Blog Archives
The End: Omicron
Aaron Ryan’s The End: Omicron is a breathless and gut-wrenching continuation of a harrowing dystopian saga. Picking up in a devastated future where a tyrannical leader named Nero hunts down Christians marked by a branded scar, the story follows young Sage Maddox and a ragtag group of survivors struggling against a monstrous regime of mechanoids and propaganda. Meanwhile, former High Vassal Maximillian—reborn as Darius Antone Forrester—defects and seeks redemption, setting the stage for spiritual warfare, betrayal, personal transformation, and rebellion. The world is brutal, the stakes are high, and the faith of every character is tested in fire.
Reading this book was like being pulled behind a speeding train. The pacing is relentless, the emotion runs raw, and the characters are utterly drenched in pain, doubt, and hope. Ryan’s writing is often visceral and unfiltered—sometimes jarringly so—but it’s always from the gut. You feel Sage’s grief claw at your chest. You feel Maximillian’s shame and longing for a second chance. It’s not polished in a traditional literary sense, but that’s exactly what makes it powerful. It’s not trying to be subtle or slick—it’s just honest. And in that honesty, it punches hard. Some of the dialogue feels intentionally unrefined, like real people speaking in the worst moments of their lives. I respected that.
On the flip side, the writing leans heavily into its message. Ryan is unapologetically Christian in theme and tone—this is not a book that hides its worldview. That might throw off some readers looking for a more ambiguous or secular apocalypse. But if you go in knowing that, it delivers with sincerity. I found myself torn between frustration and admiration at times—the moral dilemmas, the extreme stakes, the black-and-white battle between faith and evil. It’s not subtle storytelling, but it is bold. And sometimes bold is exactly what a story needs to break through the noise.
If you’re a fan of Christian dystopian fiction, if you like stories about persecution, faith, rebellion, and endurance under fire, this one’s for you. I’d recommend it for readers who want more soul in their sci-fi, and more fire in their faith. If I had to put The End: Omicron on a shelf with other books, it would sit somewhere between the Left Behind series and The Hunger Games, with a dash of 1984 and This Present Darkness. It’s got that same blend of high-stakes rebellion, faith under fire, and a world cracking under tyranny.
Pages: 263 | ASIN : B0F6VWDM2H
With Great Innovation Comes the Threat of Misuse
A Fistful of Feathers follows a 13-year-old boy with a strange lump on his neck who realizes he is in danger from the doctors at the clinic and makes an escape from there while forming new friendships. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
With great innovation comes the threat of misuse. The original inspiration for the story came from an image and a scientific breakthrough that first appeared in the press in 1997. It featured a mouse with an ear-shaped cartilage growth on its back, which was both weird and unsettling – yet the potential for growing human organs was becoming a reality. The image stayed with me over the years, but it was only when I watched the original Jurassic Park film with my teenage son that the basis of the story began to form…
There was a lot of time spent crafting the character traits in this novel. What was the most important factor for you to get right in your characters?
I wanted the characters to feel real, not superhuman. There might be extraordinary things happening to Jo, but underneath the physical changes was a normal teenage boy, who was desperate to be normal, to be accepted. It was as important to keep the reaction of his friends as natural as possible – although I’m still wondering how I’d react if a friend suddenly sprouted wings!
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The key themes at the heart of the book are simple – Friendship, facing up to change and fear.
When will book two be available? Can you give us an idea of where that book will take readers?
Books two and three in the series are already available. Book two, Flight and Fight, and book three, Freedom Rising, follow Jo and his friends as he struggles to deal with the incredible changes to his body and his life…
Author Links: Flight and Fight | Freedom Rising | GoodReads | Facebook | Website
All thirteen-year-old Jo has ever wanted, is to be the same as everyone else. To go to school.
To look in a mirror and not see a ‘freak’ staring back. But there’s the clinic and the evil Doctor Bowden to contend with.
When the lump on Jo’s neck begins to move and change – he knows there is only one thing for it…RUN!
Bowden is not going to make this easy. With his men hot on Jo’s heels, it’s a race to stay one step ahead.
