Blog Archives
Limits of Our Humanity
Σ Book I: Thumos Rising follows a man chosen to be the one who will receive the supernatural power that could defeat the vampiric overload that threatens his world. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
In many ways, ΣΙ: Thumos Rising is a love song to multiple subgenres that all served as the inspiration for the story. I have to say that my prime inspiration was He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. As a kid of the early ‘80s, I grew up watching and loving the show, and early drafts of Thumos Rising started out as He-Man fanfic. In fact, the basic plot of the book was rehearsed hundreds of times with my He-Man toys between the ages of six and ten. He-Man mixed fantasy and sci-fi, blending dragons with spaceships, magic with technology, and swords with laser guns. I wanted to play in that world too, but with higher stakes.
I’ve always believed He-Man was an amalgamation of Robert E. Howard’s Conan character, and Superman. And so they would serve as my next two major inspirations, in that order. Zeno’s look is very much that of Howard’s barbarian hero and his power set rivals that of Superman, allowing me to explore the limits and responsibilities of god-like power through the character.
Fourth, as a Greek-Latin professor and student of the Classics, the corpus of Classical literature, particularly the writing of Plato, Marcus Aurelius, and the other Stoics, played a huge part in shaping the philosophy of the story. Actual history and pre-industrial civilizations are the basis of every people group in Ninivon. The world of the Σ series is filled with fantastic creatures borrowed from mythologies from all over the world, be they centaurs, dragons, mermaids, or angels.
Of course, vampire lit, from Dracula down to Twilight helped me shape my antagonist. I wanted to make vampires scary again. There are elements of Lovecraftian horror as well. In respect to actual writing, Stephen Pressfield is my writing hero. His book Gates of Fire changed my life and set me down this path. I’m also a big fan of Madeline Miller (Circe and Song of Achilles). If my prose is even half as good as these giants, I’ll consider my writing a sweeping success.
Zeno struggles with his identity when he accepts the supernatural power and becomes a demigod. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
I’m not an Islamic scholar, but I do remember listening to an author of a biography of the Prophet Muhamed some years ago. She said that there was a tradition that when he first received his vision, it terrified him. What would it be like to be told you were the spokesman for God? That always resonated with me. One of the things that has always fascinated me about the Superman character is that in good Superman stories, there is a tension between his humanity and his alien nature. What would it be like to find out you were descended from an alien race, and furthermore, to discover that you were a god among men? I think that would shatter one’s identity. I think just knowing that would drive most people mad.
This is really Zeno’s greatest source of strength: like Hercules in Greek myth, he can come back from anything. He can have his identity shattered, and his self-image implode, and yet still rise to the occasion. He does struggle and run at first because that is a very human reaction to what he’s going through. But ultimately, he can carry the load. Zeno is an avatar for what I believe to be the mission of life; to fully realize one’s full human potential, to transcend the failings of one’s humanity by failing more, by committing to failure until one succeeds, and aspiring to humanity’s most beautiful and true form. Socrates famously said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” Zeno is living that examined life. We see how he develops by the end of the book, but his journey isn’t done there. Zeno still has some developing to do. But all of these ideas played a role in getting the character where he is today.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The most important theme was Plato’s idea of the philosopher-king. But I wanted to take it to a higher level. If Plato proposed that it was possible for one to have absolute power and not be corrupted, but rather, to use that power as an act of service to all mankind, I wanted to ask the question: is it possible for Zeno to be a god and yet retain his humanity? This of course has shades of Jesus in Christian theology. But I wanted to see Zeno really struggle. If Zeno’s godlike foreknowledge (he eventually gets it) sees that a greater peace will come, but only after the loss of millions of lives, does he see those lost lives as less valuable? The question of whether he actually makes that trade is another matter. But how does he view them? I also wanted to explore the wider theme of trans-humanism. This will be delved into more fully in future additions to the series. But I want to ask if there are limits to the notion that through technological interventions, we can become something more than human, and can shake off the limits of our humanity. And if so, is that a good thing? In some ways, both Zeno and the Vampire represent the same answer to that question, but with different reasoning.
