Blog Archives
Family Isn’t Defined by Blood
Guardians of Felina: The Lost Lair follows four young guardians who wind up protecting an underwater city from a hidden enemy, where they discover that courage, joy, and leadership can look different than they expect. What was the inspiration for this underwater world?
The underwater world of Felina began with a simple desire to create something visually exciting and fun to explore. I was inspired by the sheer creativity that underwater settings allow—bioluminescence, unusual ecosystems, and architecture shaped by water itself. From there, the world evolved naturally as I considered how people would live, adapt, and protect something so extraordinary.
How did you approach designing ecosystems and cultures that feel magical but lived-in, and what role does the natural environment play in shaping the story’s conflicts?
When designing Felina, I wanted the fantasy to feel woven into everyday life rather than separate from it. The ecosystems grew out of practical questions—how do these different cat people eat, travel, defend themselves, or celebrate in a world shaped by their surroundings? And how are they adapted to it themselves? The culture reflects that inter-dependence, with traditions and hierarchies influenced by the surrounding environment. Conflict primarily stems from the fact that each territory of Felina has different advantages and weaknesses. Underwater protection, versus mountain cave systems. Dense forests versus stretching desert planes.
What does the book suggest about chosen family?
The Felina series itself suggests that family isn’t defined by blood, but by trust, loyalty, and shared responsibility. The characters each come from different places and have different strengths. Alada and Tierra, for example, are goddess-like beings, while Birch is just a normal Meu. But in the hardest of times, they can come and support one another. They know they can depend on one another completely. Even the Guardians are human (or cat, I should say) on the inside.
What excites you most about continuing in this world, and what emotional arc do you most want to deepen in future installments?
In these first few books, I’ve focused on the power of trust, friendship, and learning to take responsibility for something larger than yourself. I’ve also explored humor as a protective mechanism, which I found really interesting to see evolve. As the series continues and the stakes rise, I’m excited to explore more difficult emotional terrain—questions of morality, regret, and the long-term cost of the choices each character makes.
One arc I’m especially interested in deepening is how immortality and leadership reshape a person over time. What does it mean to protect a world when doing so requires sacrifice, and how do you carry the weight of past decisions without losing your sense of joy or humanity?
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Birch never imagined his forest adventures would lead him to the bottom of the ocean. But in the shimmering underwater city of Lotus Bay, the Festival of Volcanoes is just a spark against the encroaching dark at the shoreline. The Phantom’s beasts are massing, and the safety of Felina hangs by a thread.
Enter Coral, the dazzling and enigmatic Guardian of the bay. She offers sanctuary and advanced weaponry, but her cantankerous nature make for questionable tactics…and morals.
To stop the invasion, the group must locate the Phantom’s hidden stronghold — a fortress that defies every map. As ancient alliances fracture and whispers of war hang in the air, Birch must master stolen tech to infiltrate a place where silence is a weapon and even physics can’t be trusted.
The darkness isn’t just rising…
It’s hunting them.
Guardians of Felina: The Lost Lair (Book 2 in the series)
Guardians of Felina: The Lost Lair is a warm and colorful fantasy adventure that follows Tierra, Alada, Birch, and Coral as they confront the rising threat of the Phantom while navigating the vibrant underwater city of Lotus Bay. The story moves between festival lights, ancient volcano forges, and tense confrontations with invading beasts on the shoreline. Even in the early chapters, the book builds a world full of shimmering ecosystems, magical catfolk cultures, and a looming conflict that keeps the tension humming beneath the beauty.
Reading it felt like slipping into a daydream where every corner held something new to look at. I found myself smiling at the playful banter and Birch’s constant moments of panic, only to hold my breath minutes later as Coral’s confidence cracked under the weight of her people’s danger. The writing is vivid without trying too hard. Scenes like the underwater city, full of floating lanterns and swaying seaweed markets, stuck with me because they felt lived-in rather than decorative. I also appreciated how the author let the characters’ personalities clash naturally. Coral’s grace, Tierra’s dry humor, Birch’s nerves, and Alada’s quiet steadiness all bounce off one another in ways that make the group feel like real companions rather than just pieces on an adventure board.
What surprised me most was how grounded the story felt, even with all its magic. Coral’s belief in joy as a form of strength, the tension between leading and stepping back, and the quiet exhaustion that comes with protecting others gave the book emotional weight. It never felt preachy. Just honest. And sometimes that honesty came in small moments: Alada’s hesitation when asked about returning to leadership, or Birch’s discomfort with wishing because of past trauma. The fantasy setting makes it fun, but those little reflections give it heart.
