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A Better Standard Than Mankind?
Mannigan – A Speck of Light follows a young man full of rage at the tyrannical government who joins a group called the Legion, whose mission is to fight back against the darkness taking over their world. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Watching how the world and the people in it have been changing, particularly in the last ten years, it would be hard to deny that discontentment, resentment, and anger at the multitude of injustices is growing rapidly and further dividing an already divided world. At its current rate, I can only imagine that it is a matter of time before humanity repeats the same mistakes once again. I believe that beyond the call for social, political, and societal changes there is a need for something else to start the healing of the sickness in our society. And that is for people to forgive. Through the lens of a dystopian world not much different than our own, this book is about how life can indeed be hard and unjust and cruel, but there is hope–for beyond what meets the eye there is more.
I find the world you created in this novel brimming with possibilities. Where did the inspiration for the setting come from and how did it change as you were writing?
I have spent most of my adult life on construction sites as a tradesman and engineer so I have a great interest in the built environment and did a lot of research into what a rebuilt post apocalyptic society in a decimated world would look like. In a wasteland, a planet dotted by self-contained and self-sustaining cities such as ‘The Line’ currently being built in Saudi Arabia would likely be the only practical option, so the world in my book is my vision of what it would look like. As I began exploring the world for myself, questions presented themselves about the details of how certain things would be or should be. This in turn prompted me to research a huge amount of subjects, from physics to biology, history to geography, and as I learned the world came into its own.
What were some of the trials that you felt were important to highlight the character’s development?
Developing Will’s character started with examining what the world I had created would look like to him in a way that mirrors how our world looks to us. Starting from where he grew up, he has many preconceived good and bad notions about life outside his bubble that were built on stories and half truths. As he begins seeing for himself how other people live with his own eyes and shares in their laughter and pain, his notions of what exactly is right and wrong and indeed the concept of justice is shaken. Morality afterall, by human standards, is based only on the standard of the average human in a particular place in a particular moment in time; a person convinced to be a good person when they stay equal with, or higher than, the average human, and a bad person when they dip below. This rationale is what made slave owners not so very long ago believe that the owning of slaves was not bad. The exploration of this is core to the story and to Will’s growth, allowing him and the reader to ask, ‘is there a better standard than mankind?’ So seeing such innocence in the traumatized little boy who he rescues in the airport shines light on the limitations of his own innocence, and seeing the depth of depravity in the Palace of Wish giving a new benchmark for what he considers to be bad opens the door for him to push the limitations of what he would have once considered wrong.
Will this novel be the start of a series or are you working on a different story?
While this is the first of a series that I aim to complete over several years and I have the story for the second book plotted out, I am currently working on another book, and released another one again just before the new year. It is very different from ‘Mannigan’, but if you are interested it is titled ‘City of Mann’ and is as weird as it is wonderful.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
Seeking revenge against the tyrannical rule of the Vitruvian elite with the help of a shadowy group called Legion, he sets about to light the spark to bring them to their knees. But from the palace of the mad queen in the Sea of Sand to the Weeping City of Sorrow in the mountains of Mourne, the truth is not what it seems. And as salvation collides with chaos, justice may be no more than a wishful dream.
Delving into the tumultuous vision of humanity’s near future, L. Ross Coulter’s provocative new novel ignites a journey through the interplay of pervasive technology, spirituality, and the myriad social challenges confronting today’s youth. Inquisitively, it probes the seemingly impossible essence of hope amid the chaos of the world, all while questioning where and how the adults of tomorrow will fit in.
Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy
Young Adult/New Adult
Recommended reading age: 13 and up
– 2023, Loose Screw Press
Mannigan – A Speck of Light
In Mannigan – A Speck of Light, author L. Ross Coulter invites readers into a richly imagined science fiction universe, intricately crafted and brimming with both technological marvels and spiritual depth. Set against the backdrop of the oppressive Vitruvian Empire, the narrative follows the emergence of a fledgling resistance movement poised on the cusp of revolution. William Manning is central to this brewing conflict, a man grappling with personal loss yet perceived as the beacon of hope in these dark times.
