By J. GORDON MANIAS
Apocalypsis
The First Book in the Maledictus Trilogy
In Book I of the Maledictus saga we meet the passengers and crew of the ocean going vessel, Skafos, who go about their lives oblivious to secrets both dark and marvelous. George and Ruth Callahan are celebrating their 50th anniversary when an envelope is delivered to their cabin. Its contents begin a frantic search for answers as the family wrestles with the implications of the message inside. What follows is a journey of discovery about who they really are and the truth about their ship.
Early Reviews for Apocalypsis
“This story is a riveting blend of engaging characters, seamless world-building,
and a well-paced narrative. The dialogue is natural, reflecting distinct
personalities, and the settings are vividly described, immersing readers
effortlessly. The phenomenal world-building, with information cleverly
distributed, avoids overwhelming the reader. . . the overall experience is
undeniably captivating. A must-read for those seeking a gripping and
well-crafted tale.” – Lameez Rushin, freelance editor
“Apocalypsis was a wonderful read. . . Riveting and thought provoking. A classic cruise-ship mystery with a lovable cast quickly evolves into a never before seen fantasy masterpiece. You’ll be grounded to reality by genuine families, only for Apocalypsis to execute a very real tug at your heartstrings that leaves you questioning what truth and love are really worth. . . The end sets up the second installation in the series perfectly.” – Madison Taylor, literary editor
“5 Stars!… Apocalypsis” by J. Gordon Manias is a fantastic book that combines fantasy, mystery, suspense, and supernatural elements. The narrative unfolds within the unique setting of the Skafos, an unpredictable journey with many secrets to discover… The unpredictable plot twists manage to keep you hooked and unable to stop reading to discover what is happening… It is a very multifaceted book, which everyone should definitely give it a try.” – Dani, seasoned beta reader
“… The characters and surprises make it so easy to breeze through. I was genuinely speed reading the last few chapters because I wanted to know what happens next so badly…This is such a wildly inventive plot, I’ve never read anything vaguely like this… this is such a unique story, I was hooked.” – Ruchi, writer/beta reader
“This is so stinking fun! I had a blast gradually getting to see what this plot wanted to reveal to us… the main plot and subplots are great… these characters (have) such realistic bonds with each other. It really felt like I was looking at a family I’ve known my whole life. Like they could be my neighbors, heck they could have been my family.” – Maddy D, professional editor
“Apocalypsis is an engaging, thoughtful, and suspenseful read. The boat setting offers a unique and limited area to explore, while still making it exciting and offering dramatic action moments that leave you wondering what may happen next. The characters are well-developed and emotionally complex… Overall, the 1st book of the Maledictus Saga is an enjoyable read with complex world-building that makes the story and its characters fascinating.” – S. J. Crow, writer/beta reader
“Apocalypsis is a riveting read that combines the supernatural with a heartfelt story of love and faith. The complex world of the Skafos is full of exciting twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the very end. With a unique plot, lovable characters, and stunning worldbuilding, this book is a must-read for all fantasy fans.” – Hannah M, writer/editor
“You have a great storyline and you delivered it well. I had a wonderful time reading ‘Apocalypsis’.” – Somie, beta reader
See the review from Sassy Reviews at her blog: https://sassyreviews.data.blog/2024/06/17/apocalypsis/ or on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/C8UIIg2OKRF/
Also By J. GORDON MANIAS
Offering
A Novelette
Tammy and her family are traveling home from her mother’s funeral. On that journey a dramatic event and its aftermath will reshape what she has believed in a totally new light. One editor remarked, “This story is seriously one of the best I’ve read in a long, long time—and I promise I don’t tell all my writers that… I was crying in this. And let me tell you, I have only cried reading a couple of other books in my life.” Another remarked, “If The Offering is an indicator of how you approach your other written works, then readers are lucky!”
For a limited time, as a reward for subscribing to the mailing list, visitors can download a free copy of this emotionally engaging story. Enter your email at the bottom of the page below to subscribe.
Fiction Author
J. Gordon Manias
“Imaginative”, “vivid storytelling”, “gripping”. These are just a few of the reader comments from new fiction writer, J. Gordon Manias. This is the official author website where you can find “stimulating fiction . . . stories that matter”.
Published Books
Best Sellers
Happy Beta Readers
Books In Development
Ilan
Strong man Saddam Hussein has unleashed his vengeance on the nomadic people of Iraq for their participation in the uprisings in the south of the country. His retribution unwittingly unearths ancient secrets that some will stop at nothing to exploit.
Awakening
Random stranger abductions of children have created a crisis in the city. With very little leads to go on, the FBI and local law enforcement scramble to solve the case and thwart further abductions.
Vigil
For the past few nights Karen Fisher has been awoken by vivid dreams of traumatic events years ago in her childhood. Why now after all this time? Meanwhile, malicious activity seeks to unleash a catastrophic event upon the city.
Brilliant manuscript by a brilliant writer. . . I’m hooked!
– Lameez Rushin, freelance editor
Upcoming Events
Date – July 2,2024 3:00 pm (CST)
Location: Author web interview with Briggs on Books
View on the Youtube Channel: YouTube.com/CentralValleyTalk
View on the Facebook Channel: Facebook.com/CentralValleyTalk.tv
Date – Stay Tuned
Location TBD
Location to be supplied when booked.
In Ideation
Not Yet Available
Derby 58
Fiction
Jack Manos wanted to be a pilot. His classmate in the Air Force ROTC program made it, but Jack’s eyes couldn’t pass muster. Plan B was navigation. His assignment to the crew of a B47 Stratojet during the height of the Cold War would be the most challenging and eye-opening experience of his life. Based on real events.
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