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Kalani: Mists of Despair
Kalani: Mists of Despair is the second book in Jolene Fine’s Fostering Worlds series, and it picks up right where Shadows of Destiny left off. This time, the stakes are higher. The setting? The terrifying and eerie Mists of Despair—a bleak, supernatural realm that challenges every ounce of faith, hope, and courage in its characters. The story follows Desiree and Zach as they plunge headfirst into this cursed land, guided by a mission to rescue their loved ones and, in Zach’s case, to redeem himself. Alongside them are companions—new and old—who are tested by darkness, literal and spiritual, at every turn. It’s an emotional gauntlet through grief, loyalty, and destiny, steeped in poetic writing and mythic world-building.
This book grabbed me harder than the first. It’s darker, sadder, messier—and that’s a good thing. Jolene Fine doesn’t just raise the stakes; she drowns you in them. Desiree’s transformation is so raw, so tangled in grief and courage, that I felt every emotional throb right alongside her. And Zach? He’s still chasing Gretchen, but it’s not just about love anymore, it’s about proving he’s more than a reckless teen with a cause. His struggle with faith in the middle of soul-swallowing despair resonated with me. I’ve read a lot of “chosen one” stories, but there’s something unique about the way Fine lets her characters flail, fail, and still push forward, bruised but not broken. It made me root for them even more.
The language is lush. There were moments I had to slow down and reread to make sure I caught what was actually happening beneath all the ornate phrasing. And the philosophical and theological undercurrents are deep. If you’re looking for light, fast fantasy, this isn’t that. But honestly, I didn’t mind. The weight of the words matches the weight of the story. It’s thoughtful, patient, and unafraid to linger in its own sorrow.
Mists of Despair is a hard-hitting sequel. It’s for readers who like their fantasy with a spiritual backbone and their characters with real, jagged edges. If you love stories about chosen families, quiet acts of bravery, and finding light when everything screams darkness, this one’s for you.
Pages: 332 | ASIN : B0CVH1CC8S
Redemption
Heavy Weight of Darkness follows a disgraced former officer given one last chance to redeem himself by hunting down a once-privileged woman turned revolutionary who has become a symbol of the uprising across colonies.What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The story continues the story of the Endless Fall of Night from the perspective of Captain Willard Bennett, former captain of the Jefferson Davis where our heroin, Cassandra Kurtz, escaped and started of movement on Mars to rid the fledging colony of imperialism, racist patriarch. In a desperate act to curb insurrection on Earth, space command’s admiralty and tribunal branch offers him redemption in the form of a new mission: track, find and kill Cassandra Kurtz. In return, he will receive his freedom, commission, life extending health care and a return to his former glory. He does find redemption but not in the way he expects.
I find the world you created in this novel gripping and immersive. Where did the inspiration for the setting come from, and how did it change as you were writing?
Drawing inspiration from Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, the Heavy Weight of Darkness is the sequel to the Endless Fall of Night where questions are answered, lives are altered, and truths come out in the final confrontation between Acting Captain Willard Bennett and the infamous disrupter, Cassandra Kurtz.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Heavy Weight of Darkness takes a look at Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s work that found stupidity to be the driving force of heinous crimes against humanity. It was not mere evil or malice that convinced an educated population in an industrialized, cultured society in the 21st century in the middle of a “civilized” Europe to embrace genocide, accept racism and to practice wholesale fascism, but rather it was good people who suspended critical thinking, believed one small lie after another until the “truth,” irrefutable facts became inconsequential, irrelevant and incidental. Bonhoeffer’s work is cautionary postscript of one of the darkest periods of human history while Heavy Weight of Darkness is a tale of how history can rhyme when it doesn’t repeat.
Will there be a follow-up novel to this story? If so, what aspects of the story will the next book cover?
There is another chapter in the works that will return to Casandra’s world as a new instrument of destruction, XO Robert Lee VI of the Robert E Lee, picks up her trail and is tasked with completing the mission that Captain Bennett abandoned.