Manning’s journey is not just one of external rebellion but also an internal quest for redemption and purpose. Coulter adeptly weaves a tale where Manning’s personal struggles mirror the larger fight against tyranny. His character is skillfully developed, supported by a diverse cast of rebels who add layers of complexity and humanity to the story. The interactions among these characters are organic and dynamic, driving the narrative with a blend of action, suspense, and relatable dialogue. Coulter’s world-building is a standout aspect of the novel. He constructs a vivid, immersive world filled with mysterious cities and perilous landscapes that serve as more than just a setting; they are integral to the story’s progression. The gradual revelation of this world parallels the unfolding plot, ensuring that readers become more deeply engaged as the story advances. The blend of futuristic technology and a dystopian setting creates an atmospheric backdrop that enhances the story’s tension and intrigue. The pacing of the story is another of its strengths. Coulter maintains a brisk tempo, infused with action and suspense, that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. New characters are introduced strategically, each adding to the story’s momentum and enriching the narrative tapestry. The dialogue is effective in grounding the story in a sense of realism, even amidst the chaos of battle and the fantastical elements of the setting.
L. Ross Coulter’s Mannigan – A Speck of Light is a compelling science fiction narrative that offers a fresh perspective on oppression, hope, and destiny themes. While the initial world-building requires some acclimatization, the journey is rewarding, leaving readers longing to explore more of Coulter’s richly imagined universe. This novel is a testament to the power of science fiction to reflect our own world, drawing readers into a story that resonates with both its darkness and its light.
Pages: 378 | ASIN : B0CNHBF7RL
Honest Interactions
The Undulating Shadows follows the lives of three orphans who are connected by a paranormal phenomenon that could threaten the entire planet. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I wouldn’t want to spoil the twist at the end, but I started from there and worked my way back. The motivation for some of the characters to turn out the way they did, made sense to start out from a challenging childhood, and what could be more traumatic and challenging than growing up in a dilapidated orphanage?
This novel provides readers with some astonishing twists. How do you balance story development with shocking plot twists? Or can they be the same thing?
I had one twist in mind from the beginning, but I wanted to leave easter eggs along the way that will give attentive readers that ‘ah-ha’ moment in the end. I believe (or for me, it’s like that at least) that when a reader discovers these in the end, or close to the end, it is an additional reward for their patience and time dedicated to finishing the book.
What was your process in writing the characters’ interactions to develop the bond they have?
To be honest, I was very skeptical about how they would be received given that they swear and there is physical abuse, etc. But I wanted to keep the characters authentic, although this is quite difficult in today’s social climate. So far, I’ve not been canceled due to their honest interactions, and I hope it stays that way lol.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
The next book is called Lucid, and it’s about a young boy who discovers his dad’s old psychiatric journals that give instructions as to how to utilize lucid dreaming to battle PTSD. This leads to serious complications as the boy’s boundaries between the conscious and subconscious–the dream world and the real world–begin to blur. I hope to publish in early 2024.
Author Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Website
A paralysis-inducing shadow has caused a chain reaction of traumatic events that lands the youngest boy, Justin, in a dilapidated orphanage in South Carolina. There, Justin’s friendship with two equally traumatized children provides temporary solace from his pain—until the shadows stir once more and leave everyone lucky enough to survive the onslaught with a shattered psyche.
33 years later, Justin stumbles upon an incident involving a similar paranormal phenomenon. His investigation reveals an unsettling truth dating back to 8,212 BC that has slowly been growing into an imminent threat to the entire planet.
Can Justin connect with his past to find the answers in time, or will he, along with every other soul on the planet, succumb to the shadow’s insidious power?
