missing words and incorrect tense use), the way the past is 3rd person and the present is 1st person with 2 PoVs. But this book didn't end up as a 5 star read for me; not sure what was a little off for me in the story; perhaps it was that I found the action a little confusing in places. On a separate note, I can say that I really did not like the cover.
That said, this is E.K. Johnston, and I like her work a lot generally, and I did like this book a lot.
That said, this is E.K. Johnston, and I like her work a lot generally, and I did like this book a lot.
May 7, 2022
The beginning of this book seemed quite promising. Kalanthe Ironheart, an apprentice knight and Olsa Rhetsdaughter, a street-smart thief, along with their five companions (four knights and a mage), go on a Quest to find the godsgem so they can defeat the evil Old God who torments all life in the world. The story is as much about what happens to the characters after they return home from completing the Quest as it is about what happens during the Quest. The narratives are separated into two timelines, with the chapters about the Quest (simply titled "Before") alternating with the chapters about the characters' actions in the present (titled "After").
Unfortunately, this narrative structure did not work. We already know from the very first chapter what the outcome of the Quest is because Johnston tells us that they succeed and they all survive. She even reveals many of the key events early on, and then rushes through those events when they unfold later on. Neither the Old God nor his minions come across as much of a threat. As a result there is no suspense, no mystery, no danger. This story may as well have been told in chronological order.
It's not every day I find a book about dark-skinned female knights with a lesbian romance, so I really hoped I would like this. Kalanthe is lesbian and Olsa is bisexual, and they have frank discussions about their sexuality, which is great, even though Kalanthe is a pillow princess. But in the end, all the characters were quite flat with few traits to distinguish them from each other, excepting maybe Olsa. The knights are all kind, noble, brave, selfless, and apparently also flawless. Kalanthe is perfect. She is the best in her knight training. She's smart and makes all the right choices. Everyone she meets likes and admires her instantly. Her only flaw is how overly perfect she is; it's literally a running joke through the book.
Giran is a Middle Eastern-coded character who helps the knights by giving them advice about how they can find the gem. She wears a head scarf. Kalanthe is fascinated by the fact that she wears one, and muses that she would find a scarf useful herself.
A little bit later in the book, when they are travelling through the desert in the south, the group learns there are some "zealots" there who are not from that region. The zealots are described as "interlopers who were living under some sort of bastardization of southern customs." The zealots attack Olsa's group and Mage Ladros breaks their mage's spell, knocking her unconscious.
This is made all the more absurd by the fact that this is a fantasy book, and there is no indication that this fantasy world's history mirrors real world history of racism, conquest, colonialism, and genocide, which is at the root of what makes genuine instances of cultural appropriation harmful in the first place. On the contrary, this book is racially diverse and ostensibly set in a place where prejudice based on ethnicity does not exist and is therefore not a hindrance to opportunity (although social class obviously is, which you can see from both Olsa's poverty-driven need to steal as well as the political marriages involving knights who don't have enough money to pay for their knight education and training).
The magic system in this world makes no sense because nothing is explained; even the characters have no idea how it works. Why the fuck did the mages need to send ten of their people to get themselves killed casting protection spells over the godsgem instead of just keeping an eye on it? Was the gem going to disappear into thin air or something?
The only thing that really made me uncomfortable while reading the book was this: One of the knights is an asexual woman who suffers a severe brain injury inflicted by demonic magic...and it forces her to become infatuated with a man.
Unfortunately, this narrative structure did not work. We already know from the very first chapter what the outcome of the Quest is because Johnston tells us that they succeed and they all survive. She even reveals many of the key events early on, and then rushes through those events when they unfold later on. Neither the Old God nor his minions come across as much of a threat. As a result there is no suspense, no mystery, no danger. This story may as well have been told in chronological order.
It's not every day I find a book about dark-skinned female knights with a lesbian romance, so I really hoped I would like this. Kalanthe is lesbian and Olsa is bisexual, and they have frank discussions about their sexuality, which is great, even though Kalanthe is a pillow princess. But in the end, all the characters were quite flat with few traits to distinguish them from each other, excepting maybe Olsa. The knights are all kind, noble, brave, selfless, and apparently also flawless. Kalanthe is perfect. She is the best in her knight training. She's smart and makes all the right choices. Everyone she meets likes and admires her instantly. Her only flaw is how overly perfect she is; it's literally a running joke through the book.
Giran is a Middle Eastern-coded character who helps the knights by giving them advice about how they can find the gem. She wears a head scarf. Kalanthe is fascinated by the fact that she wears one, and muses that she would find a scarf useful herself.
