The Prodigy
T.A. Stevens’s The Prodigy begins with the dazzling, high-pressure world of competitive figure skating. Jackie Anne Ellis is a teenage national champion whose extraordinary talent has made her a celebrity and the center of her mother’s Olympic ambitions. Then a frightening accident at the World Championships changes the way Jackie speaks, behaves, and understands the people around her. The mystery follows her family back to Aspen, Colorado, where their Victorian house seems to hold memories much older than its current occupants. A peculiar black-and-white cat, a room with an unsettling presence, and fragments of unfamiliar language hint at a connection that reaches into the nineteenth century. Stevens blends the unease of a ghost story with the curiosity of a historical mystery, giving the reader a compelling question to carry through the book: how well can we know someone we’ve loved all their life?
Modern Jackie is confident, outspoken, and accustomed to having choices. The past introduces a gifted young woman whose life revolves around piano music, social expectations, household work, and the limited freedoms available to girls in Victorian Colorado. Their experiences bring humor as well as genuine discomfort, particularly when familiar objects and customs become baffling in the wrong century. Yet the novel’s emotional center belongs just as much to the mothers. Anne’s devotion to Jackie is tangled up with her own skating disappointments, while the historical family story reveals how grief and frustrated dreams can shape generations. Stevens is particularly good at showing how praise for a child’s talent can carry an enormous weight, even when it comes from love.
Aspen is more than a picturesque backdrop here. Stevens brings its silver-mining past into focus through work routines, icy streets, strict social rules, and the lively atmosphere of places such as the Hotel Jerome. The contrasts between eras are often wonderfully concrete: clothing, transportation, cooking, and even the simple act of making a phone call acquire new meaning. There’s also an inviting trail of recurring details, including Beethoven’s music, family keepsakes, old photographs, and that persistent cat. If you enjoy the way Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander makes history feel lived in while weaving the extraordinary into personal relationships, you’ll find a similar pleasure in The Prodigy. Stevens gives that time-spanning approach a distinctive focus on gifted girls, family legacies, and winter sports.
I found the book most affecting when its characters have to reconsider what a successful life actually looks like. There’s real tenderness in the small moments between parents and children, especially when listening becomes more important than coaching or explaining. The story also has a melancholy streak, rooted in the losses and sacrifices that shadow the older generations, but it makes room for playful scenes and the sheer joy of moving across ice or sitting down at a piano. Its expanding family history invites you to pay attention to the little echoes between chapters, which gradually give the central mystery a richer emotional texture. The Prodigy is an absorbing blend of historical fiction, supernatural intrigue, and family drama, and its most memorable idea is a human one: being extraordinary is only part of a person’s story. Being understood matters just as much.
Pages: 357 | ASIN : B0H4SF36FK
A Day Without Technology
In A Day without Technology, author Donald E. Thomas explores a familiar part of modern family life: our growing attachment to electronic devices and the ways they influence how we spend time together. This engaging children’s book introduces readers to Donnie, his brother Kace, and a household where screens are woven into nearly every daily activity. From video games and tablets to smartphones and laptops, everyone has something competing for their attention. Even family meals have become opportunities for scrolling and tapping. Thomas captures this recognizable environment through everyday situations that children and parents will easily understand. At its heart, the story encourages readers to consider how technology shapes their relationships, routines, and opportunities for meaningful connection.
The story takes an interesting turn when an unexpected disruption challenges the family’s dependence on their devices. What begins as a frustrating situation opens the door to discovering activities that entertained generations of children long before smartphones and tablets became commonplace. Thomas introduces traditional pastimes such as marbles, hopscotch, jacks, and kite flying, giving young readers a glimpse into a different kind of childhood entertainment. One particularly appealing aspect of the story is the father’s involvement in sharing games from an earlier generation. His enthusiasm adds warmth to the narrative while emphasizing the value of passing down experiences and traditions. The book also highlights the excitement of friendship, outdoor adventures, and learning through hands-on play.
Illustrator Christina Rudenko brings the story to life with colorful, expressive artwork that complements its family-centered message. The illustrations feature cheerful characters with animated facial expressions, making their emotions easy for young readers to recognize. Early scenes depict the family surrounded by glowing screens, while outdoor illustrations introduce inviting green spaces, leafy trees, and bright recreational equipment. The contrast between these settings reinforces the book’s central theme through visual storytelling. The pictures of children playing marbles, jumping through hopscotch squares, and enjoying other familiar games are especially appealing. Their energetic movements and enthusiastic expressions help communicate the excitement of discovering something new. These detailed, full-page illustrations give the picture book plenty of visual interest and provide opportunities for parents and children to discuss the activities shown.
