Blog Archives
The Kindred Chronicles: Shifting Sands
Shifting Sands follows the survivors of Sol Thalen in the immediate aftermath of its fall. The story opens on a city crushed into ruins and a people clinging to hope by the thinnest threads. Chris, Grace, Elline, Raham, Camille, and the thalenar struggle through endless hours of digging through collapsed halls, pulling survivors from the rubble, mourning the dead, and trying to understand what comes next. Their grief shapes every choice. Their loyalty holds them upright. And the central tension of the book becomes clear early on. How do you rebuild a culture when the ground beneath it has literally vanished? The novel is driven by emotion and community and a sense that every character must decide who they are now that their world has been unmade.
I found myself slipping into the atmosphere without effort. The author leans into sensory details, and the rubble and smoke and sand build a world that is both beautiful and bruised. What struck me most was how the story rarely lets the characters breathe. Grief becomes a kind of weather. it’s constant, pressing, and shaping them in ways they cannot fully articulate. I enjoyed that the book doesn’t rush healing or transformation. It lets emotions sit heavy and raw, and that made the characters’ quieter victories hit harder. At times, the prose felt a little lofty for the scenes it described, but even then, it carried an emotional punch that kept me invested.
I kept thinking about what it means to lose not just people, but culture. identity. the songs and rituals that tie a community together. The thalenar blade lore and the meaning of song within their traditions stood out as some of the most compelling worldbuilding in the book. And I found Raham’s arc especially moving. the quiet strength, the slow cracking, the way he tries to hold others together while he’s barely holding himself. Grace’s exhaustion and determination also pulled me in. Her efforts to see the essence of life while losing pieces of herself felt intimate and aching. If anything, I wish the story had paused more often to let certain emotional beats land, but the constant urgency also felt true to the setting.
This book would resonate with readers who enjoy character-driven fantasy, stories about surviving loss, and worlds built through culture as much as magic. I’d recommend it to anyone who likes tales that sit with hard emotions and still reach for light. Fans of the series will find this entry in The Kindred Chronicles especially satisfying, since it deepens the world and the characters in ways that feel rewarding.
Pages: 488 | ASIN : B0G64WJHFQ
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.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
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
Strength in Slow Growth
Gathering Storm is a lyrical and emotionally charged fantasy epic where a haunted hero and a fractured world face the rising storm of magic-infused corporate tyranny and buried personal truths. What were some new ideas you wanted to explore in this book that were different from books one and two?
I wanted to highlight something deeply personal—that there are times in life when we feel like we don’t quite belong like we’re out of place. Those moments, those seasons of disconnection, shouldn’t break us. Instead, they can shape us—if we’re willing to look closely enough or be patient enough to find the meaning behind them. In Gathering Storm, I tried to capture that quiet truth: that even pain, confusion, and displacement can serve a greater purpose if we let them.
Chris is a haunted yet determined protagonist. How did his trauma and resilience evolve through the writing process?
From the beginning, I knew that Chris’s journey would take time. Writing books one and two, I was always aware that his development needed to stretch across the entire five-book arc. His resilience had to be earned slowly, not rushed. I made a conscious choice to let his growth unfold at a more deliberate pace than some of the other characters. What I really wanted to reflect was something very human: we don’t all heal or evolve at the same speed—and that’s okay. There’s strength in slow growth. There’s truth in letting characters—and people—take their time.
The kindred tongue and its cadence added a rhythm to the dialogue. What inspired its creation, and how did you approach its development?
Tolkien has always been one of my greatest inspirations. Reading his works was probably the biggest spark behind creating the Kindred Tongue. I’m also multilingual, so I naturally gravitate toward how language shapes thought, culture, and identity. In developing the Kindred Tongue, I immersed myself in the sounds and rhythms of various languages—real and fictional—and imagined how my characters might speak if they came from that world. It became an act of fusion: drawing from linguistic influences and crafting something that felt unique to the Kindred, something that could carry weight, history, and emotion in its very cadence.
Were there any characters whose arcs surprised you as the story unfolded, diverging from your original outline or expectations?
My answer might come as a surprise, but honestly—no. Not at all. Before I even began writing the first book, I had already outlined all the major events, scenes, and character arcs from books 1 to 5. Every decision, every turning point, every emotional beat was planned and documented. There’s a very thick binder on my desk with the full roadmap, and I’m a serious planner when it comes to writing.
