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The Fall (Book 2 in The Wall Trilogy)
The Fall, by Brian Penn, is a philosophical and introspective novel that explores themes of identity, morality, and the human condition. The story follows Asher, a deeply flawed yet relatable protagonist, as he grapples with his past and the weight of his choices. Set in a world tinged with moral ambiguity, the narrative weaves between past and present, revealing Asher’s internal conflicts and relationships. Through poetic prose and thought-provoking dilemmas, the book delves into the struggle for redemption, the complexities of human connection, and the inescapable consequences of one’s actions. It’s a story as much about self-discovery as it is about the universal questions of purpose and forgiveness.
One thing I immediately appreciated about this book was its intricate prose. Penn writes with a lyrical intensity that often feels like reading a piece of music. In the opening chapter, Asher’s internal struggles are painted with evocative and raw detail, pulling the reader into his fractured psyche. I found myself re-reading certain passages just to savor their rhythm and depth. These moments feel like hidden treasures within the text, but I must admit, the density of the language can occasionally slow the pace. It’s not a casual read; you have to commit to it.
The narrative structure also deserves praise. I enjoyed how Penn interwove timelines and perspectives to create a mosaic of experiences. However, the fragmented nature of the storytelling might feel disorienting at first. One chapter, where Asher reflects on his memories, is particularly poignant and resonant, but I feel the transitions between past and present occasionally lacked clarity, leaving me briefly untethered. That said, the emotional payoff is well worth the temporary confusion.
Perhaps my favorite part is how it challenges the reader’s own moral compass. Asher and the supporting characters are deeply flawed, and Penn doesn’t spoon-feed redemption arcs or easy answers. For instance, the decision Asher faces near the climax is a dilemma that lingers long after you’ve turned the last page. It’s thought-provoking without being preachy.
The Fall is a richly textured, introspective novel that rewards patient readers who appreciate layered storytelling and philosophical musings. I’d recommend it to fans of literary fiction who enjoy works by authors like Kazuo Ishiguro or Donna Tartt. It’s not a light read, but it’s an unforgettable one that stays with you, much like the bittersweet memories the characters grapple with. If you’re looking for a book that challenges both the mind and the heart, this one is worth picking up.
From Great Heights
From Great Heights by Bryan McBee, is a science fiction tale laced with magic, technology, and the resilience of humanity. Set in a dystopian world scarred by environmental collapse, the story follows the enigmatic gris-gris man as he wanders, using nanotechnology disguised as magic to aid struggling communities. As he battles prejudice and survival, the narrative layers in humanity’s eternal struggle to adapt and thrive.
McBee’s writing struck a chord with me. His vivid descriptions breathe life into the harsh yet hauntingly beautiful setting. I found myself wanting the plot to pick up speed in places, yet the slower pace allows the characters’ complexities to unfold more naturally. The story’s heart lies in its characters, particularly the gris-gris man. His struggle to maintain humanity while harboring secrets of a once technologically advanced society is compelling. A poignant moment was when he healed a sick child in the dead of winter, risking exposure to superstition-driven hostility. These acts of kindness juxtaposed with the townsfolk’s fear create an emotional tug-of-war that kept me invested. The duality of his role—a savior and a predator harvesting life—left me grappling with mixed feelings about his morality. The philosophical underpinnings of the book are its crown jewel. McBee seamlessly integrates reflections on the misuse of technology and human nature’s adaptability. The gris-gris man’s lament about humanity’s cyclic fall and rise resonated deeply. The novel also delves into humanity’s collective amnesia toward its destructive tendencies, a point encapsulated when the character remarks on the poisoned earth they fight to restore. It’s thought-provoking but not preachy, which I appreciated.
From Great Heights is a gripping read for those who enjoy science fiction with a philosophical edge, laced with elements of magic and the rawness of survival. I’d recommend it to readers who relish deep, thought-provoking stories about humanity’s resilience and the gray areas of morality. If you’re looking for something rich and layered, this one’s for you.