A Day without Technology delivers a timely message about finding a healthy balance between screen time and personal interaction. Thomas writes in a direct, accessible style that makes the story suitable for reading aloud and discussing as a family. The narrative also introduces the term “technoference,” offering a useful starting point for conversations about how electronic devices can interrupt everyday relationships. Beyond its message about technology, the book celebrates curiosity, creativity, physical activity, and the simple pleasure of spending time with others. Its intergenerational perspective is especially meaningful, reminding readers that parents and grandparents have experiences worth sharing. For families looking to encourage more outdoor play, strengthen communication, or explore screen-free activities together, this children’s book offers an approachable and relevant conversation starter.
Pages: 33 | ASIN: B0GY8X39PC
Night’s Stillness
In Night’s Stillness, Kevin R. Peterson invites readers into a world shaped by personal experiences, everyday observations, humor, faith, and an appreciation for life’s unexpected moments. This full-length poetry collection follows five earlier chapbooks and reflects the perspective of a writer who has accumulated plenty of stories worth sharing. Peterson finds inspiration in everything from quiet evenings and breathtaking landscapes to family memories, frustrating encounters, and historical events. The title poem sets the tone beautifully, describing how the stillness of evening allows thoughts and experiences to develop into poetry. That creative process carries throughout the collection, where seemingly ordinary subjects become opportunities for reflection, amusement, or discovery. There’s a comfortable familiarity to Peterson’s writing, as though he’s sharing stories with a friend over coffee. His curiosity about the world is infectious, and his willingness to find meaning in experiences both large and small gives the collection its welcoming personality.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of Night’s Stillness is Peterson’s sense of humor. He has a knack for recognizing the absurdities of daily life and turning them into entertaining poems. In “Avocados,” a disagreement over the nutritional merits of the fruit becomes a playful examination of married life. “Beach Experience” captures the frustrations that can accompany an anticipated relaxing day by the ocean, while “Customer Service” addresses the aggravations of modern business interactions. These lighter selections reveal a writer who enjoys a good laugh, especially when he’s the subject of the joke. Peterson also experiments with different poetic forms, including limericks, haiku, and a Fibonacci sequence poem. His conversational language, rhythmic verses, and occasional wordplay make the collection approachable and particularly well suited to being read aloud. There’s an appealing spontaneity to his style, and his personality comes through clearly on the page.
Beyond the humor, Peterson explores subjects that carry considerable emotional weight. Family, friendship, aging, spirituality, and the passage of time appear frequently, often accompanied by an awareness of how quickly circumstances can change. “Blessed Relations” considers the importance of lifelong friendships, while “One Day Older” approaches aging with gratitude and good humor. His interest in history and travel also gives the collection an expansive quality. Poems inspired by visits to Japan, Egypt, Arizona, and other destinations reveal his fascination with the places people inhabit and the stories they leave behind. “For Sadako” and “Shadowy Essence” address the human consequences of war, bringing a particularly solemn dimension to the book. Christian faith is another meaningful presence, influencing Peterson’s thoughts on compassion, community, gratitude, and personal responsibility. His patriotic convictions and social commentary are expressed just as openly. Across these different subjects, Peterson writes from a recognizable set of personal values, giving readers a clear sense of the experiences and beliefs that have shaped his outlook.
What makes Night’s Stillness engaging is the breadth of life it captures and the enthusiasm Peterson brings to sharing it. His poems move comfortably between amusement and contemplation, offering glimpses into a lifetime of relationships, travels, challenges, and discoveries. Some selections unfold like miniature stories, while others capture a single observation or feeling in just a handful of lines. Peterson’s straightforward approach encourages readers to consider familiar experiences through his eyes, whether he’s admiring the natural world, remembering someone important, or finding humor in an inconvenient situation. The collection also reflects his enjoyment of poetry as a way to connect with others, something he discusses in both his introduction and epilogue. That sense of connection is central to the reading experience. Night’s Stillness offers a personable, varied, and heartfelt collection that celebrates curiosity, meaningful relationships, and the simple pleasure of paying attention to life. Readers who enjoy accessible poetry filled with warmth, humor, and personal reflection will find plenty here to appreciate.
