Blog Archives
Magical Armies
Broken Sky follows a Savior destined to battle monsters who seeks out the Sorcerer behind them and battles to end the destruction once and for all. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
It all stems from a small hobby of mine as a child, namely reading CYOA (Choose Your Own Adventure) stories, I often participated in choosing “powers,” “locations,” and other parts of the setting, and would sometimes daydream in my head about how the story would form from the choices made. Once I started writing (this is my 7th book) and became more experienced, I added my spin on it, added the concept of a grudge that surpassed time, space, and multiple lifetimes, and came up with Broken Sky. With the various worlds, “powers,” and “settings,” I felt like it would be best to start with the staples of the fantasy genre: a warrior, a savior, an evil sorcerer trying to take over the world, and magical armies, and to build from there.
In fantasy novels, it’s easy to get carried away with the magical powers characters have. How did you balance the use of supernatural powers?
I focused on showing power that was necessary to get the point across; I made a concerted effort to show character and personality and to move events along while also following the logic of nature’s elements.
What was the chosen theme of the novel, or did it develop organically as you were writing?
Generally, when I write, I start with an idea, then I flesh out the plot, the settings, the characters, the big events, and the personalities. I rarely define the theme during the outlining phase, and 9 times out of 10, it develops organically as I look to fill in the blanks and establish the fine details. Broken Sky is no different. I did not originally plan for a theme that can be summarized as “there are certain actions one can’t come back from,” also known as the ‘point of no return.’
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be published?
My next book (book number 8) is Black Glove: a new take on the vigilante/superhero theme, one with superpowered gangs and high-level technology, but also one with potent messages and social commentary sown deep into the plot. Black Glove is scheduled to be published in Winter 2023.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | ThiefsTheme | Amazon
Broken Sky
Broken Sky by M.A.N. is a compelling tapestry of fantasy, folklore, and science fiction elements that weave together to form a truly epic hero’s journey. Our young protagonist bravely challenges fearsome creatures that have been terrorizing his country, ravaging communities, and fracturing families. As he valiantly fights to protect a loved one, he ascends to the role of the Savior, winning the town’s admiration. Yet, each victory exacts a painful toll on his own family, leaving him wracked with guilt, sorrow, and rage. These poignant experiences fuel his mission to seek out the Sorcerer, the root of all malevolence, in an attempt to end their cyclical dance of devastation.
The narrative unfolds across multiple lifetimes, each marked by confrontations with the Sorcerer that lead to exhilarating journeys across various realms. The narrative is immediately engrossing, pushing readers into the heart of the action from the get-go. The skillful interplay of time and interdimensional travel injects thrilling unpredictability into the story.
Broken Sky‘s narrative tends towards longer, wordy sentences that may not be to everyone’s taste. That said, a more in-depth exploration of critical scenes, particularly those rich in emotional substance, would have drawn readers into the storyline more and created a deeper connection with the characters. The author also made a unique stylistic choice to integrate onomatopoeic sound effects directly into the text. These elements may put off some readers, but they also give it a fresh feel, unlike other typical sci-fi novels, offering readers a distinctive literary journey.
The potential of the story is unmistakably clear. Broken Sky comes highly recommended, especially for aficionados of manga and folklore, as it brings a refreshing twist to these beloved genres. This novel holds immense promise to enchant readers into a truly extraordinary and captivating literary work.
Pages: 513 | ASIN : B0BS1CWJ2H
LITERARY TITAN 