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The Order of Walera
A war ravaged the land. A hard-won peace is kept in place with the formation of the orders; The order of Walera from Ravinshore, The Order of the three in Duken, and the Order of the Red Flame in Queens Hill. Olin, a young sciff recently recruited into the order of Walera accidentally comes across a terrible conspiracy involving the Order and the mysterious illness that had befallen the king of Ravinshore. As he realizes the importance and danger of the information he has acquired, Olin escapes the Order and returns home to enlist the help of his uncle. As the pair prepares to run, they’re tracked down by the generals of the Order with the intention of eliminating them. On their perilous journey Olin meets Yondi, a young mage apprentice. They must fight together as they encounter obstacle after obstacle all while they pose the question, who can they really trust?
The Order of Walera is the first installment in the dramatic Ash and Stone Saga by A.M. Dyer. This young adult fantasy novel vividly depicts a complex and intricate world, from secret orders to powerful kingdoms to magic-wielding mages. The setting is very detailed, making the reader feel as if they’re taking the journey along with the characters. I really enjoyed how immersive this story felt and I think that’s because the lore, backstory and world all feel deep.
The characters are incredibly well-built with convincing personality traits. There’s the protagonist Olin, who starts the story as a curious and slightly shy young man but as the plot progresses the reader will experience his growth and character development as he’s faced with more challenging obstacles every time. There’s also Yondi, a young apprentice who gets roped into helping Olin in his quest. I would describe Yondi as the perfect sidekick. The boys establish a strong connection with each other and form a team that will keep readers entertained throughout the adventure.
The plot is easy to understand right from the beginning, perfect for a young adult adventure story, but it is no less engaging. The story flows well and there are no plot holes left behind, everything connects at one point in the story. This made the book very enjoyable. The novel is well written but at times I thought it was overly descriptive. However, this can be excused considering this is an epic fantasy tale that is setting the stage for a larger story.
The Order of Walera: Book 1 is an exciting coming-of-age story with an engaging plot and authentic characters that readers will love to follow.
Pages: 394 | ASIN: B0B1XZQ4RQ
Literary Titan Gold Book Award August 2022
The Literary Titan Book Awards are awarded to books that have astounded and amazed us with unique writing styles, vivid worlds, complex characters, and original ideas. These books deserve extraordinary praise and we are proud to acknowledge the hard work, dedication, and writing talent of these brilliant authors.
Gold Award Recipients
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
Literary Titan Book Awards August 2022
The Literary Titan Book Awards are awarded to books that have astounded and amazed us with unique writing styles, vivid worlds, complex characters, and original ideas. These books deserve extraordinary praise and we are proud to acknowledge the hard work, dedication, and writing talent of these brilliant authors.
Silver Award Recipients
Calm Before the Storm by Steven Paul Germanè
The Sting
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
The Slayer, the Seer, and the Dream Stealer
Matthew maybe unable to walk due to his disability, but what he lacks in physical strength he substitutes with his strength of character, courage, intellect and extraordinary will power. Since the earliest times, people have always admired and rooted for an underdog in any story. Be it in the myth of David and Goliath, Percy Jackson or even Harry Potter. Set in a similar fantastical world where the waking world co-exists with the Dreamworld, Matthew along with his two best friends, Amanda and Alex, struggle to put an end to the conspiracies of the Ministry of Nightmares.
In the beginning of the story, as a disabled young boy, Matthew is often bullied by his schoolmates. Unable to fight back physically and burdened with ideas of ‘not asking others for help’ as a sign of bravado, he experiences the desperation and helplessness of disabled children first hand. The author has portrayed Matt as a strong, independent protagonist despite his disability. When he goes into the Dreamworld Matt turns into an able-bodied child, where his battles are ultimately fought and won. This is entertaining, and imaginative, but I would have liked to have seen a scene where Matt fights and wins even with his disabled body. This is book one so I expect there is a larger character arc for Matt then what we see here and I can’t wait to see how his character evolves throughout the series. I really enjoyed the inclusion of disabled characters in this story, as I find them lacking in mainstream media. I think this novel stands out among the rest of the young adult fantasy genre because of the fantastic way it utilizes that in the story.
On one hand, the story has a wide spectrum of representation and on the other, it is seriously quite addictive, keeping readers hooked until the end. This alone demonstrates the fact that the author has a gift for storytelling. Towards the end, there is a certain feel-good effect, a kind of satisfaction in seeing the weak, the fallen, the beaten, rise up and confront a force of greater power and evil.
The message the author shares in this heartening story seems to reflect the old saying, “united we stand, divided we fall”, because relying on others or being interdependent is not necessarily a bad thing. Instead, for a teenager this might actually be one of the most important life lessons. The Slayer, the Seer, and the Dream Stealer is an enchanting coming-of-age adventure story that is an epic start to what is sure to be a rousing fantasy series.