Pages: 453 | ASIN : B0DJMSHNG5
The Train is Only Speeding Up…
Early Adopter is a captivating collection of eight short stories that take a hard look at the promises and pitfalls of human progress. What was the inspiration for the setup of your collection?
I was raised to follow a simple maxim: “look both ways before you cross the street.” It’s an obvious rule, but also an important one—be sure to assess the dangers before you put yourself at risk. I’m proud to say that I’ve gone my near-30 years of life without being struck by a car, largely thanks to that one rule. But every now and again, I’ll watch someone boldly and carelessly stride into the street without looking. Most end up just fine, but always I feel a drop in my gut when I see folks take such a reckless risk… and right now, thinking of the society we live in, I again feel that same drop in my stomach.
We live in a world where AI models are rolling out that can perform better than PhDs on comprehensive assessments. Just days ago, I was playing with an AI music model where I only had to type in lyrics and a complete song was generated in mere minutes… I played it aloud in front of my family, and they were convinced it was a real song.
They say that technology’s growth is exponential, but only in the past few years have I really felt like the evidence is plain enough to see. Our decisions right now about AI safety, alignment, containment, and implementation will literally shape the following centuries. Many people clamoring for the march (or sprint) of progress don’t quite understand the implications of the changes they’re cheering on… history is filled with no shortage of examples of moments when humankind leapt before we looked.
Most of the stories in the collection orbit that same theme: progress isn’t free, and either we pay now in caution, or later, in misfortune.
What are some things that you find interesting about the human condition that you think makes for great fiction?
People are compelling mixtures of contradictions. Most people have similar wants, but different priorities. Improve the world, help others, promote the self… most people likely share those goals, but which comes first will certainly vary from person to person. I always think there’s really interesting drama to be found where those priorities clash. Sometimes to prioritize one is to compromise another. A few stories in the collection explore that tension… take a person who wants to help others, but add in a dash of self-interest, and suddenly the drive to help others is twisted into something more convenient… and something often much worse.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
At the risk of sounding like a cliché, AI is transforming our world. The 2030s and beyond will look like nothing we can imagine, and the train is only speeding up… Despite the significance of these changes, discourse surrounding AI makes it clear that most people don’t quite understand the dangers.
Everyone has heard the doomsaying: “AI will destroy our economy!” “GPT5 will take your job.” “Artists will starve!” There might be nuggets of truth in those sorts of claims, but they largely misrepresent the threat. Pop culture does us no favors, either—sci-fi is littered with examples of evil AI who seem to have merely downloaded the “destroy all humans” software update. Oops.
But as someone with a long personal background in computer science (and machine learning specifically), I know that the dangers of AI extend to far more than financial concerns or an accidentally toggled murder-switch. My goal with this collection was to highlight these true, science-grounded risks in an approachable way—by the time they finish, readers won’t even realize they’ve learned about the alignment problem or reward hacking. The stories in the collection establish their rules and follow them faithfully to their thrilling (and sometimes horrifying) ends.
I’m no luddite; I’ve fully embraced AI tools in my professional life and I’d recommend most others do, too. But I’d hope any reader who finished the collection would agree that AI requires tremendous systemic caution. It doesn’t merely endanger our society… it endangers our humanity, too.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I’m currently working on a book that straddles the line between sci-fi and fantasy. Its current working title is The Men of the Mountain, and I’m hoping to have it published some time in 2025—though this may be the first book I really push hard to query to literary agents, meaning its timeline of release is far from certain. Here’s its blurb!
Inscrutable and Ever-Watchful Masters
The Men of the Mountain are fair; they bring the denizens of Fort Hope their food, shelter them from their enemies, and provide them with children to rear.