To be honest, I’m not sure where I stand on either of these questions myself. But I think telling this story will help me find my own answers.
Where does the story go in the next book, and where do you see it going in the future?
Book two is written. A few ARCs have been sent out and I need to add one chapter. But minus that, it’s ready for the editor. The next will get dark. Now, some would say this one was dark. But the next book puts the full psychopathy of the Vampire on display. It will also ask if the Demigod can beat the Vampire in war and still play within the rules of the human institutions that govern him. If Zeno is my Superman, then Book II will be his Injustice storyline. But don’t panic! Ultimately, I’m an optimist. And, god willing, once I finish and publish all planned seven books for the series, I think the readers will be satisfied with the payoff. Much more so than many viewers were at the end of the Game of Thrones series if I might use a comp.
I also think there are opportunities for many spin-offs. I have already written a short story about the Militae, not related to the main series narrative, and started another novel, also unrelated. If it takes off, I could see writing a YA spin-off exploring the adventures of young Zeno and Alexandra in the egoga, and telling the story of the Vampire and his war against the Erieds before he crash-landed on Ninivon. The possibilities are endless. If the books take off, I anticipate I’ll need help, and will be happy to farm some of these ideas out to other writers. I see the Σ series as a sandbox. Sandboxes are always more fun when you play with friends.
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but with alien features,
purple, pupil-less eyes…”
With the world of Ninivon on the brink of annihilation, Zeno finds himself pitted against a vampiric overlord from beyond the stars. The tyrant, wraithlike purple glowing from his eyes, is obsessed with one thing: unraveling the mystery of the Σ: a primordial and otherworldly power. A power that has chosen Zeno as its champion.
But Zeno will not accept the power, terrified of what the Σ will make of him. Until he discovers that Alexandra, his childhood best friend, is leading a rebellion against the Vampire and his monsters. Then Zeno becomes the demigod he was destined to be and joins the fray. But the lines blur between his duty to save Ninivon and his desire to protect Alexandra, whose past is shadowed in secrecy.
Where dragons soar alongside futuristic spacecraft and magic intertwines with advanced technology, Thumos Rising chronicles Zeno’s quest to unlock the mystery of the only thing those with purple eyes fear: The Σ.
The Spires of Dasny: 7: The Dragon of Evermore
In The Spires of Dasny: 7: The Dragon of Evermore, the seventh installment of Cheryl Rush Cowperthwait’s enthralling Spires of Dasny series, readers are plunged into a fantastical realm where dragons, magic, and telepathy are not just elements of lore but pivotal components of the narrative. The book artfully explores the intricate dynamics between humans and dragons as they confront adversity and strive to coexist harmoniously in a world rife with resistance.
Set against a backdrop marked by the Spires’ urgent mission to rescue their sorcerer Hu’gan, the story unfolds with a palpable intensity. The Kingdom of Kraken Purge, driven by a deep-seated fear and animosity towards dragons, stands as a formidable adversary. This fear is rooted in the dragons’ unparalleled power, a power capable of thwarting Kraken Purge’s expansionist ambitions. The ensuing conflict draws various factions into an alliance, with the Spires’ knights, dragon riders, and the dragons themselves joining forces with the immortal dragon Zelspar and the dragons of Avalon. This alliance soon finds itself entangled in a complex war on multiple fronts, battling not only the Kraken Purge but also confronting widespread draconian animosity.