Pages: 337 | ASIN: B0B5M9TBXC
You Find Out Who Your True Friends Are
The Covid Kid follows a young adult in his first year of college who has all his plans turned upside down with the emergence of COVID. What made you write a story about this topic?
The pandemic had such an overwhelming influence on us all. I simply could not ignore the impact on my upbeat protagonist, who always seems to come out okay in the end but never takes the straightforward path. Placing the most important person in his life at risk with COVID, under circumstances that might have been attributable to him, created suspense and concern for my readers.
Marshall’s plans for his first year of college change dramatically, and he has to adapt to many changes. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
Boiled all the way down, it is a critical part of the maturation process from childhood to adult. Thankfully, most kids ease into adulthood without facing major trauma on the way, but they will have to deal with it at some point in their lives.
Marshall lived an admirable life with a sincere concern for others. I wanted to show that even the very best have problems, but his faith and perseverance won out in the end.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The pandemic was very serious business and should not be taken lightly, as it was by many young people. Marshall lost friends close to him and realized COVID must be dealt with seriously. Financial pressure can turn almost anyone to compromise their ideals and sworn allegiances, even a Hippocratic oath. When adversity rears its ugly head, you find out who your true friends really are.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
My next book in the Marshall Morris series is “The Battle of Sam Jacinto”. (Yes, “Sam”) Marshall aligns himself with a group of old vets who rally with slingshots and baseball bats at the planned destruction of a Vietnam era local hero statue for a shopping center. In the process he forgets the proliferation of slavery advocated by many of the monuments and impact on his girlfriend African American Mallory. The one after that with a working title of “Hugs and Drugs” is about half written. Hopefully out in time for Christmas.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
The devastating loss of senior citizen war veteran buddies who survived combat bullets, but not this bug, leads him to become grimly serious about the pandemic, and he rails against young people who refuse to take precautions. His worst fears are realized when his precious mother is struck down by the dread disease, which he is certain he gave to her.
Though she worsens in an ICU he is unable to visit. He tries to keep busy working at a struggling real estate company. The owner, desperate for cash, becomes the middleman. in a bizarre international scheme to inject a bogus miracle cure into COVID patients at a local hospital. Marshall is shocked to learn the surely fatal drug will be given to his mother. He must get to her ICU before it is too late. The hospital’s COVID ward is a fortress. Can he get to her in time?
All Roads Lead to Lawrence
All Roads Lead To Lawrence, by Craig Leener, is a lively science fiction story that follows the life of a young man named Zeke, his friend and their lives; which revolve around the game of basketball. Everything starts to go terribly wrong as they approach their summer break. Someone dies, his girlfriend Rebecca makes a decision that will change the course of their relationship, and one of his friends is in a terrible accident. Zeke is forced to grow up and take responsibility for his life and how he affects those around him. Then things begin to get really strange when an unusual character starts to cross his path. Being no stranger to weird happenings, Zeke knows he needs the help of his friends, especially his autistic friend Lawrence, to try and figure out what is going on.
From one of the very first lines, “My name is Zeke Archer, and that’s where this strange tale begins.” the author establishes the point of view, sets the level of intrigue, and prepares readers for the extraordinary things that are about to occur. I enjoyed this opening from a technical perspective, but this also shows the sharp writing of author Craig Leener. From here readers will be engaged with the first person narrative, and feel more involved in the story. This is important since this is the second book in the series. You don’t necessarily have to have read book one to pick this book up, you can enjoy it on it’s own, but you may way to read book one just to get a full appreciation for the character and story arc over the series.
Many themes are touched upon throughout the story which offer advice for young readers, especially teenage readers who may find themselves in a similar situation (minus the science fiction parts). For example the subject of the death of a loved one or having a sibling in the U.S. Marine Corps is explored in the story in a delicate and respectful way. Telling this story from the first person perspective allows the reader to get an insight into how someone in this situation may feel. Furthermore, by following the characters facing pivotal life lessons such as getting their first job, it makes the tale more relatable and provides useful tips that the reader can apply in their own lives.
I was amazed by the level of imagination that is infused throughout this story and the clever way in which young adult science fiction and basketball is woven together throughout the book. Having read other stories in this series, it is nice to gain further details about the characters and I am sure they have so much more to give. I would definitely recommend this read to others as the short chapters make it easily digestible and the fun plot make this an entertaining story from start to finish.
