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Lynne Howard Author Interview

Dylan Dover: Orion’s Quest follows a 12-year-old warlock and his twin as they try to uncover the mystery of their origins and the powerful forces that seek control over them. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

I started writing the Dylan Dover series during the Covid pandemic, when the province that I live in (Ontario, Canada) was under a complete lockdown. At that time, my son named Dylan (no coincidence!) was 12 years old and like so many other young people, he was suffering from the effects of social isolation. He turned to books as an escape mechanism and I wrote the first two books of the series (Dylan Dover: Into the Vortex and Dylan Dover: Orion’s Quest) as a creative outlet for the both of us during this very challenging time. My son and I would spend hours discussing characters and plot twists, and then I would turn those ideas into written words which he would then read and critique. When you consider how the pandemic completely interrupted our regular lives, and the feelings of vulnerability and the lack of control that many of us experienced during that time, I think that those emotions were strongly at play in the writing of these first two novels in the series. Dylan, and his brothers Remy and Seth (later joined by their missing sister, Siri), are all trying to be controlled by evil forces but together, they find ways to increase their powers and to face adversity. During a time when our world was in chaos, the Dylan Dover immortal universe was born!​

Do you have a favorite character in this novel? One that was especially fun to write for?

The character Dylan is my favourite character to write for because the voice in my head, is that of my youngest son, Dylan. I like to tell people that the character of Dylan Dover is based entirely on my son, except of course for the fact that my son has no magical powers and is not part of a secret prophecy! As my son aged and went through various challenges in his real life, those situations were mirrored in the novels. Discovering who you are and where you fit into the world, what your goals and values are, how you want to be perceived by others, how you deal with setbacks – these are all aspects of growing up in the real world and in the Dylan Dover series. I also found it both fun and challenging to make the voices distinct for all four of the siblings. I wanted them each to have very unique personalities, strengthens and weaknesses as individuals because even though they must learn to trust each other and work together to maximize their powers, they are each special in their own ways.

Did you create an outline for the characters in the story before you started writing, or did the characters’ personalities grow organically as you were writing?

I did not have any outline created before or during the writing process. My son and I would discuss ideas and I would then write a chapter based on what we had talked about. The characters, plot lines and settings all developed organically during the writing process. The more I wrote, the more alive the characters became in my head. The character of Dylan was based on my own son, so that character was easier for me to imagine in my head, and the development of Dylan Dover through the series in many respects mirrored the development of my son. My experiences as a mother of three children and as a high school teacher for over twenty years, helped me to find the voices and evolve the characters as the writing progressed. Having my son critique each chapter as it was created also was a huge help. If I wrote something that seemed disingenuous, he wouldn’t hesitate to tell me!

Can fans get a peek inside the next installment in this series? When can readers expect to see it released?

Book 3 in the series is called Dylan Dover: Players of the Prophecy. I hope it will be published in early 2026. It is currently in the advanced editing stages. Here is a brief synopsis:

In Dylan Dover: Players of the Prophecy, the siblings are convinced that the ancient prophecy is on the verge of being realized. They must further develop their powers and learn to work together if they have any chance of successfully thwarting Baltazar’s evil plans to seize the siblings’ powers for himself before killing them, destroying the immortal world and then dominating all humans and supernatural beings for his own pleasure. The siblings discover amazing new talents when they combine their magic, including their ability to time travel, but they are still so young. Will they make the right decisions, and will their powers be enough to subdue this threat and save their immortal home?

The siblings are not alone in their quest, and there are other allies working to help them in unexpected ways. And of course, there is Thea. As she discovers her genetic lineage which biologically links her to Cius, the vampire with the gift of foresight, she learns that she too shares the ability to see future events before they occur. But some of Thea’s visions are frightening and show her playing a direct role in the destruction of her friends. Thea tries desperately to remove herself from the future combat which she sees will result in the death of Dylan, but can she control her own destiny, or is her vision unalterable despite all of her efforts?

In a climactic ending, a monumental battle pits the malevolent Baltazar against the siblings. This final encounter brings the ancient prophecy to its end… or does it?

Author Links: Into the Vortex | Orion’s Quest | Facebook | Website | Instagram | Amazon

Dylan Dover: Orion’s Quest is the second instalment in an award-winning high-fantasy series. The first book Dylan Dover: Into the Vortex took readers by storm and won ten different awards.

