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The Visitors
A few years from now, Earth faces total annihilation, unless two determined aliens can rewrite its fate. Bjorn and Zorn, shapeshifting observers of our troubled planet, are horrified by what they see. Determined to save humanity from itself, they leap back through time to intervene. Their unlikely allies? A ragtag band of cynical animals: Dax, a chicken-nugget-loving Maine Coon; Penelope, an irreverent Adélie penguin; Florence, a thoughtful cow; and Ptoni, a prehistoric Pteranodon with attitude. Saving the world is serious business, but with this crew, chaos comes laced with comedy.
The Visitors by Andrew Cahill-Lloyd targets a young adult audience, though its wit and inventiveness easily appeal to older readers as well. Fans of Artemis Fowl will recognize the quick pacing and mischievous tone, while admirers of Douglas Adams or Terry Pratchett will find familiar notes of absurdity and satire.
Cahill-Lloyd excels at weaving eccentric characters and outrageous scenarios into a cohesive, fast-moving narrative. Beneath the laughter, however, pulse weightier themes, homophobia, racism, and the perils of blind faith. These serious undertones are handled deftly, introduced with humor and humanity rather than heaviness.
Each brisk chapter feels like an episode from a gleefully bizarre television series. The jokes land fast, the dialogue crackles, and amid the hilarity, flashes of insight remind us what’s at stake. Bjorn and Zorn’s advanced technology allows for wild journeys through time and space, yet it also highlights a sobering truth: humans, given such power, might not use it for good.
For all its zany energy, The Visitors is more than intergalactic farce. It’s sharp, funny, and oddly poignant, a whirlwind of wit and wonder that never overstays its welcome. Cahill-Lloyd writes with the kind of gleeful abandon that invites readers to laugh, think, and maybe cringe a little at their own species.
Pages: 264 | ASIN : B0FS6Y7YDK
Unintended Consequences
Infernal Wonderland follows an akiko who stumbles into the submerged Amber City, a broken metropolis filled with automations, reptilian gangs, and drugs that push him deeper into madness, violence, and strange alliances. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Games like Bioshock and Dark Souls. I wanted to explore something different from what I had explored in the last book, which also took place on Neldar. I knew what the idea and concept were going to be, but I didn’t know what the city was going to be like. The Ichor was going to be a big driving point since it was one of the mechanics from the previous book I wanted to develop more, and a system like Bioshock spoke to me, so I went with that.
I felt that your story delivers the drama so well that it flirts with the grimdark genre. Was it your intention to give the story a darker tone?
I write dark stories, apparently, and no matter how hard I try, the tales always end up that way. I guess it’s just my style, and honestly, I enjoy those types of stories more, so it’s probably why.
What themes were particularly important for you to explore in this book?
Morality, consciousness, identity, power of corruption, unintended consequences, shadow integration, love and sacrifice, as well as transformation, among others. I believe that in a complex universe, traditional categories of good and evil are insufficient to capture the full truth of existence. I enjoy exploring fundamental questions about morality, consequence, and the price of knowledge and power, for the most part.
I hope the Elder’s Vault series continues in other books. If so, where will the story take readers?
Infernal Wonderland is actually the third novel in the series, and wraps up what the second novel consisted of. I’m currently writing the fourth book. Benign Dystopia is the first novel, and Tellurian Otherworld is the second. The fourth book, currently titled Elysium Nightmare, will take readers on a journey of self-discovery and awakening to one’s true self. It dwells a lot on the nature of consciousness and what it means to be “truly aware.”