Head coverings served a practical function in the desert...keeping sand out of your eyes and mouth, and keeping the sun off the back of your neck. Several knights in my training year wore them when they were at home, but not in the city as there was no need. I hadn't seen anyone other than Giran wearing one at the university, even though I had to admit, it was still pretty dusty here. I liked the feel of light fabric on my skin and the way the scarf would conceal my face from strangers, and wished that I could wear one, but it was not my culture, so it wasn't a choice I had.You can tell the author just learned the term "cultural appropriation" but she doesn't really understand what it means. First, there are thousands of different head and face coverings worn by people from various different cultures around the world; they were not invented solely by one culture. No singular culture owns a fucking head covering. Second, if you're travelling in the desert, it is absolutely a good idea to wear something to protect your head and face from the sun and sand. Nobody from a desert country is going to be offended by a foreigner wearing a scarf to prevent sunburns or sand inhalation. If you spend time in a country among people who are not your own and participate in their daily life and customs, generally they will expect you to dress like them. It's considered respectful. Heck, if you're a foreign woman in a Muslim country and you wish to visit a mosque (or probably anywhere else, really), you are required to wear a head covering even if you aren't Muslim.
A little bit later in the book, when they are travelling through the desert in the south, the group learns there are some "zealots" there who are not from that region. The zealots are described as "interlopers who were living under some sort of bastardization of southern customs." The zealots attack Olsa's group and Mage Ladros breaks their mage's spell, knocking her unconscious.
The unknown mage was lying facedown in the sand. She'd probably have a mouthful of it when she woke up because she wasn't wearing a headscarf—of all the southern customs to not appropriate.How does the author not realise how stupid it is to deride the supposed appropriation of the head scarf at the same time as she points out how ridiculously impractical it is not to?
This is made all the more absurd by the fact that this is a fantasy book, and there is no indication that this fantasy world's history mirrors real world history of racism, conquest, colonialism, and genocide, which is at the root of what makes genuine instances of cultural appropriation harmful in the first place. On the contrary, this book is racially diverse and ostensibly set in a place where prejudice based on ethnicity does not exist and is therefore not a hindrance to opportunity (although social class obviously is, which you can see from both Olsa's poverty-driven need to steal as well as the political marriages involving knights who don't have enough money to pay for their knight education and training).
The magic system in this world makes no sense because nothing is explained; even the characters have no idea how it works. Why the fuck did the mages need to send ten of their people to get themselves killed casting protection spells over the godsgem instead of just keeping an eye on it? Was the gem going to disappear into thin air or something?
The only thing that really made me uncomfortable while reading the book was this: One of the knights is an asexual woman who suffers a severe brain injury inflicted by demonic magic...and it forces her to become infatuated with a man.
"Sir Terriam doesn't like men, or women, for that matter. It's common enough with knights that they even have a word for it: shield-wed. That's why it's so terrible. The magic is making her change who she is."I've always hated speculative fiction stories in which the writer uses magic or technology to change a character's sexual orientation, there is no good reason to do this and it has nasty implications for homosexual characters in particular. But I don't like to see an asexual character be forcefully hetero-programmed either. I can't imagine why Johnston thought this stupid subplot was an okay idea.
June 7, 2019
this felt like a second book in a series. it was somehow underdeveloped and too muddled in past moments that it dragged. so. much. my god. this dragged as much as an ox cart through a field.
my brain hurts with the effort i made to like this because of the gay girls (i love them but they didnt save this book)
my brain hurts with the effort i made to like this because of the gay girls (i love them but they didnt save this book)
October 5, 2021
I knew that, unlike the night sky, we were doomed to an ending.
This was a pretty simple story, but I enjoyed it a lot for its unique premise and the style of story-telling. I do think I'd have liked this more if it weren't YA, but it was still such an interesting fantasy novel and a really good time.
It's the story of a quest to save the world, with seven brave companions going on a valiant quest to find a relic and vanquish the Old God. However, most of the story takes place after the quest is over and the world has been saved. Our main characters are two girls from the seven: Olsa, a thief, and Kalanthe, a knight apprentice. They fell in love during the quest, but now that it is over, various circumstances are keeping them apart. We do get flashbacks to the before part of the story, to show us how they got closer and more of the process of saving the world. The love story was my favourite part of this, just for how sweet and genuine and achey it was. I loved all the companions, and how they motherhenned Olsa and Kalanthe in various ways. There was interesting lore and world-building, but nothing that really gripped or amazed me. I did appreciate the diversity of the world, but I just saw the plot as a vehicle for getting to know the characters better.
Again: really really sweet romance. I loved them a lot, even if the romance didn't take up as much of the story as I'd have wanted. The inclusion of a certain little trope that I adore pretty much guaranteed that I would love this. Kudos.
April 14, 2019
DNF @ 25%.
