Fence Book One
Author: C.S. Pacat
Illustrated by: Johanna The Mad
CollectsFence issues #1-12
“Gives me all the elements of a great sports story that makes me feel fully embraced into the world of fencing.”—IGN
“An action-packed slow burn you won’t want to miss.”
—Judith Utz, Teen Vogue, on Fence #1
“Come for the boys who fence, leave with more pretty boys who fence and what looks to be a new rivalry for the ages.”
—Carrie McClain, Black Nerd Problems, on Fence #2
Having sold over 1 million copies worldwide,New York Times–bestselling author of the Captive Prince trilogy, C.S. Pacat, in conjunction with fan favorite and critically acclaimed artist Johanna the Mad, brings the first of three graphic novels collecting the much-beloved breakout GLAAD-nominatedFence comic, which garnered 1.5 million views and counting after its recent debut on Webtoon on March 15, 2026. Unlocking the series in an official graphic novel format,Fence Book One (BOOM! Box; $18.99 paperback; 336 pages; on sale Sep. 1, 2026) follows an eclectic group of competitive fencers, each with their own goals and secrets, as they navigate intense rivalries, personal growth, and found family at an elite boys’ school. This is a sports romance that comes at you as fast as a parry and hits as hard as a strike.
Young adult audiences hungry for a combination of teammates-to-lovers and rivals-to-lovers will find an energizing underdog story in which an up-and-coming diamond in the rough, hidden in the shadows, challenges a near-untouchable prodigy of fencing. The Fence series continues to satiate fans’ appetite for sports anime like Haikyuu!! and readers seeking character-driven stories with a dash of slow burn romance.
Scrappy fencer Nicholas Cox has big dreams of following in the footsteps of the father he’s never known, but when he’s accepted to the elite Kings Row private school, he’s thrust into a world of cutthroat competition. From privileged rivals, grueling practices, and romance between teammates, Nicholas and the boys of Kings Row must discover there’s more to fencing than just foils and lunges if they’re going to keep their place on the team.
Popular for libraries and graphic novel collections prioritizing inclusive storytelling, the first printing will also include sprayed edges. Fence Book One is distributed worldwide by Penguin Random House and will be available everywhere September 1, 2026.
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