The Age of Heroes follows iconic Bronze Age civilizations that face extraterrestrial threats, mysterious deities, and formidable organisms, blurring the lines between history and science fiction. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

For a long time, I’ve been fascinated by the catastrophe that befell the brilliant Mediterranean Bronze Age civilization at the beginning of the 12th Century BCE. The rich, interconnected, multi-faceted world had ceased to exist in a few decades. The cities had been razed and burned, the crops destroyed, and the people dispersed. 

The cause of the Catastrophe is still subject to a fierce debate among scientists.  We might never know the truth. 

This provides a perfect setting for studying the Bronze Age civilizations while adding fictional and fantastic elements.  I took the liberty to imagine a certain “what if” scenario, an alien expedition amid the struggle for supremacy between the human kingdoms. 

I hope this story will motivate the readers to learn more about this fascinating time and discover historical facts about the Bronze Age collapse. 

The Soarers, portrayed as deities observing humanity, present a unique take on ancient gods. How did you conceive this alien race and their intricate relationship with human emotions?

Having aliens posing as deities is not a novel concept. I tried to imagine what it might be like when technologically advanced humans, exploring space, encounter an alien civilization not unlike the Bronze Age Mediterranean culture. Would we try to elevate them to our level, or would we succumb to the most primitive instincts of our nature? The contradiction of a technologically advanced species, with a superior intellect and driven by logical argument, yet subject to the basest desires and emotions, is a riddle I’m very curious about. Will we ever be able to transcend our animal nature? Do we really need to strive to do it, or does it give us, humans, a unique advantage?

What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?

First of all, this is a book about humanity, the aforementioned contradiction between reason and emotions, the neverending pursuit of ephemeral goals, imposed by poorly understood desires, and the drive for domination and conflict. Are we doomed to continue this mad race? Or is there a different path, the path of reason and advancement?

Second, I wanted to immerse the readers into the atmosphere of the Bronze Age Mediterranean and introduce this rich, sophisticated, and still poorly understood world to them. The history of these ancient civilizations is full of enigmas and quests that far surpass any fantasy stories we can come up with. My intention was to lift the veil and hope it would raise the readers’ interest in this epoch long gone.  

Third, in one of the subplots, I wanted to explore how artificial intelligence, born into the world of biological species and adopted by them as one of their own, would adjust, interact, and grow. How would this new entity behave and what decisions would it make? Would we then call it human if it becomes an integral, inseparable part of human society?

What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?

I am currently working on the sequel to my first book, a hard science fiction mystery, “Out of Time.” The working title of the new book is “The Illusion of Time,” and it explores the nature of the human consciousness and its link with the Universe within a setting of the dying world of the early 22nd Century. As in all of my stories, there are lots of complex characters, sub-plots, twists, and epic battles. I am planning to release it in mid-2024. I hope you will read and enjoy it!   

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