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New Atlantis
New Atlantis is a post-apocalyptic coming-of-age novel told through a series of deeply personal journal entries and dual first-person perspectives. Set on a fictional island that survived a cataclysmic asteroid impact, the story follows Genna Grey and Parker Scott, teenagers born into a carefully controlled utopian society called New Atlantis. As their world begins to crack under the weight of secrets, surveillance, and forbidden curiosity, they’re forced to confront who they are, who they love, and what they believe about the world outside their island home. It’s a story about love, loss, trust, rebellion, and ultimately, awakening.
I was swept away by the voice of this book. Genna’s writing is raw, sharp, and full of heartache and wit. Parker’s entries, on the other hand, reveal a steady unraveling, both in himself and in his beliefs. Mannien doesn’t just write about teens navigating oppression; she makes it feel achingly real. The characters’ emotions are messy and painfully human. What struck me most was how grounded their inner worlds felt against the surreal backdrop of a “perfect” society built on ash and silence. There’s a quiet heartbreak in the way Genna longs to be seen and Parker longs to break free. The love story is tangled, subtle, sometimes maddening, but that’s what made it hit so hard.
While the writing was intimate and lyrical, the plot had slow stretches, especially early on. Also, some of the futuristic aspects, like the lack of resistance until now, or the strangely antiquated gender dynamics in an otherwise intellectual society, felt inconsistent. That said, these issues didn’t ruin the experience for me. If anything, they made the story more like the world it depicts.
I would recommend New Atlantis to anyone who loves dystopian fiction that doesn’t scream in your face but instead whispers its unease into your heart. It’s perfect for fans of The Giver or Station Eleven, or anyone who’s ever wondered what it means to grow up in a place that claims to know what’s best for you. I left this book feeling both crushed and hopeful, and I think that’s exactly what it wanted.
Pages: 371 | ASIN : B0CW1C98FY
The Intersection of Myth and Science
The Ark of the First Gods follows a brilliant young man with alien origins and superhuman abilities, who uncovers a cosmic conspiracy that could change humanity’s fate. Adam’s journey has echoes of classic sci-fi protagonists. Did you draw influence from other stories?
Adam’s arc was consciously shaped with echoes of classic science fiction heroes like Paul Atreides (Dune), David Bowman (2001: A Space Odyssey), and even Neo from The Matrix. Like them, Adam is a reluctant protagonist drawn into a larger, often metaphysical conflict that challenges the nature of identity, destiny, and power. I wanted to explore the transformation of a scientist—someone grounded in reason and logic—into a being forced to confront truths that transcend science and logic entirely.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Thematically, The Ark of the First Gods is a story about identity, control, and awakening. It deals with the tension between free will and predestination, the manipulation of truth by powerful entities (alien or otherwise), and humanity’s place in a cosmic ecosystem it barely understands. I was particularly interested in what it means to be “engineered” for a purpose—how much of who we are is self-determined versus designed, either biologically or by ideology.
At its core, the book is about a hybrid protagonist standing at the intersection of ancient myth and future science, forced to choose between becoming a weapon of control or a vessel of liberation—not just for himself, but for all of Earth.
When and where will the book be available?
The Ark of the First Gods has not been published yet. It is currently with my literary agent so it is difficult to say when it will become available.
Author Website
I Let Aria Cry
Lost to Alice is a raw and haunting coming-of-age novel set in the Rocky Mountains, where a grieving teen is pulled into a world of secrets, trauma, and tangled love after the death of her parents. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Well, the actual premise of this book came from a dream I had while living in a town in Colorado, very similar to Serenity Springs. There was a man with a gun just walking through town, and we couldn’t get out, we were trapped. It was all just fueled by this desperate need to survive and that “someone’s right behind you” feeling. But once I started writing, so many things took on a life of their own: Alice, Jonah, etc, so I decided to explore the idea that maybe the enemy can be someone close or not a person at all. I wanted to explore just raw fear, heartbreak and pain, and watch them persevere anyway.
