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The Future is a Memory
“The basis for our political systems is the right of the people to make and to alter their Constitutions of Government. But the Constitution, which at any time exists, ‘till changed by an explicit and authentic act of the whole people is sacredly obligatory to all.”
The great George Washington said these words in 1796, and how applicable they are today. Washington’s words lead off the book The Future is a Memory, a slickly written and satisfying political thriller by C. Ross. It begins with Madame President Rebecca arguing with her chief of staff and others in the future world of 2039, in which no nuclear weapons exist but life is still mighty complicated.
Oftentimes books that take place in the future depress me, but this one has a timeless feel that is no doubt applicable today. Politics, fortitude, bravery, civic-mindedness, the rights of individuals—it’s all here. The Future is a Memory is exciting and makes you think.
The story follows a group of accomplished and dedicated women, including President Rebecca, who come together in varied ways to bravely stand for freedom. Ultimately, it’s President Rebecca who must make a decision that will affect the course of the world. I told you it’s an exciting read with twists and turns.
One portion of the novel caught my eye right away: “The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, NATO, was effete and had been for years. However, its purpose was to defend Western and Eastern European countries from middle Asia’s third and fourth worlds.” Substitute Russia with “middle Asia’s” and we might as well be talking about political strife in 2022!
I liked the personality of the tough and wise President Rebecca, who appreciates flowers as much as the next gal but doesn’t have a man to receive them from, sadly. She always looks at her job through the prism of the past, calling to mind major U.S. events such as the Civil War, the ratification of the 13th Amendment, and the reunification of the great Union. Despite her sharp mind, life seems lonely at the top for President Rebecca. Her lady cohorts in crime have different personalities but are equally courageous, though surprises abound.
I wasn’t sure how this book would conclude; it kept me glued throughout. Some of the prose toward the end gave me chills, and I wish people would think in a more civically minded way. Issues like citizenship, the preservation of life, and the pursuit of happiness unrestricted are concepts that people don’t seem to care much about these days. Everyone is so individualistic, and this book drives home that we all should think beyond just ourselves if we want democracy to survive.
The Future is a Memory is a riveting and thought-provoking political thriller by C. Ross that will inspire patriots but also entertain readers with a dystopian future that’s eerily reminiscent of reality. This book will take you on a contemporary hero’s journey, following a collection of heroic women that persevere in the face of adversity.
Boys’ Secrets and Men’s Loves: A Memoir
Boys’ Secrets and Men’s Loves: A Memoir by David A.J. Richards is a personal life account revolving around the secret self and individual awareness of both straight and gay men. In this memoir, Richards takes a thoughtful approach to discover the psychology behind the patriarchy and traumas that shape men. He explains why they have become hidden and how they can be brought to light.
Richards combats the oppressiveness of traditional patriarchy and how it silences young men from questioning and straying from the mainstream status quo. He challenges how and why men act the way they do and points to societal pressure and the dismissal of the vulnerability of men. In discovering his sense of self, Richards expresses disdain and disgust for the length of how things have been and offers insight into how things can change. Addressed are various components of trauma revolving around the body, mind, sexuality, political opinions, and experiences of love and empathy. This book sheds light on guilt, shame, voice, injustice, abuse, democracy, resistance, and the complex American idea of masculinity.
I thought that the arguments were well thought out and portrayed. It was eye-opening and fascinating to see the plights that men encounter daily and throughout their lifetimes, particularly in their formative years of young adulthood. The commentary was easy to read, and I enjoyed how this was from a first-person point of view. The thoughts of one man over a variety of hot-button topics and issues that are not often addressed were crafted insightfully and tenderly to bring about real change.
Boys’ Secrets and Men’s Loves: A Memoir is recommended for anyone looking to expand their mindset on the ideas of traditional masculinity. This compelling personal story gives readers a unique look at these topics from the view of personal experience and the view of an educator of law.
