Home Articles posted by Octavia Atlas (Page 3)

Author: Octavia Atlas

Thanks for visiting my site! I write contemporary, fantasy and sci-fi romance. Stay a while and get to know me and my characters.

Fall 2023 Story Updates

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Landscape with various trees changing from summer to fall colors.

It’s the Fall of 2023! Here are my plans for this season.

The Architect’s Guardian: Next month, I’ll publish Awakening, the first novel in my new sci-fi m/m romance. I’ve also been working on the sequel. Preorder Awakening. It will be widely available on October 10, 2023.

The Agitator’s Code World: In The Agitator’s Code Series, I introduced Ariston and Reimon. Their story is coming along nicely. There’s a deeper dive into their lives, which was first touched upon in Tildari Sunrises, the conclusion of the trilogy about Darion and Tolrek.

Kizazi Moto Is An Incredible Anthology

Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire is an incredible anthology. With a wide variety of animation styles, the stories have vivid characters and gorgeous settings. I wanted to spend even more time in each of the worlds. I hope this wonderful series continues.

The show released on July 5, 2023 with ten episodes. While I enjoyed all the parts, these are my favorites:

  • Episode 03 – Moremi
  • Episode 07 – Hatima
  • Episode 08 – Stardust
  • Episode 10 – Enkai

Atlas Video Game Review: Horizon Series

Horizon is a brilliant fantasy video game series, by Guerilla Games. While role-playing as Aloy, you lead massive changes for the good of the world.

Horizon Zero Dawn (2018)

In the first game, we meet Aloy. She’s an outcast of the Nora Tribe, trying to understand her place in the world. It turns out it’s much more complicated than anyone could imagine.

  • Cast: Stellar. Ashly Burch, as Aloy, draws you into the adventure and a vast array of actors play characters who are also intriguing. One of my favorites is Sylens, who was voiced by the incredible Lance Reddick.
  • Combat System: Fascinating. It took a bit to get used to it, but once I became comfortable, I loved it.
  • Graphics: Bright and crisp. From blades of grass to clouds in the sky, the details were realistic and smoothly rendered.
  • Music: Excellent and memorable. I have my favorites pieces, including music on the way to Meridian.
  • Story: Gripping. It kept me interested in the unfolding mystery.

Horizon Forbidden West (2022)

The first Horizon game was already captivating and visually stunning. This sequel take the experiences in that world to another level, with the riveting quests and compelling characters.

  • Cast: Fantastic. Ashly Burch returns as Aloy. Lance Reddick continued as Sylens. Standouts from new character voice actors are Angela Bassette as Regalla, Carrie Anne Moss as Tilda van der Meer, and Noshir Dalal as Kotallo.
  • Combat System: More refined than the first game, which was already well-engineered.
  • Graphics: Breathtaking. The most beautiful parts were while flying or being underwater.
  • Music: Even better than game one, with Built to Kill being among my favorites.
  • Story: Much more engaging than the earlier game, which I’d found captivating. It sets up a sequel that I think will be incredibly memorable.

At least one more game is expected and I’m excited for what could happen next.

The Architect’s Guardian: Awakening

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Awakening will be available October 10, 2023! This sci-fi, m/m romance is the first book in The Architect’s Guardian Series, featuring Armando Medina and Izdahl Amasi.

Cover by Deranged Doctor Design.

Book cover for Awakening, by Octavia Atlas. Two male characters stand on the smoky streets of a city. One of the characters has massive black wings and releases flames from his right hand, while standing protectively by the other male.

Armando Medina suffered a tragic loss at the hands of some Nitelvosa, supernatural beings who control his world. For decades, he’s been unable to forget the horrific night when his life changed.

Izdahl Amasi, a member of a prominent Nitelvosa family, had briefly dated Armando. He’d hoped for much more, but Armando’s trauma drove a painful wedge between them. With each passing day, Izdahl’s heart grew heavier, as he thought of what could have been.

Now, Armando and Izdahl find themselves connected in unexpected ways. Despite how much Armando tries to avoid the truth of their attraction, he’s drawn to Izdahl. Looming over them are events from Armando’s youth and the mystery of who’s responsible for his anguish. Can Armando open his heart and trust Izdahl? Or will Izdahl stop believing they have a chance?