Aria Delgado is an intriguing and well-developed character. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
Aria. for me, was a way to see myself in a character. We suffered a loss of a young family member, and it shattered us as a family. I was angry and volatile. But as I wrote the story, Aria opened up and showed me this deep well of sadness that drove her behavior. In writing her, I realized how much sadness I hid behind a wall of anger. So I let Aria cry when I wouldn’t have let my younger self shed a tear. I wanted her to feel the sadness and not just give in to the anger. She left a lifeline into the world with Chase, and I think that’s why their relationship is so important, they’re each other’s life rafts. But Aria’s pain and sadness are very much inspired by my past and I am so proud of how far I’ve come… I’m proud of how far Aria has come, too.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
It was important for me to convey the themes of suspense and fear, of course, but there were other themes that kind of evolved from the characters and their interactions. The importance of family became a central theme of the book, even if that family looks a little different, it can still be filled with love and comfort. And unfortunately, trauma is a central theme to Lost to Alice; how it affects us, and how we deal with it.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
My next book is taking us back to the fantasy genre in a story about a land-locked siren. I have the outline done and am working on fleshing out the characters – I call this my “marinating” phase. I hope to have my first draft done within the year and a release within 18 months after that. Alice took me about 3 years to finish, and my other novel, Tied to You, took 2 years, so it needs a little time. But I am really excited about it and can’t wait for everyone to meet Sienna.
In another part of the state a drug named Alice comes to life. First formulated to be a cure to depression and anxiety but soon turned to a fun party drug… in small doses. After ripping through a Denver nightclub leaving nothing but blood in her wake Alice collides with Aria’s tiny family, taking no prisoners and hungry for death. As the mountains rage around them, Alice takes over the minds of the only police officers left on the force, ushering in a night of terror as Aria, the twins and Chase are hunted. But is the real enemy within?
Can they make it until sunrise or will everything be lost to Alice?
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Alycytraline… Feel more you
Quest for the Austral Amulet
Quest for the Austral Amulet is a coming-of-age adventure wrapped in mystery, folklore, and a good dose of heart. The story follows thirteen-year-old Rebecca Harley, a quiet, introspective girl who inherits a mysterious diary from her late great-grandmother. The journal reveals long-buried family secrets and clues to the elusive Austral Amulet, which may be tied to a generational curse. Fueled by a yearning for purpose and belonging, Rebecca sets out on a secret journey alongside her estranged childhood friend Isaac and a curious historian, Dr. Bellamy. Their expedition becomes more than just a treasure hunt, it turns into a search for identity, courage, and healing, all while being pursued by those with darker motives.
Reading this book was like getting swept away into a dream. The writing has a quiet beauty to it. It’s soft, lyrical at times, and deeply emotional. Wilson’s portrayal of Rebecca is so intimate and raw that I found myself rooting for her from the very first page. She’s not a typical hero, and that’s what makes her story shine. Her loneliness, her yearning to matter, and her gradual blooming into someone brave enough to take on the unknown, it all felt so real and familiar. The way the story blends old family legends with modern-day adventure is clever and gripping, with just enough magic to keep you turning the pages late into the night.
But what I really liked were the relationships. The way Rebecca and Isaac slowly find their way back to each other was touching, filled with awkwardness and quiet trust. And Dr. Bellamy? She’s the adult every kid wishes they had in their corner: smart, open-minded, and willing to believe in something bigger. There’s a gentleness in how Wilson writes about belonging and loss, and a sense of wonder that pulses through every map, puzzle, and whispered secret. The threats never felt too dangerous, and the bad guy didn’t carry much weight emotionally. Still, the emotional arc more than made up for it.
This book reminded me of what it feels like to believe in something bigger than yourself. It tugged at the part of me that still wonders what secrets might be hiding in an old attic, or what stories my own family has buried in time. I’d recommend Quest for the Austral Amulet to readers young and old who love adventure stories with heart. It’s perfect for kids who’ve outgrown fairytales but still want a bit of magic, and for adults who want to feel like a kid again, even just for a while.