That said, what did surprise me wasn’t the plot—it was the emotional impact. Some scenes hit me far harder than I expected. I didn’t anticipate how deeply I’d feel the weight of certain moments until I was actually writing them. Getting teary-eyed while crafting those scenes reminded me I was truly on the right path. It made the journey feel even more meaningful.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
YET WAR DOES NOT CARE FOR SYMBOLS, NOR DOES IT OFFER THE LUXURY OF GRIEVING LOST FUTURES. A NEW CHRONICLER OF WAR RISES, AND UNLIKELY ALLIANCES WITH OLD ENEMIES MAKE THE CAPITALS BELIEVE THEY FINALLY HOLD THE ADVANTAGE. BUT THE TRUTH UNRAVELS—HAVET’S PLANS WERE NEVER TRULY THWARTED, ONLY DELAYED. EVERY BATTLE, EVERY REVELATION, EVERY MOMENT OF PERCEIVED VICTORY HAS ONLY DRAWN THEM DEEPER INTO HIS DESIGN. AND AS THE TIDES SHIFT, ALLIANCES CRUMBLE INTO BETRAYALS, PROVING THAT ALTHOUGH LOYALTY MAY BE THE CURRENCY OF WAR, IT IS BOTH THE CHAIN THAT BINDS—AND THE BLADE THAT CUTS DEEPEST.
The Kindred Chronicles: Gathering Storm
D.A. Chan’s The Kindred Chronicles: Gathering Storm is a sweeping epic of war, identity, power, and the complex webs of loyalty and love. Set in a rich and layered world teeming with fantastical cultures and mythic structures, this third installment dives into the aftermath of a major conflict and sets the stage for a larger confrontation with a corporate villainy that blends magic with modern industry. We follow Chris, a reluctant hero burdened with both trauma and responsibility, alongside a cast of warriors, mystics, and rulers, each with tangled motivations and deep emotional wounds. As the characters navigate political alliances and personal betrayals, the book pushes forward with high-stakes missions and wrenching personal decisions, all laced with lyrical prose and carefully built lore.
Reading this felt like slipping into a world I didn’t want to leave. The writing is confident and lush, but never overbearing. There’s something poetic about the way Chan strings his sentences together, even when he’s describing something as brutal as a blade through bone. The worldbuilding is top-notch. You can smell the marble in the war rooms, feel the dust of battlefields, and get lost in the shifting allegiances of ancient houses. The dialogue, particularly the kindred tongue, gave the book an almost sacred cadence. And those moments of silence between characters? They said just as much—sometimes more—than the battles. Sometimes the pace slows in philosophical musings or dense political mechanics. But even then, I didn’t mind lingering. I liked the thinking space it gave me.
Emotionally, this book hit me harder than I expected. Chris is haunted in a way that’s painfully familiar—trauma doesn’t just disappear, and Chan gets that. Watching him fight while shouldering his ghosts is equal parts heartbreaking and inspiring. Elline and Empyrean’s relationship, especially, brought a kind of intimate storm to the plot. Their love was more than just romance, it was a war of wills and ideals. I didn’t always like Empyrean, but I understood him. The jealousy, the pride, the grief, it all made him maddeningly relatable. And Grace is the wild card, the heartbeat of something new and unpredictable. I found myself caring about her more than I expected.
If you love your fantasy high-stakes and high-emotion, Gathering Storm is your kind of book. It’s perfect for readers who want more than just sword fights and magic—they want characters who bleed, who doubt, who love fiercely and fail spectacularly. It’s not a light read, but it’s a worthy one. I’d hand this book to fans of The Stormlight Archive or The Broken Earth series in a heartbeat.
Pages: 454 | ASIN: B0FB8J837R
Of Love and Angels
D. A. Chan’s Of Love and Angels weaves a compelling story centered on Troy, a human tasked with observing angels and reporting his findings to a clandestine organization known as the Eye. Bound by strict rules to remain invisible and detached, Troy’s resolve is tested when he’s assigned to observe Grace. Her enigmatic presence captivates him, driving him to risk everything for a chance to know her. His forbidden actions do not go unnoticed, and as Troy unravels a devastating truth, he discovers the lengths he’s willing to go for love.
The story immediately pulls readers into its gripping premise, introducing a character at the heart of the action. The pacing is fantastic, maintaining a seamless balance that propels the narrative forward without becoming overwhelming. From the start, it’s easy to become immersed in Troy’s world and the dangers he faces.
I really enjoyed this story’s unique concept. The absence of demons in a story centered on angels feels unconventional, but this creative choice works in its favor. Not everything in this celestial realm is light and virtuous; Chan explores the darker, more complex facets of angels, adding depth and intrigue to the narrative.
