by Michael Leon
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GENRE: Science Fiction
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BLURB:
Michael published his
first novel in September 2015 and he is now excited to release his new novel.
Emissary is his second novel and it is very different from Cubeball. Where
Cubeball explored themes of sport, drugs and gambling, targeting mostly a male
demographic, Emissary journeys into the realm of romance in an expansive
backdrop of the multiverse (multiple universes).
"I believe this
novel will appeal to a wider demographic than Cubeball. Both male and female
fans of sci-fi should find this novel an intriguing and enjoyable read."
Emissary tells the
tale of Vincent, a scientist plagued with strange nightmares since childhood.
He has successfully treated his mental illness with drugs and kept it hidden
from his colleagues, particularly Ella, the beautiful and intelligent scientist
from whom he also struggles to hide his affection. But what if his experiences
were real and the dark energy that crawls inside him now threatens the
existence of the universe?
As his nightmares
return, Vincent unravels the secrets of his past, with the help of Ella and
ever-guarded Constantine. Revealing their other-world origins, they need his
help to destroy the Entity that was created when Ella created a portal to
Vincent’s universe. As Vincent grapples with his love for Ella, he traverses
Europe in pursuit of answers, learns how to travel at the speed of light and
confronts his perception of what is real. But can he trust his friends? Could he
ever truly be with Ella, and what is his scientific destiny so revered by his
colleagues.
Emissary is a
science-fiction adventure novel that travels at the speed of light, where
multiverse theory collides with quantum mechanics on the dark side of Saturn’s
moon.
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EXCERPT:
Vincent willed himself to see her true appearance, feeling
her presence all around him, hovering close. Yet his gaze remained thwarted by
the radiance.
“I feel you, but the light blinds me.”
“Look within. Believe and you will see. Trust your senses
and listen to the sound the light makes. Then follow its rhythm.”
Vincent stepped closer into the glow, letting go his
instinct to find Ella’s melodies. It was then he heard her real voice, not
human, indescribable. He could not understand but he felt fragments of her
alien core. The falling snow’s vibrations gathered strength, revealing rainbow
colours of such clarity he wanted to stroke their soothing rhythms.
The patterns on each vibrating snow-drop linked, taking
form. A presence slowly formed, circling him, building his desires, like an
elusive drop of water in the desert. Vincent reached out to touch the
mirage-like form and caressed the desert gold shadow before him. He felt an
energy surge through his body, creating a subtle shift in his awareness, as if
he were no longer in his body. The force drew him toward its centre. In that
place, he felt Ella’s warmth. His mind’s eye floated, circling his body as if
dancing around it. He felt an intense urge to look up. He was hungry to find
Ella, to be with her.
And then his feelings willed him higher above the soft
powdered landscape. He was bathed in a warm gold lit fountain of energy. There
he saw an outline of Ella, like a rough sketch of her true self. She shimmered
around him, gliding her light web softly across his face. Vincent felt her
sweet force ripple across his skin. Its soothing sensation made him want more.
“I love you Ella. I always have,” he said, desperate to show
his true feelings for her. Ella laughed softly as she drew her force closer to
him.
“I believe you do, my Earth friend. I think this is what
Constantine dreamt of. Our developing bond here on the mountain top,” she
whispered in a musical tone so close to him he desired more.
“Is our love meant to be?” he said, hoping to hear her
melodic tones concur. But instead Ella released Vincent from the gold lit
fountain, returning him to the cool snow covered ground.
He looked to the sky. Clouds swirled above him, driven by
soft winds. High above him was the eagle he heard earlier, now in clear sight,
circling. At first he wondered if it might be Ella, but those soaring wings
shimmered amongst the turbulence, a vibration he well recognised. For around it
formed a grey mist, from which other shapes formed, until a flock of eagles
gathered.
Vincent knew this was not Ella. It was her antithesis.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My Review
There are some really original and fascinating concepts raised in this novel, and some wonderfully authentic feeling descriptions of the 'multiverse'. I enjoyed reading it and it made me re-think some of my previous ideas and contemplate and sympathise with the issues and dilemmas encountered by the main protagonists.
'Emissary is a love story as well as a Science Fiction adventure. I did not find it as easy to relate to the characters as I might have owing to the mixture of omnipotent and single character P.O.V. As one who prefers deep point of view this did draw me out of the story somewhat and made the characters less 'real' than they might otherwise have been, although I did feel drawn to them and felt I knew them better by the end of the book. There is a wealth of scientific detail and beautifully drawn landscapes and scenarios which kept me intrigued throughout the book. There are some interesting twists and poignant moments to the story and the ending, although it still posed some questions, was satisfying and I would recommend 'Emissary' to all SF fans who like some romance served up with their Science Fiction, as well as some intriguing and unpredictable ideas and speculations.
Four Stars ****
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Michael Leon is a science fiction writer with two
published novels: Cubeball and Emissary. Besides those, Michael has written
Extinction and Adaption and is currently writing Alive, which will be released
in late 2017. His work blends speculative fiction with a social voice. Michael
was born in Melbourne, Australia and pursued careers in retailing and
international business. Michael Leon's work has been labelled by reviewers as
science fiction thrillers.
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Michael-Leon/e/B01LNQALBW/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
https://www.amazon.com/Emissary-Michael-Leon-ebook/dp/B01MFGBZAK/
NOTE: This book will be $0.99 during the tour.
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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION
Michael will be awarding a $15 Amazon
or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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