| AD 2040: Barely eighteen, things have become much harder for Elliott. Reeling from the losses during the confrontation that brought Project Alexandria to a halt, Elliott feverishly hunts for the original files needed to finish it off. Finding only dead ends, he instead stumbles upon something dire: messages about the Babel Initiative. Conceived as a successor that would make Project Alexandria’s manipulations seem tame, this new threat once again forces Elliott into alliances with morally grey programmers known as siegers. Beset by continual setbacks and defeats, many siegers abandon the cause and go underground to survive the dangers ahead. The bleak reality that Elliott and those closest to him are almost certain to die in the fight against Dr. Almundson begins to set in. But Elliott isn’t ready to give in. He knows the cost of such a silent surrender will be humanity itself. Genre: Christian dystopian, science fiction Release date: September 26, 2023 Click here to get your copy! |  |
Interview with Brett
#1. What drew you to write in this particular genre?
I've been a fan of futuristic sci-fi and dystopian stories for as long as I can remember, which certainly played a role in it. I think more than that though is the compelling way in which dystopian stories strip away noise and distractions and set a distilled version of what our current reality is like and can become if we do not act to change course from that future. Even more than that, Christian dystopia has the possibility of showing something more. Instead of merely painting a bleak picture on a dark canvas and leaving readers in dread, Christian dystopia can point to a country beyond all of the brokenness when and where everything is made whole again and we are with the Lord. So, even if we do face a dark tomorrow, at the edge of that tomorrow is a brighter tomorrow ever fair.
I've been a fan of futuristic sci-fi and dystopian stories for as long as I can remember, which certainly played a role in it. I think more than that though is the compelling way in which dystopian stories strip away noise and distractions and set a distilled version of what our current reality is like and can become if we do not act to change course from that future. Even more than that, Christian dystopia has the possibility of showing something more. Instead of merely painting a bleak picture on a dark canvas and leaving readers in dread, Christian dystopia can point to a country beyond all of the brokenness when and where everything is made whole again and we are with the Lord. So, even if we do face a dark tomorrow, at the edge of that tomorrow is a brighter tomorrow ever fair.
#2. Do you have favorite character(s) in this book?
I really enjoyed writing just about all of the characters in Silent Stars. That isn’t always the case and I didn’t necessarily like the turn some character’s arcs took or the roles they had to play, but they were all interesting to write and felt pretty vibrant and unique. Most of the cast is returning from earlier entries and over the years I haven’t said enough how much I enjoyed writing Elliott and Lara’s characters. They balance each other really well and their commitment to each other, stopping Project Alexandria, and the Faith never felt forced. Whenever I would have to take a break from writing Tomorrow’s Edge and then come back to it, I tended to come back to scenes with them in it, because they really helped make that world come alive for me and kind of welcome me back into it all.
I really enjoyed writing just about all of the characters in Silent Stars. That isn’t always the case and I didn’t necessarily like the turn some character’s arcs took or the roles they had to play, but they were all interesting to write and felt pretty vibrant and unique. Most of the cast is returning from earlier entries and over the years I haven’t said enough how much I enjoyed writing Elliott and Lara’s characters. They balance each other really well and their commitment to each other, stopping Project Alexandria, and the Faith never felt forced. Whenever I would have to take a break from writing Tomorrow’s Edge and then come back to it, I tended to come back to scenes with them in it, because they really helped make that world come alive for me and kind of welcome me back into it all.
#3. What do you hope your readers will take away with them when they read this book?
Hold onto hope. “Ask, seek, and knock” as the Lord exhorts us to. Remember that He is with is in the darkest hours of our lives when everyone else seems to turn their backs on us and it looks like there is no possible way out, no possible way forward. One of my favorite moments in the book echoes with the reminder that He makes a way in the wilderness*. If he can part the Red Sea, bring down Jericho's walls, turn water to wine, feed 5000+ from a boy's lunch, walk on the waves, and rise from the dead after enduring the punishment for our sins; He can make a way, a road through the hardships we face that leads us straight to Him. So, no matter how bleak or dark the world and events around us grow, hold onto the hope of the better land, the better tomorrow, we are promised with and in Him.