Can he discover the truth about what’s happened to him before he’s caught? Soon, it isn’t only Jo who is in danger.
If he doesn’t tell his new friends everything, the chances are they’ll be hurt – and he’ll be dragged back to that clinic.
But – if he exposes his secret, Jo risks alienating the only real friends he has ever known…
A Fistful of Feathers is book one in an intriguing adventure series. With a twist of fantasy and science fiction that will keep the reader guessing – A great read whatever your age!
Dylan’s Dilemma (Dylan’s Dog Squad Book 1)
Dylan’s Dilemma is a sweet, funny, and sometimes heartbreaking story about a cocker spaniel named Dylan who starts his life in a cramped crate in South Korea and winds up on a wild adventure that brings him all the way to sunny Southern California. The book follows Dylan’s ups and downs as he finds freedom with his first owner, Aiden, faces abandonment when Aiden can no longer keep him, and eventually struggles to find a place in a new family with a boy named Casey and his no-nonsense mother. Written mostly from Dylan’s point of view, the book brings readers right into the mind of a lovable, mischievous pup who’s just trying to figure out where he belongs.
What really struck me about this book was how real Dylan’s emotions felt. Kathleen Troy doesn’t just tell you Dylan is happy or scared; she makes you feel it. When Dylan thinks, “My lungs are shrinking. I can’t breathe,” after Aiden gives him up, my heart physically hurt. Troy’s writing captures Dylan’s innocence perfectly, especially in moments like when he tries to “help” in Casey’s mom’s office by turning her important project into a shredded hamster collage. I found myself laughing aloud, though it was a bittersweet kind of laughter, recognizing that the little dog was simply trying his best.
The pacing of the story kept me locked in, too. One minute, I was giggling over Dylan’s craft skills (destroying cords, baseboards, and tables like a tiny wrecking ball), and the next, I was genuinely nervous when he was sent off in a crate across the ocean. The humor balances out the emotional gut punches really well. Plus, Casey’s character is just the right mix of loyal and goofy. His determination to keep Dylan, even when his mom is dead set against it, made me root for them both so hard. Their bond is simple but strong, like when Casey calls Dylan “Little Buddy,” giving him a sense of belonging again after losing Aiden.
One thing I noticed is that some of the adult characters are written with a playful exaggeration, especially Casey’s mom, who shifts from grumpy to affectionate with the speed of a light switch. It actually adds to the lively, slightly cartoonish tone of the story (particularly during hilarious moments like Eddie-the-Whiner’s antics at dog training). The vibrant style suits the book’s mission: to entertain first, warm the heart second, and sprinkle in seriousness just where it’s needed.
Dylan’s Dilemma is a real charmer. It’s perfect for anyone who loves dogs, funny misadventures, and heart-tugging stories about finding your forever home. I’d especially recommend it for middle-grade readers or adults who just want a sweet escape for a few hours.
Pages: 256 | ASIN : B09RQCDPG5
Skyboy
Skyboy is a fast-paced and emotionally rich young adult sci-fi adventure set in a gritty post-pandemic future. It follows Konstant, a smart and scrappy teenager marked by the stigma of being a carrier of the deadly MX-13 virus. He’s bullied, misunderstood, and stuck on the fringes of society, yet he dreams of something greater. When a chance to compete in a global invention contest—the Piano Prize—lands in his lap, Konstant is hurled into a whirlwind of scientific ambition, corporate spectacle, and personal redemption. Aresty builds a world that teeters between collapse and innovation, where wonder and despair exist side by side.
Konstant isn’t your average sci-fi hero. He’s awkward, bitter, and incredibly real. His grief for his mother and the raw unfairness of his situation was emotionally resonant. Aresty doesn’t hold back from showing how cruel the world can be to those who are different. But even more powerful is how he weaves hope into all that darkness—through Konstant’s resilience, his wild imagination, and his refusal to stay down no matter how often he’s knocked flat. The writing can be vivid and punchy one moment, then pull back to let a quiet emotional truth sneak in and catch you off guard. That’s rare. It feels lived in.
