I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A young man returning home on his thirtieth birthday finds himself thrust into a global phenomenon and his fate tied to a mysterious woman with red hair in author Liz Butcher’s novel “Fates’ Fury”.
The Synopsis
The last thing Jonah Sands expected on his thirtieth birthday was to have his life thrust into the hands of a dangerous, red-haired woman—or to be the only person in the world to survive an encounter with her.
As the death toll skyrockets, Jonah and his two best friends, the siblings Tristan and Ava Carter, find themselves at the epicenter of inexplicable phenomena—a stranded ferry transforms into a barge headed for the Underworld; young girls levitate to whisper ancient riddles; technology across the globe is controlled by some unseen hand. And it all seems to lead back to the woman with red hair. When a stranger finds them in the midst of a thunder storm and offers his otherworldly assistance, Jonah finally unravels the truth about who he really is. And what it means for the rest of humanity.
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The Review
What really sticks out from the very first chapter is just how fast the author takes readers into the action and mystery of this story. A brand new take on the lore and mythology of Ancient Greek Mythology, the reader is shown a modern day world where the past and present collide. The blend of ancient mythology with character building that feels natural in the face of such unnatural events.
What really stands apart and makes this story so great however is the core relationships between Jonah, Tristan and Ava. A friendship between Jonah and the siblings that has lasted for decades showcases a bond that is tighter than even some families readers may know. In the face of such otherworldly events and soul-shattering secrets revealed, the author does a great job of bringing this friendship to light.
The Verdict
This is a wonderful modern day fantasy/mythological story that redefines the genre and creates a lore than fans can sink their teeth into. From shocking revelations and emotional bonds tested, and even some surprising romances blooming, this is a story that feels epic and powerful in it’s delivery, creating a narrative that readers will not be able to get enough of. By the novel’s end, readers will be blown away as the entire narrative gets flipped on its head. Be sure to grab your copy of Liz Butcher’s “Fates’ Fury” today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Liz Butcher resides in Australia, with her husband, daughter, and their two cats. She’s a self-confessed nerd with a BA in psychology and an insatiable fascination for learning. When she’s not writing or spending time with her family, Liz enjoys road trips, astronomy, music and knitting.
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I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
If you’ve ever wanted a new solution to bug infestations that won’t cost an arm and a leg and will also help you understand the insects infesting your home, then look no further than author Tess Watson’s novel “Little Buggers!: How to Identify, Treat and Prevent Insect Infestation”.
The Synopsis
Got unwelcome houseguests of the teeny tiny variety running around like they own the place? Not every insect infestation requires a call to a pest-control company. Little Buggers! offers facts, figures and pictures along with practical guidance on how to evict them on your own and when to call in the pros. It also includes preventive measures to keep them from ever returning… or ever beginning.
The Review
This was a well written, thoroughly researched and quick read that will fully help home owners and people in general to understand the insects that commonly infest a home and how to properly work to rid them from your home without hiring an exterminator to come out and do it themselves. The author diligently goes through the various insects that may find themselves calling your home their nest, from ants and fleas to spiders and wasps.
What really stood out as a guide book and how-to style book was the depth of detail the author presented on each insect. While most would only think to look for the quickest and easiest way to get rid of the bug, the author details the insects carefully to help the average homeowner gain an understanding of these creatures, the benefits they provide the outside of a person’s home and how to remove the infestation to keep and maintain that balance from the outside of a person’s home to the inside.
The Verdict
Although a quick read, the author hits the reader with precision and a straight to the point voice that commands the readers attention. The author even details the various chemicals that can be used on a person’s home, what goes into these chemicals and how they will affect the home and the insects in general, making for a very thorough read. If you are looking for a way to not only rid yourself of an insect infestation but understand the nature of the bugs who have crawled their way into your home, then grab your copy of “Little Buggers!: How to Identify, Treat and Prevent Insect Infestation” by Tess Watson today!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A royal prince’s mission to uncover a mystery surrounding missing mining ore reveals a massive conspiracy that spans a galactic empire that threatens to destroy his father’s reign once and for all in author Timothy Burn’s sci-fi epic novel, “Edj of the Empire: Herrig’s World”.
