Hunger Games meets Star Wars in Newbury author's sci-fi debut novel
TWENTY-eight-year-old Adam Elliott has something of a wild imagination and has just published his first book, The Midnight War, a sci-fi novel set in a future where a resurgent British Empire has conquered the solar system and beyond.
He has been writing the book on and off for about two years, but became more serious in the last six months or so.
He largely takes inspiration from three sources. “It feels to me like there’s a combination of Hunger Games and Star Wars in the book, although I took a lot from my favourite author Jack Campbell,” he explains.
Ruled by a heartless king, the British Empire has conquered the solar system and beyond. Their finest warriors are sent to face a grotesque race of aliens in ritual combat, with thousands dying for pride alone. Sergeant Geoff Reynolds is one of their finest; his squad will be given the hardest, most challenging task of them all. Danica Shaw is 13 when she is abducted from her home by a mystical group of mages called The Order. Told that she has unlimited potential, she is taken to the planet Midway and begins her training in the use of Magick. Midway; the site of the ritual combat. The tropical planet, with its jungles and rich diversity of plant life, is host to the competition and the Mages act as the independent adjudicators. As battle commences, an ancient, ethereal threat rises from the darkest recesses of the galaxy to reclaim what was once theirs. Geoff and Danica are both stranded in the middle of the battlefield, realising that they will have to work together to fight not only for their survival, but the survival of all civilisation.
“I’m currently writing a sequel which I hope will be the second book in at least a trilogy – I’ve got the storyline to stretch it out a bit further with some good luck," says Adam.
“A fantastic company called Publishing Push really helped me to finalise the draft, proof read and copy edit it and designed me a front cover.”
Although he now lives in Speen, Adam grew up in Boxford, so he’s lived in and around Newbury all his life.
He’s been part of 3rd Newbury Scout Group for more than 24 years, most recently as an occasional helper. He’s just had his first child, Oliver.
The book is available now on Amazon (paperback and ebook) and should be available on websites and bookshops such as Waterstones very soon.
TRISH LEE
