Tag: science fiction

BLOG TOUR: GEAR BOX 1: GEAR CHILD BY MARK DAVID CAMPBELL

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Gear Child - Mark David Campbell

Mark David Campbell has a new queer YA sci-fantasy book out (gay, lesbian, homonormative) Gear Box book 1: Gear Child.

From our beloved teddy bear to our cherished first car, we form deep emotional bonds with inanimate objects. Will AI machines inevitably develop the capacity to love us in return?

In a post-apocalyptic world that survives on garbage left over from the Gawd Wars eight generations ago, Sunny Boy, a semi-organic machine initially made to emulate a thirteen-year-old, and later modified as an eighteen-year-old, longs to be loved. His quest to find a family takes him from a farm in Winnipeg to the far reaches of the known galaxy. When Sunny Boy becomes embroiled in an ancient battle between a collective intelligence and a parasitic alien crystal, the boundaries between organic and inorganic life are called into question.

Warnings: Very low sex and violence (no gun play)

Series Blurb

The Gear Box Trilogy, which includes: Gear Child, The Arena of Mayhem, and The Wayward Star, is a journey of the heart that takes you from a devastated post-Gawd Wars Earth, across the Solar System to the far reaches of the galaxy, and explores the line between inanimate machine and animate life form.

Told from the perspectives of Sunny Boy, Fancy Larry, and Loofah—three AI machines—who understand the world around them through symbols, metaphors, and allegories. Along with their capacity for creative thought, empathy, and growth, they likewise struggle with issues of self-identity and self-esteem. Most of all, Sunny Boy, Fancy Larry, and Loofah, like any intelligent being, crave acceptance and long to be loved.

Gear Box Trilogy

Buy Links:

Gear Child: Universal Buy Link | Goodreads

The Arena of Mayhem: The Arena of Mayhem | Goodreads

The Wayward Star: The Wayward Star | Goodreads

Find All Three Books Here (Click on the Cover for More Details)

Excerpt

Gear Child meme

From Chapter Thirteen

I unlatched the glass, and a salty, humid breeze blew into the cabin like it was saying welcome. In no time, the burnt land below us gave way to water, and the Captain veered the airship southward.

In the distance, I made out the silhouettes of broken and battered glass and steel towers all jutting out of the ocean like fingers of drowning men reaching up to be saved. I watched as the shadow of our airship glided along the surface of the water, silently sliding over the towers.

“Is that a city?”

“Once was.” The Captain nodded. “Greatest in the world. But that’s all that’s left of it.”

“Why is it underwater?”

“Ha!” the Captain snorted. “It happened a long time ago, during the Gawd Wars and the Great Flood, when my great-great-great-granddaddy was a boy.” The Captain scratched his head. “See, way back then, everybody had their own books full of old stories about Gawd. Most of the stories were the same, but everybody told them in a different way.” He furrowed his brow. “People started fighting and killing one another to prove their way of telling the stories was right, and the way other people told the stories was wrong.”

I looked at him with my mouth hanging open, trying hard to understand why people wanted to kill each other over a bunch of old stories.

“Was Gawd bad?”

“No, I don’t think so.” He shook his head. “But by the time everybody got tired of killing one another and blaming it on Gawd…” The Captain cleared his throat. “They’d already blown up all the big cities and poisoned the land. And as if that weren’t enough, they’d also melted the polar ice caps and flooded everything remaining along the coast.” Taking his beard in his hand, he stroked it a couple of times. “People don’t talk much about Gawd anymore.”

“Is that the hand of Gawd?” I pointed to a giant green hand sticking up above the surface of the water, holding what looked like a torch.

“No. That’s the hand of a giant woman. She was one of the idols they used to worship a long time ago.” He eased the throttle and floated the ship in closer so I could get a better look.

“What happened to her?” I tried to make out her body and head below the surface of the water, but all I saw was a cluster of barnacles and algae.

