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Ashes of the City

Ashes of the City by Quinton Taylor-Garcia delivers a gripping tale set in the aftermath of an earthquake that leaves a group of high school students stranded in a shattered urban landscape. Maya, a compassionate leader, strives to bring unity, while Jace, a ruthless pragmatist, champions strength as the key to survival. Their opposing ideologies fracture the group, igniting tension over scarce resources. As aftershocks loom and destruction mounts, both leaders grapple with harrowing choices and the weight of their decisions.

This novel is a riveting work of modern dystopian fiction. From the opening sentence, the author’s evocative prose commands attention. Vivid descriptions transform the ruined city into a visceral, almost living presence. Each crumbling building and each tremor in the earth feels real, immersing the reader in a world teetering on the edge of collapse. The story doesn’t just depict survival; it mirrors the fragility of the modern world, asking readers to confront unsettling truths about humanity and resilience.

The characters shine as the heart of this story. Maya and Jace, polar opposites, embody two sides of survival in crisis. Maya’s warmth and hope resonate deeply, offering a vision of collective strength, while Jace’s unflinching pragmatism challenges notions of morality when survival is at stake. Their clash is riveting, not only as a battle for leadership but as a commentary on what it means to remain human amidst chaos. The raw authenticity of their internal struggles makes them relatable, their humanity laid bare in every decision, every moment of doubt.

Themes of leadership, morality, and sacrifice pulse through the pages, creating a story that is as thought-provoking as it is thrilling. The story moves with relentless energy, but it also takes moments to reflect, adding depth and nuance to the chaos. The contrast between destruction and the characters’ determination to survive is both haunting and inspiring.

Ashes of the City is an exploration of resilience, a challenge to consider how far we’ll go to endure, and a testament to the enduring power of hope. It’s a must-read for anyone drawn to dystopian stories.

Pages: 320 | ASIN : B0DK4397YD

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A Look at the Future

S.F. González Author Interview

El aullido de los Invisibles immerses readers into a desolate future where Earth has been devastated by environmental collapse and social decay. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

The idea came from a post I saw on social media. It was the seed from which the world and story of Onnyriom emerged, and what was originally going to be one book became three.

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?

Unfortunately, I found inspiration in the world around us and in the way humans treat animals and the earth in general. There is also a deep criticism of the society in which we live.

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

Above all, social criticism and reflection on the way human beings act today. 

The idea was to create a hard story with a message, but one that would engage the reader. The truth is that it is having a very good reception.

Will this novel be the start of a series or are you working on a different story?

´´El aullido de los invisibles´´is the first part of the trilogy Onnyriom. I published the second part (´´Conciencia de hiel´´) in August, and the third part (´´El presagio de la desoñación´´) will be released in December of this year.

Author Links: GoodReads | Book Review

¿Qué ocurriría si la humanidad perdiera su poder, si en un instante fuera destronada como la especie más poderosa de la Tierra?
En el despiadado mundo de Onnyriom, un planeta donde las apariencias engañan y el karma se cobra sus deudas con intereses, la realidad es oscura y desgarradora.
Sin embargo, no todo está perdido. Del corazón temerario de unos pocos valientes nacerá el valor para arriesgar su vidapor salvar a los humanos de su inexorable destino.
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En un mundo post apocalíptico, la humanidad se convierte en la materia prima de una nueva raza que ha conquistado el planeta: los onnyrianos. Los humanos, considerados inferiores, se cultivan bajo escalofriantes condiciones y son comercializados de pies a cabeza por la gigantesca empresa Gova.
Alysa, una onnyriana que se verá obligada a seguir el legado familiar e incorporarse a trabajar en Gova, tendrá la oportunidad de cambiar su destino al crear una alianza con uno de los pocos grupos resistentes y embarcarse en la misión más peligrosa de su vida.

El Aullido De Los Invisibles

El Aullido De Los Invisibles nos sumerge en un futuro desolador donde la Tierra ha sido devastada por el colapso ambiental y la decadencia social. Es el año 2150, y la humanidad apenas se sostiene, atrapada en las ruinas de una sociedad que una vez se creyó invencible. González retrata un mundo distópico donde la supervivencia ha vuelto a sus formas más básicas y brutales, y los humanos viven bajo la constante sombra de conquistadores alienígenas que explotan la Tierra para obtener recursos y usan a los humanos como meros productos. Esta sombría narrativa no solo explora el colapso ambiental y político, sino que añade capas de perspectivas íntimas y profundamente humanas, haciendo la historia tanto inquietante como relatable.

La escritura de González es sombría, pero bellamente descriptiva. Al inicio del libro, el contraste entre una Tierra vibrante y saludable y el páramo en que se ha convertido se capta con una claridad escalofriante. Las imágenes persisten, evocando tanto tristeza como una sensación de traición. Me encontré reflexionando sobre lo familiar, aunque aterrador, que se sentía el mundo de González; es un espejo hacia nuestro posible futuro, haciendo que la devastación ambiental se sienta personal. La destreza descriptiva en estas escenas me provocó escalofríos y una conciencia inevitable de nuestra frágil conexión con la naturaleza. Las dinámicas sociales que González explora, especialmente a través de la protagonista Alysa, son crudas e impactantes. El viaje de Alysa—una joven atrapada bajo la opresión de su padre y de las normas sociales asfixiantes—actúa como una potente metáfora de la rebelión contra los sistemas de poder. Su monólogo interno revela su desesperación y esperanza, destacadas en escenas con Mussa, una niña humana tratada como una mascota. González también usa a Onnyriom, la civilización alienígena invasora, como un espejo para criticar temas reales, como el consumismo y la desigualdad. Los onnyrianos se complacen en productos humanos, tratando la Tierra y sus habitantes como meros activos a consumir, mientras que los poderosos manipulan cada faceta de la vida para mantener su dominio. La representación de la sociedad onnyriana, que ve a los humanos como materia prima para productos médicos y de vanidad, me pareció una interpretación inquietantemente literal de los excesos capitalistas actuales. Estos elementos temáticos son directos pero efectivos, haciendo claras las intenciones de González y obligando a los lectores a cuestionar las estructuras en nuestro mundo que priorizan el lucro sobre la compasión.