Cowperthwait’s narrative prowess shines throughout the novel. Her vivid descriptions and rich language effortlessly transport readers into a medieval tapestry woven with knights, kingdoms, and mythical beasts. The dialogue and world-building are so meticulously crafted that one might feel as if they are meandering through the very heart of this vibrant medieval fantasy. The book’s pacing is well-calibrated, skillfully blending high-octane action sequences with moments of introspection. It’s not merely an adrenaline-fueled adventure; Cowperthwait weaves in thought-provoking themes, allowing for moments of emotional depth and introspection. This balance adds a compelling layer to the narrative, demonstrating her ability to engage both the mind and the heart. A particular strength of The Spires of Dasny is its exploration of fear and misunderstanding as catalysts for hatred, a theme that resonates profoundly with contemporary issues. The book’s depiction of this theme through the lens of a fantastical conflict between humans and dragons is both creative and poignant.
The Spires of Dasny works well as a standalone novel. Newcomers to the series can dive into this book without feeling lost, thanks to Cowperthwait’s skillful storytelling, which ensures that the core essence of the plot is immediately graspable and thoroughly engaging. This feature of the book speaks to the author’s ability to craft a story that is both part of a larger series and accessible to those encountering her world for the first time.
Pages: 247 | ASIN : B0BYKCKQ4M
Joys and Burdens of Unconditional Love
Heroes of Reighja: The Tale of Achyut the Gallant follows a prince and princess who discover a book detailing the last adventure their ancestor went on before he vanished and their land fell into the Collapse. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Heroes of Reighja: The Tale of Achyut the Gallant is the third novel I’ve written for Heroes of Reighja, although my first novel published and canonically the first in the series. I had so much trouble trying to publish my initial (now subsequent) novels, Heroes of Reighja: Second Dawn and Heroes of Reighja: The Precipice of History, through traditional means, I decided to self-publish a stand-alone novel to showcase my imaginative prowess and writing commitment by telling the story of the Collapse and how the wheels of history were set in motion, creating the problems the Dynasty of Lamaru face in the present-day. Yet I still wanted the characters in my ‘stand-alone’ novel to connect with the rest of the series while having to tell a story that happened 150 years apart. History, myths, and legends in our world have always transcended ages through books and by introducing and following along with younger versions of the main characters in my next novel, I checked all of the boxes for my story structure while differentiating early and present day Reighja to the reader. Lastly, by introducing a younger Amira and Naemin than their age in the main series, I hope their first appearance (in the main series) will be all the more impactful; readers will instantly recognize them, see how they’ve grown, and see how Achyut’s story has influenced their own values, abilities, and approach to life.
I find the world you created in this novel brimming with possibilities. Where did the inspiration for the setting come from, and how did it change as you were writing?
I’ve always loved all forms of media portraying epic fantasy and sci-fi such as Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings, The Legend of Zelda, Fire Emblem, X-Men, the Dresden Files, the Xanth novels, The Chronicles of Narnia, countless anime and manga, while dabbling in my own headcanon. During the 2020 quarantine, a brother of mine and an award-winning author, Jordan Hampton, convinced me to really crank out something fun and exciting to read. I researched a variety of topics but when looking at fictitious and non-fictitious histories to draw inspiration from, I noticed a distinct lack of Southern and Southeast Asian influences.
Most everything I knew came from either Europe or Japan, so I decided to change that. I studied such civilizations as the Persian and Gupta Empires, the Bengali Sultanate, and the Islamic Caliphates, learning about various foods, clothes, music, and cultures from this expansive region of our world and respectfully incorporating them into my novels with a pinch of fantasy magic. I tried to stay true to this core, modeling each of the regions in Lamaru after a different region of southeast Asia. My inspiration has changed little as I continue to write, with the exception of learning more about our world and its rich histories to incorporate into the other Pillar Civilizations.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
One of the main themes addressed in Achyut’s story is the importance of empathy and multiple perspectives. As someone with a background in animal training and psychology, I’ve learned how reflective people’s actions and mindsets are of their own struggles. By showcasing this through the internal thoughts of multiple characters and abilities such as soulsharing, I hope to better equip readers with the tools to engage others through emotional intelligence. This also ties in with another theme of the novel, personal freedom versus social duty. During COVID and subsequent quarantines, I grew astounded and angry at how apathetic people could be toward strangers while lamenting the same personal losses (due to COVID, housing, work, etc) they endured themselves. So many trivial problems arose because of people’s insecurities and greed. As such, multiple conflicts within the novel (and in future novels) mirror a similar cognitive dissonance, both between characters and in their relationships with the prevailing governments.
