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Gray Wrath
Terrence Poppa’s Gray Wrath is an intense tale of humanity’s fight for survival against an alien threat. The story kicks off when astronomer Tepler discovers a mysterious asteroid speeding toward Earth, only to accidentally uncover a terrifying extraterrestrial menace. As this threat approaches, former Directorate agent Michael Kendon and Laura Meller, the daughter of the scientist who cracked the key to defeating the aliens, must work together to save the planet. Their mission takes them to an unlikely place—a lighthouse in Puerto Rico, where a hidden weapon, Tepler’s first discovery, may be Earth’s last hope. With the shadowy Directorate chasing them, Kendon and Laura race to unlock the secrets of the lighthouse and mount a final defense against the invaders. The story showcases humanity’s relentless will to survive, portraying the resilience and determination that define us as a species.
I found the sci-fi elements in Gray Wrath thoroughly enjoyable, particularly the way Poppa grounded the alien technology with a sense of logic that stayed consistent throughout the narrative. The exploration of the aliens’ advanced systems, from their energy sources to their communication methods and the defense weapon crafted by Donald Meller, was fascinating. This attention to scientific detail made the alien menace feel more authentic and immersive.
The book skillfully balanced action-packed moments with emotional depth, maintaining a gripping tension that kept me engaged. Shifting between Kendon and Laura’s journey and Tepler and his close friend Gabriela Estrada’s investigation added layers of urgency and scope, allowing the story to build momentum as the threat intensified. Poppa’s ability to weave these different narrative threads together made Gray Wrath an incredibly captivating read. The emotional stakes and fast-paced action blended seamlessly, creating a world I felt fully invested in. The well-crafted characters and their relationships provided a strong emotional core that resonated alongside the larger battle for Earth.
Gray Wrath is an immersive and thrilling sci-fi adventure. I highly recommend it to fans of alien invasion stories and readers who appreciate a well-thought-out blend of scientific intrigue and emotional depth.
Pages: 334 | ASIN : B0DB2M6JWV
Degrees of Intelligence
The Scorching: Just Press Play follows a sea cop whose job is to guard a deep-sea mining operation alongside his octopus unit who uncover a plot to seal radiation-rich minerals for the seabed. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The original concept came from wanting to write about a very possible near future in terms of the ‘The Scorching’ and the environmental situation we have been developing. Once I had the world in my head, I then needed to ensure there was an engaging story to be told. If everything is doom and gloom, who would want to read it? Therefore, I knew from the off I wanted a buddy cop style of partnership. One where humour plays a huge part in the development of reader engagement. I also liked the idea of benevolent aliens trying to help.
However, I always love a twist, so the story requires the first person POV to enable the gradual reveal of what’s happening rather than throwing everything at the reader at once. Therefore, the vehicle of a vlogger’s narration fits nicely and enables the breaking of the fourth wall as they provides insight and interlude (and humour).
With the humans and Drathken working together, there is bound to be a big learning curve between species. What was your approach to writing the interactions between characters?
I needed the Drathken to be distant and use human intermediaries. Their enigmatic role enables the paranoia of the human terrorists to breed in the vacuum of disinformation we humans like to construct. Therefore, focusing on the major relationship between Nkosi and his octopus Marc, as his partner, provides a humorous dialogue, while Nkosi’s difficult relationship with the Drathken Police intermediaries and the terrorists enables the thriller and mystery element to unravel. The reader has a role too, as the ‘viewer’ and goes through their own relationship with Nkosi and, to a degree, Marc as they flashback or provide interludes.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Firstly, that Nkosi is a person in development – that we are all putting on a façade to some degree, some more than others. For many, they are coping strategies that get us through our days. His journey, especially his relationship with a modded Marc, is vital to show we are complex beings with many layers to our beliefs.
In addition, it was vital to explore degrees of intelligence. Though Marc is a genetically enhanced common octopus, her view of what is beautiful and lost is there for the reader to experience and is trying to emphasise that we are custodians of this planet with a duty towards all life.
