Beyond Power

by Miscelleana Tsalikis

Three Timelines. Six Fates. One Destiny.

In 2104, technology rules society, and Angelia’s quiet life is upended when she falls for a mysterious man with silver eyes. Together, they discover hidden truths that unravel their reality, thrusting them into a fight they never anticipated.

Dr. Atlas, driven by obsession, experiments with human evolution, creating powerful beings whose destinies become dangerously intertwined with humanity's future.

In a desolate 2125, Marina survives within her isolated compound, one of only a million left on Earth—until an unexpected visitor arrives, reigniting hope and uncovering secrets from the past.

Across timelines, their stories weave a gripping saga of love, power, and survival, where evolution collides with humanity's darkest ambitions. In the end, the battle between evolution and power will decide their fate.

6 POVs • Spicy Romance • Twisted Time-Hopping Plot • Supernatural Powers
He falls first • Secrets & Lies • Futuristic & Dystopian Settings

Genres: Science Fiction

534 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 14, 2023

About the author

Miscelleana Tsalikis writes stories that ache—angsty romances tangled in soulmates, speculative twists, and the kind of emotional wreckage that lingers long after the final page.

Whether she’s unraveling a sci-fi dystopia or diving into fantasy realms full of longing and rebellion, her stories always center on characters who feel too much, love too hard, and fight like hell for what matters.

Based in Long Island, New York, she spends her days writing with her heart wide open—while navigating life with her six incredible kids and her impossibly supportive (and handsome) husband.

Reviews

[BookerBReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️
Thank you Author Lina for this ARC! I really enjoyed this read. I love futuristic books such as this one! The first couple chapters were a little slow getting to know each character. I do love how you see so many different POV’s in this book. Sometimes the timeline does get a little confusing. It was genius to show a before and after of the timeline with Dr. Atlas and his experiments. I can’t wait for book 2!

[meg_chasing_pages · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an ambitious debut supernatural romance trilogy, set in a futuristic USA against a dystopian backdrop. Book 1, Beyond Power, is told from 6 POVs spanning years 2104-2125. An evolutionary-breaking scientific genetic key is unlocked, identifying key markers that can be activated with radiation. Mutations result, creating super humans with a myriad of powers - teleporting, control of natural elements, telepathy, mimicry, and more. We see the before and after through the eyes of the experimental doctors, the test cases, citizens impacted, and the future-view of an isolated young woman surviving in the world bereft of other human contact.

Reader beware this is a cliffhanger story! There is no resolution to any single plot line. Do not start if you don’t want to commit to 3 books *lol*

There are several relationships being developed, along with stage-setting the before and after of “the event.” A quick synopsis:
-Angelia and Rylan/Jaeden: computer nerds with an adorable meet-cute, enough to forgive the slight stalker vibes from Rylan. Insta-lust and love, secret millionaire, hidden identity, he falls first.
-Dr Logan Fay and Raven: tester and test case, brought together in the facility where many had entered but no one had yet to survive. Raven’s survival may have been worse than death - as it put him in the crosshairs to be experimented on, cut apart to find out how and why he survived. Dr Logan risks her professional career and life to save his. This is a crossing boundaries romance; he’s a filthy flirt, she’s straight-laced (in her high heels), secret/forbidden romance, she saves him suspense romance in the works.
-Dr Atlas and Haileen: together they had found the key to unlocking this genetic breakthrough. But the tragic accident in their lab steals her away at the height of their potential success. Honestly this is the character I’m having the hardest time cheering for… he’s basically the villain and it’s unclear how he’s anywhere near a redemption arc.
-Marina and ???: Marina is our lone human, pulling the storyline through to 2125. She is visited by a mysterious man who calls himself Blade, her first human contact ever (besides her recently deceased mother). I think I see what purpose her character serves, but definitely a weird head-scratcher when her dad’s identity is revealed (I won’t spoil it though!).

