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Will Humans Become Obsolete?

Peter Solomon Author Interview

100 Years to Extinction follows two sisters and their cousin who are caught in a world of chaos where pandemics, gun violence, climate change, and political division all overlap, and they make a pact to do something to save humanity’s future.

I found the science in the novel to be well-developed and engaging. What kind of research did you conduct to ensure you got it right?

My research, combined my knowledge, books on space exploration and AI, help from a fellow physicist on speed of light space travel, advice from a physician on medical issues, use of Google search for articles and the Google AI function, and advice from a NASA expert on the magnetic field for Mars.

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

The main theme is a world threatened by the Tyranny of Technology and dysfunctional politics. My three young Gen Z protagonists, Liz, Aster, and Milo, want a better world for everyone. The subthemes are the threats from global warming, nuclear security, unchecked AI, and misused genetic engineering. The cover image is a future that my protagonists fantasize: Genetic engineering creates a super-humanoid species that wipes out humans only to be eliminated by robots. All with the background of melting glaciers. 

I find a problem in well-written stories, in that I always want there to be another book to keep the story going. Is there a second book planned?

Yes. My three protagonists, a little older now, are living in what is called the AI Singularity, predicted to occur in 2045. It is at this point that Artificial Intelligence becomes as intelligent and as powerful as humans. What will occur then? Will humans become obsolete? My three protagonists use their skills, intelligence and experience to ensure that humans and AI live together in harmony for mutual benefit.

My new novel, 12 YEARS TO AI SINGULARITY,follows Liz, Aster and Milo as they cope with the new reality. It is coming out in the spring of 2026.

Author Links: X | Facebook | Website

What if Stephen Hawking was right—and we have less than a century to avoid extinction?
When EMT Liz Arvad is shot while saving a life, her recovery sparks a deeper awakening. Maybe the world isn’t just chaotic, it’s unraveling. Alongside her genius sister, Aster, and politically charged cousin, Milo, Liz makes a vow—do something, anything, to help save humanity. It starts with a promise in a sunlit room, and becomes a mission that could change everything.
In 100 Years to Extinction, physicist and award-winning STEM author Peter Solomon, Ph.D., blends heart-pounding fiction with scientific foresight. Inspired by Hawking’s dire warning that humans may face extinction by 2117, this gripping novel explores the runaway threats we can no longer ignore: climate collapse, pandemics, war, gene editing, AI, disinformation, and more.
But this story isn’t just about what’s going wrong—it’s about what we can still do. Backed by decades of experience founding clean-tech companies, leading multimillion-dollar government research, and writing 300+ scientific papers, Solomon brings unmatched clarity and urgency to the question: Can we still save ourselves?
With characters who feel heartbreakingly real and science that hits close to home, 100 Years to Extinction is both a wake-up call and a rallying cry. It dares readers to imagine a better future … and to fight for it.
Will you join the Earthling Tribe?
Pick up your copy today—and take the first step toward making Earth great again… before it’s too late.

About the Author: Blending heart-pounding fiction with clear, accessible science, physicist and award-winning STEM author Peter Solomon, PhD, explores the runaway threats we can no longer ignore—climate collapse, pandemics, nuclear war, genetic engineering, artificial intelligence, disinformation, and more. Solomon offers unmatched clarity on the question: Can we still save ourselves, and how might we do it?

Son of Osivirius

Son of Osivirius is a science fantasy novel set on the lush, dangerous planet of Osivirius, where electromagnetic “dead-zones” and rebellion complicate humanity’s survival. The story follows Jayden, a young pilot who crashes into a rebel stronghold, and Nettle, a fierce and distrustful woman who sees him as a threat. As Jayden struggles to heal and find a way back to his family, he becomes entangled in the rebels’ world of harmony with nature, flying cats called Masu, and a philosophy centered around balance. The narrative alternates between Jayden and Nettle, pulling readers into both perspectives and building a tale of survival, mistrust, slow-burning connection, and the search for peace in a world fractured by exploitation and greed.