Not because I didn't like it. But any time I put this book down, I am unabvle to get back into the story. I have to restart the book to keep me interested. And when you have to restart a book for the fourth time, it's sometimes easier to just put it down and never pick it back up.
Not because I didn't like it. But any time I put this book down, I am unabvle to get back into the story. I have to restart the book to keep me interested. And when you have to restart a book for the fourth time, it's sometimes easier to just put it down and never pick it back up.
February 14, 2019
The cover may LOOK action adventure, but it's really a f/f romance full of pastoral drama, land management, and the flawed socioeconomics of traditional fantasy. It's slow to start, but it pays off when those details come back to tie the worldbuilding together and make you laugh!
Read
June 7, 2022LOVED everything about this book: the voice, the world-building, the F/F romance, the characters! Mage Ladros is one of my favorites. A YA must-read for lovers of classic adult high fantasy.
August 14, 2019
didactic af. Something about a world with only female knights flows okay but how she treats the diverseness of race and sexuality feels like she's trying to fit a quota and show how ~aware~ she is, it doesn't flow naturally. I became incredibly tired of reading all her pointed bits about HAIR.
also the plot was terrible and cliche, I hate reading before/after stories every other chapter. It felt like I was reading a sequel to a book that was never written. Nothing HAPPENS and when it does, it happens too fast. It's a slog to get through with little reward. I am not really impressed with EK Johnston as an author, based on reading some of her previous works, her work never really feels immersive for me, it feels like it's incomplete and missing true heart and storytelling. Like, this (including all of the diverse points she aims to hit) could have been GOOD in the hands of a much better author.
also the plot was terrible and cliche, I hate reading before/after stories every other chapter. It felt like I was reading a sequel to a book that was never written. Nothing HAPPENS and when it does, it happens too fast. It's a slog to get through with little reward. I am not really impressed with EK Johnston as an author, based on reading some of her previous works, her work never really feels immersive for me, it feels like it's incomplete and missing true heart and storytelling. Like, this (including all of the diverse points she aims to hit) could have been GOOD in the hands of a much better author.
Want to read
December 8, 2018Excuse me WHY was I not aware of this book??? It sounds absolutely AMAZING. I need it.
July 17, 2022
Super cool epic fantasy standalone with beautiful diversity and characters. I enjoyed both perspectives of “before” and “after” and the multiple plot lines. The only few things is that it’s a bit slow paced. Both main characters (Kalanthe and Olsa) are people of color, but written by a white author. I thought the diversity of characters was written very well. The writing definitely reads like an epic fantasy.
March 7, 2019
Told over two timelines: Before and After.
Before tells of a quest to save the king whilst After shows us what happens to heroes when they return to normal life.
Interestingly it’s written in present-tense first person and past-tense third.
Before tells of a quest to save the king whilst After shows us what happens to heroes when they return to normal life.
Interestingly it’s written in present-tense first person and past-tense third.
March 9, 2019
Everyone go read this book thank you bye.
February 17, 2019
I've been trying to figure out what to say about this novel. It's tough, because it's a different kind of beast altogether and when I try to explain it... It kind of sounds like nothing really happens. But that's not the case. This book is something really special. So let's give it a go.
To start with, as you can gather from the book summary, this takes place after the great, epic battle to save the world. You do get some of that quest in flashbacks. However, rather than it being all enormous battles and deeds of derring do, etc. it's all very personal moments. Even the climax -- with it's excitement and danger and the defeat of the Old God -- is still firmly about the people involved and the bonds they've created. And it's beautiful.
The Afterward parts deal less with quests -- though there is one -- and more with how real life intrudes even upon the hero. There are so many things that seem possible when you're dealing with the impossible on that quest, but somehow real life gets in the way when the danger is gone. And not in a soul crushing, this is a depressing book way. It's sad and melancholic and nostalgic in parts, but in a way that makes you think about real life and whether the barrier between your dreams and reality are really so huge. Like, as readers we can see spots where things could be fixed... But the characters are true to who they are and that's important.
So Kalanthe needs to hold to her sense of honor so she can't just throw away responsibility for happiness. Olsa has pride so she could pull on her ties to other to get out of her fix, but won't... Though, I think, very realistically, much of her pride is rooted in her self esteem. You know, in that way where you tell yourself you can't ask for charity while also thinking that if they really cared maybe they'd understand and be helping anyway... but they don't because you are not as great as they are. Anyway, all these subtle and real feeling barriers in their lives and that way people in hard times don't see that there friends are also having trouble, sometimes. People often keep themselves so private in their hurts.
And yet, with all of this, it is most definitely NOT one of those books where you want to drag everyone into a room and lock the door until they just freaking talk because that would fix everything. It's more a book where you hope that everyone can figure out how to stay true to themselves and also reach that happy place they so dearly deserve.