I walked away feeling like I’d spent time with characters who were trying their best in a world that was bigger and more complicated than any of them wanted to admit. If you enjoy middle-grade or YA fantasy with rich worldbuilding, soft humor, brave but imperfect heroes, and a sense of wonder woven through even the tense scenes, you’ll enjoy this book. It’s a story for readers who love adventure with emotional undercurrents, and who enjoy fantasy worlds that feel welcoming even when danger circles the edges.
Pages: 338 | ISBN : 1735495875
The Ghost’s Gambit
The Ghost’s Gambit, the third installment in Stephanie Cotta’s Iron Kingdom series, sweeps readers back into the dark, perilous world of the Iron Kingdom, where rebellion burns quietly under the thumb of a brutal empire. The story picks up in the midst of chaos, rebels fleeing through snow, soldiers in pursuit, loyalties torn to pieces. Author Stephanie Cotta crafts a world that is both cruel and tender, filled with haunted warriors, hidden magic, and fragile hope. The narrative follows a cast of complex characters, Wraiths, Conjurers, and outlaws, each wrestling with their own ghosts as they defy a king who seeks to crush them. It’s a tale of defiance, sacrifice, and the flickering light that refuses to die in the shadow of tyranny.
Cotta’s writing moves with fierce rhythm, sometimes sharp as steel, other times soft as snowfall. Her descriptions pull you straight into the fight, the clang of metal, the sting of regret, the ache of loss. What struck me most wasn’t just the action, though it’s thrilling, but the intimacy of the quiet moments in between. When Rowan bleeds for his brother, or Tahira whispers spells through tears, or Akaran faces the cost of vengeance, it hits hard. The book isn’t afraid to show how grief shapes courage, or how love can bloom even when surrounded by blood and ruin. I found myself caring deeply for these characters, even when they stumbled, even when they broke.
The pace shifts swiftly, cutting one moment and lingering the next. There are scenes where the prose leans into drama, yet I couldn’t fault it because it felt honest to the pain the story carries. The dialogue has a rawness that fits the world’s brutality, and while the lore is dense, it rewards you for paying attention. What really lingered with me was the emotional weight beneath the battles. This isn’t just a fantasy about swords and sorcery; it’s about forgiveness, loyalty, and the ghosts we carry when the fight is done.
The Ghost’s Gambit is a story that grips you and doesn’t let go, yet somehow leaves a quiet warmth behind. I’d recommend it to readers who crave epic fantasy with heart, especially those who love stories like Throne of Glass or Mistborn but want something cleaner in tone and more focused on the ties between family and faith. It’s dark, yes, but not hopeless. If you like your fantasy with both grit and grace, this book is worth every page.
Pages: 430 | ISBN : 978-1957656946
The Coolest Warrior Ever
The Call of Thunder centers around a young woman struggling with identity and duty, living a hidden existence in a mountain village where she must resist the urge to reveal her own extraordinary powers. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I give a lot of credit to The Legend of Zelda video games, also Marvel (costume was inspired by Black Widow), and movies like The Avengers, Black Panther being my favorite. Being able to create your own world and literally do whatever you want with it got me really excited about this. I spent years trying to create the storyline and figuring out what powers she would have. I truly wanted her to be the coolest warrior ever!
What were some of the emotional and moral guidelines you followed when developing your characters?
There were times in my life that I wanted to stop being so reserved, stop caring what other people thought of every single thing I said and did. I recall in my younger years how frustrating yet amazing it can be to first experience romantic feelings. I wanted to bring that to light in Havanna as somewhat of a reflection of myself.
What was your favorite scene in this story?
Probably when Havanna arrives in Sabbia and fights the Backers trap that was set up for her there. I loved writing about Queen Calista and their relationship, and how freaking awesome she is. It was a way to give Havanna some hope after so much loss.
Can you give us a glimpse inside Book 2 of the Hidden Heroes series? Where will it take readers?
It picks up right where book 1 leaves off, with Quill and Havanna going to find the next Descendant. There are tests along the way to find the other Descendants, such as fighting enormous monsters and one particularly cold, brutal personality. Slow-burn romance is for certain as the characters get to know each other and learn to work together for the same purpose. The ending, in particular, will leave readers shocked, just the way I like it.
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In the kingdom of Petros, twenty-year-old Havanna wants nothing more than to be free, to find herself, and to use her powers without reserve. But using her lightning abilities could expose her to the Backers—who do the Dormant King’s dirty work in hunting down her kind—and the bloodthirsty, fatal Dormants.
Besides, not even Havanna’s best friend knows her secret.
When her own impatience, isolation, and a bully create the perfect storm, Havanna’s desperation snaps her self-control. But she triggers the wrath of the Dormant King and a deadly raid that leaves her more alone than ever.
Determined to make things right, Havanna breaks out of hiding to take revenge. While searching for the Dormant King, testing her powers, and exploring the kingdom she begged to see her whole life, she finds that this quest is more difficult than expected.
