Empyrean

by Alexander Ruiz

None of us were ready to let go.
None of us were ready to move on.
Then the Domes collapsed.

We woke up in this horrible maze. The last thing we remember is dying. The deeper into the labyrinth we go, the closer we come to learning about our parent's desperate plan, and why we have to stop it.

347 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2015

About the author

Alexander Ruiz has always wanted to share his stories with the world. As a kid he would write elaborate outlines and spend weeks drawing the characters he created. Originally looking to write comic books, his attention shifted to novels and he became motivated to complete a book. Alex now sits at home and in coffee shops across Austin to once again complete a book. When he's not writing, he is traveling, reading, or exploring Austin with his daughter and two dogs. Empyrean is his first published novel.

Reviews

[Brittany · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really had a hard time getting through this book. I really had to push myself to finish it. And now that I have, I realize I should have just given up on it. There were too many main characters (8) and too many supporting characters (8-10 I lost count of exactly how many). I just couldn't keep track of which parent belonged to which child in this story. On top of that, they kept moving from room to room in the "maze" so fast that it was hard to even picture the scene because it kept changing constantly. This book was just not for me I guess.

[Bri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very intriguing dystopian science fiction novel. The characters were very likable, the writing style was very easy to read, and the story line kept me pulled in. I found this book very hard to put down and left me wanting more. I will definitely be on the lookout for more books by this author!

[Mike Mc Lawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

YA SciFi. "The last thing we remember is dying. The deeper into the labyrinth we go, the closer we come to learning about our parent's desperate plan, and why we have to stop it." How can you read that and not wonder where the book can go? Very catchy tag line had me wanting to learn more and the book did not disappoint. I thought the changing POV and flashbacks were intermingled very well, causing just enough confusion to keep the reader guessing but not so much that the reader gets completely lost and frustrated. I am adding it to my loaner YA book program for my students. I enjoyed it and I am confident that they will as well.

[Virginia Fernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I was really moved by the combination of science fiction and real life tragedies. The characters were all interesting, something which is hard to accomplish when you have so many protagonists with extensive and complex backgrounds. Beautifully written first novel. I can't wait to read more from this author.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really enjoyable. The story hooked me from the first chapter and always kept me guessing. The imagery in Empyrean and the back stories to the characters were top notch. If you're looking for a fun sci-fi read, this is it.

[Mallori Wr · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book grabs you from the beginning and takes you on a winding journey with a complex cast of characters. Great action and drama. A really fun YA read.