Anyway, I don't know if I've described this well enough at all. I found it an utter joy to read. It made me think about the people in life and whether I'm paying enough attention. It made me think about myself and the troubles I've been going through and wondering if I were being needlessly private about some of it. It made my heart skip a beat here and there as I feared for Olsa and Kalanthe's happy endings. It made me love that adventuring party and the family they created. And yeah, part of the ending was pretty much a lovely fairy tale in it's own and could have been too neat... But I think it says that real life is where the happy endings come from. The epic quest may seem like the ultimate one, but, that's also where the traumas come from and -- like the regular populace in the book -- people forget to look for that part. They either ignore or frown upon heroes that don't stay looking heroic all the time afterwards, never looking for the why.
The novel also does an excellent job of accepting diversity. Obviously diversity is big right now and a lot of books are addressing it. I feel like this tends to fall into two categories -- they either calmly accept it and that's just the way life is or they are championing and preaching and making sure you are darned educated! There is a place for both, but I prefer the former. I want to feel like the aspects that make me "diverse" and minority in this world are things no one should make a fuss about because I am as normal and valid as anyone else without having to change a thing. The Afterward creates a world like this. No one sneers at the lesbian relationship. No one raises a brow at a transgender knight. Female knights are just Sir X like every other knight. I like a world of acceptance because I want out world to be that way some day and I love that it can be so easily imagined. Surely if so many authors can imagine it that way, we can all make it be that way. Somehow, someday. (that other, more pushy approach to diversity rather reminds me that the world is awful and my chances for happiness are rather lower than that of some others)
As a side note, darn, but I really want to know more about Giran! What does she do next? What amazing scholarly adventures was she on between her quest hint and her help at the end? I just get the sense that there is so much going in her mind and life!
Side note two -- anyone else feel like there is definite commentary on academia here? Sexism, narrow points of views, ridiculous overly smart people (not Ladros and Giran, of course) and their stubborn -- sometimes hurtful -- debates, crushing student loan debt? Or maybe my grad school days make my antennae twitch at anything that seems like it could be referencing it...
To start with, as you can gather from the book summary, this takes place after the great, epic battle to save the world. You do get some of that quest in flashbacks. However, rather than it being all enormous battles and deeds of derring do, etc. it's all very personal moments. Even the climax -- with it's excitement and danger and the defeat of the Old God -- is still firmly about the people involved and the bonds they've created. And it's beautiful.
The Afterward parts deal less with quests -- though there is one -- and more with how real life intrudes even upon the hero. There are so many things that seem possible when you're dealing with the impossible on that quest, but somehow real life gets in the way when the danger is gone. And not in a soul crushing, this is a depressing book way. It's sad and melancholic and nostalgic in parts, but in a way that makes you think about real life and whether the barrier between your dreams and reality are really so huge. Like, as readers we can see spots where things could be fixed... But the characters are true to who they are and that's important.
So Kalanthe needs to hold to her sense of honor so she can't just throw away responsibility for happiness. Olsa has pride so she could pull on her ties to other to get out of her fix, but won't... Though, I think, very realistically, much of her pride is rooted in her self esteem. You know, in that way where you tell yourself you can't ask for charity while also thinking that if they really cared maybe they'd understand and be helping anyway... but they don't because you are not as great as they are. Anyway, all these subtle and real feeling barriers in their lives and that way people in hard times don't see that there friends are also having trouble, sometimes. People often keep themselves so private in their hurts.
And yet, with all of this, it is most definitely NOT one of those books where you want to drag everyone into a room and lock the door until they just freaking talk because that would fix everything. It's more a book where you hope that everyone can figure out how to stay true to themselves and also reach that happy place they so dearly deserve.
Anyway, I don't know if I've described this well enough at all. I found it an utter joy to read. It made me think about the people in life and whether I'm paying enough attention. It made me think about myself and the troubles I've been going through and wondering if I were being needlessly private about some of it. It made my heart skip a beat here and there as I feared for Olsa and Kalanthe's happy endings. It made me love that adventuring party and the family they created. And yeah, part of the ending was pretty much a lovely fairy tale in it's own and could have been too neat... But I think it says that real life is where the happy endings come from. The epic quest may seem like the ultimate one, but, that's also where the traumas come from and -- like the regular populace in the book -- people forget to look for that part. They either ignore or frown upon heroes that don't stay looking heroic all the time afterwards, never looking for the why.