Author Links: GoodReads | Instagram | Website | Blog | Second Website
In a desperate act to curb insurrection on Earth, space command’s admiralty and tribunal branch offers him redemption in the form of a new mission: track, find and kill Cassandra Kurtz. In return, he will receive his freedom, commission, life extending health care and a return to his former glory.
Originally enthused, he researches Cassandra’s origins, the once first class, full citizen from the oldest family of the Third Republic turned insurrectionist on Earth and a full-blown terrorist on Mars. But it’s after his investigation of the Delta Quarter, where it all started for Cassandra, that Bennett’s resolve diminishes.
Drawing inspiration from Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, the Heavy Weight of Darkness is the sequel to the Endless Fall of Night where questions are answered, lives are altered, and truths come out in the final confrontation between Acting Captain Willard Bennett and the infamous disrupter, Cassandra Kurtz.
Courage and Perseverance
The Matrix Opal follows a beastmaster who has escaped brutal imprisonment, whose talents make her a target, leaving her to struggle to find a place among the tribes of her world. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I have a great heart for Bybiis, gifted and isolated. People in groups fear what they don’t understand. Rather than getting to know her abilities, some are trying to silence her. After her rescue, Bybiis seeks a mentor to grow her talents, but the books on magic are destroyed, and the few remaining gifted people are in hiding.
Many readers may be trying out new ideas without guidance, the impetus for innovation. We need courage and perseverance. Bybiis feels isolated and misunderstood, unable to forge an identity that works in public. I feel that readers will relate to her struggles, trying to match their strengths and fresh ideas with a place in the community where they are valued.
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?
You ask good questions. Characters return to specific locations in the story. I feel we learn by traveling, mostly about ourselves in comparison to other cultures. On Dolvia, the tribes easily mix, and tolerance is needed for odd customs. The groups are not militant until an outside force causes enough harm that the duchies band together and form a militia in defense.
For protection the gifted clutch are gathered at Greensboro beach, nominally charged with dredging the area for construction of a port. I liked the setting of a rocky beach below basalt cliffs. I spent days staring at images of basalt formations in Australia and Ireland.
The primary characters are diverse women from various tribes. My mission was to fill up the scenes with action and confrontation, with stuff happening in the background too. In each scene, the plot advances for two or more characters. I have lots of characters in my head.
This book has some amazing creatures. What was your favorite character to create and write for?
The sigpywa are fun, aren’t they? Overgrown centipedes with horns on each side of the many plates. They are as big as a bus and accept riders on their backs. Residents of one city paint them and add streamers on the horns, much like elephants are painted for parades in India. And sigpywa love water, always trying to go for a swim in the pond.
When will book two be available? Can you give us an idea of where that book will take readers?
Book 2 of The Duchy Wars is titled THE HEART SCARAB and may come out before the year-end holidays in 2025. We’ll see.
Young characters are growing into adult roles, such as Kore who is an unloved girl who inherits the treasure of Rularim and must accept some formal duties as a result. The voice of Stuben also emerges as one to follow when he confronts his tribal leader Rufus el Arrivi. Stuben’s voice is strong in all the remaining sequences.
There’s a teaser for you. LOL
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Website | Amazon
Ariseng knew that she was expendable, but she would leave the stone forest and embrace their mission only if the Matrix Opal was hers, for magic and protection. She didn’t know that her true enemy lived among her new friends.
This standalone science fiction novel presents a fresh protagonist and sidekick. Familiar characters from the previous 5-book series also grow into adult roles, such as Bybiis the Beastmaster who struggles to find her place among the tribes that populate Dolvia’s city-states. Kristos el Arrivi meets Ariseng who is from a very different tribe and unwilling to harness her skills for the resistance. Will the young leaders learn to work together before their training is overwhelmed by a Ciska assassin group?
