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. The honor spotlights the second book in the “Rightfully Mine” series as the next installment is set to arrive early next year.

Why it matters: - The Gold award signals strong recognition for a novel built around environmental crime, activism and whistleblowing. - The win lifts visibility for Marilynne Eichinger’s “Rightfully Mine” series as the third book moves toward publication early next year.

What happened: - Manhattan Book Group announced that “Antheia in the Thorns: A Rightfully Mine Novel” by Marilynne Eichinger received Gold in the 2026 Manhattan Book Awards. - The award recognizes storytelling, originality and imaginative scope in contemporary publishing. - The announcement was made July 23, 2026. - The Kindle edition is available on Amazon for $3.99, down from $6.95. - The novel is also available in paperback, hardcover and audiobook formats.

The details: - The Manhattan Book Awards is a year-round recognition program for books from independent and hybrid publishers worldwide. - An industry-experienced panel judges titles on narrative strength, originality, production quality and overall impact. - Gold honors are reserved for books that demonstrate excellence within their genre and exceptional craft. - Eichinger previously served as president of Impression 5 Science Center in Lansing, Michigan, and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. - Eichinger later founded the Museum Tour Catalog, which brought science kits and educational materials into homes nationwide. - Her work in science education and environmental stewardship helped inspire the “Rightfully Mine” series. - Eichinger is now a public speaker and a member of the Community for Earth Committee in Portland. - “Antheia in the Thorns” is the second novel in the series. - The first book, “The Water Factor,” focuses on the corporate takeover of water resources. - The third installment, “Kingdom of Greed,” is scheduled for release early next year and will examine the cost of sacrificing America’s old-growth forests to corporate greed.

Between the lines: - The award fits a publishing trend that rewards genre fiction with clear social stakes and issue-driven plots. - The book’s mix of environmental themes, family conflict and suspense is designed to reach readers who want activism wrapped in a thriller structure. - Kirkus Reviews called the book a “fiction-filled, well-plotted yarn of industry vs. nature” and highlighted the central conflict between Jen’s fight for the natural world and her husband’s work for a destructive industrial figure.

What's next: - Readers can expect the “Rightfully Mine” series to continue with “Kingdom of Greed” early next year. - Manhattan Book Group is likely to use the award to further promote the novel and the broader series. - The book remains available across multiple formats for readers who want to follow the series now.

The bottom line: - The Gold win gives “Antheia in the Thorns” a major credibility boost and positions the environmental thriller series for a larger audience.