Blog Archives
I Wanted To Write Something Different
Odox: A Medieval Epic Fantasy follows a military officer with the power of telekinesis who is betrayed by his general and must find a way to save the kingdom. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I wanted to write something that was different than just your normal Fantasy book with a powerful magician. The idea of being betrayed is also seen in fantasy, and I love to see when the underdog triumphs.
Odex is betrayed and left for dead but refuses to give up hope or let down the kingdom. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
Hope. Odox needed to fight for something bigger than himself. He soon realizes that he needs help from others even if that help comes from a very small bird.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
You can not judge a book by its cover. For instance, Lanx was so insecure about his abilities that he never even tried to work through his issues. Once it was revealed to him who he was everything changed. For Odox, it was needing to rely on others. He could not do everything himself but he thought he could until it was too late.
Where does the story go in the next book and where do you see it going in the future?
I have already planned out the three other books in the series. The only hint I will give about the next book is the title. A Cracked World.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website
The novel follows a Drakkearean military officer named Odox. He possesses the power of telekinesis given to him by an elder of the ancient Croc Sapien race. Only the immortal Queen Isla of the Croc Spaiens’ possesses the same ability.
Odox must master the power and use it to fight against the menacing armies of the northern Throderian empire and a horde of Mul-Senup Ogres, giants, and Shiver Hallow witches.
However, his world collapses when general Venla, one of his fellow officers, betrays him. Odox is captured, blinded, caged, and put in a hole in the bottom of a dungeon to rot. He needs to escape and find the mysterious Queen Isla.
To the north, in the human-occupied Throderian empire, King Thaddeus is set on expanding his castle grounds. However, he must choose between expanding his kingdom quickly or heeding the council of his advisors and slowing his progress to respect nature. If not respected, Mabbalor would unleash its rage on the person responsible in the form of cursed tree root creatures called Underfoots.
ODOX A Medieval Epic Fantasy
In Odox: A Medieval Epic Fantasy, Mysteries of Mabbalor: Book One, author Ken C. Kennedy masterfully weaves an enchanting tale set in the rich and vivid world of Mabbalor. The story follows the captivating journey of Odox, a courageous Drakkearean military officer. He navigates through treachery, a menacing enemy army, and the burgeoning power bestowed upon him by an enigmatic Croc Sapien.
The gripping prologue instantly immerses readers into the imaginative realm of Mabbalor, where a young boy – who is later revealed to be our protagonist, Odox – takes center stage. Kennedy has skillfully crafted a dynamic cast of characters, including the memorable bounty hunters and the uniquely intriguing ogre brothers, whose lively dialogue adds delightful entertainment to the narrative.
Mabbalor’s well-conceived magick system effortlessly complements the story’s fabric, providing a balanced, natural presence without dominating the plot. With its inherent limitations, the magick system ensures that Odox remains a relatable, human-like character instead of an invincible god. The only drawbacks are occasional slow pacing and a scarcity of information on certain kingdoms. This could be intentional on the author’s part to leave readers in wait for future novels in the series.
While the epilogue may initially leave readers feeling somewhat perplexed about the unfolding events and characters’ identities, the tantalizing mystery ultimately fuels anticipation for the next installment in the series.
Kennedy has successfully created a vibrant, immersive world, complete with multiple kingdoms and a sophisticated magick system. The characters are remarkably distinctive and genuine. Odox: A Medieval Epic Fantasy, Mysteries of Mabbalor is a captivating epic fantasy that takes readers on an adventure in a magical world that is unique and mysterious.
Pages: 511 | ASIN : B0BQCN4W82
It Was An Experiment
Fall of Titan follows an astrophysics cadet who uncovers the key to the seven realms and is forced to choose between saving her home or the device. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
That is a funny story. Until 2018, I thought I would never write Science Fiction. Not because I didn’t like it. I grew up watching Science fiction movies and TV shows but never read a lot of books in this genre. I loved the shows and I am a big fan of Star Trek. I always wrote mystery, thrillers and suspense and thought that was it. I would never write any other genre. But in 2018, it was during Christmas holidays and I had just finished the final draft of Haunted and sent it to the editor. Honestly, I wasn’t even thinking about it and I get this idea of this young girl who is curious and goes out of her way to find this mythical device that is split into seven parts. I remember going to my laptop and writing out the summary of the book and that was the beginning of the Realm saga.
