Blog Archives
Love and Family
In Critical Habitat, humanity is ruled by a mysterious force and two people hold the key to ending the reign of oppression, fear, and deception. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Modern concerns with the environment and corporate greed, honestly. I’d seen the working class suffer for years and considered how the powerful make decisions that often don’t prove to be for the greater good. The human condition is supremely flawed. Having grown up with some incredible action-adventure and sci-fi movies and television–from Buck Rogers and Star Wars to Battlestar Galactica, as well as Edgar Rice Burroughs’ writings, specifically John Carter and the Tarzan of the Apes books–I used pieces of them as masterworks that I could pay homage as I recreated storyworlds and Critical Habitat’s narrative into something new. It had to be fun but meaningful, as well as thought-provoking. It was a fun and super-challenging process.
Did you plan the tone and direction of the novel before writing, or did it come out organically as you were writing?
I meant to, but it was recalibrated so many times through drafts, that it would be overstating it as “organic.” The tone and direction became clear, eventually. I wanted to throw my computer more than once.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
As the story crystalized, the overarching theme never wavered. Simply, “Love and family correct a path of self-annihilation.”
Can we look forward to more work from you soon? What are you currently working on?
I’m happy to report yes! The follow-up to Critical Habitat should come out in 2025, it’s currently in its final editing stages. As the power vacuum grows, the cast of characters struggle as the stakes rise. Book 2 is deeper and darker than Book 1, taking the fantastical, sci-fi, dystopian, and action-adventure mash-up storyline to the next level. It’s the most challenging work I’ve ever done. I’m excited to share it with Critical Habitat fans, and those who have yet to discover this take on multi-genre action-adventure. I really can’t wait.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
What does it mean to be a rebel, a hero, or the destroyer of habitat and civilization? As a devastated world recovers from war and plight, an unlikely heroine emerges and attempts to rescue distressed rebels from the government’s corruption controlling the rationed food supply and from a rogue general trying to steal the only known honeybees.
And Earth itself fights back.
Following the Great Uprising of the Millennium, the remaining human population in the Third Continent’s forty-four districts—starved and weakened—are dependent on the Authority. The new power structure that emerged after the war rules by fear and tyranny, confiscating property, and feeding the masses poisoned food.
Yet out of the rubble, rebellious clans who dream of a better future emerge, able to grow their own food because of their secret weapon—the last remaining nest of honeybees. Now a war wages between the rebels and the Authority. X and Y, children of the rebellion, have the key to the rebellion’s success: a download that can bring down the Authority once and for all.
Power hungry and corrupt, the Authority’s General Speer is intent on finding the download, along with the rebels’ bees and food stocks. And he will stop at nothing until he rules all the districts.
The fate of humanity hangs in the balance as X and Y join forces with an unlikely heroine and their allies in a race against time. But in a futurist world where survival is paramount and everyone has an agenda, who can they trust?
Critical Habitat
Critical Habitat, the award-winning sci-fi, dystopian adventure by Terrence King, delivers a chilling vision of the future that feels alarmingly close to reality. In this gripping tale, humanity is ruled by a mysterious Authority, a force so oppressive that even basic human needs are crushed beneath its iron grip. In a world where survival is bleak and hope is a distant memory, the idea of a hero feels obsolete. But heroes exist here, even if they remain nameless. Our protagonists, simply known as X and Y, hold the key to dismantling the Authority—a critical data chip that could destroy everything the regime stands for. Yet, they can’t complete their mission alone. Trust, however, is a rare commodity in this desolate landscape. Even among rebels, fear and suspicion reign. How do you trust others—or yourself—when everything around you is built on deception?
The story grips you from the start, keeping you on edge with its constant twists and turns. The world King has created is hostile, but the characters of X and Y shine through, forming a connection with the reader that makes the stakes feel personal. X, in particular, stands out with her biting sarcasm, providing much-needed levity in a world filled with darkness. Her sense of humor adds a sharp, refreshing dynamic that elevates the entire narrative.
