Where to Start Reading Alaya Dawn Johnson
Alaya Dawn Johnson is a master of blending speculative concepts with deep explorations of identity, power, and history. Because her bibliography spans YA cyberpunk, historical fantasy, and urban fantasy, the best entry point depends on your preferred genre:
- For Historical Fantasy & Literary Fiction Fans: Start with Trouble the Saints (2020). This World Fantasy Award-winning novel is set in World War II-era Harlem and follows a Black assassin named Phyllis who navigates racism, love, and a dangerous magical gift. It showcases Johnson's lyrical prose at its absolute peak.
- For Cyberpunk & YA Enthusiasts: Begin with The Summer Prince (2013). Longlisted for the National Book Award, this vibrant novel is set in a futuristic, matriarchal Brazilian arcology where art and political rebellion collide.
- For Urban Fantasy Lovers: Start with Moonshine (2010), the first book in the Zephyr Hollis series. It features a headstrong "vampire suffragette" in a detailed alternate-universe 1920s New York City.
The Zephyr Hollis Series
The Zephyr Hollis books follow a supernatural activist working to help the vampire underclass in a Prohibition-era Manhattan filled with demons, vampires, and social tension. The series is best read in publication order, followed by the companion short story:
- Moonshine (2010) – The debut novel introduces Zephyr Hollis, a young woman teaching English to vampires while fighting for their civil rights.
- Wicked City (2012) – The sequel continues Zephyr's adventures as she navigates shifting alliances, mobsters, and deeper supernatural political intrigue.
- The Inconstant Moon (2012) – A companion short story set in the same universe, providing additional depth to the characters.
Note on Bibliography Confusion: Some catalog listings include a title called The Goblin King (2009) under the Zephyr Hollis series. This is incorrect. The Goblin King is an interactive choose-your-own-adventure graphic novel Johnson wrote for the Twisted Journeys series and is completely unrelated to the Zephyr Hollis universe.
The Spirit Binders Duology
Johnson's debut series, the Spirit Binders, is set in a fantasy world of Polynesian-inspired islands where elemental magic demands high sacrifices. This story must be read in chronological/publication order:
- Racing the Dark (2007) – Introduces Lana, a girl who becomes apprentice to a spirit binder and must navigate the terrifying requirements of elemental magic.
- The Burning City (2009) – Concludes the duology as Lana deals with the fallout of elemental deals and the threat to her home.
Standalone Novels and Space Fantasy
Beyond her series, Johnson has written several celebrated standalone novels that cross genres:
- Love Is the Drug (2014) – A young adult thriller set in Washington, D.C. that centers on a prep school student caught in the middle of a global pandemic conspiracy. It won the Andre Norton Award.
- Trouble the Saints (2020) – An adult historical fantasy set in Harlem that explores violence, racism, and redemption.
- The Library of Broken Worlds (2023) – A space fantasy YA novel centered on a girl named Frewa who lives in a massive, ancient library that preserves the histories of a war-torn galaxy.
Collaborations and Shared Universes
Johnson has contributed significantly to collaborative projects and shared worlds created by other speculative writers:
- Tremontaine (Seasons 1–4): This serial fantasy series is set in Ellen Kushner's Riverside universe. Johnson was one of the key writers in the writer's room, contributing several episodes (such as "The North Side of the Sun").
- The Memory Librarian: And Other Stories of Dirty Computer (2022): Johnson collaborated with musician Janelle Monáe to expand the Afrofuturistic world of the Dirty Computer album. Johnson co-authored the title novella, "The Memory Librarian," exploring a regime that erases memories to enforce conformity.
Short Fiction and Interactive Books
For readers who appreciate shorter narratives, Johnson's short stories and interactive books offer excellent alternative paths:
- Reconstruction: Stories (2021) – A collection of ten stories, including the Nebula Award-winning novelette "A Guide to the Fruits of Hawai'i," which imagines a world where human blood-donors serve vampire rulers.
- Twisted Journeys (Graphic Universe) – Johnson wrote two interactive, choose-your-own-adventure graphic novels for middle-grade readers: The Goblin King (2009) and Detective Frankenstein (2010). The other entries in the 21-book series are written by other authors.