Pages: 108 | ISBN: 9798234198761
The Mattering Effect
In The Mattering Effect, John R. Miles examines one of the most fundamental human needs: the desire to feel seen, valued, and significant. Drawing from personal experiences, psychological research, and conversations with leading thinkers, Miles explores how people gradually lose their sense of worth in environments that prioritize achievement, efficiency, and productivity. He describes this process as the “Slow Fade,” a gradual withdrawal from meaningful participation in one’s own life. His central argument is that mattering involves both recognizing our inherent worth and experiencing the knowledge that our presence makes a difference to others. As he writes, “Belonging asks if you are in the room. Mattering asks if the room would be different if you left it.” This distinction establishes the foundation for a thoughtful examination of identity, relationships, and the conditions that allow people to flourish.
Miles brings considerable emotional depth to the subject through his willingness to examine his own experiences with vulnerability and self-reflection. His background in military service and corporate leadership provides a revealing perspective on the pressures of high-performance environments, while his accounts of family relationships give the book a more intimate dimension. These personal reflections are complemented by insights from researchers and thought leaders, including Richard Ryan, Gordon Flett, Arthur Brooks, and Robert Waldinger. The combination of psychological evidence and individual stories makes the book’s central ideas accessible and frequently compelling. Miles is particularly effective at illustrating how a person can appear successful and connected while privately experiencing profound disconnection. His concept of the “Mattering Tax,” the emotional and psychological cost of continually trying to prove one’s worth, gives readers useful language for understanding experiences that can otherwise be difficult to articulate.
The book’s practical foundation is the M.A.T.T.E.R. framework, which identifies six essential components of a fulfilling life: Meaning, Autonomy, Trust, Time, Energy, and Reciprocity. Miles examines each component individually, demonstrating how they interact to support personal well-being and meaningful relationships. He then expands his discussion through four dimensions of mattering: personal, relational, emotional, and impact. This organization provides a clear progression from understanding the experience of insignificance to cultivating a stronger sense of worth. Brief exercises and reflective prompts encourage readers to examine their daily habits, relationships, and priorities. Some of the book’s concepts overlap, and its recurring metaphors occasionally make the discussion feel more elaborate than necessary. Nevertheless, the repetition reinforces the interconnected nature of its ideas, while the practical suggestions offer manageable ways to translate reflection into action.
Miles considers how families, workplaces, institutions, and communities influence whether people feel valued, arguing that significance is both a personal experience and a shared responsibility. This broader perspective gives The Mattering Effect relevance for readers interested in leadership, parenting, relationships, and personal development. His emphasis on reciprocity is especially meaningful, presenting human connection as something sustained through mutual attention, care, and contribution. Throughout the book, Miles writes with conviction and compassion, maintaining an encouraging tone even when addressing loneliness, burnout, and emotional exhaustion. The result is a substantial and reflective work that invites readers to consider how they recognize their own worth and acknowledge the importance of others. The Mattering Effect offers a persuasive reminder that meaningful living is shaped through everyday choices, authentic relationships, and the willingness to recognize the significance of every human life.
Pages: 317 | ASIN: B0GJ13HS8X
Good Soil
Birdie Guest’s Good Soil is an occult horror novel that keeps widening its circle. A blood pact rooted in seventeenth-century Loudun, France, becomes the thread connecting disturbing events across Europe, Cuba, and the American South. In the present day, Cora Beckett’s life fractures after a brutal crime sends her searching for answers in New Orleans. There, homicide detective Beau Montanet is investigating murders marked by unsettling similarities. Meanwhile, Julian Randolph, the privileged heir of a powerful family, is digging into an inheritance steeped in secrets and occult devotion. The book blends supernatural mystery with crime thriller tension as the characters discover how deeply the past has shaped the dangers around them. There’s an intriguing scale to the story: what starts with individual lives steadily opens into a struggle involving generations, hidden loyalties, and beliefs powerful enough to influence entire communities.
The characters give this sprawling story its emotional footing. Cora brings urgency and vulnerability to the present-day plot, especially as her understanding of the danger changes. Beau’s exhaustion, dry humor, and determination make him a compelling anchor, while his relatives add warmth and a sense of shared responsibility. Violet and Benny Montanet are especially memorable, carrying family knowledge that stretches far beyond the cases Beau can investigate with a badge. Julian, meanwhile, is unnerving in his mix of charm, entitlement, and appetite for control. Guest gives these personalities room to clash, joke, argue, and care for one another, so the conversations feel lively even when the subject matter turns grim. I also liked how the relationships make the supernatural stakes personal. This is a story about people living with what their ancestors left behind, including both terrible burdens and powerful sources of strength.