What truly sets Critical Habitat apart is how original it feels. In a genre that often recycles familiar tropes, King takes well-worn concepts—advanced technology in a broken world, a totalitarian regime, and rebels seeking to overthrow the system—and spins them in a way that feels fresh and innovative. It’s rare to encounter a sci-fi story that breaks from the mold so completely, and that’s what makes this book such a standout. It offers a new perspective, something that feels like a breath of fresh air in a genre where stories often blend into one another. I feel the book’s slow start is its one drawback. The initial chapters can feel dense, as King meticulously builds his dystopian world, and it takes some time to fully immerse yourself in the story. However, once you push through those early pages, you’ll find yourself hooked, unable to put it down.
Critical Habitat is more than just an engaging sci-fi adventure—it’s a thought-provoking reflection on where our planet could be headed. King’s vision of a future ruled by fear and control hits unnervingly close to home. By the end, you’ll be left pondering the frightening possibility that this dystopia may not be so far off. Thank you, Terrence King—you’ve made me question the future, and now I won’t be sleeping tonight.
Pages: 270 | ASIN : B0C4QXLBSC
Achieving Verisimilitude
Dissonance Volume III: Renegade follows a group of renegades who uncover a plot by the president to unleash a nuclear attack on the world, and it is a race to stop it from happening. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The seeds were there and they were planted in Dissonance Volume I: Reality. Cameron Shipley already discovered that something very big was going on, but he didn’t know what, and there were clues that the President was behind all of it. She is well past her prime and is now a four-term president, beyond the expected length of service by virtue of the gorgon occupation. That has seen her desire to cling to power, has seen her corruption grow, and now has seen her seeking nefarious means to eliminate dissent to her power. She has herself become a renegade world leader, and it is up to the group of renegades to take on this renegade. In short, power corrupts.
I felt that the action scenes were expertly crafted. I find that this is an area that can be overdone in novels. How did you approach this subject to make sure it flowed evenly?
Thank you, and I so appreciate you observing that! I took GREAT pains to ensure that, militarily, my novels would cut the mustard and stand up to scrutiny. To that end, I consulted with several military personnel to ensure verisimilitude. A former 35-year aircraft carrier captain. Two senior airmen in the Air Force. A Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force. A retired Army Chopper pilot. An infantryman. They ensured that what I wrote was actually correct, and I so appreciated them! I did a ton of research on my own for the cockpit scenes in an F-15, for inside an Abrams tank, for life aboard an aircraft carrier, etc.. I think it turned out pretty well and I achieved verisimilitude. For that, I’m so very grateful!
What was one of the hardest parts of Dissonance Volume III: Renegade for you to write?
I think the trip timing out over the Atlantic was one of the hardest. It really involved mathematical equations, which I’m not skilled at. Really required lots of attention to time zones, ship speeds, knots per hour, timing the arrival at the funnel, etc.. I had to design out a bit of a graph for that. 😊 The other thing would be the battles. The tactical nature of them requires attention to detail and precision, but also requires some ingenuity in fleshing out the narrative so it’s not just recycled from what people have already seen or read. I had to get extra creative on those scenes. I think you’ll notice those creative strokes rather quickly and appreciate them.
What is one thing that people point out after reading your book that surprises you?
Well, especially as it pertains to those in the military, I appreciate how they appreciate the veracity of the details that I worked so hard to include correctly. They all turned out so great, and I really highly value when someone who has seen actual service comments that what I’ve written out is actually correct. That is high praise and is so satisfying. Overall, however, I wanted to write a thrilling and powerful climax to the saga, redemption for planet Earth, a massive final battle preceded by massive final mini-skirmishes, and I’m confident I accomplished that. So satisfied with the grandeur of it, the epic scope of it, the scale, the magnitude of the conflict, and the resolution as well. I couldn’t have asked for a better conclusion to the original trilogy.