Will there be a follow-up novel to this story? If so, what aspects of the story will the next book cover?
I am aiming for three books that are based in the same world. The second is written and explores the human colonists mentioned in Book 1 and their journey to the stars. It is a mystery thriller at heart and has two plantships with one main character on each who discovers more about the Drathken, the plantships, and the actions of those aboard the ship in bringing about The Scorching. Both protagonists will have dilemmas, and only half the information. This means the reader will be the only one who knows the full story by the end of the book.
The third will be a return for Nkosi, though that’s all you’re getting!
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Nkosi and his sarcastic tentacled buddy are forced to enter the Burnout Zone, only to come face to face with humanity’s stark future when the hunt for the terrorist’s lab takes a devastating twist. As conspiracies deepen and the jokes fly, Nkosi and Marc enter a dark journey of discovery—one they decide humanity desperately needs to listen to.
Trapped by Your Own Thoughts
In MINDFARM: The Harvest, a man trying desperately to stay grounded discovers the truth about mankind when he finds himself part of a unique group of people each battling their own mental illnesses. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Well, I often found myself falling victim to my own mental illness. The resulting battles in my own mind would leave me exhausted…questioning why I would spend so much of my own mental energy belittling myself or imagining catastrophic events. That’s when the idea came to me, to focus my mind on creating a story that was filled with some of the most ridiculous imaginative thoughts I could have. I wanted to bring conspiracies to life that the protagonist would be left questioning until the very end.
What was your favorite character to write for and why? Was there a scene you felt captured the character’s essence?
I loved writing the main character because so many of his qualities (BiPolar, funny, Dad,) are my own…you write what you know. There’s a scene where he is laying in bed in Old Victoria, thinking about his loved ones back home…but his mind quickly changes its train of thought to despair… that scene perfectly encompasses what it is like to be trapped by your own thoughts.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from MINDFARM?
I hope people will ultimately understand what it is like living with particular mental illnesses… and how hard life can be. I hope the book will inspire people to pursue more creative hobbies to direct their brain power to something that can benefit them and others.
Can you give us a peek inside Book 2 in the series? What can readers expect?
Book 2 is in development! Expect more fun and even more action in this book…. I plan on having a few twists and turns. We will also be getting more backstories from our current DOA members with their own internal dialogues/narration!
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
MINDFARM
Imagine if everything you knew about your life was shattered in a single day. What if you discovered you’ve been living a lie? And what if you couldn’t even trust yourself? In Mindfarm: The Harvest, Andrew DiVincenzo takes us on a journey with a man on the brink of losing his sanity, desperately trying to stay grounded.
The story unfolds mostly within one day, centering around Jetson Stewart as he uncovers a truth too bizarre to believe. Despite its serious themes of mental health, the book is infused with a delightful sense of humor. It’s rare for contemporary sci-fi to make me laugh out loud, but this one did, repeatedly. DiVincenzo introduces the sci-fi elements in a refreshingly unique way, adding depth and intrigue to the narrative. His skill in world-building and character development is evident; the characters come alive, resonating deeply with readers. The blend of comedy, sci-fi, heroism, and psychological fiction keeps you guessing at every turn, making the story both heartwarming and thought-provoking.
One of the standout aspects of Mindfarm: The Harvest is its ability to entertain while offering insightful commentary on mental health. Through Jetson’s experiences, readers gain a better understanding and empathy towards bipolar disorder, a testament to DiVincenzo’s writing prowess. When a reader can empathize with the characters, the author has truly succeeded.
The writing itself has a nice rhythm and pace, making the pages turn effortlessly. If you’re looking for a light-hearted yet meaningful sci-fi read, Mindfarm: The Harvest is an excellent choice. It entertains, educates, and leaves a lasting impression, embodying the essence of what great art should achieve.
