Once & Future

King Arthur as you’ve never seen her! This bold, sizzling YA novel reimagines the Once and Future King as a teenage girl determined to save the universe from an evil curse.

My name is Ari Helix. I have a magic sword, a cranky wizard, and a revolution to start.

I’ve been chased my whole life. As a fugitive refugee in the territory controlled by the tyrannical Mercer corporation, I’ve always had to hide who I am. Until I found Excalibur. Now I’m done hiding.

When Ari crash-lands on Old Earth and pulls a magic sword from its ancient resting place, she is revealed to be the newest reincarnation of King Arthur. Then she meets Merlin, who has aged backward over the centuries into a teenager, and together they must break the curse that keeps Arthur coming back. Their quest? Defeat the cruel, oppressive government and bring peace and equality to all humankind. No pressure.

* “All hail this worthier-than-ever, fresh, and affirming reincarnation of the legendary king and her round table of knights which dazzles with heroic flair, humor, and suspense.” —Kirkus, starred review

• Praise for Once & Future:
• * "All hail this worthier-than-ever, fresh, and affirming reincarnation of the legendary king and her round table of knights which dazzles with heroic flair, humor, and suspense."
  Kirkus, STARRED REVIEW
• * "A marvelous mythology remix for teens who enjoy action-packed speculative fiction and genderqueer romance."
  Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW
• *"This epic space adventure... is a must-have."
  School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW
• "Fun and fearless, this story romps right across the galaxy and into your heart."
  Amie Kaufman, New York Times bestselling author of Illuminae
• "The inclusive, genderbent King Arthur retelling your bookshelf has been missing. ... An adventure of epic scale, including on-page representation and celebration of people of many different sexualities, races, and gender identities."
  B&N Teen Blog
• "Like White's The One and Future King, this manages to be exciting, earnest, and funny... Unique twists and a message of unity through diversity result in a meaningful, utterly fun read."
  Booklist
• "Pointedly funny and deftly topical, an effortless Arthurian update with heart in all the right places."
  #1 New York Times Bestselling Author E.K. Johnston
• "Once & Future is an utterly delightful romp, full of witty voice, imaginative adventures, and deeply lovable characters. It kept me up into the wee hours of the morning. I couldn't put it down!"
  --Katherine Locke, author of The Girl with the Red Balloon (2018 Sydney Taylor Honor Book)
• "An effortlessly fun, breathtakingly epic quest, featuring a queer immigrant teen pulling Excalibur and fighting to save the galaxy. There is nothing else in YA that can quite compare to Once & Future, which makes it a unique and majestic reading experience. It's the holy grail of inclusiveness!"
  Rachel Strolle, Glenside Public Library
• "Once & Future is a sizzling, bold exploration of gender, power, and revolution. Its dynamic and diverse cast will inspire and delight readers. I loved every second!"
  Jessica Khoury, author of The Forbidden Wish
• "A rip-roaring, no-holds-barred, gloriously queer reinvention of Arthurian legend."
  Malinda Lo, author of Ash and A Line in the Dark