The Synopsis
Edj Dumarc LaRand Bronacious Tarkle, the son of Emperor Risherd Fontanue LaRand Bronacious Tarkle, and the Crown Prince and Heir to the Crystal Throne of the Empire of the Ninety-Nine Stars is on his way to Herrig’s World, a remote planet that rarely warrants attention. However, production of the ore critical to anti-grave tech, minzite, has recently cratered.
There are many ways to address the decline. The navy could be sent in to investigate, but they never do anything small. An official auditor could be dispatched, but he would inevitably find several perfectly good reasons for the decline and file a report saying, oh well, that’s just the way it is. Or Edj could go and make a few quiet, discrete inquiries and find out precisely who is profiting. It seemed so simple when his father asked him to investigate matters.
But nothing is ever simple. What Edj uncovers on Herrig’s World is a plot to destroy the foundation of the Empire. With a mindbender named Mala and his loyal android companion, JD, in tow, Edj begins an adventure across the Ninety-Nine stars to stop the conspiracy in its tracks. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what they expect. With his ship barely functional, and the odds stacked against him, can Edj save the Empire before time runs out?
The Review
A fantastic tale that seemed to blend films like Star Wars, Blade Runner and Alien all into one epic story with an almost high fantasy feel. The author does a great job of immediately establishing this new galactic mythology while also making the narrative feel personal and intimate with the protagonist’s narration.
The tough, rough and tumble Prince living the life of a heroic pirate through space immediately grabs the reader’s attention, as Edj first stumbles into a bar looking for information, finds himself drawn to a beautiful woman and subsequently attacked. The novel only takes off from here, as missions to clear land filled with dangerous animals without harming said beasts pushes the prince to his limits, and soon the simple job of finding some missing ore turns into a full blown, galactic conspiracy that could have dire consequences on the Empire he was born into.
The Verdict
Edj is a likable, humorous and thrill seeking protagonist that any sci-fi and action fan can get behind. With the aid of a loyal if all too serious android companion and the mysterious mind bender who enters his life, author Timothy Burns takes readers into a whole new sci-fi epic tale that begins a saga that fans can really sink their teeth into. With an engaging cast of characters, action-packed drama and a fantastic understanding of the sci-fi genre as a whole, this is a book that readers have to see to believe. Be sure to grab your copy of Timothy Burns novel “Edj of the Empire: Herrig’s World” today!
1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?
My first experiences with storytelling were around the campfire in my childhood. My family spent many nights around campfires sharing stories, retelling old tales, or making up new ones to keep the night at bay. When I was very young, I shined shoes in my grandfather’s barbershop for a time. I admit to being terrible with a rag and brush but I listen to every story that was passed back and forth between the old men that haunted the place as they waited for their trim or shave. I found my way into theater as a young man and eventually into independent film in college. The entire time, whether I was sitting by the fire or behind a camera, I was always writing, always composing my own stories or at least witnessing them as they composed themselves.
2) What inspired you to write your book?
Most of my work is inspired by a simple moment that ignites my senses. Ration started in the hallway of a hotel, a single small sound caused a ripple in my mind that blossomed into a scene in the book. Most of my work begins with this kind of small spark and then blooms across the bones of a story that grows from the world around me. I have been an educator for nearly two decades, food insecurity and violence are constant issues many of my students face. I wanted this story to reflect struggles that I witness in the real world.
3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?
Ration is about love, which seems to be incongruous with horror and dystopia, but the truth is each of these characters is worthy of some form of love, no matter how ugly their own idea of love is. With Ration I wanted to write a kind of book that could explore the imperfections of how we see love and experience it, especially in the darkest moments of our lives.