Emmeline Augury is an intriguing and well-developed character. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
The main thing was creating a female character who inspires and motivates the reader. She is trying to be more, prove herself, and wants to break out of her constraints. Several readers have written to me saying stories like this would inspire young and adult readers to explore and do more with their lives. I felt like Emmeline should be someone who appeals to readers of her age. She is smart, creative and very driven. But her actions led to deadly consequences – showing that she is not perfect. None of us are.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
This the first time I had attempted to write science fiction. Mainly I wanted to see if I could do this. Write a science fiction. It was an experiment. If the first book hadn’t been developed well, I would have dropped it and moved on to another book.
Fall of Titan allowed me to expand my imagination and its publication and positive reviews was a sign to me that I could do this. I do not mean to be negative. I had a lot of fun writing this book. But I had my doubts. I write fiction, in crime thrillers or mystery there are certain limitations. You have to stick with the general norms. With this series, I had the chance to mix science fiction with mythology. I have never done that before. It opened doors for adventure, action, mystery and of course love and relationships between the characters which I feel has added so much to the books.
I think the last thing was the characters. I usually have a limited set of characters in my books. But this series has multiple characters, and sometimes it is hard for people to follow them (I get that.) But there is a reason for that. Emmeline, though smart and strong cannot do everything and the premise of this story is extensive. Also, telling the story only from her angle was not what I wanted. The multiple characters in the books help me expand the plot and make it more interesting for the reader. It also added more fun to the book, because I could introduce different character traits.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
Poseidon, the second book in the series was released in December 2021. The next book is Icarus (Realm book 3) is on preorder and will be out this Christmas eve (24th Dec 2022).
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
Fall of Titan
H. G. Ahedi’s novel Fall of Titan is the beginning of a sci-fi epic mostly taking place within range of the perimeter, a shield built by the spacefaring humans near Saturn to protect Earth. Constructed after, a comet named Nemesis impacts Earth and decimates the population.
The perimeter is the location where humanity makes violent first contact with an alien species dubbed the Orias. However, this becomes a much-needed shield when the humans realize the extent and power of the Orias fleet.
The space station Titan watches over the perimeter, and while the command crew faces the political ramifications caused by the appearance of the Orias, Emmeline, a young astrophysicist, strikes out with her friend, Delta, to unlock the secrets of a mysterious plaque handed down through generations in her family.
Author Ahedi immediately thrusts the reader into the action, instantly capturing the reader’s attention. Even though the book starts off with a bang, I felt it was hard to follow all of the characters’ names that the reader is introduced to within the first few pages. However, once past the opening chapter or two, the book’s pace does slow down and becomes a smoother read.
The author has created a compelling plot filled with tension as we follow Emmeline’s quest to unlock the plaque’s mysteries. This quest forms the centerpiece of the novel. The author seamlessly transitions from different character perspectives during the events on Titan station, allowing the reader to understand the emotions and thoughts of each character. Some you will be rooting for, and others not so much. H.G. Ahedi manages to fit a lot into only a few hundred pages, and all of it drives the plot forwards to its culmination in an explosive ending that does leave you wanting to know what happens next.
Fall of Titan is an epic science fiction novel with paranormal fantasy elements that keep readers on edge. This first contact series takes off with a compelling mystery taking the protagonist and readers on an adventure with lots of action as different races battle for dominance in the galaxy.
Pages: 295 | ASIN : B085BPMPWN
Shaped By Wars And Conflicts
Over the Broad Earth follows two Celestial brothers, God and Satan, who can only unleash their sibling rivalry when humans engage in combat. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
I wanted to explore a different dynamic from the traditional depiction of Satan as a fallen angel or jinn, and therefore inferior to God. Setting the two on equal footing allowed me to pursue a narrative where each side approaches a battle across the millennia with the same advantages and disadvantages. Instead of Satan being a rebel, for this story he has his own plans and claims to authority. I was inspired by Greek and Norse mythology, which contain many examples of competing gods. In those stories, such as the Iliad, gods are invested in and interfere with the outcomes of the mortal world. Much of the course of history has been shaped by wars and conflicts. For a long time humans believed their conflicts were mirrored by warring deities. I wanted the war between God’s and Satan’s armies to occur in tandem with human conflict.