All Hope of Becoming Human
In the wake of an earthquake near Arizona’s Four Corners, an ancient burial site is unveiled, revealing hundreds of bones that may shed light on the beginnings of humanity. Rebecca Duccati, a diligent assistant archaeologist, joins her superior on a mission sanctioned by the Department of Homeland Security to delve into this remarkable archaeological discovery. Parallel to this, FBI Special Agent Demzey is drawn into an investigation involving a series of gruesome homicides and encounters with enigmatic creatures unknown to modern science. This ultimately leads him to forge an alliance with Rebecca Duccati as they seek to unravel the mysteries before them. This is the intriguing premise of Lonnie Busch’s riveting novel, All Hope of Becoming Human, which weaves together the adventurous tales of a proficient investigator and an unyielding archaeologist. Their explorations serve as an intense voyage into the origins and potential fate of humanity, all while navigating ominous dangers and the potential apocalypse.
Embracing elements of crime, horror, and mystery, Busch’s multi-genre novel is a tour de force, conjuring suspense so tangible, it’s almost as if readers could feel their own hair standing on end as they navigate the unusual plot developments. The narrative artfully incorporates Demzey’s complex homicide inquiries and probes into Rebecca’s unexpected struggle with violent tendencies. Busch also ingeniously leaves a breadcrumb trail of tantalizing hints about the impending influence of malevolent forces and potential future cataclysms, consistently keeping readers on their toes.
The world-building in this novel is absolutely exceptional. Busch adeptly weaves together elements of the extraterrestrial, the malevolent, and the ancient to present a unique reality that prompts deep contemplation about our own world. Readers are engaged in profound reflections on humanity’s chaotic and self-destructive tendencies. Just as in Busch’s riveting sci-fi tale, it becomes apparent that clues about our origins may well lie buried, waiting to be discovered in the future.
Reading a novel as imaginatively rich and as captivating as All Hope of Becoming Human is an excellent means of expanding one’s perspectives about the world. This extraordinary work is one that readers will find increasingly compelling with each page turned. Eager anticipation is the only fitting response to the prospect of reading more of Lonnie Busch’s captivating novels. His ability to tell a story that is simultaneously thought-provoking and intriguing is a testament to his skill as a storyteller.
Pages: 394 | ASIN : B0C1HTQZ2R
Ekstasis
Ekstasis, the Return of the Sovereign Heart, by M. I. Dugast, is a novel that focuses on two different stories. One story is a product of metaliterature as there is a book in the book. On one side, David Wilkins is reading “Maps to the Sovereign Heart,” written by Mona Devek, and finds his life completely changed by reading the book. On the other side is the protagonist of the book Ericka, who goes through a lot in her life, dealing with her inner spiritual journey, nightmares from the past, and encounters with “The Elders,” her Spirit Guides.
Dugast writes in a quite descriptive and engaging way, helping the reader not get lost between multiple flashes forwards and backward by giving a place and date at the beginning of new chapters. The only down point is that the passage from Ericka’s adventures to David reading the book breaks the narrative tensions that had naturally formed while reading the book.
I appreciated the ties and interconnection between the two stories, making them feel like the same story and adding more depth to both. Furthermore, the connection between the ending, where Kadmon meets the Elders again, and the beginning, where he leaves them to go on a journey, feels particularly important after getting emotionally attached to the characters all book long.
Destiny, fate, reincarnation, and free will, are all themes readers will encounter in this novel. However, Dugast has woven them into a magical story that will leave readers stunned and catch their breath as they realize the intertwined lives of the fictional character are to the protagonist reading the story. The blurred lines of where one character’s life ends and the other begins will keep readers hooked, seeing how things all meet up and if the lines are entirely erased to create a new path they will take together.
Ekstasis, the Return of the Sovereign Heart, by M. I. Dugast, has an engaging metaphysical romance story and multiple plot twists that will have readers craving for more from the moment they first open the book. I recommend this novel to all readers looking for an interesting read and keen on knowing more about spiritual journeys and people overcoming their past traumas.
Pages: 810 | ASIN : B09NQRMRQX
LITERARY TITAN 