4) What drew you into this particular genre?
Writing horror offers a great deal of freedom, and while I am not bound by genre in my writing, I recognize that horror gives me the opportunity to write about dark and beautiful things. I want my writing to stretch across all genres, but I also want to write something that reflects the terrible little personal horrors that we must all face and at the same time, demonstrate how those horrors simply make us human.
5) If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?
I think I would sit down with Ms. Tuttle and ask her why she didn’t break away from her mother like she so wanted to. I would ask her why she struggles to remember her love until she is quite sure that she can no longer feel love.
6) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?
Twitter is an interesting mechanism for developing a readership. I have no gift in social media, in fact, I admit to enjoy hiding in my office and quietly writing in the hopes that the world might simply stumble across my work, but unfortunately that’s not the way things are. Twitter has been a remarkable platform to put me in touch with hundreds of other writers. This has been a tremendous boon that does my heart good to find such a supportive community. So, no matter how clumsy I am at it, it remains one of my most useful tools.
7) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?
The thing I can offer is something that I’m sure most writers have heard before, but it remains profoundly true: you must write the thing that you love, no matter how risky or terrifying that might be. If you love what you write, and you feel what your characters are feeling when you write it, the reader will feel these things also. Writing is about passion, one that you can share with your readers, but one that you must cultivate by yourself. And never forget that there will be people who love your work just as much as you, so even though you must write by yourself, you must never read alone.
8) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?
I am currently working on a new novel. It’s also a scary story about how each of us sees the world in very different ways. This story will also be about love, centering on a family, a town in the Pacific Northwest, and a terrible loss.
Cody’s stories have appeared in Pilgrimage, Cirque, KYSO Flash, Menda City Review, Swamp Biscuits & Tea, and others. He is fiction winner of the 2016 Montana Book Festival Regional Emerging Writers Contest.
Cody teaches at Portland Community College and works as a story editor. He completed an intensive MFA in Creative Writing from Goddard College. Cody grew up listening to stories in his grandfather’s barber shop as he shined shoes, stories told to him at bedsides and on front porches, deep in his father’s favorite woods, and in the cabs of pickup trucks on lonely dirt roads. Cody’s work explores those things both small and wondrous that move the soul, whether they be deeply real or strikingly surreal.
Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?
– I got into writing in high school, but I wasn’t any good at it back then. Recently, I wanted to take more control and agency in my life, as well as write down some cool story ideas I had. In 2017 while at work, I work in a car dealership call center, I decided to just start writing hoping that it would expand into a novel.
What inspired you to write your book?
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– Both Dagger and Scythe, as well as Era of Undying sort of came about the same way. I had this idea in mind and wanted to run with it. I’m not sure where the inspiration came specifically but I wanted to know what would happen to a character if her blood could move outside of her body, hence Era of Undying. And for Dagger and Scythe I had those two in my head also since high school. They were like a combination of Mr. and Mrs. Smith with Gomes and Morticia Addams.
What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?
There’s nothing to profound in my books, but if there was a message I guess that it would be that there is beauty in the grotesque.
What drew you into this particular genre?
– I love the in depth characters in dark fantasy and grimdark stories. They are so dynamic and three dimensional. Also the landscapes can be just as amazing, and dark.
If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?
– If I could sit down with anyone in “Dagger and Scythe” that would be the character Nyx. She’s the goddess of death in their world, and is actually a bit lonely. I’d love to talk to her about her family and the pantheon she created.
What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?
– Facebook and Twitter are the most helpful, but I’m also on Goodreads and Instagram.
What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?
– Take your time, and work at your own pace. So many writers starting off want to be the next best thing right away, and so did I, but it’s best to slow down, and really plan everything. Also in regards to writing itself, create a daily habit for yourself. That will always be more powerful than waiting on inspiration.
What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?
Oh yes, I’m working on a few right now, with more planned in the future. I’m really hoping that I can do this full time one day.
