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Fresh Start

By Johnny Worthen
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Brief 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? The new novel from the bestselling author of the Coronam series. On the edges of mankind's domain, there... Read More
Format: Hardback
$6700

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Against the backdrop of failing empire, a former soldier sworn to non-violence after his involvement in a global massacre seeks answers from the captain who ordered it, now exiled on a lawless prison planet overrun by psychotic killers.

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.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! 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? The 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, civilisation 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.

Author: Johnny Worthen is an award-winning, multiple-genre, tie-dye-wearing author, voyager, and a damn fine human being! Trained in literary criticism and cultural studies, he writes upmarket fiction, long and short, mentors others where he can, and teaches at the University of Utah.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781787589636

Publisher: Flame Tree Publishing

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 19 May 2026

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Flame Tree Press

Edition: New edition

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 23.0mm

Width: 153.0mm

Height: 234.0mm

Weight: 198g

Pages: 336

Collections

Fiction General Fiction Johnny Worthen Literary Fiction New Release Science Fiction & Fantasy Books Sci-Fi & Fantasy Science Fiction

About the Author

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.

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