Dylan, Remy, and Seth (identical warlock brothers), Thea (a wizard), Halle and Oliver (shapeshifters) and Via (a fireball) are hiding out in the forest near Dylan’s human home, using magic to hide their location. They are on the run from the immortal Ministry and an evil vampire named Baltazar. Their goal: find their missing sister Siri to complete an ancient prophecy of four siblings who will change the course of history for magical and non-magical creatures alike.

New characters are introduced as they travel the world to find Siri. Dylan’s entourage is assisted in their quest by earthly and immortal beings, including the Greek God Orion. The story is a whirlwind that takes the action from New York City, to Mexico, Bhutan and Alaska.

Dylan Dover: Orion’s Quest

Dylan Dover: Orion’s Quest is the second book in a fantastical middle-grade series that continues the story of Dylan, a twelve-year-old warlock who finds himself part of an ancient prophecy tied to the fate of an immortal realm. In this sequel, Dylan and his twin Remy, along with their friend Thea and newly found sibling Seth, try to uncover the mystery of their origins and the powerful forces seeking to control them. It’s a high-stakes magical adventure filled with secret societies, time rifts, magical creatures, and the looming threat of a vampire named Baltazar who’s bent on domination. The story blends the mundane human world with a richly imagined supernatural dimension, making for a fast-paced and emotionally engaging ride.

What I liked was the smooth way Lynne Howard mixes heart and suspense. The opening chapter had me hooked—Reus trembling in front of Baltazar, trapped in a cage, hopeless, and yet somehow clinging to the idea of redemption. It’s grim, but not overly dark. Howard knows her audience. Her writing walks that fine line between magical fantasy and grounded emotion.

Howard also shines in how she handles character dynamics. Dylan, Remy, Seth, and Thea each have distinct voices and believable relationships. One of my favorite parts was when the kids return to Dylan’s old neighborhood.

There’s a lot of dialogue unpacking backstory and prophecy details. It doesn’t drag exactly, but I found myself wanting more action or surprises in those parts. That said, the scene where the kids build an invisible cabin in the forest was very cool. Also, Dylan conjuring up a warm coat and diamond-studded boots for his cat was adorable and imaginative. I loved how the magic was practical, emotional, and at times, pretty funny too​.

Dylan Dover: Orion’s Quest is a blast. It’s clever, warm, and packed with both heart and high fantasy. It’s perfect for middle-grade readers who love Percy Jackson, Harry Potter, or Keeper of the Lost Cities. I’d even recommend it to grown-up fantasy fans looking for something sweet, mysterious, and a little nostalgic. If you like magical prophecies, talking animals, and the power of found family, this one’s for you.

Pages: 336 | ISBN : 978-1916966673

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The Fate Of The Immortal Realm

Lynne Howard Author Interview

Dylan Dover: Into the Vortex follows a twelve-year-old boy who discovers he is adopted and his biological parents were not human when he finds an enchanted realm. What were the morals you were trying to capture while creating your characters?

As a parent and teacher, I want to write books that not only entertain but also inspire readers to think about issues that are important in their lives.  I, therefore, hope to create characters that readers can connect with and root for as they encounter challenges throughout the novels.  In Dylan Dover, I wanted the protagonists to be open-minded and accepting towards others, especially those who may be different from themselves.  In an immortal world full of diversity, this was an extremely important factor that was always at the forefront of my writing. In addition, I wanted the characters to display other traits that I believe are morally essential in today’s modern world including compassion, kindness and the willingness to take risks, face adversity and work co-operatively towards a common goal. 

What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?

There are many themes that are explored in this book, which I hope are relatable to readers.  Family, friendships, and developing one’s identity are some of the themes that the characters grapple with as they face challenges throughout the novel.  Facing adversity is also a prevalent theme throughout all six of the Dylan Dover novels.  My youngest son, Dylan (no coincidence that the main character in the book shares the same name!) is currently 15 years old.  He was 12 when I wrote Dylan Dover: Into The Vortex.  When I created the character of Dylan Dover, it was based very much on my son except the real Dylan obviously does not have any magical powers!  When I am writing, it is my son’s voice in my head and with his permission, I use many of the experiences he has had in my novels.  For example, when I was writing book 5 in the series, we were right in the middle of the Covid pandemic.  My son, like so many other young people, was suffering from mental health issues caused by social isolation.  Dylan was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and I used his lived experiences in the novel. Dylan Dover had to face his own mental health issues in that book. I am so proud of my son for courageously talking about his challenges and working to dispel the stigmas that are often associated with mental health issues.  In addition to these themes, ideas about effective leadership and social justice issues are also important in the Dylan Dover series and I hope that readers will be thinking about these concepts as they read my novels. 

Where does the story go in the next book and where do you see it going in the future?