The novel also does an excellent job of accepting diversity. Obviously diversity is big right now and a lot of books are addressing it. I feel like this tends to fall into two categories -- they either calmly accept it and that's just the way life is or they are championing and preaching and making sure you are darned educated! There is a place for both, but I prefer the former. I want to feel like the aspects that make me "diverse" and minority in this world are things no one should make a fuss about because I am as normal and valid as anyone else without having to change a thing. The Afterward creates a world like this. No one sneers at the lesbian relationship. No one raises a brow at a transgender knight. Female knights are just Sir X like every other knight. I like a world of acceptance because I want out world to be that way some day and I love that it can be so easily imagined. Surely if so many authors can imagine it that way, we can all make it be that way. Somehow, someday. (that other, more pushy approach to diversity rather reminds me that the world is awful and my chances for happiness are rather lower than that of some others)
As a side note, darn, but I really want to know more about Giran! What does she do next? What amazing scholarly adventures was she on between her quest hint and her help at the end? I just get the sense that there is so much going in her mind and life!
Side note two -- anyone else feel like there is definite commentary on academia here? Sexism, narrow points of views, ridiculous overly smart people (not Ladros and Giran, of course) and their stubborn -- sometimes hurtful -- debates, crushing student loan debt? Or maybe my grad school days make my antennae twitch at anything that seems like it could be referencing it...
June 12, 2019
I loved the premise of The Afterward (what happens after the quest to save the world?), but it ended up not being what I was looking for.
Olsa Rhetsdaughter is a thief who somehow ended up helping to save the world. Only, fame is the last thing she needs — thieves work in the shadows, and thanks to the spotlight of celebrity, she’s constantly getting caught. But what other choice does she have? She’s got no other marketable skills, and she’s not going to accept help from anyone, certainly not her ex-girlfriend, Apprentice Knight Kalanthe Ironheart.
Kalanthe is still an apprentice, but saving the world sets her apart from the other knights-in-training. But she’s got bigger problems than the social isolation. First of all, Olsa (who she still loves) keeps getting arrested and Kalanthe keeps having to save her from the hangman. Secondly, knight school is expensive. When Kalanthe as a young girl decided she wanted to be a knight, she agreed that it would be paid for at a later date… through marriage. While women do marry each other in this world, it’s rare and whichever man offers for Kalanthe’s hand would likely be expecting children, posing a problem for our lesbian heroine. And Kalanthe’s much too honorable to run away.
The Afterward centers on the relationship between Olsa and Kalanthe. The timeline alternates between the present day (after the quest) and flashbacks to the quest itself, during which Olsa and Kalanthe fell in love. It’s the sort of story I know a lot of people have been looking for — a fantasy novel with smaller, more personal stakes rather than world-saving quests. However, I’m just not a romance girl. Blame it on me being grey-romantic, but it takes a lot for me to actually care about romance plotlines or subplots. Oh, and on the topic of aromanticism, there was some language in The Afterward that I thought wasn’t super friendly to aro people. I listened to it as an audiobook so I don’t have any exact quotes, but it was something like Olsa saying that she has the capability to love, unlike some other people she describes as “hardened” and the like. Anyway, long story short, this was a more romance-centric than I was expecting, and that’s always a hard sell for me.
Also… and look, this is totally my fault for not reading the synopsis throughly, but I’m not a big fan of forced/arranged marriage plotlines. I just find them really really stressful (again, hello to my own queerness!). A lesbian protagonist having to marry a man to pay off her debt is super stressful to me, and it’s the sort of thing that makes a storyline difficult for me. Obviously everything ended up happily, but even knowing that it most likely would didn’t take away from the stress.
Random sidenote, why are there so many forced marriage plotlines? Like I get they’re a historical (and modern) thing but I keep running into them in my fantasy novels…
Let’s move on to worldbuilding. It’s sort of loosely sketched with the feel of a lot of “standard Medieval Europe” fantasies. I think it was supposed to be gender egalitarian and queer friendly, but I’m not sure it was 100% thought through. Like, if this is a gender egalitarian world, why does Olsa find it safer to wear men’s clothing when she’s living on the streets? And would a world friendly to queer people really require biological children? Perhaps its not meant to be a fully accepting and egalitarian setting, but I just felt like it lacked some consistency.
I really love the premise of The Afterward, and it is well written. The relationship between Olsa and Kalanthe is well developed. The Afterward just isn’t my sort of book for numerous reasons. That said, I can easily see readers with different tastes loving it.
Review originally posted on The Illustrated Page.
Olsa Rhetsdaughter is a thief who somehow ended up helping to save the world. Only, fame is the last thing she needs — thieves work in the shadows, and thanks to the spotlight of celebrity, she’s constantly getting caught. But what other choice does she have? She’s got no other marketable skills, and she’s not going to accept help from anyone, certainly not her ex-girlfriend, Apprentice Knight Kalanthe Ironheart.