Maybe that’s because this quest was never Havanna’s alone…
The Call of Thunder is a YA fantasy with an epic quest, adrenaline-spiking action, and a heroine learning the full scope of her power.
The Call of Thunder
The Call of Thunder, by Sarah Blynne, follows Havanna, a young woman marked by loss and destiny. Torn from her parents during a violent raid as a child, she grows up in hiding within the mountain village of Ketra. Her life balances between ordinary tasks like running the eatery and extraordinary challenges such as resisting the urge to reveal her lightning-born powers. Legends of Descendants, monstrous Dormants, and the looming shadow of the Dormant King shape her world. Alongside friends, rivals, and potential love interests, Havanna struggles with identity, duty, and the yearning to break free of secrecy while danger lurks just beyond the village gates.
Reading this book felt like being carried along by a current that shifts from gentle to wild. The writing is vivid and often cinematic. The opening scene of Havanna’s escape filled me with both panic and heartbreak, and that urgency never really let go throughout the novel. The world-building is strong, layered with history and myth that feel alive rather than forced. At the same time, the dialogue sometimes struck me as a bit too modern for the medieval-like setting. Still, I admired how the author balanced action with quieter, emotional moments.
Havanna’s character truly makes this book unique. She’s stubborn, flawed, fiery, and vulnerable all at once. Her grief over her parents, her frustration at hiding, her clashes with Darius, her tender bond with Aria–all of it felt raw and real. I found myself frustrated with her when she lashed out, yet cheering for her every time she picked herself back up. The undertones of a love triangle with Victor and Claeron added charm to the storyline. What I enjoyed most were the training scenes and moments where Havanna questioned her place in a world that expects her to be both hidden and heroic.
I would recommend The Call of Thunder to readers who love fast-paced fantasy adventures with a strong female lead, plenty of tension, and emotional depth. It’s ideal for those who enjoy stories about chosen ones grappling with responsibility and identity. If you appreciate a mix of sword fights, mystical powers, heartfelt friendships, and a dash of romance, this book will keep you hooked until the last page.
Pages: 267 | ASIN : B0DHNLHF59
Elements of Life
Dominion follows a leader of the Dragon Guild, who discovers her brother is a primary target, putting him and his dragon in grave danger, and tries to protect him while preparing for battle. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The character, Gabri, inspired the adventures of her little brother, Alex. As a baby in an earlier series, Gabri had used one of her powers to save Terra from destruction. It made sense to me that her baby brother would be born with the same gifts. Alex’s intellect is far advanced for his age. Like a child, he’s headstrong and emotional. Because of his powers, he feels invincible and doesn’t believe he’s in any danger. He knows he can defeat the evil entity that is capturing and hurting dragons.
Much wiser and having learned to live without her powers, Gabri rightly fears what the Shadow will do to Alex when he discovers the boy and his abilities. She’s torn between protecting him and fighting the enemy.
Their conflict developed organically. I had no idea the story would end the way it did until I got there.
The writing in your story is very artful and creative. Was it a conscious effort to create a story in this fashion, or is this style of writing reflective of your writing style in general?
That’s a tough question. I would say it’s a combination of the two. The words flowed as the story unfolded in my mind. I became immersed in the scenes, invested in the characters, and intrigued by the emerging story.
My writing style may have developed because of the many books I’ve read and enjoyed in this genre. In short, I wrote a book I would like to read.
Friendship, love, sacrifice, and finding one’s place are virtues that are highlighted throughout the story. Why are these important to telling the story?
They’re elements of life. Both friendship and love involve some sacrifice. There is no love or friendship that doesn’t require giving up a bit of oneself. The journey is different for everyone, but it makes for some great stories.
Finding one’s place, one’s anchor, one’s tribe, has immeasurable rewards, but the process of getting there can be daunting and can make interesting reading. As an Army Brat, it took me years to realize my place, my home, was with my core family, no matter where we lived. The pain of saying goodbye to my friends as they left, or as I left them behind, was a sacrifice born of my love for them. As a parent, loving our children requires giving them up to live their own lives. No character-driven story would be complete without some such life elements.
After surviving so much, where do you see your characters after the book ends?
I don’t want to give away the ending! I will say that some of the characters might show up in other stories. They can become quite insistent, and I feel a plot or two percolating.
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As tensions rise, and Gabri, Elio, and their dragons prepare for battle, Alex and Tito embark on a daring mission to rescue Phoenix, a dragon caught in the crossfire of a sinister plot.
Treacherous challenges await the Dragon Guild as they harness their unique abilities and forge alliances to secure the safety of their loved ones and the future of their planet. Will courage and determination be enough to overcome the darkness threatening to engulf them? Will Gabri lose her little brother in their fight to regain dominion over their world?
