Showing posts with label Dystopian. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dystopian. Show all posts

10.04.2023

Silent Stars ~ Review

Silent Stars JustRead Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Silent Stars by Brett Armstrong, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Silent Stars

Silent Stars
Tomorrow's Edge #3
By Brett Armstrong

Silent Stars opens with the threat closing in on Elliott as he attempts to retrieve files that his grandfather hid away before his death. Elliott manages to escape due to his girlfriend Lara, but the secrets he's keeping are about to drive a wedge between them. Secrets that are revealed when the Siegers catch up to them. Whoops, the time for coming clean has just passed. 

Project Alexandria may have been stopped, but something worse is then revealed - the Babel Initiative. And it is a global threat. What's worse, Elliott knows something about the whole situation feels off, but he can't pinpoint what exactly. And until he does, his life and the lives of those aiding him are in danger.

Now I will say reading the first two books in the series is probably a good idea. If you don't, the lack of backstory will confuse you about what is happening. If you haven't read the previous two books, you could still enjoy the book, just with some gaps in needed information - like why everything is happening. 

Elliott and his girlfriend Lara are teenagers who just want to live Normal. Not on the run. Not trying to save the world and the people from something they don't even realize is a threat. But normal has a way of changing and getting it back just might be impossible. But they have to try - for themselves and the rest of the world.

This is a near-dystopian sci-fi read with threads of Christianity running through it. There is plenty of action and a few mysteries as to just what the enemy is attempting to do and how they seemingly know where the Siegers are hiding out. Is it a mole or something far more sinister? Hmmm. This book can hold one's attention from beginning to end and is worth the time spent reading.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book

Title: Silent Stars
Series:
Tomorrow's Edge #3
Author:
Brett Armstrong
Publisher:
Expanse Books
Release Date:
September 26, 2023
Genre:
Christian, Dystopian, Science Fiction

AD 2040: Barely eighteen, things have become much harder for Elliott. Reeling from the losses during the confrontation that brought Project Alexandria to a halt, Elliott feverishly hunts for the original files needed to finish it off. Finding only dead ends, he instead stumbles upon something dire: messages about the Babel Initiative. Conceived as a successor that would make Project Alexandria’s manipulations seem tame, this new threat once again forces Elliott into alliances with morally grey programmers known as Siegers. Beset by continual setbacks and defeats, many Siegers abandon the cause and go underground to survive the dangers ahead. The bleak reality that Elliott and those closest to him are almost certain to die in the fight against Dr. Almundson begins to set in. But Elliott isn’t ready to give up. He knows the cost of such a silent surrender will be humanity itself.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

More in This Series

 


About the Author

Brett Armstrong

Brett Armstrong has been exploring other worlds as a writer since age nine. Years later, he still writes, but now invites others along on his excursions. He’s shown readers haunting, deep historical fiction (Destitutio Quod Remissio), scary-real dystopian sci-fi (Tomorrow's Edge), and dark, sweeping epic fantasy (Quest of Fire). Every story is a journey of discovery and an attempt to be a brush in the Master Artist’s hand. Through dark, despair, light, joy, and everything in between, the end is always meant to leave his fellow literary explorers with wonder and hope. Always busy with a new story, he also enjoys drawing, gardening, and spending time with his wife and son.

Connect with Brett by visiting brettarmstrong.net to follow him on social media and sign up for email updates.


Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will win a $25 Amazon gift card, print copy of Silent Stars, and a poster of a scene from the Tomorrow's Edge series!

Silent Stars JustRead Tours giveaway

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight October 4, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on October 11, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Open to winners in the US, Canada, Australia, and UK only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway


Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

JustRead Publicity Tours

3.27.2023

Recruit of Talionis ~ Review

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Recruit of Talionis by C.J. Milacci, 
hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Recruit of Talionis

 Recruit of Talionis
 Talionis Series #1
 By C.J. Milacci

 The Recruit of Talionis is an intriguing read. Set sometime in the future,  the world as we know it has been drastically altered by something known as the Demise, and it is in this environment that we are introduced to Bria Averton. Bria is seventeen years old when her life is altered when she is stolen away from her home to an unknown city known as Talionis. 

 What is Talionis? And why she was brought there along with hundreds of other teens is foremost on her mind. All too soon, Bria learns that she is to forget her past and willingly serve Talionis and its ruler, Commander Demetrius Ark, without question. Following rules has always been a thing with Bria, and she isn't about to willingly and blindly serve her captors as they try to turn her into the perfect soldier. But her captors know things about her that they shouldn't, and they are more than happy to use any means possible to force her compliance.