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Crescendos and Decrescendos
Dissonance, Volume Zero: Revelation follows a man and his family on Earth who move underground when alien creatures arrive in massive numbers sparking global anxiety and uncertainty. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Well, as you know, I’ve penned a trilogy of novels called “Dissonance” that take place in 2042, 16 years after the alien invasion of 2026. The trilogy was initially intended to be just one novel, but it just kept ballooning with undercurrents of subplots, and so much more. I thought I was done when I finished the final chapter of the trilogy, but like a tractor beam, it just sucked me right back in. There was a glaring 16-year gap there ripe for the mining, and I felt an origin story was in order. I also was so pleased at the notion that, though some characters die in the trilogy (and I hate playing God, for that matter), they’re alive again in the prequel. It’s like a keen splash of water on the face when you meet an old beloved friend that you cared about. I LOVE that aspect of it. There are also characters whose backstory I really wanted to explore, such as Pastor Rosie’s. There’s a LOT to that woman. I could pen a whole trilogy based on her alone. 😊 But I did want to go back and visit the actual invasion as well as the actual day of the attacks (which happen three months apart from each other, thus brewing the anxiety you mention) and explore what that might have been like. There proved to be a treasure trove of narrative that I was able to flesh out, and consequently it’s become my favorite of the entire pentalogy-in-the-works (working on the 5th installment as we speak!) as it is loaded with a lot of heart and thematic depth.
The supporting characters in this novel, I felt, were intriguing and well developed. Who was your favorite character to write for?
Thank you! Honestly, as mentioned, it’s Pastor Rosie, but frankly I really liked writing young Cameron. He is six, bordering on seven, when the aliens invade, and it rocks his little life. His entire worldview is impacted and colored by these things, and he’s forced to sacrifice his childhood in the name of service, keeping the gorgons at bay and helping to ensure the survival of their little Blockade as he grows. I loved traveling down through the years with he and Rutty, with their dad, their mom, Sissy, the captain, all of them. It was an amazing experience to journey down through the years with them.
How did you balance the action scenes with the story elements and still keep a fast pace in the story?
That is such a great question, because it truly was a balancing act. You need peaks and valleys, rises and falls, crescendos and decrescendos. It’s a tough assignment because your blood has to get pumping on occasion, and really get immersed in the action; you have to be reminded of what a tangible, visceral threat the gorgons truly are. They border on the periphery of your entire life in a Blockade, that threat up there on the surface. So when the two worlds collide, humans are the weaker species, and as such, survival mode kicks in. My heart was pounding as I fleshed out several narratives like the moment the gorgons activate, the infiltration of the Blockade by the berserker, Andrew’s mission where he loses one of his crew, the final mission, etc. There were lots of ups and downs to balance, but I was so much more focused on telling the heart of the story, which is parenting through trauma.
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can your fans expect in the next story?
Well, it depends on how you look at the word ‘first.” Chronologically, yes, it comes first, as its set before the invasion of 2026, whereas the trilogy is set 16 years after the invasion in the winter of 2042. It’s a prequel, meaning “sequel that happens before.” So it depends if you like to watch Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, and The Return of the Jedi and THEN watch the prequels, or if you like to watch the prequels and THEN the original trilogy. Ultimately, Dissonance Volume Zero: Revelation and Dissonance Volume I: Reality are both beginnings, so you can’t go wrong starting with either. Both will tantalize you to want to read further and explore the world-building I’ve conducted across the post-apocalyptic landscape of 2042. But you may have noted that Dissonance Volume Zero: Revelation ends in 2037, and Dissonance Volume I: Reality introduces you to Earth in 2042. So, once again, I was sucked back in to mine the remaining years for content, and thus, you can expect Dissonance Volume Up: Rising before October of this year. This second prequel bridges the gap from Dissonance Volume Zero: Revelation to Dissonance Volume I: Reality. It’s coming along really well, and I’m very excited about it! But what I’m mostly excited about is for Dissonance Volume I: Reality: I’ve had it adapted to a screenplay and it’s now being pitched to major streaming networks. All of my hopes are pinned to that, and I’m very, very excited to see what comes of it. Thanks for journeying with me!