Overall 3 stars because the story is so busy, with so many POVs it’s difficult to feel connected to a character because you only touch&go on their storyline. It’s made even more difficult to follow because you’re time topping every chapter - and while the chapter may say June, it’s pertinent (but not clear right away) to know what day(s) in June it is. I had to map the chapters to characters and time to keep it straight - it was disorienting/sort of impossible to read without it. As to the story setting, the world building felt disjointed. Many things felt very 2020s, so I had trouble getting into the “100+ yrs in the future” vibe. But then there are flying cars, physical books and paper are a novelty, and everyone uses tablets/glass for devices - so, ok, it’s “future.” Lastly, the author chooses to rename popular major cities, but refers to them/has characters explain the connection to the city’s 2020s name. It’s nitnoid, I know, but if it isn’t a political dystopia where geopolitical boundaries are being contested, it’s unclear to me how “the event” drives to the pseudo-martial law/new world order that is hinted at with the new names. It felt unnecessary to the central plot.

Finally, and it may just be reader preference, but I prefer romances with the relationship central to the storyline. This feels like a YA/NA dystopian story with love interests as opposed to a Romance book set in a dystopian universe. It’s not bad, it’s just not what I expected under the “supernatural romance” banner.
All that said I’m still planning to read the remaining books - perhaps knowing the ending will give me different perspective on this first tranche.

I do very much appreciate the author providing an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Katie Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book started a bit slow for me but I grew to love the characters pretty quickly. I love Lia and am eager to see what happens next for her and Ryland. I am left with a big question mark as to what’s happening with Marlina.
As others have noted, I did find the timeline hard to follow but I read it as an ebook. If I’d had a hard copy it would have been easier to go back to check the time periods in other chapters.

[Truth · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Beyond Power: A Supernatural Sci-Fi Romance" (Spectral Series Book 1) by Miscelleana Tsalikis is a captivating tale set in a richly imagined dystopian world. The narrative weaves together the lives of diverse characters, each navigating their unique journeys across various timelines. As the story unfolds, readers are immersed in a landscape marked by societal collapse, where power dynamics shift unpredictably, and supernatural elements intertwine with the characters' fates. The interplay between hope and despair drives the plot, creating a gripping exploration of love, sacrifice, and the quest for identity in a fractured reality.

The storyline unfolds distinctively and engagingly, captivating the audience with its enigmatic charm and leaving tantalizing questions that linger long after the last page is turned. Each twist and turn is crafted with care, ensuring the intrigue remains compelling without feeling unresolved. The science weaves seamlessly into the narrative, presented in a clear and accessible manner, skillfully avoiding the dense jargon that can often cloud understanding. Instead, it enlightens and inspires curiosity, drawing readers deeper into the fascinating world crafted by the author.

Every character was developed so well that I could picture them and almost hear them inside my head. Lina Heart created such a captivating story that I truly felt like I was watching a fantastic sci-fi movie instead of reading one. The characters we have the pleasure of getting to know are Marina, a young woman surviving alone in a world no one thought would ever exist. Then there are Angelina, Rylan, Raven, Dr. Logan, and Dr. Atlus, all of whom inhabit a world that doesn’t seem far off from our own, which is both impressive and disturbing to imagine. When trying to save humanity, can you resist the urge for power that arises from that quest? I absolutely enjoyed this read because it’s truly something to experience, and I can’t wait to see where this series goes. I will say that this story is filled with love, pain, sadness, excitement, sci-fi elements, hope, loss, and a wonderful dose of sarcasm. I urge you to give this book a try if you’re looking for a story that is extremely unique and unexpected.

[Lia Anshar · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into "Beyond Power" with almost no expectations, and honestly, that made the experience even better. From the start, the world feels rich, intense, and unsettling in the best way. Set in a dystopian future that doesn’t feel all that far from our own, the story explores what happens when society collapses, power shifts, and supernatural elements begin to blur the lines of humanity.

The book uses multiple points of view and timelines, which can feel a little overwhelming at first, but once the foundation is set, everything starts to click. Instead of being confusing, it becomes part of the fun. I actually enjoyed juggling the timelines and perspectives, and it kept me fully engaged the whole way through. The pacing flows well, the twists feel intentional, and the story leaves you with questions that make you eager to keep going rather than frustrated.