Pages: 383 | ASIN : B0D21PQWVQ
Belonging and Diversity
Quantum Seed follows a neuroscientist with the ability to control brainwaves and see into the future who gets a shocking message from advanced beings that the end of humanity is imminent. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I drew upon two things – my personal experiences in experimental neuroscience and a vivid dream I had about how our civilization has been steered off course.
Victoria struggles with fitting in, only to develop unique abilities that add to her challenge. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
Initially, Victoria really wants to belong, to be understood, and to be accepted for who she is. Instead, she finds herself living a life of isolation because it’s safer and less painful than facing rejection by others. However, in order to survive, she must learn to lower her walls and trust others.
Also, her development shows that what sets us apart can also empower us. Of course, with her abilities, she faces the moral and ethical implications of how to use them.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Belonging and diversity – I see these as necessities for the survival of the individual and our civilization.
Living with artificial intelligence when it is less artificial was another big theme. The book is set in the future when AI is more organic matter like us. Thus, raising questions of rights and place in society.
Transforming ourselves is a prominent theme. Many people are disheartened by all the imbalances in the world, from inequality to a lack of value in human lives. I wondered if all of humanity depended on us transforming and evolving quickly, could we do it, and what would it look like?
The ethics of advanced interventions with the human brain is something the novel delves into, and it is a theme that won’t be confined to my novel.
Can you tell us a little about where the story goes in book two and when the novel will be available?
Book Two will be fast-paced as the team returns to save Earth in 187 days. They face unexpected challenges all along the way. There will be some big reveals.
Book Two will be available by the end of this year (2024).
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
This thought-provoking narrative explores the boundaries of human potential in the face of a looming global catastrophe. Through the eyes of Victoria Ottery, a neuroscientist with a unique ability to control brainwaves and glimpse into the future, the novel weaves the extraordinary with the familiar while tackling themes of belonging, human capabilities, and societal evolution.
Victoria finds it impossible to fit in, but this becomes the least of her worries when a brain-training session awakens her latent potential. Suddenly, she receives a shocking message from advanced beings. The countdown to humanity’s fate has begun—could the wisdom and technology of inhabitants in another world reshape our trajectory? What will they reveal about the true nature of Victoria’s abilities . . . and her destiny?
THE SURFACING
In The Surfacing, author Terrance Coffey presents an intriguing science fiction narrative centered around the Ocran, a mysterious alien race clandestinely residing beneath Earth’s surface. The plot thickens as these beings begin to inhabit human bodies, with a faction led by an entity in the guise of a six-year-old boy named Kaden harboring malevolent intentions toward humanity. Amidst this turmoil, Clay Krutcher emerges as humanity’s unlikely champion, destined to confront this alien threat.
Coffey’s writing style is notably accessible and engaging, effectively capturing the reader’s interest from the outset. While the pacing experiences a slight deceleration following the compelling introduction, the sustained element of mystery adeptly maintains reader engagement. The narrative thoughtfully incorporates periods of slower progression, enhancing the suspense and heightening anticipation for the story’s intricate plot developments. This deliberate pacing invites readers to fully immerse themselves in the unfolding events, adding depth to the reading experience. The story boasts a diverse and substantial ensemble of characters, enriching the narrative with varied perspectives and depth. While the cast is not overwhelmingly large compared to other works, the dynamic shifts in viewpoints and the occasional reappearances of certain characters add layers of complexity and intrigue. This richness in character development invites readers to engage more deeply with the story, enhancing the overall immersive experience.
Coffey’s masterpiece, The Surfacing, is a uniquely crafted science fiction story that introduces an intriguing alien presence on Earth. With his exquisite writing style and in-depth storytelling, Coffey takes readers on a thrilling journey, exploring the complex and fascinating relationship between extraterrestrial beings and humanity. Through vivid descriptions and engaging characters, The Surfacing offers a fresh and thought-provoking perspective on the possibility of alien coexistence with humans.
Pages: 310 | ASIN: B0CP3GQ4FS
LITERARY TITAN 