Manhattan Book Group gives Gold to 'Antheia in the Thorns'

Manhattan Book Group named Marilynne Eichinger’s environmental thriller “Antheia in the Thorns: A Rightfully Mine Novel” a Gold winner in the 2026 Manhattan Book Awards on July 23, 2026. The award spotlights the book’s storytelling and adds momentum ahead of the third installment in the series, due early next year.

Why it matters: - The Gold win puts “Antheia in the Thorns” among the top titles recognized by the 2026 Manhattan Book Awards. - The award can raise visibility for Marilynne Eichinger’s “Rightfully Mine” series as the next book approaches release. - The recognition also highlights environmental fiction in a market that often rewards issue-driven storytelling.

What happened: - Manhattan Book Group announced that Marilynne Eichinger’s “Antheia in the Thorns: A Rightfully Mine Novel” won Gold in the 2026 Manhattan Book Awards. - The announcement was dated July 23, 2026. - The honor was presented by Manhattan Book Group, a New York-based independent publishing organization.

The details: - The Manhattan Book Awards are a year-round literary recognition program for books from independent and hybrid publishers worldwide. - An industry-experienced panel judges the titles. - Entries are evaluated on narrative strength, originality, production quality and overall impact. - Gold honors go to books that show exceptional craft within their genre. - “Antheia in the Thorns” is the second novel in the “Rightfully Mine” series. - The series grew out of Eichinger’s background in science education and environmental stewardship. - Eichinger previously led Impression 5 Science Center in Lansing, Michigan, and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. - She later founded the Museum Tour Catalog, which brought science kits and educational materials into homes nationwide. - Eichinger is now a public speaker and a member of the Community for Earth Committee in Portland. - The book follows archaeologist Jennifer Russo in Oregon after she finds an ancient cave with prehistoric remains and a pond filled with toxic yellow vapors. - A man posing as a sheriff warns Jen to stay silent after her discovery. - Jen later learns her husband, an environmental attorney, is working for oil tycoon Abdul Hammed Dillinger. - Dillinger’s refinery produces petcoke, a toxic byproduct that poisons land, air and oceans worldwide. - Jen joins Antheia, a network of young activists led by Brian Adakai. - The group uncovers illegal dumping, corporate corruption and a conspiracy that stretches across continents. - The story includes murder, kidnapping and a final confrontation aboard Dillinger’s cargo ship. - The book is available in Kindle, paperback, hardcover and audiobook formats. - The Kindle edition is on sale for $3.99, down from $6.95. - Kirkus Reviews described the novel as a “fiction-filled, well-plotted yarn of industry vs. nature.”

Between the lines: - The award confirms that environmental thrillers can compete on craft as well as message. - The series combines science, conservation and suspense, which may help it reach readers who want issue-based fiction with a commercial plot. - The built-in setup for the third book suggests Manhattan Book Group is positioning the series for continued attention.

What's next: - The third “Rightfully Mine” novel, “Kingdom of Greed,” is scheduled for release early next year. - The next book will focus on the consequences of sacrificing America’s old-growth forests to corporate greed. - Readers can expect continued expansion of the series’ environmental themes and activist-driven storyline.

The bottom line: - Manhattan Book Group’s Gold award gives “Antheia in the Thorns” a strong endorsement as the “Rightfully Mine” series heads into its next chapter.