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Genesis
Genesis is a perilous trial, full of grueling conditions, vicious traps, bloodthirsty beasts, and ruthless competitors. Too bad nobody remembers it long enough to warn future initiants about the danger.
Sixteen-year-old Jonny Leferd has always dreamed of creating a fireball and crushing stones with his bare hands. He lives in Vitalia, a city of conjurers hidden deep in the Rocky Mountains, and it’s his turn to be an initiant at Genesis, where he’ll warp to the Chaos Realm and acquire his amps. Amps manifest as tattoos that give the bearer incredible powers on Earth, and hundreds of them are hidden in the ten temples on Mount Frazen. Jonny’s spent years training for this opportunity, and he’s ready to seize it—but the stakes skyrocket when his older brother, Trent, is kidnapped just weeks before the trial begins.
The culprit, Adrian Kelley, is a rogue conjurer and the only initiant to have reached the tenth temple. It’s a tremendous and mystifying achievement that Jonny must copy if he’s to defeat Adrian, even if so many others before him have failed. But he soon realizes that Genesis is a more treacherous rite of passage than he had ever imagined…and even his immense courage and skill might not be enough to save him—or the girl he loves.
Sixteen-year-old Jonny Leferd has always dreamed of creating a fireball and crushing stones with his bare hands. He lives in Vitalia, a city of conjurers hidden deep in the Rocky Mountains, and it’s his turn to be an initiant at Genesis, where he’ll warp to the Chaos Realm and acquire his amps. Amps manifest as tattoos that give the bearer incredible powers on Earth, and hundreds of them are hidden in the ten temples on Mount Frazen. Jonny’s spent years training for this opportunity, and he’s ready to seize it—but the stakes skyrocket when his older brother, Trent, is kidnapped just weeks before the trial begins.
The culprit, Adrian Kelley, is a rogue conjurer and the only initiant to have reached the tenth temple. It’s a tremendous and mystifying achievement that Jonny must copy if he’s to defeat Adrian, even if so many others before him have failed. But he soon realizes that Genesis is a more treacherous rite of passage than he had ever imagined…and even his immense courage and skill might not be enough to save him—or the girl he loves.
275 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 29, 2025
About the author
R.M. Baril
3 books3 followersR.M. Baril lives with his family in Castle Rock, Colorado. His passion for writing began in college, where he spent his days in business classes and his nights crafting worlds. When he isn’t writing, he loves reading, exercising, playing games, watching movies, and spending time with his family. To learn more about R.M. Baril and his books, visit him online at rmbaril.com.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 14, 2025
Oh my word!!! I truly couldn’t have been more captivated by this book! R.M. created a words and plot line that was truly original, tying together all the best parts of fantasy and dystopian tropes!
If you’re looking for your next Hunger Games with a bit of fantasy book, you need to order this one IMMEDIATELY!
If you’re looking for your next Hunger Games with a bit of fantasy book, you need to order this one IMMEDIATELY!
September 24, 2026
I really enjoyed this book! It gave me some of the same feelings I loved about The Hunger Games—the competition, dangerous trials, friendships, and constant question of who is going to make it—but with a completely different fantasy world and magic system. I especially loved the concept of the amps and how the tattoos give the characters different abilities. The journey up Mount Frazen and through each temple kept giving me a reason to read “just one more chapter.”
I also appreciated that this was a YA fantasy I could enjoy without a lot of explicit content. There’s no sexual content, and while there is violence and danger, it felt appropriate for the story rather than overly graphic. You expect some fighting when the characters are essentially in a race for survival, competing to reach the top of a deadly mountain, but it never felt like the book relied on violence for shock value.
Jonny was also really easy to root for. There’s more at stake for him than simply winning Genesis or becoming powerful, which gave the adventure a lot more heart. I liked watching the relationships between the characters develop alongside the action instead of the entire book being focused on the competition.
And that ending! The cliffhanger was such a good setup for what comes next. It answered enough to make the first book satisfying while leaving me with so many questions about where the story is going. I’m genuinely excited to read the second book and see what happens next.
If you enjoy The Hunger Games-style competitions but want something with more fantasy, supernatural abilities, adventure, and a clean YA feel, I’d definitely recommend Genesis. It was fast-paced, creative, and just a really fun read.
I also appreciated that this was a YA fantasy I could enjoy without a lot of explicit content. There’s no sexual content, and while there is violence and danger, it felt appropriate for the story rather than overly graphic. You expect some fighting when the characters are essentially in a race for survival, competing to reach the top of a deadly mountain, but it never felt like the book relied on violence for shock value.
