Blog Archives
The Conscious Virus
The Conscious Virus, by Miki Mitayn, defies easy categorization. Part sci-fi, part medical drama, it blends elements from different genres into a compelling narrative that challenges, yet deeply engages, the reader. At its core lies the unique relationship between Nerida and Mari, two women traveling through the desolate Australian outback, tasked with confronting a conscious virus—a threat unlike anything humanity has ever seen.
Nerida, a doctor and scientist, is driven by her desire to help the scattered communities she encounters. Yet her approach to saving lives is far from conventional. Mari, her partner, claims to communicate with disembodied spirits, something Nerida can’t rationalize but is forced to accept after undeniable proof. Their love is undeniable, yet their dynamic is fraught with tension—Nerida’s logical mind often clashes with Mari’s shamanistic beliefs. Together, they form an uneasy partnership, one that might hold the key to stopping a virus that’s not only intelligent but also seemingly conscious.
Mitayn crafts a narrative that explores not just the physical threat posed by this virus but also deeper, more complex themes—queer relationships, spirituality, and humanity’s capacity for self-destruction. The novel demands focus, especially when it delves into its pseudo-metaphysical moments, but the emotional anchor of Nerida and Mari’s relationship keeps readers grounded. Nerida, who sees herself as a savior of the communities she visits, struggles with Mari’s unconventional methods, yet their bond grows as the reality of their situation becomes undeniable.
The virus they face is terrifying, not just because it threatens humanity, but because it forces the women to confront the deeper question of whether humanity is even worth saving. Mitayn excels at creating a world that feels both familiar and unsettling. The stakes are high—not just for the survival of the human race but for Nerida and Mari’s relationship. The conscious virus looms as an insidious presence, but in many ways, it serves as a metaphor for any existential threat that could tear apart an unconventional love. Amid a hostile world, sometimes the only thing that sustains us is our connection to the people we care about most.
The Conscious Virus is an intricate, thought-provoking read. Its blend of genres creates a tapestry of ideas that can be challenging, but the depth of emotion and humanity at its heart make it an eminently rewarding experience. For readers who enjoy stories that push boundaries while exploring the raw, often painful nature of love and survival, this novel is not to be missed.
Pages: 478 | ASIN : B098X1SXZ4
The New Hunger
The New Hunger is a dystopian novella that explores a near-future society fractured by a mysterious event called the Quickening, which mutates certain young people into “Eaters,” who survive on human flesh, and “Healers,” whose flesh regenerates. Narrated by Nora, a haunted young woman hiding her monstrous truth while caught between guilt, revolution, and survival, the book dives into a queer, post-apocalyptic world full of genetic mutation, political unrest, and intimate, blood-soaked trauma. Through hallucinatory parties, whispered conspiracies, and quiet heartbreaks, Margariti crafts a narrative that is equal parts bodily horror and queer resilience.
The writing is visceral, poetic, and strangely intimate, like being let into someone’s dreams. Margariti builds a lush world. The prose is vivid, sometimes dizzying, sometimes raw. The dialogue crackles, the pacing is slow but deliberate, and the emotional stakes feel earned. I felt the hunger, the confusion, the shame, and the aching tenderness in every page. At times, it reminded me of Annihilation and Never Let Me Go, but queerer, weirder, and more guttural.
What stands out most is how boldly The New Hunger leans into its disorientation. The worldbuilding is lush and dreamlike, full of sensory detail and strange beauty, and it embraces a kind of narrative chaos that mirrors the crumbling society it depicts. The mystery around the Virus, the shifting power dynamics, and the blurred lines between friend and enemy all add to the story’s surreal, feverish tone. Rather than laying everything out neatly, Margariti trusts the reader to navigate the confusion alongside the characters. The revolution subplot, though more hinted at than spelled out, adds to this atmosphere of uncertainty. I felt it was deliberate, immersive, and true to the experience of living through upheaval. It left me curious, unsettled, and eager to know more.