One of the biggest strengths of this book is the characters. Every single one felt vivid and fully formed. I could picture them clearly and practically hear their voices. Marina, a young woman surviving alone in a world no one thought would ever exist, is especially compelling. Alongside her are Angelina, Rylan, Raven, Dr. Logan, and Dr. Atlus, all navigating a reality that’s both impressive and disturbing because of how believable it feels. The story raises an interesting question throughout, "When you’re trying to save humanity, can you really resist the pull of power?"

What really surprised me was how cinematic the whole experience felt. Miscelleana Tsalikis writes in a way that makes the scenes play out like a sci-fi movie rather than words on a page. The science elements are woven in smoothly without heavy jargon, so they add depth without slowing things down. On top of that, the emotional range is huge, such as love, pain, sadness, hope, loss, excitement, and a perfectly placed dose of sarcasm that lightens things when needed.

I don’t want to give anything away because this is truly a story best experienced firsthand. It’s unique, unexpected, and deeply engaging, and by the end, I was already excited to see where the series goes next. If you’re in the mood for a sci-fi romance that’s a little dark, very imaginative, and emotionally layered, this one is absolutely worth picking up.

[OMOKINIOVO OMOJEVWE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set almost eighty years into a fractured future, Beyond Power is a daring and ambitious dystopian novel that combines time travel, romance, betrayal, and supernatural abilities into a cool narrative told from seven different points of view: Angelia, Marina, Rylan, Dr. Atlas, Dr. Logan, and Raven. Each perspective provides a window into a fractured world and its rebuilding.

The plot starts after the government has reclaimed control of a fragmented world. The two scientists at its centre, Drs. Atlas and Logan are working on a self healing technology that could be the difference between survival of humanity and its demise. Around them swirl lives filled with passion, secrecy, and danger. Angelia and Rylan ignite a romance, though Rylan hides behind a false identity. Raven, a test subject, becomes entangled with Dr. Logan in a forbidden love that plays out in the sterile, perilous walls of the laboratory. Then there is Marina, whose own chapter unfolds twenty years later, in a world left devastated, with more than ninety nine billion lives erased. As a scavenger in hiding, her lonely existence is interrupted when a mysterious stranger arrives at her door, asking for shelter.


Beyond Power is interesting to me not only because of its supernatural themes and unique dystopian setting, but also because of the author sequence of storytelling. This novel deviates from the norm; its chapters flow naturally through time, shifting between months and even years, weaving a disjointed yet meaningful web of events that eventually comes together. And yet, each viewpoint is laced with emotional tension. The romances, each characterised by secrecy, mistrust, or yearning, are as delicate as they are tense.
The shifting timelines may seem confusing at first, but I guess they reflect the broken situation of the world and keep us on our toes as we try to figure out who really has power and at what cost.

If you enjoy a good dystopian fiction with complex characters, multiple POVs, and a sweet blend of science, emotion, and suspense, Beyond Power is your guy. Get ready to go on a ride! I give it a five star rating.

[JONATHAN ALEMEDE · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is lovely to read. I’ll admit, the first thing that actually caught me wasn't the Project Evolution or the high-stakes genetic tampering but the broccoli. Specifically, Angelia ordered a "Stalk and Roni" pizza. It’s such a weirdly grounded, human detail in a world of hover bikes and "specglass" tablets. It made me feel like I was sitting right there in New Eastland, smelling the rain and the grease before the world started coming apart at the seams.

A quick add too. I found myself wondering if the true "hidden soul" of this story isn't the superpowers at all, but the way Tsalikis handles grief. You see it in Angelia’s "Cold War" standstill with her unmade bed and the way she burns notes to her mother on her balcony. It’s a lived-in kind of sadness. Even Dr. Atlas, who acts like the king of the castle, is clearly just a man trying to use science to fix a broken heart. His No More Cancer, No More Loss project is a classic example of evolutionary determinism. He’s trying to force humanity into a state where pain is biologically impossible, but in doing so, he creates Spectrals like Leeya, whose first experience of power is "excruciating".

