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Ancient Wisdom and Future Technology Collide
The Legacy of Festoria follows five gifted kids, each with a special connection to an element—shadows, wind, water, fire, or earth—who are called to seek out a mysterious sage who holds the key to balancing their ancestral powers with emerging AI technology. Where did the idea for this novel come from?
The idea for The Legacy of Festoria was born out of a deep curiosity about what would happen if ancient wisdom and future technology were to collide. I’ve always been fascinated by elemental magic and the idea that nature holds secrets we’ve barely begun to understand. But I also wanted to explore how modern innovation, especially AI, might not oppose that wisdom but enhance it. The story came to me like a vision: children gifted by nature, living in harmony with the elements, who must journey to uncover not just magical truths but also the role of advanced intelligence in preserving that harmony. It’s a tale of inheritance—both spiritual and intellectual—and the power of unity in a time when the world is at a crossroads between tradition and transformation.
The Legacy of Festoria begins in a traditional way, but then takes a turn that defies the conventional fantasy story, blending fantasy with AI technology. What was your approach to writing the story?
I wanted the story to feel like a gentle unfolding—a familiar beginning in an enchanted village that slowly peels back layers to reveal a far more complex world. My approach was to root the reader in timeless, almost mythological elements—earth, water, wind, fire, and shadow—and then introduce the unexpected: the fusion of those elemental gifts with artificial intelligence. Instead of framing technology as an invasive force, I chose to write AI as something that could coexist and evolve alongside ancient magic. This blend creates a narrative tension that mirrors our modern world’s dilemma—do we abandon the old ways, or do we find ways to adapt and evolve them? Writing this book was about creating harmony between opposites and allowing the characters to be the bridge between them.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
At its core, The Legacy of Festoria explores the balance between nature and technology, past and future, and solitude and connection. One key theme is identity—each child must come to terms with their unique gift, their ancestry, and what it means to use their powers responsibly. Unity is another essential thread—though the characters are wildly different in temperament and talent, they are strongest when they come together. I also wanted to explore legacy—what we inherit from those who came before us and how we choose to carry that forward. And finally, the story delves into purpose—not just finding it but forging it, especially when the path is unclear. The fusion of AI with elemental magic became the perfect metaphor for growth: honouring the roots while reaching toward the stars.
Where do you see your characters after the book ends?
When the children step through the portal and meet Solon, it’s just the beginning of their actual journey. I see each of them stepping into a new chapter—not just as individuals mastering their gifts, but as Guardians of a new era. Aria will likely become a Seer of unparalleled wisdom, learning to read not only shadows but the complex moral patterns in the world. Leo might become a Messenger between realms, interpreting the shifting winds of change. Marina could become a diplomat of sorts, mediating between the old magic of nature and the logic of AI. Ember would thrive as a protector, defending their world with passion and courage. And Sage—steady and grounded—might grow into a builder of bridges, both literal and symbolic, between the elements and technologies that shape their future. Together, they’ll form the foundation of a new kind of harmony: one where magic and innovation walk hand in hand.
Eastlanders’ Fall
Eastlanders’ Fall, the first book in the A Drying World series, is a sprawling epic that plunges readers into the richly imagined continent of Ananthia. It’s a tale of ancient evil rising again, powerful cults seeking domination, and unlikely heroes trying to stop the world from crumbling—literally. The story kicks off with a chilling prologue featuring a cultist ceremony that goes sideways in a burst of divine justice and continues across time and space with mages, paladins, and political intrigue all grappling with the fallout. Brandon weaves together threads of high fantasy, horror, and philosophical musings about power and knowledge in a setting where the land itself is dying.
What I really loved about this epic fantasy novel was how unapologetically ambitious it is. The prologue alone is cinematic—seriously, the cult scene in “The Black Mass” is intense, grisly, and gripping. The way Brandon sets up Darvis Talsdrum as this menacing, dark priest of undeath is fantastic. I couldn’t stop thinking about that moment when the undead plunges a dagger into the elven girl’s chest just as paladins storm the room. It was horrifying and heartbreaking, but also incredibly effective storytelling. It’s rare to find a villain introduced with that much weight so early. I was hooked.
