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Inner Monsters
ASCENT follows Ellie, Josh, and Sam into a realm of otherworldly dangers, as they grapple with external threats and inner demons. What were some things you wanted to explore in this book that were different from book one?
I wanted a closer look at the world they were trapped by. I wanted to extend the lore and continue to develop the characters. How would Josh adapt to life after the Circle? How would Ellie’s life be affected now she actually had people she cared about? How far was Sam prepared to go to learn more about this phenomena? Darker characters also came into play, those who had adapted in their own way to live with this curse. There was a lot to do.
Were there any challenges you faced in ensuring ASCENT stood out from the first book?
I wanted ASCENT to have that same driving force as the LIT. That becomes challenging when the story needs exposition to grow, so you need to plant seeds of information as the story progresses. Some explained, some implied and others, shown. LIT was a lot more linear than ASCENT. Keeping the three main protagonists front and centre felt more of a challenge, but I am happy that they all were able to hold their own as major characters.
How do the otherworldly creatures in ASCENT reflect or contrast with the themes you wanted to address in the story?
Some people deal with darkness by embracing it. By allowing themselves to become part of it instead of fighting against it. It’s a survival technique and we all have our reasons for adapting the way we do. As the Leviathans Ascend to a higher level of being, so do their Conduits. Another concept I thought was intriguing was how do Ellie, Josh, and Sam react to camaraderie for the first time in their lives. Now they have had a taste of friendship, how does that affect the life of misery that their inner monsters need to keep them in. Does it breed hope? Trust? Resilience? All these things need to be stripped from the Conduit to make it truly a vessel the Leviathan can use. Friendship and support are dangerous.
Can you share a hint about what readers might expect in the trilogy’s conclusion?
Although the end of the trilogy, it is not necessarily the end of the LIT universe. Remember, this has happened for centuries so the possibilities are endless in regards to place, time, and person. A hint? It is a War. Bad things happen in Wars. People are lost, people are betrayed and bitter. The Conduits can’t hide in the shadows any longer, they are being steered towards a battle where death is the nicest thing that can happen to them.
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Ellie, Josh, and Sam’s world is growing, expanding with people who suffer the same bane as themselves.
The cloistered Ellie must emerge from the shadows. The young Josh must learn to live with the beast that walks beside him. And Sam plays a duplicitous game to learn about the demonic phenomena that have destroyed all their lives.
The enigmatic Mika, with his Pantheon of Conduits each with their own curse, is searching for a legend of evil – the ancient blight and the one who restrains it.
But something has changed…another evil is emerging and the Leviathans are moving closer into our world. A vile, unthinkable truce might be needed between Conduit and monster as both become the hunted.
ASCENT, the 2nd book in the LIT trilogy.
Doubt, Desperation, Loneliness
LIT follows the journey of a group of individuals, led by the anxious Ellie, as they confront their deepest fears and traumas through therapy, mysterious realms, and the pursuit of resilience, all while shadowed by an uncanny creature. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Firstly, it came at a very fundamental level, during an unsettling dream I had many years ago. Secondly, it is inspired by experience with very real emotions and situations. Doubt, desperation, loneliness, and fear can produce very strong negative emotions in a person. As a response, we will often cause damage as a response. LIT asks the question, if your anger could inflict a tangible, undeniable suffering to others, would you still be so keen to use it against them? The consequences of your anger are vile. Would you fight against or embrace that? We all know people who have done both and there are consequences for both actions. I tried to create three main protagonists and follow their story and then…slam them together.
I wish I could say I carry the archetypal angst of a horror writer but the truth is, I am actually a very happy person! However, we have all had our challenges, and I am no stranger to negative emotions.
What inspired you to create the character of Ellie, and how did you approach depicting her complex emotions and anxieties so vividly?
Ellie, the character is inspired by my daughter during her teenage-angst years. Internally there are a few similarities but overall, Ellie quickly became her own person in the story. It’s one of the greatest joys of writing. Create a person and they actually grow so knowable to you. Whether it be Ellie, Josh, or Sam, I think my passion for creating characters that people can really relate to shows through in my writing. I enjoy it and it’s hard to explain but after a time, they actually start writing themselves. You know them so well. I know these characters, I know how they think, how they act, and what they say. I guide them towards being fully realised, uncontrived, and as organic as they can be.
The creature that tails Ellie is an intriguing element in the plot. Can you elaborate on the symbolism of this creature and its connection to the overarching themes of the book?
It is uniquely nefarious (no plot spoilers!) In creating the main protagonists, I also had to consider which form their particular antagonist would take. Within LIT, in a strange and twisted way, the monster has to complement their human. These creatures plot and play with their minds in the most subjectively effective form they can. Ellie in particular lives life as if holding the gate closed on the most depraved of the affliction. An obligation she reluctantly embraces but wholeheartedly meets, but she knows and has seen what it can do.
What is the next book you are working on and when will it be available?
I completed the sequel to LIT, ASCENT and it was released March of 2023 whilst I was in Rome. I had a short time off before I started the third book which is still in progress now, hopefully to be released at the end of the year. Instagram features multiple updates and some fun vids on me doing my thing.
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“You do want me to go Niles, believe me you really do want me to go. Staying here would be so bad, so bad for you. You don’t understand the danger, you can’t understand and I can’t stay here. . . I’m sorry.”
Evil and merciless, Leviathans attach to souls of the damaged among us. They feed off the emotions of these “Conduits” but are always waiting. Anger can identify a target, light one for an eternity of pain. Once LIT, there is no way out.
Three Conduits face their ever present monster that inflicts their life with terror and loss. Friendships can be forged and alliances can be made. The event of the Circle is approaching when Conduit becomes the hunted by their own grotesque nightmare. Now something else is uprising. There are others in the world who hunt their own.
LIT
Intriguingly distinctive, this book unravels a spellbinding narrative that begins with Ellie, an anxious woman meticulously trying to conceal her unease during her therapy sessions with Niles. With an uncanny creature persistently tailing her, the book deftly explores the contrasting layers of Ellie’s personality in her physical interactions and introspective dialogues, a dichotomy intensified by her ceaseless evasion of the creature.
The plot swiftly evolves from Ellie’s everyday life to her encountering a collection of individuals whose pasts are marred by unthinkable adversity. As they unite to endure their predicaments, the reader is immersed in a riveting exploration of resilience and camaraderie.
The commendable depiction of mental health issues is perhaps one of the most compelling aspects of this book. It offers thoughtful insights into each character’s personal battles with grief, loss, and anxiety. The engaging narrative and Anthony’s skillful storytelling ensure readers are hooked and eager to learn more about each character’s journey. The possibility of identifying with one or more characters adds a layer of relatability that will likely enhance the reader’s investment in the book.
What sets this book apart is its incorporation of multiple realms and its testament to the extraordinary resilience humans can display in harrowing circumstances. Anthony’s detail-rich writing and vivid characterization keep readers absorbed, enabling them to empathize with the characters’ fears and anxieties. His writing prowess is indeed on full display, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the intense, eerie atmospheres.
I recommend this book for its immensely engaging narrative and unique storyline. It’s a captivating read that elicits a deep sense of involvement with the plot and characters and impels you to hope for their survival in their terrifying environments. I’m confident that this riveting tale will similarly captivate other readers, leaving them enthralled by its unusual storyline and richly drawn characters.
Pages: 366 | ASIN: 0228840007
LITERARY TITAN 