The Calling

A YA science fiction by Branwen OShea

Humanity’s wake-up call. Answer it or face extinction.

When Bleu’s little sister shows symptoms of the deadly Sickness, a strange vision directs him to leave humanity’s subterranean haven and seek the cure on Earth’s glacial surface. Joining the expedition team, Bleu expects extreme temperatures, not a surface ruled by ingenious predators.

Rana and her fellow star beings have co-existed with Earth’s top carnivores since the humans disappeared. But when her peers transform into Crowned Ones, the final stage of star being development, she fears remaining Uncrowned like her parents. To prove her worth, she undertakes a dangerous mission—contacting the hostile and nearly extinct humans.

But Rana’s plan backfires, and Bleu’s team retaliates. As war with the more advanced star being civilization looms, both Rana and Bleu separately seek a way to save their people.

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Excerpt

She knelt, and with trembling hands, she grabbed the extra piece of soaked wood. If she put one log in the back of the cave and kept one in the entrance, then maybe she’d be safe between them until daybreak. Of course, that assumed whatever predator lurked outside lost interest in her by daybreak.

Two fires were her best chance. Her only chance. She quickly placed the second piece of wood, filled its opening with tinder, and grabbed her stones.

The growling grew closer. At this rate, she’d never get the log lit in time. Her mind raced through possibilities, but they all required skills she lacked and ended with her death.

Wait. Furred ones sense energy. In desperation, she expanded her energy to appear larger and hoped her fake size might give the predator pause.

In this enlarged-energy state, she struck the flint and fire stone together. They sparked, but the log remained unlit. Long claws scraped against the floor. She peered up from the flint. The pale light of the first log reflected off two eyes.

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An Interview with Branwen OShea

-What inspired you to become a writer?

As soon as I learned to read, I thought of books as magical things. The idea that squiggles of shapes could form words and stories fascinated me, and I wanted to be a magician that made books too.

-If you could visit your book’s world for a day, what one thing would you do?

I would throw a sledding party and invite all the characters to participate. As chocolate no longer exists and has been replaced by fake choco, I would bring real hot chocolate to ensure everyone would attend. Then, as an apology to all the hell I put them through, I’d bring them all gifts. I’d bring Bleu and Stamf a play station with games, Ayanna real paper for her artwork, Atsushi some Japanese coins and manga, Neviah a box of rare metals for her engineering projects, Commander Savas an e-reader loaded with military thrillers, Josefina a kitten, and Girak an e-reader loaded with horror stories. I’d bring the star beings all musical instruments and then apologize profusely to Kahali.

-It’s two in the morning. What does your protagonist reveal in confidence? (Don’t worry, we won’t tell.)

There are five point of view protagonists in The Calling:

Bleu reveals he has a ridiculous crush on one of the star beings.

Atsushi reveals his guilt in keeping a secret that resulted in someone’s death.

Rana reveals her fear that if she kisses either of them, she will forget all about Crowning.

Commander Savas admits the star beings’ powers terrify him.

Kahali admits to having homicidal thoughts and how much he despises himself for them.

-Which of your characters would you go out for drinks with?

I would happily go out for drinks with any of them, though it would have to be milkshakes or coffee. Only Commander Savas and Educator Girak are old enough to drink alcohol.

-You’re in a tavern, and a dwarf challenges you to a duel. What do you do?

Accept the duel as long as its to make Indian food. I can hold my own with that, and then we could have a great meal together.

-Is there a genre you could never write? Which and why?

Hmm. I probably could write anything if I really had too, but I would rather not write horror. When I write, I do a deep dive into the world, and I would not want to spend time in a horror novel.

About Branwen OShea

As a young girl, Branwen wanted to become an ambassador for aliens. Since the aliens never hired her, she now writes about them.

Branwen OShea has a Bachelors in Biology from Colgate University, a Bachelors in Psychology, and a Masters in Social Work. She lives in Connecticut with her family and a menagerie of pets, and enjoys hiking, meditating, and star-gazing. Her previously published works include contributing to a nonfiction yoga book, wellness magazines, and her published science fiction novella, Silence of the Song Trees.

Find her online:
–website
–Twitter
–Instagram
–Facebook

Giveaway

Branwen OShea will be awarding $20 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

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