Cade Clanless is a humble trapper from humble folk. Ever since his sister’s disappearance, he’s suspected the green-robed mystics aren’t quite what they seem. And when a chance encounter in the woods presents him with an unlikely ally, Cade is thrust into a war he never wanted for a world he soon realizes he never truly knew at all.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon | Website | Book Review
“Early Adopter” is a collection of short stories from the edge of human progress. Eight stories hold dark mirrors to our own world… experience thought-provoking sci-fi, technologic tragedy, and pulse-pounding thrillers.
To Run Again: Dr. Laura Brandie is ready to change the world.
She’s the lead researcher behind the KSE, a revolutionary cure for paralysis and neurodegenerative conditions. And now, by good fortune, she’s found the perfect candidate for her first human trial: a man who suffers from locked-in syndrome.
Brett Harmon’s paralysis is total: he can’t move his arms, legs, torso, neck, or face. To the outside world, he’s little more than a statue that breathes… but Dr. Brandie’s KSE might be the miracle that allows Brett to run again.
Homonoia: The world faces an unprecedented alignment of catastrophes and failing systems, far too intricate and interconnected for any human to solve. Frank Burman joins with seven other volunteers for Project Homonoia–a radical, last-ditch effort to postpone the apocalypse. Separate minds link to form one multidisciplinary consciousness, the world’s first human superorganism… a hive mind. But with the world’s health rapidly failing, can Project Homonoia work out its kinks in time to make a difference?
Early Adopter: A loner enters into a relationship with a new type of partner: an AI agent, programmed to be the “perfect companion.”
Sure, it’s all self-deception and a game of pretend, as she’s not actually real… but where simulated consciousness is concerned, maybe the lines between real and real enough can get blurry.
Olympus Bound
Zoë Routh’s Olympus Bound takes us to the Moon, where humanity wrestles with survival and cooperation in a harsh, unforgiving environment. The story follows Xanthe Waters, the commander of a lunar base built by Gaia Enterprises. She navigates the challenges of constructing a habitable outpost while dealing with political tensions, unexpected meteor storms, and personal struggles. Set against a backdrop of Earth’s looming climate collapse, this science fiction story dives deep into the duality of leadership, teamwork, and human ambition.
What struck me most was how vividly Routh captures the Moon’s stark beauty. The descriptions of its surface or gazing at Earth from the Atrium were breathtaking. The meticulous attention to detail in depicting life on the Moon, from the intricacies of 3D printing habitat walls to the struggle of maintaining atmospheric integrity, grounds the story in reality. It reminded me why I adore dystopian sci-fi. I love the interplay of human resilience and vulnerability. That scene with the meteor storm tearing through the Atrium left me on edge both for the characters’ survival and the symbolic loss of their view of the stars.
I think Routh also excels at character dynamics. Xanthe’s leadership is layered, balancing competence with a relatable sense of doubt. I loved her quiet moments in the Atrium, reflecting on Earth’s decline and her own fragmented past. Her interactions with Troy felt heartfelt without tipping into melodrama. The rivalry with Colonel Jin added tension, highlighting how the Moon’s desolation amplifies human conflicts.
Thematically, the book thrives in its exploration of humanity’s ambition and flaws. The contrast between the Chinese and Gaia bases underlines our tendency to compete, even when cooperation is essential. The subplot involving sabotage and past betrayals on Earth cleverly mirrors the larger stakes on the Moon. However, I occasionally found the pacing uneven. The technical descriptions are immersive but sometimes slow the narrative, particularly during the repair sequences with Athena, the base’s A.I. Still, Athena’s logs sprinkled throughout were a nice touch, offering philosophical insights that deepened the story’s themes.
Olympus Bound is a thoughtful blend of high-stakes and intimate character work. If you’re someone who loves realistic depictions of space exploration peppered with human drama and a touch of existential dread, this dystopian sci-fi book is for you. It’s a compelling reminder of why we look to the stars and why the challenges we face up there often reflect the ones we leave behind on Earth.