Author Links: GoodReads | X | Facebook | Website | Book Review
Orchestrated by the President herself, the gorgon attack on Mammoth Cave proves to be utterly devastating. With the death of those closest to him and betrayed again by the ones he trusted the most, Cameron finds himself in a state of catatonic shock. Now, one thing is sure: the threat of world destruction is nothing when compared to his festering thirst for revenge.
Desperate to preserve power, President Graham will use the gorgon threat as an excuse to unleash an unprecedented nuclear attack. The surviving remnants of the world are reduced to collateral damage for the eradication of the aliens.
And now, branded a military renegade along with his rogue superiors, Cameron and the resistance are the world’s only chance for survival. They face three grave tasks. One: they must disarm the nuclear devices in the east. Two: they must utterly destroy the alien queen and the funnel. And three: President Graham must be brought to justice.
When betrayal strikes, they lose lives and Cameron is shot. And for the first time, some must accept that the aliens just might win this war. In a dystopian, post-apocalyptic world ravaged by carnage, surviving a gunshot wound is sometimes impossible…but humanity is built by those too stubborn to follow the rules!
Read all six installments in this bestselling series, in this order:
Dissonance Volume I: Reality (released 1.1.24)
Dissonance Volume II: Reckoning (released 3.20.24)
Dissonance Volume III: Renegade (released 5.18.24)
Dissonance Volume IV: Relentless (coming November 2024!)
Prequel #1: Dissonance Volume Zero: Revelation (released 6.6.24)
Prequel #2: Dissonance Volume Up: Rising (released 9.3.24)
The multiple climactic battles are epic in scope in the bestselling Dissonance Volume III: Renegade. It’s the ‘unputdownable’ conclusion to the military science fiction series started in Dissonance Volume I: Reality. Get your copy now and embark on the massive conclusion to this bestselling post-apocalyptic military science fiction war series!
Dissonance Volume III: Renegade
In Dissonance Volume III: Renegade, Aaron Ryan escalates the stakes to an exhilarating climax. President Jean Graham, now poised to commit an act as devastating as the Gorgon invasion that ravaged Earth 16 years prior, plans to wield alien technology not to safeguard humanity but to annihilate her former enemies. This technology, once discovered by scientists in the aftermath of the invasion, was intended to protect lives. Instead, Graham aims to unleash it and the Gorgons on Earth’s remaining nations. After uncovering this catastrophic plot during the attack on Mammoth Cave, Cameron, our protagonist, joins forces with a group of renegade captains. These captains, who have been quietly rallying their resources and plotting in the shadows, now face a desperate race against time. With the attack looming, they must act swiftly to prevent Graham’s destructive plan and save the world from falling into eternal darkness.
Ryan amplifies the chaos, intensity, and stakes in this third volume, surpassing the tension and drama of the previous installments. The final battle is nothing short of epic, from unpredictable plot twists to intricate battle strategies and high emotional stakes. Though parting with beloved characters might be bittersweet for long-time readers, the introduction of fresh faces injects new energy into the story, playing pivotal roles in a satisfying and action-packed finale.
While romance played a minor role in earlier volumes, I think its absence here allows the plot to surge forward without distraction. The result is a pulse-pounding sequence of battles and escalating threats. Cameron, once central to the story, steps back slightly as newer characters take charge, driving the action with full force. The alien menace continues to evolve, and with President Graham emerging as a formidable antagonist, the tension remains high throughout. Ryan’s portrayal of battles is both chaotic and clear, a delicate balance that makes each confrontation thrilling yet comprehensible. Weapons, strategies, and surprise alliances are described with grandeur, heightening the sense of scale and urgency.
Dissonance Volume III: Renegade is an exhilarating addition to Aaron Ryan’s dystopian series. With its high-stakes plot, relentless action, and evolving characters, the book offers a thrilling ride from start to finish.
