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A Sandbox of Possibilities
Vexed follows the outcast twin of a royal wendigo house, living in hiding, who is thrust back into a world that feeds on power and control, where her ability to love is seen as a weakness, and her greatest fear is becoming a monster like the rest of them. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I’ve always been fascinated by the darker side of folklore—particularly wendigos and skinwalkers. For a while, I wasn’t quite sure how to approach them without falling into the usual tropes. But then it hit me: why not lean into what I already enjoy doing—taking something familiar and reshaping it into something unsettling, emotional, and new? That was something readers appreciated in The Orphan Maker (Book 1 of the series), and their response gave me the confidence to push further. With Vexed, I wanted to continue subverting expectations, not just in terms of myth, but in how we portray monstrosity, love, and identity. Emilia’s journey is my way of asking: What if the real horror isn’t the monster’s form—but what we’re willing to become to survive?
It seemed like you took your time in building the characters and the story to great emotional effect. How did you manage the pacing of the story while keeping readers engaged?
Pacing is something I take very seriously—especially in a series where emotional stakes evolve across multiple books. In The Orphan Maker, the protagonist Damien was strategic, composed, and emotionally closed off. So for Vexed, I wanted a complete shift. Emilia, while equally intelligent, is emotionally raw—her turmoil is deeply internal. That contrast was deliberate. I wanted to disorient readers, to make them feel the weight of her silence and her slow unraveling. Structurally, I made sure every chapter carried either emotional or plot-driven tension, weaving personal revelations with external threats. It’s a careful balance—letting the characters breathe while still turning the screws. That tension keeps the pages turning.
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?
Fantasy gives you a sandbox of possibilities—but too much freedom can dilute impact. So from the very beginning, I set hard rules for the supernatural. In my planning process, I define exactly what each creature or bloodline can and cannot do, and I document these limits religiously—post-its, diagrams, notebooks, you name it. Power in my world always comes at a cost. If a character uses an ability, there has to be tension or consequence, either physically, emotionally, or narratively. That way, the magic becomes part of the story’s weight—not an escape from it. I want readers to feel that powers don’t make a character stronger—they expose who they really are.
Where does the story go in the next book, and where do you see it going in the future?
I’m incredibly excited for Book 3. Without giving too much away, I’ll say this: the stakes will rise, and the lines between human and monster will blur even more. Readers who’ve followed Emilia’s journey will see her pushed further—to the edge of everything she once believed about herself. Expect more secrets, more betrayals, and yes, more of the world’s hidden lore unfolding. The series as a whole is about identity and inheritance, about what we carry from the past and whether we can ever truly choose who we become. Even in a world of vampires, wendigos, and ancient bloodlines, I believe the heart of every story is still about the choice to be kind… or cruel. That tension will only grow as the saga continues.
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In a world where ancient dynasties feed on control, lust, and carnality, Emilia must survive a court of predators that sees love as weakness and hunger as strength. But the real threat isn’t the creatures around her—it’s the one awakening inside her.
Vexed is a dark supernatural thriller that expands the mythos of The Orphan Maker, diving deeper into a world of secret societies, brutal inheritance, and seductive horror. With relentless pacing and prose that bites like a wendigo’s teeth, this is a story that won’t let go.
Vexed
D.A. Chan’s Vexed, the sequel to The Orphan Maker, plunges us back into a world ruled by ancient bloodlines, dark legacies, and monstrous truths cloaked in elegance. Emilia Vasa, the outcast twin of a royal wendigo house, is yanked from the fragile peace of a life she built in hiding. Forced back toward the cruel empire of her birth, she must navigate manipulation, political alliances, old wounds, and the ever-looming shadow of becoming what she fears most—a monster like the rest of them.
Reading Vexed felt like stepping into a gothic opera that never lets up. Chan writes with emotional urgency—his prose is sharp and immersive, always soaked in atmosphere. I was completely swept away by Emilia’s voice: bitter but vulnerable, regal yet scared. She’s a character I rooted for even as I wanted to shake her. The writing walks a brilliant tightrope—both lyrical and grounded, layered with real feeling. Every sentence carries tension. The emotions—grief, fear, longing—stab through in quiet, gut-wrenching moments, especially in scenes with Anja and Michael. I stayed up late flipping pages, chest tight, because I had to know what was coming.
But it’s not just the writing—it’s the ideas that stay with me. This book isn’t just about a girl caught between two worlds. It’s about legacy and survival. It’s about the cruelty of power disguised as tradition. The wendigo myth is used so smartly—not just horror, but metaphor. Chan explores the hunger for control, the rot at the heart of family, and the cost of being different. There’s a quiet brilliance in how Emilia’s “defect” becomes a kind of strength, even as everyone tries to strip her of agency. That conflict—between the lie she must perform and the truth of who she is—makes the book pulse with tension. It’s relatable, even when the characters are monsters.
I can’t recommend Vexed enough to readers who love dark fantasy with real emotional teeth. If you liked Leigh Bardugo’s Ninth House, or the political dread of The Hunger Games with a gothic twist, this will hit you hard. It’s intense and it’s cruel and tender in equal measure. This book is not for the faint of heart, but if you want something that cuts deep and lingers long after the last page, Vexed is it.
