Atlas Anime Review: A Sign of Affection

When I first saw the trailer for A Sign of Affection (Yubisaki to Renren), I knew I had to keep this anime in mind. It’s now one of my favorite romance series.

  • Animation: The crisp and beautiful animation is a standout. There’s special care taken with the crafting of mouths and hands, since characters lip read and use sign language. The style used beautifully emphasizes those methods for communicating.
  • Cast: The main characters, Yuki Itose and Itsuomi Nagi, are both adorable and engaging. Yuki’s confident as she navigates the world as a Deaf woman. She meets Itsuomi and he encourages her to open up more. As their relationship grows, Yuki makes it clear how comfortable she is with Itsuomi and he’s respectful towards her. Supporting characters include Kyoya and Rin, who also become interested in each other.
  • Music: The soundtrack is sweet and endearing, especially as Yuki and Itsuomi become more serious about each other.
  • Story: This is a gorgeous anime, with great disability representation. While the series only has twelve episodes, they’re a perfect invitation to get to know the characters more.

I enjoyed this series so much that I started reading the manga. I just needed to know how the relationship works out for Yuki and Itsuomi.

Atlas Animation Review: Scavengers Reign

Scavengers Reign is a fantastic sci-fi series with a wide range of dangerous and gorgeous flora and fauna. My favorite characters were Levi, Azi, and Barry. The show feels like what would have been featured on MTV’s Liquid Television in the 1990s. I hope there will be more seasons.

  • Animation: I had to get used to the character design of the humans, as it’s not as detailed as some of the other animation I’ve watched. However, once I became used to the style, I was able to immerse myself in the series. Of special note is the incredible range of creatures. There are so many beautiful ones.
  • Cast: The voice actors were spectacular. They truly carried the fears of being in the harrowing situation of getting stranded on an unfamiliar planet. Dash Williams as Barry, Alia Shawkat as Levi, and Wunmi Mosaku as Azi were the standout performers to me.
  • Music: The soundtrack is one I’ll listen to separately, while I’m writing my own stories.
  • Story: This series features a gripping tale. There are few circumstances more difficult than being lost in hazardous and unknown territory. The characters truly show the range of human reactions to such a volatile environment, where the largest challenges come from other humans.

Autumn Story Updates 2024

Autumn Story Updates is written in white text against a dark orange background. Above the text is a white outline of an open book. Orange and red leaves are on the top right side of the image and at the bottom center of the image.

It’s the Autumn of 2024! The air will be nice and crisp. Here are my writing plans for this season.

The Architect’s Guardian: I’ll be publishing Discovering, the sequel to Awakening, on December 17, 2024.

Dragon Shifter Fantasy Series: Drafting for my fantasy m/f romance is going well. I anticipate releasing this series after finishing The Architect’s Guardian Trilogy.

Musings on Character Traits

Writing Tidbits is written above images of a laptop, a cup of tea, a computer mouse, and an electronic tablet.

It’s interesting to consider character traits in terms of introverted and extroverted. I might create a character who I see as quiet and reserved, whereas some readers might consider that character as having red flags.

At times, more introverted characters may come across as suspicious. I think that’s because extroversion is more acceptable than introversion and the flaws of an extroverted individual are more easily forgiven. Anyway, just musing…

The Architect’s Guardian: Discovering

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Discovering will be available December 17, 2024! This sci-fi, m/m romance is the second book in The Architect’s Guardian Series, featuring Armando Medina and Izdahl Amasi.

Cover by Deranged Doctor Design.

Get Book 1, Awakening. 😉

Book cover for Discovering, by Octavia Atlas. Book 2 in The Architect's Guardian Series.

Armando Medina is closer to finding out the truth behind his most tragic loss. With his rise in status, he’s determined to leverage his influence to discover all the answers he needs.

Izdahl Amasi remains intent on helping Armando. Even so, Izdahl knows the strained relations between the seven ruling Nitelvosa Families present serious obstacles to his partner’s goal. To protect Armando, Izdahl must reawaken destructive abilities he’d hoped never to use again.

Armando and Izdahl now have the full attention of the most powerful Nitelvosa, and with that comes increasing peril. They know there are those violently invested in hiding the truth. Their crafty opponents won’t think twice about manipulating the volatile situation to their advantage.

Can Armando and Izdahl keep each other safe, while trying to find answers? Or will the dangers be too much for them?

Content warning: deaths of minor characters, discussion of trauma, and injuries to characters.

Tidbits About My Writing

Text: Writing tidbits. Images: a laptop is at the center, with a cup of tea to the left, a mouse to the right and a tablet in front.

Here are some random tidbits about my writing:

Average Chapter Length: Usually 2,500 words. If I really want to highlight an event, I’ll have it in a shorter chapter, e.g., an experience critical to a character’s development.

Characters’ Personalities: My main characters tend to be curious and stubborn. 😁

Genres: Most of what I write is sci-fi. I do have two contemporary stories I’m drafting, as well as a fantasy one. I’m excited to share them!

Summer 2024 Story Updates

Text: Summer Story Updates Image: a pink flower as the background.

It’s the Summer of 2024! We’re into one of my favorite times of the year. Here are my writing plans for this season.

The Architect’s Guardian: Check out my cover reveal for Discovering! I expect to publish the sequel to Awakening on December 17, 2024.

Dragon Shifter Fantasy Series: I’m continuing to draft my fantasy m/f romance. Here’s a bit of trivia: The main male character has been exiled from his realm!

New Fantasy Romance Series!

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Three dragons fly over water, nearby a castle on a cliff. Image by Stefan Keller on pixabay.

At the beginning of 2021, I had the idea for a fantasy romance series. The main characters of the first book are a powerful mage and a stubborn town guardian. Both of them are intelligent, resilient, and snarky, which creates opportunities for incredible chemistry.

Some of my favorite fantasy elements in this series involve shifters (dragons, griffons, etc.) and other magical beings (mages, sorcerers, etc.).

Closer to publication, I’ll provide more details. I’m so excited about this series!

Atlas Anime Review: The Apothecary Diaries

The Apothecary Diaries is an anime series based on a light novel saga. Maomao, the main character, is hilarious and intelligent. She started out life with some incredible challenges and has successfully navigated perilous environments. She’s armed with her knowledge of medicine and poisons, along with keen observational and deductive skills.

The supporting characters are fantastic too, with Jinshi being the most intriguing. Let’s dive into what makes this one of my favorite shows.

  • Animation: Crisp, memorable, and vivid. There are truly so many gorgeous scenes.
  • Cast: Incredible. The voice actors inhabited the characters with impressive effects and keep the audience immersed.
  • Music: Evocative. The best parts of the soundtrack are when Maomao is contemplating or when she’s being intimidating.
  • Story: Multilayered and interesting. The season pulls together fascinating elements that don’t at first seem connected.

The Apothecary Diaries is a clever and refreshing anime, with an incredibly strong first season. I’m excited to see what else happens. While we wait for the second season, I’ll check out the light novels and/or manga.

Here’s the trailer: