What Rough Beast

Analog SF called the first two books in the series: "Fine thrillers with many resonances for today’s world." In a bombastic, thrilling ride Johnston's new book brings war to space.

The sequel to The Widening Gyre and Blood-Dimmed Tide praised by Locus, ScienceFiction.com, Booklist, Library Journal and more!

As the Zhen Empire descends into civil war, Tajen, Liam, and Katherine each have their own part to play in the final conflict between the human race and the Zhen Empire. As Tajen searches the outer regions in an attempt to find and recruit Zhen deserters to his side, Katherine heads for Marauder space to seek out technology their Tabran allies need. Liam, believing his two best friends dead, must keep the human fleet alive as it is pursued across the Empire by Zhen forces. As the final battle approaches, each of them will be tested to their limits.

FLAME TREE PRESS is the imprint of long-standing Independent Flame Tree Publishing, dedicated to full-length original fiction in the horror and suspense, science fiction & fantasy, and crime / mystery / thriller categories. The list brings together fantastic new authors and the more established; the award winners, and exciting, original voices. Learn more about Flame Tree Press at www.flametreepress.com and connect on social media @FlameTreePress

Born in the Bay Area but raised in Napa, California, Michael R. Johnston discovered science fiction and fantasy at a young age, and never looked back.

After graduating from high school, he took ‘a year’ off college. In the decade that followed, he worked as a sandwich maker, a process server, a data entry clerk and then IT Manager. Then he decided to go back to school, earning his degree from CSUS. In 2006 he became a high school English teacher. After a few years on the job, he took up writing again. B

They say you should write the books you want to see on the shelves, and as an openly bisexual man, Michael wants more stories where gay and bi men get to be the dashing heroes, so his books tend to focus on gay and bisexual protagonists.o

In 2019, his debut novel The Widening Gyre was heralded by Publishers Weekly as a ‘promising debut.’ The second part of the trilogy, The Blood-Dimmed Tide, was released in 2020; Don Sakers of Analog called the two books ‘fine thrillers with many resonances for today’s world.’ What Rough Beast, the trilogy’s finale, will be released in 2022. He’s got plenty more where those came from.

He currently lives in Sacramento, California, with his wife, daughter, three cats, and a hellkitten. When he’s not writing or teaching, he spends time with his family, plays video games, and daydreams of other times and places. Follow him on Twitter @MREJohnston or find out more at mjohnstonbooks.com.