* Isaiah 43:19
Hold onto hope. “Ask, seek, and knock” as the Lord exhorts us to. Remember that He is with is in the darkest hours of our lives when everyone else seems to turn their backs on us and it looks like there is no possible way out, no possible way forward. One of my favorite moments in the book echoes with the reminder that He makes a way in the wilderness*. If he can part the Red Sea, bring down Jericho's walls, turn water to wine, feed 5000+ from a boy's lunch, walk on the waves, and rise from the dead after enduring the punishment for our sins; He can make a way, a road through the hardships we face that leads us straight to Him. So, no matter how bleak or dark the world and events around us grow, hold onto the hope of the better land, the better tomorrow, we are promised with and in Him.
* Isaiah 43:19
#4. How did you name your characters?
A lot of Tomorrow’s Edge involves the dynamics within the McIntyre family and I drew some of that from experiences with my own family. So, some of the character names came from family too, though the names didn’t really match with the influences on personality. John is named after my grandfather and since the family is Scots-Irish, I thought it would make sense for Grandpa McIntyre’s name to be Ian (which is a Scottish transliteration of John). Others got their names just from trying out what sounded good or in the case of the villain, Dr. Victor Almundson, a little menacing. The most fun naming approach in the whole series was using car manufacturers to name some characters who were siegers (hackers) who boost cars and retrofit them to help sneak people around the country. They do that because all of the cars in Tomorrow’s Edge operate autonomously under the control of centralized operating systems. That kind of set up makes it hard for certain types of people to get around unnoticed otherwise. That makes those characters serious targets for the authorities, so they go by aliases which are the make of car they tend to work on. Nissan, Ford, and Chevy are the characters who have the biggest impact on series out of that group.
A lot of Tomorrow’s Edge involves the dynamics within the McIntyre family and I drew some of that from experiences with my own family. So, some of the character names came from family too, though the names didn’t really match with the influences on personality. John is named after my grandfather and since the family is Scots-Irish, I thought it would make sense for Grandpa McIntyre’s name to be Ian (which is a Scottish transliteration of John). Others got their names just from trying out what sounded good or in the case of the villain, Dr. Victor Almundson, a little menacing. The most fun naming approach in the whole series was using car manufacturers to name some characters who were siegers (hackers) who boost cars and retrofit them to help sneak people around the country. They do that because all of the cars in Tomorrow’s Edge operate autonomously under the control of centralized operating systems. That kind of set up makes it hard for certain types of people to get around unnoticed otherwise. That makes those characters serious targets for the authorities, so they go by aliases which are the make of car they tend to work on. Nissan, Ford, and Chevy are the characters who have the biggest impact on series out of that group.
#5. Share with us a thought, Bible verse, whatever is on your mind/heart.
I think since this is the final book in the series it’s appropriate to share the first Bible verse that appears in the series.
I think since this is the final book in the series it’s appropriate to share the first Bible verse that appears in the series.
“Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.”
Every chapter in the Tomorrow’s Edge series starts with a quote. Most of it is from Shakespeare’s works, because of the significance of the book Elliott’s grandfather left him in Day Moon. But the very first quote in Chapter 1 in book 1 is the verse above, Proverbs 23:23. That verse very succinctly sums up a core theme and truth of the series. Often we allow the noise of the world to distract us. In time, distraction gives way to a numbness and that numbness leads us to missing those moments when something that is against the Truth (1) enters our lives, often bundled in the very noise we become calloused to over time. The Truth is worth more than anything, His Kingdom is the “pearl of great value” (2) and a treasure that is worth giving everything for (3) and yet we sometimes find ourselves giving away bits of truth that would be a “light to our feet and a lamp to our path” (4). It’s hard enough to stand against the noise, against the current pulling us away from the shores of the homeland we are to strive for (5), and that’s in part what Tomorrow’s Edge is about. Encouraging each of us, myself included, through the story of Elliott’s struggles and perseverance, to stand firm. To not barter away the precious truths that help us to “keep our eyes fixed on Jesus the Author and Perfecter of our faith…”(6) and to “press on toward the high calling” (7) we have in Christ, no matter what we face.
