Blog Archives
The Dark Age Chronicles: Eve of Destruction
The Dark Age Chronicles, written by T.L Bailey, begins a story placed in Rome 63 A.D., with the whole city on fire, surrounded by chaos and smoke. A beautiful city was now tarnished with violence and robbery. Hundreds of thousands of slaves were wrecking the city and fighting for their freedom. Meanwhile, amongst the screams and smoke in a tiny wooden house nearby, Albina was giving her husband, Pinerius his first son to join their family of three. Now Natta had a baby brother named Argustos to carry on her grandfather’s name. As fate would have it, Argustos was more of a miracle than the family could fathom at the time. The legacy would continue on despite the pandemonium surrounding them.
T.L Bailey thoughtfully pens The Dark Age Chronicles, which I found to be a chilling and dark read. The book takes place in multiple towns and places. The characters are on a ship, in Virginia, in the woods, and in a small village as well as a small log cabin. There are also other realms, so you have to pay attention to detail and picture each scene in your head as you read and get a feel for the scene. It begins in the past providing a back story and progresses into the tale of a group of friends on a mission to save the world, but it is so much more than that. You feel as if you are there with the characters and fighting these brutal battles with them. There are losses and wins and you feel empathy for the characters you’ve come to love as the story progresses. There are a lot of characters you come to know, which is confusing at first, but as you become immersed in the story, you begin to understand each character and their importance. You come to know about Eve, Black, Rowan, Roman, Argo, Matt, and Lyacon. At first the book seems confusing as it switches scenes and characters, however, the more you read this book, the more you become engrossed in the story and it all comes together nicely. It becomes darker and it gets difficult to put down. By the end of the book, you’re left hanging on the edge of your seat. I was disappointed when the ending left off on a cliffhanger, however, that only means the story line was addicting and well written. If you can’t handle gore, death, and violence then this book isn’t for you. It has love, death, adventure, friendship, and darkness all rolled into a well thought out book. It was long, however it seems necessary for all of the details needed to paint the picture in your head as you read. The characters are strong and detailed, each one having their own distinct personalities. At no point do you get bored because it jumps around from scene to scene and realm to realm. It really grabs your attention and is unpredictable. I would definitely buy this book and recommend it to my friends who love dark fiction stories.
Pages: 233 | ASIN: B07D568M9B
Her Eyes Underwater
![Her Eyes Underwater: A True-Crime Inspired Romantic Thriller by [Romona Simon]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41CfceugyKL.jpg)
Her Eyes Underwater by Romona Simon is suspenseful true crime inspired novel that begins when Julia goes to a coffee house to indulge in her hobby, men. It isn’t long before she finds an attractive one. Soon we are questioning her wisdom in getting into his truck and letting him drive her out into the woods on a dark and lonely road. We are then transported to a funeral with a dysfunctional family who doesn’t seem too broken up over the death. Then we meet a class of law students who seem to spend more time skiing, playing racquetball, and fighting over mates than studying law. And women keep dying bloody deaths. What is happening? And why does this gorgeous guy act so peculiar?
Her Eyes Underwater has a unique ability to pull you into the story with the simplest details and a patchwork of enigmas that slowly come together to create a chilling mystery. While the slow build up was something that took some getting used it, when I was in the midst of the story I was enthralled and couldn’t put the book down. Julia is an engaging character, although sometimes frustratingly naive, her character adds a sense of the unknown. Couple that with Alex, who takes the cliche of the ‘dark mysterious stranger’ to a whole new level. Julia and Alex’s relationship, for me, felt balanced on a knife’s edge; anything could happen at any moment.
Although I enjoyed the characters I felt that the descriptions of the actions and people were a bit cumbersome in places, along with the use of some odd adjectives that made me stop and pick up a dictionary. But if you’re not afraid of new words and are ready to dive into a fully realized world that is thoroughly described then you will find plenty to enjoy in Romona Simon’s electrifying romance novel.
The scenes between Alex and Julia are steamy without being vulgar. This is definitely for mature audiences to enjoy. Her Eyes Underwater has an ending that was surprising and left me begging for more. This is a gripping start to what promises to be a riveting crime series.
Pages: 263 | ASIN: B0861KLVVH
Worldshaper
![Worldshaper (Worldshapers Book 1) by [Edward Willett]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51KmwbxhX0L.jpg)
Worldshaper by Edward Willett is an exciting supernatural adventure story that builds on a unique premise to deliver a mesmerizing story. Set in a small town, the book delves into the life of Shawna, a seemingly normal woman whose perfect life takes a suddenly deadly turn. Her best friend is killed. But after experiencing this horrific event it’s erased from existence, including her friend. Shawna then encounters a mysterious stranger that helps her understand what is happening to her, her world, and comes to find out that all of it is threatened by an evil entity.