Book 2 titled Dylan Dover: Orion’s Quest, has Dylan, his newly discovered identical brothers Remy and Seth, along with their friends Thea (a wizard), Halle and Oliver (shapeshifters) and Via (a fireball) desperate to discover the secrets of the prophecy which foretold of four siblings, born on the same day, who would be blessed with extraordinary powers.  They understand that if they are the ones referred to in the prophecy, then it will be their actions that shall determine the fate of the immortal realm.  But if they are the siblings of the prophecy, then there must be a fourth child, a sister, still missing who has yet to be found. 

In Book 2, the search for the missing sister and more clues to reveal the truths about the ancient prophecy lead Dylan, his brothers and friends on numerous adventures, crossing between the human and immortal worlds.  Greek mythology becomes an important element in book 2, as Orion, the mythological Greek hunter, joins the story.  New allies are revealed and alliances formed, but there are also new dangers that threaten the siblings and the existence of all immortals in both dimensions.  As the siblings discover their hidden powers, they also uncover secret agendas and threats that have remained concealed until now. 

Books 3 – 6 are all written and continue the saga of Dylan, his family and friends.  New characters, both friends and villains, will add excitement and adventure. Greek mythology, including the characters of Zeus, Hades, and Poseidon become even more prevalent as the novels progress.  The characters will be aged by several years in the last three novels, as the siblings continue to discover the depths of their extraordinary powers, including their ability to time travel, and their role in the immortal realm.  New challenges and dangers will arise and the protagonists will have to learn how to harness their powers to save both the human and immortal dimensions.

The books in the Dylan Dover series are:

Book 1: Dylan Dover: Into The Vortex

Book 2: Dylan Dover: Orion’s Quest

Book 3: Dylan Dover: Players Of The Prophecy

Book 4: Dylan Dover: New Order Rising

Book 5: Dylan Dover: Awakenings

Book 6: Dylan Dover: Collateral Damage

I am hopeful that they will all find a home with a publisher very soon!

Author Links: Website | GoodReads | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok

Dylan Dover was an ordinary boy… until a fall into another realm transformed his fate – and the fate of this immortal realm – forever.

Dylan believes he is a typical twelve-year-old until he stumbles into a vortex that miraculously transports him to the immortal dimension, a parallel universe.

Dylan not only learns that he is a warlock, but he also discovers a twin brother, extraordinary powers, and a secret prophecy that seems to have Dylan and his family at its crux. Dylan, along with his brother and their new-found wizard friend Thea, begin to unravel the mystery that surrounds their birth and the danger that threatens immortals and humans alike.
 
In a stunning debut, Lynne Howard’s Dylan Dover: Into the Vortex casts a potent reader’s charm over all youngsters clamouring for a new supernatural hero.

Dylan Dover: Into The Vortex

Dylan Dover: Into the Vortex marks the enthralling debut of the Dylan Dover series, a magical odyssey replete with dimensional portals, vampires, warlocks, and beyond. At the tender age of twelve, our protagonist, Dylan Dover, encounters extraordinary circumstances under the guise of adoption, leading a relatively commonplace life until a confrontation with bullies catapults him into an enchanting realm accessed through a fallen log. This unusual predicament prompts a revelation—his adoptive parents aren’t his biological ones, introducing him to his magical lineage.

This revelation precipitates the unfolding of Dylan’s inherent warlock powers and an ancient prophecy intimately linked to him. As he sets foot on this exceptional journey, a multitude of concealed truths and enigmas lay bare, prompting him to question the motivations behind his separation from his biological parents.

Lynne Howard’s consistent creative flair is vividly evident in this beguiling fantasy narrative. The spirited journey adeptly harmonizes elements of thrill and danger with a sprinkle of adolescent romance. The protagonist’s character, with its relatable nature, particularly appeals to boys of his age. Further, the book is imbued with delightful humor that provides a pleasant undercurrent throughout.

Howard succeeds in rendering a complex narrative into an engaging middle-grade novel. It’s a tale brimming with intriguing mysteries, alluring magic, unexpected plot twists, and a sense of wonder that leaves readers spellbound. The book culminates with several tantalizing cliffhangers that effectively whet the reader’s appetite for a sequel, offering an irresistible invitation to delve deeper into Howard’s meticulously crafted magical world.

Dylan Dover: Into the Vortex effuses an irresistible whimsy and fascination. It stands as a compelling and imaginative middle-grade fantasy novel and is a testament to the creative prowess of its author, Lynne Howard.

Pages: 285 | ASIN : B0B5PY73GV

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