The New Hunger was equal parts entertaining and emotionally stirring. It’s a queer, mutant fever dream with a pulse. I’d recommend this book to fans of body horror, speculative fiction, or anyone who’s felt alien in their own skin. If you liked Gideon the Ninth, Black Mirror, or even Euphoria with teeth, this might be for you.
Pages: 156 | ISBN : 9781590217818
Side Quest: Stories
Jalyn Renae Fiske’s Side Quest is a spellbinding short story collection that threads together the fantastical, the bizarre, the sorrowful, and the hopeful into a vivid tapestry of speculative fiction. Each tale feels like its own little world, yet they all orbit the same sun. Stories about transformation, identity, and the human ache to find meaning in magic, or at least something just beyond reach. From haunted boxes that hold hearts to candy that can bend reality, Fiske’s writing thrives in liminal spaces where myth rubs up against memory and childhood wonder is soaked through with grown-up grief.
Fiske writes like she’s pulling you by the hand into each scene, whispering truths you’re not sure you’re supposed to know. The imagery is lush and often strange in the best way. Raw, dreamlike, sometimes grotesque, but always beautiful. Her story “Soul Candy” was one of my favorites. It dances between sci-fi satire and horror with a slow burn that leaves a pit in your stomach. It’s not just about mood-altering sweets; it’s about how easy it is to surrender yourself to illusion when reality offers so little warmth. And then there are stories like “Heart Box” that broke me open quietly, like a poem with a knife tucked between the lines. Fiske writes grief with a tenderness that hurts. She captures children in these moments of impossible emotion and makes them feel completely real. And she never talks down to her characters or her readers.
A couple of the stories leaned into allegory or felt like exercises in style rather than fully lived-in worlds. But even then, the writing kept me in it. Fiske knows her craft. She’s playful, she’s weird, and she’s sharp. I also loved the way she framed the whole collection as her “side quests,” which made me think differently about short stories, not as detours but as power-ups, each one leveling up the voice of a writer who’s still growing and pushing herself.
I’d recommend Side Quest to anyone who loves speculative fiction with a soft heart and a sharp edge. Fans of Kelly Link or Carmen Maria Machado stories will feel right at home here. If you’ve ever wanted to disappear into a story that feels like it a dream, this collection is a must.
Pages: 227 | ASIN : B0DKCYY7LG
Shadows and Black in the Light
Amy van Rijthoven’s Shadows and Black in the Light is a haunting and poetic journey through the lives of two deeply scarred individuals—Millie and Andy—whose stories intertwine across themes of grief, betrayal, longing, and redemption. Set against the backdrop of rural Australia, the novel moves between the perspectives of Millie, a teenager on the brink of adulthood grappling with the mysterious death of her father and the emotional absence of her mother, and Andy, a former associate of her father caught between his criminal past and an aching desire to start over. As their lives begin to overlap, the novel paints an intricate portrait of broken families, buried secrets, and the fragile, persistent hope for healing.
What I liked most was the visceral, emotional quality of the writing. Van Rijthoven doesn’t shy away from the messiness of human relationships. Her prose is vivid, lyrical, sometimes raw, evoking smells, textures, and fleeting moments with clarity. Millie’s voice is especially poignant. She’s young but not naive, strong yet vulnerable. I often found myself pausing to absorb the depth of her thoughts, quiet reflections that feel both personal and relatable. Andy’s chapters, on the other hand, are grittier and rough-edged, but they balance Millie’s internal monologue with action and a grim look at life on the other side of the law. The dual narrative worked beautifully for me—it was like watching two storms edge closer together until they finally collide.
While the emotional weight carried the story far, there were moments when the pacing felt uneven—certain scenes lingered, while others that seemed pivotal moved quickly. But even when the plot wandered, the emotional heartbeat never faltered. The mystery, the slow-burn relationships, the tension—it kept me hooked. And by the final chapters, I felt I had truly gone on a journey with these characters. Their growth felt earned.