“I guess she got old and tired, and people had no use for her anymore.” The Captain veered the ship southward and pulled on the big wheel. Leaving the city of dead fingers behind, we continued on down the coast, rising slowly toward the jet stream, again.

“Oh, please! Who do you think designed robos in the first place—the military! And it wasn’t only for cleaning and sex.”

“Only those who get caught are sorry.”

I thought about all the people who had died, and I felt sad, but mostly I felt sad because my name would never be recorded there or anywhere else.

“Hey, kid, don’t feel bad. It’s not about you. That boy’s head’s so full of crap, he wouldn’t know a ray of sunshine even if it was beaming up his butt hole.”

He swept the scanner across the pilot’s groin, looked at it, and laughed. “You’ve got nothing to worry about. Your sperm look like a bowl full of goldfish somebody forgot to feed.”

“I thought I was dead.” He grasped both my hands. “Who are you? Some kind of a superhero?”

I felt my face flush. “No, I’m only a robo.”

He took my hand and kissed it. “Not to me.”

“Something tells me we’ve just met the resistance.”

Spinner frowned. “Beyond those doors, there’s nothing for me. I’m not like you.”

“I’m a robo, like you.”

“No, you’re not!” Spinner practically spat out the words. “You can grow, adapt, and evolve. I can’t. This is all I can ever be.”

“We’ll go to the opera and art galleries. You’ll learn about second-hand stores and how to shop for bargains, we’ll create and redecorate, dance the night away, and sit in cafes trashing the latest clothing trends until the sun comes up.”

Author Bio

Mark David Campbell

I have a passion for science/speculative fiction that is socially and culturally driven. Maybe that’s why I studied anthropology and archaeology.

My recent publications include: Eating the Moon (NineStar Press, 2021), a dystopic story of an elderly anthropologist who stumbles across a hidden society where homosexuality is the norm and heterosexuals are marginalized. Secrets of Ishtabay (Ninestar Press, 2023) is the story of a Maya village in Belize, which struggles with its transition to globalization after the completion of a highway linking it to the outside world. The Homework Assignment (Polar Borealis Magazine of Canadian Speculative Fiction, March 2025) is a short story about an anthropology professor who asks his students to imagine first contact with an alien intelligence with whom they share only one sense.

Currently, I live in Milan, Italy, with my husband. When I’m not writing, I work with Italian sociologists, biologists, and psychoanalysts, assisting them with their English academic publications. I enjoy reading both classic and newer books, immersing myself in steampunk and futurism. I love adventure stories, and most of all, I want to fall in love with a great MC. I am dyslexic, which means I can’t spell, and I have a love/hate relationship with computers and the internet.

Author Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/markdavid.campbell.9

Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/14116939.Mark_David_Campbell

Author Liminal Fiction: https://www.limfic.com/mbm-book-author/mark-david-campbell/

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Gear Child by Mark David Campbell Exclusive Excerpt Chapter Nine

“Ladies and gentlemen, the moment you’ve all been waiting for has arrived!” Fancy Larry stood on a bale of hay with his arms stretched outward, his ball of fleece carefully arranged on his head, and his face all chalky white.

Both Grease Spot and I looked around, but there were no ladies or gentlemen in the barn.

“What moment?” Grease Spot asked.

“The farm is upgrading with newer task-specific robos.” Whenever he was excited, Fancy Larry spoke in an alto tone.

“Are they going to terminate us?” Grease Spot said.

“Well, I overheard the guards this morning. They are sending the older robos to the toxic dumps, and the higher-end robos, like us, are going to be shipped to Winnipeg City and reprogrammed for urban cleaning and sanitation duty.” Fancy Larry clasped his face in his hands. “All my dreams have finally come true.”

I looked at Grease Spot. “I don’t know anything about the city.”

Grease Spot patted my head. “Don’t worry,” he said, even though he had a dreadful expression on his face.