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They arrived by the hundreds of thousands on June 6th, 2026. The aliens silently drifted down from the sky, hovering fifty feet above us for three long, tense months at a geostationary orbit, taking up positions around the world. No one knew why they came…what they wanted…or why they wouldn’t just go away.
Then, the unthinkable happened. They suddenly came to life…and hunted us down. We ended up calling them gorgons – after the mythical creature Medusa – because if we locked eyes with them, it was all over, and they could telepathically paralyze us with just one look. Once immobilized, they could consume us at their leisure, leaving us to feel every excruciating bite. There was no escape, no hiding from their relentless pursuit. Our only defense was to run.
By the end of 2026, eighty-five percent of mankind had been killed off. The alien invasion turned Planet Earth into a ghost town, with the few survivors eking out an existence in the shadows. Andrew Shipley is one such survivor thrust into an extraordinary nightmare of post-apocalyptic proportions. As chaos erupts, hope dwindles for Andrew and his wife and three small children. Will they make it? Or will the gorgons get them too?
Join author Aaron Ryan as he takes readers on a heart-pounding journey into the darkest corners of fear in the prequel to his bestselling “Dissonance” saga. “Volume Zero” is a harrowing tale of humanity’s struggle to survive a devastating alien invasion. Fans of the “Dissonance” saga and readers who enjoy tense, thrilling, and gritty survival stories will not want to miss this gripping origin story. Order your copy now before the price changes!
Dissonance Volume Zero: Revelation
In Dissonance, Volume Zero: Revelation, author Aaron Ryan introduces us to the seemingly idyllic life of Andrew Dylan Shipley, a man whose world is on the brink of drastic change. When alien creatures arrive on Earth in massive numbers, they initially lie dormant, sparking global anxiety and uncertainty. Andrew, along with his wife Melissa and their children Cameron “Jet,” Wyatt “Rutty,” and Adelynn “Sissy,” anxiously await the moment the aliens will reveal their true intentions. Surprisingly, the aliens remain inactive, leaving humanity in suspense. In response, governments worldwide take precautionary measures, building bunkers for a worst-case scenario—a decision that proves pivotal for the Shipley family. But as they soon discover, life underground presents its own set of challenges, testing their health, faith, and family bonds in ways they never anticipated.
As a prequel to Ryan’s Dissonance trilogy, Revelation stands on its own, requiring no prior knowledge of the series. However, for those familiar with the trilogy, there are moments that will enhance the emotional impact of the story. The novel is rich with tense, emotional scenes as the Shipley family confronts the reality of their situation. Andrew’s primary concern is the safety of his family, but he finds it impossible to shield his young children from the harsh truths of their new reality. One of the novel’s strengths is its portrayal of how these experiences profoundly affect the children. Their development is depicted organically through Andrew’s perspective, a father keenly aware of the subtle changes in his children’s behavior. This adds a deep emotional resonance to the story, making the characters’ growth both believable and impactful. The plot starts at a measured pace, allowing readers to become fully immersed in the Shipley family’s serene life before it takes a dark turn. This deliberate pacing serves to heighten the contrast between their past and the intense, fast-paced events of the latter half of the novel. As the story accelerates, it aligns seamlessly with the tone and direction of the main Dissonance trilogy, leaving readers with tantalizing hints and unanswered questions about the mysterious aliens.
Dissonance, Volume Zero: Revelation is a compelling and emotionally charged prequel that sets the stage for the rest of the trilogy. Ryan expertly balances the tension and development of his characters, making this a must-read for both newcomers and fans of the series alike. If you enjoy science fiction with strong character development and a gripping plot, this book will not disappoint.
Pages: 308 | ASIN : B0CTHT94R7
Timmy the Martian
W.B. Thompson’s Timmy the Martian is a charming tale that invites young readers into the world of Timmy, a green Martian distinguishable by three moles on his face. Seeking companionship, Timmy embarks on an adventure to Earth, where he hopes to forge new friendships. However, his arrival on Earth doesn’t go as smoothly as anticipated, with his unique appearance initially causing fear among the children he encounters. This emotional journey takes a positive turn with the introduction of Henry, a boy whose three facial moles mirror Timmy’s, leading to an instant and meaningful connection despite their interplanetary differences.
