There was once a visionary on the planet of Certamen
He stood tall and brave, the highest amongst men
A lone warrior who went through the fires of hell
Malik was he, the king, for whom tolls the bell
The brightest star, Eliza beautiful and passionate
More than sister, she was a fierce fighter yet compassionate
Kafed the rebel, the best of all friends
His force jet packs marked the end of the fiends
Alayne gave up life for Malik to save
Henry, Onyx, Faye, Duvesk laid down the path to pave
A dictator Mujadin, a man-God Safad ruled them all
Till a rebellion from Malik, the Flame of Leiol, gave the call
There was once a visionary on the planet of Certamen
He gave the thrills and emotions, he is the briliant Juan Zapata, an author bar none
My review
A sci-fi thriller – one of my favorite genre
An action filled sci-fi thriller – my interest peeks up
An action filled sci-fi thriller with emotions, story, moving on a fast pace – I am hooked and sunk into the book, immersing into the outworldly world, forgetting earth totally!!
After a very long time, I found a book in which I could dive into, living in that world of Certamen, in Malik’s world, a boy who has seen religious zealousy, oppression at the hand of his father Governor Majidin. Refusing to bow down to his father’s rules, Malik is thrown into the world of torture, whipped to an inch of his life, till he is rescued and he learns to fight… And man, does he fight!!! With gadgets which have a force field and allows him to fly!! Sweet!!
Juan Zapata’s debut novel, and it is amazing to see the young author write in such a mature way. A sci-fi thriller is not easy to write, and it is extremely difficult for a reader to visualize the written word as a scene of a movie. But this young magician of an author has done it. I could see every word of this book, it ran like the scenes of a movie. It felt like those 3 dimensional, absolutely colorful, where everything is larger than life, and at the same time, connected to the emotions of life.
What I loved about this book, is the way Juan has forged Malik’s character from the pits of hell, a man broken to the soul, forced to commit a crime, then rising from the land of extreme pain to fight through the circumstances and achieve the pinnacle, thinking to be alone, yet finding the entire nation walking alongside.
The action was simply the kinds I love, there is jet pack to fly, force field which protects, guns and rifles, sword fights to top it all. I am in action mana and I have no plans to come down this high. ( I want them all, no idea what I would do with it, yet..)
Every book is rounded when there are a range of emotions which it evokes, anger, helplessness, pity, hatred, love, adrenaline rush. The author has done it all, colored the book with all emotions. I lived the 4 hours in Malik’s life, feeling what he feels, every emotion was felt acutely.
This is book 1 of the series, and what I especially liked and I commend the author for that, his book is complete, there is a complete story, a full-on plot, where the threads are joined together to form the basic net of a story capturing the reader, barring one thread which is kept open so that the reader pulls it and follows it up to the 2nd book. That’s why I call Juan Zapata an intelligent author, who understood the reader’s mind and gave a complete book,
A bang for the buck, total value for money.
My rating : 4.5 stars
About the Author
Juan Zapata is a senior at Alabama A&M, expected to graduate December 2018. He majors in Criminal Justice and is a member of the AAMU Honors Program as well as a residential assistant. Born in Mexico, Juan came to the United States at four years old. When he is not writing, Juan likes to play For Honor and pretend he’s a knight, laughing with happiness at his victories and almost having aneurisms when defeated.
Other works by Juan include his nonfiction pieces Letter from an Omniscient Racist and International Half-Breed published in various literary magazines.
Book blurb
As a boy, Malik watched an army of religious zealots swarm his home town, slaughtering his people and running his beloved grandfather through with a black sword.
Nine years later, Malik still believes there’s peace…somewhere. At least that’s what he tells himself as his body is ripped apart by whips at a conversion camp. That’s what his best friend whispers as he frantically creates new force technology and jetpacks to rescue Malik.
Yet when war bursts through the skies and the sky troopers, assassins, and heroes fall, when the world comes crashing down, Malik Zzoha stands amidst the sands to lead a band of friends and revolutionaries to face his tyrannical, zealot father, determined to free the people he loves.
Product Details
Publication date : 12th June, 2018
Publisher : Owl Hollow Press
Language : English
Available on Amazon
Sci-fi thriller with flights and fights
Blog Tour can be followed here
72 Responses
Glad you loved it! Great review 🙂
I did❤️❤️ I am discovering I love sci-fi
Good review Shalini. I never could get into sci-fi, I have tried but something about sci-fi just doesn’t grab me. Now to watch some sci-fi movies I can handle, not all of them but there are some good ones I have watched. But to read it is a whole different thing for me. How did you come to enjoy reading sci-fi Shalini? Did you enjoy it as a child as well? Just curious how it came about for you to get into sci-fi like you are. I know we all have favorite genres, and I guess for me it’s really hard to pinpoint just one genre that I really love, I mean I have favorites but it’s just not like I have sit and thought okay this is my absolute favorite genre, it’s so hard for me when people ask me what is your favorite genre. I would be sitting there probably for hours trying to explain well I love this and that and this, lol! I never thought I could get into reading shifter books, but now I love them, but I just can’t pinpoint an absolute favorite genre on my part. I think it’s awesome that you found a genre that has really grabbed you, and that you are so passionate about. Have a great Thursday honey! 😊
I discover new things about myself everyday…. As a child, they didn’t write sci-fi at that time. So I never knew about it.. But it is the past 2 years when I am reading non fiction, spirituality, sci-fi, horror. I have discovered that I can read any genre now except for hard core erotica and abuse in the content. But if I am told prior, I can read it… I am a mood reader. I read some books when I am strong, each genre I keep diverting according to my moods.