Some characters, like Milendil—the rogue wizard dabbling in necromancy—really worked for me. He’s a blend of tragic, arrogant, and brilliant, and I couldn’t help but root for him even as he spiraled. His quiet descent and eventual disgrace (and bitter sarcasm during sentencing) felt both earned and kind of sad. I genuinely felt for him, especially during his scenes with Villiena. That tension—knowing he’s doing something wrong, but for reasons that almost make sense—kept me glued. But not every character felt as rich. Maybe because there’s just so much going on that they don’t get as much time to breathe.
Brandon clearly has a massive world in his head, and while that can be a strength (the lore, the politics, the factions—it’s all super cool), it can be a lot to take in. There were chapters where I felt like I was swimming through exposition or trying to decode dwarven history. But then, just when I was about to put the book down, he’d hit me with something awesome—like the mage tower drama, or the way the desert literally eats cities. Those moments made the slower parts worth it. The writing style itself is vivid, sometimes poetic, and definitely leans dark fantasy, which I like.
Eastlanders’ Fall is a wild, sometimes brutal, always thought-provoking ride. If you like your fantasy epic, dark, and packed with morally gray characters, this is for you. Fans of Brandon Sanderson, Joe Abercrombie, or even older D&D-style storytelling will find something to love here. It’s not an easy read, but it’s a rewarding one—and I’m absolutely curious to see where the story goes next.
Pages: 413 | ASIN : B0DNG6RY4Q
Survive an Ancient Sorrow
Survive an Ancient Sorrow is an intimate tale of love, grief, obsession, and betrayal—set against a backdrop of salt-slick decks, jungle rivers, and a restless Caribbean horizon. It follows the narrator’s fevered relationship with Rita, a magnetic woman with the soul of a sailor and the scars to prove it. What starts as a lusty encounter on a docked sloop spirals into a jagged, doomed love story wrapped in the trappings of high-seas adventure and mythic melancholy. Rita dies early in the book, and everything that follows is a storm of memory, regret, and the aching need to understand why.
Greenwald doesn’t just write. He bleeds onto the page. The language is lush, visceral, and often startling in its bluntness. There’s a kind of poetry in how he describes Rita: “She could kiss with her mind,” he writes in the prologue, and that line alone told me this wasn’t going to be a standard love story. The voice feels lived-in, battered by the sea and years, full of dark humor and aching loss. He shifts from gritty details—like the squelch of bunker oil and the stink of a rotting skiff—to gorgeous lines that stop you in your tracks. It’s a chaotic mix, but it works.
The story isn’t told in a straight line, which I liked. It loops, wanders, lingers where it hurts the most. Greenwald doesn’t shy away from the ugliness—Rita’s downward spiral, her moments of despair, her complicated relationship with sex and survival. The scene where the narrator finds her body under the porch was so vividly rendered, so quiet and awful, I had to put the book down. And yet, just pages later, we’re in the wildness of their first meeting, full of fire and flirtation and grilled ribs. The emotional whiplash is intense but feels earned. That’s how memory works. That’s how loss works.
Rita herself is unforgettable. She’s not just a character—she’s a storm. Smart, broken, sensuous, maddening. She’s got big “stay away” energy, but you still find yourself inching closer. Her spiritual connection to her Nez Pierce roots, her deep relationship with the sea, her refusal to be anyone’s possession—all of it made her more than just a tragic figure. Even in her lowest moments, she had this defiant grace. And the author doesn’t let us turn away. He forces us to look at what it means to love someone wild and self-destructive, and how that kind of love can wreck you in ways you never recover from.
Sometimes it reads like a confession, sometimes like a drunken letter, sometimes like a howl into the wind. But it feels real. If you’ve ever loved someone you couldn’t save, or lost someone you couldn’t forget, this book will find you. I’d recommend it to anyone who likes stories that cut deep and don’t apologize—readers who want romance with salt and blood in it, who don’t mind the mess.
Adding Depth to My Characters
The Oberon Stone follows a group of friends who are searching for an ancient artifact of immeasurable power, when one is kidnapped, turning their mission into a desperate rescue. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I wanted the second book to break away from the artifact-hunting structure of the first, so I set up the story to make readers believe the search for the artifact was the main plot—only to subvert that expectation when the real quest became the Mage’s rescue. That shift came as a shock, flipping the narrative focus. If you look at the book’s climaxes, they’re tied more to the rescue than to the artifact itself, even in the “coming back home” moment. The artifact hunt ended up taking more of a side-quest role.