Heavy Weight of Darkness
Heavy Weight of Darkness is a dystopian science fiction novel set in a future where slavery is institutionalized, patricians rule with unchecked privilege, and rebellion brews in the shadows of Mars. The story follows Captain Willard Bennett, a disgraced former officer given one last chance to redeem himself by hunting down Cassandra Kurtz, a once-privileged woman turned revolutionary who has become a symbol of uprising across colonies. Told through sharp scenes and immersive internal monologue, the book is a gritty, fast-paced exploration of power, corruption, and conscience.
This book doesn’t pull punches. Erickson’s writing is blunt, sometimes brutally so, and there’s an edge to the prose that kept me a little on edge in a good way. One of the most powerful moments for me was when Bennett visits the Delta Exchange. It’s grotesque, honestly. The smells, the heat, the masked patricians casually buying children like products. It’s a gut punch. And that’s the turning point, not just for him, but for the reader. Bennett, once a man who benefited from the system, is forced to see it for what it is, and the way Erickson layers his disgust, confusion, and growing empathy, it feels real. The writing is raw and broken, like Bennett himself. And that makes it work.
But here’s the part that surprised me: I liked Bennett. I didn’t expect to. He starts out as a selfish, complicit jerk. But his transformation is subtle and kind of tragic. He’s not some hero on a redemption arc. He’s a man caught in a machine that’s already chewed him up. And Cassandra is barely even on the page directly, but her voice haunts everything. Those intercepted transmissions, where she calls out the hypocrisy and brutality of the patrician class, gave me chills. She isn’t just a character; she’s an idea, and you can feel it spreading like wildfire.
If you’re into sci-fi with a heavy dose of political commentary and psychological grit, this book will be your jam. It drags you into the mud and makes you look around. That said, it’s also not for the faint of heart. There’s graphic content and brutal realities, and Erickson doesn’t shy away from any of it. But if you can handle the darkness, Heavy Weight of Darkness is one heck of a ride. I’d recommend it for fans of The Expanse series, or anyone who likes their dystopias unapologetically grim and their characters complicated.
Pages: 210 | ISBN : 1942708556
This Book Scared Me
By Dawn’s Early Light follows a forensic pathologist and her assistant as they try desperately to make sense of the utter wasteland in which they have found themselves stranded. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
This is an interesting story. I have a summer house in the Adirondack mountains and there is a story or urban legend (don’t know which), there was a CIA black site in the town of Indian Lakes. Rather than tell you the story, you should read it for yourself: Indian Lake Project. I mixed that in with research I did on radiation. There are items that are naturally radioactive: kitty litter, bananas, Brazilian nuts, and a few other items. I mixed it all up and the book was born. I will tell you this book scared me when I was writing it because it could really happen. Also, a couple of months ago, there was a story in the news about a man preparing to plant a bomb under the NYSE. One thing I do is research topics heavily and I am frightened the book I spent a year writing was coming true!
What is it about dystopian fiction that intrigues you?
I am shocked at all the ways humanity can die. This is probably the only genre that doesn’t need a bad guy! It could be a weather phenomenon, earthquake, asteroid, you name it!
What’s the most difficult thing about writing characters who exist in a world so different from our own?
Actually, in most dystopian books, generally, everything starts out normal. I try to get all of my science research on point as much as possible. The one thing I do enjoy in my books is giving the message of hope. Regardless of how life changes, everyone on earth has hopes and dreams. In my books, I relay the message of hope.
Can fans look forward to seeing more releases from you soon? What are you currently working on?
I’ve since released Seismic Eruptions. That has been doing well on Amazon. My latest work that will be coming out in the next two weeks is Utopia. This is the first book of a trilogy about the first manned mission to Mars. I had such a great time learning about what the astronauts go through! This was the most fun book I wrote and it’s also the largest! Book 1 turned out to be 850 pages, but I pared it down to 600 pages. I want to bring it down to around 400 words.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
With lives hanging by a thread and panic spreading, Sasha and Jake uncover a chilling truth: a shadowy cabal orchestrates the devastation, with their sights set on total annihilation. As they untangle the web of deceit, the sinister figure of Mustafa looms, his hand at the helm of destruction beneath the New York Stock Exchange’s crumbling foundations.