But those who rule and control Talionis don't know Bria and her determination to escape and warn her family of this unknown threat to them. 

This is a harsh world. Punishment for failure or disobedience is severe, and kindness is vulnerability to be leveraged. Welcome to Talionis! This is definitely a dystopian read at its best. Survival is paramount, and betrayal is to be rewarded.

This is an action-packed read that is sure to engage. I will admit I found this to be a book I didn't want to put down. The characters are well-developed, and there are a few I really dislike (I mean, I really, really dislike them). There are a couple characters I can't get a good read on - are they evil? Are they sympathetic to the plight of the recruits? And then there is our small group of recruits determined to resist and not lose themselves to Talionis. Truly an excellent read that is a must-read, in my opinion. I love how it ended so that one knows more is to come. 

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Support the Kickstarter campaign to bring book two, Fugitive of Talionis, to print.

About the Book

Title: Recruit of Talionis
Series
: Talionis Series #1
Author
: C.J. Milacci
Publisher
: Fayette Press
Release Date
: November 3, 2022
Genre
: Young Adult Sci-Fi Dystopian

"Forget where you came from. Forget the life you knew. You are now recruits of Talionis!"

A teen with a dark past. A secret military force that kidnaps new soldiers. Can she survive as a Recruit of Talionis? 

America has fallen. Seventeen-year-old Bria Averton grew up in a small town of survivors near the ruins of Portland, Maine. It’s all she’s ever known — until she’s kidnapped along with hundreds of other teens and brought to the city of Talionis. A city no one knew existed. 

The soldiers tell them the intense trainings are for the good of the survivors, and Bria resists being forced into a new life as a recruited soldier. But she soon finds the dangers in the city are greater than she imagined. 

Escape is impossible, and Bria fears drowning in the evil of the city… and the guilt from her own past. But can she find hope, even here?

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | IndieBound | BookBub


About the Author

C.J. Milacci

CJ Milacci has found creating to be therapeutic in the chaos of life. Writing is her favorite way to create, and she seeks to take her readers on a grand adventure that begins with a single word. As a referee, she is always relearning the hard lesson that it’s impossible to make everyone happy, and she’s discovered that stories can be found anywhere, even on a lacrosse field. She is passionate about crafting stories of good overcoming evil, finding hope in the midst of seemingly hopeless circumstances, and true acceptance. Always willing to get real about hard issues, C.J. also enjoys the cheesiest of puns. She loves deep conversations, yo-yos, rollerblading, and finding reasons to throw a dance party. She chats about writing, her faith, and the hope found in Jesus, bubble tea, and other fun adventures online (@cjmilacci) and at cjmilacci.com.

Connect with CJ by visiting cjmilacci.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will each receive a print copy of Recruit of Talionis with swag and a $15 Amazon gift card!

Recruit of Talionis JustRead Giveaway
The full tour schedule is linked below. 
The giveaway begins at midnight on March 27, 2023, and 
will last through 11:59 PM EST on April 3, 2023. 
The winner will be notified within 2 weeks of the close of the giveaway 
and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of the prize. 
US only. 
Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

The giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway


Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

JustRead Publicity Tours

Recruit of Talionis JustRead Blog Tour

8.10.2021

Secrets in the Mist ~ Review

Secrets in the Mist
Skyworld #1
By Morgan L. Busse

The Mist rules their world - for years it has been feared altering those touched by it into something horrific. The Touched are to be feared - no longer living yet walking carriers of the Mist.

Cass managed to avoid the Purge that took her parents, but life is hard scavenging to find enough to live on. But living further up the mountain is not for the likes of her as she has been reminded on more than one occasion. But Cass longs for something more than mere existence which she gets when she gets caught aboard the airship Daedalus. Offered a job as a diver Cass has a decision to make - one that would raise her above the clouds and offer her hope. But this choice comes with great danger as she would go into the Mist and face the unknown dangers that lurk within it.

The Mist has given the Five Families that rule from sky islands great power over all who live on the lands beneath. Lands that have limited space and even fewer resources.  When the population of the lowest grows they order the Purge to slow the demand on resources and doom those cast into the Mist of an existence as one of the Touched.