Now I am looking to see if I can read horror of a higher grade which scares the pants off me types…
As a child I read a lot of thrillers adventure and psychological and some were dark. I started with medical thrillers being in the same profession… But progressed to others. Sci-fi is a thriller for me…
Wow, very interesting Shalini. Now I am with you on the hard core erotica, but it never really bothered me before I guess, but now I do not care for it a all. I had started a paranormal book and I swear that was all the book entalled was hard core sex, needless to say I stopped reading it and left a review about exactly that. I mean what the heck where in the heck was the plot? I did not continue the series obviously. I have noticed like you I find myself reading certain books by my mood. I think that is why I have 2 to 3 books going at the same time, and I can do it too, I will shift back and forth, but if the book is the bomb, I just read it and get it finished within a day. Thank you for enlightening me about how you came to enjoy the sci-fi genre, Shalini.
Wow 2 or 3 books at a time… I can’t do that.. I tried. I prefer one at a time but the genre keeps changing everyday depending on real life happenings.
I will try the concept if 2 or 3 books, and see if I can shift around. I am learning multi tasking so this probably would come under that
Plot is extremely important for me…. I need something to sink into. Rarely would I say cute characters and no plot is okay… It just feels incomplete
Hmmmm: the pits of hell? That sounds very cozy😂😂 Seriously though, this book is receiving heaps of praise so far: and this review only made it even more clear that I should start reading this soon. Yeah, yeah…I know me saying soom is probably two years from now😂😂😂 Oh, did I already say this was a great post? 😀😀
Hahaha… You will have new books to read then… Thank you so much for the appreciation of my review… 😊See I can be formal and I type fast on phone not so much on laptop
Haha: okay let me reply in kind here: You are very welcome Shalini, I really enjoyed reading it and look forward to your next post 😊
(now that I am home, I type much faster as I now have my keypad on my ipad 😀)
I am glad you could type faster.
Hmmm I have to buy an iPad 🤔🤔 I have a hectic day today and tomorrow… Sighhhh 😏
Haha…well, you should definitely treat yourself to an ipad…always a good investment 😊😊
Ugghhh…am sorry to hear that😢 Hope it won’t be too bad for you! Take care, and also take rest when you can 😊😊
It is in my plan… A gift to myself on my birthday… Fingers crossed… It is extremely expensive here… So have to save and buy… But nevertheless I do want one…
Oohhh. Well that is a nice gift to get on a birthday! You should totally do so! 😊😊 When is your birthday? 🎉🎉😊😊
Post Christmas 26
26 huh? Hmmmm🤔🤔 Notes the date down for future reference😊😊
Haha🎈🎈 thank you. I am shameless enough to call up friends on my birthday and ask them to wish me. So expect a call, mail, message✉️📞🤙😂😂😂😉😉
Haha: well: you can call/mail/message me any time: But you just keep your eyes open on the 26th: 🎈🎈 Whoops…almost spoiled the surprise here😀😀😊😊
Aaaahhh that is the sweetest thing you could have told me…
Got it… Not sleeping the whole day 12Midnight to 11 59 pm
Can I at least blink? 😉😉😂😂😂Yayyyyy my first bad joke 🤣🤣😝😝
Lol😂😂 Nope, still not a bad joke, but you keep working on that 😉😉
And duhhh: of course no problem at all: you are welcome😊😊😉😉
And you are easy to please 😉😉😂😂
When is yours?
Is it 9th March or 3rd September?
