I received this review from Barnes and Noble on my first volume, The Young Guardians and the Genesis Spell:
“Read this with my five year old and we both loved it. Even though it is geared more for a teen audience, he was able to follow the plot line and begged me to read ‘just one more chapter’ night after night.”
Here is a brief sample from my first book, The Young Guardians and the Genesis Spell. Enjoy!
When I came up with the title of the book, I created based on the origins and features of the main characters. Since they were just teenagers, they are in the prime of their youth and they were using their powers to protect others like guardians. As for The Genesis Spell, genesis means the beginning of something. In this book’s case, I used the word Genesis to symbolize the end of the main characters’ old lives as mere mortals and the beginning of their new lives as superheroes.
I had a book signing recently in Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica. It was a lovely day and I got quite a crowd throughout the event. I was sponsored by the Halstrom Academy, which taught students who had disabilities like mine. After the book signing, the Halstrom Academy expressed interest in working with me again so I am currently on standby. Wish me luck!
Fanoxean is the incarnation of what I consider to be the epitome of absolute evil. Not only is he the main villain in the second volume, but he plays a vital role in the entire series. He is responsible for Tinisha crossing over from her world into 21st century Earth, which also makes him indirectly responsible for the Young Guardians gaining their powers. As a being of pure evil, Fanoxean is a nihilist, believing that everything in the universe and all realities are meant to be destroyed. In addition, Fanoxean is one of the Young Guardians’ most powerful enemies and while fighting him, the Young Guardians are forced to confront their inner demons.
I recently developed an interest in Attack on Titan and when I first watched the anime, I was caught off guard of how violent and dark it was. When I watched the titans devouring human beings like Snickers bars, I had an epiphany. Being devoured by a monster that is apparently inhuman, such as the xenomorphs in Ridley Scott’s Alien, is gentle. What is truly frightening is being devoured by a monster that has a human likeness, such as the titans. I watched the entire first season of the anime and started reading the manga and despite the dark atmosphere I thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved the revelations of the ever-mysterious nature of the titans, such as the titan shifters. In addition, I liked the realistic reaction human beings would have when they face an enemy that they cannot understand or defeat. The opening sequence to the first story arc of the anime is one of my favorite anime openings due to its fast-pacing lyrics and epic tone. I would recommend this anime to anyone who is searching for a story that keeps you constantly guessing on what will happen next.
As I write, I often wonder what qualities make a great superhero team. Every member of this team is unique in their own way and fights for their crusade against evil for their own reasons. When creating Patrick, I wanted to create a character who always wants to do the right thing and is motivated to fight evil, but at the same time is conflicted by his own inner darkness as he struggles to gain redemption. With Tinisha, I sought to produce a character that was highly experienced, but also hungry for knew experiences as well as have an intimate knowledge of the inner workings between darkness and light. Joshua was the type of superhero who always wants to see evil punished in the end no matter the cost and his short temper makes him ferocious in battle. As for Derek, I wanted to create an intelligent superhero who is an excellent problem-solver, but is basically the kind of person is along for the ride. Gregory is an individual who has strong empathy towards those around him and fights evil for the sake of everyone he encounters. With these characters and their unique traits, I was able to create a group of characters who are all compelled to confront the forces of darkness and have to work together in order to reach their common goal.
Evening Bloggers!
This is quite exciting news that I wanted to share. A lovely person by the name of Mad about the Orient has nominated me for the Liebster Award. Thank very much and I am deeply honored by this privilege!
Now there are a couple of rules but I get to nominate some people for it to. The rules are:
– Post the award to your blog
– Thank the blogger that nominated you in your post & link back to their blog
– Answer the 11 questions given to you
– Pick 11 nominees with under 200 followers
– Create your own 11 questions
YOU CANNOT NOMINATE THE PERSON WHO NOMINATED YOU & YOU NEED TO INFORM THE PEOPLE THAT YOU NOMINATED THEM
Here are the questions Mad about the Orient chose:
1) What is your favourite song?
The One-Winged Angel from Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children.
2) What do you aspire to be?
A successful author and autism ambassador.
3) What do you get up for in the morning?
To make a difference in the world one step at a time.
4) What would be your motto if you had one?
It would probably be “Discover the Superhero in you!” because I believe that everyone has their own inner superhero waiting to be awakened.
5) How do others see you?
As far as I can tell, they see me as someone who has had a number challenges in his life, but managed to overcome them in order to be a stronger individual. For those reasons, they tell me that I am successful in defatting my limitations.
6) What was your favourite childhood toy?
A lucky stuffed dragon that I got out of a prize-grabber machine. I was six when I got it and when the machine had it, the dragon almost fell off the hook, but managed to reach the slot. From that point on, I considered it my lucky dragon.
7) Favourite actor/actress?
Benedict Cumberbatch because if my books were ever made into films, I want him to play the voice of the main villain in the entire series.
8) Favourite Flower/Plant?
Redwood trees because they are a tremendous natural wonder.
9) Best holiday you ever went on?
Going on a cross-country trip with my father from New York to California.
10) Favourite Comedy Program?
Family Guy and America’s Funniest Home Videos.
11) What is your ultimate dream/goal?
To leave behind a legacy that will endure long after I am gone just as William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, H.G. Wells, Jules Verne, and many other authors have done before me. In addition, I want to make the world aware that autism can be a person’s greatest gift and not a curse. Finally, I wish to create my very own superhero universe just as Marvel and DC Comics have done.
Here are the bloggers I nominate for the Liebster Award:
Wendy Van Camp, Winson Chiu (The Manga Creator), Aul, Bookgirl, Darth Stinty, hateresa, jbgarner58, jgglass, Adam Collings, efyatofika, and darcil.
Here are the 11 questions I will ask you:
1.) What is your favorite anime/manga?
2.) What is your favorite film?
3.) What type of food is your favorite?
4.) When you look up to the stars, what do you dream of?
5.) If you could be a superhero, what set of abilities would you want to have?
6.) What would you describe as being the ultimate villain?
7.) What is your favorite genre to read?
8.) What would you consider to be your favorite mythological creature?
9.) Do you like art such as writing, painting, sculpting, etc.?
10.) What would you do if a zombie apocalypse were to happen tomorrow?
11.) Who is your favorite superhero?
Have a lovely evening everyone!
I have big news regarding the progress on the third volume of my series! I have two chapters left to write as well as some minor revision. After that, the manuscript will undergo the editing process and its publication for 2015 will be on schedule! I have been working on this project since after my last book was published and I am very pleased that it is near completion. I will keep you informed on how the writing process will progress from this point. Wish me luck!
Grady P Brown - Author 