I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

The fight continues between the spiritual and Earth-bound people of the future versus the technological and superior forces of invading barbarians in author Todd David Gross’s “LOY and Beyond”. 

The Synopsis

The world is destroyed.

For a thousand years, the Rehloy lived in isolation, developing a special relationship with nature. Theirs was a spiritual life, ethereal, in some ways divine. But change was in the air.

Something was coming, something ominous.

Loy And Beyond is the continuing story of a native people with extraordinary abilities, who face the invasion of a barbarous and technologically superior one.

It is the coming-of-age story of a child whose extreme sensitivities have forced him to live in seclusion. It is about his mother, who once liberated, is forever changed.

It is about a Shaman’s journey, and another’s rise. A new generation emerging, and an old and distant one arriving.

It is the story of the Ontarans, the first great civilization to rise out of the ashes of the past. Who, in attempting to conquer this new land and weaponize the violent beasts native to it,

discover something far more valuable and potentially far more dangerous.

Loy And Beyond is about first contact.

The Review

This is a masterful return to the magical yet dangerous world that the author has crafted. The rich imagery in the author’s writing style and the dynamic mythos that the author brought together in this sequel will keep fans engaged as the story melds into both the dystopian sci-fi and the fantasy genres all at once.

The character dynamics are the heart of the narrative. The stark contrast between the more spiritual tribe known as the Rehloy and the technologically superior civilization known as the Ontarans to rise out of the ashes of the old world made this story shine. The world-building that went into this narrative also elevated the fantasy elements, giving an in-depth look into how civilizations rise and fall overall.

The Verdict

Heartfelt, intriguing, and engaging author Todd David Gross’s “LOY and Beyond” is a must-read sci-fi dystopian and fantasy novel. The gripping narrative and dynamic characters help add a depth of humanity to this tale, and the shocking twists and turns these characters face will keep readers thoroughly invested in this story. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

About the Author

In a past life, Todd David Gross had an extensive background in music and was a veteran of such rock groups as The Burning Sensations, The Band Next Door, and The Shout! He performed primarily on bass, sometimes keys, sang, wrote songs, hauled equipment and performed in downtown NYC clubs, (usually after 2 a.m. on a work night), hauled equipment back, and sometimes saw the sun rise. 

Along the way he discovered esoteric literature, and for decades has been an avid student of philosophical, and psychological studies, embracing both Western constructs and Eastern philosophies, such as Buddhism, Sufism, Kabbalah,  and all the teachings which strive to bring the light of consciousness to humanity.  

Eventually, he traded one keyboard for another, and wrote several plays including The Visit, Life In The Park, Sense Memory, all of which were performed in New York City. His most “prestigious” play,  Them Within Us, ran Off-Broadway at Theater Row Theater, (alas, now Theater Row Diner), and was published by Broadway Play Publishing. 

Thereafter he set about writing Loy, which has become a series, and his most extensive achievement to date.

https://toddgrossauthor.com