The story is told entirely through Troy’s perspective, which offers a human lens on the divine and unknown. While this perspective enhances the mystery, it also comes with a limitation. The first-person narration creates a narrow emotional scope, making it difficult for me to connect with other characters or Troy on a deeper level. Despite being privy to his thoughts, his emotions often feel distant. I think the world-building could be enhanced with more vivid descriptions, as the setting occasionally feels a bit indistinct.
Of Love and Angels stands out for its originality and thought-provoking exploration of divine order. The premise of angels living among humans, coupled with the idea of humans being instrumental in maintaining cosmic balance, is both refreshing and engaging. The story’s unique concept and well-paced narrative make it an intriguing read.
Pages: 237 | ASIN : B0DVBW2P7D
Following One’s Heart
The Kindred Chronicles: Between Two Worlds follows a man in love with a woman betrothed to another who has to choose between keeping peace between man and kindred or following his heart to the woman he loves. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The very first romance story I read was Romeo and Juliet, so I wanted to write something that pays tribute to one of the first few stories that got me into fiction.
What was the inspiration for the culture of your characters? Is it modeled after any particular society?
Until now, I’m still unsure where the inspiration for the culture came from. My childhood is a mixture of provincial life and city life, and my family has very strong Filipino and Chinese heritage. I’ve always had the opportunity to travel much, and have friends from all over the world. All of these experiences put together may be the reason for the different cultures in the book.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I’ve been a counselor for a handful of years, and one of the recurring themes has always been about following one’s heart, come what way. I noticed that so many people cast aside noble duties and responsibilities to act on more selfish or self-centered impulses. For many, the reason is simply because they could not distinguish between the impulsive, self-centered kind of desires and the more mature, reasonable, and healthy kind of love. This book is my small attempt at helping people discern between the two.
Will there be a follow-up novel to this story? If so, what aspects of the story will the next book cover?
YES. This is the first of five books. Book 2 (Tides of War) is already out and will feature much of the Sunken City and the war escalates between the factions. I don’t want to say much, but those who have read the sequel have told me that the pace is much faster and they enjoyed going through the story so much more because of the fact that there was not much need to introduce the characters anymore.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Amazon
Born to kindred nobility, Elline’s life is one of duty and responsibility, and her betrothal to the Magister of Demos Geras might prove to be the saving grace in the coming chaos. But when she becomes responsible for Chris’ death and life thereafter, she cannot deny her growing affections for him as well.
With imminent danger ahead, Chris must choose to either pursue his love for Elline or preserve the peace between man and kindred, while Elline must decide to fulfil her vow to the Council before her feelings for Chris cause her to forsake her birthright.
The Kindred Chronicles: Between Two Worlds
The Kindred Chronicles: Between Two Worlds, by D.A. Chan, introduces readers to a world where individuals with extraordinary powers, known as kindred, walk among us. Among them is Elline, engaged to the Magister of Demos Geras—a union she isn’t thrilled about. However, this engagement might prove advantageous as a violent war between kindred factions looms. Meanwhile, Chris, deeply in love with Elline, finds himself entwined in a complex web of emotions. Elline caused his death and subsequent return to life, and now, her feelings are beginning to mirror his. Their star-crossed romance is just one facet of a larger conflict; if Chris cannot maintain the fragile peace between humanity and the various kindred families, an unprecedented war will erupt.
The Kindred Chronicles: Between Two Worlds is a potent blend of fantasy, teen fiction, and sci-fi. Some readers might draw parallels to the Twilight series, while others may be reminded of the X-Men comics. Chan’s storytelling prowess shines as he deftly weaves multiple plot threads, maintaining a relentless pace that thrusts readers into the heart of the action from the very beginning. The novel is replete with epic battle sequences, behind-the-scenes intrigue, and sneaky-good character development driven primarily by dialogue. Chris and Elline stand out as compelling characters. Their yearning for each other is palpable, yet numerous obstacles stand in the way of their happiness, making their romance captivating and relatable.
One of the most impressive aspects of Chan’s novel is its genuine unpredictability. It is rare to find a story so unafraid to explore unlikely avenues or a writer willing to make significant sacrifices to heighten emotional impact. Without giving away too much, it is safe to say that if you think you know who will emerge unscathed from this conflict, you may be in for a surprise.
The Kindred Chronicles: Between Two Worlds is a masterfully crafted novel that will keep readers on the edge of their seats, eager to uncover the fate of its richly developed characters and the world they inhabit.
Pages: 434 | ASIN : B0CBR99Y7Q
LITERARY TITAN 