New Orleans has its own pulse in these pages, from crowded French Quarter streets and neighborhood hangouts to the eerie beauty of the nearby swamps. That sense of place extends into the historical sections, including plantation-era Cuba, Storyville, and the French convent at the beginning of the tale. Guest incorporates recognizable historical settings and events into a fictional legacy of ritual violence and spiritual conflict, giving the historical horror an expansive feel. Just as important is Ogou Island, where Vodou is portrayed through community, ancestry, healing, and protection. Its spiritual practices are clearly distinguished from the predatory Satanic cult at the center of the threat. That contrast adds depth to the supernatural horror and gives the story an interesting cultural and moral dimension. Across the timelines, recurring questions about faith, inheritance, survival, and personal choice hold the different threads together.
Good Soil is an ambitious blend of Southern Gothic fiction, supernatural horror, and occult suspense, with graphic scenes and a willingness to explore humanity’s crueler impulses. Guest’s storytelling moves from playful banter and everyday neighborhood life to ritual terror, body horror, and moments of real dread, sometimes within a few pages. The large cast and frequent shifts between generations call for close attention, and some stretches spend considerable time on family histories and occult lore. For readers who enjoy tracing connections across timelines, that density becomes part of the appeal. The explicit violence and sexual cruelty give this book a distinctly adult edge, so it’s best suited to readers comfortable with intense horror. What stayed with me was the emphasis on those who resist inherited harm, particularly people whose knowledge and compassion have been passed down just as persistently as the threat. It’s a dark, energetic occult thriller with a vivid setting and a long memory.
Pages: 479 | ASIN : B0HBNHDT7V
Once She Discovers Magic
The House That Lies follows 14-year-old Emma and her friends as they investigate a mysterious mansion where ghostly encounters, unexplained disappearances, and secrets challenge everything they believe about the supernatural. What inspired the setup of your story?
I have always loved mystery novels, especially those with possible supernatural aspects to them. That love for the mysterious came out in this novel, helping me set up not only the world itself, but the belief or disbelief from the characters’ mindset.
Emma approaches supernatural mysteries with skepticism and logic. What inspired you to give her this analytical mindset in a world filled with magic?
I have always loved Star Trek, especially Mr. Spock. I used a great deal of his influence to give Emma similar reasoning skills. As far as magic, she never really believed in it until she was exposed to the portal for the first time and transported herself to a distant book world. (See Book 1—The Journey to Nirisia)
Ashford House feels almost like a character itself. How did you develop its disturbing history and atmosphere to deepen the mystery surrounding Dunhallow?
I believe nearly every town or city has a creepy, haunted houses that carry a history. (Whether it is real or not is for you to decide.) I love stories where the houses are, or seem to be, alive or haunted by past deeds, and so on. I used that same energy to invent the Ashford House.
The story explores Emma’s growing awareness that her friendships may change as their lives take different paths. Why was this emotional thread important to include?
In book #1, Emma is a brilliant, introverted girl who hated leaving her own house. She had no friends to speak of and was quite comfortable at home with her cat. Once she discovers magic and travels to Nirisia she realizes what she had been missing all along—friends. Now, the thought of losing her friends back to their world is heart wrenching. So, that thread is woven into every book since her friends have become an important part of her everyday life.
Author Website: https://mark-k-mcclain.com
But when Emma, Faylen, and Cedar find themselves in this spooky town, they set out to be the first ones to return with answers. And when someone close to them goes missing, waiting is no longer an option. They must uncover the dark secret hiding behind Ashford House’s walls—or sealed away in its basement.
Can the trio solve the mystery that an entire town cannot, before Ashford House claims them too?
Considerations in the Final Third of Life: Reflections for Living Well, Letting Go and Leaving a Legacy
Peter Klein’s Considerations in the Final Third of Life is a thoughtful and wide-ranging exploration of aging, personal identity, and the search for meaning during life’s later decades. Drawing from his own experiences, Klein examines the psychological, emotional, physical, and philosophical dimensions of growing older, offering readers a perspective shaped by decades of observation and self-examination. Central to his approach is the metaphor of life as a river, carrying individuals through experiences that gradually shape their character, beliefs, and understanding of the world. This recurring image provides a unifying thread throughout the book, connecting reflections on ambition, relationships, mortality, and personal growth. Klein writes, “The river will not slow down. But you can learn to read it.” That observation captures the book’s underlying philosophy: experience provides the perspective necessary to navigate life’s remaining years with greater awareness and intention. His candid writing style, particularly when recounting personal regrets and lessons learned, establishes an intimate connection with readers while encouraging them to examine their own lives.