Removing the MC’s mentor was also intentional. It allowed other characters to step into the mentor role, shifting the dynamics from Book 1. The different quests also gave me the opportunity to define the rules of magic in more depth, breathing more life into the Downtown-verse—something I couldn’t fully explore in the first book without overwhelming the reader.
What character did you enjoy writing for? Was there one that was more challenging to write for?
Ada was a difficult character for me. I was very cautious about making her more than just an unpredictable sidekick. I wanted someone loud, someone who would steal the scene multiple times, but she also needed to be deeply flawed—a character that would play with the reader’s emotions. I couldn’t push her so far that readers would put the book down because of her, but I wanted to push right up to that emotional edge, making her memorable not for her wins, if that makes sense. The hardest part was figuring out where that fine line was for different readers.
I really enjoyed writing Montgomery. It’s easy to write a classic arch-enemy—just make them all bad and powerful. But if you know anything about me, you know I’d never lean into that cliché, just as much as I dislike Deus Ex Machina solutions. So yes, Montgomery needed to be awful, but he also needed a history behind his awfulness—one that readers could relate to, enough to humanize him. I loved crafting his background: the family dynamics, the bad parenting that shaped him, his desperate need for his father’s attention, and how discovering a half-brother only deepened his existing insecurities. I especially enjoyed writing Montgomery as a father—desperately overcompensating with Rachael, trying to give her the love he never had, without realizing he was creating another version of himself. Different paths leading to the same destination.
Yes, Montgomery was a fantastic creative process.
When you first sat down to write this story, did you know where you were going, or did the twists come as you were writing?
Mostly, yes — I knew where it was going, at least for the main ideas. But side stories and details tend to change as I populate the story. I base the overall plot on Vogler’s Hero’s Journey structure, which gives the main plot a very well-defined progression. Then, I break the story into bigger chunks, which usually turn into one or two chapters each. From there, I start layering the side stories — the events that make character interactions unique and develop each character’s individual trajectory.
For example, Bruno and Sarah’s broken romance is a side story. Sarah’s emotional progression — learning self-love and accepting that she often gives more than she receives — is another side arc in itself. These subplots, along with side quests, can shift as I write. I also tend to place unexpected obstacles in the characters’ paths that I hadn’t planned initially. This adds a sharp edge of anxiety to the quest, making readers wonder whether success is even possible. Sometimes I let the characters overcome these hurdles, and sometimes they are forced to find a workaround — a plan B. These choices often happen at the last minute. Yes, I’m the kind of author who ruins my characters’ lives — and you’ll love it.
When will book three be available? Can you give us an idea of where that book will take readers?
Book three (The Temporal Scythe) is already available for pre-order on Amazon (Kindle only). It will be released — along with the physical copies — on June 10th, 2025.
You can expect a deeper, darker, and more emotionally intense story, just as you could notice the progression from book 1 to book 2. The characters are also more emotionally mature, with their arcs intensifying both in magical knowledge and personal growth. The stakes are higher, and the long-awaited climax of the trilogy arrives, featuring the much-anticipated final battle between good and evil.
Without giving too much away, readers should prepare for the emotional rollercoaster they already know they will get from my works — only this time, with higher speed, sharper loops, and a broken track somewhere that might just as well launch them toward their doom.
Author Links: GoodReads | X | Facebook | Website | Trilogy Website
“This jam-packed, … cross-genre tale proves consistently entertaining! A smashing final-act turn makes checking out the sequels a virtual necessity.” – Kirkus Reviews
The Wishing Shelf Book Awards Nominee
Eric Hoffer Da Vinci Eye Nominee
Reader’s Favorite Five Stars YA SF / Dark Fantasy
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Liam Hale’s world spirals into chaos when he receives a message in his late mother’s handwriting-delivered by a friend who should no longer exist. This is no coincidence. As he searches for answers, he unearths something far worse: the prophecy foretelling the end times has been shattered, tearing apart the fragile barrier between the Houses of the Living and the Dead.
With the Megaverse on the brink of collapse, Liam and his companions-alongside the enigmatic druid Sarah and the unpredictable witch Bruno-set out to restore the balance. Their only hope lies in the Oberon Stone, an ancient artifact of immeasurable power. But when McCormick is kidnapped by the merciless Winifred family, their mission turns into a desperate rescue.