Theodore Winchester wants to stop the Mist. But no one wants to help him prove that the Mist can be stopped or altered. When his questions threaten the very foundations of his world he has to decide what he will do. Delve for answers that may cost him his life? Or close off his mind and embrace a life of power and privilege instead?

When long held secrets are revealed a course is set and the fate of the world and humanity hangs in the balance. 

If you are a fan of Dystopian or Steampunk fiction you will have to read Secrets in the Mist as it combines the best of both for a page-turning experience you don't want to miss. And as this is the open book of a new series you'll want, no you'll need to be ready for when book 2 releases. This is one of those can't-put-it-down books and believe me putting it down is not easy. You will want to stay up all night reading it and the sleep depravation is well worth it! The characters, the setting, pacing - everything is a perfect world to get lost in - but beware the Mist...

I was provided a complimentary pre-release copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.


About the Book:
What’s lurking in the Mist is the least of their worries…

In a world where humanity lives in the sky to escape a deadly mist below, Cass’s only goal is survival. That is, until she finds a job on the airship Daedalus as a diver. Now she explores ruined cities, looking for treasure and people’s lost heirlooms until a young man hires her to find the impossible: a way to eradicate the Mist.

Theodore Winchester is a member of one of the Five Families that rule the skies. Following in his father’s footsteps, he searches for the source of the Mist and hopes to stop the purges used to control overpopulation. But what he finds are horrifying secrets and lethal ambition. If he continues his quest, it could mean his own death.

The Mist is rising and soon the world will be enveloped in its deadly embrace, turning what's left of humanity into the undead.

5.16.2021

Invading Hell ~ Review

Invading Hell 

The Oculus Gate #2
By Bryan Davis

First off, I have to say don't read this book before reading the first book - Heaven Came Down. You need this backstory to know what is taking place in Invading Hell

Now onto this book. The fake Angels in Heaven Came Down have been defeated and the last remnants are being taken down. But another threat looms - the Refectors and a new character we are early on in the book introduced to - Alexandra. Can I just if you combined the worst Disney villains together you wouldn't even come close to this conniving soulless being. And she has two of our heroes from book 1 in her sights and what she has planned isn't good.

The action is non-stop and the danger surrounding them is tightening its noose. Can they escape the traps being set? Well, I'm not about to give away anything. But this is one series you have to read - it is going to take you to the depths of Hell and leave you wondering if you can escape an eternity of suffering and damnation. 

And whatever you do - do not skip to the end as you will ruin everything!!! I will admit I love Byran Davis's work and this newest book is no exception - he keeps the tension strong throughout and the ending was WOW! I can't wait for the next book in this series.

I was provided a complimentary copy with no expectations but to provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own. 

About the Book:

The enemy must be faced...even in the pit of hell.

The fake angels have been vanquished, but the devastation they caused remains--a world in fear of anarchy and a deadly contagion that might soon sweep across every continent. The angels also opened the Oculus Gate, allowing entry of a new breed of aliens. These "Refectors" are taking over human bodies that were purged of their souls by the angels' toxic vaccine.

Ben Garrison's highly skilled team, with the recent addition of Leo the huntsman and Iona, a sharpshooting teenager, must figure out why these possessed humans are traveling to remote locations near the Arctic Circle. Satellite images indicating the presence of yet another alien race make the team's quest to Alaska and Siberia to learn the truth even more dangerous.

A message from Ben's departed commander provides a cryptic clue to the existence of the root of all the alien evils, a self-styled sorceress who seems able to calculate every move her opponents make.

Ben and company must invade hell itself to find this ancient evil and conquer her in hopes of ending the plagues on mankind once and for all.
 

3.16.2021

Invading Hell ~ Cover Reveal

 Cover reveal!


Last year Bryan Davis gave us Heaven Came Down.
This year he is giving us Invading Hell, book #2 in the Oculus Gate series.




Welcome to a post-apocalyptic version of Earth, in which aliens, posing as angels, restored order to the world but at a terrible cost—tyranny.

The enemy must be faced...even in the pit of hell.

The fake angels have been vanquished, but the devastation they caused remains-a world in fear of anarchy and a deadly contagion that might soon sweep across every continent. The angels also opened the Oculus Gate, allowing entry of a new breed of aliens. These "Refectors" are taking over human bodies that were purged of their souls by the angels' toxic vaccine.