Kalanthe is still an apprentice, but saving the world sets her apart from the other knights-in-training. But she’s got bigger problems than the social isolation. First of all, Olsa (who she still loves) keeps getting arrested and Kalanthe keeps having to save her from the hangman. Secondly, knight school is expensive. When Kalanthe as a young girl decided she wanted to be a knight, she agreed that it would be paid for at a later date… through marriage. While women do marry each other in this world, it’s rare and whichever man offers for Kalanthe’s hand would likely be expecting children, posing a problem for our lesbian heroine. And Kalanthe’s much too honorable to run away.
The Afterward centers on the relationship between Olsa and Kalanthe. The timeline alternates between the present day (after the quest) and flashbacks to the quest itself, during which Olsa and Kalanthe fell in love. It’s the sort of story I know a lot of people have been looking for — a fantasy novel with smaller, more personal stakes rather than world-saving quests. However, I’m just not a romance girl. Blame it on me being grey-romantic, but it takes a lot for me to actually care about romance plotlines or subplots. Oh, and on the topic of aromanticism, there was some language in The Afterward that I thought wasn’t super friendly to aro people. I listened to it as an audiobook so I don’t have any exact quotes, but it was something like Olsa saying that she has the capability to love, unlike some other people she describes as “hardened” and the like. Anyway, long story short, this was a more romance-centric than I was expecting, and that’s always a hard sell for me.
Also… and look, this is totally my fault for not reading the synopsis throughly, but I’m not a big fan of forced/arranged marriage plotlines. I just find them really really stressful (again, hello to my own queerness!). A lesbian protagonist having to marry a man to pay off her debt is super stressful to me, and it’s the sort of thing that makes a storyline difficult for me. Obviously everything ended up happily, but even knowing that it most likely would didn’t take away from the stress.
Random sidenote, why are there so many forced marriage plotlines? Like I get they’re a historical (and modern) thing but I keep running into them in my fantasy novels…
Let’s move on to worldbuilding. It’s sort of loosely sketched with the feel of a lot of “standard Medieval Europe” fantasies. I think it was supposed to be gender egalitarian and queer friendly, but I’m not sure it was 100% thought through. Like, if this is a gender egalitarian world, why does Olsa find it safer to wear men’s clothing when she’s living on the streets? And would a world friendly to queer people really require biological children? Perhaps its not meant to be a fully accepting and egalitarian setting, but I just felt like it lacked some consistency.
I really love the premise of The Afterward, and it is well written. The relationship between Olsa and Kalanthe is well developed. The Afterward just isn’t my sort of book for numerous reasons. That said, I can easily see readers with different tastes loving it.
Review originally posted on The Illustrated Page.
January 22, 2019
*I received a free copy from the publisher via Bookish First and chose to leave a voluntary review. Thank you!*
3.5★
When I saw this on Bookish First and read the excerpt, I just knew it was something I would enjoy. Ans I was right... for the most part. Don't get me wrong I really liked this book and there was only one thing i disliked about it.
But we get to that in a minute, first the things I really enjoyed...... The world building was great and I really enjoyed it, it was well written and not over or underdone. It was a nice balance.
The cast of characters, judging from the cover I thought we would have gotten more than we did. But that was okay. We get the main couple and a few side characters but that are equally important to the story.
The romance was also something I enjoyed. They balanced each other out so nicely and it was so, so much fun to read. It did say a romantic high fantasy but I would say it is more romance novel set in a fantasy world. As we definitely get more romance/relationship than other fantasy stuff. But that was A OKAY with me. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
That all being said, the one part I did not enjoy as much was eh layout/ structure of the book. It was all over a before and after alternating chapters , One before next after and that made it a bit hard to follow at times and timeline a bit wacky for me . But overall, I enjoyed this book.
I rate it 3.5★ and would have rated it higher if not for the back and forth with the before and after and it be easier to follow.
March 22, 2019
3.5 stars
This is a book that had a great concept, but the execution didn’t quite work for me.
I love how much queer representation there is, that this is about 2 girls who are in love, that this world is reminiscent of medieval times but trans people and all sorts of other queer people are commonplace. So overall, I do applaud what this book was trying to do.
However, a lot of this story was boring details with very little conflict (everything that happened that seemed even remotely bad was solved almost immediately in a way that felt too convenient), and the flashback chapters did very little to add to the plot at all. Usually, when parts of a book are told from the past, it’s all adding up to some big reveal, but that wasn’t the case here. No secrets were being kept from the reader, so it all felt very anticlimactic.
Also, I was expecting to be a lot more invested in the romance, but I found myself having a hard time believing that the 2 girls loved each other that much. We got to see so little of them together in the flashbacks, & especially very little of how their relationship grew into what it was at all. One minute they’re just friends and the next minute they’re kissing.
This is a book that had a great concept, but the execution didn’t quite work for me.