However, the most important theme for me in this book is the recognition of the joys and burdens of unconditional love and the acceptance of and ability to cope with grief, an emotional state and harsh reality that every single person who has lived and will ever live shares. I wrote a story recognising this universal experience hoping to provide multiple outlooks and assistance to anyone unable to move forward. While writing this story, my grandmother passed away, and nothing could soften the pain of losing one of my columns of strength, a person I always revered and loved, who had always supported my dreams and adventures. Her death broke me more than anything I had experienced in my life thus far. Around the same time, I separated from a woman who, at the time, I could see myself building a future with, and had experienced, for the first time, one of the most beautiful and emotionally gut-wrenching stories in a very popular anime. Writing Achyut’s story allowed me to process my emotional turmoil and reshape my pain into something beautiful with the ability to entertain and help others going through similar situations.
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?
As of now, Heroes of Reighja: The Tale of Achyut the Gallant is both physically and canonically the first book in this series. I hope to release my next book, Heroes of Reighja: Second Dawn, in May/June of 2024. Second Dawn takes place a couple years after Princess Amira and Prince Naemin discover Achyut’s story and focuses on their own troubles, both due to the Collapse and the political strife flourishing between Reighja’s Pillar Civilizations. It introduces three new main characters; Alex, Emma, and Daryl, refugees from a fallen kingdom, and their role in helping Amira avert open war due to extreme water shortages and environmental degradation, heavily influenced by past and present conflicts in our world.
Readers will be happy to know I have plenty of new animals, characters, civilizations, mysteries, minna constructs, and adventures to make the next volume as enrapturing as The Tale of Achyut the Gallant, including many more Easter eggs to some of my favorite media and my first novel, building on the foundation of an overarching plot tying all planned six novels together. However, the stories of Achyut, Katria, Mona, Rakiba, Lilith, and Uriel are far from over, and while the majority of the series will focus on the adventures of Amira, Alex, Naemin, Emma, and Daryl, I’ve already received many many requests to continue writing from the past perspective, both before and immediately following Achyut’s story and the heralding of the Collapse.
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On an otherwise mundane day, Naemin and Amira stumble upon a book that recounts the final expedition of Prince Achyut, their ancestor who suddenly vanished from the pages of history, coincidentally the same year the first effects of the Collapse spread through their ancient home. Together they’ll be swept into a story of love and loss, discovery and adventure, and perhaps unravel the secrets of their kingdom’s complicated past and how the world itself nearly fell to ruin.
Redemption of the Hero
The Future King: Return of the Once Monarch follows Merlin in the modern world; who is living in Oxford as a history professor as he awaits the return of Arthur. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The inspiration lies in the original mythos. The story of King Arthur and Merlin has always ended in tragedy with Arthur fated to die after the Battle of Camlann. The legend of the “Once and Future King” I felt was left unfinished. This book, and ultimately this series, picks up after that tragedy and changes the story into optimism…and ultimately redemption of the hero.
What was your approach to writing the interactions between characters?
I approached this from many viewpoints, but most importantly, it was done by meticulously creating each character first. Moreover, characters originally from the legend such as Merlin, Morgana, and Arthur needed to be “resurrected” and then “modernized.” Once each character was breathed into life, then it became easy to let the interactions flow, because they were natural.
This sets up the novel to deliver some very entertaining scenes. What scene was the most fun to write?
There are too many scenes! A magical fantasy such as this is all fun to write! But if I really had to choose one it would be the flashback scene where Merlin obtains the Scepter of Avalon. It is cosmic, humble, and rewarding. As far as heroes go, it is a major part of Merlin’s origin story.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will that be published?
