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War is Not a Game

Author Interview
Vladimir Fleurisma Author Interview

Ultimatum follows a Marine Raider living in a post-apocalyptic world who has one mission: to reach Three Mile Island at any cost. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

​I am a sci-fi and fantasy lover. The inspiration for this story was wanting to make my sci-fi classic. My favorite movies are Aliens ’86, Jurassic Park, and Terminator. I love cyberpunk also. I believe if you look through the book you can see the inspiration of all those stories in this novel.

One of the stand-out features in this novel is the character development. Were the characters’ backstory something you always had, or did it develop as you were writing?

As for character development, I am someone who likes teamwork. My first draft was so bad. My main character D was a genetic uber-competent superman. He was the only real character in a story where he travels through the broken world to find out how this happened. That story was a train wreck. My next draft needed more characters, and all of them needed to have traits that complemented D and filled in facts for the reader in a natural way, so I created Zach and gave him tech smarts, Hank with long military experience, Betty with psychological knowledge, and Cella with bioscience knowledge. From there I had to round out the characters and their motivations. I used myself, other family members, and the many people I’ve met in my life to flesh out the main characters.

What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?

The themes of this book are for people to care for resource management and to understand that war is not a game.

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 next story?

This is the first book of a planned trilogy. I plan to release the second novel, Ultimatum: Fallout County, later this year 2024.

Author Links: Goodreads | Amazon

It’s only been 18 months since the 50 year resource war ended in nuclear fire. Now everyone must contend with the new super predator seeking to establish its place as the new apex predator. D is a marine raider with one simple mission–reach Three Mile Island. To do this he’ll have to cross a nuclear wasteland of sunless cold and sheering winds. Avoid the new mutated apex creature that controls this new world and be wary of anyone else also looking to reach Three Mile Island. He’ll either do it or kill every person and animal he can trying to do it.

Ultimatum

Ultimatum, by Vladimir Fleurisma, presents a compelling narrative set in a post-apocalyptic landscape marked by war and the presence of menacing creatures. The novel opens with the character of Thomas, who finds himself wrestling with personal issues amidst a backdrop of global political turmoil and escalating conflict. The story then intriguingly shifts to a character known simply as D, who braves a perilous, creature-laden subterranean world.

Fleurisma’s writing style is notably vivid and engaging. He excels in crafting rich, detailed descriptions and dialogues that bring the post-apocalyptic setting to life. His narrative skillfully balances action and emotional depth, employing suspense and horror elements to captivate the reader. The desolate landscapes and the characters’ inner turmoil are portrayed with remarkable clarity and depth. The characters in the story are thoughtfully fleshed out, each endowed with their unique backstories and complexities. Initially, at the forefront of the story, Thomas is depicted as a man confronting personal challenges while navigating a world in disarray. D emerges as a particularly fascinating character whose journey through hazardous environments showcases resilience and complexity. The interactions among the characters, their evolution throughout the tale, and their engagement with the dystopian world they inhabit are pivotal to the unfolding narrative.

Ultimatum stands out as a suspenseful and intricate exploration of a dystopian reality. Fleurisma’s skillful use of descriptive language and his focus on character development result in an enthralling reading experience. This novel not only reflects Fleurisma’s talent in constructing a multifaceted story but also succeeds in keeping readers thoroughly engaged, making it a notable addition to the genre.

Pages: 290 | ASIN: B0BHHGF72X

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