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Apocalyptic Adventures
Magic Revealed, Anarchy Reigns: Supernatural War Book 2 follows a community striving to rebuild after an EMP strike that has left the world in chaos and unrest, with crime, danger, and paranormal activity around every turn. What inspired the setup of your story?
I have read many different post-apocalyptic stories, and I felt that this idea had a little more relevance to what I like to read. I enjoy shooting and going on off-highway adventures with my Jeep and felt that including these into the story would help the storyline.
The supporting characters in this novel, I felt, were intriguing and well-developed. Who was your favorite character to write for?
Ruffus is the most fun to write for, and trying to imagine things from a dog’s perspective has been great. Trying to mimic what a dog will do in different situations is the most fun, and after having a few dogs and watching how they react to different voices and people, it has helped in the character development of Ruffus.
In fantasy novels, it’s easy to get carried away by the magical powers of characters. How did you balance the use of supernatural powers?
We did not want the supernatural powers to be the main focus, though we wanted people to relate to that writing in the book while also pulling in the apocalyptic adventures. Pulling in the supernatural powers really happened by circumstance; as Larisa was editing and writing about the women, she added their supernatural powers to give them more action in the book rather than leaving them far in the background. This has really helped give the story more life and made it relatable to a larger audience.
Will there be a follow-up novel to this story? If so, what aspects of the story will the next book cover?
Yes, book three is almost done and going through editing and beta and ARC readers at the moment. Book three expands the supernatural abilities of the team as they learn to accept these new abilities and learn how to harness these powers. TJ and the team are sent to Ely to rescue his parents, brother, and sister. Along the way, they have to engage in hostile threats to protect citizens of the towns along the way. Once they have saved the towns, they make new friends. The trip is not without sadness, and they lose one of their team members in the fight to save TJ’s family from a gang. The family members that return to Freedom Ranch also have an antagonist in the group that will test TJ and the group. There are multiple fights that highlight individual and group strengths in the story, and they learn how they all have to work together to be successful.
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At the end of book one, they receive distressing information from Kyle, revealing the catastrophic devastation across the country. They have a good stockpile of dried, canned, and long-term food to survive, though with each new individual that joins their community, the storage supplies dwindle. A question remains. Do they have the skills to survive what lies ahead?
The journey continues with TJ, his wife, Mel, and their beloved four-legged companion, Ruffus. They prepare a remembrance BBQ with the crew at the ranch for Memorial Day. But sometimes, the best-laid plans don’t work out as we hoped.
TJ and his team return to the Rubicon to rescue a friend and get more than they bargained for. Can they make it through the dangers and challenges that lie ahead? Will they make it back with no injuries or loss of life? Hostages? And who is holding people hostage?
While back at the ranch, Mel, Gail, and Shelly discover that everything they believe about their world is a lie. Magic explodes right along with the EMP, and the future is uncertain. How did this happen? What are they going to do? Does anyone else know what is going on?
There are no longer policing agencies. Gangs are taking over the local towns. No one is safe. How far will they go to maintain their rule?
This is our first venture into writing about a post-apocalyptic paranormal world. We combined our love of these two genres to write an amazing, fun-filled adventure.
Book three is in the works. It will introduce new characters and feature more magic, action, adventures, and fun surprises. We think there is something for everyone.
We wanted to expand Ruffus’s role in this post-apocalyptic, magical world, and we had so much fun with his chapters. We are looking forward to many more fun adventures with him.
There are big plans for this paranormal apocalyptic series. Hang on to your hats; it’s going to be a wild ride.
If you enjoy post-apocalyptic adventures, paranormal magic, and midlife heroes and heroines, this series is for you. If you don’t, give it a try. You might love it.
Magic Revealed, Anarchy Reigns: Supernatural Apocalyptic War
Magic Revealed, Anarchy Reigns: Supernatural War Book 2, by Todd Ockert & Larisa Atkinson, takes us back to the post-apocalyptic landscape of Freedom Ranch, where TJ, Mel, and their loyal dog Rufus lead a community striving to rebuild after an EMP strike. But this isn’t the world they knew. Magic has crept into the shadows, outlaws roam freely, and danger lurks around every corner. As TJ and his fellow ranchers struggle to maintain balance and security, the question looms: will their efforts be enough to protect their fragile new world?
The novel offers a unique storytelling experience, alternating between multiple first-person perspectives, including those of TJ, Mel, Curtis, and even Rufus. This approach gives readers a panoramic view of the action and adds depth to the unfolding events. It’s easy to follow the story without feeling lost or overwhelmed, which is impressive given the complexity of a post-apocalyptic world mixed with elements of magic. But despite this clarity, I found that the sheer number of characters made it somewhat difficult to form deep emotional connections. I would like to have seen more detail regarding motivations and vulnerabilities.
The novel touches on several themes; romance, action, thriller, and magic but it never dives too deeply into any. Instead, the story leans heavily into adventure. The action is light, more of a complement to the narrative rather than a driving force. The subtle inclusion of magic keeps the plot intriguing, yet it doesn’t overshadow the core focus on survival and the tight-knit community of Freedom Ranch. For readers expecting intense battles or a deep dive into magical lore, the understated nature of these elements might feel underwhelming. Still, there’s a charm to this balance that makes the story feel approachable and enjoyable.
What stood out most were the everyday moments at Freedom Ranch. The scenes of daily life bring a sweetness that contrasts beautifully with the harshness of their world. The rebuilding efforts and community spirit are uplifting, showing resilience and the importance of human connection. Watching the characters nurture one another, share knowledge, and create a sense of family despite the dire circumstances offers a warmth that’s hard to resist. Even without modern conveniences, the sense of hope and camaraderie shines through, leaving a lasting impression.
Magic Revealed, Anarchy Reigns is a light-hearted adventure wrapped in the survival genre, with enough action and supernatural intrigue to keep the story moving. It’s an ideal read for those who enjoy post-apocalyptic tales that focus on community and resilience rather than heavy drama or nonstop action. While it stands on its own as the second installment in the series, I recommend starting with the first book for a richer understanding of the characters and the world they inhabit. For a story that balances heart and adventure, this book delivers a satisfying journey.
Pages: 257 | ASIN : B0D32WY6DD
LITERARY TITAN 