Looking for Unicorns on Safari
Looking for Unicorns on Safari is a super sweet and whimsical picture book that follows Lotta, Leo, and their mom on a safari adventure through Africa. Lotta is on a mission to spot a real unicorn—with glittery wings and a rainbow mane, of course—while her brother and mom enjoy the sights of more traditional animals, like lions, zebras, and giraffes. Each page is a colorful spread packed with animals dressed up in fun outfits and some fun Swahili words sprinkled in along the way. It’s part story, part seek-and-find, and all kinds of fun.
This picture book made me smile from page one. It’s got that perfect mix of silly and sweet that kids just eat up. The illustrations by Nita Candra are just gorgeous. There’s this one part where the giraffe is “on stilts, reaching up to the leaves,” and I had to pause and just appreciate how imaginative and playful it all looked. You can tell this children’s book was made with a lot of love.
One thing that stood out to me was how the story never shuts down Lotta’s belief in unicorns. Even though we see a bunch of real animals, no one ever says, “Unicorns aren’t real.” Instead, the story just rolls with it. That moment near the end when Lotta finally sees her unicorn? Pure joy. And the ending, where Mama calls the kids her “two monkeys”? Adorable. Plus, I think it’s really neat that the book also donates a portion of its proceeds to Save the Children. It adds a little heart to the magic.
Looking for Unicorns on Safari is a lovely read for little kids who still believe in magic—and for grownups who wish they still did. It’s perfect for bedtime, storytime, or any time you want to go on a little adventure without leaving the couch. If you’ve got a kid who loves animals, dress-up, or magical creatures, this one’s a total win.
Pages: 36 | ISBN: 9783952620724
T.V. Holiday’s Cataclysm: Legend of The Iron Warrior Vol. 2
This book takes readers on a wild ride. Think The Book of Revelation meets The Boys with a little family drama, street grit, and spiritual warfare thrown in for good measure. The world’s basically crumbling. Demons have taken over a once-utopian city called Crazy Vault, and now they’re gunning for Carnage Coast. The main players are a demon duo (Monsoon and the Crimson Queen), a no-nonsense Muay Thai fighter named Leslie, and this grizzled vigilante superhero called The Iron Warrior. It’s good vs. evil with a ton of gray in between, and everything’s got a poetic, almost prophetic edge to it.
The writing swings big. The prose is intense, dramatic, and at times kind of lyrical, like the opening poem “Crash and Burn” that sets the mood. There’s a rhythm to it that feels more spoken-word than traditional narration, and that gives it this unique vibe. I liked that. However, sometimes, it goes a step further. For instance, when Monsoon complains to Lucifer about being a benchwarmer in this whole hellish campaign, I was honestly rooting for him. He’s sitting on a literal throne of spikes, ready to unleash hell, and he’s stuck playing second string. That moment felt dramatic, but it had heart. The dialogue in those scenes is sharp too—taut and filled with seething tension. I live for power dynamics, and this book delivers on that front.
Leslie might be my favorite part. Her storyline is gritty, grounded, and totally relatable. She’s a fighter—literally and metaphorically—and her struggles with family expectations resonated with me. The whole scene where she trades her late father’s bracelet for a mysterious crown was a gut punch. And then, when that crown turns out to be cursed and she starts hearing voices, it’s like—boom, body horror, identity crisis, demonic possession. It’s a lot. But it works. Her transformation into the new Crimson Queen is creepy and tragic, and I couldn’t stop flipping pages. It felt like a Greek tragedy wrapped in a superhero origin story wrapped in a horror flick.
If you’re into dark urban fantasy with heavy spiritual stakes and characters that bleed, then you’re going to love it. It’s got elements of superhero noir, apocalyptic theology, street-level family drama, and even a twisted love story or two. It’s not light reading. It’s heavy, chaotic, and a little messy in the best way possible. If you’re looking for clean-cut heroes and clear morality, this ain’t it. But if you love your stories raw, bold, and full of fire? Cataclysm is your jam.
Pages: 336 | ASIN : B0DZ3CS927
The Legacy of Festotia
The Legacy of Festoria is a magical adventure that blends elemental fantasy with artificial intelligence in a way I’ve honestly never seen before. The story follows five gifted kids, Aria, Leo, Marina, Ember, and Sage who live in the enchanted village of Festoria. Each has a special connection to an element (shadows, wind, water, fire, or earth), and together, they’re called to seek out Solon, a mysterious sage who holds the key to balancing their ancestral powers with emerging AI technology. What starts as a mystical journey through a forest ends up being a high-stakes tale of self-discovery, friendship, and the blurred line between ancient magic and futuristic tools.