Shadows and Black in the Light is a heartfelt and emotionally rich novel that is perfect for readers who enjoy stories of self-discovery, slow-burning suspense, and complex family drama. If you’re the kind of person who likes to sit with a story long after it ends, who appreciates prose that breathes, and who isn’t afraid of confronting the shadows we all carry, this book is for you.
Pages: 310 | ASIN : B0FB3L88ZY
Where the Grass Don’t Grow and Vultures Sing
Where the Grass Don’t Grow and Vultures Sing is a gritty and unsettling collection of twelve speculative fiction stories that mix horror, science fiction, and dark fantasy into a cocktail that’s as jarring as it is addictive. Rosick sets the tone with raw, twisted narratives full of morally ambiguous characters and grotesque, often bleak, realities. Each story paints a picture of a world that’s almost like ours, but far more violent, broken, and bizarre. Whether it’s alien overlords feasting on human suffering, ghostly reckonings in small-town America, or dystopian futures ruled by invasive surveillance and social decay, Rosick pulls no punches. His introduction frames the collection as the culmination of decades of writing and rejection, driven by a persistent, almost obsessive need to tell the truth in the form of fiction.
Reading these stories felt like being dragged through a dream that’s halfway between terrifying and tragic. Rosick’s prose is coarse and visceral. In “For the Entertainment of the Gods,” for example, I felt a mix of horror and awe, watching the protagonist endure a psychic deathmatch for the amusement of alien gods. It wasn’t just the violence that disturbed me; it was the idea of what people would trade for survival. “Death Calls on Mr. Smith” is a slow, aching story about aging and the crushing weight of grief that never heals. Rosick’s ability to flip between brutal and tender in just a few pages surprised me.
Some stories felt a bit too on the nose or a little rushed toward their endings, like “The Covenant of the ARC,” which was strong in setup but heavy in its dystopian commentary. There were moments where I wanted a deeper dive or just a bit more finesse in the delivery. Still, the strength of Rosick’s voice and the conviction behind each story made up for the occasional rough patch. What I appreciated most was the honesty. These aren’t sanitized, neatly packaged tales. They’re messy, human, and more than a little feral. They reminded me of the kind of stories that live in the back of your mind, buried under the daily routine, waiting to crawl out when you least expect them.
If you’ve got a soft spot for dark speculative fiction that punches hard and lingers longer, this collection is worth your time. Fans of writers like Philip K. Dick, Clive Barker, or Joe Lansdale will feel right at home in Rosick’s unsettling worlds. Where the Grass Don’t Grow and Vultures Sing reads like a haunted mixtape of pulp nightmares.
Pages: 289 : ASIN : B0F1Z4GPG5
Questioning the Reality
Reckoning follows the ongoing battle between radical feminists, transhumanists, and those caught in the middle over the future of human evolution. This is an intriguing setup for a novel that is high in social commentary. What was your moral goal when writing this novel, and do you feel you’ve achieved it?
The moral landscape of Reckoning is carved from the reality that, in many of the world’s wealthiest nations, governments have been transformed into tools for weaponizing gender—elevating women to a near-deified status while reducing men to mere utilities, expected to serve and provide without question. Laws, social dogma, and cultural narratives reinforce this imbalance, systematically eroding the individual agency of men under the guise of progress.
My goal was not to proselytize but to speculate—to take a social trajectory that already exists and extend it into a near-future dystopia where the pendulum has swung too far. The result? A world where men, in the face of absolute exclusion, establish a means of survival in societies where women no longer exist. The deeper thread running through Reckoning is the inevitability of history’s correction. Tyrannies, regardless of ideology, eventually crumble under the weight of their own excesses. The human condition ensures that no extreme remains unchallenged forever. Have I achieved my goal? If readers walk away disturbed, questioning the reality they’ve taken for granted, then yes, I believe I have.