Klein explores how aging can bring increased emotional maturity, independence of thought, humility, and freedom from the constant need for approval. Drawing on philosophy, psychology, and personal observation, he examines the distinction between accumulated knowledge and wisdom acquired through experience. His concept of the initiated, individuals who have earned their understanding through decades of living, provides an appealing framework for appreciating the intellectual and emotional resources of older generations. Particularly engaging is his account of digitizing thirty-five years of personal datebooks and using artificial intelligence to conduct a comprehensive life review. This unusual exercise illustrates how examining the past can reveal patterns, clarify priorities, and deepen self-understanding. Discussing the social identities people construct throughout their careers, Klein observes, “But the years ahead belong to the face underneath.” It’s an especially effective expression of his belief that later life offers an opportunity to discover and embrace one’s authentic identity.
The book also addresses the practical realities of longevity, health, and preparing for the physical challenges of advanced age. Klein examines biological versus chronological aging, preventive medicine, nutrition, exercise, and the importance of taking an active role in personal healthcare. His discussion of the marginal decade, the final period of life when physical and cognitive limitations may become more pronounced, emphasizes the value of preparing well before those challenges emerge. An accompanying appendix provides information about medical screenings, blood tests, and health monitoring, extending the book’s usefulness beyond philosophical reflection. Throughout these discussions, Klein combines scientific research, historical examples, and personal anecdotes to make complex subjects accessible. Some medical statistics and conclusions would benefit from more careful qualification, particularly where individual experiences are used to illustrate broader trends. Nevertheless, the emphasis on informed decision-making, preventive care, and maintaining independence provides readers with practical considerations that complement the book’s larger exploration of aging.
Perhaps the book’s most intellectually ambitious sections concern mortality, religious faith, consciousness, and the possibility of an afterlife. Klein considers these subjects through the perspectives of philosophers, scientists, medical professionals, and individuals who have reported near-death experiences. His examination of these accounts reflects a willingness to explore difficult questions while acknowledging the uncertainty surrounding them. These discussions introduce a spiritual dimension that complements his reflections on the human experience, inviting readers to consider their own beliefs about existence and death. Equally meaningful are his observations about forgiveness, gratitude, love, and the importance of preserving personal stories for future generations. His treatment of legacy emphasizes the lasting influence of relationships, character, and the ways individuals affect those around them. Considerations in the Final Third of Life succeeds as a personal and intellectually engaging meditation on growing older, combining practical guidance with serious philosophical inquiry. Although its themes will resonate most immediately with readers approaching or experiencing retirement, its examination of time, identity, and human connection offers valuable insights for adults at many stages of life.
Pages: 227 | ASIN : B0HKQKF1Q6
“remember that you must die.”
The Step and the Walk follows a grieving scholar who is pursuing immortality through forbidden alchemy, but each step toward conquering death demands a devastating sacrifice. How does this installment contribute to the larger emotional and philosophical questions you want to explore throughout the trilogy?
I can only think of the phrase “memento mori” — or, “remember that you must die.” This is an underlying theme to the entire Darkening Gate trilogy. Lily Bellamy, whom we met in The Name and the Key, deals with her own tragedy but is far more accepting of death than Andresh is, and we learn more about that in The Step and the Walk. Andresh knows that everyone must die, but he doesn’t find that acceptable because he believes death is unfair and that lives were taken from him instead of realizing each person will have an ending to their own life. He is terrified of death because, with death, Andresh doesn’t want to lose any more people he loves. Andresh is ignoring another part of “memento mori,” though: he isn’t taking time to live his life fully. True, he has Lily and enjoys what time he has with her and her family, but Andresh’s priority has always been the ending of death through the power of alchemy. He is single-minded in his focus, and doesn’t realize that sacrificing parts of his humanity to do so is a little bit like death in its own way. The same thing with Fire. Fire is the energy of the soul, and Andresh gives it up willingly to feed the demon he works with, not realizing he is shaving off years of his own life to do so. He is hastening his death and he doesn’t even know it. As he walks closer to his end, risking everything for eternal life, he doesn’t remember that he needs to live for the remaining moments he has–to live for love, for happiness, for kindness, and goodness.
How do Andresh’s relationships with Lily and Sebastien reveal different aspects of his personality and emotional needs?