King of the Forgotten Darkness: A Raven’s Tale Fantasy
King of the Forgotten Darkness, by Erik Goodwyn, is a sweeping portal fantasy that follows Liam Panregon, a trauma-scarred man wrestling with his past in a polished, tech-obsessed society called Midworld. But Midworld isn’t the only world. Liam is from Erentyr, a dark, war-ravaged realm of magic and myth, which he fled as a child after a devastating family tragedy. Now, haunted by memories, tormented by dreams, and drifting in emotional limbo, Liam learns his mother may still be alive—and the only way to save her is to return to the very nightmare he escaped. What unfolds is a deeply personal tale of grief, recovery, and reckoning, layered with high fantasy lore, psychological nuance, and existential stakes.
Goodwyn’s prose walks that delicate line between poetic and punchy. Moments of vivid beauty flash alongside gut-wrenching internal monologues and bursts of raw action. The first half is a slow burn, and I mean that in the best way. We linger inside Liam’s trauma, his simmering anger, the mundanity of a life that doesn’t fit, and the emotional cost of “normalcy.” It felt brutally honest. I found myself really feeling for Liam—not because he’s noble or heroic, but because he’s lost, complicated, and relatable. The world-building, split between sterile sci-fi futurism and moss-drenched fantasy realms, is done with skillful contrasts. The tech-saturated Midworld is chillingly familiar, while Erentyr oozes mythic weight and danger.
What really stuck with me, though, was the emotional arc. This book doesn’t just dabble in trauma—it stares it down. The nightmare sequences are genuinely haunting. The tension between forgetting and remembering, between escape and confrontation, gives the story real soul. There were a few places where the dialogue dipped into exposition a bit too heavily, and some transitions between worlds felt slightly abrupt. But those are small bumps in a ride that’s otherwise immersive, meaningful, and heartfelt. Goodwyn’s background in psychology shines through, lending the story layers of metaphor without ever feeling clinical.
I’d recommend King of the Forgotten Darkness to readers who love fantasy that goes deeper than dragons and quests, though it has those too. If you’ve ever wrestled with ghosts of your own, or questioned where you belong, this one’s going to land. Fans of Neil Gaiman, Robin Hobb, or even Ursula Le Guin’s more introspective work will find a lot to chew on here. It’s for those who want their escapism laced with truth, and their heroes cracked but unbroken.
Pages: 344 | ISBN : 978-1803417653
Heroes of the Empire Book 3: The Emperor
Heroes of the Empire: Book 3 dives deep into a realm of tangled loyalties, sprawling kingdoms, and characters grappling with the shadows of their past. The story picks up with Honzio, a reluctant prince thrust into harrowing circumstances, navigating familial trauma and treacherous politics. With richly painted landscapes and gripping subplots involving betrayal, survival, and personal redemption, author Israh Azizi crafts a saga that’s as emotional as it is expansive. This installment weaves together narratives of hope and heartbreak as characters battle for their lives and destinies.
What struck me most about Azizi’s writing is her vivid descriptions and immersive world-building. The dungeon scenes, where Honzio faces suffocating confinement, resonate deeply. The fear is palpable, and you almost feel the cold stone and sense the oppressive darkness. Azizi skillfully uses these moments to humanize her characters, especially Honzio, whose inner struggles make him both relatable and admirable. I also appreciated the rawness of Natassa’s story. Her attempt to escape captivity while wrestling with her powers is both a highlight and a testament to her strength. These moments of tension are written with such precision that they had me holding my breath.
The characters themselves are the beating heart of this book. Honzio’s internal conflict with his father’s legacy and his reluctant steps toward leadership are a gripping arc. Similarly, Svorgin’s stoic resilience contrasts beautifully with Draven’s arrogance, making their interactions some of the most dynamic parts of the book. For instance, the moment where Svorgin challenges Draven’s privilege with an unforgettable rebuke about hunger stuck with me. This dialogue not only adds depth to the characters but also underscores the broader theme of survival in adversity.
Azizi’s prose is elegant yet accessible, but occasionally, it leans into exposition. Some passages, particularly in the middle, had a lot of descriptions that slowed the pacing. However, these moments are balanced by action-packed sequences and emotional revelations that hit hard. One such instance is Natassa’s confrontation with Yalnos. Her failed attempt to use her Shadow Manos powers to manipulate him not only reveals her vulnerability but also adds layers to her character. It’s these emotionally charged interactions that anchor the story.
Heroes of the Empire: Book 3 is a powerful addition to the series, blending rich character development with thrilling action and intricate political intrigue. Fans of epic fantasy will find much to love here, especially those who enjoy stories about flawed heroes striving against impossible odds. Loyal readers of the series will be rewarded with an unforgettable journey.
Pages: 364 | ASIN : B0CXHTN4RW