On the night before we left the farm Grease Spot and I sat on the worktable, as usual, while Old Gus finished his dinner.

“Things in New Winnipeg City are a mite different than things here on the farm,” Old Gus kept sniffing like he had a cold.

“You boys promise me you’ll do exactly what you’re told to do and don’t look them gots directly in the eyes.”

“We promise,” we said in unison.

“You won’t have me no more to come running to when you got a problem.” Old Gus’s eyes filled with tears, and he dropped his head.

Grease Spot slid himself off the table, went over to the bed, and flopped down with his head on Old Gus’ lap. Old Gus bent over, wrapped his arms around him, and buried his face in Grease Spot’s fiery red hair. “My boy, my beautiful, mechanical boy,” Old Gus cooed while he cuddled and rocked Grease Spot.

As I sat there and studied them, I pictured my lambs all alone in the barn, and I wanted to cradle and rock them, one last time. I slid off the table and, without saying a word, went to the sheep shed.

All night long, as I hugged my lambs, I thought about Old Gus and Grease Spot over in the mechanics shed without me, the two of them huddled together in the dark on that steel cot. I couldn’t understand why Old Gus had never cradled me that way.

Grease Spot was only a machine, like me, wasn’t he?

Interview with Author Tamas Szikszai 

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1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?


I’ve always had the annoying habit of asking “why?” far too often, which usually results in either a headache or a story. Writing became my way of turning that endless curiosity — and occasional confusion — into something entertaining rather than just irritating to friends and family.

2) What inspired you to write your book?


The spark came from the idea that if planets could think, they might eventually get fed up with us treating them like clueless background props. Add a dash of dystopia, a sprinkle of absurdity, and a hefty nod to Douglas Adams, and suddenly I had a novel on my hands.

3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?


That reality is often stranger, funnier, and more fragile than we think and questioning the system isn’t just allowed, it’s necessary. Also, never underestimate the comic value of an overworked, underappreciated bureaucrat.  I hope readers will reflect on how our world is slowly ‘spoiling’ the entire plot before we even get to the ending. By that, I mean the dangerous amount of power handed to giant corporations and the not-so-charming, manipulative tendencies of AI. It worries me that some people are already treating it like a therapist — which is both hilarious and terrifying, and not in a good way.

4) What drew you into this particular genre?


I love the collision between the bleak seriousness of dystopian sci-fi and the irreverent humour of satire. When you mash them together, you get stories that can make readers laugh, cringe, and think all at the same time.

5) If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?


Probably Mr. Smith, the man with the bear’s body. I’d ask: “How do you buy shirts?” Because let’s be honest, some mysteries are too big to leave unsolved.

6) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?


Goodreads has been great because it connects directly with readers who are already book-obsessed. Instagram is fun too—though I suspect most people are there for the cat photos, not my dystopian ramblings.

7) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?


Write the book you would love to read, not the one you think will sell. And finish it even if halfway through you’re convinced it’s terrible, because that’s usually the point where it starts to get interesting.

8) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?


Yes, my book is the beginning of a larger universe. I already have two more novels outlined, each diving deeper into the absurd machinery of our so-called “reality.” Whether the universe is ready for them is another question entirely.

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Author Bio

Tamás Szikszai is a Hungarian author whose debut English-language novel, The Planet That Was Mistaken for a Fool, blends dystopian science fiction with sharp, satirical humour. Deeply inspired by George Orwell and Douglas Adams, Tamás aims to explore the absurdities of modern society while making readers laugh, think, and occasionally wonder if they’ve accidentally stepped on a Lego. When he’s not writing, he enjoys ska music, strange philosophical debates, and imagining planets with extreme opinions.

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Book Info

Gods of a New World by Ryan Melsom Review

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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. 

Two people from very different walks of life must come together to stop the wealthy elite from becoming living gods in author Ryan Melsom’s “Gods of a New World.”

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The Synopsis

The trillionaires were powerful enough to reshape the world, but it wasn’t enough. Now they want more . . .