Pages: 335 | ASIN : B0FBV1PJ1N
An Exciting Journey
Stonechild follows a teenage girl living in London who is determined to discover how and why the city’s statues are coming to life. What inspired the setup of your story?
As a mountain guide, I was already involved in the climate crisis and sharing the word on what needs to be done. This particular day, I was working in London on some corporate training. It was a hot day, we had walked a lot and my clients were taking a long time in solving a clue, which was based around the Royal Tank Regiment Memorial statue in Whitehall. I pictured the statue coming to life with the answer to the clue, and the idea grew from there. I sometimes joke that, as in the story, the statues share a telepathy, and so perhaps they gave me the idea!
Molly has lived her life traveling and exploring, giving her a unique perspective on the mystery but still allowing her to grow and learn from the experiences. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
Molly is a combination of my own experiences and those around me. My own son travelled extensively from a young age, and I have friends who home-educated their children. Being curious has opened many doors for me during my life. I used to work in youth development and so I wanted to briefly touch on the subjects that affect us as teenagers, and in doing so, Molly’s character developed further. It was also interesting to explore Molly’s relationship with her brother and how that was changing when he had a girlfriend.
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?
This was a really interesting and at times, an exciting journey for me. I had ideas of why the statues would come to life and how. Climate was to be the reason behind the plot. The rest just grew as I wrote. I did a lot of research and ideas often sprung from that research. Sometimes, I would wake up at four in the morning with an idea, and would just have to get up and write. I was a police officer in the UK, so quite methodical in what I do. My writing place had files on each character and a map of London on the wall placing where the statues are and Molly’s adventures.
Will there be a follow-up novel to this story? If so, what aspects of the story will the next book cover?
Stonechild finishes with the opening to the sequel, which I am currently researching. We will have moved on by about five years, and as readers might guess, we still haven’t done much to stop climate change. The story won’t be a repeat of what happens in Stonechild, I have something different in mind and it won’t be in London. As with Stonechild, I want a really good story that also makes us reflect on what we should be doing with this beautiful planet and how we live our lives.
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Stonechild
In a London that crackles with hidden magic, young Molly Hargreaves stumbles upon a world where statues of historical icons come to life. These awakened figures deliver mesmerizing performances and cryptic messages, presenting an enticing mystery. As the city’s residents revel in this new phenomenon and the authorities scramble to suppress it, Molly embarks on a thrilling quest across the city to uncover the statues’ secrets. What profound truths will she unveil in her pursuit, and how will they change her life forever?
Stonechild, by Kevin Albin, is a masterfully crafted audiobook that seamlessly weaves together the richness of history and the profound messages of life’s journey. From the very first chapter, Albin captivates listeners by introducing central “figures” whose stories unfold with a blend of familiarity and mystique, setting the stage for an unforgettable narrative. The plot unfolds with a delicate balance of suspense and revelation, punctuated by moments of humor that make the narrative easily digestible despite the wealth of information presented. The characters in the book resonate with remarkable depth and authenticity, each one intricately developed to draw readers into their world. Among these compelling characters, Molly stands out. As a teenager with a profound sense of purpose, her thoughts and actions strike a chord with the audience. Molly’s extraordinary upbringing, rooted in a family of travelers, has endowed her with an out-of-the-box mindset that is both lovable and endlessly fascinating. Her perspective on life, shaped by diverse experiences and a constant quest for meaning, adds a unique and refreshing dimension to the story. Molly’s journey is not just a path she walks but a testament to the transformative power of seeing the world through a lens of curiosity and intention. The main message masterfully straddles the line between the expected and the unexpected, delivering a revelation that made me laugh at its surprising clarity while simultaneously driving home its profound significance. This duality underscores how easily such crucial insights can be overlooked in the hustle and bustle of daily life, yet how imperative it is to keep them in mind. The narrative delves deep into a web of themes that resonate with our very existence, unlocking key reflections on identity, legacy, and the passage of time. Each chapter peels back another layer, inviting readers to ponder their own lives and the symbols that populate them.
Each chapter offers new layers of intrigue, compelling one to ponder the interconnectedness of past and present, fiction and reality. Stonechild isn’t just a book—it’s an experience that lingers in the mind long after the final chapter is done, leaving one eager to explore the nuanced messages woven throughout its narrative.
Pages: 231 | ASIN : B08B5FSNST
Vicious and Cruel Roots
In The Orphan Maker, a vampire hunter’s obsession with seeking revenge for the death of his family places him face-to-face with dangerous adversaries. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The very first book I loved that got me into the world of fiction was Bram Stoker’s Dracula. That book had such an impact on me and I have always dreamed of writing a vampire story. Additionally, I longed to read a vampire story that went back to the vicious and cruel roots of vampires. And as they say to authors, “Write the book you want to read.” So I simply followed that piece of advice and wrote The Orphan Maker, which is actually Book 1 of the (Blood & Flesh Series)
Which character in the novel do you feel you relate to more and why?