Page : 308 | ASIN : B0CVRMQWQ1
Andersen Light: A Meta-Normal Novel
Tanya D. Dawson’s Andersen Light is a coming-of-age novel that weaves fantasy, trauma, healing, and self-discovery into the life of Georgie Jones, a brave teenager escaping abuse and finding her place in a world bigger and stranger than she imagined. After surviving an unsettling family situation, Georgie relocates to the coastal town of Mystic Creek to live with her father. What begins as a grounded emotional journey slowly opens into a metaphysical one, involving dreams, psychic mentors, a mysterious lighthouse, and a destiny Georgie could never have foreseen.
What hit me first and hardest was the honesty in the way Georgie’s trauma is portrayed. Dawson doesn’t sugarcoat it. She takes you inside the mind of a kid trying to hold it all together, and it’s messy and brave and human. It made me uncomfortable in places, but in the right way. Georgie isn’t a perfect heroine. She’s scrappy, smart, overwhelmed, and trying to find light in all the dark. The writing in these parts feels raw, coming straight from the heart. Dawson nails the voices of kids and teens without slipping into awkward attempts to sound “young.” There’s also something comforting in how safe the adult characters, like her father and the lightworker Luther become. There’s hope alongside the pain, and that balance matters.
I was surprised by the book’s mysticism. At first, it reads like contemporary fiction with serious emotional weight. Then suddenly, you’re in dream realms, lighthouses channel energy, and the story folds into something more like magical realism or soft sci-fi. That shift felt a bit jarring. I wasn’t always sure if the magical side added clarity or distraction. Some of the metaphysical explanations slowed the pace a bit. There were moments where the surreal worked beautifully, especially when it paralleled Georgie’s emotional healing.
Andersen Light is heartfelt and different. It’s for readers who like emotional depth in their YA, especially those who appreciate a blend of real-life grit with cosmic wonder. If you’re someone who’s survived something or loves stories about kids finding their strength, this will resonate with you. I’d recommend it to teens and adults alike, especially those who believe that healing can be both practical and mystical.
Pages: 405 | ASIN : B09HY7W6QK
Under Her Spell (Book 3 of the Whispers of Destiny series)
Under Her Spell is book three in the Whispers of Destiny debut series by author Ava Rogue. Under Her Spell is a genre-blending tale that merges contemporary romance, fantasy, and emotional trauma into a rollercoaster of passion, power, and healing. At the heart of the story is Niamh O’Sullivan, a woman who discovers her magical heritage rooted in ancient Irish myth, just as her emotional world is torn apart by forbidden love and buried secrets. Parallel to her journey is Yasim Fletcher, her brother’s best friend and a man marked by a haunting past and complicated desires. Through their tangled connection and the people surrounding them, the story dives deep into themes of trauma, longing, grief, and self-discovery, all tied together with the force of magic, both literal and metaphorical.
I reveled in the emotional rawness in Rouge’s writing. It’s intense. The flashbacks to Yasim’s childhood are gut-wrenching, especially the scenes that tackle abuse and betrayal. I felt like I was grieving with him. Niamh’s awakening, both mystical and emotional, unfolds in a beautifully chaotic way. Rouge does an exceptional job of showing how complicated people are, and how love can be both liberating and destructive. The prose isn’t polished to perfection, but that rawness works in its favor. It feels like a story someone needed to tell, not just wanted to write.
Some of the dialogue can be dramatic, and certain scenes lean into melodrama. There were moments I wanted to shake the characters, particularly Niamh, for making reckless decisions. But maybe that’s part of what makes it real. People mess up. They lash out. They run away from what they want. And in the end, Rouge captures the messiness of being human in a way that’s strangely comforting, even when it hurts.
Under Her Spell is not for the faint-hearted. It’s a story soaked in passion, trauma, and supernatural intrigue. I’d recommend it to readers who enjoy angsty, character-driven romance with dark themes and a touch of magic. If you’re looking for a neat, tidy love story, this isn’t it. But if you crave emotional grit and vulnerability paired with the unknown, this book might just get under your skin in the best way.
