Marie Sinadjan
Bio
Filipino spec fic author and book reviewer based in the UK. https://linktr.ee/mariesinadjan • www.mariesinadjan.com
Stories (174/0)
Book Spotlight: Sword of Audantei by Ashley Holmquist
Lieutenant Commander Danilo Altamura is torn between his commitment to his city and his desperate desire to escape the clutches of his deranged father, High General Llodis Altamura. When Danilo’s blood bonds with a powerful Stormthrower sword, Llodis labels him a traitor and he flees to Audantei's deadly alleyways, where survival means staying hidden. But after stumbling upon an unexpected incident during Audantei's notorious Hanging Day, his world takes a dark and twisted turn. Seeking refuge among Audantei's enemies, the Stormthrowers, Danilo strikes a deal with their reticent leader, Enzo Sapienti. In exchange for safety, Danilo finds himself a captive among the most dangerous of their kind. As secrets unravel and loyalties shift, Danilo's dormant magic is awakened, revealing the true extent of his exile. When the Stormthrowers capture Llodis, they discover the vengeful Royal Beseecher hunts Danilo, leaving him to choose which fate to Enzo's threats or the tantalizing promises of his father. Incorporating ancient legends and a mystical atmosphere, “Sword of Audantei” will transport young adult readers on an extraordinary journey. Will Danilo discover his true destiny and uncover the truth behind Audantei's dark past? Find out in this captivating fantasy epic that will leave you breathless.
By Marie Sinadjan7 months ago in BookClub
Audiobook Review: The Herald by Shawn McGee
The future of Earth depends on unwanted misfits. Argrenn and his wife were saved from Earth's destruction by the Vrelth and transported to Geoe, a world run with gaming rules. They need to get a message out to other human planets but the Vrelth turned Geoe into a war zone. The only protection they have is their new friends and the rules of the game – none of which they know. Either they learn to play the game or Earth is doomed.
By Marie Sinadjan7 months ago in BookClub
Book Review: Feast of Ashes by Victoria Williamson
The Earth’s ecosystems have collapsed and only ashes remain. Is one girl’s courage enough to keep hope alive in the wastelands? It’s the year 2123, and sixteen-year-old Adina has just accidentally killed fourteen thousand seven hundred and fifty-six people. Raised in the eco-bubble of Eden Five, Adina has always believed that the Amonston Corporation’s giant greenhouse would keep her safe forever. But when her own careless mistake leads to an explosion that incinerates Eden Five, she and a small group of survivors must brave the barren wastelands outside the ruined Dome to reach the Sanctuary before their biofilters give out and their DNA threatens to mutate in the toxic air. They soon discover that the outside isn’t as deserted as they were made to believe, and the truth is unearthed on their dangerous expedition. As time runs out, Adina must tackle her guilty conscience and find the courage to get everyone to safety. Will she make it alive, or will the Nomalies get to her first?
By Marie Sinadjan7 months ago in BookClub
Novelette Review: BestGhost by C. J. Daley + Spooky Season Recs
The Old Mayor’s Mansion sits just a few miles outside the town of Cemetery. When best friends Sean and Devon want to increase views on their ghost investigation channel, they know the mansion is the perfect spot to film. Armed with a slew of new equipment, the buddies set out to capture the paranormal hotspot that will make them famous—just maybe not in the way they were hoping.
By Marie Sinadjan7 months ago in BookClub
Book Review: Takuan from Koto by Ryu Zhong
A stone marten, in pursuit of the sun, climbs to the very Heavens and causes quite a commotion. Both the stubborn gods and the ordinary people have a hard time when weredemons break free. Even the Lord of the Underworld turns out to be powerless. But sometimes even a mouse can be stronger than an elephant, as the old proverb says. The fate of the world ends up in the hands of Takuan — a young trickster, who deceives the greedy, angry, and ignorant people across the country of Chinayindu. On his journey, he meets the wandering warrior Zhu Leizu, a temple monk named Soliang, the clumsy sorcerer Bricabrac, and many others. Our story begins with a village boy setting off to a monastery to become a demon-hunting monk, only to find out how truly dull monastic life can be. Or does our story actually begin with the birth of the stone marten Ta Guan? This book is a full box set of series ‘Adventures of Takuan from Koto’: Prince of Blue Flowers Hunters of Weredemons Envoys of Celestials
By Marie Sinadjan7 months ago in BookClub
Book Review: Who Will Find Her? by Ryan Young
It's been one year since the disappearance of beloved high school track star Melody Anderson. The small town of Hawksboro, North Carolina, has only started to recover from the media frenzy that's being fueled by a self-serving news anchor. As the case goes eerily cold, her suspected captor, a known predator with a history of violence, hasn't been seen in months. On a crisp autumn night, tragedy strikes again. During a packed high school football game, 14-year-old Cheyenne Holt vanishes from a park bench while spectators cheer on the home team. The sheriff is stunned and incapable of reliving the nightmare of the past year. He immediately labels her a runaway, killing any chances of a public outcry or coordinated search effort. No one is coming to help. With the weight of injustice pressing down on her family and friends, those closest to Cheyenne vow to find her by any means necessary. Four friends venture into the vast wilderness searching for answers and willing to face whatever monsters await. Whether it's the lead suspect in Melody's case or someone worse and far more dangerous. Someone closer to home.