Pages: 500 | ASIN : B0CT567B2V
Finding Idyllium: Earth’s Stolen Future
N. Joseph Glass’s Finding Idyllium takes readers to a future where Earth teeters on the edge of annihilation following a catastrophic nuclear disaster. With the planet no longer habitable, humanity’s survival depends on Idyllium, a pristine parallel Earth. Diplomatic overtures to this new world fail, prompting the covert United Global Alliance (UGA) to send Marc and his team on a high-stakes mission. Their objective: sabotage Idyllium’s systems to prepare for an inevitable mass migration. For Marc, the stakes are personal—his gravely ill daughter’s survival hinges on their success. But as his mission progresses, Marc is torn between his duty to humanity and the devastating cost to Idyllium’s inhabitants. This gripping tale explores the weight of sacrifice, the clash of morals, and the meaning of humanity in times of crisis.
Marc is the story’s heart and soul. His inner struggles, steeped in fear, love, and obligation, are both relatable and gut-wrenching. I was immediately drawn to his humanity. The detailed backstories of the supporting characters enrich the narrative, making their choices and motivations resonate deeply. These aren’t one-dimensional figures, they are flawed, layered, and vividly real. Each one adds nuance to the unfolding drama, showing how complex and varied the human response to catastrophe can be.
I think what sets Finding Idyllium apart is its seamless fusion of science fiction and emotional depth. The technological and speculative elements are imaginative yet grounded, creating a vivid and believable world without overshadowing the human element. The narrative doesn’t rely on spectacle alone. Instead, the sci-fi aspects serve as a backdrop, amplifying the emotional intensity of the characters’ journeys and the moral dilemmas they face. The result is an immersive and thought-provoking story that stays with you. That said, the repetition of certain moral conflicts occasionally slowed the pacing. Marc and his team’s debates about the ethics of their mission felt realistic, but some moments seemed to circle the same points. While this repetition underscored the gravity of their choices, it occasionally detracted from the momentum. Even so, the story remained compelling, with its exploration of ethical complexity adding depth and resonance.
Finding Idyllium is an emotionally charged sci-fi thriller that grapples with universal questions of sacrifice and morality. Readers who enjoy speculative fiction with a strong focus on character and ethical dilemmas will find this a rewarding experience. N. Joseph Glass delivers a story that challenges the mind and stirs the heart.
Pages: 316 | ASIN : B0DK3QPP6F
What If We Did Not Die?
The INCARNEX Compound follows the creator of a compound that can bring people back from the dead, who has to confront the darker side of his creation and the fact that there is a flaw that could cost him and others their lives. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
As an avid fan of science fiction and follower of scientific advancement, I’ve always been fascinated by technologies that fundamentally change how we live.
Death is the one true universal human experience we all share. This made me wonder: what happens when we remove that commonality? How would it affect our relationships, our ambitions, our very understanding of what it means to be human?
The idea grew while I was reading about recent breakthroughs in life-extension medicine, but INCARNEX goes beyond mere life extension into true regeneration, which opened up a fascinating realm of possibilities. This led me down a rabbit hole of research, exploring works by philosophers and researchers who tackle the big questions: What happens when we die? What is human consciousness? What makes us who we are? Are we simply the sum of our memories and experiences, or is there something more fundamental to our identity?
These are the topics The INCARNEX Compound sets out to explore, amid the world of a dystopian thriller!
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?
The setting was heavily influenced by my experiences last summer when I returned to the UK last from Vietnam, where I live most of the year. I was struck by how the wealth divide had grown starker than ever before, particularly in London where you can walk from a street of luxury to one of poverty in mere steps. This disparity became a crucial element of the world-building, as I realized how a technology like INCARNEX would inevitably deepen these societal divisions. Who gets access to immortality? Who decides? These questions shaped not just the physical setting but the social landscape of the novel.
Many of the locations in the book, including the observatory, the school, and the farmhouse, are drawn from real places I’ve spent time in and that readers can visit. I find that grounding fictional elements in real-world settings helps create a more immersive and believable story, especially when dealing with such huge concepts as the INCARNEX technology.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
At its heart, this book explores the deep connections we share with those closest to us. Just as INCARNEX challenges the boundary between life and death, the story examines how our bonds with loved ones can persist beyond physical limitations. Ultimately, it’s about how the people we care for, and the lengths we’ll go to for them, define who we are.
The INCARNEX Compound also delves deep into the ethical implications of playing with nature’s fundamental laws and the conflict between scientific progress and moral responsibility. What price would we be willing to pay for immortality? And perhaps more importantly, should we pay it at all?I believe that in the ever-changing, technology dominated world in which we live, these themes have never been more pertinent to explore than they are today.
Where does the story go in the next book and where do you see it going in the future?
The next installment, The INCARNEX Rebellion, is currently in editing and picks up two years after the events of The INCARNEX Compound.
David and Celia face unprecedented challenges: a brewing rebellion, a revolutionary advancement in INCARNEX that pushes the boundaries of what we thought possible, and a new team of characters whose loyalties remain uncertain. It’s shaping up to be an intense, fast-paced continuation of the story that I hope to have out in early 2025.
The trilogy will conclude with a final installment that brings all the threads together in a world-altering climax. Our characters won’t just be fighting for survival – they’ll be fighting for everything they’ve ever known and believed in. The conclusion will force them to confront the true nature of consciousness, identity, and what it really means to be human in a world where death is no longer a certainty.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Book Review
Or he was, until he woke up handcuffed to a bed eight years after being shot in the head.
With no memories of the attack that claimed his and his twin sister’s lives, adjusting to resurrection is grim. Especially since the compound he developed, INCARNEX, is to blame.
Unfortunately, David has woken up in a world with far bigger problems. Bringing people back from the dead is expensive—global-revolution expensive. Meanwhile, a fatal flaw in his creation leaves David in a race against time before his and millions of other host bodies shut down entirely.
When an enigmatic stranger offers David a deal—the chance to redeem himself and save countless lives, including his own—he has just one hundred days to confront past mistakes and unravel the dark secrets of INCARNEX.
As dangers and betrayals mount, David’s frantic race against death becomes ever more desperate. Can he save himself and what remains of society before time runs out, or is the cost of immortality simply too high?
Spiritual Warfare
Kalani: Shadows of Destiny follows two people living in a world of immortals with advanced technology on separate journeys of self-discovery that unravel and challenge their concepts of reality and faith. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The setup for Kalani: Shadows of Destiny was inspired by my own journey of navigating faith and personal resilience, and I wanted to explore these themes in a sci-fi fantasy setting. Imagine a Christian Star Wars where the battle to remain faithful to God’s will has become an action adventure that defies age boundaries. Through the eyes of Desiree and Zach, we experience how eternal struggles intertwine with the mortal experience, and I wanted readers to feel the gravity of spiritual warfare on an epic, cosmic scale. With this inspiration, the story aims to connect on an emotional level, evoking the timeless challenge of belief amid adversity.
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?
The world of Kalani started with an image of a radiant, spiritual afterlife juxtaposed with dystopian elements, where immortals live with advanced technology yet face profound emotional and moral challenges. As I wrote, the setting evolved to represent an “eternal spring” on the surface, masking a world where characters constantly confront moral and spiritual darkness. Kalani grew into a realm where landscapes and tech reflect the inner spiritual states of the characters—a place both awe-inspiring and challenging, where destiny feels tangible.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The themes in Kalani reflect the emotional battles many of us face: resilience, faith, the tension between hope and despair, and finding purpose through sacrifice. Desiree’s journey, for instance, explores the sense of worthiness and self-discovery, reflecting my own experiences in foster care and growing up with complex feelings of unworthiness. There’s also the theme of spiritual warfare, where each character’s struggle represents the Biblical idea that our battles are not just physical but also spiritual. The Army of Magnar and the Army of Awry symbolize forces of good and evil in a tangible, cosmic conflict, and I wanted this to mirror how people today face unseen but profound battles for their souls.
