Thursday, August 29, 2024

Silent Stars by Brett Armstrong

 


About the Book

Book: Silent Stars (Tomorrow’s Edge Book Three)

Author: Brett Armstrong

Genre: Christian dystopian, science fiction

Release date: September 26, 2023

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 in. He knows the cost of such a silent surrender will be humanity itself.

 

Click here to get your copy!


I really had a hard time  liking "Silent  Stars"  by Brett Armstrong at first, but the  more I read it got better. I really liked the ending. Brett struggles with his faith but in the end does hang onto it. The book has lots of scripture references that a believer would Recognize, but it doesn't tell you where it is in the Bible, except for one instance. This is a story of betrayal and forgiveness. I really recommend reading the first two books in the series before reading this one. 

I received a complimentary copy from the Author and Celebrate Lit and  these opinions are my own.


About the Author

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 series), 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.

More from Brett

Dystopian stories remind me of Charles Dicken’s A Christmas Carol. In it, Ebenezer Scrooge is heartbroken for Tiny Tim and asks the Ghost of Christmas Present if the boy will live. The ghost, to paraphrase, says that if the shadows of the things present are not altered the child will not live. Dystopian stories show us the shadows of things that if left unaltered, if not safeguarded against, can bring dire consequences. Years ago, I began writing the Tomorrow’s Edge series because I was concerned. Looking at headlines and articles about everything from the latest tech developments to the weakening links in western society’s integrity, I could understand why so many people fear the future. For me, it was fear for a tomorrow that is the fulfillment of every dystopian nightmare to us, but because it is so gradual so innocuous in coming, those in the future living that dystopia won’t even see it.

Our hold on reality is tenuous in the modern digital world—particularly with AI deepfakes, virtual reality, augmented reality, and the metaverse increasingly edging into our daily lives. And when combined with post-modernist philosophy’s denial of objective truth it makes for a serious existential threat. So, I wrote a story about some teens living in the near future where it is very nearly too late to come back from that edge. Teens who are gifted a glimpse of truth and reality and now can’t turn back from pursuing it. I hope it isn’t a stretch already to see that a story like that is layered. The gripping, fast paced surface narrative has beneath it an adjuration and encouragement for those of us who follow Christ to cling to the Truth and the Creator of all reality, no matter what may come. Silent Stars takes that story arc to its conclusion and in writing it I discovered there was an even more potent symbolic meaning to “Tomorrow’s Edge” than us being on the precipice or a dangerous dystopian tomorrow. It was one of the most rewarding discoveries I’ve had as a writer and I hope you enjoy uncovering it as well.

 

Blog Stops

Stories By Gina, August 22 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, August 23

Vicky Sluiter, August 24 (Author Interview)

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, August 25 (Author Interview)

For the Love of Literature, August 26 (Author Interview)

Locks, Hooks and Books, August 27

Tell Tale Book Reviews, August 28 (Author Interview)

Through the Fire Blogs, August 29 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 29

Artistic Nobody, August 30 (Author Interview)

The Lofty Pages, August 30

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 31

Beauty in the Binding, September 1 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 2

Guild Master, September 3 (Author Interview)

Blogging With Carol, September 4

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Brett is giving away the grand prize package of $50 Amazon gift card, a copy of Silent Stars, and an illustrated print featuring a scene from the Tomorrow’s Edge series!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf5421

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