I’m not sure, but I’m probably most like Jess. I keep my cool and balance my decisions, but I also have a tendency to overextend myself when helping others, which gets me into trouble. I had to learn my lesson the hard way, multiple times. Perhaps I wrote Jessica’s character subconsciously to warn or remind people that it’s still good to have boundaries, and to know your own limits, and maybe even to tell people that there are times when you have to let others take responsibility–you don’t always have to be there for them, especially when the best lesson they can learn is from your absence.
How long did it take you to imagine, draft, and write the world your characters live in?
It took me about a day to imagine the entire world and story, another day to fully finish the entire outline, and about three months to finish the first draft. Then came the editing phase, which took about two and a half months since I have a wonderful editor. It was such a pleasure to write this book. It felt extremely natural.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
I’m currently writing BOOK 3 of The Kindred Chronicles — Gathering Storm. In fact, Literary Titan also reviewed BOOK 2 of the Kindred Saga and gave it the Golden Book Award. I was thrilled when I got that email, and couldn’t believe it. I am so thankful to you guys for everything you’re doing for the writer communities out there. As for my next books, I’m excited to announce that I will be releasing TWO books next year: The Kindred Chronicles: Gathering Storm (Book 3 of the Kindred Saga) and Vexed (Book 2 of the Blood & Flesh Series)
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The Orphan Maker
The Orphan Maker, by D.A. Chan, is a gripping thriller that plunges readers into a world where vampires lurk in the shadows and revenge is a dish best-served cold. The story follows Damien Shaw, a hardened vampire hunter, who is obsessed with tracking down the sadistic vampire responsible for the death of his family. Armed with a set of strict rules and a burning desire for vengeance, Damien’s relentless pursuit brings him face-to-face with dangerous adversaries and moral dilemmas, making for a page-turning adventure that blends horror and suspense.
From the outset, this book hooks you with its intense prologue, setting the stage for Damien’s quest for retribution. The author masterfully portrays Damien’s inner turmoil and his struggle to stick to his own rules, which often adds a layer of tension to the narrative. Each chapter reveals more about Damien’s character and his relentless drive, making it easy to sympathize with his plight even when his actions toe the line between heroism and madness. The pacing is swift, and Chan does an excellent job of keeping readers engaged with well-timed revelations and cliffhangers. The author’s writing shines in the detailed battle sequences and the dark, atmospheric settings that enhance the story’s sense of danger and urgency.
The narrative alternates between fast-paced action and quieter, more introspective moments, giving readers a well-rounded experience. The character dynamics are intriguing, particularly the interactions between Damien and his allies and adversaries. The complexity of Damien’s relationships, especially with characters like Jess and Bishop, adds depth to the story. Jess’s interactions with Damien are filled with tension and unresolved feelings, as shown in “Glass Half Empty.” Meanwhile, Bishop, the rival vampire hunter, brings an additional layer of conflict and unpredictability. These relationships keep the plot dynamic and add emotional stakes to Damien’s mission.
The Orphan Maker is a compelling read that will appeal to fans of dark fantasy and supernatural thrillers. D.A. Chan combines elements of horror, action, and psychological drama to create a story that is both thrilling and thought-provoking. Readers who enjoy intense action sequences, complex character interactions, and a touch of macabre will find this book to be an exhilarating addition to their bookshelf.
Pages: 177 | ASIN : B0D254F1KZ
The Legacy
Prepare to be captivated by James Gilbert’s enthralling tale, The Legacy, which centers around the intriguing life of our protagonist, Adam Chauncey. As a lawyer at the Smithson and Dwyer firm, Adam finds himself caught in the monotony of everyday life, yearning for something more profound. Little does he know that his wish for change will spiral into a riveting and unexpected journey that will leave you on the edge of your seat.
In this gripping narrative, Adam’s character development takes center stage. He starts off as a man plagued by indecision, but as the story unfolds, he transforms into a determined and resolute figure. Flawed yet immensely likable, Adam’s evolution is a testament to Gilbert’s skillful storytelling. Sally Warren, Adam’s love interest, is a force to be reckoned with—smart, strong, and fiercely independent. You’ll quickly find yourself rooting for her. The supporting characters are thoughtfully crafted and seamlessly fit into the narrative, enhancing the overall storytelling experience.
The Legacy offers an intriguing mystery that keeps you guessing with its numerous twists and turns. The characters’ lives are a rollercoaster of ups and downs, ensuring that you’re constantly on your toes, eagerly anticipating the next revelation. The story’s tone is dark and suspenseful, drawing you deeper into its intricate web of intrigue. The pacing of the narrative is expertly executed, maintaining a swift tempo that ensures you’re never left with a dull moment. The setting is so well integrated into the story that it becomes an indispensable element, enhancing the overall atmosphere of the tale.
This story is a captivating blend of drama, tension, and a touch of romance that culminates in an exhilarating reading experience. While the action that does occur is executed brilliantly, I think a bit more exploration in this area would have added an extra layer of excitement and suspense to the narrative. Nonetheless, The Legacy is a compelling read that will leave you hungry for more of James Gilbert’s storytelling prowess.
Pages: 188 | ASIN : B0CKV2VGRR
LITERARY TITAN 