About the Author
I have always loved stories. They explore weird new ideas, and bring people together. After years of reading fantasy and horror I wanted to combine them together into my own dark fantasy. And given the BA in Classical Civilizations and fascination in Ancient Greek mythology I blended it well into my stories too. Other then reading in my spare time I love to play video games quite often.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A young warrior’s obsession leads to disastrous consequences and a journey of redemption on author Faramond Frie’s novel “Yankai’s Skull”.
The Synopsis
200 years ago, a Tibetan Shaman entrusts Yankai with the secret that other worlds connected to ours exist and contain immense and dangerous power. Yankai is obsessed with gathering the knowledge required to protect his people from these worlds and following years of study, he stumbles upon a doorway to one of them. Yankai crosses into a dark and advanced world powered by the essence of Human Beings. Captured and tortured, he fights back and escapes to Earth but brings with him a being of immense power and is followed by another intent on revenge.
Over 2 centuries, Yankai seeks the elusive and deadly Poet whom he believes can help him destroy these beings. Aided by an immortal, a psychic and a man prepared to risk his life for Yankai’s cause, the threads of all their lives converge into a single moment where the fate of all will be decided.
The Review
In this short yet powerful read, the reader is treated to a dark fantasy driven narrative infused with a bit of sci-fi action and a historical style of fighting in a modern day world. This mashup of genres and story devices make for an engaging read, giving the reader just enough backstory peppered throughout the narrative to connect with the characters without taking the reader out of the moment entirely.
The only critiques for this novel would involve transitions. There were moments in the narrative where it can be somewhat hard to discern where one character’s perspective ended and another’s began, so the use of transitions would have done well to help the story flow a bit more smoothly. However this wasn’t enough to take the reader out of the narrative completely, and I still found myself engaged in Yankai’s tale.
The Verdict
The novel is a fast paced, action-fueled fantasy that blends many different genres and has a way of making the modern world still feel ancient and mythical in its approach. The twists and turns that bring a plot device early in the narrative back into the novel’s finale is going to be a fun and shocking twist readers won’t see coming, so be sure to grab your copy of Yankai’s Skull by Faramond Frie today!
Back in blue, the latest hit NIGHTWING series is now collected in hardcover in NIGHTWING: THE REBIRTH DELUXE EDITION BOOK 1!
Dick Grayson is his name. Heroism is his one true calling. To heed that call, he’s worn many faces. He was the first Robin and a replacement Batman, a superspy and a dead man walking. But the greatest of the masks he’s worn into battle against evil is the one he created himself–the one he’s just won a hard-fought battle to take back.
He’s Nightwing. And he’s returned to reclaim the streets of the cities he loves.
From Gotham City to his adopted home of Bludhaven, Nightwing is taking the war on crime personally–and he’s taking it right to the enemy. The all-powerful Court of Owls and their rogue agent Raptor. The old foes out for his blood and the new serial killer framing him for crimes he didn’t commit. Even his mentor, the Dark Knight, and his longtime love interest Barbara Gordon, a.k.a. Batgirl, won’t stand in his way.
Now more than ever, the night belongs to Nightwing!
Discover the start of an all-new saga in the life of one of comics’ greatest heroes in NIGHTWING: THE REBIRTH DELUXE EDITION BOOK ONE, from the creative team of Tim Seeley, Javier Fernandez, Marcus To and Chris Sotomayor–exploding from the pages of the blockbuster DC: UNIVERSE REBIRTH event! Collects NIGHTWING: REBIRTH #1 and NIGHTWING #1-15.
Verdict
One of the few heroes who worked under Batman’s wing and managed to secure his own path to being a hero himself is Dick Grayson, aka Nightwing. The Rebirth era solidifies his push to identify himself as his own hero apart from his mentor and friend, Batman. The incredibly unique distinction in combat styles and approach, mixed with a creative new storytelling arc introducing new villains, iconic heroes and the reintroduction of the iconic city of Bludhaven into the DC Rebirth era make this first deluxe collection of the Nightwing series a must read. It has great character arcs, great artwork and a deep dive into the DC Universe as a whole.