I was hooked almost from the first page. The opening crash sequence was tense and immersive, and from there, the story barely let up. What stood out most to me was the vivid world-building. The descriptions of the valley, the rebels’ way of life, and especially the Masu, those awe-inspiring winged felines, gave me that rare feeling of stepping into a completely new world that still felt alive and believable. I loved the contrast between the sterile, suffocating colony and the lush, self-sustaining rebel enclave. It made me think hard about our own world and how we treat the natural environment, but it never felt preachy. Instead, the themes came through naturally in the characters’ choices and conflicts.

My feelings about the characters were complicated, and that made the experience all the richer. Nettle frustrated me at times with her hostility and refusal to soften, yet I understood why she was like that, and I respected her strength. Jayden, on the other hand, walked a tricky line between being sympathetic and being manipulative, and I often found myself both rooting for him and distrusting him. That tension gave the story its bite. There were also moments where I felt the romance threads were a bit predictable, but the emotional undercurrents of family loyalty, grief, and the fear of betrayal kept me engaged.

Son of Osivirius surprised me with its heart. Beneath the adventure and the danger, this is a story about belonging and trust, and how hard it is to let go of fear in order to live freely. I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy science fiction that balances action with deeper themes, especially fans of Avatar or The Left Hand of Darkness. It’s also a great pick for anyone who wants an adventure with strong characters, a lush setting, and deep ideas.

Pages: 188 | ASIN : B0FMXQ3C85

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The Incredible Adventures of Casper the Cat Who Got Lost in Africa: Book 4: The Baboons

Casper the Cat embarks on a heartwarming and eye-opening journey through the African jungle in Jennifer Ussi’s The Incredible Adventures of Casper the Cat Who Got Lost in Africa. Surrounded by her jungle friends, Casper learns how animals coexist, communicate, and care for one another. When Evelyn, a brave young baboon with only one arm, attempts to comfort a crying leopard cub without its family’s consent, chaos ensues—sparking an unexpected conflict between the baboons and leopards. Amid the tension, Casper is puzzled. Why should compassion lead to such turmoil? Can understanding bridge the divide between two angry tribes, or will the jungle descend into battle?

What makes this story shine is its message of empathy and perspective. Through Casper’s calm reasoning and Evelyn’s pure-hearted actions, children see that kindness can change how others view a situation. Even when danger looms, Casper puts aside fear to help others see that Evelyn’s gesture came from love, not defiance. The story beautifully reminds readers, young and old, that seeing the world through another’s eyes often leads to peace and understanding.

Adding charm to the narrative is a playful dose of humor. Henry, the mischievous elder baboon, and his spirited twin sons fill the pages with laughter and light moments. Their antics offer children a joyful reminder that humor can strengthen bonds and lift spirits, even in tense times. The vibrant personalities of the jungle’s inhabitants make this tale not only educational but utterly delightful to read.

Illustrator Lekshmi Bose brings Ussi’s vision to life with artistry and care. Her detailed, neutral-toned illustrations enhance the natural beauty of the African wilderness. Every page feels alive, each animal expressive, each scene immersive.

The Incredible Adventures of Casper the Cat Who Got Lost in Africa is far more than a children’s tale; it’s a celebration of empathy, curiosity, and unity. Readers of all ages will not only enjoy its adventure and humor but also gain insights into African wildlife and conservation, meeting creatures such as leopards, baboons, helmeted guineafowl, and even playful squirrels.

Pages: 82 | ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0FNR626PT

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Guardians of Felina: Rise of the Phantom

Rise of the Phantom sweeps the reader into the land of Felina, a world of Guardians chosen by prophecy, magic, and responsibility. At its heart are Alada and Tierra, divine feline protectors, who cross paths with Birch, a mortal Meu, as they warn villages of the Phantom’s threat. The book brims with battles, supernatural beasts, playful humor, and quiet moments of longing. Sofia builds a lush world of glowing forests, sacred prophecies, and mysterious enemies that feel both mythical and immediate.

What I liked most was the emotional texture beneath the adventure. Alada’s solitude, her aching need for connection, felt raw and real to me. I also loved the contrast with Tierra’s spirited energy and wacky humor, which often lightened otherwise heavy moments. At times, the banter felt almost too playful for the stakes, but I think that was the point, it reminded me how humor can be armor when facing despair. The writing style was easy to sink into. Sometimes the pacing slowed in long descriptive passages, yet I found myself appreciating the detail when I leaned into it.