What are some things that you find interesting about the human condition that you think make for great fiction?
The contradictions of human nature are an endless reservoir for storytelling. We are creatures of belief, yet belief often blinds us. We idolize wealth, but that idolatry degrades our sense of self. And then there’s deception—the art of lying and the rush of getting away with it.
That last one, in particular, is fascinating for building tension. A lie, when successfully executed, grants the liar power—over perception, over truth, over consequence. Readers are complicit in this power until the deception is exposed. Then the emotional response shifts: the thrill of the lie mutates into disgust, betrayal, even rage. That emotional pendulum is what makes fiction electric. The greatest characters are the ones who manipulate this dance between what they present to the world and what they truly are.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
One of the more obscure but potent themes in Reckoning is the evolution of personal symbology. The protagonist is covered in ink—tattoos that depict the suffering of women across history. But as the novel progresses, as her perspective darkens and her role in the story shifts, those tattoos evolve. They are not just decorations but shifting ideologies etched into her skin. They are a reflection of a deeper transformation, a living testament to how belief systems, when pushed to extremes, can decay into something monstrous.
Another theme is the shifting tide of reproduction and societal survival. In modern times, we already see trends of men stepping away from marriage, from fatherhood, from traditional roles that once anchored civilization. Populations are shrinking in major world powers, and governments are scrambling for solutions—some restricting abortion, others incentivizing childbirth, others turning to technology to create artificial solutions. Reckoning plays with the idea of what happens when this crisis reaches its breaking point.
And finally, the theme of deception—the industrialization of lies. We live in an era where hero worship is no longer based on achievement but on the ability to manipulate perception. The most successful leaders are those who have perfected the art of fabrication, shielding their deceptions through laws, through controlled narratives, through a populace that would rather be comforted by a beautiful lie than face an uncomfortable truth. And perhaps the most unsettling realization is this: people love their deceivers. They fight for them. They revere them. Reckoning doesn’t just ask what happens when power is built on deception—it asks, what happens when deception becomes the very foundation of society?
What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?
Reckoning marks the final entry in the Nirvanaing series, and while that chapter is now closed, another one is well underway. I’m currently deep into the second novel in the Married Stupid series—a thriller trilogy that draws from a true story and drags readers into the tangled, chaotic life of a man trying to escape the prison of his past.
The next installment, BERTRAND, is slated for release in December. It’s a deep dive into desperation, ambition, and the brutal realization that wealth alone does not equate to freedom. At its core, BERTRAND is about a man trying to break through the obstacles of his birth—poverty, ignorance, the long shadows of bad blood. But escape is never clean, and the past never stays buried. Fans of psychological suspense, real-world stakes, and the gnawing terror of inescapable fate will find much to unravel in this next entry. Look for it in December.
Author Links: Bluesky | Facebook | Website
RECKONING
Mark Bertrand’s Reckoning is a bold and intense addition to the Nirvanaing Series, blending speculative fiction with biting social commentary. The novel follows Lydia Daniels, a literary agent on the brink of professional and personal collapse, as she navigates her crumbling marriage, a failing business, and an unexpected pregnancy. Meanwhile, the story also delves into a high-stakes ideological battle between radical feminists, transhumanists, and those caught in the middle, culminating in a confrontation over the future of human evolution. Bertrand takes readers on a winding journey through power struggles, identity crises, and moral ambiguity, creating a world that is both unsettling and fascinating.
From the very first chapter, the book sets an electrifying tone with Lydia’s explosive argument with her husband. The dialogue is raw, the emotions unchecked, and the intensity palpable. Lydia’s fierce independence clashes with her own self-destructive tendencies, making her a compelling yet frustrating protagonist. While her internal struggles feel painfully real, her aggressive outbursts sometimes push the boundaries of believability. The scene where she berates the hotel clerk for merely doing his job is particularly grating. Her flaws are part of what makes her an interesting character, but there are moments when her anger feels less like righteous frustration and more like unchecked cruelty. Bertrand paints a complex picture of a woman on the edge, but at times, it’s difficult to sympathize with her.