I did find the transition from Angelia's hardware-fixated life to the high-tech kidnapping plot a bit jarring at first, but the internal logic holds up: if you can detect energy waves, you can detect the people who carry them. This is a must-read for anyone who thinks they've outgrown YA dystopia but still craves a story where the evolutionary biology is just as messy and unpredictable as the romance. I rate it 5 stars.

[Brandalyn Curry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into this book with very little knowledge as to what it was about and I truly enjoy when I can do that. This book is extremely interesting and has several points of view with several timelines which at first was a little overwhelming. However once the base of the storyline was laid out it flowed really easily for me. I truly enjoyed the challenge of juggling the timelines and POV’s. Every character was developed so well that I could picture them and almost hear them inside my head. Lina Heart created such a captivating story that I truly felt like I was almost watching a fantastic Sci-Fi movie instead of reading one. The characters we have the pleasure of knowing are Marina who is a young woman surviving all alone in a world no one thought would ever be. Then you have Angelina, Rylan, Raven, Dr. Logan, and Dr. Atlus all of whom exist in a world that doesn’t seem far off from our own now which is scarily impressive to imagine. When trying to save humanity can you resist the urge of power that comes from that quest? I absolutely don’t want to give anything at all away about this read because it’s truly something to experience and I can’t wait to see where this series goes. I will say that this story is full of love, pain, sadness, excitement, sci-fi, hope, loss and some wonderful sarcasm that is fantastic. I urge you to give this a read if you’re in the market for a story that I feel is extremely unique and unexpected.

[Kelly Brewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alright so this book Beyond Power by Miscelleana Tsalikis was somethin else. I aint never read nothin quite like it. It starts off in the year 2104 with all this tech stuff and a gal named Angelia just mindin her own business. She was happy bein alone with her books and gadgets till she meets a feller with silver eyes. That right there changes everythin. Things go sideways quick. Lies get told and trouble comes knockin. She finds out real fast theres bigger stuff goin on than she ever thought and it aint no small kind of danger neither.

Then you get throwed way into the future year 2125 and that part was darker. Marina is all alone keepin her place runnin and makin them supply runs to some tore up wasteland called New Eastland. The world done fell apart by then. She lives shut off from near bout everythin just tryin to survive. She is about ready to give up when some stranger shows up at her door. You dont know if hes gonna be the end of her or the savin of her. That part had me turnin pages fast cause I had to know what was comin next.

The writin kept me hooked all the way. It jumps around a bit but that just made me wanna follow along harder. It mixed love and danger and questions bout what really matters. Is it power Is it control Or is it love that keeps a body goin It makes you think on it.

Beyond Power is a wild ride with twists turns and heart all the way through. It aint perfect but its strong enough to keep you pulled in.

I give it 4 outta 5 Catfish!

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dystopian Future

This debut novel takes you through the POV of 6 characters in a dystopian future.

I had a little trouble getting into this book, but I really liked the idea behind it so I definitely wanted to give it another chance and I'm very glad I did!

I really enjoy books with multiple POV and I think the plot was fantastic.

When one Dr. decides it is his job to cure the world of all illnesses, he accidentally creates citizens with supernatural abilities. However, nothing seems to be enough for the Dr to stop his studies.

There are multiple relationships that are built through the book and I'm interested to see what happens in the next one! We are left on a cliffhanger for this one.

Now, the main reason I removed 2 stars: this book goes from the year 2101 to 2125. The chapters do not follow the timeline in order. It bounces from 2106 to 2104 to 2101 to 2125 and back to 2104... it was very hard to follow at first. Every chapter is a different character, different month or year and sometimes backwards.

[Korina Hornbuckle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVED every second of this book! I could not put it down. It closely follows 6 characters that are all very interesting, from beginning to end I could not pick a favorite. I picked a favorite couple and a favorite part of the story… but couldn't settle on a character because they were all so good. It also switches between years occasionally but it's clearly labeled and there's a timeline to follow so it isn't confusing at all. There's also a very different story to each character making the switches between them very easy to follow. This book is basically about a scientist who's trying to save the world from cancer and other major diseases and he has some very deep backstory and crazy secrets of his own. Along his journey to save the world, he creates something mind-blowing that not even he entirely understands. I don't see how anyone wouldn't love this book, I'd consider it a must-read that everyone would enjoy because it has a bit of everything.

