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Severed Roots
Severed Roots by Nego Huzcotoq takes readers on a thrilling dystopian journey into a world where women hold all the power and men are relegated to a subordinate position. Nick, a mankey who questions everything, is on a mission to help his best friend Beatrice, who is struggling with the fact that she cannot experience motherhood. Along the way, he befriends Morrie, whose hidden secrets challenge Nick’s understanding of the world he grew up in.
The intricate plot had me hooked from beginning to end, and while it was emotionally challenging to imagine such a world, it also prompted me to ponder the possibilities of a world where women are in control. Nick is a fascinating character, a magician who brings joy to children and who evolves from a hesitant and timid person into a determined and strong-willed individual. Beatrice is a compelling supporting character whose mental health decline is palpable and poignant, and Morrie provides invaluable support and guidance throughout the story. Severed Roots is an exceptional novel with a plot that is meticulously crafted. The book concludes on an exciting cliffhanger that leaves readers eagerly anticipating another follow-up novel.
Huzcotoq has created a gripping dystopian novel that elicits a range of emotions, from laughter to tears and everything in between. I also enjoyed how it does not follow standard dystopian tropes found in other novels in the genre. This book is a must-read for fans looking for a unique dystopia, especially readers who enjoy works that challenge societal norms and conventions.
Pages: 225 | ASIN: B0BQ8HK8KV
LOY
Todd David Gross’s Loy: In the Forests of the Mind is a one-of-a-kind post-apocalyptic narrative that offers a unique perspective on humanity’s resurgence after a catastrophic event. This gripping story takes place thousands of years into the future and follows the Rehloy, descendants of mankind who have evolved in remarkable ways. Through the use of a plant with mystical properties, the Rehloy have become a species that is deeply attuned to nature and their own minds and bodies. Living in harmony with the environment, the tribe has thrived. However, when the Rehloy’s spiritual guides feel a significant change in the world, Jormah, one of these “Kwaman,” sets out to find answers beyond their community. This quest leads him to explore a devastated North America, where he encounters dangerous carnivorous grass and experiences full-body psychedelics.
Gross’s portrayal of the Rehloy is genuinely remarkable. These unique descendants of man possess supernatural abilities that are depicted as almost elvish. Their movements, interactions, and shared consciousness are profoundly spiritual and full of self-reflection. Gross does an exceptional job of conveying the perspectives of these reflective individuals, highlighting their connections to each other and the world. Their level of empathy is extraordinary, as evidenced by the birth of a child who is ultra-sensitive to his surroundings and causes physical harm to those around him. However, not everything is idyllic in this new world. The land has been invaded by the Ontarans, who seek to colonize the territory. The Ontarans walk a different path, one of fire and steel, and remain much closer to their ancestors’ appearances and destructive ways. While the Rehloy and their interactions are fascinating, the Ontarans and their goals leave much to be desired.
Overall, Loy is an incredibly original Epic Fantasy story that offers a fascinating and thought-provoking look into the future of humanity. This dystopian view of what the world could be and become is a combination of mystical and horrifying. Gross’s depiction of the Rehloy is simply excellent, and their story is one that is not to be missed.
Pages: 511 | ASIN : B0C17DFG4Q
Disintegration
The gripping fourth installment in the Magicium series by T.N. Baldwin, Disintegration, brings the characters of Logan, Blessing, Junior, and Carla to their rightful places in the world. As they prepare to defend their beliefs, they face challenges from various sources, including the formidable Mistress and the Stonefish. However, their strength and determination to protect their loved ones are more vital than ever.
Baldwin’s exceptional character development skills are on full display, and it is a pleasure to witness the growth of the characters in the book. The author also builds upon the established world of the previous books with finesse, making for a seamless transition into the story. While Disintegration deviates from its predecessors by focusing more on politics than action, it is still a valuable addition to the series. However, it may not entirely live up to the expectations of readers who were anticipating the same level of magical battles and experimentation found in Discoveries and Disruptions. The slow build of action is a deviation, but a needed one to give readers the whole story. The characters must learn to lead beyond the battlefields and embrace the challenges that come with uniting nations. Sometimes survival is more than being the strongest or most powerful. They must all learn to know who to trust and who to watch to survive.
