Cosmoknights (Book One)

Staff Top Fives 2019

Our favorite books of the year.

At first glance, this looks like just another fun sci-fi space adventure. But it is so much more than that. Lesbian gladiators in mech suits are trying to liberate princesses who are being forced into marriage. I found myself relating to these characters who felt trapped by a misogynistic society. The writing is fast-paced, the art is beautiful, and I loved watching them take on and mess up the patriarchy. Recommended By Rose H., Powells.com

Cosmoknights is one of those books I wish I had read in high school when a million questions about sexuality were floating around in my head. The normalcy of queerness is a breath of fresh air and the story is even more so, aside from being fantastic. Templer does a wonderful job bringing her characters to life via her illustrations and the colors she uses are out of this world (pun intended). While I wait with bated breath for the second book, I will be returning to this story again and again. Recommended By Rachel M., Powells.com

For this ragtag band of space gays, liberation means beating the patriarchy at its own game.

Pan's life used to be very small. Work in her dad's body shop, sneak out with her friend Tara to go dancing, and watch the skies for freighter ships. It didn't even matter that Tara was a princess... until one day it very much did matter, and Pan had to say goodbye forever. Years later, when a charismatic pair of off-world gladiators show up on her doorstep, she finds that life may not be as small as she thought. On the run and off the galactic grid, Pan discovers the astonishing secrets of her neo-medieval world... and the intoxicating possibility of burning it all down.

"A fast-paced, beautifully drawn, feminist space romp with a diverse cast of characters...This story will resonate with anyone who has ever dreamed of exploring and changing the world — as well as those who just enjoy a gripping, action packed adventure story with queer folk in space... richly drawn, unique, and captivating." Megan Baird, YALSA

"Pan's journey to recognizing her own worth and identity as a feminist is earnest and believable.....readers will enjoy the ride." Kirkus Reviews

"A timely piece of queer, feminist sf with a bright future — and an enticing option for Fortnite gamers." Booklist

Hannah is a queer cartoonist and graphic designer currently living in Seattle. She graduated from Cornish College of the Arts in 2011 and has since worked as a colorist, cover artist and interior artist on well-known titles such as Samurai Jack, Tomb Raider, and Jem and the Holograms. She has also worked for several years at various Seattle design agencies, most recently as a UX designer at States of Matter. She enjoys life with her trusty dog Thistle and grumpy cat Noodle, and plays tabletop roleplaying games as often as she can.

Cosmoknights is the story of Pan Leverett, a young mechanic who gets herself smuggled off the planet and swept up in a neo-medieval system of cosmic jousting tournaments and intergalactic revolution. But before she sneaks off to sail the stars with a subversive squad of space gays...

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