In a world where trillionaires assisted by powerful AIs call themselves gods, a world where miracles are engineered and secret technology is wired into the very air, James Kessler and Maree Shell stumble upon a conspiracy that defies possibility: the new gods’ plan to encode their consciousness into the world and seize control of reality itself, to literally become the gods they have so far only pretended to be.

From the world’s gleaming new AI-crafted cities to the crumbling ruins of the old ones, the two unlikely allies, one a childhood survivor of the Bad Times and the other a privileged daughter of wealth, must run a gauntlet of hostile AIs, vengeful modern-day gods, and mysterious ancient deities, desperately trying to disrupt the plans of the most powerful people who have ever lived. Nothing less than the fate of free will itself hangs in the balance.

A mind-bending cyberpunk thriller of rebellion and redemption, Gods of a New World is a visceral dive into the soul of a world on the brink.

The Review

This was such a powerful and thought-provoking cyberpunk read. The novel finds a way of folding in profound questions of theology and the human condition into an action-driven sci-fi thriller that leaves readers completely engrossed in the detailed world the author has crafted, as well as the visceral mythos of the tech and gods, both the old and the new, brought to life on the page. The imagery in the author’s writing makes this feel like a mix of Blade Runner and The Running Man, showcasing a world of advanced AI and wealthy elitists who see themselves as living gods and making technology that could eerily bring that thought to life.

What stood out, aside from the incredible character development, especially with James and his journey to protect those he loves, was the amazing conversation that bridged the gap between modern technology and ancient theology and belief systems as a whole. The concepts surrounding the ancient gods and how their connection to humanity faded, as well as how those with money and power envision themselves modern gods and how perhaps the universe itself is an ancient run technology far beyond our understanding and how AI could tap into something similar to that kept readers on the edge of their seat as the story developed.

The Verdict

Thrilling, compelling, and captivating, author Ryan Melsom’s “Gods of a New World” is a must-read cyberpunk sci-fi thriller. The twists and turns in this narrative and the deep, rich mythology this story brings to life will stay with readers long after the novel ends. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Ryan Melsom has never stopped dreaming about new ways he could get ideas out of his head and into the world. He holds a PhD in literature from Queen’s University and has long been fascinated with the interplay between culture, technology, spirituality, spaces, and human nature. Through the years he has explored these topics through numerous creative media, including two works of fiction, academic writing, experimental web spaces, music projects, blogging, and a black belt in karate. He grew up in Kamloops, British Columbia, and now lives in Ottawa, Canada with his wife and two boys.

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Pulstar III: The Cracked Mirror of the Cosmos by Giancarlo Roversi Review

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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.

Humanity faces surprising changes as some push to see beyond the edges of the cosmos in author Giancarlo Roversi’s “Pulstar III: The Cracked Mirror of the Cosmos.”

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The Synopsis

Astralvia will never be the same. The world will never be the same. Humanity will not be the same either. What about yourself?

Still, there are those who have hope and refuse to give up. Others only yearn for the truth, no matter how cruel and unfathomable it may be.

Meanwhile, Telssa, a scientist who has just been awarded a prize, is still obsessed with reaching the borders of the cosmos, even though this might entail losing the only thing he has ever loved in his life.

Pulstar III is the conclusion of the bewildering Pulstar trilogy, the climax of a story packed with suspense, drama, mystery, and compelling philosophical ideas. The mind-blowing denouement of a plot that dared to question everything. If you have been able to digest the ideas of Pulstar II, get ready for your brain to explode into a thousand pieces and merge with the cosmos.

Try The World Back to School 20% Off

The Review

This was such a compelling and climactic entry in this stellar sci-fi trilogy. The author’s powerful imagery in their writing style created a genuinely cinematic experience, allowing readers to connect with the evolving narrative. The massive amount of world-building, while most engaging when readers consume the entire series, really makes this vast universe feel alive on the page. The adrenaline of the action and the suspense as this series of events unfolded kept the reader on the edge of their seat.

