Cameron Johnston returns in this innovative space fantasy, where wizards race to be the first on the moon – also known as the land of the gods. A fast paced read perfect for fans of Adrian Tchaikovsky.
Ella Pickering is drowning in debt. Once a Unity skymage trained to make aerial supply runs in the great war with the Ranneas Empire, following a crash she now uses a wheelchair and works gruelling shifts making magical weapons in the Unity workshops, thinking of better days.
One night Ella witnesses an experiment by engineer Jackan Grissom go awry. His device morphs into a crude rocket blasting skywards before falling into the war’s spell-ravaged No Man’s Land. But this inspires a dangerous could such a device reach the moon – the forbidden home of the gods? Could they go and beg them to stop the war?
They will need help, but as more folk get involved in their blasphemous plot, can they keep it under wraps? Can magic get them to the moon? Or will their heresy lead them to the gallows?
Cameron Johnston is a Scottish writer of fantasy and lives in the city of Glasgow. He is a student of Historical European Martial Arts, loves archaeology, history, folklore and mythology, exploring ancient sites and spooky places, and camping out under the stars with a roaring fire.
The story starts with the end, a trial, and then jumps three years prior to get the story leading up to this point. This world is built on alchemical magic and engineering. It's torn between two religious powers, Unity and the Empire, and while they share different beliefs, they both agree that mere mortals setting foot on the moon, the land of the gods, is blasphemous. After observing an accidental discovery, a ragtag group of mages, explorers and engineers set out to turn this discovery into an alchemical and engineering first--creating a device that will send them to the moon! The moon houses the silver city of the gods.
This book sings to your inner inventor and explorer! If you have a tinkering heart, it will make you feel warm and fuzzy. It's found family, reaching for new heights in the face of adversity, and not being afraid to defy those in power.
Thanks to Angry Robot for the early ARC to review and blurb! Set to release April 14, 2026.
First Mage on the Moon contains notes of Full Metal Alchemist and Ed McDonald’s Raven’s Mark wrapped in an alchemical shell of brilliance from Johnston.
At the start of this book we are at the Chiefs execution for treason but we do not know what led him there.
The remainder of the events take place over the three years prior to this execution and ends where the book started and it sets up the sequel for this book perfectly.
We follow multiple characters and their journey to treason against the empire that has wronged them all somehow. How do they do it? Well, the plan to be the first mages to set foot on the moon which is the home of their gods in hopes to stop the horrific war that has been plaguing their world for a long time.
This was funny, fast paced and yet somehow insanely emotional at the same time.
Imagine our version of the first man on the moon with a wizardly twist.
I received this book as an Advanced Reader Copy from NetGalley. I have nothing but amazing things to say about this book. It may be my new favorite book. To put it simply, this book is incredible. If Red Rising and The Knight and the Moth had a baby, this would be that baby.
The First Mage on the Moon has everything I want in a book. The world building was so well done that I felt drawn into it immediately. The characters are well-crafted and beautifully written. I love how invested I was in the path of the characters. The magic was interesting and different from anything I was familiar with. The relationships were believable and all the characters were just the right amount of charming, funny, inspiring sympathy or ire.
I really enjoyed the parallels between the building of their space program and ours in a way that wasn’t over-technical or over my head. The addition of magic was done in a way that added interest and never seems silly or used to hide from hard questions. I was concerned that this book starting at the end would take away from something but that couldn’t be further from the truth. The story development gave the ending depth and meaning that had me in tears. I was hoping for a sequel, a story of a revolution but sadly for me, the book wrapped up nicely and left me satisfied.
I would highly recommend this book for anyone. It is a great read, a true adventure and I can’t wait for my friends to read it so we can talk about it. I will definitely be buying a copy for myself and as gifts when it is released.
Unputdownable! An absolute delight, The First Mage on the Moon features wizard engineers, a fascinating combination of science and magic, wonderful characters, and, above all, is a tribute to human ingenuity, the joy of discovery, and rebellion.
I received this ARC from the publisher in exchange for a review.
There are so many things about this book that worked so well for me. I love a fantasy world that has technology, but specifically, where they make technology using their rudimentary version of science. My love of this harkens back to my DragonLance reading days, as the gnomes in that series were technologically advanced, but the approach was similar. This book is far more serious. There’s a rag-tag group on a scientific quest, which is fun, but the themes of oppression and the oppressive ruling class destroying the world and holding everyone back with their senseless war underlie the whole thing. The characters are in danger, and it’s always looming.