Ben Garrison's highly skilled team, with the recent addition of Leo the huntsman and Iona, a sharpshooting teenager, must figure out why these possessed humans are traveling to remote locations near the Arctic Circle. Satellite images indicating the presence of yet another alien race make the team's quest to Alaska and Siberia to learn the truth even more dangerous.

A message from Ben's departed commander provides a cryptic clue to the existence of the root of all the alien evils, a self-styled sorceress who seems able to calculate every move her opponents make.

Ben and company must invade hell itself to find this ancient evil and conquer her in hopes of ending the plagues on mankind once and for all.

Here is the Amazon link to pre-order the ebook. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08YYBT7S1/ Coming May 15.

Here is the Amazon link to pre-order the print book - https://www.amazon.com/Invading-Hell-Bryan-Davis/dp/1953957021 Coming April 16.



1.21.2021

Hunger ~ Cover Reveal

 It's time for another cover reveal!

The second book in Jill Williamson's Thirst Duology is
about to be revealed. And it is an excellent companion look
to Thirst.

But before we get to the cover, I'm sure you want
to know a little about the book first.

In the wake of a pandemic, Eli and his friends find a thriving community that offers free housing, food, and thankfully, safe drinking water. But something is amiss. The residents spend most of their time partying and attending concerts. No one seems concerned that the virus is still out there. When Eli tries to leave, he discovers a fence has been built to keep him, and everyone else, inside.

Hannah is tired of running. When she is conscripted to work in the hospital, she hopes she’s finally found a place to belong, but Admin’s disregard for a doctor’s pledge to “First do no harm” is unsettling.

As Hannah starts to wonder if she will ever be safe again, Eli clings to his hope for freedom. In a world filled with lies, can they learn to trust each other? Or will their hunger for safety trap them in a world that’s not so safe after all?

Now Thirst is scheduled to be released on April 8, 2021, in hardcover, paperback, and eBook.
If you are planning on going the eBook route, you can preorder it at:

You can learn more at:

Now it is time to check out the cover.








6.12.2020

Heaven Came Down ~ Review



Heaven Came Down
The Oculus Gate #1
By Bryan Davis

Their arrival brought hope to a world in pain. But before long those who looked beyond the beautiful facade presented to the world saw something else. The heavenly visitors who came to earth were heralded by many as angels sent by God. But those who refused to worship the angels were soon destroyed.

Rebellion has arisen but they are in danger of falling to these beings who demand everything - even the human soul. The Garrisons - Ben, Jack, and Trudy - have joined the rebellion, seeking to save humanity and the world they call home from these insidious beings who are enslaving everyone.

Word has come to the last bastion of rebels that they are about to be targeted by the angels by a toxin that will kill all who are within the dispersal zone. With a desperate plan to save their people from this latest attack the Garrisons target the enemy's headquarters. But all is not as it seems and soon Ben, Trudy, Jack find themselves facing a situation they never expected - becoming hosts for their enemy.

With little time to act and even less support, the battle for humanity and the human soul has entered a critical juncture - one that once begun there is no chance of going back. Sometimes saving the world calls for the ultimate sacrifice - a sacrifice that few have the strength to carry through. But has such a time come? Only time will tell...
Heaven Came Down is the first book in The Oculus Gate series, and if this book is any indication it will be a stellar reading experience. The fate of many depends upon the actions of a few and as a reader one just can't help wondering at times who can be trusted. The book has a steady pace with periods of action that kept this reader turning the page. This is different from Bryan Davis's previous works but still written with the same quality and attention to detail that one has come to expect from him. The book ends so that the reader is left with questions but not hanging from a cliff until book 2 is released which is on the author's part an incredible kindness.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.


About the Book:

Heavenly messengers, or deadly parasites?

In the chaotic aftermath of the apocalyptic war, the strange lights in the sky heralding the coming of unearthly beings seemed like an answer to prayer. When the heavenly visitors entered selected people and transformed them into angels who demanded obedience in exchange for the restoration of order, the majority accepted their new rulers.

But Ben Garrison and his siblings, Jack and Trudy, have seen a dark side to these so-called angels. They join a rebel faction with one goal: destroy the invaders and free the world from their tyranny.

When the rebels catch wind of an angel plot to invade the resistance region and spread a deadly contagion, the Garrisons embark on a crucial mission to swap the angel troops’ vaccine with a fake injection, stealing the real vaccine to save the rebels. The catch: Ben and Trudy, in disguise as doctors, must volunteer to become implanted by angels and fake their implantation.

The rebels’ plan, however, is soon exposed, jeopardizing the mission and their lives. Their only hope for rescue lies in an odd bounty hunter, a young angel priestess, and a mysterious spy embedded among the angels—a woman whose identity the rebels have yet to discover.


You can now pre-order this book in

eBook/Kindle edition at Amazon

11.25.2019

Thirst ~ Review

Thirst
Thirst Duology #1
By Jill Williamson

Eli McShane and his friends have been taking part in a wilderness survival adventure, never realizing that the skills they had learned would be needed just hours later. During the 2-weeks they were gone the world changed forever and people are dying everywhere. And it is into this unknown that they are about to enter.

Thirst is aptly named as the world's water supply has almost overnight become contaminated and there are no known means to purify it. Bathing, cooking, if your water comes from any source other than bottled water your hours are coming to a painful end if you use it.

Unprepared for his role as a leader, Eli does the best he can to secure supplies and gather what friends he has left on a trek back to the La Plata Mountain region of Colorado that they had been in when everything began (or ended).  But hundreds of miles lie between them and their destination and there are unknown dangers that could very well cost them their lives. Along the way, he is forced to decide whether or not to help those he comes across.

Thirst keeps the reader in an almost continuous state of peril and suspense. For those who are familiar with Jill Williamson's previous works, this is the first book in a duology that is the origins story for her Safe Lands series. If you have not yet read any of her books this book is the perfect introduction as you do not need to have any familiarity with previous books to enjoy this action-packed thriller. If you like dystopian, Speculative, or thriller fiction this brings all three together in a well-balanced offering that will leave you wanting more!

I received a complimentary early proof from the author with no expectations - all thoughts expressed are my own honest opinion. I have since purchased a copy of this book.

About the Book:
The end of the world is only the beginning...

A waterborne disease has contaminated the world’s fresh water, decimating the human race. Seventeen-year-old Eli McShane and his friends flee the chaos and violence in Phoenix and journey north toward the rumored location of a safe water source. They add several to their number, including the mysterious Hannah, who is being hunted by a dangerous man. Desperation brings out the worst in many of the travelers, infecting even those closest to Eli. When division comes, will he be able to hold his group together or will each fall victim to their own thirst for survival?

Join us old friends from Glenrock and Jack's Peak in this thrilling first book of the Thirst Duology. Best-selling author Jill Williamson has brought back the breathtaking suspense of The Safe Lands series in this chilling prequel that will leave readers thirsting for the next installment.

3.20.2019

American Omens ~ Review

American Omens
By Travis Thrasher

Cheyenne Burne is into programming to her it is everything and her job working for Acatour comes with all the perks. But nearly a year ago her father, Keith Burne, disappeared after he turned all old world on her when he became a Christian. But her father's disappearance isn't the only one Cheyenne has become aware. And when she gets a mysterious message from a "familiar stranger" from her father Cheyenne is sent on a journey that lands her in the middle of a group of Christians who are battling against the powers that are trying to eradicate them.

But an apparently soulless FBI agent who is less than upstanding is tasked with stopping those who what to reintroduce the world to Christ. And no one and nothing will stand in his way - not even the woman he "loves".

Now, this is the world that we are soon to enter and it is not a pretty picture. Technology is everywhere and perhaps the scariest aspect of it is called the SYNAPSYS - a device that holds one's memories and can be used for sinister purposes that the vast majority has no idea is even possible (even most of the programmers are unaware of this). And books are almost non-existent (big major turnoff in my opinion of this future). Anything even hinting at religion is frowned on and highly discouraged. Free speech and the freedom of ideas has been severely restricted due to an extreme interpretation of the Sedition Act of 1918 in combination with the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act. Social media as we know it today is gone. Amazon destroyed by Acatour. Welcome to tomorrow you just might want to leave it far away into the future but it is just around the corner.

This book is an engaging mix of futuristic suspense that will keep the reader flipping pages. I will admit that there are a lot of characters and one is often wondering just how these stories will all connect which is another attention grabber. This book when ended could easily have a continuation in the story but the storyline that is presented is wrapped up within this book. I think mid-teens and up would enjoy this book if dystopian suspense is in your reading diet.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through their book launch program.
About the Book:

“This is your wake-up call, Cheyenne. You’ve been sleeping your whole life, dreaming those dreams. The alarm clock is about to go off, and there won’t be any way to press the Snooze button. So just keep walking. Keep breathing. And maybe start believing.”

The year is 2038 and Cheyenne Burne is a brilliant young programmer working for Acatour, the world’s top technology firm. Her father converts to Christianity, and he suddenly disappears without a trace. When a stranger hands Cheyenne a coded message that sends her on a collision course with a clandestine group of believers, she must put her life in the hands of those following a man known only as the Reckoner.

Operating in the shadows and living off the grid, this mysterious prophet assembles a ragtag team to help him take the battle for transparency to the top. With a ruthless FBI agent closing in, can Cheyenne and the others expose the truth and lead a return to God in America before it’s too late?

12.09.2018

Enclave ~ Review

Enclave
By Thomas Locke

Since the Great Crash America has descended into an almost medieval feudal system of enclaves and townships. Many areas are nearly lawless as the need to survive at the cost of others becomes the norm. Another who is different is seen as a threat and a small group of people who have been labeled by some as abominations are seen as a threat to the future.

Some label these gifted individuals as specials and they are being hunted for there abilities. Abilities that could make the powerful even more so.  And Caleb is about to be targeted after accidentally revealing his gift. When a chance encounter brings Caleb, his best friend Zeke and Kevin Ritter together the world is about to change yet again.

Kevin is now a man with a bounty on his head when he refuses to go against his conscience and help round up these specials. But is he ready to join them?

Enclave is one of those books that takes you on a journey that you are unsure just where you will end up and it is one that is well worth the time spent getting there. This book appears to be a single novel but I'm hoping for a sequel just to see where everyone goes from here. Enclave is a book that deals with fear - fear of the unknown, fear of taking a stand, fear of what was lost - and confronting this fear and overcoming it.

This is a dystopian fiction with a bit of speculative thrown in for a well-balanced and engaging read. Perfect for the colder weather reading. And the cover does this book justice.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher Revell with no expectations but that I offer my honest opinion - all thoughts expressed are my own.


About the Book:

To save his enclave's future, he must risk his own

Nearly one hundred years have passed since the Great Crash. What was once America is now a collection of enclaves, governed at the local level and only loosely tied together by the farce of a federal government. 

Catawba, one of the largest and most affluent enclaves in the southern region, is relatively stable. It maintains successful business relations with nearby enclaves. But when a new vein of gold is discovered beneath the feet of its citizens, it's only a matter of time before trouble finds them.

Now Catawba's fate depends on an untried young trader named Caleb. Could his plan help secure the enclave's future?

Yet Caleb is keenly aware that if his secret were exposed, he would not live to see another dawn.

2.12.2018

The Nephilim Virus ~ Review, Author Q/A and Giveaway

The Nephilim Virus
By John T. Prather

For 3 years he has been in a coma, one of four survivors of a plane crash that took nearly 140 lives. For 3 years humanity has been decimated by a virus. Waking from his coma Nick Reese is in for the surprise of his life. And his survival may be the key to humanity's survival.

An ancient evil has been awakened and it has been making its presence known ever since as an altering virus. Those infected have either lost their humanity becoming an animalistic horde that can't be stopped or super-humans that are intent on ruling the world as gods. The uninfected are outnumbered by those who have been turned into Anakim or Nephilim. And the method of infection is horrific - at least to Nick's eyes when he sees a surveillance video of the day everything changed.

But hope has not been lost and those with whom Nick finds himself have been surviving for the three years he has been absent for the wakened world. Doctor Faith Richards has been working - searching for a cure. Commander Al Harris is in charge of the security and survival of the group that has taken up residence in Mercy General. And these two are those Nick is about to place his trust in this battle to survive. What Nick never anticipated was having to face a David-and-Goliath situation.

This is a book for those who are fans of Speculative or Dystopian fiction. Using a few verses from the Old Testament John Prather has created a unique foundation for this story. Offspring of Fallen Angels have survived and are attempting to completely corrupt the world and turn it into their own. What follows is an intense page-turning read. One will literally keep the pages in motion as the story unfolds. The chapters are fairly short so it is easy to stop if the need arises. The flow is easy and the transition between character viewpoints is marked but not jarringly so.

This book is well-written and the reader is not left wondering "What happened with..." The conclusion is obvious and leaves the reader satisfied with the outcome. And if you are a dog person be on the lookout for one that has an important role to play throughout. I highly recommend this book.

I was provided a review copy of this book by the Adams Group with no expectation of a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.



About the Book:
Book Title: The Nephilim Virus
Genre: Fiction; Thrillers; Supernatural
Publisher: Deep River Books
Content Rating:
PG

Nick Reese wakes from a 3-year-coma to find the world he once knew is gone. An ancient virus has infected two-thirds of the world's population, turning humans into either incredibly intelligent super-humans or large and indestructible animalistic creatures.

For the survivors, there is no government, no antidote, and no safety. With the help of a beautiful hematologist named Faith and a man they call the Commander, Nick must survive long enough to discover the origin of the virus and learn how his blood could hold the key to a cure. But he has to do it while hunted by the infected. And failure means the extinction of the human race.

Q and A with John Prather
Author of “The Nephilim Virus”
Q: What inspired you to write “The Nephilim Virus”?
A: I always had this idea for a story where two-thirds of the world was infected with a blood disease, but I never knew how I was going to tell it. There are several obscure verses in Genesis 6 about the Nephilim, a race of beings created from the sons of god sleeping with the daughters of men and that passage always fascinated me. One day, I decided to put those two ideas together and tell a story where I got to imagine what the world would look like if that race of super-humans were still around.
I have been a writer and lover of stories ever since I was young. My grandfather was a wonderful storyteller and I used to listen to his stories over and over to learn the rhythm and pace and punch line of a good story. I had dozens of unfinished stories lying around, but I never sat down and made myself finish one. Then in 2013, I decided it was time I finished a manuscript. And I did. And it was bad. But it showed me I could finish one. Then I had the idea for The Nephilim Virus, so I started writing that in 2014 as a short story. I knew I had to get the idea out of my head or it wouldn’t leave me alone. As I kept writing, the story kept coming. Five months or so later, I had another finished manuscript. This one seemed publishable. Now, almost four years later, here we are.
Q: What do you hope readers will experience with this novel?
A: All the great themes, like redemption and sacrifice and love, of all the great stories are just tiny versions of the greatest story, God’s story. That is the reason a reader can feel them in his or her soul—regardless if the work is Christian or non-Christian. I want readers to connect to the greatest story by reading a book that has little glimpses of that story woven into it. The overall theme of the book is the idea that every human has been infected with a blood disease, but there is a cure. I want readers to be entertained while subconsciously connecting to the truth —sometimes in ways they might not even realize.
Q: In addition to being an author, you are also an actor and model. How does that affect your work as a writer?
A: Working in the entertainment industry allows me to continually learn about people. Being an actor is a great way for me to be in touch with my own emotions and internal motivations and also to see and feel my fellow performers’ emotions and motivations. Everyone has tics and mannerisms that are specific to them and I feel being aware of these individual characteristics helps me create strong characters for my stories. It has also helps me hone the art of storytelling to see how other artists tell their own stories, whether they are writers, photographers, actors, directors, or whatever.
Q: Why do you believe this novel will appeal to both Christians as well as non-Christians?
A: My all-time favorite author is C.S. Lewis and he said something that has always stuck with me. He said, “What we want is not more little books about Christianity, but more little books by Christians on other subjects—with their Christianity latent.” The novel will appeal to Christians who like stories that can be taken seriously by the world while still holding deeper truths. Sometimes “Christian” entertainment can avoid or sugar-coat real-life topics that people deal with every day. This novel is one a Christian could enjoy and pass on to their friends who might not read something blatantly Christian. The novel has no cussing or sex, but at the same time, it has death and villains and adventure. It shows the battle between good and evil without being offensive on one hand or preachy on the other. Non-Christians will enjoy the book because it reads like a movie or a Netflix series. It has short chapters and short sentences and lots of cliffhangers. The deeper truths are hidden just below the surface so a non-Christian could read it simply for its entertainment value and not realize the Christian themes, imagery, and symbolism right away. The Nephilim Virus doesn’t talk overtly about God, but you can see Him throughout the work, similar to the book of Esther in the Bible.
Q: How difficult is it to live your faith in the entertainment industry?
A: Being a Christian is the norm in the South. Everyone has a church, even if they never go to church. In the South, it costs you very little to be a Christian. But in Hollywood, it costs you a lot. Christians are the enemy out here. No one understands them. The good thing about that is that it cuts out the lukewarm Christians. Out here, if you aren’t deep with God, you will soon be done with Him because it costs too much. I’ve been to countries where faith costs much more than it ever will here, but it probably costs more to be a Christian in Hollywood than it does anywhere else in the United States. Being a follower of God in L.A. can get you ostracized, fired, friendless, and broke. For example, I literally got screamed at by a casting director because I turned down a role that I wasn’t comfortable doing. He screamed at me about how the role could make my career and how I was a moron and other unrepeatable things. And that was one of the more tame encounters I’ve had with someone who doesn’t understand my worldview.
Another difficulty of having faith in Hollywood is that, as an actor, you often don’t get to see the whole project for which you are auditioning. The small part of the script that they show you could be acceptable, but you don’t know what overall story they are telling. So you really have to trust God to keep you away from the wrong projects. The thing people outside of Hollywood don’t understand is the difficulty of the industry. Even someone who has no morals and no qualms about doing anything in any project has a one in a billion shot of making it. Being a Christian further narrows their odds by being an outcast who refuses to do something or represent something that is against their morals. I often think of Hollywood as America’s version of “the gates of hell” that Jesus talked about. Christians out here are the tip of the spear. They are in the hottest spot. They need lots of support. But that’s ok because Jesus promised the gates of hell would not prevail.

Q: Talk about why you and your wife decided to be foster parents.
A: My wife and I met on a mission trip in Brazil where we took a medical boat down the Amazon river. That is another story for another time, but one of the first things we connected on was our desire to build a family through adoption as well as biologically. We were both big believers in adoption. We also wanted to try to save a kid who wouldn’t have a great chance at life without us. We think adoption is a wonderful thing in all its forms, but we wanted to take a child from a situation where they had no hope of a family otherwise. We aren’t rich, and we don’t have a lot, but we do have a heart for children without a family. So we decided to adopt out of the California foster care system. We were very naive as to the difficulty of that process, but we started taking foster classes and getting certified two months after we got married. We planned on having our own children first and then coming back to adopt when the time was right. It is a very long story, but God had other plans. We ended up bringing a little foster boy into our home in order to adopt him. He was later given back to a family member. Giving up my son was the hardest thing I have ever had to do.
Two months later, we brought a little girl into our home. We brought her home from the hospital and she just became a one-year-old. We are currently in the process of trying to adopt her, and everything looks good so far, but things could change in an instant. It breaks my heart and scares me to death that a social worker could call tomorrow and say, “pack up your daughter, I’m coming to get her and you will never see her again.” The foster system is the hardest thing I have ever had to deal with in my entire life, and I hope that one day I will be in a position to help make changes in the system. Until then, I’m very open and write about our journey in my blog in hopes of helping other people and shedding light on the subject. God willing we will adopt our daughter shortly after our twins are born. Then, in a few more years, we will try to adopt another child from the system.
Q: As a sought-after model, you obviously keep yourself very fit. How do you believe your physical health impacts your spiritual well-being?
A: I believe the physical body and spiritual body are closely linked. As a Christian I believe that God himself lives inside the human body. God’s spirit should permeate every part of a person’s life, including the physical and mental aspects. The Bible says to love the Lord with all your heart and soul and strength —mind, soul, and body. I think sometimes Christians emphasize the mind and soul, but neglect the body. But God asks for all three. Your physical life is your spiritual life. You couldn’t say, “my mouth is eating donuts, but my body uses it like broccoli.” It doesn’t work that way. The outside begins on the inside.
In addition to the close link of your physical life and your spiritual life there is the idea that the discipline of building your body by exercising builds discipline in other areas as well. It builds self-control (another spiritual trait). The strength to build the discipline to work out every day translates to the strength and discipline to read your Bible and pray every day. God told Joshua four times in three verses to be strong and courageous. Paul often used physical examples to teach spiritual truth. When Samson failed spiritually, he also lost his physical strength.  God asks for all of you. Every piece. Body and soul.


About John Prather:

John Prather grew up with seven siblings in Memphis, Tennessee, on a steady diet of BBQ and southern values. After graduating from the University of Memphis, he moved to Hollywood to try his hand at the entertainment industry. He has been featured in TV series such as Scream Queens on Fox as well as WWE Raw. His commercial work has included ads for FedEx, Old Navy, Burger King, and Ruffles, in addition to various other major corporations. As a model, he has been featured in national magazines such as People, GQ, Men’s Health Muscle and Fitness magazine, among others. John and his wife are expecting twins in early 2018, and hope to adopt their foster daughter very soon.

For more information, visit www.JohnTPrather.com.
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