Worldshaper has one of the most unique setups to a story that I’ve read this year. Shawna has a supernatural ability to shape worlds to her liking, although she doesn’t know it. This sets up the story to be a learning experience where we as the reader learn along with Shawna as she’s learning about it. Delivered in the first person we get to see Shawnas wit and charm first hand. She becomes endearing and fun to follow. Shawna starts out as somewhat of a reluctant and naive hero, a bit cliched for the fantasy genre, but what makes this novel stand out from the rest is the extraordinary journey that she goes on, exotic worlds that she visits, and the dramatic twist at the end. To say I didn’t see the twist coming at the end would be an understatement. I don’t think anyone will see it coming. You should read this novel for the fantastic ending, if for nothing else.
What I liked the most about Worldshaper was the world building, but it was also something that slowed the story’s pace a bit. Edward Willet has obviously put a lot of thought into building not just one world, but a universe of shaped worlds. It’s all presented to the reader up front, which can be a lot to take in, but readers who enjoy deep world building and unique design will enjoy the meticulous development of the backstory. Sprinkle in some offbeat characters and dramatic turn of events and you have an exceptional supernatural story that is highly engrossing.
This is book one in Edward Willett’s Worldshapers series. This sets the bar high for the series. With most of the Worldshaper mythology established here, other novels are surely primed to deliver non-stop fun and entertainment. Worldshaper is thoroughly entertaining, rarely dull, and always fun.
Pages: 368 | ASIN: B0782XSM22
Devil Days in Deadwood
![Devil Days in Deadwood (Deadwood Humorous Mystery Book 11) by [Ann Charles, C.S. Kunkle]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51d+mpx22KL.jpg)
Devil’s Days in Deadwood by Ann Charles is a fun supernatural thriller. The story delves into the life of Violet Lynn Parker a seemingly normal human being who works as a real estate agent but is involved in the supernatural as a ghost hunter. The protagonist is part of an agency that is tasked with defending Earth from the evils unseen by normal human beings. The compelling heroine of the story faces a formidable foe but she requires help from and engaging cast of characters in order to overcome the exact definition of evil incarnate. The story is set in the alluring town of Deadwood, a town plagued by mysterious happenings since time in memorial ranging from ghosts to haunted houses.
Ann Charles has invoked various stylistic devices that highlight her writing skill and made this novel stand out in the paranormal genre. Although this is book eleven in Ann Charles’s Deadwood Humorous Mystery series, I think new readers will be able to jump right in as I have. What I particularly liked about this novel, and Ann Charles’s view of the supernatural, is the satirical lens that it is all viewed through. It’s a stimulating blend of humor, mystery, and paranormal that all come together to make the reader alternate between gasps, laughter and furiously flipping pages. It reminded me of the writing style of Douglas Adams or A. Lee Martinez.
Violet is an exceptionally well defined character, someone we can relate to as a mother who works hard to provide for, and protect, her children. But in the same vein of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, she’s a demon executioner who risks her life to defeat some truly vile, other worldly, beings. While I understood Violet’s motivations, and her emotions, I did want a little more backstory. The world created here is interesting and I wanted to explore it more, though I suppose I could by reading the other novels in the series.
I was excited about this novel from the very beginning, based on the short synopsis of the book. I was thoroughly entertained and may have found a new series to while away the time in quarantine. Fans of supernatural thrillers will find an exceptional piece of literature that offers a unique voice to this genre.
Pages: 393 | ASIN: B0884DJ4MP
Demon Heart
![DEMON HEART by [David Crane, Mary Holzrichter]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/413zrSkv86L.jpg)
Published in 2017, David Crane’s dramatic Sci-Fi novel, Demon Heart, is set in Osaka, Japan. It explores the roles of light and darkness in shaping the human experience. It is a powerful narrative about Naoko Kitamura, the protagonist who realizes that she is half-demon. Living amongst human beings, the character learns how to manage this dark side – by controlling the intensity of her powers.
Crane’s readers realize that learning one’s true identity has a significance in their life journey. All the challenges faced by Naoko, prove her strength and ability to achieve victory, regardless of all the tough circumstances at play.
I give this book a 5-star rating for numerous reasons. First, it was cathartic to read it in first person narration, as this made me feel closer to Naoko, the protagonist. It was easier to understand all the psychological battles within her mind, by progressing with her thoughts, throughout the story.
Furthermore, the book gives an account of the themes of good and evil, and the basis of human existence. Naoko reveals to her characters the importance of accepting one’s identity. Suppressing the shadows and demons within us only leads to chaos. If she wasn’t aware of her true identity, it’d be difficult for her to understand the origin of all the darkness around her.