Yet the true power of this narrative came from the sheer volume of philosophical and emotional conversation that inspired readers throughout the book. The author’s ability to seamlessly integrate the heavy sci-fi elements of the story with more metaphysical and even spiritual concepts was astounding, exploring everything from past lives and alternate realities to life on other worlds and the universe’s interconnectedness. This also allowed readers to connect with the characters on a much deeper level and feel the depth of emotions behind every realization and sacrifice these characters made.

The Verdict

Mind-blowing, heart-pounding, and intellectually stimulating, author Giancarlo Roversi’s “Pulstar III: The Cracked Mirror of the Cosmos” is a must-read sci-fi epic that readers need to read. The twists and turns in the narrative, along with the rich character dynamics the author explores, as well as the thoughtful philosophical questions that delve into deep metaphysical realities, make this a memorable and entertaining novel that stands out as one of the best sci-fi reads of 2025. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Venezuela-born Giancarlo Roversi isn’t only a writer. He’s also a computer engineer and a musician who shared stages with artists such as REM, Oasis, Travis, Duran Duran, and Maroon Five.

When his band Fractaler broke up in 2011, he devoted the next ten years to cue the Pulstar Trilogy and three prequels in that universe.

He surrendered his personal life and wrote these manuscripts in his native language, Spanish, and then he translated them into English. He also composed a soundtrack for each book; they’re currently in production.

When he’s not living and breathing in his Pulstarverse, he loves family time, cooking, astronomy, animals, and having philosophical discussions—especially about the meaning of life—with anyone who cares to join him.

The Planet That Was Mistaken For A Fool by Tamas Szikszai Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviews1 Comment

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

In a universe run by corporations, humanity learns firsthand what happens when a planet becomes fed up with their antics in the satirical sci-fi dystopian novel “The Planet That Was Mistaken for a Fool” by author Tamas Szikszai.

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The Synopsis

What if Douglas Adams and Orwell sat down together after a third bottle of wine and wrote a novel? A mind-bending, soul-pricking, laugh-out-loud satirical sci-fi adventure By Tamás Szikszai What happens when a planet gets fed up with humanity’s nonsense? Welcome to a universe where nothing is sacred, everything is absurd and the planet has finally decided it’s had enough. Join Winston, a confused Earthling, as he crash-lands into a reality where megacorporate empires control thought, a philosophical grizzly in a top hat questions everything, and an AI named Amanda has decided that emotions are overrated and expendable. 🚀 Perfect for fans of Douglas Adams, Kurt Vonnegut, and Terry Pratchett, this cosmic odyssey blends razor-sharp satire, sci-fi weirdness, and raw human truth in a world on the edge of meltdown. Dystopia was never this funny. Hope was never this weird. The end of the world? That’s just the beginning.

The Review

This was such a thought-provoking and engaging story. The author was able to craft a world that felt both relevant to the issues facing our lives today and yet absurd and dystopian in the best ways possible. The intricate mythos surrounding the rise of this massive Corporation that takes over the world is both twisted and chilling, all at once. The unique settings, spanning multiple areas of Earth and the solar system itself, were imaginative and thoughtful in a dystopian context. 

The dynamics between the protagonist and the cast of characters he comes across were exceptional. His friendship and alliance with Gaben were a strong motivation for much of the story, as was Winston’s determination to see his family again. The dark world of advanced computer programs and hostile corporations helped elevate the more personal and heartbreaking setbacks the protagonist faced in the story. Yet, the rush of humor and wit in the dialogue helped balance everything out.

The Verdict

Twisted, engaging, and haunting in its delivery, author Tamas Szikszai’s “The Planet That Was Mistaken For A Fool” is the perfect dystopian sci-fi satire that readers need to read. The twists and turns the story takes, the complex themes mixed with humor, and the commentary on humanity itself and the balance we need of the good and the bad in our lives, made this a compelling novel to get lost in. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today.