The characters themselves are a delight. All of them have depth and are likable, though not enough to be a deep psychological profile on anyone, and they make a great team. I loved Katherine the most, and the way they grow and bond with one another is subtle and organic. The father and daughter relationship between the two of them was so sweet, and the disability rep was well-done. It’s third-person multi-pov, of course, which I adore. There isn’t really a love story, which I was fine with. I mildly shipped a pair, but it also wasn’t required that they get together.
The book has a few action scenes, but the ones we get are visceral and fast-paced, and there are a funny moments, such as a character named “Jeff,” whom I also thought was great. And Andyrian, too, was endearing and gave some comic relief during tense moments.
Back to the worldbuilding, it seems Johnston likes to write adaptations of other material. The other two I read were based on Seven Samurai/The Magnificent Seven and Die Hard, but this is clearly based on the Cold War space race, though it’s different enough to be its own thing. He’s quite masterful at dropping easter eggs or allusions to the source material, yet also having the story stand on its own. I found it incredibly fun in that regard.
The best things about the novel are massive spoilers, so I’ll just say if you’re into the Cold War but also love fantasy, you will love this, if you enjoy fantasy settings that infuse magic and science, you’ll also love this, and you’ll also love it if you just love a great story.
This’ll be one of my favourite fantasy books of the year.
Thanks to Angry Robot for the proof copy of this title in return for an honest review.
I haven't read of any Cameron's books before and so I had no expectations going into this one.
I am more of a fantasy reader than a sci-fi reader, but I have read a few very good sci-fi books so I was hoping this would be a part of that group.
It opens with a punch and I was instantly hooked. It starts at the end and then the rest of the book builds up to that end. I thought the prologue section was very interesting and I couldn't wait to see how we got to that stage.
I appreciated Cameron making one of his protagonists disabled. Heroes are normally so perfect, and so to have a disabled hero is almost unthinkable. But as an ambulatory wheelchair user, I loved that he didn't dim her sparkle. She's just as much of a star, a hero, as anyone else. I think more books need to show disabled heroes, and not just as a tick-box exercise. It would good a world of good, particularly for young readers to see that disability needn't be an obstacle to greatness.
I really did enjoy this, but in the interest of being completely honest, there was one or two issues with it. They're not huge issues, and are 100% more of a personal taste thing than something wrong with the book, if that makes sense. I prefer short, snappy chapters and so the chapters in this were a little longer than my personal preference and they do take a lot of concentration. I do wonder if it was a smidge too long. It's only 330-odd pages so it's not long, but there is so much content that it does feel a bit heavy at times.
No-one can say they found this book boring. It's got thrills, spills, danger, injury, death, war, threats. At times I wondered if there was too much. Having finished it I would say he's got it just about right. There is a lot but it's not too overpowering. But you do need to keep your wits about you because there's lots of characters and plot twists and background information that you need to keep on top of.
I know this isn't Cameron's debut novel but it is the first I've read. It wouldn't be my normal kind of read and whilst it wasn't 100% perfect for me, I still really enjoyed it. It's very busy, requires concentration, but it's full to the brim of excitement and adventure, with well-rounded and interesting characters, a deep story, and moral behind the story, with a well crafted narrative.
It's sci-fi, yes; it's about inventions and machines and adventure. But it's also about friendships and found family, about overcoming obstacles and achieving more than you think you could, about proving people wrong, and about finding your magic.
Thank you to NetGalley and Angry Robot for the opportunity to read this book early for a pre-release review.
First Mage on the Moon is an imaginative, genre-blending story that successfully merges elements of fantasy and science fiction into a fast-paced and engaging narrative. The premise alone—magic colliding with space exploration—is compelling, but what makes the book stand out is how naturally these two seemingly opposing systems are woven together. Rather than feeling gimmicky, the fusion of arcane power and futuristic technology creates a fresh world with its own internal logic, inviting readers to suspend disbelief and fully invest in the story.
At the center is a protagonist whose journey feels both epic and personal. The “first mage” is not just a symbol of progress or discovery, but a character shaped by uncertainty, responsibility, and curiosity. Their internal conflict—balancing the discipline of magic with the unknowns of space—mirrors the broader tension of the novel: tradition versus innovation. This makes the stakes feel grounded even as the setting expands beyond Earth.
The worldbuilding is one of the novel’s strongest features. The author clearly puts thought into how magic would function in a lunar environment, from limitations on spellcasting to the impact of isolation and unfamiliar terrain. The moon itself becomes more than just a backdrop; it is an active force that shapes the narrative, presenting both wonder and danger. This attention to detail gives the story a sense of realism, even within its fantastical premise.