1. John 14:6
2. Matthew 13:45-46
3. Matthew 13:44
4. Pslam 119:105
5. Hebrews 11:13-16
6. Hebrews 12:2
7. Philippians 3:14
1. John 14:6
2. Matthew 13:45-46
3. Matthew 13:44
4. Pslam 119:105
5. Hebrews 11:13-16
6. Hebrews 12:2
7. Philippians 3:14
More from Brett
Dystopian stories remind me of Charles Dicken’s A Christmas Carol. In it, Ebenezer Scrooge is heartbroken for Tiny Tim and asks the Ghost of Christmas Present if the boy will live. The ghost, to paraphrase, says that if the shadows of the things present are not altered the child will not live. Dystopian stories show us the shadows of things that if left unaltered, if not safeguarded against, can bring dire consequences. Years ago, I began writing the Tomorrow’s Edge series because I was concerned. Looking at headlines and articles about everything from the latest tech developments to the weakening links in western society’s integrity, I could understand why so many people fear the future. For me, it was fear for a tomorrow that is the fulfillment of every dystopian nightmare to us, but because it is so gradual so innocuous in coming, those in the future living that dystopia won’t even see it.
Our hold on reality is tenuous in the modern digital world—particularly with AI deepfakes, virtual reality, augmented reality, and the metaverse increasingly edging into our daily lives. And when combined with post-modernist philosophy’s denial of objective truth it makes for a serious existential threat. So, I wrote a story about some teens living in the near future where it is very nearly too late to come back from that edge. Teens who are gifted a glimpse of truth and reality and now can’t turn back from pursuing it. I hope it isn’t a stretch already to see that a story like that is layered. The gripping, fast paced surface narrative has beneath it an adjuration and encouragement for those of us who follow Christ to cling to the Truth and the Creator of all reality, no matter what may come. Silent Stars takes that story arc to its conclusion and in writing it I discovered there was an even more potent symbolic meaning to “Tomorrow’s Edge” than us being on the precipice or a dangerous dystopian tomorrow. It was one of the most rewarding discoveries I’ve had as a writer and I hope you enjoy uncovering it as well.
Our hold on reality is tenuous in the modern digital world—particularly with AI deepfakes, virtual reality, augmented reality, and the metaverse increasingly edging into our daily lives. And when combined with post-modernist philosophy’s denial of objective truth it makes for a serious existential threat. So, I wrote a story about some teens living in the near future where it is very nearly too late to come back from that edge. Teens who are gifted a glimpse of truth and reality and now can’t turn back from pursuing it. I hope it isn’t a stretch already to see that a story like that is layered. The gripping, fast paced surface narrative has beneath it an adjuration and encouragement for those of us who follow Christ to cling to the Truth and the Creator of all reality, no matter what may come. Silent Stars takes that story arc to its conclusion and in writing it I discovered there was an even more potent symbolic meaning to “Tomorrow’s Edge” than us being on the precipice or a dangerous dystopian tomorrow. It was one of the most rewarding discoveries I’ve had as a writer and I hope you enjoy uncovering it as well.
 Brett Armstrong | Brett Armstrong has been exploring other worlds as a writer since age nine. Years later, he still writes, but now invites others along on his excursions. He’s shown readers haunting, deep historical fiction (Destitutio Quod Remissio), scary-real dystopian sci-fi (Tomorrow’s Edge series), and dark, sweeping epic fantasy (Quest of Fire). Every story is a journey of discovery and an attempt to be a brush in the Master Artist’s hand. Through dark, despair, light, joy, and everything in between, the end is always meant to leave his fellow literary explorers with wonder and hope. Always busy with a new story, he also enjoys drawing, gardening, and spending time with his wife and son. |
It's Time For A Giveaway!
To celebrate his tour, Brett is giving away the grand prize package of
a $50 Amazon gift card, a copy of Silent Stars, and an illustrated
print featuring a scene from the Tomorrow’s Edge series!!
a $50 Amazon gift card, a copy of Silent Stars, and an illustrated
print featuring a scene from the Tomorrow’s Edge series!!
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!
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Tell Tale Book Reviews, August 28 (Author Interview)
Through the Fire Blogs, August 29 (Author Interview)
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The Lofty Pages, August 30
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 31
Beauty in the Binding, September 1 (Author Interview)
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 2
Guild Master, September 3 (Author Interview)
Blogging With Carol, September 4
Texas Book-aholic, August 23
Vicky Sluiter, August 24 (Author Interview)
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, August 25 (Author Interview)
For the Love of Literature, August 26 (Author Interview)
Locks, Hooks and Books, August 27
Tell Tale Book Reviews, August 28 (Author Interview)
Through the Fire Blogs, August 29 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 29
Artistic Nobody, August 30 (Author Interview)
The Lofty Pages, August 30
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 31
Beauty in the Binding, September 1 (Author Interview)
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 2
Guild Master, September 3 (Author Interview)
Blogging With Carol, September 4