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The Real and the Virtual
SPARK follows a 16-year-old foster kid who runs away to a virtual reality theme park, where he meets another runaway and uncovers more than an escape from reality. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
We’ve known foster parents and foster kids. Everybody means well, but the system is so overloaded that kids fall through the cracks and are left in situations that are not good. These kids often have issues that the parents cannot handle and the environment turns adversarial. Will is an example of that. He is a great kid whose past sets him up to fail in the system.
As a child, I always wanted to spend the night in Disneyland – to look behind the scenes and explore. Will figures out a way to do just that in Spark.
I find the world you created in this novel brimming with possibilities. Where did the inspiration for the Solar Prime Augmented Reality Park come from, and how did it change as you were writing?
Solar Prime Augmented Reality Park was inspired by Pokémon Go. My daughters were both playing, so I gave it a try. The concept of a Pokémon being projected onto a real background captured my attention. One of the problems with virtual reality is that you lose all touch with your actual environment and can easily crash into walls, tables, and TVs while playing. It’s also easy to step on things, like pets. Augmented reality blends the best of the real and the virtual.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I wanted to look at the foster care system, education, artificial intelligence, and a post-war world.
Where does the story go in the next book, and where do you see it going in the future?
The second book in the series, Fire, is now available! It follows Will and Feral as they fight their way through the aftermath of Spark’s events and the notoriety that they’ve gained. Some social media themes play out and they get caught between competing factions and find themselves counseling an AI that has learned that violence can be an effective tool.
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Spark
Pat Daily’s SPARK thrusts readers into a richly imagined virtual world where the stakes feel as real as life itself. At the heart of this gripping sci-fi tale is sixteen-year-old Will Kwan, a foster kid whose life has been shaped by uncertainty. His world changes when he clings to the last words from his birth mother: “Find me, save me.” Those same words appear in SPARK, the Solar Prime Augmented Reality Park, a dazzling digital universe that offers Will a sense of purpose and belonging. What begins as escapism soon turns into a high-stakes mission as Will dives deeper into the realm of SPARK and encounters Feral Daughter, a defiant runaway who has made the park her sanctuary. Together, they unravel secrets that could change everything.
This novel borrows familiar themes from classics like Ender’s Game and modern hits such as Ready Player One. Yet, SPARK stands out for its emotional depth and grounded protagonist. Will Kwan is an easy character to root for, a kid navigating the dual struggles of foster care and the existential questions that come with it. His journey feels genuine. He’s not just looking for a home but searching for identity, closure, and hope. His connection with Feral Daughter, another misfit seeking refuge in SPARK, is compelling and adds emotional weight to the story’s twists.
What’s refreshing is how the book avoids the well-tread sci-fi path of portraying technology as a lurking menace. Instead, it channels the spirit of Jules Verne, celebrating innovation and its ability to unite and empower. SPARK, as a virtual playground, is more than a backdrop; it’s a lifeline for Will and Feral Daughter, as well as countless others who feel alienated in the real world. Daily’s world-building is vibrant and imaginative, making SPARK a place readers will want to explore, even as its darker truths emerge. The stakes in the story rise steadily, intertwining Will’s personal quest with larger, often perilous, discoveries about SPARK itself. Every layer revealed about the virtual realm brings new surprises and challenges for Will.
The narrative’s pacing is taut, and the unfolding mysteries keep readers turning pages. Young adults will especially enjoy this fast-paced adventure, but older sci-fi fans will find themselves equally captivated by the dynamic characters and thoughtful exploration of technology’s role in human connection.
In SPARK, Pat Daily delivers a story that’s as heartfelt as it is thrilling. It’s a celebration of resilience, friendship, and the enduring power of hope. Whether you’re a teen seeking adventure or a seasoned sci-fi enthusiast, this book promises a virtual escape worth taking.