The Teen Titans are settling into their new lives in Titans Tower in San Francisco…even if answering to Damian Wayne takes a lot of getting used to. But Beast Boy, Raven, Starfire and Kid Flash soon have a lot more than an overbearing Robin to worry about—a prison breakout has led to a string of disappearances, and some of them hit close to home.
Now, to rescue the kidnapped, the Titans will have to go toe-to-fin with King Shark, and the Titans are out of their depth…literally!
But a new teen hero named Jackson Hyde has seen the Titans in action, and he’s headed to Titans Tower to try to join the team. Will Aqualad be enough to turn the tide for the Teen Titans…or will the mystery of his powers unleash an even deadlier threat on the team?
Writer Benjamin Percy and artist Khoi Pham continue the DC Rebirth adventures of the heroes of tomorrow, today in TEEN TITANS Vol. 2! Collects TEEN TITANS #6-7, #9-11.
Verdict
A fantastic next chapter in the Teen Titans Rebirth era. Exploring more of Damian Wayne’s leadership skills and introducing Aqualad into the DC Rebirth era, it was refreshing to see an LGBTQ character like Aqualad not only get his spotlight in the series, but have a fantastic character arc that explored the real life struggles of meeting a wayward parent and dealing with the heartbreaking consequences of not being accepted. Exploring his relationship with his shocking villainous parent will keep readers engaged throughout this exciting new chapter in the team’s history.
Wally West is back in the DCU and he’s once again teamed up with former teen heroes and fan-favorite characters like Nightwing, Donna Troy, Arsenal and more!
Spinning directly out of the events of DC Universe: Rebirth, this new band of Titans are on a quest to find out the truth behind the earth-shattering, universe-changing revelations that Wally ushered in in his return to the world he thought he’d lost. Wally, Donna, Arsenal, Garth, Lilith and Nightwing are on the hunt for the mysterious force that erased their memories, forcing them to forget what they could accomplish together. Reunited with their memories returned, the Titans must destroy the interdimensional demon that broke them apart and threatens reality itself.
Collecting: Titans 1-6, Rebirth
Verdict
A great way to bring back the original Titans lineup and merge the past with the Rebirth era of storytelling for DC Comics. Seeing these friends interact and have their memories come flooding back as a beloved fan favorite character returns to the DC Universe is fantastic storytelling at its finest. The artwork is incredible, and the group dynamic is what really draws the reader in with the core members reuniting and finding what made the group the powerful team they originally were to begin with. A must read for anyone who is a fan of the Rebirth era.
The creative team of Scott Snyder, Joshua Williamson, James Tynion IV and Francis Manapul unleash new super-teams in Justice League: No Justice.
The events of Dark Nights: Metal have transformed the universe in ways both wonderful and terrifying…and unleashed four ancient entities with the power to destroy it all.
Mystery. Wonder. Wisdom. Entropy. These four forces govern all of existence, and now the godlike beings who embody them have awakened. All life is in jeopardy, and the only chance the superheroes of Earth have to stop the unthinkable lies in new alliances…the likes of which have never been seen before!
Superman, Starfire and Martian Manhunter search for the secrets of the cosmos in Team Mystery!
Batman, Beast Boy and Deathstroke battle chaos itself as Team Entropy!
Wonder Woman, Zatanna and Etrigan the Demon unlock bizarre alien technologies with Team Wonder!
And the Flash, Cyborg and Harley Quinn learn the astonishing truths of Team Wisdom!
Can these amazing new Justice Leagues stick together to stop universal annihilation? Some heroes will not live long enough to find out…
Collects issues #1-4 and stories from DC Nation #0.