Pages: 414 | ASIN : B07SXKHBHW
Questions Of Personhood
Ternary follows a cyborg on a mission to prove she is more human than a machine. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
I’ve always been fascinated by this idea of self and the soul, especially when it comes to sci-fi. In sci-fi, you have these tropes where people are broken down and recreated by a machine (transportation), or have their consciousness downloaded into computers, or their minds swapped with another person’s. These things usually happen without any sort of repercussions, but personally, I have always wondered if in those instances the self is destroyed and replaced. Or, more specifically maybe, I wonder about the connection of the self to the brain and if the two can exist independent of one another.
This was the driving idea behind Elora’s predicament, as Elora is not only trying to prove to the world around her that she is human, but she’s also trying to figure that out for herself. Her brain is not the one she was born with, it’s a mechanical replacement, so she is always struggling with this idea that she might not be who she thinks she is. She might just be a copy. And if she is only a copy, what does that mean for her?
Elora is a complex and interesting character. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
Because Elora exists in a society that hates and fears robots, she has lived her entire life in fear of being discovered for what she is. She has had to hide a part of her identity, and when she is finally discovered, her fears are validated when she and her family end up in prison. As a result, Elora has developed a strong distrust of others which causes her to be distant and often abrasive as a self-defense mechanism.
The events of Ternary force her into a situation where she must work with and rely on others whether she wants to or not. In order to be successful, Elora must learn to trust and accept people into her life. This is something many people struggle with after having experienced trauma, and it’s something Elora really struggles with as well. But learning to trust again after having one’s trust broken is something that can improve a person’s life and well being and Elora’s character development is rooted in this idea.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The theme of “what does it mean to be human?” is deeply ingrained in the story as a whole, not just when it comes to Elora and what she’s going through, but also her counterpart Bertie. Bertie has no physical form at all and exists purely as a “ghost” in Elora’s mechanical brain. Is Bertie still human? If so, what does that mean for him?
The alien ship, The Compass, also raises questions of personhood as it is both mechanical and biological like Elora. And despite being a vehicle it shows signs of having thoughts and feelings. Is the Compass a person? Is being a person the same as being human? Can a machine be a person? Is an exact replica of a human, memories and all, still that human or a different human and why? These are all questions that are asked and explored within the book.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
My sci-fi novel Recalled is the story of a young man who learns he is an android when the company that made him issues a recall. It is complete and looking for a home. I am also in the process of starting my next sci-fi project as we speak. Unfortunately, I do not have availability dates for future books. However, I am also an artist and have begun the development of a webcomic that I am hoping to make available on Webtoon in 2022.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Instagram | Website
But when a last-ditch effort to demonstrate her humanity backfires, Elora is faced with an element of human nature she always hoped to avoid: love. An accidental download traps the consciousness of a dead man in her cybernetic brain, and she becomes infatuated with his still-living husband—whether she wants to or not.
Making her way in a solar system that fears and hates her has been hard enough. Now, she must do it as an intermediary between lovers while keeping her own heart in check. With the trial fast approaching, and anti-robot protesters demanding her head, Elora can’t afford to get swept up in someone else’s love story.
Tombstone: The Superhero of the West
Tombstone: The Superhero of the West brings to life the adolescent journey of Morgan, a transgender person (born as a male who identifies as a female) finding her truth in the 1860-70s. Growing up with two sisters, a stereotypically masculine dad, and a loving mother, Morgan always felt something about her identity and sexuality didn’t feel right. Perpetually confused about why she feels the way she does and why she likes certain things. In this eye-opening, insightful read, author Missy M exquisitely explores the innocent musings and journey of an adolescent who just wants to live her truth without worrying about disappointing her family and crossing swords with society.
Initially, Morgan innocently questions gender stereotypes—why should having a particular body part make you enjoy a certain activity less?—and we get insight into her inner battles and conflicts. Since Morgan thrives on education, she turns to books for answers. Later in the story, through heroic adventures, we see how her knowledge comes in handy, which helps her family view her in a new light and thus become more accepting of who she truly is.