Andresh has placed Lily on a sort of pedestal, and treats her as the ultimate goal and culmination of his love. He has adored her since childhood and constantly addresses her in his journal, imagining she is right there with him as he explains and explores his choices. The problem is, Lily isn’t there while Andresh goes through something more than life’s trials. He is incredibly lonely and desires affection from someone close to him so he can experience it in real time. Enter Sebastien, his handsome classmate, who pursues Andresh and reminds him, “I’m here with you, right now.” Andresh has also given Sebastien high regard–not as much as Lily, but he too idolizes Sebastien in a way, flattered by the attention of a wealthy, attractive gentleman. I think this indicates that Andresh doesn’t actually have the high self-esteem he tends to give off in front of others. He doesn’t seem to feel complete without someone else there, and there is danger in elevating his lovers beyond the truth of who they are. Andresh doesn’t recognize this in himself yet, but he has trouble seeing people as they are. He only reacts to how they make him feel. Let’s hope that as he continues his relationship with Lily, he learns to be more accepting of reality.
What philosophical questions about immortality, sacrifice, and personal identity were most important to you while developing Andresh’s journey?
I really revisited my own grief as I wrote this trilogy, and this book especially. I lost my father when I wrote my graduate thesis. His death was sudden and in no way expected. When that happened, I quickly became afraid and wondered who would be next. Over the years, I dealt with many more deaths in my family, and my feelings always went back to the fear of wondering if the people closest to me were the next to die. I channeled all of this fear into Andresh, who is perpetually afraid of dying and what could come after that, if anything. I would never wish to be immortal, but I wanted to take the fear of death to its extreme with Andresh, and have him contemplate the gift of immortality. In the book, being immortal means becoming a god. If Andresh is a god, he has the power to stop the death of other people, not just his own. Of course, this is his rationalization. While his demon Isabelle assures him his thinking is sound, there is no guarantee of any of it. Why trust a demon, after all? But Andresh is so desperate, he will do anything for the purpose of meeting his goals.
As for sacrifice, I thought of the chemical processes in alchemy–the burning and dissolution, the purification and recomposition–and wondered what that would be like for a human: to break down the self and eventually be reconstituted as something more than a human being. For the first sacrifice, I thought of the most controversial aspect of human nature: desire. Desire can lead to love, but it can also lead to desperation and murder. It can be perceived as good and bad, but it is also an entirely human trait. I thought that if humans gave up their desire, they might be closer to being a god because the push-and-pull and conflict would no longer be there. They have grown beyond it. Add to the story some romance, and you can see how giving up desire would impact that aspect of the book.
I think personal identity is a great exploration that occurs in the novel outside of Andresh’s pursuit to end death. Andresh’s journal reveals truths about himself, and through that self-reflection, Andresh learns more about who he is as a person. He denied, or at the very least, was baffled by his bisexuality, but later comes to terms with it as a part of who he is. He repeatedly questions whether or not his choices make him a good person, or if what he is doing is actually evil. He constantly struggles with his identity and how he recognizes things about himself, which I think creates a great side-conflict in the book. After all, we’ve been told we should “know thyself,” and what sort of problems could arise if you have no idea who you are or what you truly want?
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
I am currently writing the third book in The Darkening trilogy, The Fear and the Flame. It’s due to my publisher in March, although I hope to deliver the manuscript faster than that. We’ll see. I can only tell you that the book will release in 2027, but I am unsure when. I am doing my best to resolve the story in the most thrilling, emotionally fulfilling way possible, and I am aiming for that happy ending. It’s a lot of work but I am enjoying the ride all the same. I hope readers will be able to wait and look forward to the conclusion!
Author Links: GoodReads | X | Facebook | Website
To achieve immortality, just give up your desire and walk through the Gate.
Driven by loss, Andresh has bent his every study toward a single heresy—an end to death itself. At university, he finds the path: the Magnum Opus, an alchemical road to immortality, and a demon named Isabelle who trades in the secrets that line it. But the road has a toll. Each gate demands he sacrifice a piece of himself, and the first—Nigredo—asks for the one thing he never imagined surrendering: his desire.
Which would be simpler if his heart were not already divided between Lily, the friend he has loved as long as he can remember, and Sebastien, the classmate who makes that loyalty harder to keep by the day. He wants them both. The first gate will let him keep neither. And the further Andresh walks, the clearer it becomes that he is not the only one with designs on his soul—and that a man bargaining away death may be a danger to far more than himself.
Perfect for readers who love:
– Dark academia, alchemy and demonic bargains
–Romantic temptation and impossible choices
– Gothic, epistolary, and steeped in forbidden magic
– Forbidden ambition and the price of immortality