What I absolutely loved was the setting. Festoria feels like a place I could almost walk into; it’s lush, eerie, and alive. The magic isn’t just in spells and sparkles; it’s in the wind, the soil, the shadows. In one early scene, Aria sees a map form out of swirling darkness beneath a bridge. The writing brings nature to life in such a vivid, intimate way. Every kid’s bond with their element is distinct, and the environment reflects their emotions. Sage listens to the earth’s tremors, Marina reads ripples in a lake, and Leo actually hears messages in the wind. It’s lyrical without trying too hard, and I found myself wishing I could visit that forest.
I didn’t expect magic and machine to mesh so well, but it works here. Instead of making AI feel like a sci-fi intrusion, the author turns it into a spiritual amplifier. Leo uses AI to simulate weather patterns. Ember trains her fire manipulation through AI-guided meditation. Even Aria, who reads shadows, uses algorithms to interpret visions of past and future. There’s this cool moment where they operate on Marina using their AI tools, literal surgery with elemental help, which sounds wild, but it’s written in such a tense and raw way that I found myself holding my breath. It’s clever. It’s emotional. It makes you think: where’s the line between natural ability and enhanced performance?
Solon, the sage they’ve been chasing, turns out to be more morally gray than expected. His arrival throws a philosophical curveball that I didn’t see coming. He questions their use of AI, warning that dependence on it might weaken their true connection to nature. The twist made the story feel bigger than just a quest, it became a reflection on balance, on the risks of leaning too far into innovation while forgetting where you came from.
The Legacy of Festoria is one part coming-of-age tale, one part cautionary tech parable, and all heart. I’d recommend it to readers who love Avatar: The Last Airbender vibes with a side of Black Mirror-lite philosophy. It’s perfect for teens, educators, fantasy lovers, and even techies curious about AI’s place in future myths. It doesn’t preach. It doesn’t over-explain. It just tells a rich, weird, beautiful story.
Pages: 253 | ASIN : B0DZVCH3ZD
The Shadow and the Scream
The Shadow and the Scream by Rebecca L. Fearnley takes readers into a dark and thrilling world, following Annie as she navigates chilling confrontations with monsters both real and imagined. It’s a gritty tale steeped in darkness, magic, and the shadowy corners of human experience, particularly highlighting Annie’s struggles with domestic abuse and trauma. Through forty-five gripping chapters, the novel pulls you deep into the tension-filled journey of a protagonist wrestling with internal demons and otherworldly threats.
What really enjoyed about Fearnley’s writing was her intense, almost visceral way of illustrating emotional trauma. Right from the start in Chapter One, the raw depiction of Annie’s internal struggles is both unsettling and captivating. I found myself deeply moved yet a bit overwhelmed, particularly in scenes where Annie’s pain was almost palpable. Sometimes, it felt like Fearnley held nothing back, and while that intensity might not be everyone’s cup of tea, it certainly left an impression on me.
Another thing that stood out was the world-building—especially notable in chapters like “Through the Portal Tree” and “The Battle for Lin.” These were immersive moments that sucked me right into Fearnley’s uniquely crafted universe. I felt transported, right alongside Annie, through every harrowing battle and heart-pounding escape. There was never a moment where the story’s atmosphere didn’t feel real, even amidst its supernatural chaos.
The relentless pace, particularly in chapters like “Fangs and Fury” and “Storming the Manor,” sometimes made it challenging to catch my emotional breath. It’s not necessarily a downside—more like an emotional marathon. Yet, in the quieter moments, like those in “Maeve Remembers,” the depth and humanity of the characters genuinely shined through, providing necessary emotional relief.
The Shadow and the Scream is powerful and raw, a dive into darkness that ultimately highlights resilience and courage. I’d highly recommend it to readers who aren’t afraid of confronting heavy themes alongside fantastical horrors. If you’re someone who loves intense, emotional rollercoasters with well-crafted supernatural twists, this is definitely a book that’ll grab you and refuse to let go.
Pages: 689 | ASIN : B0CCP4SGW1
LITERARY TITAN 