Thompson skillfully weaves a narrative that addresses the theme of diversity and acceptance. The shared trait between Timmy and Henry serves as a clever device to explore and celebrate differences, imparting an important message about inclusivity to young readers. The story unfolds in a way that’s both engaging and empathetic, making it relatable for children who may feel different for various reasons. The book’s visual aspect is as impactful as its narrative. The illustrations in Timmy the Martian are noteworthy for their vibrancy and detail. Full-page spreads bring the story to life with vivid colors and imaginative depictions of both Earth and space. These illustrations are not just complementary to the story but are integral in drawing children into Timmy’s world, enhancing their reading experience.
W.B. Thompson’s Timmy the Martian is more than just a story; it’s a resource that can help children understand and embrace diversity. Its captivating illustrations and meaningful narrative make it a valuable addition to any young reader’s library. I find Timmy the Martian to be a delightful and educational read and one that I confidently recommend to both parents and teachers alike.
Pages: 31 | ASIN : B0CQQ1MW6L
Down Comes the Dark: Elemental Book 2
Down Comes the Dark is the second installment in the Elemental Series authored by Liane Mahugh. This book delves into the journey of Raya, a young Elemental who has decided to remain on Earth while her boyfriend, Dev, returns to their home planet. On Earth, Raya embraces her life, enrolling at a local university to pursue her studies in Astronomy and forging new friendships.
Meanwhile, turmoil unfurls on Raya’s home planet, Solara Prime, as it grapples with catastrophic changes in its core, coupled with escalating protests led by terrorists against the planetary government. When the terrorists launch an attack on the city where Raya’s family resides, Dev takes it upon himself to track them down and seek vengeance, all while planning his return to Earth to reunite with Raya.
Dev’s actions, as well as the harrowing news of Solara Prime’s destruction, deeply affect Raya, prompting her to work tirelessly to establish contact with her people. Her Earth-based family endeavors to keep her safe during this tumultuous period. When a ship finally arrives to retrieve her, Raya is resolute in her determination to pursue the terrorists responsible for the assault on Solara Prime, aided by both old and new friends. Liane Mahugh expertly weaves together elements of space opera and unexpected plot twists, crafting a narrative that is both captivating and inspiring. Raya’s unwavering resilience and her alliances with friends, both old and new, enrich the narrative, resulting in a compelling story. While Down Comes the Dark can be enjoyed as a standalone work, reading the first book in the series, Elemental, dramatically enhances the overall literary experience. Mahugh’s storytelling prowess shines through in the prosperous development of characters and the unpredictable turns in the plot. Fans of I Am Number Four will undoubtedly find this a riveting contemporary classic featuring a resilient female protagonist.
The second installment in the series lives up to the high standard set by the first, with the added bonus of a humorous recap of the previous book’s events in the early chapters, ensuring that even readers who may have forgotten details from the first book can quickly catch up. Raya’s struggles with learning English and her grief over the news from her home planet are portrayed with finesse, and the sense of wonder shared by the characters and readers alike when encountering alien technology is palpable. The book culminates in an exhilarating climax filled with delightful twists, making it an engaging sci-fi adventure that is sure to satisfy. Down Comes the Dark is an absolute must-read.