Stylistically, the writing is accessible but vivid, striking a balance between descriptive imagery and forward momentum. Action sequences are particularly well-executed, maintaining tension without becoming confusing, while quieter moments allow for reflection and character development. At times, the pacing may feel uneven—some sections move quickly through potentially rich material—but this does little to detract from the overall enjoyment.
Ultimately, First Mage on the Moon is a creative and thought-provoking read that will appeal to fans of both fantasy and science fiction. It explores what it means to push boundaries—whether magical, technological, or personal—and leaves readers considering the possibilities that arise when entirely different worlds collide.
Ella Pickering works as a production mage, creating weapons day in and day out for the same petty war that cost her the use of her legs. When she witnesses a failed experiment from one of the engineering mages, one offhand comment leads to her joining a clandestine project to put the first mage on the moon and petition the gods there to end the war, or die trying.
This book is so damn charming and unique! It's not cozy by any means and it gets pretty dark but this ragtag group of mages trying to make sense of the parts of the universe that feel like magic even to them was just delightful. The world in general was great, and Johnston did a nice job of making the sci-fi and fantasy elements feel cohesive and thought-through. Even as things take a weird turn towards the end (very Tchaikovsky-reminiscent), I didn't feel lost or like things were being poorly shoe-horned in. I was also a big fan of the disability rep. I always love disability rep in SFF, but in particular I like creative uses of magic and technology to accommodate disability without "curing" it. It adds some heart and grit to the world and really makes the relationships between characters feel more meaningful.
This is my first of Cameron Johnston's book and I will absolutely be checking out his backlist! Pick this up if you want something that feels really original.
Thank you to Cameron Johnston and Angry Robot for this ARC in exchange for my full, honest review!
Space and fantasy, two of my favourite genres combined into one, what more could I ask for?
So here we have a story that beings where it ends, a concept I've always enjoyed in novels. We begin at a trial, the result of which could lead to execution, and we then jump back at few years for the story leading up to that point where we encounter Ella, once a skymage, trained for aerial supply runs during war, but now Ella is confined to a wheelchair following a crash and unhappily earns a living making magical weapons. Until one night, she observes an experiment by an engineer involving a rocket go wrong, which inspires her to wonder if the same tech could be used to reach the moon, in order to plead with those there to stop the dreadful war.
But can Ella and her rag tag group succeed? Be sure to pick your copy up to find out.
So all in all, another brilliant read from the amazing Angry Robot Books, they certainly know how to pick the very best stories to publish.
Its fast paced and humourous and is full of wonderful, interesting characters that are believable and feel real.
If you're interested in inventing and tinkering, this is the book for you.
World building is just great, it's descriptive and fantastical and conjures up the characters, sights and smells wonderfully in the mind.
First Mage on the Moon grabs you from the start and doesn't let go!
It starts with an execution and then takes you back a few months... We meet Ella, a disabled lowly mage who crafts crystals for war. We meet a scientist who has an idea after something went wrong. And soon we have a ragtag crew on the way to the Moon - the home of the Gods. What can go wrong?
I adore how Johnston builds the magic system on alchemy and engineering. The main character is disabled but does not let that stop her. And the world is divided between the Unity and the Empire, two factions who can only agree on one thing: setting foot on the Moon, where the Gods recide, is sacrilegious and has to be prevented at all costs.
As always with a Cameron Johnston book, the characters are amazing, there's a theme that lies at the heart of the story - in this case it's all about exploring and tinkering, there is found family and heartwarming bonds and of course the action and thrills I've come to expect of his stories.
I want to thank the Angry Robot publishers for the eARC to review and can't wait for the release on April 14, 2026!
Thank you Angry Robot for allowing me to review First Mage on the Moon by Cameron Johnston
This was a nice surprise! ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️🌝🌕 Please note that THE BROKEN BINDING is doing a beautiful special edition of this book!!
Mages building a rocket to reach the moon and it's somehow the most fun I've had reading all year?? Ella is wheelchair-bound, drowning in debt, and absolutely done with the world, so naturally she decides to commit blasphemy and go to the moon. the found family that assembles around this absolutely unhinged plan is everything. it's got the magic-meets-engineering energy of Fullmetal Alchemist, the scrappy rebellion vibes, and a lead character I'd genuinely die for. drops April 14th and it is not to be slept on!
Sci-fi and fantasy combine with a found family trope and just a classic fun adventure. The plot literally comes full circle, written in a unique and compelling way. Some readers might be annoyed by having to read the entire book to have questions from the beginning answered but the payoff is well worth it. If you're looking for a lower stakes, fun book, that still tackles some bigger themes, such as the meaning of justice, and who decides right and wrong, then this is for you.