I love how much queer representation there is, that this is about 2 girls who are in love, that this world is reminiscent of medieval times but trans people and all sorts of other queer people are commonplace. So overall, I do applaud what this book was trying to do.
However, a lot of this story was boring details with very little conflict (everything that happened that seemed even remotely bad was solved almost immediately in a way that felt too convenient), and the flashback chapters did very little to add to the plot at all. Usually, when parts of a book are told from the past, it’s all adding up to some big reveal, but that wasn’t the case here. No secrets were being kept from the reader, so it all felt very anticlimactic.
Also, I was expecting to be a lot more invested in the romance, but I found myself having a hard time believing that the 2 girls loved each other that much. We got to see so little of them together in the flashbacks, & especially very little of how their relationship grew into what it was at all. One minute they’re just friends and the next minute they’re kissing.
December 8, 2023
The concept was good, but the execution could have been a little stronger.
I do love a post adventure epilogue, and that was a big part of this books charm. I loved watching heroes of the realm struggle to find their place in day to day society after returning from their quest.
Flashbacks were present, but they were done okay. They could have been a little stronger and tied to the "after" story a bit better. There was a weird thing going on with different viewpoints. Sometimes first, sometimes third. After and before parts were split up by chapter, which I did appreciate. I have a hard time when a character is doing something mundane, and we get transported to a detailed flashback since I can never remember what we were doing before.
Lots of different representation in the book and a neat world. It is a bit lighter of a fantasy setting which I don't mind.
Highly recommend if you enjoy smug thieves with a heart of gold and lady knights.
I do love a post adventure epilogue, and that was a big part of this books charm. I loved watching heroes of the realm struggle to find their place in day to day society after returning from their quest.
Flashbacks were present, but they were done okay. They could have been a little stronger and tied to the "after" story a bit better. There was a weird thing going on with different viewpoints. Sometimes first, sometimes third. After and before parts were split up by chapter, which I did appreciate. I have a hard time when a character is doing something mundane, and we get transported to a detailed flashback since I can never remember what we were doing before.
Lots of different representation in the book and a neat world. It is a bit lighter of a fantasy setting which I don't mind.
Highly recommend if you enjoy smug thieves with a heart of gold and lady knights.
October 9, 2025
I feel like I need a re-read to really grasp my feelings just because its written partially in the past and partially in current time and also its alternating POVs between the characters. I really liked the sorta slow burn that the two main characters have, like they're falling for each other in the past but also falling for each other again currently. I enjoyed the whole cast of characters. Also, it follows the "heroes" during and after their "big quest" and I really like that you're seeing what happens to them after all the ballads are sung.
May 22, 2023
This book is a nice counter-argument to the "misogyny and gender essentialism is required in fantasy" camp. The romance is a subplot, but there's an awful lot else to like about this book.
Likes:
• Both heroines are dark-skinned.
• Ethnic prejudice doesn't exist.
• There's a lot of gender equity. The knights who saved the world were all women, but this isn't emphasized at all. Their team included a token male mage, which is a nice reversal.
• Aristocrats need children to inherit their title, but that's pretty much the only case where the gender of one's spouse matters.
• Sir Branthear, one of the knights, is a transwoman. There's this beautiful quote.
“When Sir Branthear was born, there was some… confusion,” she said finally.
“Confusion?” I said.
“Well, it would be rude to say she was born wrong, since she wasn’t.” Kalanthe said it very quickly, as though she were angry with herself for even thinking it in the first place. “Only when the physician and midwife first saw her, they thought she was male. It wasn’t until she was old enough to tell them herself that they realized they had made a mistake, and that she was a woman.”
• There's acearo representation.
“Sir Terriam doesn’t like men, or women, for that matter. It’s common enough with knights that they even have a word for it: shield-wed.”
• There's PTSD and chronic illness representation.
• Bisexual is considered an archaic word.
“From back before the language in Cadrium shifted to incorporate individuals who don’t have a particular gender.”
Caveats:
• Sir is used as a gender-neutral title; it took me awhile to figure this out.
• This book uses several narrative modes - chapters set in the past are first-person, chapters set in the present are third-person limited, and one chapter is third-person omniscient. The first person chapters don't identify whether it's Kalanthe or Orsa. I got used to skimming ahead to identify the speaker, but they should have been labeled.
• There's not a lot of world-building; it's a fairly generic fantasy setting. If you need to know how the magic system works, then this probably isn't your book. This wasn't an issue for me.
Likes:
• Both heroines are dark-skinned.
• Ethnic prejudice doesn't exist.
• There's a lot of gender equity. The knights who saved the world were all women, but this isn't emphasized at all. Their team included a token male mage, which is a nice reversal.
• Aristocrats need children to inherit their title, but that's pretty much the only case where the gender of one's spouse matters.
• Sir Branthear, one of the knights, is a transwoman. There's this beautiful quote.
“When Sir Branthear was born, there was some… confusion,” she said finally.
“Confusion?” I said.
“Well, it would be rude to say she was born wrong, since she wasn’t.” Kalanthe said it very quickly, as though she were angry with herself for even thinking it in the first place. “Only when the physician and midwife first saw her, they thought she was male. It wasn’t until she was old enough to tell them herself that they realized they had made a mistake, and that she was a woman.”
• There's acearo representation.
“Sir Terriam doesn’t like men, or women, for that matter. It’s common enough with knights that they even have a word for it: shield-wed.”
• There's PTSD and chronic illness representation.
• Bisexual is considered an archaic word.
“From back before the language in Cadrium shifted to incorporate individuals who don’t have a particular gender.”
Caveats:
• Sir is used as a gender-neutral title; it took me awhile to figure this out.
• This book uses several narrative modes - chapters set in the past are first-person, chapters set in the present are third-person limited, and one chapter is third-person omniscient. The first person chapters don't identify whether it's Kalanthe or Orsa. I got used to skimming ahead to identify the speaker, but they should have been labeled.
• There's not a lot of world-building; it's a fairly generic fantasy setting. If you need to know how the magic system works, then this probably isn't your book. This wasn't an issue for me.
July 14, 2018
What a wonderful homage to David Eddings. I loved picking out all the little references, and I'm sure I missed some even at that. My favourite was
"Whose turn is it to do the cooking?" Sir Branthear asked, as the last tent peg was driven home.
"Yours," said Sir Uleweya, though I wasn't sure how she'd arrived at that conclusion.
The story is easily understandable by someone who's never touched a David Eddings book, too, making it the best of both worlds. Although those people should really be ashamed of themselves, and rectify that situation as soon as possible.
I think this book may have knocked A Thousand Nights from the top of my 'Novels by EK Johnston' list, which I didn't think was possible. It's just amazing. A fabulous read.
Receiving an ARC did not affect my review in any way.
She was afraid, I realised. My brave nearly–a–knight who faced her death as calmly as she faced her breakfast was afraid of falling overboard. I put my arm around her.
"Come on," I said. "Slowly, and together."
Finally, she leaned forward, and saw what I wanted her to see.
We were just behind the bow of the ship, running north with a good breeze behind us. The ship leapt from wave to wave, moving forward at a fair clip[, certainly father than any horse. The sun was bright, which meant the water was the brightest blue, except where the shadow of the ship fell on it. Alongside the front of the ship were two or three bright pink creatures with sleek bodies and pointed faces, skipping along the surface of the water with us.
...
I looked back at Kalanthe. She was still smiling as she watched the dolphins play. Her face was almost golden in the sunlight, and the wind had worked several large locks of her hair out of the single braid she'd tied it back in this morning. She was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen, I realised, in this moment and in a hundred others. I wanted to remember her like this, if I had to lose her. I didn't want to lose her at all.
I leaned into her, and she looked down at me. Then, because I was a thief, I stole a kiss.
"Whose turn is it to do the cooking?" Sir Branthear asked, as the last tent peg was driven home.
"Yours," said Sir Uleweya, though I wasn't sure how she'd arrived at that conclusion.
The story is easily understandable by someone who's never touched a David Eddings book, too, making it the best of both worlds. Although those people should really be ashamed of themselves, and rectify that situation as soon as possible.
I think this book may have knocked A Thousand Nights from the top of my 'Novels by EK Johnston' list, which I didn't think was possible. It's just amazing. A fabulous read.
Receiving an ARC did not affect my review in any way.
She was afraid, I realised. My brave nearly–a–knight who faced her death as calmly as she faced her breakfast was afraid of falling overboard. I put my arm around her.
"Come on," I said. "Slowly, and together."
Finally, she leaned forward, and saw what I wanted her to see.
We were just behind the bow of the ship, running north with a good breeze behind us. The ship leapt from wave to wave, moving forward at a fair clip[, certainly father than any horse. The sun was bright, which meant the water was the brightest blue, except where the shadow of the ship fell on it. Alongside the front of the ship were two or three bright pink creatures with sleek bodies and pointed faces, skipping along the surface of the water with us.
...
I looked back at Kalanthe. She was still smiling as she watched the dolphins play. Her face was almost golden in the sunlight, and the wind had worked several large locks of her hair out of the single braid she'd tied it back in this morning. She was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen, I realised, in this moment and in a hundred others. I wanted to remember her like this, if I had to lose her. I didn't want to lose her at all.
I leaned into her, and she looked down at me. Then, because I was a thief, I stole a kiss.
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