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    First Mage on the Moon

    Author Cameron Johnston
    Paperback
    $19.99 US
    Watkins Media | Angry Robot
    5.11"W x 7.75"H x 0.98"D   | 11 oz | 12 per carton
    On sale Apr 14, 2026 | 336 Pages | 9781915998064
    Add to cart Add to list Exam Copies

    Cameron Johnston returns in this innovative space fantasy, where wizards race to be the first on the moon – also known as the land of the gods. A fast paced read perfect for fans of Adrian Tchaikovsky.

    Ella Pickering is drowning in debt. Once a Unity skymage trained to make aerial supply runs in the great war with the Ranneas Empire, following a crash she now uses a wheelchair and works gruelling shifts making magical weapons in the Unity workshops, thinking of better days.

    One night Ella witnesses an experiment by engineer Jackan Grissom go awry. His device morphs into a crude rocket blasting skywards before falling into the war’s spell-ravaged No Man’s Land. But this inspires a dangerous dream: could such a device reach the moon – the forbidden home of the gods? Could they go and beg them to stop the war?

    They will need help, but as more folk get involved in their blasphemous plot, can they keep it under wraps? Can magic get them to the moon? Or will their heresy lead them to the gallows?
    "original, entertaining, and humane, braced with subversive wit."
    – Ken MacLeod, author of Beyond the Hallowed Sky

    "First Mage on the Moon contains notes of Full Metal Alchemist and Ed McDonald’s Raven’s Mark wrapped in an alchemical shell of brilliance from Johnston.”
    – David, FanFiAddict

    "A wild, brilliant blend of rocket science and madcap magic!"
    – Andy Peloquin, author of Darkblade

    "An absolute delight"
    – Tina (@SoundFuryBookReviews, Instagram and YouTube)

    "Grabbing the reader's attention from the very first line and holding on tight"
    – Effy (@effy_reads, Instagram) / (Deep in the Marginalia, YouTube)

    "A spectacular display of found family, reaching for new heights in the face of adversity, and not being afraid to defy those in power."
    – Casey Bee (@caseybeebooks, Instagram)

    "For anyone enamoured with the romance of the Space Race and a deep loathing of endless war at the whims of idiots."
    – Dan (@dan.reads.it.all, Instagram)

    " the most surprisingly unique SFF book that I have read this year."
    – Amber (@seekingdystopia, Instagram and YouTube)

    "Gripping, moving, and wholly original – I loved it."
    – H.G. Parry, author of The Magician’s Daughter

    "One of my favourite genre mashups I’ve read this year!"
    – Rachel (@amodelwhosread, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok)

    "Readers of SF and fantasy will enjoy the melding of these two genres."
    – Booklist
    Cameron Johnston is the British Fantasy Award and Dragon Awards nominated author of dark fantasy novels The Traitor God and God of Broken Things. He is a swordsman, a gamer, and an enthusiast of archaeology, history and mythology. He loves exploring ancient sites and camping out under the stars by a roaring fire.  

    cameronjohnston.net
    twitter.com/CamJohnston View titles by Cameron Johnston

    About

    Cameron Johnston returns in this innovative space fantasy, where wizards race to be the first on the moon – also known as the land of the gods. A fast paced read perfect for fans of Adrian Tchaikovsky.

    Ella Pickering is drowning in debt. Once a Unity skymage trained to make aerial supply runs in the great war with the Ranneas Empire, following a crash she now uses a wheelchair and works gruelling shifts making magical weapons in the Unity workshops, thinking of better days.

    One night Ella witnesses an experiment by engineer Jackan Grissom go awry. His device morphs into a crude rocket blasting skywards before falling into the war’s spell-ravaged No Man’s Land. But this inspires a dangerous dream: could such a device reach the moon – the forbidden home of the gods? Could they go and beg them to stop the war?

    They will need help, but as more folk get involved in their blasphemous plot, can they keep it under wraps? Can magic get them to the moon? Or will their heresy lead them to the gallows?

    Praise

    "original, entertaining, and humane, braced with subversive wit."
    – Ken MacLeod, author of Beyond the Hallowed Sky

    "First Mage on the Moon contains notes of Full Metal Alchemist and Ed McDonald’s Raven’s Mark wrapped in an alchemical shell of brilliance from Johnston.”
    – David, FanFiAddict

    "A wild, brilliant blend of rocket science and madcap magic!"
    – Andy Peloquin, author of Darkblade

    "An absolute delight"
    – Tina (@SoundFuryBookReviews, Instagram and YouTube)

    "Grabbing the reader's attention from the very first line and holding on tight"
    – Effy (@effy_reads, Instagram) / (Deep in the Marginalia, YouTube)

    "A spectacular display of found family, reaching for new heights in the face of adversity, and not being afraid to defy those in power."
    – Casey Bee (@caseybeebooks, Instagram)

    "For anyone enamoured with the romance of the Space Race and a deep loathing of endless war at the whims of idiots."
    – Dan (@dan.reads.it.all, Instagram)

    " the most surprisingly unique SFF book that I have read this year."
    – Amber (@seekingdystopia, Instagram and YouTube)

    "Gripping, moving, and wholly original – I loved it."
    – H.G. Parry, author of The Magician’s Daughter

    "One of my favourite genre mashups I’ve read this year!"
    – Rachel (@amodelwhosread, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok)

    "Readers of SF and fantasy will enjoy the melding of these two genres."
    – Booklist

    Author

    Cameron Johnston is the British Fantasy Award and Dragon Awards nominated author of dark fantasy novels The Traitor God and God of Broken Things. He is a swordsman, a gamer, and an enthusiast of archaeology, history and mythology. He loves exploring ancient sites and camping out under the stars by a roaring fire.  

    cameronjohnston.net
    twitter.com/CamJohnston View titles by Cameron Johnston

    Other Books by this Author

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