The ideas, though, are what lingered. The story asks what it means to guard others while remaining unseen, how much one should intervene in the lives of those they protect, and how loneliness carves itself into even the strongest. I admired the way the book balanced spectacle with intimacy, giving as much weight to kittens begging for fish as to battles against glitching monsters. The villains intrigued me too. They’re shadowy, strange, almost playful in their cruelty. It made the danger unpredictable, and I liked that.

In the end, I closed the book feeling both satisfied and hungry for more. I’d recommend Guardians of Felina: Rise of the Phantom to readers who enjoy epic fantasy with a softer heart, fans of animal-centered worlds, and anyone who wants a mix of whimsy and darkness. It would be perfect for young adults who crave adventure, but older readers who remember the ache of loneliness and the balm of friendship will find just as much to hold onto here.

Pages: 256 | ISBN : 1735495867

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Walk With Me

Walk With Me follows the story of Nelson “Pappy” Thompson, a former park ranger, and his grandson Skyler, as they build a bond through hikes, camping trips, and the shared magic of the outdoors. At its heart, it’s a generational tale about passing down knowledge, love, and courage, framed by vivid memories of trails, rivers, and mountain skies. Their adventures are often simple on the surface, pitching a tent, cooking over a fire, naming stars, but they carry deep lessons about trust, resilience, and the ties that hold families together.

Reading it, I found myself smiling one moment and swallowing hard the next. It feels like someone sitting across the table, telling you about their family. Sometimes the dialogue made me laugh, especially when Skyler misunderstood his Pappy’s phrases, and sometimes I felt a sting in my chest, especially when the bond between the old man and boy shone through. I’ll admit, there were spots where the pacing slowed and the descriptions got a bit detailed, but even then, I didn’t mind. It just felt like Pappy lingering on the trail, not in a rush to get home.

What struck me most was the emotion packed into the quiet moments. The way Pappy teaches through stories instead of lectures reminded me of my own grandparents. It’s gentle wisdom, not forced. The author manages to make simple scenes, like finding sea glass on the beach or learning to ration water, carry weight. I also enjoyed the occasional sketch-like illustrations scattered through the book. They were simple yet charming, and they breathed life into certain scenes.

I’d recommend Walk With Me to readers who value heart and who enjoy stories about family, the outdoors, and the lessons we hand down through generations. It’s perfect for parents, grandparents, or anyone who has ever wanted to hold on to a memory of time spent together in nature. It’s a book that made me laugh, sigh, and think.

Pages: 195 | ASIN : B0FP2S5LRP

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A Place To Escape and Explore

Karen Bitzer Author Interview

The Pharaoh’s Catacombs follows five misfit cats into Paris’s shadowy underground, where friendship and cleverness prove their only weapons against supernatural peril. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

I love ancient Egyptian history and I always knew I would write something about Egypt. But I wanted a twist. I wanted a story where the reader would search the internet to see if Rameses VIII’s mummy is even in Paris. 

Each cat has such a distinct personality. Do any of them draw from people (or pets) in your own life?

This all started with my first cat (as an adult), Franky. He was a sassy fellow with fluffy pants. And since then many more have entered my life and they each have their own lives. Some are lazy. Some run the neighborhood poker game, and some collect the money from the losers of the poker games. It’s fun to create little lives for them. 

How do you balance historical detail with magical storytelling without losing pace or accessibility for young readers?​

My editor. He reels in my history lesson and reminds me that this is not a boring world with spreadsheets, but a place to escape to and explore. 

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

Book 3 will have the same cast of characters and a grumpy dragon that was rudely waken from his thousand-year nap. It will still have riddles, but will also have a whodunnit component to it. I plan to release it in April 2026. 

Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website

“An immersive tale that’s equal parts clever and pulse-pounding…”– The Prairies Book Review
🐾 A new maze. A deadly secret. A race against time. ✨
Legends whisper of treasures in the Paris Catacombs, but the kittens of Caylor Academy get more than they bargained for when an ancient mummy pulls them into a dangerous game of riddles and clues.
To survive, Sheba, Buckley, Tank, and their new ally Ruby must solve puzzles carved in stone, survive traps that spring without warning, navigate eerie passageways, and face a mummy who will stop at nothing to free himself from his ghostly world. One wrong answer could mean doom—not just for them, but for the magical world itself.