Racing against time and against those who profit from chaos, Sasha must confront the darkness threatening to consume her country. Each step forward is a step deeper into a world where allegiances shift like sand, and trust is a rare commodity. Will Sasha and Jake uncover the forces that threaten to destroy America, or will the darkness swallow them whole before dawn breaks again?
Multidimensional and Relatable
Imber centers around a young woman whose family is dedicated to sustainable living as she finds herself drawn into the mystery surrounding the fate of Earth and the limits of science. Where did the idea for this novel come from?
For as long as I can remember, I have been drawn to wildlife and wild places – not necessarily in a clinical way, although I do enjoy learning about nature, but more often as feelings of deep affection and awe. The initial spark for Imber grew out of the idea that humanity has a profound connection with nature. I wanted to explore what might happen in a dystopian future where that connection is strained to a breaking point.
How do you capture the thoughts and emotions of a character like Violet?
Violet is a complex protagonist. While she has many admirable qualities, she is far from flawless. It was important to me that Violet be multidimensional and relatable. In the first moments of Imber, Violet is brooding and somber. She’s reading depressing poetry on a day when she is already sad. Although she is self-aware enough to stop, I love that the first time we meet her is in a moment of self-sabotage. When capturing Violet’s thoughts and emotions, I was careful to shine a light on both her strengths and weaknesses. And because she is highly intelligent and analytical, her inner life must reflect that as well. So, overall, I would say that characters like Violet require a layered approach that befits the complexity of their thoughts and feelings. Violet was challenging to write – but tons of fun, too.
Is there any moral or idea you hope readers take away from Imber?
One of the fascinating things about reading is that people can take away very different things from the same book. They might have dissimilar interpretations of the plot or characters, or certain aspects of the story might resonate differently with them. As an author, I think it’s exciting that my work can have a life of its own in that way. Nevertheless, there are themes in Imber that I hold dear: humanity’s responsibility as shepherds of the earth; the power of hope; courage and perseverance in the face of injustice; and the beauty of found family, to name a few.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
I would love to write a sequel to Imber. I have roughly outlined the story, but I haven’t started to write it in earnest yet. I am working hard to help Imber find an audience. If there is interest, I would be thrilled to continue this tale!
Author Links: Goodreads | X (Twitter) | Website | Amazon
The remnants of humanity are living in hiding, making the best of their circumstances while searching for a new celestial home. Just when salvation seems imminent, four strangers discover they have an unusual, inexplicable link—one that pitches them headlong into high adventure and intrigue.
Totally unprepared, the four must navigate shocking obstacles and trust unexpected allies as they race against the clock to unravel a chain of unsettling revelations that could impact the fate of the world.
The government has been concealing important facts about humankind’s promising hereafter. Will the efforts of a farmer, a hacker, a businessman, and an academic be enough to overcome impossible odds and expose the truth before it’s too late?
The Mutant and The Mule
The Mutant and the Mule is a dystopian sci-fi tale wrapped in rebellion, identity, and unexpected friendship. It follows Helia, a Mutant trained for infiltration, as she dives deep into the oppressive Norm society to sabotage it from within. Things go sideways when her mission contact vanishes, and she’s forced to team up with Ari, a snarky, hard-drinking Mule who has zero illusions about the world she was born into. Together, they dodge government thugs, make questionable plans, and form a bond neither of them saw coming.
One of the strongest things about Blair’s writing is how real the world feels. It’s dark and suffocating—domed cities, oppressive governments, and class systems etched into skin tones and uniforms. In the opening chapter, the tension is so thick you feel it crawling up your neck. Helia’s nerves as she sneaks into the Norm compound are palpable, her inner conflict sharp. Blair doesn’t just build a world—he throws you into it, head first, with no map and a lot of heart.