You are good! It’s the 9th of March: sooo Loooooong way off😊😊
Heyyy belated wishes. 🎂🎉🎈💐🎁 Birthdays are special
Aww thank you, that is sweet😊❤😊 I love birthdays: I know there are a lot of people that don’t like them: I’m definitely not one of them 😊 Well Happy belated birthday wishes (about a year lol😂😂) to you too!🎁🎁🎉🎉🎈🎈🎁🎁🎈
Yayyy I love them too… Thank you thank you… Keep the virtual gifts coming…. 🎁🎁🎉🎉💐💐
Lol: okay: 🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁🎊🎊🎊🎊🎉🎉🎉🎉🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎐🎐🎐🎐🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁🏆🏆🏅🏅🏅🥇🥇🥇🥈🥈🥈🥉🥉🥉🎁🎁🎁🎄🎄🎄🎄🎊🎊🎊🎉🎉🎉
Because you can never have enough virtual gifts😂😂
Yayyy… I receive the medals gold silver and bronze (for bad jokes???) and the Christmas trees and the cups… Boy you have gone overboard
I am seriously tempted to open one of the gift 🔓🎁🎁🎁🔓🔓😂😂😂😂😂😂
Haha: some people are worth it to receive a few gifts: and then there are people that are worth it to receive a whole truckload of gifts: guess which category you fall in? 😉😊😊😊 Have fun opening the gifts 😊❤😊
I will… Fingers and toes crossed for an iPad? 🤞🤞🤞🤞😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
I kept my fingers crosses…and…and…and??? Was there an Ipad??? 😂😂😂
Nahhh… The gift boxes had smaller gift boxes in them something like those Russian dolls. 🎎🎎🎎🎎 😂😂😂😂Man I love this Russian doll icon 🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎💖💖
Hmmm…that’s a shame… Will have to find some other way to send the Ipad..or just need bigger gift boxes lol 😂😂😂 Haha…and yest…that Russian dool icon is funny 😂😂😂Hmm…why don’t I have that one??? All I have got is these robots….🤖🤖🤖🤖😂😂
There you go with the robots… Are you gonna type or is that the robots I have spent the whole day wooing/flirting /befriending? 🤔🤔🤔🤔😱😱😱😰😰
Lol…Nope…no worries, there were no robots here: It is totally me that you have spent the whole day wooing/flirting/befriending 😊😊😊❤️😊😊😊 And…it’s really been working too 😊😊
Yayyyyy… I don’t remember ever wooing anyone… 😂😂😂😂🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎
Michel I really love doll emoji 🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎
Notice I said emoji not real dolls 😂😂😂😂😂
Haha…well…you totally did 😊😊😊😘😊😊😊
Oopps…..my bad…changes note to self: good gifts for Shalini’s birthday: doll emoji 😂😂😂
Hahaha 😂😂😆🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎 They come alive at night to haunt you!!! And I mean you, not me!!! Yikes they better not…
Closes doors…turns off ipad…..looks fearfully around himself….and…..phew…nothing….yet……..😱😱😱😱 (wait…what was that noise….😂😂)
Hahahaha that was me… Doing the astral travel… 😉😉😉✈️✈️🛫🛫🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎
Oh….damn…now I should have prepared a cup of tea… Would have welcomed you in 😊😊😊😊🍵🍵🍵
Hahaha astral being drinking tea…. A new plot 🎎🎎🎎🎎
Since you don’t have girly icons
🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎
Lol…okay, I will have to find some girly Icons now in order respond…hmmm…how about: 👠🧚♀️💄💃👗😂😂😂
Thank the heavens, no bikini icon otherwise I would have to spend the night teasing you… 😉😉😉😂😂😂😂
Haha….I was very tempted to put that one in as well…but I figured that might have been too much….lol 😂😂…Hmmm…Now I’m wondering if I should have put it in…..😂😂😂😂😂
Put it in baby… Gawd now this was too much… Sorry if it was..
And if you are laughing, carry on😂😂😂😂😉😉😉😂😂😂 But you made it so easy for me
OMG…lol…..okay….you do know that you are not allowed to say that you have bad jokes now anymore do you??? 😂😂😂Okay…totally putting it in now: 👙😂😂😂 Oh my…this really might be too much…sorry 😂😂😂😂
F and S, man.. Thank the skies you are not offended. I was just about to type a heart wrenching apology saying dolls have taken over 🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎
Haha…please, as I said before…I don’t get offended easily…No worries 😘😘❤️❤️😊😊 I really had to laugh about it 😂😂😂
But the dolls did it 🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎❤️❤️😘😘
Haha…suuuuuuuurrrrreeeeeee 😇😇😇😇😇😂😂😂😂😂
🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎🎎
Your review makes me itch to read this one, so gonna put it in my TBR file for this year. I hope to read it in November or December… ♥ Will let you know when I add a review, too…
Yayyyyy do that. Let me know. That would be great thank you so much
Loved the post. 😍😍
Thank you Priyasha 💜💖
Loved the post.
Terrific review Shalini! This is definitely going on my tbr.🤗
When you are ready to read, let me know. Will send the book to you😘😘📙📖😘😘
Thank you so much my friend!🤗🤗🤗
❣️
Wonderful review Shalini. I am so glad you enjoyed this one, you were due to have a good read.
Thank you Carla, I hope I can do justice for further Reads. I am reading a cute light story to change genre. What are you reading?
I just finished Father Figure and am still reading Flying at Night and listening to a cozy called Michelangelo’s Ghost. I will be starting Sold on a Monday tonight or tomorrow. Have a great weekend Shalini.
Wow… I am reading…. Nothing… I am not reading anything this weekend sheesh!! Have to make up for it soon
Nothing wrong with taking a break. I did not read much this weekend either, I was quite busy. I will make up for it this week.
I hope to make up in this week.. The first few days. I am a little busy. Hopefully things will be okay mid week
Enjoy your week, regardless of what it brings.
Doing that Carla, I wish a fabulous fun filled week too
Thanks.