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

When he’s not raising four kids (one son and three brilliantly adopted daughters), baking doughnuts, building houses, or playing the trumpet just to prove it’s hard, the author writes to keep the voices in his head from staging a rebellion.

He’s welcomed hotel guests, survived home construction, and firmly believes that everyone is human — even those who butter their toast on the wrong side.

This is his first published novel. Several more are currently trapped in his brain, pending parole.

Interview with Author Brent Golembiewski

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1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?

I grew up in Michigan wanting to be a Disney Cartoonist but life had a different plan for me. After high school and a semester in college I joined the Air Force working on F-16s as an avionics tech. I finished my College degree going to night school and was accepted to Officer Training School where I gained my commission and went on to fly helicopters specifically the UH-1N Huey for over 17 years before retiring. My writing journey really began during a deployment to Iraq but it wasn’t until I retired I buckled down and finished my first book. I have published a Sci-Fi trilogy, another stand alone Sci-Fi dystopian novel and a self help book based on my USAF career aimed to help young people who are looking to join the USAF.

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2) What inspired you to write your book?

I wrote my current book “The Boy the Cube and the Elf” to target the middle grade readers ages 8-12 with a story that is fast fun and something kids would love to read and hold their attention even if they are not avid readers.

3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?

The theme I hope to portray is that hard work, good choices and faith in God will help you overcome any obstacle life throws your way.

4) What drew you into this particular genre?

I have always loved the Sci-fi realm, especially space and the unknown of what’s beyond our solar system. New technology intrigues me and the great potential we have moving forward.

5) If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?

I would love to sit down with Nico and ask him how amazing his journey has been, what he’s learned, how learning things he never would have thought possible has affected him. 

6) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?

I mainly use Facebook and it has been helpful in some aspects. I see a shift to other platform and are working on learning them and seeing how they can help.

7) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?

Write, Write Write. Get out there and do it. The world is full of people saying they can only to sit on their hands either scared or distracted. Just start doing it and don’t worry about anything. It’s cliche but be true to yourself.

8) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?

I’ve just finished the draft for the second book in my central fire series and am publishing “Flick of the Switch” on September 14th. Its a near future sci-fi about a teenage girl who attends a video game academy playing flight simulators only to find out they are real and actually fighting a war. In addition im looking to dip my toe into filming and am in the initial stages of developing a short film based on Flick of the Switch and have the screen play written.

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About the Author

Brent Golembiewski is a U. S. Air Force veteran with 20+ years of service. He started his career as an enlisted troop, working as an Electronic Warfare Technician, and completed it as an officer, never working a day as a Helicopter Evaluator Pilot, flying the mighty UH-1N “Huey”. After retiring from the USAF, he began Valkyrie Air, providing aircraft charter operations for people who find value in time. He met the love of his life in the second-worst place he’d ever been stationed and she’s still on active duty. Together they have two boys, the terrible Ts, and one old caricature of a dog that will never die.

www.authorbrentg.com

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The Onyros Chronicles Book 1: Splinter by D.K. Thorne Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviews1 Comment

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

A mind extractor in a dystopian virtual world discovers a hidden secret that could hold the key to saving humanity in author D.K. Thorne’s “The Onyros Chronicles Book 1: Splinter.”

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The Synopsis

What if reality is a relic?


What if neural decay silenced your language—and killed thought itself?

Splinter launches you into Onyros, a virtual reality dystopia where thought is currency—and extinction is everywhere.

  • Neural mercenaries dive into synthetic paradises to harvest memories before flesh decays (a true mind-uploading sci-fi thriller)
  • Logan Bochniak is a dying breed—one of the last Splinters racing toward cognitive failure in a post-human cyberpunk world.
  • An impossible signal echoes through the system: an anomaly in the system itself.