Overall, Disintegration is a well-written dystopian fantasy book and gives readers a different perspective than the prior novels. The political focus is intriguing and thought-provoking. The character development is deepened, and readers are shown new sides to the heroes they have grown to love in the past. The book ends on a high note, leaving readers eager for the final installment, Dissidents.
Pages: 711 | ASIN : B097ZZB1K8
Fangs of Deception
Fangs of Deception by TK Orbelyan follows Carl and his cousin Terry. The family gathers one evening to meet Mia, Carl’s new girlfriend. Carl reveals shocking information he has acquired about the pandemic being meticulously planned and unleashed on the world. The evidence being that big pharma companies began preparations for the vaccine a year before the ‘plandemic’ broke out. Carl intends to not only publish this damning evidence but to follow it up and ensure that it’s not forgotten. When Carl disappears, Terry attempts to track him down, becoming deeply aware of how far a global ‘cabal’ controls governments, finance, and big industries and how thinly veiled the dystopian world is in which countries exist.
The characters are well-developed, each with their own unique voice and motivations. Terry is a particular standout, with his unwavering determination to expose the corruption that plagues the world. The plot is masterfully crafted, with twists and turns that kept me guessing until the end. The revelation that the pandemic was meticulously planned and unleashed on the world by big pharma companies was both shocking and thought-provoking. Orbelyan shows just how insidious the power of big corporations is and how easily the world could tip over into an Orwellian dystopia being controlled by the powerful few. The overall writing is strong, with well-crafted descriptive passages that create a vivid picture of the world the characters inhabit. I did find some sections of the book to be wholly explanatory, and I would have preferred to see these ideas shown rather than told. However, these moments did not detract from my overall enjoyment of the story.
Overall, I highly recommend Fangs of Deception to any reader who enjoys dystopian fiction or stories that tackle political and social issues. With its well-developed characters, tightly-knit narrative, and thought-provoking themes, this novella is sure to leave a lasting impression on readers.
Pages: 135 | ASIN : B0BST6482W
The Globalists
In an alternative timeline, Earth experienced World War 3 breaking out in the year 2005, leaving behind a small percentage of the population in smaller settlements around the world, struggling to survive. The divide between rich and poor has grown to the point that humans not of the upper class are considered disposable, and the world is focused on catering to those with money and power.
Lionel Eddy’s The Globalists is a hard science fiction novel that explores a world where a totalitarian government called Globalists has come to power. After the war, they took control of New London and implanted Microchips disguised as new, helpful technology in the remaining population. As a result, a group of young people, known as Team ZAP, rose up against them, risking everything to restore freedom to the people.
Eddy’s writing creates a vividly drawn world that grips readers from the start. The characters, especially Silver, are dynamic and relatable, making readers feel invested in their journey. The author masterfully blends heart-pounding action with powerful themes of rebellion, sacrifice, and hope in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. This thrilling and action-packed novel explores how far people are willing to go to restore freedom to the masses. Eddy’s storytelling makes readers feel like they are part of this rebellious group, fighting alongside the Team ZAP members as they face danger at every turn and try to restore the balance of the population that has been dominated by the super-rich side.
Overall, The Globalists is a captivating read that dystopian fiction fans will find engaging. Anyone who loves a good underdog story will enjoy following Silver on her journey as she battles for those who are tossed aside by those in control. Lionel Eddy’s work is a testament to the power of hope, friendship, and the will to fight against oppression.