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

Summer 2023 Story Updates

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Red flowers grow over a cliff with waterfalls. A pool lies below.

It’s the Summer of 2023! Here are my plans for this season.

The Architect’s Guardian: In a few months, I’ll publish Awakening, the first novel in my new sci-fi m/m romance. I’m taking more time to polish it and plan to release in Fall 2023. Check out the cover reveal!

The Agitator’s Code World: In The Agitator’s Code Series, I introduced Ariston and Reimon. I’m drafting their story, as well as the one for Vyncent and Sarai. There’ll be more news about those couples!

Awakening Mood Board

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My next book, Awakening, will be out in Summer 2023! It’s the first novel in my new sci-fi m/m romance series, The Architect’s Guardian. Check out my mood board. As times goes on, I’ll post more images that give clues about the story.

My cover reveal will be on May 10!

Add Awakening on Goodreads.

Read my other m/m romance series, The Agitator’s Code Trilogy.

Awakening mood board with four images: Top left - silver pocket watch Top right - a fireball Bottom left - massive stone figure with wings protecting a city Bottom right - brown mask

Spring 2023 Story Updates

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Purple water lily.

It’s the Spring of 2023! Here are my plans for this season.

The Architect’s Guardian: I’ll be publishing a new series soon! Awakening is the first novel of my sci-fi m/m romance that will be out in Summer 2023. I’ve commissioned the book cover and will do a cover reveal closer to publication.

The Agitator’s Code World: In The Agitator’s Code Series, which I completed in November 2022, I introduced characters from a special program. The third novel of the series, Tildari Sunrises, provided much more information about those in the program. I have several stories in development, including one about Ariston and Reimon.

Atlas Anime Review: Kaguya-sama Series

Kaguya-sama: Love Is War is an anime romcom series, based on a manga. The show can be streamed on several services, including Crunchyroll and Hulu. Let’s dive into what makes this one of my favorite shows.

  • Animation: Incredibly creative animation that plays with perspectives.
  • Cast: The voice actors sound like they’re having the absolute best time of their lives.
  • Music: Fantastic music, with Masayuki Suzuki’s “Love Dramatic” being one of the catchiest openings for any show. Ever.
  • Story: This show has so many layers. On the surface it’s a battle of wills between two stubborn characters. Part of the fun is exploring the clues of what’s really happening. Also, a fair amount of pop references are peppered throughout the series.

I plan to read the manga, to get an even fuller experience. In the meantime, I’m excited about the movie. Hopefully, there will also be more seasons!

Kaguya-sama: Love Is War Trailer

Kaguya-Sama: Season 1, Opening 1

New Sci-Fi Romance Series!

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Cityscape with birds flying. The city is divided by a wide river with a bridge. One side of the city has a massive figure with wings, kneeling above the buildings.

Since I’ve completed The Agitator’s Code Series, my focus is on publishing Awakening this summer. It will be book one in The Architect’s Guardian, a new exciting sci-fi series.

The main characters in this m/m romance are Armando Medina and Izdahl Amasi. While they were close during their childhood, tragic circumstances separated them. As a result, they must navigate difficult paths. The series explores how strongly connected they are, what they’re willing to do for each other, and the impact they’ll have on their society. At the center of the chaos is a mystery about Armando and his family.

One of my favorite parts of writing is worldbuilding. That’s definitely the case with this series. Humans aren’t on Earth. They’re on Planet Ghenza, home to the Nitelvosa. The Nitelvosa are imposing beings who fly, wield the elements, and perform various types of magic. Some Nitelvosa are much more powerful than others, and not all are in favor of Humans. In addition, the Nitelvosa have conflicts among themselves that are held in check by shaky truces.

Izdahl comes from a prominent Nitelvosa family, while Armando is from a Human family that sought more societal influence. How will Armando and Izdahl navigate tricky internal and external conflicts? Find out soon!

Be on the lookout for my cover reveal and a pre-order link. 😉