Through the writing of Crane, the readers perceive demons from a different light. We have been taught, so often, that demons are destructive, and don’t want the best for humans. This is quite clear when Naoko is expected to keep her true identity a secret. Human beings cannot handle the intensity of divinity thus, they shouldn’t know much about this world. Keeping it a secret is also psychological since humans would not have the capacity to understand the healing powers of a demon-hybrid.
However, Naoko manages to engage the readers’ empathetic sides, as she thrives to create a balance between good and evil in the world. She is indeed one of the genuine police officers, who attempt to create this balance, while greatly fighting against evil.
This book also teaches its readers about Japanese cultures, traditions and beliefs, and it is a great narrative for readers like me, with a keen interest in the spiritual realm.
The story captured my attention, right from the title, and I’ll be sure to give it a second reading due to how much I related with the protagonist and her experiences.
Pages: 272 | ASIN: B074DSSBPY
Code of Evil: Ascension
Aenna Lucini, is a young ambitious medical student in an escape from poverty and small community into big city in hope for a better life.During her educational struggles of a student she also explores relativity of friendships, wild sexual encounters, existential, and moral questions from the peculiar perspective of Aenna’s mindset loaded with dark humour inspired by harsh reality. However, in it’s essence Code of Evil follows internal and external motives that turn emotionally damaged child into an insane scientist along with potential threats of the upcoming future.
Literary Titan Book Awards July 2020
The Literary Titan Book Awards are awarded to books that have astounded and amazed us with unique writing styles, vivid worlds, complex characters, and original ideas. These books deserve extraordinary praise and we are proud to acknowledge the hard work, dedication, and imagination of these talented authors.
Gold Award Winners
The Albatross: Contact by Connor Mackay
IZ – The Saga: Creation by DDWLEM
Silver Award Winners
Book of Chaos: From 22 Back to 21 by Yin Dolmah
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information and see all award winners.
With More Sinister Aspects
Catori Sarmiento Author Interview
Carnival Panic is a dystopian game show where contestants must solve dangerous room puzzles to claim a life changing prize. What was the inspiration for the setup to this exciting novel?
The initial inspiration for this novel occurred when I walked through the Kyari Pamyu Pamyu museum in Roppongi Hills, Tokyo. While there, I saw a display called “Candy Forest!” with unsettling pink rabbit statues, seen here https://matcha-jp.com/en/688. As I exited, I thought that what I had seen would make a great horror story. I pulled out my notebook and began sketching and writing ideas. I wrote about 10,000 words and then got stuck and put the story away for a few years.
It wasn’t until I went on an outing to Sanrio Puroland that I was able to continue writing the story. I often describe that day as one of the most uncomfortably horrible experiences I have ever had at a theme park. I had agreed to go to Puroland with a couple of friends, not knowing exactly what it was. After entering through the theme park gates, I realized that I was completely outside of my comfort zone.
On top of the immense claustrophobia were the inescapable sensory explosions. The air was pumped with all manner of sweet smells, there was constant music from individual speakers to the parades, it was hot due to the high summer temperatures, and there were lights everywhere both strobing and stationary. And when we stopped for lunch, all the food was of the sweetest kind; candied and dessert versions of its real counterparts. In contrast to my unpleasant experience, my friends were ecstatic and enjoyed every moment of that theme park, playing on the toys, going on the rides, and shopping with childlike enthusiasm.
On the train home, I knew exactly what I could write about and that became Carnival Panic.
What was the process like for imagining and writing the different rooms and puzzles you have in the book?
For the most part, the inspiration for the rooms came from various areas of Sanrio Puroland that I visited but with more sinister aspects. I also love to watch anime and at the time I was binging Deadman Wonderland so some of the themes from that anime made their way into the novel.
Your characters were all well developed and interesting. Who was your favorite character to write for?
Fletch. I enjoyed writing from her point of view because she is an unapologetic anarchist.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I have two finished novels at the moment which I am querying for publication. A science fiction alien invasion novel called Darkness in a Sky of Embers and a narrative fiction novel called Elephants Have No Sleeves.
As for currents projects, I am working on a supernatural murder mystery that follows the main character, Tzipora, who comes back from the dead to find her murderer.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
![Carnival Panic by [Catori Sarmiento]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41eKdFiQmDL.jpg)
Candy makes the PonPon Bunnies sweet. Be careful if they’re angry. And watch out for traps! These are the dangers of competing in the Carnival Panic game show, a ruthless competition that tests the chosen competitors with mental and physical struggles. In order to claim the substantial monetary prize, the winner must solve a series of room puzzles and succeed in entertaining the fickle masses.
LITERARY TITAN 