Your characters are unique and have a compelling backstory. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
The characters of Over the Broad Earth live across many different ages. They experience similar situations throughout due to the similarities within warfare, regardless of the era. However, what changes in the course of the novel are the internal mental state and motivations of the characters. They continually vacillate from confidence to doubt, valor to cowardice, selflessness to selfishness, sacrifice to self-preservation, and many other emotions and outlooks. These ever-changing attitudes send the characters down an oft-chaotic and unexpected development curve.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The search for meaning and purpose in the face of an absurd and meaningless world was a central theme. I wanted to explore sources of motivation; love, lust, recognition, survival, acceptance, power, and hate, and how the pursuit and fulfillment of these motivations can provide a sense of either meaning or emptiness. The Demons and Angels of Over the Broad Earth do not age and therefore have the potential to live forever, however, they can be killed. I did this so they could be comparable to humans. Death is always there lurking and yet we try to push that reality to the back of our minds by focusing on what we want. I also tried to explore what it means to be an individual within a collective. Over the Broad Earth contains a host of characters, some the reader will meet intimately, others briefly. In the same way, the main characters are surrounded by a multitude – they form strong bonds with some – they barely interact with others. Over the course of the story, the characters will influence and be influenced by those around them and are compelled to come to grips with how they intend to fit into the kaleidoscope of which they are a member.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I am currently working on And They Marched Up, Volume III of The Saga of Fallen Leaves. In this volume, I explore the stories of some supporting characters from Over the Broad Earth and introduce some new ones. Hopefully And They Marched Up will be available in January 2023.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Website
The citizens of both Heaven and Hell endure all the emotions and circumstances of the humans they routinely inhabit, love, valor, passion, treachery, bravery, and heartache. Readers will follow the exploits of two of the greatest “eternal” warriors of the ages: Lord Zinc II (Heaven) and Schizophrenia “Schitz” Incenderos Nervosa (Hell). The rivals battle one another throughout history from the struggle between the Babylonians and Assyrians in the desert through and beyond the teeming jungles of Southeast Asia.
Along the way, these intrepid fighters interact with a host of characters (Moses, Alexander the Great, Napoleon, and more), friends, fiends, and lovers. Displaying the same traits of compassion and selfishness known to all of Creation, Schitz and Zinc lead their soldiers – and try to stay alive.
Dogs Don’t Cook
In Dogs Don’t Cook by author Catherine Alexander, Thomas ‘Hatch’ Hatchfield was an artist. It was all he dreamed of being from the time he picked up a crayon. Then came the Vietnam war. Returning from the war as a veteran, he was scarred by his experiences and struggled with homelessness and alcohol addiction. Judged by society and all but abandoned by what’s left of his family, Hatch’s only real friend is his dog, Bud. Dog lovers won’t be surprised to know that Bud is a loyal straight-talker and doesn’t shy away from telling Hatch honest truths about things even when it is painful.
With no family that wants to help him, Hatch eventually stumbles into meeting the practical and kind-hearted Rosa, who becomes his real family. She gives him a place to live and work and inspires him to get back on his feet and start to create art again. The relationship between Hatch and Rosa is beautiful and shows that kindness is still out there in the world.
Hatch is a very clearly drawn character with a distinctive voice written from a first-person perspective. You are immediately drawn into his world and can’t help but find yourself firmly on his side right from the beginning. The Vietnam war period sets the backdrop for Hatch’s journey, and it provides a timely and poignant commentary on the war in general. I felt that in a couple of instances, elements of the story seemed to be dropped in for convenience without being fully developed or resolved, like the handling of Hatch’s brief love interest. There is a stark contrast in the portrayal of Hatch as a hopeless drunk vs. him sober, without a lot of transition between the two stages. Watching Hatch emerge from his drunken fog and reclaim parts of his former self is heartwarming.
Dogs Don’t Cook is a moving story of love, loss, family, and triumph over considerable adversity. This historical war fiction novel captures the emotions many returning vets felt and shows some of the challenges they endured once returning to America. Hatch is the character who stays with you long after you finish the book.