Dark forces are moving fast, and one wrong choice could unravel everything like a frayed ball of yarn. 🧶⏳
Danger is closer than ever. The question is—can they solve the mystery before time runs out?
For readers who crave thrilling quests, magical riddles, and adventures with claws. 🐱✨
Paws what you’re doing and dive into this CAT-astrophically delightful sequel! 🐾

DimWitts: The Big Stupid

David J. Hamilton’s DimWitts is a biting, wild ride through a world that feels both satirical and uncomfortably real. It jumps between the collapsing life of David Enders, a leftist late-night comedian silenced by a newly authoritarian president, and the twisted family drama of Charlie Witt, a bitter man stuck in his brother’s strange, almost supernatural shadow. The novel paints a grim but oddly playful picture of politics, power, and small-town despair, blending sharp political commentary with intimate stories of resentment, failure, and strange gifts that alter the people around them. From the halls of the White House to a grocery store in rural British Columbia, the narrative builds a chaotic tapestry of media, corruption, and human frailty.

This book was both exhilarating and frustrating, in the best way. The writing has a manic energy to it, full of sharp edges and vivid scenes. Sometimes the prose cracked me up, other times it made me wince, and there were moments where I had to put the book down because it hit too close to home. The dialogue is alive with personality, though it occasionally veers into caricature. That said, the caricature works because the world it describes already feels absurd. I admired Hamilton’s ability to juggle satire and genuine tragedy without losing the thread. Though at times I felt almost overwhelmed by how much was packed into a single chapter, but it mirrors the mess of the world it’s trying to capture.

What really stayed with me was the mix of rage and humor that runs under everything. I found myself genuinely angry at the injustices described, but then laughing a page later at the ridiculousness of a character’s remark. I don’t think the book wants you to feel comfortable. It wants you off balance, amused, unsettled, and maybe even a little guilty about how much you enjoy the spectacle of disaster.

I’d recommend DimWitts to readers who like their fiction bold, political, and unafraid of being abrasive. If you enjoy sharp satire mixed with messy human drama, this is for you. Reading DimWitts felt a bit like if Kurt Vonnegut wrote a season of Succession after binge-watching The Daily Show. It’s darkly funny, biting, and just absurd enough to sting with truth.

Pages: 340 | ASIN : B0FM6D79GS

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100 Years to Extinction

100 Years to Extinction follows Liz and Aster Arvad, two sisters caught in a world of chaos where pandemics, gun violence, climate change, and political division all overlap. Their family’s struggles are both personal and symbolic, from Liz being shot on an EMT call to the trio of Liz, Aster, and cousin Milo making a pact to “do something” about humanity’s future. The novel braids together near-future realism, speculative science, and the raw fears of Generation Z, asking whether we are truly on the brink of extinction in a century. It’s part survival story, part social critique, and part rallying cry.

The writing is sharp, fast, and emotional. There are moments when the dialogue feels like it’s been lifted from heated dinner-table debates, with characters rattling off facts about Stephen Hawking, artificial intelligence, and climate change. I liked that unfiltered energy. It made the book feel alive, like being thrown into a storm of voices where science, politics, and family pain collide. The rawness of Liz getting shot, the rage over conspiracy theories, and the quiet tenderness of sisters holding hands in a hospital room hit me hardest. Solomon’s sincerity is impossible to ignore. The story wanted me to care, and I did.

The weaving of real-world headlines into the story sometimes felt like the characters were vehicles for commentary. Still, there were passages where the mix worked beautifully. The contrast of cosmic wonder, Aster dreaming of the stars, against the blunt horror of school shootings or anti-vax violence made me feel both awe and despair in the same breath. That tension stayed with me, unsettling but real. The prose is straightforward, almost casual, but the ideas underneath are heavy. The combination created a rhythm I found hard to put down.

By the end, I felt the book’s true purpose wasn’t just to tell a story but to challenge me to think about the world I live in. Who is responsible for fixing this mess? Can young people make the difference their parents and grandparents didn’t? 100 Years to Extinction is a call to arms disguised as fiction. I’d recommend it to readers who enjoy speculative stories rooted in our very real present. It’s especially for young adults who feel overwhelmed by the crises around them and need to see their fears reflected and validated.

Pages: 438 | ASIN : B0FNX5VGY8

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