Pages: 334 | ASIN: B07XL91FZG
Demanding To Be Written About
Child of Etherclaw follows two siblings as they investigate the mystery behind an opal necklace and its otherworldly powers, encountering danger along the way. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
Child of Etherclaw began as a short story exploring a rather radical approach to climate change mitigation—the Void Pillars. These are the massive hollow superstructures that reach into space and act as heat sinks that cool the planet. When I started to consider how they could be constructed, who (or what) could construct them, and why, that short story quickly took on a novel length. Most importantly, it turned out to also be the perfect setting for several characters that had been banging around loudly in my head for years, demanding to be written about.
Fenlee discovers her life is not as simple as she suspected as she discovers more about her family and her past. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
One of the reasons I love young adult fiction is the growth arcs of the characters. Fenlee is no exception. With her, I wanted to portray a character who could be considered “strong” but is realistically flawed, and has to overcome moments of weakness and doubt. A great deal of Fenlee’s strength comes from her friends and her family, and as fiercely independent as she wishes herself to be, she must come to terms with the fact that she needs them as much as they need her. As the story moves along, Fenlee’s motivations also change as she begins to see the true depths and darkness of the world around her. Getting knocked down repeatedly but continuing to get back up for both yourself and those around you is a real challenge, but Fenlee is up to it, despite the odds.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Found family has always been one of my favorite themes, and one that I wanted to make central to Child of Etherclaw. There are so many different ways to explore family dynamics, but when non-biologically related characters get mushed together in an unlikely living situation, their personalities really tend to shine through in their interactions. I believe this is largely because there isn’t the expectation of the same sort of “default loyalty” we afford to those we’re related to; how we treat found family shows us who we really are. It was also important to me to ensure the feeling of hope. While this may be a dystopian novel, it’s not without positivity. I wanted to demonstrate that, no matter what the world around us looks like, we can always make it a better place, even in small ways.
What is the next book in the series going to hold for readers, and when will it be available?
The next book is currently set for release in late 2023. There are a number of things hinted at throughout Child of Etherclaw, such as certain characters’ backgrounds and mysteries around how the world got to its current state, which will be answered in the next book. A dire threat, much darker than anything in Child of Etherclaw, will also emerge, and certain characters’ roles and destinies will become clearer.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Website
But can those bonds hold when the blood itself carries a devastating secret?
Fenlee’s opal necklace had always radiated a certain warmth since her mother’s death. But now, at sixteen, her world begins to unravel as the stone sparks to life, revealing itself to be an otherworldly artifact of untold power.
Between her mechatronics studies at the academy and scavenging expeditions beneath the sprawling city of New Cascadia, Fenlee and her adopted brother, Elliot, try to decipher the mysteries of her necklace and its link to events in Fenlee’s past.
But they’re not alone in their search.
Strange undercity dwellers offer cryptic warnings, drones track their movements, and deadly corporate agents lurk in the shadows. When tragedy rips Fenlee’s family apart, she must learn to use the artifact’s power to save those who are deeply precious to her. But nothing can prepare her for the dark truths that she will uncover on that journey…
“Lee,” Elliot mumbled. “I’m not who you think I am.”
Having Kindred Spirits In Our Lives
Kindreds follows a teen girl who reunites with a past friend, and together they explore a magical new world filled with adventure and danger. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
My inspiration for Kindreds came first from reading Anne of Green Gables as a child and learning the power of having kindred spirits in our lives. As an adult, I became a social worker and have worked with many children (and adults) who have lost people they love, gone through the foster system, and have longed for a different life. Kindreds is a fictional compilation of my experiences, imagination, and experiences throughout my life.
Lilah has to figure out who she is and what she wants after losing her family. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
Even though Lilah’s family has died, she is determined to remain connected to them. She wears her mother’s ring around her neck, she talks to her family in her mind and relies on her memories of them when she is feeling lonely. Lilah has a strong inner knowing/intuition that helps her when making decisions, is observant of those around her, and ultimately uses both her head and her heart when making decisions. The ideals that drive her include authenticity, honesty, curiosity, being emotionally intelligent, and honoring who she is (and wants to be).
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
There are many themes in Kindreds: belonging (vs. fitting in), finding people who you can count on, dealing with grief, falling in love, and trusting one’s self. During adolescence we are all challenged with figuring out who we are, what we want, and whom we want around us. So often at this stage of life, we spend more time fitting in rather than belonging. Belonging forces us to be who we are, no apologies, no excuses. Fitting in is more about doing whatever everyone else is and not trying to stand out. In Kindreds, Lilah is trying to figure out where she belongs, if she can trust her judgment of what is going on in Carnival Nolianna, and if she should or shouldn’t join. Ultimately, Lilah refuses to simply fit in and follow the crowd. By doing this, she is even more sought after by the leadership of Nolianna to become a member of their secret world. I wanted to let readers know that being themselves is the most important thing they can be.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I am working on Book Two of the Nolianna series, expected June 2023.
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