Verdict
A brilliant crossover event that pushes the boundaries of the known DC Universe into directions fans will not see coming. Returning an iconic villain like Brainiac and flipping the script when it is revealed he is not the biggest threat to the universe this time around, the story has a fantastic set of character arcs that see Brainiac separate heroes and villains alike into unusual groupings to battle monstrous and devastating entities unleashed from the Source Wall’s crack in previous storylines. Seeing these heroes and villains interactions make for great mythology and character buildup, and the side story being told back on Earth between Amanda Waller and Oliver Queen leads to a shocking conclusion for the DC Universe.
Deathstroke may be one of the most hardened anti-heroes in the DC Universe, but there’s no cutting corners when it comes to contract killing, especially when your family is on the hit list!
Confronted by his own troubled past and challenged to reinvent himself before he loses everything and everyone in his life, Slade Wilson, a.k.a. Deathstroke, finds himself and those he values most in the crosshairs–stalked by an unseen enemy.
Collecting: Deathstroke 1-5, Rebirth
Verdict
Definitely one of the grittiest comics of the Rebirth era, the first story arc of Slade Wilson’s very own comic series showcases why he is one of the most ruthless and dangerous mercenaries in the world. A man with his own “unique” code, the story does a great job of thoroughly exploring the anti-hero/villain’s past and bringing out the complex family dynamic he has created amongst himself, his ex and his children, especially Rose, who finds herself more of an outsider than most in the Wilson family being a daughter from another woman Slade met. It highlights the complex family drama and mind games within the Wilson family and shows how even the most powerful heroes of the DC Universe should be wary of Slade Wilson, as few who have ever managed to go up against Deathstroke have survived for long.
The first two volumes of Justice League as a part of DC Universe: Rebirth are collected here in hardcover for the first time ever!
Spinning directly out of the events of DC Universe: Rebirth, a new day dawns for the Justice League as they welcome a slew of new members into their ranks. The question remains though: can the world’s greatest superheroes trust these new recruits? And will the members of League be able to come together against an ancient evil that threatens to reclaim not just the world, but the entire universe!?
Masterful storytelling, epic action and unbelievable art come together in Justice League from best-selling comic book writer Bryan Hitch (JLA) and superstar artist Tony S. Daniel (Batman, Detective Comics).
Collecting: Justice League 1-12, Rebirth
Verdict
The first deluxe collection of the Rebirth era of Justice League was fascinating and enthralling. From new recruits into the League to the interesting relationship of the New 52 heroes merging into the Rebirth era and meeting the Pre-Flashpoint Superman, who has emerged and introduced himself to the world after the previous Superman’s fall. The powerful forces that are introduced showcase the need for this new and powerful roster of heroes to join together, learn to trust one another and fight off threats that could tear the universe apart forever. From grand cosmic tales to intimate stories of loss and grief fueling a threat against the JL, these first twelve issues are a great way to jump into the series.
The day that Amanda Waller has long dreaded has finally come to pass: the Justice League has discovered the existence of Task Force X! America’s paragons of truth & justice won’t take well to a government-sponsored team of black ops super-villains (with bombs implanted in their heads), but before the Justice League can shut down the Suicide Squad, a bigger problem looms: another deadly strike team is lurking in the shadows, one that could expose dark secrets throughout the DC Universe, with ties to the hidden truths of DC Universe: Rebirth. Longtime enemies such as Batman & Deadshot, the Flash & Boomerang, & Wonder Woman & Harley Quinn will have to put aside their differences when an evil threat once thought lost to the DC Universe makes their return.
Collecting: Justice League vs. Suicide Squad 1-6, Justice League 12-13, Suicide Squad 8-10
Verdict
This is a gritty tale in the story of the Justice League as the more grueling world of the Suicide Squad envelopes the team and a threat beyond anything either team could imagine emerges to take over the world. As the JL seeks to bring the criminals of the Suicide Squad back to prison and justice, the Squad fights to maintain their fight and right to stay on the team they’ve been forced on, all while under the orders of ruthless leader Amanda Waller. However the deeper threat of a group of villains so dangerous they had to be hidden away from the world and the one man dangerous enough to release them takes center stage quickly, and forces each team to determine whether they should fight one another, or join forces to stop this even greater threat.