What will your next novel be about, and what will the whole series encompass?
The Fostering Worlds series will span three books, each diving deeper into the cosmic struggle between Magnar and Awry’s armies. The next novel will see Desiree and Zach further develop their spiritual gifts and confront darker forces that test their faith to the limit. Over the series, I’m excited to explore how these battles shape their character and how each choice brings them closer to—or farther from—their divine purpose. Ultimately, the series is about hope, redemption, and learning to see one’s worth through a divine lens.
Author Links: GoodReads | X | Facebook | Website
As they set off on separate journeys, their stories become ones of self-discovery that unravels and challenges their concepts of realty and faith. Each torn between letting their past go, in order to accept an unknown destiny.
Kalani: Shadows of Destiny is the premiere novel in the science-fiction Fostering Worlds series. It is a gripping tale of love, sacrifice, and the eternal battle between good and evil. Get ready to be transported to a world of breathtaking landscapes, heart-pounding adventures, and emotionally driven characters that will leave an indelible mark on your soul. Join Desiree and Zach as they embark on the ultimate test of faith.
A Storm of Immortality
J. Wint’s A Storm of Immortality pulls readers into a dark and immersive dystopian world where hope teeters on the brink, resting in the hands of humans with unimaginable and feared powers. The novel captivates from the first page, plunging readers into a society forced underground, where survival demands conformity, silence, and rigid adherence to suffocating rules. Wint constructs this world with remarkable skill, painting the cave-bound existence in hues of tension and shadows, where even a whisper of difference can mean ruin. At the center of this fraught environment stands Brindall, a young man carrying the weight of his family’s survival on his shoulders. By day, he toils as a miner, serves in the militia, and follows every regulation imposed by his society. This community’s entire reality unfolds within a labyrinth of caves, a place where freedom feels like a dream and safety remains tethered to the darkness underground. Life leaves little room for rebellion or hope, and as The Day of the Nail approaches, Brindall’s anxiety peaks. This test, a measure to prove young people harbor no dangerous powers, threatens everything he holds dear. One mistake, one unexpected display of ability, and his life and his family’s could be forfeit.
Wint crafts a relentless atmosphere of suspense, where the stakes only climb higher. Brindall emerges as a fierce and charismatic protagonist. He exudes natural leadership, yet he is more than the typical warrior figure. Compassion and strength define him, a compelling mix that drives his journey. Faced with challenge after challenge, Brindall relies on an inner power he’s hidden his whole life. But he doesn’t battle alone. Soon, he finds himself among a group of extraordinary individuals, each wielding the same forbidden abilities. What starts as a collection of strangers soon forms a bond deeper than any he’s known, a chosen family united in the fight for freedom.
The narrative balances heart-pounding action with moments of genuine connection. As Brindall’s team of allies trains, strategizes, and faces the ever-looming threat of oppression, dark forces lurk, manipulating reality and blurring the lines between truth and illusion. Wint’s writing keeps readers spellbound, with a pace that flows seamlessly, never feeling rushed or dragging. The author’s skillful narration brings to life a story rich with complexity, and as each chapter unfolds, the world becomes more intricate and captivating. Characters grow, transforming in confidence and power as they confront their own limits.
A Storm of Immortality delivers everything a fan of dystopian fiction could crave: unrelenting action, a deep sense of mystery, chosen beings grappling with newfound strength, fierce conflicts, and the bonds of true friendship forged in the fires of adversity. The novel calls to mind the best of the dystopian wave of the 2010s, while standing out with its own unique flavor. Brindall’s journey feels fresh yet timeless, and the potential for more stories in this world brims with promise. Wint has crafted a compelling tale that holds readers tightly, leaving them eager for the next installment. This is a story executed with precision, heart, and a clear vision of what makes dystopian fiction unforgettable.
Pages: 342 | ISBN : 1736302981
LITERARY TITAN 