It’s entitled The Future King | Rise of the Sorcerer. There’s more magic, spells, adventure, fun, thrills, and developments carried over from the first book. The sequel provides some answers to questions left open-ended in Return of the Once Monarch. The characters develop as the main story arc continues. Moreover, the sky is the limit for the characters as the series evolves! Stay tuned!
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Merlin’s Magical Comeback!
Imagine a world teetering on the edge of darkness, its only hope locked away in a dusty Oxford classroom. That’s right, Merlin—the most legendary wizard ever—is now Professor Limren, who’d rather talk about ancient books than cast ancient spells. But can he really stay in the shadows when the world needs him the most?
The King Returns?
The Battle of Camlann left Merlin stunned. Morgana bested him by devising a plan to have King Arthur mortally wounded. This left the prophecy of the once and future king only half fulfilled. Merlin waits for the day that the Lady of the Lake’s words will come true.
The World is Full of Magicals!
So many beings possess magical powers in the world. Some want to protect the world, while others want to control it. Join Merlin on his journey as he comes across the most mystifying creatures, including his encounters with the Order of Rhamnusia…
Never Lose Hope
Stone & Sky follows an unlikely hero in a realm where darkness and chaos loom, who is determined to save his town and the world from an immediate orc threat. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
To be honest, I had been seeing a lot of darker fantasy books in recent years, and I missed the classic style fantasy where heroes have to work together to overcome unlikely odds. I missed the fun and adventure. I wanted to write something that readers of all ages could enjoy together. I also wanted to tell a story that reminded readers to never lose hope.
Can you share insights into the development of Orin’s character and what aspects of his personality you believe resonate most with readers?
You know, it’s funny. Orin is in a hard spot when the book starts. Having been in the military and knowing what it feels like to be out of the fight while your brothers and sisters are still serving–it’s a tough feeling. The love for his brothers and sisters drives him to get home, but in the midst of that, he comes to find that there are other people who will love him and fight alongside him, even if he faces life without his griffin. It’s been really fun to develop that in books 2 and 3 (both coming soon).
Your book is noted for its rich world-building and character depth. What challenges did you face in creating such a detailed and immersive fantasy world?
Some of the interesting challenges came with the aerial combat and the abilities of the flying mounts that the different people groups ride. For example, I had to set very specific rules about abilities for wyverns and griffins. We also have pegasi that the elves ride, and I made up these really cool panther creatures with bat-like wings (called garvawks) that the dwarves ride. Each group of people had to have ways of interacting with the different flying beasts. How do they husband them? How do they train with them? How would each mount’s aerial abilities be different? It was a fascinating exercise in imagination.
This is book one in the Stone & Sky series. What can readers expect in book two?
So glad you asked. Book two in the Stone & Sky series is called Stone & Tide and is planned for release on 6 FEB 2023. The epilogue of Stone & Sky leaves readers with a bit of a tense cliffhanger, but we absolutely get some resolution on that in Stone & Tide. Book one kept us in the land of Tarrine (one of the lands in the world of Finlestia), but in the second we’re sailing across the sea to the mysterious land of Kelvur (the place from which our villain hailed). Definitely expect more friendship development and epic battles, but Kelvur holds many secrets that our protagonists must uncover.
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Orin is a sworn protector. As a stalwart member of the Griffin Guard, he’s proud to protect the kingdom against a dreaded nation of orcs. But when the fires of war burn bright from the north, his entire squadron falls to deadly wyvern riders, leaving the devastated Orin bloody and alone.
With his squad dead, Orin has his mind set on saving others from the same fate.
Teaming up with a local huntsman’s family, Orin and his new friends must push themselves past their limits to face mysterious dangers and ancient magics. Shocked to discover the orcs’ secret weapon, the lone guardian’s last chance to save his home could require the ultimate sacrifice.
Come fly away on griffin-back!
Fly off to the world of Finlestia in this epic fantasy story for readers looking for adventure, magic, and just plain fun; a tale where friendships must overcome insurmountable odds and remind readers to never lose hope.