The book moves fast. Some supporting characters are fun and quirky, but I was left wanting to learn more about them. I found myself wanting to spend more time with certain ideas, like the ethics of innovation or the deeper cracks in the society Aresty hints at. Still, the action is tight, the stakes are always rising, and the tech is just plain cool without getting bogged down in sci-fi babble. And the worldbuilding is bonkers in the best way. Kind of like Willy Wonka got dumped into Ready Player One with a dose of The Hunger Games grit.
If you’re a fan of high-concept sci-fi with a lot of heart, Skyboy is absolutely worth your time. It’s perfect for teen readers who love stories about underdogs and dreamers, and for adults who still remember what it’s like to feel like the world’s stacked against you. This one’s for the kids who’ve been counted out and still want to build something amazing anyway.
Pages: 321 | ASIN : B0F7FZ8SY8
Recognizing the Strengths Within Ourselves
Heroes of Another Age follows twin shifter brothers who realize their destiny lies in stopping a catastrophic event, and they must leave their home to battle a sinister force that may prove fatal. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I’ve spent my life writing and reading about characters with magical powers and incredible abilities—but one day, a question struck me: What would it feel like to suddenly discover that you had powers of your own? That you weren’t “normal” anymore? How would that reshape your sense of self and your place in the world? And what if those powers demanded something of you—something that you didn’t want to give?
That’s how Aton and Aaron were born: two brothers, one thrilled by the discovery, the other unsure and reluctant to take up the call.
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’ve been fortunate to travel across six continents, experiencing a wide range of cultures, cuisines, and landscapes—and that inspiration weaves itself into my writing. As I followed Aaron and Aton on their journey, I found myself revisiting places from my own memory: their hometown, Vidar, has the feel of an old European village; the mountains they cross are echoes of the Alps; and the City of Sky Fire carries distinct influences from my time in Asia. Each real-world place helped shape the mood, texture, and wonder of every new step on their path.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Some of the core themes that guided me while writing were the reluctant hero, the strength of family bonds, and—most importantly—self-validation. It’s so easy to compare ourselves to others: someone who writes better, runs faster, or seems so much smarter. But it’s much harder to recognize the strengths within ourselves. That’s what I wanted to explore in this story—the quiet courage it takes to believe in your own worth.
Where does the story go in the next book, and where do you see it going in the future?
My next book is titled A Glimmer of Hope, and it marks the beginning of The Guardian Series—with Heroes of Another Age serving as its prequel. This story follows a young human sorceress named Resara, her encounter with the Five Gods of Eris, and a mysterious plague threatening to wipe out life across the world. In this first installment, readers will meet Garron, her werewolf guardian, along with a vibrant cast of characters from all walks of life—and species.
The series is planned as 8.5 books: four novels in the first arc, a fun interlude novella, and four more in the second arc. Along the way, readers will explore more of the world of Eris, encounter strange and wonderful creatures, and maybe even run into Aaron and Aton again.
I hope you’ll join me for the journey ahead.
Author Links: GoodReads | Instagram | Website
Aaron loves the life he’s got. It’s just him, his twin brother Aton, and their mother living atop a picturesque mountaintop, herding sheep, and hiding the fact that they’re all werewolves. The humans down below don’t care much for shifters, and they’d like Aaron even less if they knew he also had magical powers. But as long as they stay hidden, they’re safe.
After a tragic accident, Aaron and Aton learn of a looming catastrophe in the east—and that it’s their destiny to stop it. Aton is eager to embrace the call to adventure. He’s always been the stronger, braver brother. But Aaron isn’t so sure.
Trekking through snow-covered mountains and shadowy forests filled with vicious, unrelenting demons, Aaron begins to question if he’ll even survive the journey—let alone face the sinister force that awaits.
Can Aaron’s fledgling magic and Aton’s warrior strength stand against the darkness? Or will they be swallowed by it? Fate may have chosen them—but when dragons and gods enter the fray, how can two brothers hope to defy destiny?
If you enjoy His Dark Materials, you won’t want to miss Heroes of Another Age by B.L. Mostyn—an epic fantasy full of magic, monsters, and myth.
Will Aaron rise to meet his destiny—or be devoured before he gets the chance?
