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A Superhero Story
Starfall follows a bullied teen with fire-controlling powers who must decide whether to join a superpowered cult seeking vengeance or stand against it. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I wish I could give something profound or interesting inspiration, but, truthfully, I wanted to write a superhero story. I’ve been a fan of the genre since I was a kid, but I wanted to get away from the, shall we say, ‘masked-costume’ standard. The original idea had Nathan fighting his own dark side, but I couldn’t make it work. As the theme of super-human abilities descending from the heaves and bestowing abilities onto people lends itself to some religious symbolism, the idea of the cult was born.
In a lot of contemporary coming-of-age fiction novels, authors often add their own life experiences to the story. Are there any bits of you in this story?
Nathan is definitely me, both good and bad. Most of the other characters aren’t based on specific people, they’re more like composites.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The main theme is being true to yourself, and not hiding who you really are to fit into a role society expects you to fill, or going along with someone who promises to take away your anger and pain by taking revenge against anyone you think deserves it. If you don’t agree with the crowd or you don’t like the way you feel in a certain crowd, then listen to your own conscious and be your own voice.
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can your fans expect in the following story?
Yes, this is the first in a series and more Children of Starfall will be reveled as the story continues. The first chapter of the second volume can be found on my website for anyone interested. Unfortunately, I don’t have a time frame for volume 2, but hopefully there will be an update soon.
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Meet Nathan Hawkins, a bullied social outcast with a secret: he has the unsettling ability to create and control fire. When a family history project leads him to uncover that his father may have been involved in researching a mysterious object that crashed into a nearby forest two decades ago—an object known as Starfall—Nathan’s life takes an unexpected turn.
This revelation propels him into a quest for discovery, where he encounters a teenage cult that worships Starfall, led by another outcast with superpowers who seeks vengeance against those who have wronged him and Nathan. Now, Nathan faces a critical choice: will he join the cult, or will he stand against it?
“The author’s concise prose sets an unwavering pace, even as Nathan conducts his research and characters chat, bicker, and occasionally voice their regrets.… Relatable and superpowered youths lead a sublime cast and a riveting story.”
Starfall
Starfall by B.C. Charles is a gripping tale that opens with mysterious occurrences in the quiet town of Anne Falls, centering on Nathan Hawkins, a teenager juggling everyday struggles with the weight of supernatural secrets. The story weaves together local legends, paranormal investigations, and personal conflicts, exploring the fallout from a supposed extraterrestrial crash decades prior. Through Nathan’s encounters with cults, cryptic journals, and his latent pyrokinesis, the book delves into themes of identity, truth, and resilience.
I was immediately hooked by the atmospheric opening. The vivid description of a fireball crashing into Kingland Forest sets an eerie tone that persists throughout the book. Nathan’s first foray into the woods to investigate a cult gave me chills—Charles nailed the sense of danger and suspense. Yet, what I loved most was how grounded the story felt despite its supernatural elements. Nathan’s frustrations with school bullies and his strained relationship with his aunt added layers of relatability.
The writing style is straightforward yet evocative. Charles’s knack for painting tension-filled scenes shone brightest during Nathan’s confrontation with the cultists near Queen’s Lake. I found myself rooting for Nathan as he outwitted them while battling his own fears. However, I feel the dialogue among the secondary characters, like Mike and Angela, occasionally veered toward being more formal and in some instances slightly repetitive.
The ideas within the book, particularly the intersection of science, faith, and the paranormal were fascinating. I enjoyed how the AFUN archive files complemented the narrative, offering glimpses into a conspiracy bigger than Nathan. The concept of the “Daughters of Men” and their ties to Anne Falls’ history was compelling, though I wish the book had spent more time unraveling their motives. The inclusion of Nathan’s fire powers added a unique layer to the story, but it sometimes felt underutilized. I kept hoping for a deeper exploration of how his abilities connected to Starfall and his family’s mysterious past, however, this leaves an opportunity for future installations.
Starfall is a satisfying mix of coming-of-age drama and supernatural mystery. I’d recommend it to anyone who loves stories that blend small-town secrets with larger-than-life phenomena. Fans of shows like Stranger Things or books like The Outsiders with a paranormal twist will feel right at home here. The book’s heart and intrigue kept me turning pages late into the night.
Pages: 246 | ASIN : B0DLBQ1DMP
LITERARY TITAN 