Fresh Start
Published on 9. June 2026
336 pages
978-1-78758-964-3 (ISBN)
Description
A ship, a gun, and a nice teal robe to find one killer on a planet of criminals: will Qays Mendoza get the answers he is looking for? New novel from the bestselling author of the Coronam series.
On the edges of mankind's domain there is a penal planet called Fresh Start where a sentence is at best exile to five generations, but more likely death in its harsh unforgiving wastes. It is to this planet the empire sends the worst of the worst and it is on this planet that Qays Mendoza searches for his old captain.
The galactic empire is falling, civilization contracts. Fresh Start is abandoned. Without oversight, the planet is wild, without guards; the Oubliette, the supermax prison on the supermax planet, lies open, and the Butcher of Raznak, a killer worse than the one Qays seeks, is on the loose.
With the help of a street waif called Patience, Qays seeks answers. His soul is stained with guilt and his spirit broken by complicity. Religion did not have the answer; duty did not explain it. Birthright and station were not enough. His answers lie somewhere on Fresh Start.
FLAME TREE PRESS is the imprint of long-standing independent Flame Tree Publishing, dedicated to excellent original writing in horror, science fiction and fantasy. The list brings together fantastic new authors and the more established; the award winners, and exciting, original voices. Learn more at www.flametreepress.com and connect on social media @FlameTreePress. Awarded independent publisher of 2024 by the British Fantasy Society.
On the edges of mankind's domain there is a penal planet called Fresh Start where a sentence is at best exile to five generations, but more likely death in its harsh unforgiving wastes. It is to this planet the empire sends the worst of the worst and it is on this planet that Qays Mendoza searches for his old captain.
The galactic empire is falling, civilization contracts. Fresh Start is abandoned. Without oversight, the planet is wild, without guards; the Oubliette, the supermax prison on the supermax planet, lies open, and the Butcher of Raznak, a killer worse than the one Qays seeks, is on the loose.
With the help of a street waif called Patience, Qays seeks answers. His soul is stained with guilt and his spirit broken by complicity. Religion did not have the answer; duty did not explain it. Birthright and station were not enough. His answers lie somewhere on Fresh Start.
FLAME TREE PRESS is the imprint of long-standing independent Flame Tree Publishing, dedicated to excellent original writing in horror, science fiction and fantasy. The list brings together fantastic new authors and the more established; the award winners, and exciting, original voices. Learn more at www.flametreepress.com and connect on social media @FlameTreePress. Awarded independent publisher of 2024 by the British Fantasy Society.
Reviews / Votes
"It's Sci-fi, it's dystopian, it's fast paced and wonderfully descriptive with sweeping world building and a great cast of characters and an interesting plot that's sure to hold your attention to the very last page. Just brilliant and one of my favourite reads of the year up to now." -- David Brockway, reviewer "I had fun with this adventure" -- Henry Lazarus, reviewer "Worthen shows himself a master of style and substance..." -- Michael R. Collings, 2016 World Horror Convention Grand Master on 'The Gaia Chime' On the Coronam series:"A clever and exciting collision of space opera, high adventure, and devious politics. Insightful and highly entertaining!" - Jonathan Maberry, NY Times bestselling author of RELENTLESS and V-WARS
"The worlds of Coronam, with their mixture of old and new technologies, create a unique setting for an ageless story about humanity." - Daniel Yocom, Guild Master Gaming
"Johnny Worthen is a bold and imaginative writer; his Coronam work is a fascinating look at our troubling history through the lens of tomorrow." - Bryan Young, author, BattleTech: Honor's Gauntlet
"With Of Kings Queens and Colonies, Johnny Worthen creates an immersive and compelling world populated by vivid characters. As always, his excellent writing is saturated with humor and humanity. Highly recommended." - Kate Jonez, Chief Editor Omnium Gatherum
"...this is the beginning of an outstanding epic that will have broad appeal, especially to the readers of the Dune saga. Highly recommended for all sf collections." - Booklist Starred Review
On The Gaia Chime:
"The Gaia Chime? is a mind-bender of a cultural and global horror-thriller that will take you down twists and turns you will never see coming! Highly recommended!!" - Jonathan Maberry, NY Times bestselling author of the Joe Ledger thrillers and NecroTek
"A chilling discourse on class, culture, and capitalism, underpinned with ancient myth, Johnny Worthen's The Gaia Chime is a provocative and visionary near-future narrative, and an unsettling call to action. If you haven't already put Worthen on your must-read list, you should rectify that now." - Lee Murray, five-time Bram Stoker Awards (R)-winning author of Grotesque: Monster Stories
"The Gaia Chime is a fascinating story with shocking twists. The vivid characters and dialogue that just sings makes reading the latest tale from Johnny Worthen an absolute pleasure. You're going to be delighted or terrified - possibly both." - Kate Jonez, Chief Editor Omnium Gatherum
"The Gaia Chime fascinated and terrified me. [...] A story that delivers an impact on the reader." - Daniel Yocom - Guild Master Gaming
"A riveting story of personal obsession and epic-scale horror. Pray you never hear the Gaia Chime!" - Tim Waggoner, author of Lord of the Feast
"A book that grabs you by the lapels, shakes you rigorously and screams at you, if you like your horror bleak, prophetic and packed with sci-fi elements, Johnny Worthen's "The Gaia Chime," is a book you need in your short, insignificant existence. At the rate at which the world is circling the drain, you've probably not got long left to read it, so time is of the essence. Miss it at your peril." - Fan Fi Addict
"If you enjoy horror thrillers with a slow-burn plot that gradually ramps up the tension, this book is definitely one to add to your reading list." - Mani's Book Corner
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Flame Tree Publishing
File size
4,66 MB
ISBN-13
978-1-78758-964-3 (9781787589643)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Johnny Worthen grew up in the high desert snows and warm summer winds of the Wasatch Mountains. He graduated with a B.A. in English, minor in Classics and a Master's in American Studies from the University of Utah. After a series of businesses and adventures, including years abroad and running his own bakery, Johnny found himself drawn to the only thing he ever wanted to do - write. And write he does. Well versed in modern literary criticism and cultural studies, Johnny writes upmarket multi-genre fiction, both traditionally and independently published. "I write what I like to read," he says. "That guarantees me at least one fan."
Johnny's best-selling series, The Books of Coronam, is an epic science fiction series in the vein of Frank Herbert's DUNE. It is available from Flame Tree Press, with international distribution through Simon and Schuster. Another Flame Tree Press title is Johnny apocalyptic myth THE GAIA CHIME, which witnesses the global chaos of a planet in repair. Like Johnny's many other titles it is available wherever better books are sold.
Johnny teaches creative writing at the University of Utah, is a member of Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers (PAA), Pikes Peak Writers, IBPA, SFWA, HWA, and is a lifetime member of The League of Utah Writers. He lives in Sandy Utah with his wife and cat. There's also a lawn.
Johnny's best-selling series, The Books of Coronam, is an epic science fiction series in the vein of Frank Herbert's DUNE. It is available from Flame Tree Press, with international distribution through Simon and Schuster. Another Flame Tree Press title is Johnny apocalyptic myth THE GAIA CHIME, which witnesses the global chaos of a planet in repair. Like Johnny's many other titles it is available wherever better books are sold.
Johnny teaches creative writing at the University of Utah, is a member of Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers (PAA), Pikes Peak Writers, IBPA, SFWA, HWA, and is a lifetime member of The League of Utah Writers. He lives in Sandy Utah with his wife and cat. There's also a lawn.