Pages: 438 | ASIN : B0D2YK3LVH
Dissonance Volume II: Reckoning
In Dissonance Volume II: Reckoning, Aaron Ryan thrusts readers back into the heart of his dystopian world, where danger and intrigue collide. Fresh out of detention, Cameron faces a daunting new assignment from President Jean Graham: train recruits at Mammoth Cave and eliminate an AWOL captain. Cameron’s mistrust of the military runs deep and this mission only intensifies his suspicions. But with the Gorgons still threatening humanity and a new family to protect, he reluctantly takes on the task, unaware that this decision will alter the course of his life and the war forever.
Ryan wastes no time cranking up the tension in this second installment, seamlessly blending key moments from the first book with fresh narrative threads. His skillful integration of past events ensures that both returning fans and newcomers can follow the story with ease, creating an immersive experience from the first page to the last.
As the plot unfolds, new characters are introduced, adding complexity and raising the stakes. While Cameron continues to develop as a central figure, other returning characters sometimes take a back seat, like Ally, whose presence is pivotal during specific emotional and plot-driven moments, yet she is not consistently at the forefront of the narrative. Still, the dynamic between the characters remains compelling, with enough tension and intrigue to keep readers hooked. Like with Pastor Rosie, who plays a crucial role in guiding Cameron through some of his most challenging moral and emotional conflicts. She is a well-written character who adds depth to the story by balancing the protagonist’s emotional intensity with spiritual wisdom.
The author’s vivid descriptions of the setting further elevate the action. From the cavernous depths of Mammoth Cave to the battlefield scenes, the environments play a critical role in the story’s intensity, almost making each scene feel cinematic in scope. Every moment crackles with energy as if you’re watching a high-stakes thriller unfold before your eyes.
The ever-present threat of the Gorgons, with their eerie telekinetic powers, adds an unsettling layer of horror and suspense. Their looming menace keeps the tension high, making it impossible to relax as the plot twists toward its unpredictable climax. The sense of impending danger propels the story forward, ensuring readers remain on the edge of their seats.
For readers who enjoy science fiction laced with dystopian themes and a touch of faith, Dissonance Volume II: Reckoning delivers an exhilarating and high-octane adventure. The blend of suspense, complex character development, and sci-fi horror elements makes this a highly recommended read.
Pages: 330 | ASIN : B0CYMWKCS4
Dissonance Volume I: Reality
Aaron Ryan’s Dissonance: Volume I is a gritty, post-apocalyptic thriller set in a world where humanity is on the brink of extinction due to the arrival of terrifying alien creatures called gorgons. The story follows Jet and his younger brother, Rutty, as they navigate a dystopian landscape, trying to survive and protect a mysterious amulet that could be the key to humanity’s survival. The novel explores themes of fear, trust, and the resilience of the human spirit, all within a backdrop of constant danger from the relentless gorgons.
The author has a way of pulling you straight into the action, and once you’re in, you’re there for the long haul. The opening scene had me right on edge. Jet is hiding from a gorgon, counting down the seconds he has to reach safety, and his heart-stopping escape felt vivid and tense. Ryan does a great job of keeping the pace fast and tense, especially during the action scenes.
The relationship between Jet and Rutty felt real and raw, which gave me a reason to root for them beyond just survival. There’s a scene early on where Rutty is teasing Jet about being called “Cameron,” and even though it’s lighthearted, you can feel the weight of their shared trauma underneath. It’s those little moments that make the bleak world of the story feel more grounded and human. You can tell Ryan put a lot of thought into how these two characters interact, and it’s those quieter moments that balance out the non-stop action. There are a lot of scenes with heavy internal monologue where Jet reflects on the past, the loss of his family, and the weight of survival, which sometimes slowed things down but these reflections added depth to Jet’s character.