The characters are the lifeblood. Ari stole the show for me. She’s messy, sarcastic, and painfully relatable. Her introduction, waking up in a puddle of her own vomit and annoyed someone’s being loud enough to interrupt her hangover, is peak character work. And then bam—she’s saving Helia from a brutal beating by a Department of Sanitation thug. Her loyalty is messy too, driven more by a gut sense of justice than some grand ideology. That made her feel real.
As much as I liked the action (and the matter blast scenes are wild), what stuck with me most was the quiet stuff. The awkward bonding. The little bits of humor in a bleak world. Blair nails the rhythm of human connection without overplaying it. These characters are absurd and brave in equal measure, and their choices matter because we care. While I enjoyed the story, I felt that some parts of the world-building could have used a somewhat lighter touch. There were moments when the exposition got a bit thick, but it never dragged for too long. The pace always snapped back thanks to some smart dialogue or a sudden twist.
The Mutant and the Mule is for readers who love sci-fi that punches hard but still has heart. It’s gritty, emotional, and sometimes downright funny. If you’re into found-family stories, rebellion against oppressive systems, or just want to watch two unlikely allies stumble their way toward hope, pick this one up. If you enjoy authors like Pierce Brown, Veronica Roth, or Octavia Butler, The Mutant and the Mule will feel like familiar territory—but with its own sharp bite.
Pages: 200 | ASIN : B0DCP4MGWC
The Matrix Opal: A Dystopian Science Fiction Novel
Stella Atrium’s The Matrix Opal, the first entry in The Duchy Wars series, is a sweeping, character-driven dystopian science fiction novel steeped in tribal politics, cultural legacy, and the struggle for identity and power. At the story’s heart is Bybiis, a beastmaster whose talents have made her a target in a volatile landscape of duchies, magic, and militarism. Her brutal imprisonment and eventual escape catalyze a layered tale of resistance, recovery, and reckoning, with a sprawling cast of warriors, mystics, and manipulators orbiting her journey. The novel weaves perspectives from various narrators and even animals, creating a chorus of voices that echo across deserts, forests, and stone cities.
What struck me first—and stayed with me—was the vivid, tactile writing. Atrium doesn’t shy away from discomfort. The scene of Bybiis’ public display, when she’s stripped and revealed to be covered in intricate, painful tattoos, is both horrifying and mesmerizing. It’s raw and unflinching. I found myself wincing, but I couldn’t look away. It reminded me why speculative fiction matters: to mirror, stretch, and expose real-world cruelty under the guise of the fantastic. Atrium’s prose, at times poetic—like the whispered verses that open Part One—flows easily into guttural pain and sharp political commentary. It’s a jarring but effective blend.
I was also drawn to Ariseng, a young girl from the whispering people, whose intelligence and defiance steal the show. Her ritual scene with the matrix opal is spellbinding. She is forced to reveal her back, tattooed with ward-imbued newts, and when the opal flares against her skin, it’s a spiritual moment turned performance—both mystical and sad. I admired her sharp tongue and sharper mind. There’s something powerful about watching a scrawny, wild-haired teen go toe-to-toe with seasoned warriors and win their respect.
Still, the book isn’t all blood and fire. There’s heart here, too. Kelly, a pregnant poet and friend to Bybiis, anchors the emotional thread with her unwavering loyalty. The pacing sometimes lagged with dense dialogue or too many side characters, but I appreciated the attempt to build an entire world—with politics, language quirks, and social codes that felt lived in. The glossary at the end was a lifesaver. This isn’t a book that hands everything to you; you earn it, slowly, like learning to walk a new land in borrowed boots.
The Matrix Opal is a bold, weird, and fiercely original novel. It’s not for the faint of heart or the impatient reader. But if you crave complex women, layered politics, and prose that hums with tension and poetry, this book will grip you. I’d recommend it to fans of The Broken Earth trilogy, or anyone tired of predictable sci-fi fare.
Pages: 510 | ASIN : B0F3PQDH8D
LITERARY TITAN 