1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?
I always enjoyed telling stories since I was a kid, but my focus had always been on illustration – I really wanted to be a comic book creator. In 2003, I self-published four issues of a dark science fantasy series called “Nether: The Age of Maga” (no connection to the current administration’s tag phrase) and as I dived deep into plotting out the series, I got more invested in the craft of prose. I found I could express a lot more in writing than just with pictures and speech balloons. If I had pursued that story in comic form, it would have taken me a couple of lifetimes to tell the story I wanted to tell. The comic book wasn’t successful enough to sustain production, so I switched gears and focused on writing.
In 2008 I finished my first novel, but it had a lot of flaws, so I filed it away and continued putting in my hours, reading and writing good and bad prose. My first short story for pay was accepted for publication in 2011 in ‘Space and Time’ magazine. I’ve had 25 short stories and three novellas published to date.
None of it pays the rent yet, but I’m working on that part, building my library.
A weird commingling of inspirations fueled the world of Stormkind. The ones that are right out in front are ‘The Watchmen’ by Moore and Gibbons, ‘Powers’ by Bendis and Oeming, ‘Marshal Law’ by Mills and O’Neill, and ‘Marvels’ by Busiek and Ross.
My day job for years had been a graphic designer for advertising agencies, so the starting point for this series was writing from the perspective of a guy who designed the costumes and logos for under-powered, noob superheroes. That character, Sven, made it into Book One, but as a very minor character. His sarcastic, so-over-it attitude spilled into Bloodstock, who ended up becoming the main character of the series. More details about Bloodstock will be drip fed to readers in subsequent books.
And then the movie Deadpool came out, and the concept began to gel. Bloodstock first appeared in a short story intended to be published with Zelmer Pulp, a collective of writers with whom I got a real taste for telling a broad range of stories. Each ZP anthology collection had a different theme – zombies, westerns, sci-fi, noir, etc. and we edited each others’ work. It was a great way to stay inspired. After five anthologies, we wanted to do a superhero noir theme, and I went bonkers worldbuilding a shared universe for the other writers to play in. That work is published on the History page of the Stormkind website. (http://www.chuckregan.com/stormkind/history.html)
Yeah, I went to a very geeky, very manic place. I wanted enough structure so I could tell consistent stories for a long time to come. That Bloodstock short story will be published in an anthology of Stormkind characters, some of which were mentioned in the footnotes.
3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?
The core theme of the series is focused on answering the question ‘What is a hero?’ Is it a set of rules, or a gut instinct driven by altruism? Is it past-life karma moving a hero to act, or yesterday’s guilt? Is a character driven by heart or head? Which character’s actions serve their ego, and which actions serve a greater good? And how does each of us act under stress? Why?
I have always been a fan of Star Wars. Hell, the original trilogy was my religion growing up, so I guess I was trying to channel my inner Yoda trying to answer these questions. Hopefully, between all the snark and destruction, readers will start to answer these questions in their own lives.
Beyond all this pretentious babble, I just hope they have fun reading it.
4) What drew you into this particular genre?
Honestly, I don’t know. It just kind of grabbed hold of my enthusiasm, and momentum did the rest. The series will drift into some seriously messed up supernatural weirdness – that’s where all my stories typically end up – but I never really entertained writing about superheroes before.
I enjoyed The Flash and Batman as a kid. Later, X-men and New Mutants, but I always preferred reading stuff in the vein of DC’s Vertigo line, where ‘superheroes’ were mostly a sidebar to the esoteric adventures of characters like John Constantine.
I don’t know. Maybe it’s just me acting at the bidding of Causal Balance.
5) If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?