Dissonance: Volume I is a thrilling ride with enough tension, emotional depth, and world-building to keep you hooked. The book would be perfect for anyone who loves post-apocalyptic science fiction stories where survival feels like a constant question mark. It’s got heart, plenty of action, and enough mystery to make you want to pick up the next volume. If you’re into stories like The Road but with more of a sci-fi edge, this one’s definitely worth a read.
Pages: 328 | ASIN : B0CRHMLNYF
Mixed-Genre Stories
Aftermath: Into the Unknown follows a woman in a post-apocalyptic world whose home is in danger from a biker gang that has invaded the city and must now make an 800-mile trip with a man she just met to get to safety. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The story’s inspiration came from the first book of the series, The Edge of Life: Love and Survival During the Apocalypse, and my book, The Wish.
When I was writing The Edge of Life (Two acquaintances’ road trip from Seattle to South Dakota in the wake of an asteroid impact with Earth) I didn’t want to kill the characters of The Wish. Instead, they meet my Edge characters on the way to the bunker city in South Dakota. To make the timing work, since one group traveled by car and the other by bike and on foot, I created a delay for the car group mentioned in a line or two of conversation. They stopped in Idaho for a few days to convince someone’s father to join them. He refused because he was waiting for his granddaughters to cross the mountains from the coast.
Aftermath picks up three years later with the grandfather and one of the granddaughters. The biker who accompanies her on the journey seems to be Robin’s opposite, but in the post-apocalyptic world they inhabit, as survivors, they are more similar than different. I liked the idea of opposites being so much the same.
Your characters are interesting and unique, drawing readers into their lives. What things do you find interesting about the human condition that makes for great fiction?
Honestly, I borrow bits and pieces from people I know, add aspects of myself, and include something new to make characters. For example, my husband and I both love music (he’s the inspiration for an audiophile) even if our range of tastes are not the same, they overlap. My daughters are Swifties, as are millions of others and someone Robin’s age could have been one too. Reading is also something people could have in common, even if their tastes are very different. Having hobbies and interests makes characters relatable for readers because they feel more real.
Most people just want to be understood and not be alone.
You flawlessly blend Post-Apocalyptic/Dystopian and Romance in this book. It takes exceptional talent to do this and make the story stand out. How did you go about blending the two genres without disrupting the story?
Thank you. I appreciate that you thought I did this well. I didn’t think about blending the genres so much as, that WAS the story. From the beginning, I envisioned Aftermath as a love story in a post-apocalyptic setting. Each book in this series will be a stand-alone, apocalypse, or post-apocalypse romance. They will connect because I love to have my books linked, but each will feature a new couple who will fall in love while trying to survive in their harsh new world.
All of my books are mixed-genre stories, perhaps because I’ve been an avid reader of so many genres for my whole life.
I hope the series continues in other books. If so, where will the story take readers?
The series will most definitely continue. There is a conflict coming between the Slains and those in Vita Xterra. I’ve written a short story called “Rat Girl,” a prequel for the third book in the series that will be posted on my website later this fall. The third book is in the planning stage and will include the Rat Girl, a man from the bunker complex, and the secondary characters include several from Edge and Aftermath. There will also be a Nick and Jake story (minor but important characters from Edge). Dozens of readers have reached out asking what happened to them when the asteroid hit, which got things swirling in my mind. They need their own book.
I may also write a book about some of the missing family members mentioned in both published books in the series. There could also be other stories, including one set in Canada.
I’m hoping to release one book in this series and one other book every year, though I have two different books written and being published in 2025. I’d love to see Love and Survival 3 published in 2026.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website | Amazon
Robin dreamed of attending Yale and using her brain. Kory lived on the streets of Seattle and relied on his brawn. Without the asteroid, they never would have met.
For three years, Robin and her grandfather have been hiding, trusting no one. When a biker gang moves into town, Robin can no longer scrounge or tend her garden. Because her grandfather is dying, he urges her to join her extended family—800 miles away in a bunker city in South Dakota, but she doesn’t want to leave.