[Thinker Mindset · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beyond Power really pulled me in. At first I thought it would just be a fun sci fi story about people with powers, but it is really about love, grief, and hard choices. I liked Angelia a lot. Her relationship starts cute and slow. Her story was hard to read because it felt like watching a real breakup. Other characters are not only dark and twisted but also weirdly sad. I liked how author showed the same big event from different angles and times. The timeline jumps were a little confusing in the beginning. I will say the book is long and has a lot of emotional pain. It is not a light read. Overall, this book is a full season of a really good show with cliffhangers, heartbreak, and hope all mixed together.
I finished it feeling wrung out but also excited, which is my favorite kind of read. If you like character driven sci fi with romance and moral messiness, this one is worth the time. Now I actually want to continue the series to see where these powers and relationships go next.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beyond Power by Lina Hart is book one in the spectral series. Funnily enough this is the first book I’ve read by the author, it was like going on a journey together. I loved the sci-fi world that was written so detailed! Plus I love a good dystopian world, reading to find out how the author made it their own. That’s what Lina Hart did, she made a very well written book that I enjoyed start to finish.

I love that the tag line “One epic love story”. The one word that stands out is epic, cause that’s what the story was. EPIC. I enjoyed the storyline when everything started coming together, there’s a unique set of characters that continue to grow along with the story. I’m very much looking forward to the next book.

Final review
4.5 stars out of 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.✨
For the character’s uniqueness
5 out of 5 beakers: ⚗️⚗️⚗️⚗️⚗️

[Kara Thrower · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beyond Power is beautifully written, paced well, and kept me locked in. If you love sci-fi, romance, and twists, add this to your reading list! I love the fact she has the timeline before each chapter to help you keep track of where you are. I am not even really a sci-fi girl but this has been added to the top of my favorites! It had me so confused at first. I hate not being able to connect the dots easily but I’m so glad I couldn’t! The twists, the piecing of everything together, how the characters all connected was shocking and so well written. I cried, I fell in love, I hoped desperately for two of the characters to find their way back to each other, broken by what happened to one of them and am still confused on what happened between two others. I cannot wait to get my hands on the second book to figure out more and to see what happens with Marina!

[Chelsea Tuffy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a wild ride.

Definitely hard to get into initially, the timelines jump with every character POV and at the beginning it felt like every chapter was a new POV, it felt very overwhelming. Which is really all that kept me from giving it the full 5.

However, once I wrapped my head around what was happening when and which characters crossed over it got easier to map out. Which was good because when I say this shit took off out of no where I mean IT TOOK OFF!

I found myself itching to know what was next and the ending did little to satisfy that itch. It was the perfect set up to a bigger series- no real resolution but I am dying to know where everything ends up. Very x-men meets dystopian society. I’m very interested in reading more.

[SaltyItalianBrit · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book as a digit ARC. This is a futuristic dystopian book. As much as I hate to say…I actually DNF’ed this book. It was just not my vibe. I do think it was really well written and edited. It just a genre I’m not a fan of. Being a newer reader I’m still learning the types of books I like and don’t. It could also be I was not in the right head space for this book at this time. I will be hanging on to it and rereading it at a later time. All that being said if you like futuristic dystopian type books I think you should definitely check this out!

[Alli Ferguson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This debut sci-fi romance is jam packed with futuristic dystopian vibes. With multiple POVs, there are many timelines to follow. This book has cliffhangers, so reader beware. If you need resolution, you will want to stick around for the rest of the trilogy. Although the story was slow to start, it made up for it with excellent world building and great characters. The multiple timelines were a little tricky to navigate, but I think that's because I prefer reading the physical copies so I can flip back and forth. I will definitely be sticking around for the rest of the series!