Pages: 312 | ASIN : B0CG4X786L
Perseverance, Overcoming, And Excelling
Moon Crusher follows a 19th-century Californian who’s unexpectedly abducted by aliens and has to navigate a treacherous society of slaves and warriors. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I devoured science fiction stories when I was younger and most of them were about main characters who were in difficult, if not impossible situations. Robert Heinlein and Andre Norton come first to mind. The characters overcame their circumstances whether it was a wartime scenario, or they were a minority (a rarity in the sixties, imho) who had to traverse a hostile environment, or they were slaves, considered dregs of society, etc. I like the stories of perseverance, overcoming, and excelling where they were or in whatever horrible situation they find themselves in. The reason for this exact scenario will be given in one of the other questions. I originally had Diego as a twelve-year-old, because I had also read some of the history of David Farragut, who in the War of 1812, became a midshipman at the age of twelve. My publisher changed the age to sixteen, and we compromised with fourteen. Fourteen turned out to be a good age. Diego was old enough to master what he had to do and young enough for that adolescent spirit to shine through.
What inspired you to create the character of Diego Perez y Andres Morales, and how did you craft his journey from 19th-century California to an alien society?
Diego Perez and his initial setting of the Spanish/Mexican California were directly derived from my love of Zorro. Before any of my books were published, I had written Zorro fanfiction (among other genres). Spanish California was where Zorro/Diego de la Vega lived. I also realized the distinct disadvantage a boy from that society would have among the technology he found himself in. A fish out of water, so to speak. It was all pre-industrial. He either has to adapt and excel in this new environment, or he will die. My favorite sci-fi reads contain these huge character arcs.
The blending of historical elements with science fiction is unique in “Moon Crusher.” How did you approach merging these two distinct genres, and what challenges did you face?
I really didn’t have a lot of challenges other than remembering Diego would find computers, spaceships, and aliens strange. (A great deal stranger than you or I would find them.) I did have to look up some of the history of Alta California, but most of that had been done when I wrote the Zorro stories two decades ago. Once Diego was on the ship it was world-building time and having fun with all the strange and different beings. I did have to make a list of characters and their ‘species’ so I wouldn’t have to be constantly referring back in the novel to the spelling of Rreengrol’s name or Ziron’s junior officers, etc.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
I am working on Moon Crusher sequels, which are in various stages of development. However, most of my attention right now is on an adult science fiction about a research submarine–science fiction, not a thriller–called Voyage of the Sea Dragon, Into the Dream World. My premise is that a former nuclear ICBM sub is decommissioned and converted into a research vessel. Like Jules Verne, there is a lot we don’t know down in the depths and I wanted to write about some of those mysteries. There is a bit of environmental intrigue, a few aliens, and an alternate universe. I am shooting for a mid-October publication date.
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The Visitors
The Visitors by Andrew Cahill-Lloyd is the charming story of two aliens from the planet Aeon, Bjorn, and Zorn, who are tasked to observe Earth. The pair watches as the religious wars on the planet lead it to destroy itself. They are soon charged with the task of going back in time to try to save Earth from itself by revealing proof of alien existence to humans to prove there are bigger things out there. Teaming up with animals from around the world, they set their plan in motion to save man. Will their endeavors be fruitful in enlightening mankind, or have they caused bigger problems?
This was a sweet read that was out of this world. It was fun seeing the misadventures these aliens and animals get themselves into, and I feel kids would enjoy its wacky cast of characters. I love a good romp through time and space, and this filled that niche perfectly. This piece had good heartwarming messages I think a lot of people need to hear in this day and age. The humor in this book balanced out the heavier topics and made this an enjoyable rescue mission that didn’t take itself too seriously. I mean, who doesn’t love a well-placed fart joke when you’re trying to save the world.
I did feel the flow of the book needed some work. I felt it was too fast-paced, and you really didn’t have time to marinate on each revelation before you raced off to the next one. I wished the descriptions had been fleshed out a little bit more in some areas; I couldn’t get a good image in my head at times. The character’s personalities, however, shone through and kept me smiling and laughing.
The Visitors is a gripping children’s science fiction novel filled with aliens and animals. I highly recommend this book if you love a good adventure through time and space. Its fun characters, heartwarming messages, and humor make this an entertaining story.
Pages: 206 | ISBN : 1398490334
LITERARY TITAN 