El Aullido De Los Invisibles es una lectura potente para cualquiera que aprecie los relatos distópicos con propósito. Es ideal para los amantes de la ciencia ficción socialmente consciente, así como para aquellos interesados en historias que desafían el statu quo. La narrativa de González es oscura pero necesaria, haciendo imposible ignorar la advertencia subyacente: si no cambiamos, esto podría ser algo más que ficción. Este libro me dejó una sensación inquietante, reflexiva y, de manera curiosa, esperanzada. Lo recomendaría a cualquiera en busca de un viaje estimulante y emocionalmente resonante.

Pages: 373 | ASIN : B0D34K5JGT

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Little Green Man

In Little Green Man, author Shanti Hershensen transports readers to the small, conventional town of Mount Pifork, Colorado, where seventeen-year-old Birdie Buckley feels stifled by the town’s rigid norms. Birdie craves adventure, but in a place where individuality is unwelcome, finding it seems impossible. Yet, her curiosity is piqued when she begins to suspect something strange—perhaps even extraterrestrial—lurking in her town. With the help of Sol, the intriguing new arrival at her high school, Birdie embarks on a quest to uncover the mysteries surrounding a recently appeared observatory on the town’s outskirts. What they discover changes everything, leaving Birdie questioning whether normalcy might be preferable after all.

Drawing comparisons to the eerie intrigue of shows like The X-Files, Hershensen crafts a teen-centered narrative that explores the timeless theme of searching for one’s place in the world. Though the idea of seeking proof of alien life isn’t new, the novel taps into this well-worn concept with a fresh twist, intertwining it with the relatable struggles of adolescence. Birdie’s journey is driven not just by her search for extraterrestrial life, but by her deeper, more personal quest to belong. In her high school, she feels torn between wanting to fit in with her peers and resenting them for their dull conformity. This internal conflict fuels her determination to uncover something extraordinary. Perhaps, if she doesn’t belong on Earth, her destiny lies among beings as alien as she sometimes feels herself to be. Grounding the story is Birdie’s evolving relationship with Sol. Their bond provides a heartwarming reminder that connection can be found in the most unexpected places. As Birdie searches for the unusual and mysterious, her life becomes increasingly complex, even without the discovery of any actual “little green men.” The turbulence of adolescence, with its inherent challenges, mirrors the very strangeness she longs for. Yet, Birdie remains blind to the fact that growing up is an adventure all on its own, full of twists and uncertainties she never anticipated.

Little Green Man offers a clever and engaging literary escape driven by a spirited protagonist and a plot full of surprises. Hershensen’s story is not just about extraterrestrial mysteries but about the equally baffling journey of self-discovery in the midst of teenage life. With its suspenseful twists and thoughtful exploration of identity, this book will keep readers hooked and thinking long after the final page.

Pages: 436 | ASIN : B0CRTKLFGK

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Sky Curse

In the year 2045, mankind has depleted the resources of Earth, and humans are looking to move off the planet in hopes of a fresh start. This is the setting for this thrilling young adult novel. The chosen five are Brian, Jamal, Alex, Kev, and Cecilia in Janet Kravetz’s titular series. Cecilia Miller is a teenage female protagonist in this dystopian future book. Titan is regarded as humanity’s last hope, but everyone can’t afford to travel there. Even more so, not everyone desires to. Duncan Macdougall, a Localist, wants Cecilia and the other four chosen candidates to stop the fulfillment of an old Mayan prophecy and save Earth and its inhabitants. Five Mayan crystals that contain the technology to save the planet are sought after by the chosen five who journey to Mexico in their search.

Sky Curse has a slow-burn beginning, but that gave me time to adjust to the world-building presented by Kravetz. It is futuristic hard science fiction, but it also contains aspects of fantasy and has a measure of reality mixed in. This teen novel is an exceptionally well-written, imaginative, and wholly original work. Along with Cecilia, I was transported to an unfortunate Earth. Cecilia is portrayed as a blonde with blue eyes, which is a little cliché. However, she still has her imperfections and is intelligent, and contributes well to the authenticity needed to make a protagonist come to life. And not to forget, Tony provides the humor and is Cecilia’s go-to companion.

The thought-provoking plot lines will get readers to consider climate change from beginning to end. Although it is hypothetical, nothing seems out of the ordinary or overly complicated. The reader starts to believe that what they are reading might very well be the kind of world we are leaving for future generations, which has a dramatic effect. The novel is written for older teens and younger adults, but Kravetz’s insightful developments and topics are broad enough to appeal to readers with more demanding tastes in literary nuances.

Sky Curse is the exciting start of a new young adult science fiction series, The Chosen Five. Filled with action, drama, paranormal, and fantasy elements there is something for all readers in this novel. Follow the chosen five as they try to save Earth and prevent the apocalyptic destruction of humanity. I can’t wait to see what the series has in store!

Pages: 395 | ASIN : B0B9638NC7

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