Daniel Milner’s life changed forever the night Halley’s Comet illuminated the sky. A dazzling flash of light shattered the world he once knew. When he woke up the next morning, nothing was the same—not his body, not his mind, and certainly not his fears.
Dragged into the hidden city of Nivorum, Daniel finds himself trapped in a ruthless training program. Here, fears become power, and obedience is the only path to survival. Discipline is law, and the price of failure is steep. Yet, this city is nothing more than a drop in the ocean.
Beyond Nivorum’s stone walls, too many ambitions, too many lives, and too many secrets remain undiscovered.
Now, only one question Will he adapt to this new world, or will he disappear into oblivion?
Anıl Kalay is a fantasy author who has been building worlds in his imagination since childhood. The foundation for his debut series, The Halley Effect, was first laid during his university years. After years of postponement, he has now committed himself to writing full-time. To hone his craft, he has earned Creative Writing certificates from Wesleyan University and IIENSTITU (Istanbul Business Institute).
He has also expanded his knowledge through MOOC programs offered by leading universities, completing courses such as Magic in the Middle Ages (Universitat de Barcelona), Greek and Roman Mythology (University of Pennsylvania), and Feminism and Social Justice (University of California, Santa Cruz). These studies, along with his lifelong passion for storytelling, continue to enrich his narrative voice and worldbuilding.
I don't read a lot of sci-fi but I feel like if this became a series this would be an exception. The writing was super easy and interesting to follow and I feel like each character had such a distinct and important personality/role (I ❤️ brenda to the max). The plot was grasping from the very beginning which surprisingly I feel like it takes me awhile to get "caught up" when it comes to sci-fi. Dare I say I liked this A LOT MORE than Red Rising 👀 . This book would definitely be one of my more often go-tos if someone would ask me for a good sci-fi rec. I hope that there's a book 2 because the ending left me with a few what-ifs and I want to see how the characters stories continue and I can see this novel going far!
A book where you’re given powers based on your fears?! Sign me up! This concept felt so unique and I was hooked right away. The world-building was fantastic—I could easily picture the scenes as they unfolded, and it really pulled me into the story.
The characters experienced a lot of growth, which I loved. I’m excited to see how they continue to grow in the next book. And while it wasn’t the main focus, I really enjoyed the little bit of romance we saw. It felt like a good balance between romance and plot.
Overall, the writing was strong, though there were a few moments that felt a little confusing and had me rereading to make sure I caught everything. Still, this was an amazing read and I’m looking forward to the next book!
I loved the core concept of fears turning into powers. The "Vulture's Triangle" hierarchy is a great setup for political intrigue. The character development is a huge strength, especially watching Daniel and Brenda transform. However, at times, I found the main character Daniel's decisions a bit frustrating, especially regarding the romantic subplot. That said, the mysteries of the Academy and the thrilling action sequences kept me hooked. The ending leaves you desperate for the next book.