By Marie Sinadjan7 months ago in BookClub
Birthday Writing Challenge
It's my birthday next month, and to celebrate, I'm organizing a challenge! Read (or Listen to) Me I'd love to write some flash pieces for you, so please leave me prompts and whatnot in the comments! I'll write at least 500 words and post them here on Vocal. Fantasy, sci-fi and horror are my go-to genres. Romance I usually take with a mix of SFF, though occasionally I'm able to write random cute encounters and sappy stuff.
By Marie Sinadjan7 months ago in Writers
Honeymoon
Author's Note: It's my birthday next month, and to celebrate, I'm taking requests for flash fiction pieces! So please feel free to leave me prompts and whatnot via the comments. (Or serenades, if you would rather. Samples on my TikTok, with a preference for Disney/Broadway/showtunes.)
By Marie Sinadjan7 months ago in Chapters
Sci-Fi and Fantasy Books by Filipino Authors
Romance and poetry have been staple hits with Filipino readers for so many years. But did you know Filipino authors and books are beginning to make waves in the science fiction and fantasy (SFF) circles in the international markets, both indie and traditionally published?
By Marie Sinadjan8 months ago in BookClub
Book Review: Faery Sight by Patricia Bossano
It isn't easy being a teenager, especially when you're a human princess living in the faery realm. Celeste yearns to truly belong there, and is ready to relinquish her human identity, but startling revelations from her dying mother expose shocking truths and impede her plans. Struggling to come to terms with her birthright, Celeste must find her place between worlds while exacting revenge against the evil sorceress who wronged her parents. Faery Sight is the unforgettable story of navigating the challenges of growing up, embracing your individuality and choosing your own path, even if that means facing a daunting enemy.
By Marie Sinadjan8 months ago in BookClub
Book Review: Promise by Christi Nogle
A young woman confronts her digital doppelganger. A mother and daughter struggle underground, finishing robots for the rich. A loving couple find that their mirrors are very different than mirrors used to be. Your devices sometimes connect not just to the web but to the afterlife. Be prepared for strangeness here. We have several types of aliens, alternate dimensions, virtual-reality writing retreats, time-travel games and time-travel tragedies, cosmic artforms and living paintings, haunted Zoom meetings, and giant worms. These stories reflect the weird and unknowable future. They are often bizarre and dreadful, but they also veer towards themes of hope, potential... and promise.
By Marie Sinadjan8 months ago in BookClub
Book Review: The Whistlers in the Dark by Victoria Williamson
My name’s Jinny. I’m twelve autumns old, and this is the story of how I woke the sleeping stones and brought fire and destruction down on us all… Scotland, 158 AD, is a divided country. On one side of the Antonine Wall, thirteen-year-old Felix is trying to become a good Roman soldier like his father. On the other, twelve-year old Jinny is vowing revenge on the ‘metal men’ who have invaded her Damnonii tribe’s homeland. At the Damnonii’s sacred circle of standing stones, her planned attack on Felix goes badly wrong, awakening a legend that threatens to bring fire and destruction down on them all. Can Jinny and Felix overcome their differences and soothe the stones back to sleep before it’s too late? Set in Kirkintilloch at the end of the Roman occupation, The Whistlers in the Dark is an uplifting story of friendship across a divide, as well as a spooky tale of a circle of standing stones going walking at Halloween.
By Marie Sinadjan8 months ago in BookClub