This beautifully written story has captured the inner voice of an adolescent coming to terms with her gender and sexuality. As a cisgender, I genuinely believe people who don’t respect gender identity and sexuality as struggles could really learn a thing or two from the author’s narrative of Morgan’s journey. However, I thought some musings and insights were repeated in the book, for example, her sadness about her father not accepting her and her confusion regarding why she liked the things Jenny did. Nonetheless, intrigue is born in the first chapter, which Waldron keeps ignited throughout the book. I’ll definitely be picking up the second book to get more insight into the life of the LGBTQ+ community in the 19th century. While this novel follows the journey of an LGBT young adult, this novel contains language that I think is better suited for an adult audience. Containing mature language and provocative scenes, I think this book is appropriate for mature readers.
Tombstone: The Superhero of the West is a captivating story combining stories of the old west with contemporary issues revolving around gender identity and gender stereotypes. This work of fiction will give readers a new look at a common story while opening their minds to non-traditional viewpoints.
Pages: 405 | ASIN : B09J8V76YS
A Very Cathartic Ending
Under an Azure Sky follows a young woman that seeks retribution for the death of all she loved, in the process, she discovers she can still feel love. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
It’s partly a homage to the greatest fantasy writer of all-time (that nobody in the west has heard of), Louis Cha, who wrote many epic wuxia novels in his native Chinese language.
For years, I always had this notion that I wanted to write a medieval epic fantasy, but I lacked intention and purpose. I was always too scared to try in case I failed miserably, but the jury’s still out on that. It was all very ethereal, without any solidity. I find that I work best from the premise that I can “see” who my characters are, and I didn’t have the required details to give Elysia any form… until I spotted a muse on TV, and she became Elysia (that’s where the cavernous dimples and imperfect nose comes from)! My methodology is to put real actors through scenes in my mind, and then they develop nuances, quirks and character, and that can help to drive the plot forwards. Every character is developed in this “method acting” way.
Also, Elysia is a woman traipsing through an old medieval, fantasy world ruled by men, but she does it on an equal footing. I just wanted to continue the propagation of equality and feminism (although feminists may say that it’s impossible for a man to champion feminist ideals…which is kind of true, but I persist). Going forwards, in subsequent books, she is going to be challenging this medieval glass ceiling in more profound ways.
Elysia suffers a lot in her younger life making her closed off to everyone. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
Her teenage years are, dare I say, a far more melodramatic version of what many teenagers go through. Their lives are changing and maybe they don’t know where they fit into a changing world. Children remember life as being bright and rosy, and when that phase is over, it morphs into the darker and more unforgiving boundaries of adulthood. When childhood ends, you have to deal with the inevitability of responsibility and loss. I like looking at everyday things, then turning up the volume in a totally faux setting. Truthfully, writing her flashback story was much easier than her relationship with Isabella.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The psychological and emotional aspects were just as important to me as things that happen in physical world. In terms of plot, I do have milestones that I adhere to no matter what, but the rest of it I can play around with depending on my own emotional state. It was meant to be more life-affirming, and that was the initial intention, but as I wrote, the plot made me more morose (during that time I was affected by the pandemic as well), so I made Elysia more and more melancholic, and that in turn affected me more, so it metastasized into a very cathartic ending. So, in the second book, it will be a case of building her back up from her lowest ebb.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I’m working on “Shadows Under the Shade,” which is the second Elysia Dayne book. If anybody has read the first book, I have a tendency to muse and write side-stories. One of these Elysia Dayne short stories became hefty to the point where it will work better as a standalone book (hopefully a lighter, fun read in the tone of an Indiana Jones movie). It’s also as a response to some criticism that my first book is too long, too detailed, and too purple.
I would love to write in different genres. I’m trying to write a non-YA dystopian sci-fi (a ‘Hunger Games on speed’)!
In terms of timetable, I’m still doing this as a hobby. And a part-time one at that. If it can one day become an occupation, that would be a dream come true. But today is not that day! Having said that, I am hoping for three books before the end of the year.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website
But that wasn’t always the case.
There was a time when I thought that dragons were beautiful…
During my childhood, I believed that I was friends with a dragon, except the dragon never knew of this friendship.
Days after my thirteenth birthday, my secret was no longer mine to keep. Soldiers arrived to slay the dragon so that a feudal lord could make his name amongst the Nine Kingdoms. It ended in abject failure. They were left to soak in a bloodbath of their own making.
