Alaya's Bio

Racing the Dark reviewed in School Library Journal: "This novel has rich details of setting and character motivation. The prose is lyrical and metaphorical, in a style similar to Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist. There are also elements of Greek myths in which mortals and spirits meet with mostly tragic results. The complex plot requires careful reading but the effort is worth it. Teens who enjoyed Ursula Le Guin's Always Coming Home will like this novel, and many readers will identify with a character facing adult responsibilities while still feeling like a child."

Racing the Dark reviewed in Publishers Weekly: "In Johnson's bold debut, a young woman faces sweeping changes to the ancient traditions and culture of her tiny island home...this proposed series could be a stand-out."

Shard of Glass reviewed in Publishers Weekly: "Stories from such renowned authors as Esther Friesner and Gene Wolfe are surprisingly outclassed by tales from relative newcomers Alaya Dawn Johnson and Anne Harris."

Shard of Glass reviewed in Booklist: "Alaya Dawn Johnson's "Shard of Glass" is an entire romantic novel in 20 pages."

Third Day Lights reivewed in Lost Pages/Found Pages by Claude Lalumière: "This sparkling gem of a story evokes many past masters of fantastic fiction — Moorcock, Vance, Silverberg, Zelazny, and probably others — but the vibrant synthesis that emerges is entirely Johnson's. A brash far-future adventure that often feels like fantasy, "Third Day Lights" is gorgeously written and sizzling with energy..."

Third Day Lights reviewed in SF Site by David Soyka: "Science fiction is no different from any fiction in frequently pondering the significance of existence, which can easily become sophomoric in the wrong hands. But Alaya Dawn Johnson manages to tread the fine line rather well in her atmospherically powerful -- and a bit disturbing -- "Third Day Lights." Think Jonathan Carroll on LSD and you'll sort of get the idea."

Third Day Lights reviewed in Tangent Online by Michael Gabriel Bailey: "I don't think I have ever read a story that was as disturbing and hypnotic as "Third Day Lights" by Alaya Dawn Johnson...I found this story succeeded for me because of the amazing imagery, the original ideas, and the incredibly graceful use of language."

Shard of Glass reviewed in Tangent Online by Eugie Foster: "Johnson's story is evocative, rich with sensory ...She takes us on an exhilarating journey of cultural exploration, social expectations, and ingrained racial injustice that culminates in a satisfying conclusion. Her poignant handling of racial issues is deft and thoughtful, effective without being overbearing or ham-fisted, making for a poignant and effective tale."

Shard of Glass reviewed in IROSF by Bluejack: "The real conclusion takes place in the final paragraphs and works as a powerful resolution to a complex enmity/love affair. Since the strength of the story lies in the view into these complex characters, these people conflicted about their own hearts and their own identities, the resolution to this tension works beautifully."

Third Day Lights reviewed in SciFi UK by Richard Hawkins: "This story reminds me of the feeling I had when I first saw Salvador Dali's paintings at the Tate Gallery in London. Bizarre. You can't help frowning through half the story, and it just gets deeper towards the end. ...Beautiful SF."

Third Day Lights reviewed in BestSF.net by Mark Watson: "A very strange story, a literary equivalent of a Salvador Dali painting..."

Third Day Lights reviewed by Rich Horton: "a fine strange piece..."

A brief bibliography...

Some reviews...