Pages: 353 | ASIN : B0DN1TW889
Inked Into Your Soul (Book 2 of the Whispers of Destiny series)
Inked Into Your Soul is book two in the Whispers of Destiny debut series by author Ava Rogue. Inked Into Your Soul is a bold and genre-blending dive into romance, trauma, identity, and mysticism. Set across vibrant backdrops like Cuba and London, the story follows Diedra, a spirited, passionate woman whose life is shattered by tragedy and slowly rebuilt through love, art, family, and hidden heritage. Told from multiple perspectives, primarily Diedra and Locran, the brooding Irish law student, the novel weaves erotica with ancestral spirituality, exploring Santería, grief, sexuality, and soul connections in a deeply intimate way. It’s part romance, part coming-of-age, part spiritual revelation, with plenty of fire.
Rouge doesn’t hold back in this second book in the Whispers of Destiny series. Whether it’s a sex scene, a panic attack, or a mystical vision, the emotions hit hard and fast. Some moments felt downright cinematic, vivid, and aching. I admired how the sensual scenes didn’t just feel like shock value; they were often layered with tenderness, vulnerability, or power. Some chapters soared while others took their time as it meandered through the weight of its own emotional intensity. The dialogue occasionally slipped into melodrama, and while the characters were distinct and layered. I found myself swept up in Diedra’s journey and rooting for her, flaws and all.
What I appreciated most, though, were the themes Rouge tackled head-on. This wasn’t just about love or lust. It was about healing intergenerational wounds, reclaiming spiritual heritage, and standing firm in one’s power. The Santería elements weren’t tokenized; they felt personal, reverent, and textured. I didn’t expect a story that started with beachside sex to also make me think about cultural erasure, ancestral responsibility, and the complexity of grief. There’s something gutsy about that. I also liked how Locran’s own trauma mirrored Diedra’s. They were two souls shaped by loss and pulled together by something they couldn’t quite explain.
Inked Into Your Soul is messy, passionate, and unfiltered. And that’s its strength. It’s not a story that tries to be neat. It just tries to be true. I’d recommend this book to readers who love steamy romance but also want depth, character-driven stories, and a touch of the mystical.
Pages: 335 | ASIN : B0CTYLC6CK
The Ark Of The First Gods
Howard K. Pollack’s The Ark of the First Gods is a coming-of-age science fiction story that follows Adam, a gifted young man with mysterious origins and superhuman mental abilities. Adopted under strange circumstances, Adam grows from a curious boy into a genius-level MIT student and NASA recruit. Along the way, he discovers not only his unique powers, such as telekinesis and telepathy, but also a much deeper truth about his extraterrestrial origins. The novel weaves together government conspiracies, space exploration, cyber espionage, and alien intervention, culminating in Adam’s role as a key figure in a covert mission known as Project Eclipse.
The writing feels grounded and sincere, even when it’s exploring wild, cosmic ideas. The scenes at the Kennedy Space Center had a real sense of awe and wonder, which made me feel like a kid again. Pollack has a knack for blending technical detail with accessible storytelling, and it shows in how smoothly he explains things like propulsion systems and satellite arrays. The characters, especially Adam and Suzie, are likable and have believable chemistry. Their interactions felt natural, not forced. Suzie’s warmth balances out Adam’s intensity, and that dynamic gives the story a much-needed human touch.
While I enjoyed the buildup, a few of the later twists, like the lunar signals and Project Eclipse, could have used more emotional payoff. Still, there was something earnest about the whole thing that kept me rooting for Adam, even when things got a bit over-the-top. It has the heart of a good sci-fi movie from the ’90s, ambitious, a little campy at times, but packed with heart and imagination.
The Ark of the First Gods is a fast and heartfelt read that’s ideal for fans of character-driven sci-fi. If you enjoy stories like Stranger Things or Ender’s Game, where gifted young people uncover hidden truths about themselves and the universe, you’ll probably have a good time here. It’s full of wonder and just enough mystery to keep you flipping pages.
LITERARY TITAN 