In a rage, the dragon destroyed the place that I called home, and killed the people that I called family. She also dismantled a thing that I called love.
Reborn under a mound of ashen corpses, my empty shell vowed vengeance, forging a fiery path of retribution that could not be undone.
Not by my own design, I inadvertently became a slayer of dragons. Curiously, dragon slaying isn’t my next job…
A princess is being held for ransom at a goblin fort. Wearing the stolen armour of a goblin knight, I attempt to rescue her to claim my prize.
When I met her, she was Winter. Now, she is Spring. Maybe I can learn to love again…
Ternary
Ternary, by Kristin L Stamper, is a story about the cyborg Elora Cussons. Despite her not asking to be turned into a cyborg, she is brought to trial, Cussons vs. Humanity, to determine if she is human or machine. In an attempt to show she’s human, Elora accidentally traps a dead man’s consciousness in her cybernetic brain. Now, she has to be an intermediary between him and his husband while keeping her own heart out of it. And in a world where she faces fear and hate, Elora learns the true meaning of love and what it means to be human.
Stamper does a great job of dropping the reader into the action and into Elora’s head. We get to know her through what she sees, says, and actions. While I’m not a fan of the first-person perspective, I believe that Stamper did a great job with it. There’s the love story between Gareth and Bertie, and this is a big part of the whole novel. But when it comes down to it, Ternary is Elora’s story. I genuinely believe that the third-person perspective wouldn’t have done this story justice, especially if Stamper switched POV’s like some authors do.
I enjoyed reading this story. It flowed well. Stamper showed a world where humans have made technological advances over what we have today. We are shown that humans are now tolerant of marriage between men. They are even tolerant of a close relationship between three people. Though Stamper handles this in an unusual way, with the consciousness of one person sharing a body with another person, and they marry or remarry the man they both love.
But on the other hand, humans still fear and hate what is considered alien to them. Stamper doesn’t go into much detail about the Great Human-AI War that happened. Because of this war, AI’s, robots, and cyborgs are feared and hated. Enough that mobs and vigilantes attack Elora and try to kill her. Stamper brings an intriguing future alive that explores fear, hate, and mobs. It’s about dealing with someone who is different than us but still loves and can be hurt.
Ternary is a highly original novel that has action, romance, and philosophy mixed in with the drama. The cyborg and technology aspects will entertain readers of science fiction.
Pages: 285 | ASIN : B094ZDQ5YZ
Under an Azure Sky
Under an Azure Sky is a fantasy novel written by Wil Chan. It is Book One in the Elysia Dayne series, of which I immediately became a fan. The main protagonist is Elysia, a tortured soul who has lived a highly traumatic life. She harnesses her hatred for dragons to become a dragon slayer, which turns out to be a less-than-ideal career choice for the young woman. However, she develops a specific skill set that allows her to pursue other thrilling adventures. Her heroic nature finds her responsible for rescuing Princess Isabella, who was kidnapped and held hostage by goblins. The two find themselves on a very tense journey back home which eventually develops into a beautiful love story.
Wil Chan is a highly talented author with an exciting writing style. His imagery and ability to create an immersive world will impress readers. He has clearly put a lot of effort into this project. He also composed the music for the book trailers, which shows that he is an all-around talented person.
The storyline has elements of fantasy, sword and sorcery, and adventure wrapped up in a complex journey Elysia must navigate. Her feelings of loss and betrayal run deep, and it is dragons, the creatures she once loved, that have caused this change. Readers see and feel what Elysia endured and will want to root for her as she starts to develop feelings for Isabella.
Chan’s worldbuilding is thorough; he gives readers detailed information allowing them to be fully engaged in the storyline. While the beginning of the book instantly hooks you in with the traumatic events that unfold, the main plot takes a slow burn approach while remaining entertaining all the way through. The LBGTQ+ representation is excellent, especially in tandem with the theme of goblin culture in this creative book.
Under an Azure Sky evokes emotion in the reader, and the quality of the author’s writing is one to praise. Fantasy readers will love the familiar elements; those looking for action and adventure will not be disappointed.
Pages: 448 | ASIN : B09MSMJ3F7
