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We Are Not Always In Control
A Dance Between Light and Darkness follows the combined worlds of vampires and werewolves who must unite against a sinister evil. What was the initial idea behind this story, and how did that transform as you were writing the novel?
A Dance Between Light and Darkness takes place a period of time after the events unfolded in the predecessor The Darkest Side of the Moon. Once enemies, I wanted to explore how vampires and werewolves could unite when setting aside differences which was necessary when a new sinister threat emerged. There was a driving force that united them. They didn’t always see eye to eye, but processing and asking the right questions revealed truth along the way and the realization they were not always in control of certain situations. There wasn’t a concrete idea in the beginning. I allowed the characters to take the lead, knowing what I had in mind for the end.
Were you able to achieve everything you wanted with the characters in the novel?
Yes, plus so much more with contrast between light and darkness.
What draws you to the world of vampires and werewolves and makes it ripe for you to write such a great fantasy story in it?
First, I’m honored that you consider it a “great fantasy story.” My interest to the vampire and werewolf world stemmed from some of the well-known books, shows, and movies like Twilight, The Vampire Diaries, and Underworld series. I took it even further, making it my own and blending in difficult real life subject matters as well.
What is the next book that you are working on and when can your fans expect it to be out?
I’m currently working on publishing the third book, All I See Are Dark Clouds and a novella tie-in, The Neighbors. They both should arrive sometime in summer 2023.
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The war is over. Vladimir has been defeated, but not without tragedy. Now, a new era has begun. One where vampires and werewolves are united for the greater good. The future is bleak. Vince has found himself in charge of the vampires while he mourns for the one he lost. He fears he’ll turn into the evil that’s naturally in his blood. When bodies start piling up with Dragon’s Eye symbol, Vince goes on high alert. He discovers someone from his past is still at large he wants to settle a score with, along with an unknown threat. One that may just be more of a sinister evil.
It Came To Me In A Dream
The Darkest Side of the Moon follows a high school girl who, when she meets a boy at school, discovers she is part of an age-old prophecy that could change everything. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The idea came to me after a dream I had, which is depicted on the first page. From there, it took about ten years or so to fully develop into a story that made sense in which I applied certain life events that helped steer the plot. Music was also a heavy influence that helped me slip into the character’s mindset. One particular artist is Within Temptation. Their album The Unforgiving was on constant repeat while writing act three. Random information I stumbled across was also applied and fit like a puzzle piece, like the dragon’s eye symbol.
Nadine comes to terms with the reality that shifters and vampires are real and her destiny is connected to them. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
Nadine’s character was more of “seeing is believing.” She struggled to accept it even when it was staring her in the face. The more she was around vampires and shifters she had to accept the reality as her life depended on it. A reflection of life. Sometimes it’s hard to accept something one can’t see and even then one doesn’t want to believe it when it goes against their beliefs.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
There are multiple themes. The main theme that drove the story was the Chinese philosophical concept Yin and Yang.
Where does the story go in the next book and where do you see it going in the future?
The next book, A Dance Between Light and Darkness is out now. it continues where The Darkest Side of the Moon ended through another character’s perspective and moving on after certain events that happened in the first book. Although it ties in with The Darkest Side of the Moon it is it’s own story in which it is written in third-person narrative verses second-person narrative that The Darkest Side of the Moon was written in. Currently I’m working on publishing the third book in the series, All I See Are Dark Clouds, which is written in first-person narrative. The series was originally supposed to be three books, however it ended up being five full-length novels and three novella tie-ins. The fourth and fifth books can be expected to be released sometime in 2024.
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A Dance Between Light and Darkness
An enthralling sequel to The Darkest Side of the Moon, A Dance Between Light and Darkness, immerses readers in a captivating world where vampires and werewolves have forged an unlikely alliance. However, the upheaval of age-old traditions proves to be a greater challenge than anticipated by the characters. In the midst of escalating threats that threaten to shatter the hard-won peace, Vince finds himself entangled in a web of enigmatic occurrences, grappling not only with external dangers but also with personal demons of loss, trauma, and love.
M. C. Ryder’s latest work continues to elevate the narrative, largely due to its impeccably crafted characters. Each individual possesses a distinct identity and a rich complexity, driven by their own aspirations and internal conflicts. Vince, the central protagonist, is masterfully constructed, his flaws and strengths rendering him relatable and utterly compelling. Furthermore, the growth exhibited by Melia’s character throughout the story is commendable, particularly in a tale that already boasted a beloved female lead in its predecessor. Ryder adeptly interweaves the personal struggles of these characters into the grand tapestry of the plot, resulting in a tale that seamlessly blends heart-pounding action with poignant emotional resonance.
Similar to its predecessor, A Dance Between Light and Darkness maintains its penchant for concise chapters, each encapsulating a single scene before transitioning seamlessly to the next. However, the second installment excels in presenting the characters’ thoughts in a cohesive manner, rendering both their physical and mental actions easily comprehensible and digestible for readers. The novel’s pacing is masterfully controlled, striking an ideal balance between gripping action sequences and introspective moments that facilitate a steady progression of the plot. Ryder’s descriptive prose paints vivid imagery of the world and its inhabitants without succumbing to unnecessary verbosity, ensuring a smooth and immersive reading experience devoid of narrative drag.
A Dance Between Light and Darkness serves as an exceptional continuation, skillfully building upon the strengths of its predecessor while charting new and captivating territory for both the world and its inhabitants. It generates heightened anticipation for the forthcoming third installment, making it an unequivocal recommendation for enthusiasts of urban fantasy. Whether readers are embarking on this series for the first time or eagerly diving into its second chapter, they will find themselves thoroughly enthralled by the narrative’s standalone brilliance.
Pages: 361 | ASIN : B0BX6B4XQN
The Darkest Side of the Moon
Picture yourself as an ordinary teenage girl trying to navigate your way through high school, only to find yourself entangled with the most popular boy on campus. This scenario may seem like the perfect beginning to a romantic story, but there’s a twist – the boy holds secrets that have been passed down through his ancestors and could impact not just his life and yours but the entire universe. Would you be willing to explore a world far more significant than you ever imagined? Would you be willing to fulfill an age-old prophecy that centers around you? Are you willing to risk everything you’ve ever known for a greater purpose?
M.C. Ryder’s The Darkest Side of the Moon takes readers on a thrilling journey from the mundane world of high school to a darker, more sinister realm of fantasy, delivering a compelling coming-of-age narrative. At first glance, the novel introduces stereotypical characters that fit in the high school scene we all know, but as the plot thickens, readers soon discover that there’s a much larger world out there, one that includes vampires and werewolves. Moreover, the feud between these two factions transcends the world they’ve carefully constructed to hide their true identities.
Ryder’s writing style is refreshingly new and innovative. The author’s decision to refer to the female protagonist, Nadine Drexel, as “You” throughout the book was a bold move, but it paid off well. This approach allowed readers to immerse themselves in the character’s journey, feeling as though they were experiencing it firsthand. Additionally, the short chapters that end after each scene make the story more manageable for readers to digest. It serves as an avenue to delve into the character’s inner thoughts, enabling the audience to sympathize with even the most significant antagonist in the narrative. This is a great book to kick off a trilogy; the author’s decision to end the story will undoubtedly leave readers eager to read the sequel.
If you are a fan of the Twilight saga, then you will love The Darkest Side of the Moon. This novel is an excellent starting point for teenagers who want to delve into the world of book series. Overall, Ryder’s ability to transform a clichéd setting into a thrilling and captivating story is impressive, and I look forward to reading more in this series.
Pages: 401 | ASIN : B0BL5SN55F
LITERARY TITAN 