Pages: 117 | ASIN : B0BSZHQCYQ
Research-based Imagination
Disciples follows four friends on a journey who are all looking for something different while trying to stop a war. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Essentially it was set up by the previous two novels, the concept for which originally came to me in a dream. However, it was certainly inspired by the different areas of life we can allow to limit us. Logan struggles with discerning who he can trust and how you decide, Carla chooses to pursue something she knows is wrong to get her greatest desire, Blessing allows herself to step out of mediocrity and to pursue something where she can be great and Junior, so long reliant on his strength and aura, has to overcome a horrendous injury. I think all of the stories pursue themes and values core to humanity.
Are there any emotions or memories from your own life that you put into your character’s life?
I certainly tap into some of my own flaws and inconsistencies and consider how they might be exacerbated in such extreme circumstances as those my characters face. However, I try to communicate the sense of experience rather than drawing on my own. Very few scenes depicted in my novels (bar two notable exceptions in one chapter) have any basis in fact. Most of what I write is research-based imagination.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
Ooh, two scenes stand out. I loved writing the scene where the wise-cracking ice dragon Floyd (which stand for Flying Lizard Of Your Doom) embellishes some of his past adventures. The scene in the hospital where Junior is trying to lead sick and injured children to safety while soldiers are hunting for them was a harrowing experience to write about but I’m really proud of how it came out. I like to think showcased the many personalities and behaviours we see in children and people in general.
Can you tell us where the book goes and where we’ll see the characters in the next book?
The book leaves us with each character facing a very different reality. Junior is about to be offered a job that satisfies the ego he tries to hide. Carla finally gets what she most wants but at a huge cost. After great success, Blessing is forced to humble herself to ensure she remains on an upward trajectory. And Logan… well, he’s in big trouble. Sorry about the cliffhanger ending!
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Enter a dystopian future where terrifying creatures of the imagination have driven humanity underground.
The trouble with choosing a side is knowing whether you’ve picked the right one.
The dynamics of The War are changing. Allegiances are shifting. And sometimes, victories behind the scenes matter more than the ones everyone can see.
As the lines between right and wrong, human and Abomination blur, Junior, Blessing, Carla and Logan will each face a choice. It’s time for them to decide where they really stand. After so many betrayals, it’s impossible to know who to trust. And yet, the choices they are compelled to make today will alter the future of the Earth.
But what are they prepared to sacrifice to shape their better world?
Tionsphere
Tionsphere by J.C. Gemmell is set in a future where people live in spheres, resources are scarce, and death is not what we know it to be. People in this world live in concentric spheres that encircle the globe and are rapidly reaching capacity, causing the universal processing service to fail and endangering the lives of those who reside in them. These spheres, ironically, were built by two global corporations that joined to solve Earth’s overpopulation problem. While Caitlyn and her small team of contract theorists try to figure out why their society is collapsing, Pazel is hell-bent on destroying all within Tion’s spheres and saving only the elites. Who wins in this futuristic, multifaceted race for the fate of the globe?
This is an intellectually-invigorating book that would appeal to sci-fi fans who are ready to be immersed in a complex world with an equally deep plot. Consciousness can be separated from one’s body in Gemmell’s thought-provoking story, and viewing the stars and celestial objects is a thing of the past.
Tionsphere has an intriguing cast of characters whose personalities are a product of the mysterious world in which they find themselves, such as Jovana, who assumes leadership in the group and enjoys salvaging because it allows her access to Tion’s history. While this is a visionary science fiction novel, I found I needed frequent breaks from the book to absorb all the information and the different perspectives of the characters. The story switches between situations swiftly, so if you like fast-moving stories over character-heavy development, then this novel is for you. For example, instead of devoting time to considering a task and the impact it might have on their lives, the girls simply discuss it briefly and go on to start it.
As his novel is based on plausible issues and solutions that may arise as a result of overpopulation and globalization, J.C. Gemmell has proven to be a writer with vision and a creative imagination. Tionsphere explores concepts that challenge our perceptions of reality and the limitations of our understanding of life. This riveting dystopian novel will undoubtedly captivate your attention and transport you to its picturesque world.
Pages: 415 | ASIN: B0893KJ74K
LITERARY TITAN 