Pages: 458 | ASIN : B0BL193S4P
Challenges That They Must Face
Spark follows a group of young adults that must make a journey inland in order to survive amidst an apocalyptic world that throws obstacles at each turn. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
I was reading several books in a series and thought I could try to write a series as well. However, it soon became apparent that just writing one book is tough (laugh!). I decided to write my book as a standalone at that point. There are things that I care about, such as global warming and mental health, and I wanted to incorporate these things into the book. As Spark is my first novel, I want to make it straight forward for me to write, so I decided that my characters shall go from point A to point B with challenges that they must face along the way.
With so much drama and disasters striking the characters, how did you balance the action scenes with the story elements and still keep a fast pace in the story?
There were as many external obstacles and misfortunes as internal struggles that the main character, Becky experienced. Simply put, as the characters need to go from point A to point B as soon as possible, the story is always moving along. I tried to have characters that are relatable to keep the story grounded. Becky, the mean character, is by no means perfect. Some of her decisions are even questionable, but I think readers can understand her. Tommy, her brother, is a drug addict. He uses sarcasm to cope with his depression and pain. The siblings don’t get along but they are close and care about each other. Their friend, Connor, who tags along with the siblings, is levelheaded and rational. He provides stability amid all the crises.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Some of the themes that are important for me to explore in this book include effects of climate change, survival after disasters, personal growth, dysfunctional families, self-harm, and drug addiction.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
Although I mentioned Spark is a standalone book, there is potential for a sequel (laugh!). It’s not the book I’m currently working on though. I’m currently working on another young adult / new adult book that involves the main character being convinced she’s haunted by a ghost. It will explore the themes of science vs. superstition, expectations from others vs. self-fulfillment, and the courage of letting go so change can happen.
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A massive earthquake ignites widespread panic, and people start to run in fear of a tsunami. Becky and Connor are separated from Meghan and Robert. Forced to leave the area, Becky and Connor find her brother, Tommy, and they make their way back to the siblings’ home in hopes that Meghan and Robert are going there too. But as they wait for their friends, Langley goes up in flames and the trio must flee by car.
With nowhere else to go, they decide to head to Winnipeg, Manitoba, where Becky’s parents are staying. En route, they learn that a deadly new virus, with horrific symptoms, is tearing through British Columbia. They will have to make it to Manitoba before the borders close. Meanwhile, Tommy suffers severe drug withdrawal and shares a devastating confession with Becky. Tension rises as fear grips the country and more disasters impede their way. How will they possibly survive?
Spark
People are gathered in Reunion Square, enjoying things before the area would be flooded by the rising sea waters. Four friends set off for a night of fun, little did they know that their life was to be turned upside down.
Spark is a dystopian science fiction novel set in the future. It is set in a world of rising sea levels where neighborhoods being submerged and lost forever has become a commonplace occurrence. When a massive earthquake hits panic and chaos break out. With the threat of a tsunami, and a fire engulfing the town, this group of friends tries to escape to safety.
Readers follow along on the journey of a group of young adults as they navigate the obstacles that befall them. The story introduces our protagonist, Becky, and her friend Meghan, who is going to Reunion Square to welcome their long-time friends Robert and Connor. And that is when the first catastrophe hits. One after the other, author Y.C. Leung moves the story along a detailed and well-crafted plotline, full of twists and turns such that there are no dull moments.
The author does a fantastic job of keeping the readers engaged right from the beginning. Throughout the book, the characters go through many life-changing events, catastrophes, and inner turmoil, thereby making the story very engaging and realistic. The story covers multiple coming-of-age themes, like self-doubt, inner turmoil, embracing one’s identity, making life-altering decisions, drug abuse, and relationships.
The writing style is relatively straight and simple, making it easy for middle-grade teens to follow and stay engaged. The author doesn’t spend a lot of time setting up the scene and rather goes straight to the action, giving readers just what they need to know to be in the moment. The conversations, the scene-setting, and the action are straightforward, making this fast-paced novel move quickly, adding to the feel and drama of the storyline.
Spark is the coming of age story of a group of teens that were about to set off on the next stage of their lives before apocalyptic events turn their life into a race for survival with action at every turn. I recommend this book for young adults who are interested in dystopian science fiction.
Pages: 228 | ASIN : B09Q93XWK6
LITERARY TITAN 