Memory is a maze. Reality is a rumor. Your only hope is a fraying mind.

For fans of Red Rising, Cyberpunk 2077, William Gibson, Peter Watts, Black Mirror and YA dystopian books —and anyone who’s ever wondered what lies beyond the end of meaning.

The Review

This was both entertaining and thought-provoking to dive into. The dark, gritty tones of this sci-fi dystopian world were immediately felt, and readers were thrust into a world of intrigue and mystery that felt chaotic and oppressive, as the mystery deepened further. The angst and the forboding nature of the larger threat to humanity are felt in every chapter, and the rich imagery in the author’s writing style captures the darker underbelly of this cyberpunk narrative. 

The heart of this story lies in the grand themes the author explores and the compelling character dynamics at play. Logan, as a protagonist, is a powerhouse, revealing depth and complexity as he navigates the tension between his cold indifference, shaped by life experiences, and the harsh reality of the impact this virtual world has on humanity, as well as the secret he uncovers. The author’s commentary on technology and science as a whole, especially virtual reality and AI, is astounding, focusing not just on world-building but on the neurological and physical impact that being immersed in a virtual setting for long periods can have on the human body.

The Verdict

Thought-provoking, enthralling, and memorable, author D.K. Thorne’s “The Onyros Chronicles book 1: Splinter” is a must-read cyberpunk dystopian thriller. The connection the author makes between consciousness and its interweaving with our biology, as well as the plethora of unique characters and the epic world-building of Onyros as a whole, make this a sci-fi epic that readers won’t be able to put down. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

D. K. Thorne studied philosophy and sociology, holding a B.Sc. in Psychology. With philosophical science fiction as his first love, Thorne crafts stories that explore the complex intersection between consciousness and reality.

The Onyros Chronicles is Thorne’s labor of love—a high-paced dystopian saga spanning multiple volumes that ventures into uncharted sci-fi territory.

When not writing, Thorne can be found working in abandoned Polish cabins and quiet attics. An award-nominated writer, he enjoys collaborating with artists from all over the world.

https://www.instagram.com/d.k.thorne/

The Boy, The Cube, and the Elf (Central Fire Series Book One) by Brent Golembiewski Review 

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

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

After his parents’ sudden disappearance, a boy must partner up with a mysterious young girl and flee the only space station he has ever called home to evade a deadly bounty hunter in author Brent Golembiewski’s “The Boy, The Cube, and the Elf.” The first book in the Central Fire Series. 

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The Synopsis

Unexpectedly abandoned, Nico is determined to find the reason behind his parents’ mysterious absence. Problem is, he’s never left the space station he’s called home for all of his twelve years. As if his situation isn’t bad enough, a young girl arrives on a spaceship demanding to meet his father. While searching the station, they’re attacked by a vicious bounty hunter. Nico and his reluctant new ally must escape at all costs. Thrust into a world he doesn’t understand, Nico has to tolerate and put his trust in a stranger with objectives of her own if he hopes to evade deadly enemies, find his parents, and learn the answers to the questions that seem to pop up at every turn.

The Review

This story was fun, action-packed, and engaging for young adults and middle-grade readers. The pacing was fast-paced, allowing the reader to understand the world-building the author brought to life on the page without sacrificing action or suspense surrounding the story itself. The imagery in the author’s writing captured the wilds of space travel, making the idea of Earth a long-lost part of history to the protagonist while vividly bringing space stations and ships to life with relative ease.

Yet the heart of this story was in how the author effortlessly meshed the fantasy and science fiction genres together seamlessly. The way Nico was able to look at life in space with such relative ease, and yet find the magic and wonder of fantasy elements, such as the inclusion of Maddie, an elf, into the cast of characters, as well as creatures like goblins or even dragons. The mythology the author can draw out is impressive, revealing enough to draw the reader in and yet leaving enough mystery to keep readers invested in future books.