Buy Stone & Sky to join the battle today!
Devotion to Duty and Honor
Sons of Empire follows the son of a high mage with unique powers who needs to find out who his allies are in a growing war environment. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I had been writing thrillers for years and sales were going down. My agent suggested I write about Winston Churchill and his era since I have studied it for so long, but everything that could be had been written about him and his times. So I began writing about an alternate world in which there had been a Magical Revolution instead of an Industrial one, and things just took off from there.
Fantasy novels embrace magic in their own unique ways, each world having its own flair. Can you explain what technomagic is and how you developed this into a unique facet of your book?
Technomagic is the Unmagiced’s answer to the power of the Altmages. It is powered by a mysterious stone called Meersham that has multiple uses from fuel to medicine, and it drives the Empires. Of course, Technomages are not above using Altmage magic when no one is looking.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this series, and how do they differ from other fantasy series currently out?
I wanted to tell the tale of how men can rise from their stations to become world powers and how intrigue behind the scenes can often work against the very causes it purports to support. A constant theme is devotion to duty and honor.
Where does the story go in the next book, and where do you see it going in the future?
It will come as no surprise to some that the series very loosely follows events in our own world circa 1900 – 1945 so there is that spoiler. But don’t worry. While some will see ties from fictional characters to some real, the differences created by magic, the Council of Five, the Assassin’s Guild, and the requirements of fiction dictate a very different world and characters in many ways. Enjoy.
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Roles of Greater Responsibility
Dane Thorburn and the Stanthorpe Rebellion follows Dane and Princess Vanessa as they investigate who the unknown raiders are that are striking out across their land. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
As this is the fourth installment in the series, I wanted to progress the evolution of Dane, Vanessa, and others. Having dealt with mystical creatures in the previous book, I wanted this one to focus more on dealing with people, and to show how Dane and Vanessa would deal with a major tragedy that thrusts them into roles of greater responsibility, at a time when they’re not expecting it. In terms of the story arc of the entire series, it was also important to show Raegan recovering from his injuries and how Dane deals with the realisation that Raegan is still alive.
Is there anything about Dane that came from yourself or your life experiences?
Like everyone, I have had times when things haven’t turned out as I wanted and have had to adjust and adapt to that, and sometimes my initial reaction isn’t the right one. I’m also a determined person, like Dane. One thing I did put in directly from my own life was the scar on his chin, which happens in the first and third books – I split my chin open twice when I was a young boy.
How did you come up with the idea for the antagonist in this story, and how did it change as you wrote?
Right from the beginning I wanted a powerful and evil wizard as the main villain. The real change that occurred as I’ve written the books is when Dane unwittingly almost kills him in Dane Thorburn and the City of Lost Souls (Book 2) when Raegan is disguised as a wolf. This created a whole new development for both Dane, dealing with the uncertainty and guilt that he nearly killed him (and would have killed him had he known Raegan was the wolf), and Raegan’s disappearance and loss of almost all of his power and how the journey he takes while he recovers.
I hope the series continues in other books. If so, where will the story take readers?
There will be more books. With Raegan’s recovery, he is now ready to return and unleash himself on the land once more, and knowing it was Dane who almost killed him, he has a special hatred for Dane that will be explored in future books.
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But when it appears everything is returning to normal once more, a series of attacks by a group of unknown raiders strikes fear across the Stanthorpe region and beyond.
Who are they – and where did they come from?
Are they connected to Candahorn and the rebel forces – or is exiled wizard Raegan, despite his mysterious disappearance, somehow behind it?
Dane is trying to piece everything together alongside Vanessa, Will, and Lord Frederick, when a tragedy of epic proportions changes the land forever, thrusting Vanessa into a role she’s not ready for, where she has to make a fateful decision.
Can they find out who is behind the attacks and save the lives of many, or will they be too late?
LITERARY TITAN 