Pages: 266 | ASIN : B09NCZJ4Q6
Allure of Oartheca
Allure of Oartheca, the first book of The Oarthecan Star Saga by author James Siewert, is the galactic tale of the rogue Captain Rowland Hale of Earth. On the score of a lifetime, with his crew on their ship Luck of the Draw, Hale is ambushed by the dreaded Pryok’tel, who takes his crew, and a world-altering technology, as the injured captain can only hide and watch.
Coming to his rescue is the disgraced Captain Toar Grithrawscion of the Oarth race of Oartheca. Along with his mining crew of Lurcaster’s Claw, they try to aid Rowland in the retrieval of his crew and the dangerous technology they stole. It’s an instant attraction between the captains, but can they overcome their broken pasts, Oarth laws, and biological difficulties to be together?
This thrilling and fast-paced novel reminded me of Firefly and Star Trek combined. This captivating book is over three hundred pages, and Siewert’s pacing of the novel is perfect. While the book only takes place over a few days, the action scenes and attention to detail keep the story moving and readers engaged. Siewart’s descriptions are beautiful, and when he presents a concept that is not the norm for humans, he explains them perfectly. The author’s tone for the story is light and fun, even in the dark moments.
It was funny reading the thoughts of what an alien species make of humans, and likewise for the human Rowland’s observations of the Oarths. The author’s creativity really shines when he describes how a species eats. I would’ve liked to have the Under explained sooner in the story, but it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment.
The romance is done well in this book, and I applaud the author for making the protagonist gay. The relationship is an Alpha and Omega kind of love that is balanced while keeping both characters as strong individuals. In addition, I appreciated that the author gave both male protagonists a realistic body type. Rather than use the overdone chiseled abs and the perfect body, the characters are relatable to a broader range of readers.
Allure of Oartheca is an exhilarating space opera with intriguing LGBTQ+ characters. This science fiction novel is filled with action and adventure as the characters race across space trying to save the galaxy.
Pages: 365 | ASIN : B095S3V2S1
Water Witch: Book Two
Author Kelly Brewer’s novel Water Witch is the second book in his science fiction series, The Deepening. This action-filled novel follows the adventures of Kyle Supplanits, a former Marine turned intergalactic rock star. Following the events of First Contact, mankind’s space exploration, or “Deepening,” has brought humans into contact with a hostile alien race known as the Ziz.
After a horrifying attack during the band’s rock show on Neptune, Kyle and his new wife, Mercy, escape to Earth to regroup and figure out how to combat the Ziz. As Kyle awakens his “Water Witch” powers, characters across the solar system deal with the onslaught of the alien menace.
Water Witch is a dizzying blend of science fiction, sex, zombies, aliens, and conservative values. The author has masterfully set up the characters and conflicts across multiple landscapes in this space opera. The story mainly takes place in Texas, where readers learn more about Kyle. The sexual relationship between Kyle and Mercy is detailed, with somewhat rambunctious sex scenes. When not involved with Mercy, Kyle is being experimented on by Dr. Hadjii, who is trying to figure out what makes Kyle so unique to the Ziz. Finding out why he is important could be key to saving humanity.
Meanwhile, in space, the Ziz, who are semi-visible tornado fire creatures, are wreaking havoc across the different space stations. They are launching a zombie attack to try and take control of the stations and prevent humans from committing genocide on their species.
Some interesting themes are explored when the characters wax philosophically about their places in the world. For example, Kyle seems to be keenly aware of how small he is in the universe while at the same time believing he is critical to the future of mankind.
I think the presentation of the novel can be challenging for readers in places. Brewer uses different fonts to differentiate the languages when narrating the Ziz. I feel the way Kyle and Mercy address each other can lead to reader fatigue as most of their dialog is punctuated by exclamation points. However, their constant affection can be endearing and shows their loyalty and human nature.
Some of the themes brought up in this novel are premarital sex, drug use, pokes at politics, bureaucracy, and the media. The exploration of so many themes will leave readers with plenty to ponder and directions to guess where the story will go.
Water Witch is an entertaining science fiction novel with larger-than-life characters and interesting and original alien antagonists. This quirky space opera saga will keep readers on edge from start to finish and left dying to see what happens next.
Pages: 300 | ASIN : B09JDRPYHZ