[Michael Lartey · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book beautifully intertwines romance, action, intrigue, psychology, and fantasy, which makes science fiction reading an indelible experience. An interesting aspect of this novel is how it focuses on the stories two different women from different timelines—Angelia and Marina—who are trying to find companionship with silver-eyed men, and know their place in a futuristic, unpredictable world where people get supernatural or "Spectral" powers. I recommend this book to all fiction readers who enjoy romance, technology, and suspense.

[Lacee Kuhn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read multiple POVs all time but with this book I feel like it had way to many POVs which made it hard to remember which story went with each character. Plus the constant time line jumping made it less enjoyable for me. I’m not sure if it would have been better for me if these things were different so that I could follow the storyline better. This book is probably for some out there but this book was not for me at all.

[Destinedtoread · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book started a little slow for me, but I ended up loving the characters. My favorite characters are Lia & Ryland, I’m excited to see what happen next with them.
What's happening with Marlina? I don’t know if anyone else is going to wanna know but I certainly wanna find out !
The only eh kinda thing I have to say would be the timeline? It was a little confusing, but overall I really enjoyed the book! Thank you for allowing me to Arc read Beyond Power!

[Naj_ana_reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow!!

Multiple POVs. Different timelines. At the beginning I found it a little bit hard to get into it but as the story started to develop I couldn't put it down! I like when you have multiple POVs but it was hard to follow along with the timelines a bit but still very enjoyable to read. Leave in a cliffhanger so I can't wait for the next one to come out. Thanks Lina for the advice reader copy.

[Gabrielle Fuerst · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was cute. It starts off slow with world building but does pick up. I enjoyed reading the stories of each character however, This story as an e-book is confusing to follow. There are 6 POVS in this story and without being able to flip back it’s hard to remember each person. Therefore I had a hard time following the book and the story. I did enjoy reading it and look forward to the next book, however I may decide to get them in a paperback.

[Ashley Wise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a slow start for me but quickly became my favorite read of the year. I am so excited to read more from this author. Beyond Power follows multiple timelines and POVs and at first it takes some "flipping" back and forth to follow along but soon the story comes together and you understand why the author needed to expand so much on the plot. This is a well written, exciting book and I look forward to following this series.

[Angelica Canter · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good read, a little hard to keep up sometimes, but the diffrent point of view from the characters was refreshing. The time line was hard to follow in ebook format, but a paperback would allow readers to go back and clear up the confusion easier. All in all I am looking forward to finding out where the story goes from here.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An engaging story set in a dysotopian world following multiple characters across different timelines. (The timeline jumping takes getting use to.) The world is vividly described. The characters are real and have depth. The story is paced well. There isn't anything about this book I didn't like except that it had to end. Can't wait for more!

[Karla Bejarano · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did an Arc for this book, however it would of been nice to get a physcial copy to hold and to see!!!


This book started off kind of slow for me however I started slowly being able to have the characters grow on me.

I had questions to what was happening to Marlina????


or than that I wanted to see more and what is in store for Lia and Ryland!!!!

[Heather Shower · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beyond Power is a bold and haunting debut that hooked me from the first page. The mix of science, love, and survival feels raw and real, with every character carrying their own heartbreak and hope. It’s ambitious, emotional, and beautifully tangled. A story of what it means to be human when the world is anything but. I can’t wait to see where the trilogy goes next.

[Batty Squeaks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a thrill to read! With a mix of POVs telling a story over the course of 3/4 years, another set telling the future. You are put into words of science, crime, and mystery right off the bat.

The characters are distinct and fun. You will definitely not like a couple of them, and that's okay, they're not the best people. You'll love the rest though and want to know what happens.

[Chasity Myers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hate this rating system! I would really give 4.5 on this series. My honest review is there is some confusion regarding the jumps in time, past-present-current with different dates. But I see so much potential for this series going forward. I got this as an ARC. The timeline she has added helps tremendously and I hope new readers will get to see it. I can’t wait until the next book! Thank you so much Lina for allowing me to review your book!!

[Marilea Greean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fantastic. Multiple time lines and multiple points of view. It has wonderful world building and rich character development. Lots of action and suspense with a bit of spice. Very good book! Highly recommend and very grateful to have read an ARC! Can’t wait to buy!!