The Verdict

Entertaining, thrilling, and phenomenally written, author Brent Golembiewski’s “The Boy, The Cube, and the Elf” is a must-read YA and middle-grade sci-fi meets fantasy novel, and a grand entry into the Central Fire Series. The twists and turns the book takes, the humorous dialogue and character development between Nico and Maddie, and the mystery surrounding the disappearance of Nico’s parents will leave readers with a cliffhanger that will instantly keep them intrigued for the release of the next book in the series. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Brent Golembiewski is a U. S. Air Force veteran with 20+ years of service. He started his career as an enlisted troop, working as an Electronic Warfare Technician, and completed it as an officer, never working a day as a Helicopter Evaluator Pilot, flying the mighty UH-1N “Huey”. After retiring from the USAF, he began Valkyrie Air, providing aircraft charter operations for people who find value in time. He met the love of his life in the second-worst place he’d ever been stationed and she’s still on active duty. Together they have two boys, the terrible Ts, and one old caricature of a dog that will never die.

www.authorbrentg.com

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L Ron Hubbard Presents: Writers of the Future Volume 41 REVIEW

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

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

The 41st volume of the acclaimed sci-fi and fantasy anthology series L. Ron Hubbard Presents: Writers of the Future is now available!

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The Synopsis

Step into the extraordinary with L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 41—an anthology that promises the unexpected, the thought-provoking, and the unforgettable. Celebrating the best new voices in speculative fiction, this collection offers gripping tales of science fiction, fantasy, and beyond.

Discover Distant Worlds


Explore alien landscapes, futuristic technologies, and hidden realms. From time-traveling adventures to battles for survival in dystopian societies, these stories transport you far beyond the limits of imagination.

Meet Extraordinary Heroes


Follow protagonists who face impossible odds—from a young constable on a harsh alien frontier to a reclusive writer sharing a ride with a sentient car. These characters redefine courage, resilience, and what it means to be human.

Experience Visual Wonder


Every story is brought to life with breathtaking original illustrations. These commissioned works add depth, color, and vibrancy to the collection, making it a visual and literary masterpiece.

Learn from the Legends


Gain inspiration from essays by L. Ron Hubbard, Robert J. Sawyer, and Tom Wood, offering rare insights into storytelling and creative mastery.

Discover Tomorrow’s Stars


This volume continues the legacy of Writers of the Future, the competition that has launched myriad bestselling authors. These rising talents are reshaping speculative fiction as we know it.

Whether you love heart-pounding action, thought-provoking “what ifs,” or stories that blur the line between science and magic, Volume 41 is your gateway to new dimensions. With tales and illustrations that linger long after the final page, this anthology invites you to take the leap into worlds uncharted.

Push Beyond the Ordinary. Explore the Extraordinary.


Grab your copy of L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 41 and discover the next generation of visionary storytellers and artists.

The Review

Another intense and captivating collection of artwork and stories, this collection perfectly balances rich storytelling with engaging action and world-building. Each author found a means of bringing their unique voice and mythos to their respective worlds, and the range of artwork for each story, from classic fantasy art to more realistic sci-fi depictions, made these worlds feel alive and vibrant on their respective pages.

A standout story for me was The Rune Witch by Jefferson Snow. The dark fantasy tale tells the story of a rune witch and new mother, who must keep a demon barricaded behind a magical barrier while trying to raise her daughter for the same task someday. The story played a lot of themes well into the narrative, from the lengths a parent will go to to give their child a better life, to the responsibilities a person has to family versus their responsibilities to the world, and so much more. The emotional depth of these characters and their rich world reflected the overall grand nature of this anthology and how inviting these stories became.

The Verdict

Between an entertaining assortment of stories, beautiful artwork, and even powerful and moving essays and insights from people like artist Tom Wood, this anthology collection of science fiction and fantasy is a must-read book. The twists and turns each story takes, and the fantastic pacing keeping readers invested in each tale, made this one collection readers will refuse to put down. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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