Click BUY NOW and begin the adventure.
The Feelings of a First Love
Whisper of Fate follows a Queen struggling with her new role of leadership and lost love, who has to find a way to hold it all together and fight for her kingdom. What was your inspiration for the wild journey you take readers on in this novel?
I hope that readers will relate to the feelings of first love and the struggle between duty and desire. I had wanted to write a story where the kingdoms were based on the seven natural wonders of the world and where each location was home to a different spirit, the Sol Defenders, who are the source of the earth’s goodness and reflect attributes of God. In the story, each of our main characters interacts with these spirits differently, just like people might experience hearing God’s voice differently. Kalista senses their presence. Raine can hear them clearly. Luke has a hard time hearing them at all, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t guiding him just like they do the others. I wanted young people who might question if God speaks to them to see that it might look different for each of us, but God’s love is still strong regardless of their ability to hear his voice.
There was a lot of time spent crafting the character traits in this novel. What was the most important factor for you to get right in your characters?
It was important to me that each of the three main characters had their own personal struggles unrelated to the love story. Kalista is dealing with her newfound leadership and doubts about her ability. Raine struggles with forgiving his father, and Luke is stuck in a job he didn’t want and a future he didn’t expect. Throughout the story, I wanted them each to have personal victories related to their growth. It was important to me that they each have their own unique personality and voice, but I relate to each in different ways, and I hope the readers feel the same.
When you first sat down to write this story, did you know where you were going, or did the twists come as you were writing?
I plotted the entire series before I wrote the first word, so I knew the plot line for the Sol Defenders from day one. What was surprising to me was the personalities of the characters. When I first thought about the story, I had thought Raine might be more domineering, but he turned out to be sweeter than I had planned, which made me fall in love with him even more. I never expected I’d love Georgia and Sebastian as much as I do, and Raine’s friendship with August was something I didn’t know I needed until he spontaneously came up in the writing. It was fun to give the supporting characters some big moments that I hadn’t planned originally, and those will continue into the third book.
Where does the story go in the next book, and where do you see it going in the future?
At the end of Whisper of Fate there is a big surprise, and in Night of the Sol, we get a whole new love story. I couldn’t let one of our characters go without a happy ending, but he’s definitely going to have to work for it, because his heart is going to be shattered a few more times before it’s put back together, I’m afraid. Kalista works to fulfill her destiny’s prediction to release the Sol Defenders to the earth, and we’ll find out if she’s successful or if the earth will have to continue to strive for the goodness it’s been desperate for since the Sol Defenders were trapped behind the Gateways. There will be a lot of action, a sweet love story, and twists and turns that keep the pages turning.
Author Links: GoodReads | Instagram | Website
As Kalista takes on the mantle of queen, the weight of her choices grows heavier. Threats rise within her kingdom and beyond, and tales of suffering in the Krasiv Isles push her toward a daring mission that could change everything.
Guided by ancient Spirits, Kalista must face assassins, uncover secrets, and confront the looming menace of Lord Mahan. At her side are the two men tied to her in ways she cannot ignore—Raine, the assassin haunted by his past who holds her heart, and Luke, her loyal general whose destiny may be greater than anyone imagined.
As alliances falter and sacrifices grow inevitable, Kalista must decide how much she’s willing to risk for love.
Enter a world of shadows and light. Read Whisper of Fate today to discover the strength it takes to stand against the darkness.
Guardians of the Cosmic Clocks: The Emerald Tablets
Jabril Yousef Faraj’s Guardians of the Cosmic Clocks kicks off a wild, genre-blending ride through time, space, and soul-searching adolescence. It follows Zya, a spunky, sharp twelve-year-old girl with big dreams and an even bigger heart, and her quieter best friend Elijah, a kid with a mind for circuits and logic. When they stumble upon a mysterious portal in the forest behind their neighborhood, they’re launched into a futuristic yet ancient interstellar conflict. There are aliens, time travel, cosmic watches, and high-stakes missions to recover the enigmatic Emerald Tablets—artifacts of immense power tied to humanity’s fate. All of it is steeped in Afro-futurist themes, social commentary, and enough banter to keep it all feeling grounded.