One of the book’s most engaging aspects is its deep dive into the ideological war over gender, power, and technology. Laura Benton, a former politician turned musician, serves as a counterpoint to Lydia’s struggles. Laura’s goal is clear: to dismantle the oppressive structures of the past and forge a new future where women hold the reins of society. But she is not without flaws. Her vision is extreme, her tactics ruthless. The moments where she reminisces about her lost love, a man who chose to become a transhuman hybrid, add depth to her character, revealing the personal cost of her crusade. Bertrand creates a world where the line between hero and villain is constantly shifting, forcing readers to question where they stand in the ideological battle.
The novel’s most chilling figure is Dr. Victor Lang, the architect of AnthroGenesis, a future where humanity is stripped of gender and biological limitations. His appearance on the World Show interview is one of the book’s most riveting moments. The contrast between his calm, calculated rhetoric and Adam Cole’s desperate attempts to expose the truth makes for a gripping scene. The idea of humans being “optimized” into a soulless collective is terrifying, and Bertrand taps into the deep fears surrounding transhumanism and loss of individuality. However, Lang is not a caricatured villain; his motivations are layered, and his beliefs are unsettlingly logical. This is where the book truly shines. It doesn’t offer easy answers. Every side has its strengths, its pitfalls, and its moral compromises.
Reckoning is a thought-provoking and unsettling read, perfect for those who enjoy speculative fiction with a strong philosophical edge. Readers who appreciate books like The Handmaid’s Tale or Brave New World will find much to dissect here. If you enjoy stories that challenge your worldview and aren’t afraid to wade into uncomfortable territory, Reckoning is a must-read.
For Where There Are Harps
For Where There Are Harps, the third book in Alyce Elmore’s Angels Have Tread trilogy, plunges readers into a post-pandemic dystopian world where societal structures have crumbled and a matriarchal republic reigns. This installment intertwines the personal struggles of its characters with the broader socio-political turbulence of the era, exploring themes of power, survival, and human connection. It is an expansive tale, shifting between the perspective of a young historian seeking truths and the lives of those who experienced the chaos firsthand.
Elmore’s writing is vivid and immersive, though it occasionally leans toward a richness that may feels very detailed in some moments. One scene early in the book particularly struck me—a young girl grappling with the Old One’s stories, her sense of truth shifting like tectonic plates. The descriptions of nature, such as the mocking laughter of the kookaburra, are poetic and grounding. The Old One’s philosophical musings, while thought-provoking, sometimes slow the story’s momentum.
The interplay of characters adds both charm and tension. The four musketeers—Karen, Josh, Benny, and Zane—each represent different responses to the repressive laws of the Republic. Benny’s cynicism, borne from his experiences as a stud, is balanced by Karen’s quiet resilience. The moment Benny realizes the futility of plans, while imprisoned in Inverloch, encapsulates his character’s journey. The subplot involving Patricia Bishop could have been more tightly woven into the main narrative because what we are giving is intriguing. Her investigative arc often felt tangential, though her fiery confrontations were highlights.
Elmore shines brightest when tackling big ideas—what it means to control a narrative, the ethics of rebellion, and the cost of change. The Great Upheaval looms large in the backdrop, a reminder of the fragility of peace. The nuanced portrayal of Evelyn Perkins’ leadership as both tyrannical and tragically misunderstood struck a chord with me.
For Where There Are Harps is a sprawling and ambitious tale. It’s for readers who love deeply political dystopias, rich world-building, and morally complex characters. If you’re patient with its deliberate pace, this book rewards you with thought-provoking insights and poignant moments. It’s a gripping conclusion to a trilogy that asks us to question the truths we take for granted.
Pages: 274 | ISBN : 176385020X
LITERARY TITAN 