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

The world-building in this story is captivating. The author has crafted an imaginative setting afloat on the seas, and I thoroughly enjoyed being immersed in it. I loved every aspect of this book. The storytelling is exceptional, and I couldn’t put it down. I’m eager to read more from this talented author.” – Ankita Garg, reviewer

“… Apocalypsis by J. Gordon Manias is wonderfully written and takes
the reader on a gripping journey filled with unexpected directions
and moral dilemmas. Manias utilized suspense to great effect,
which made me look forward to the events in subsequent chapters.
I loved the vivid descriptions of events and places, which helped
create a mental picture of what was happening. The thought
provoking work is also highly motivating and shows the importance
of not giving up amidst adversity, and also the importance of
questioning everything, even what the majority of people regard as
the truth. The characters were well-developed, and the seamless
flow of the plot ensured no room for confusion. This is an excellent
story, and I look forward to reading the next book by Gordon
Manias.” – Frank Mutuma, Reader’s Choice reviewer

“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/

See the review from Readers Choice at the blog: https://passionduniya.wordpress.com/2024/07/02/apocalypsis/ or on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/C8UIIg2OKRF/

For a quick overview, click below to watch a short trailer for the novel.

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”.

J-Gordon-Manias on the St. Croix River.

Published Books

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Happy Beta Readers

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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

This interview has already taken place. You can watch it by clicking on the link below: 

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