Desperate, her grandfather disappears to force Robin into action and meets Kory, who’s with the bikers but disillusioned. Seeing a man who likes to read and could protect his granddaughter, he convinces Kory he can start over and accompany Robin on the long journey.
Unaware of her grandfather’s plan, Robin exposes her hiding place searching for him, and Kory saves her. On the run, they battle the elements and survivalists, learning to trust each other. If they can’t reach the safety of Vita xTerra, they won’t survive long enough to have a future together.
Prepare for another non-stop, post-apocalyptic road trip in Aftermath: Into the Unknown as they fight for love and survival.
Pulp Fiction-Style Storyline
He Died Two Days Ago follows three people who find themselves entangled in the power struggles between warring alien clans. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Initially, I had intended to create a stylized sci-fi/fantasy pulp fiction/film-noir short story: Nick is brutally shot; it was a mistake even though it was on purpose (Nick has a twin). He is miraculously saved by an alien.
Once that alien door opened, I tried putting myself in the mind of the reader: Who are these aliens? Why did they save Nick of all people? What is going on in their world? But simultaneously, I wanted to keep a fast-paced, pulp fiction-style storyline.
Organically, the “short story” turned into a novel. (As your readers know, sometimes plots and characters take over their own development.)
And to add one other piece to the puzzle: I look at the novel as a thematic exploration. Underneath the
different plot lines and characters, I see an examination of manifest destiny, zealotry, vengeance, power, and egomania.
What character did you enjoy writing for? Was there one that was more challenging to write for?
I enjoyed writing each character. Probably Nick was the most fun because of his unrestrained willingness to exact revenge on the henchmen.
The two hardest were Tony, his twin brother, and Artemesia, an Ephemeral. I actually know a number of twins. One question for the story is: how different can twins be?
Without giving away the plotline and character development, Artemesia had to be strong and prominent, but have a hidden character.
The overall challenge was to keep my idea of quick pacing for the story. It can be a trade-off with character development.
I felt that there were a lot of great twists and turns throughout the novel. Did you plan this before writing the novel, or did the twists develop organically writing?
Basically, organically. Even the existence of Tony, Nick’s twin, was not originally planned. Most of the twists and turns came out of me trying to be a reader, rather than an author. What would I want to know if I was a reader? Who are these aliens? What is their world like? What is the character going to do now?
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?
He Died Two Days Ago is intended as a standalone. If I may suggest to readers that I have another sci-fi book out: Forever is Too Long that is speculative fiction/fantasy (also reviewed by Literary Titan). I see more opportunity with going back to that book and creating a sequel.
A new book is in the works. Again, standalone. Conceptually, think A Race to Armageddon. (It’s the current working title.)
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Instagram | Website | Amazon
Can Earth Be Freed from Twisted Alien Intentions?
Pierce Savage is the ultimate mobster kingpin. With an arsenal of assassins at his beck and call, he dispatches them to take down Tony Cowen, his new enemy who has stolen Sylvia, his gun moll girlfriend.
When the assassins mistakenly shoot the wrong brother —Tony’s twin, Nick—it reveals the Ephemerals, an alien race that secretly inhabits living beings of other planets across the universe, feeding off the emotions of the entities they reside within.
When Nick is kept alive by one of the aliens, Earth becomes a twisted battleground for the plotting clans of Ephemeron.
• What will happen to Ephemeron’s ruling kingdom as rival clans clash
• What will happen to Ephemeron when its 1,000-year political cycle collides against their 300-year biological fertility clock that will pit Ephemeral against Ephemeral?
• Will the three Earthlings, pursuing their Earthly revenge against Pierce Savage and his henchmen, free themselves from alien inhabitation—and maybe free the rest of Earth?
He Died Two Days Ago delivers a fast-paced sci-fi/fantasy read woven with action and suspense.
SCI-FI/FANTASY PSYCHO THRILLERS DYSTOPIAN
LITERARY TITAN 