Thaddeus Ormond, no question. He knows what’s going on on many levels. He’s been to other alternate-Earths. More on him in Book Two. If Nikola Tesla and Elon Musk had a love child, that’s Ormond.
6) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?
Honestly, I didn’t put much effort into marketing through social media or any other venue. The only one I used was Facebook. I decided at some point I’d rather put in my hours writing ten books that ten people enjoyed than dealing with the black abyss of marketing. This is all just a fun hobby for me. If other people find it and like it, great.
I really appreciate you letting me tell everyone who visits your blog how awful a businessperson I am!
7) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?
Use writing to learn about yourself. Let your characters make the choices you don’t feel safe making for yourself. Only when your writing is personal will it have real meaning. And don’t expect to make any money. That will kill your inspiration and honesty. Write only for yourself.
That said, put in your time. Just write. If you are a ‘pantser’ – writing by the seat of your pants, I can’t offer any advice. Pantsing only works for me with short stories.
For longer works, I needed to figure out a reliable method of plotting. After going through half the goddamn books on the planet about plotting, I found that ‘Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook’ by Donald Maass and ‘The Anatomy of Story’ by John Truby were most helpful. Once I figured out what my plot was, I could finally feel safe investing the time in writing each chapter.
You ever see ‘A Beautiful Mind’? When the Professor’s wife discovers the shed with the insane notes, drawings, clippings, and colored string linking all his thoughts? That’s what I was doing before I discovered these plotting methods.
8) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?
I re-tooled that comic book series, Nether, into a novel series, and am shopping the first book around to literary agents. The working title (this week) is ‘Flames of Naraka.’ It takes place five thousand years in the future on a demon-infested post-apocalyptic Earth – kind of a ‘Lord of the Rings’ meets ‘Star Wars’. The second book is 75% complete. I plotted it out to book six.
‘Little Agony’ is a novel about the third generation of Martian colonists living in a corrupt dystopia. Inspired by ‘The Grapes of Wrath’ and ‘Firefly’, this was my first attempt at a novel. I’m working on rewrite number eight.
Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass #1) by Sarah J. Maas Book Review:
Political intrigue, fantasy based action and a complex protagonist are the cornerstone of the bestselling novel, Throne of Glass, the first in the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Mass. The intricate world building that went into this first novel and the deeply layered mythology of the book really pulled me into this fantastic world. Here is the book synopsis:
After serving out a year of hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, 18-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien is dragged before the Crown Prince. Prince Dorian offers her her freedom on one condition: she must act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin.
Her opponents are men-thieves and assassins and warriors from across the empire, each sponsored by a member of the king’s council. If she beats her opponents in a series of eliminations, she’ll serve the kingdom for three years and then be granted her freedom. Celaena finds her training sessions with the captain of the guard, Westfall, challenging and exhilarating. But she’s bored stiff by court life. Things get a little more interesting when the prince starts to show interest in her… but it’s the gruff Captain Westfall who seems to understand her best.
Then one of the other contestants turns up dead… quickly followed by another. Can Celaena figure out who the killer is before she becomes a victim? As the young assassin investigates, her search leads her to discover a greater destiny than she could possibly have imagined.
I really enjoyed the character development of Celaena Sardothien in this story. Rather than being just a one-dimensional assassin for hire, this story showcased the person underneath the hardened killer persona that this world has come to know. Getting to see the assassin that was trained for years struggle with the young woman filled with doubt, with emotion and with human compassion was a treat to behold, and a lot of YA fans will enjoy this character growth as well.
The pace of this novel was evenly done, and the incredible climax to the competition Celaena finds herself in will delight and shock readers. In the end, this is a perfect start to an incredible YA Fantasy series, and it’s one I cannot wait to dive more into with the rest of the series. If you haven’t yet, I highly recommend giving this book a read and diving into the Throne of Glass series by the amazing Sarah J. Maas.
Rating: 5/5 stars.
What are your thoughts on Throne of Glass? Leave your comments down below and let me know!