Jonny was also really easy to root for. There’s more at stake for him than simply winning Genesis or becoming powerful, which gave the adventure a lot more heart. I liked watching the relationships between the characters develop alongside the action instead of the entire book being focused on the competition.
And that ending! The cliffhanger was such a good setup for what comes next. It answered enough to make the first book satisfying while leaving me with so many questions about where the story is going. I’m genuinely excited to read the second book and see what happens next.
If you enjoy The Hunger Games-style competitions but want something with more fantasy, supernatural abilities, adventure, and a clean YA feel, I’d definitely recommend Genesis. It was fast-paced, creative, and just a really fun read.
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September 20, 2025Big thank you to the @rmbaril for sending me this eARC 💌 This book was such a fun surprise. I loved diving into Jonny’s world of conjurers, deadly trials and the Chaos Realm. The whole idea of amps (tattoos that give you powers 👀) was so unique and instantly hooked me.
I really enjoyed following Jonny’s journey it had that perfect YA fantasy vibe with danger, growth and heart. The trials were tense, the action kept me flipping pages and I was totally rooting for him the whole way through.
And omg… it ends on a cliffhanger 😱 I seriously cannot wait for the next book to continue this journey!
If you love: ⚡ YA Fantasy ⚡ Trials + high stakes ⚡ Unique magic systems ⚡ Hero journeys
…then this one’s for you!
I really enjoyed following Jonny’s journey it had that perfect YA fantasy vibe with danger, growth and heart. The trials were tense, the action kept me flipping pages and I was totally rooting for him the whole way through.
And omg… it ends on a cliffhanger 😱 I seriously cannot wait for the next book to continue this journey!
If you love: ⚡ YA Fantasy ⚡ Trials + high stakes ⚡ Unique magic systems ⚡ Hero journeys
…then this one’s for you!
October 6, 2025
R.M. Baril has created an exceptional world with Genesis. From the tattoo amp system, to the secret society of conjurers, to the perils of Mt Frazen and more, it feels like a wholly unique setting with so much potential and so much to explore.
His characters are grounded and relatable, and he keeps the plot moving quickly with efficient pacing and bursts of great action — interspersed with meaningful character-building moments along the way. This book really does have it all.
I highly recommend for anyone who enjoys YA fiction, enjoyed the Hunger Games, or just likes to lose themselves in new worlds and settings. Already looking forward to book 2!
His characters are grounded and relatable, and he keeps the plot moving quickly with efficient pacing and bursts of great action — interspersed with meaningful character-building moments along the way. This book really does have it all.
I highly recommend for anyone who enjoys YA fiction, enjoyed the Hunger Games, or just likes to lose themselves in new worlds and settings. Already looking forward to book 2!
October 7, 2025
Seldom in the genre of Young Adult Fantasy does an author emerge onto the stage with such mature, intriguing, captivating command of the language, solid characterizations, and mesmerizing story lines as author RM Baril has done in this initial offering of his "Amped Trilogy." "Genesis" provides an invigorating thrill ride of exciting chapters that compel the reader to wildly anticipate the next actions of the heroes and villains set in a skillfully crafted world of physical and psychological challenges and fantastically conceived creatures. Get this book, read it, share it! You will be captivated and entertained and ready for Volume 2!
Well done, Mr. Baril!
Well done, Mr. Baril!
October 5, 2025
Phenomenal read!!! The story captivated me from the very beginning. The main character is very relatable, and the side characters have stand out personalities as well. The world-building is also top knotch. I wish it was real life! You wont be able to put this book down. It's a fast paced read that kept getting better & better!
November 2, 2025
Just finished reading this book, and was extremely impressed with the writing style, world building, and melting pot of sci-fi/fantasy influences that R.M. Baril has "conjured" up (bad dad joke/pun there). Couldn't recommend this story more, if you are a fan of Hunger Games or Marvel then you will 100% enjoy this!
September 29, 2025
Was thrilled to get to read an early copy of this book. This is nice and fast paced, with an interesting world and a pretty awesome fantasy system.
YA, so plan for that, but if you're a fan of YA fantasy I think this will be a good pick for you!
YA, so plan for that, but if you're a fan of YA fantasy I think this will be a good pick for you!
October 7, 2025
Wow, tattoos that have powers!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.
The author has crafted a style of writing that carried me eagerly and effortlessly through the story. Excited for book 2!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.
The author has crafted a style of writing that carried me eagerly and effortlessly through the story. Excited for book 2!
March 15, 2026
I loved this book! It has great characters, plenty of mystery, good pacing and overall has left me wanting more. I'm looking forward to the next book being released soon!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews