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The Intersection of Myth and Science
The Ark of the First Gods follows a brilliant young man with alien origins and superhuman abilities, who uncovers a cosmic conspiracy that could change humanity’s fate. Adam’s journey has echoes of classic sci-fi protagonists. Did you draw influence from other stories?
Adam’s arc was consciously shaped with echoes of classic science fiction heroes like Paul Atreides (Dune), David Bowman (2001: A Space Odyssey), and even Neo from The Matrix. Like them, Adam is a reluctant protagonist drawn into a larger, often metaphysical conflict that challenges the nature of identity, destiny, and power. I wanted to explore the transformation of a scientist—someone grounded in reason and logic—into a being forced to confront truths that transcend science and logic entirely.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Thematically, The Ark of the First Gods is a story about identity, control, and awakening. It deals with the tension between free will and predestination, the manipulation of truth by powerful entities (alien or otherwise), and humanity’s place in a cosmic ecosystem it barely understands. I was particularly interested in what it means to be “engineered” for a purpose—how much of who we are is self-determined versus designed, either biologically or by ideology.
At its core, the book is about a hybrid protagonist standing at the intersection of ancient myth and future science, forced to choose between becoming a weapon of control or a vessel of liberation—not just for himself, but for all of Earth.
When and where will the book be available?
The Ark of the First Gods has not been published yet. It is currently with my literary agent so it is difficult to say when it will become available.
Author Website
The Ark Of The First Gods
Howard K. Pollack’s The Ark of the First Gods is a coming-of-age science fiction story that follows Adam, a gifted young man with mysterious origins and superhuman mental abilities. Adopted under strange circumstances, Adam grows from a curious boy into a genius-level MIT student and NASA recruit. Along the way, he discovers not only his unique powers, such as telekinesis and telepathy, but also a much deeper truth about his extraterrestrial origins. The novel weaves together government conspiracies, space exploration, cyber espionage, and alien intervention, culminating in Adam’s role as a key figure in a covert mission known as Project Eclipse.
The writing feels grounded and sincere, even when it’s exploring wild, cosmic ideas. The scenes at the Kennedy Space Center had a real sense of awe and wonder, which made me feel like a kid again. Pollack has a knack for blending technical detail with accessible storytelling, and it shows in how smoothly he explains things like propulsion systems and satellite arrays. The characters, especially Adam and Suzie, are likable and have believable chemistry. Their interactions felt natural, not forced. Suzie’s warmth balances out Adam’s intensity, and that dynamic gives the story a much-needed human touch.
While I enjoyed the buildup, a few of the later twists, like the lunar signals and Project Eclipse, could have used more emotional payoff. Still, there was something earnest about the whole thing that kept me rooting for Adam, even when things got a bit over-the-top. It has the heart of a good sci-fi movie from the ’90s, ambitious, a little campy at times, but packed with heart and imagination.
The Ark of the First Gods is a fast and heartfelt read that’s ideal for fans of character-driven sci-fi. If you enjoy stories like Stranger Things or Ender’s Game, where gifted young people uncover hidden truths about themselves and the universe, you’ll probably have a good time here. It’s full of wonder and just enough mystery to keep you flipping pages.
LITERARY TITAN 