I honestly fell in love with the way Zya is written. She’s the kind of kid you root for immediately—complicated, headstrong, sweet, and full of fire. Her thoughts about wanting to be free, wanting to be seen and heard, absolutely resonated with me. It’s not just character-building; it’s emotionally real. Her world feels alive even before aliens and spaceships show up. When the science fiction finally kicks in—like when Zya and Elijah first lay eyes on the glowing portal in the forest and jump through it without hesitation—I was hooked. The pacing is snappy, but not rushed. The way Faraj builds out the Lumerian race, particularly through the elegant and mysterious Maroun and the guide Kelven, is slick and satisfying. The Nimrod (their spaceship) is described in such a cool, cinematic way it’s easy to imagine it.
But what surprised me most was how layered the story is. Faraj isn’t afraid to get deep. The Archons—power-hungry lizard-like overlords—aren’t just sci-fi baddies; they’re stand-ins for systemic oppression. The idea that they’ve used Earth’s pyramid structures to send out mind-controlling frequencies is wild, sure, but also kind of genius. It reimagines colonialism and spiritual suppression through a futuristic lens. The Emerald Tablets themselves are introduced with mythic reverence, and their purpose remains just cryptic enough to keep you curious. That said, I think some of the explanations got a little too exposition-heavy—especially in the scenes where Maroun lays out the backstory. It wasn’t bad, just a bit dense for younger readers. Still, the dialogue often balances it out with humor and warmth. Zya and Eli’s dynamic never feels forced. They’re just two kids, caught up in something huge, doing the best they can with sass and heart.
Guardians of the Cosmic Clocks: The Emerald Tablets is a blast. It’s heartfelt and hopeful. It manages to feel epic and intimate all at once. If you love sci-fi with strong characters, real-world metaphors, and a touch of magic, this is for you. Teachers and parents looking for a smart, diverse, adventurous read for middle schoolers—grab this.
Pages: 140 | ASIN : B0DNR18FLZ
Weun Academy: The Shadow Maker
Michael J. Zummo’s Weun Academy: The Shadow Maker is a fast-paced, character-driven sci-fi adventure that follows the journey of Eisah Tanner, a teenager caught between two worlds—Earth-born and Mars-raised—who suddenly discovers he possesses incredible powers. When a violent encounter with a rival Martian faction reveals his mysterious abilities, Eisah is whisked away to a secretive academy in a sprawling alien space station, where he learns he’s not alone in being “different.” As he grapples with grief, identity, and purpose, Eisah finds himself swept up in a vast interstellar conflict and a world filled with complex politics, alien cultures, and high-stakes battles.
I enjoyed the immersive world Zummo built. Mars isn’t just a red rock here—it’s a living, breathing setting with layered tensions between the Redborn and Earthers. And once the narrative jumps into space, it explodes into vibrant colors, fantastical tech, and unforgettable aliens. I found myself feeling both wonder and dread, often in the same chapter. Zummo’s strength lies in his ability to inject emotional depth into action scenes, and I really appreciated that balance. Eisah’s voice feels authentic. His fear, stubbornness, and protectiveness toward his mom resonated with me. There’s a refreshing honesty in his reactions that makes the reader root for him, even when he’s impulsive or defiant.
There were moments where I felt like I was being given a tour of the universe rather than immersed in it. Some of the side characters (especially the academy’s mysterious operatives and fellow students) were so intriguing, but felt slightly underdeveloped given the novel’s hefty length. Still, even in these slower beats, I appreciated Zummo’s passion for this world. He clearly knows his universe inside and out, and it’s fun to be along for the ride, even when the exposition gets heavy.
Weun Academy: The Shadow Maker is a solid pick for fans of young adult sci-fi who love stories about found family, superpowers, and reluctant heroes thrown into extraordinary situations. It’s especially great for readers who want their space fantasy with a bit of heart and a lot of flair. If you liked Ender’s Game, Skyward, or The Expanse but wished they had more emotion, diversity, and cool alien tech, this is for you. I’m absolutely curious to see where Eisah’s journey takes him next.
Pages: 562
LITERARY TITAN 