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The Anterra Collection #2
Catalyst
Nero is slowly losing his friend. He will do anything to save them, even if the consequences are terrifying.
Several years have passed since the orphans joined the rebel group Catalyst. As their training advances, they begin to contribute to the fight for equality. If the Erhosians were their only problem, life would be simple, but their reality is far from kind. Catalyst has a traitor and Iona is determined to find out who they are to protect what she now calls home. Nero on the other hand, is in over his head, dealing with more immediate problems. He is desperate to help his friend and quickly running out of options.
Meanwhile, Isis’ patience with the human terrorists is rapidly dwindling. Her hard won mole is acting elusive, but that is a small hiccup in her plan to crush the insurgency once and for all. Unfortunately, world troubles are brewing and Isis’ brutal efficiency might be the only thing slowing a force that has long stayed in the background.
Like a storm, some things cannot be stopped; only endured. The Havityns are stirring and people will die.
Several years have passed since the orphans joined the rebel group Catalyst. As their training advances, they begin to contribute to the fight for equality. If the Erhosians were their only problem, life would be simple, but their reality is far from kind. Catalyst has a traitor and Iona is determined to find out who they are to protect what she now calls home. Nero on the other hand, is in over his head, dealing with more immediate problems. He is desperate to help his friend and quickly running out of options.
Meanwhile, Isis’ patience with the human terrorists is rapidly dwindling. Her hard won mole is acting elusive, but that is a small hiccup in her plan to crush the insurgency once and for all. Unfortunately, world troubles are brewing and Isis’ brutal efficiency might be the only thing slowing a force that has long stayed in the background.
Like a storm, some things cannot be stopped; only endured. The Havityns are stirring and people will die.
501 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 14, 2020
5 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
About the author
Blake Vanier
9 books12 followersGrowing up, I loved stories. In high school, a friend named Frankie inspired me to take it to the next level by creating one of my own. In 2008, taking the train back from an internship at Lockheed-Martin, I got the idea that was the seed for my Anterra series. I finished my Masters in Aerospace Engineering with the series outlined and the first few chapters complete. When I finally thought it was done, I reworked a lot of it. Then, with some constructive criticism, I rewrote almost the entire thing… I did that at least one or two more times… It was painful. Thankfully, I have finally forged this into something that I'm truly proud of. It's time to share it with the world.
When I’m not working on this series, I’m either playing with science; inventing in the shop with a CNC milling center; or studying Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
When I’m not working on this series, I’m either playing with science; inventing in the shop with a CNC milling center; or studying Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
December 15, 2021
“Catalyst” Book Two of The Anterra Collection
Review by Brett Salter
Opening Line: “The thumps of Aether rifles echo down the pristine, white hall.”
Favorite Lines: “Isis grabs the collar of his suit, pulling him in close. “I’ve put up with plenty of crap in my life, and I’m not about to give up now. We all die, soldier. If I’m going to go today, the Drebin are going to tell their blasted savior how badly I hurt them before I ended. You can either join me and fight, or give up your suit for someone else who will. What is your choice?”
The Review:
“Catalyst” is book two of author Blake Vanier’s The Anterra Collection series which follows several main protagonists’ adventures around the continent of Majirin on the planet Anterra.
The orphans are back in their second book, and they’ve brought several new things with them. Of course, some time has passed since the first entry, and our main characters have all changed and grown into their very individual arcs, which I am sure will command attention in later installments of the series. However, this book focuses mostly on Iona with Nero garnering the second most attention. So, if you liked Iona from the first book, you will really “dig” this one. This review will mostly cover the changes and new things introduced since the first book. I would also STRONGLY recommend reading the first book before attempting this one since there are several plot lines that carry over into “Catalyst”.
I just want to start out by saying that I thought this book improved from the first one in several aspects. Starting with the characters’ evolution reflected in the time passed. They have grown in the time between books. That includes everything from the more adult language they use to the exploration and proficiency of their abilities to the “interests” they have found with each other. I will not spoil it all, but I will say that there are a few couples that are forming in the aftermath of book one, one of which I am very on board with. Thea and Nero seem to have a very age-correct crush on each other that helps guide their motives in this book. Nero wants to help his longtime friend while Thea respects and seems interested in the mystery of Nero. Being from the RPG generation, I found this pairing to be similar to Tifa and Cloud from Final Fantasy VII. And before you say I’m way off, there were other Final Fantasy references in this book as well, so maybe I’m not too far off (Biggs and Wedge).
The introduction of some new characters into the party also helped expand this book beyond the original five’s involvement. We meet Ariana and Lubb at the very beginning who seem to fit right in with this eclectic group while they are with us. Lubb’s use of puns in his normal conversation had me laughing out loud quite a few times. Even the other characters enjoy his puns and try their hand at it several times. This wordplay almost takes the place of the “what am I like?” game the orphans played in the first book. Whether a replacement or not, the punish conversation still adds to making the characters real and relatable. And I just LOVE a relatable character. Another really cool character we meet is Kaina who is a total B.A. and new teacher for them to utilize inside Catalyst. (Sadly, Sosimo is noticeably more absent in this book. You’re still the man, Sos!) She instantly caught my eye, and I was excited and saddened to follow her role in the book. Also, M is here, and I THINK she’s the same lady from the first book, but with a much larger action spotlight in this one. Even Steve was a welcome addition although he kinda came out of left field for me. And I didn’t quite understand his role in the story other than Steve Ex Machina. LOL.
Lastly, I found their skills and abilities improvement to be a huge “catalyst” for driving this book beyond the first. They’ve had time to work with Aether, and we see that very early on with Nero. Although he’s used more as a weapon, the underlying power is tangible in these pages. I can’t wait to see everything he’s capable of, especially with Haze around. In one scene, Nero uses Aether to pick a lock and get into Villhelm’s study which was a concisely cool use of Aether. There are plenty of other scenes where Nero and Iona’s Aether manipulation is done interestingly, but I don’t want to give it all away. Let me just say I especially enjoyed their powers during the battle at the end and when they work together to assist Thea’s physical state. All groovy stuff, for sure
You know what really stood out in the first book? You know what really separates Blake Vanier from most authors writing a deep story with an incalculably large world? The way he does exposition. With book one, Blake found novel and fresh ways to provide exposition of the world to us from its history and the races of Anterra by use of secondary sources, flashbacks, and oral tradition. And, yes, he’s done it again. This time, we get to meet a summon (Final Fantasy?) named Cognia who has made it her mission in post-life to gather as much knowledge of the world as possible. She has lived so long that she is more equipped than anyone the histories and intricacies of the world. She is, in this book, and I expect in future books, to be a sly source of information beyond character conversation and exposition dumps. Nicely done, Blake!
This is a great sequel! There are so many times that sequels fall flat or repeat the same highs as their predecessor. Or worse, don’t deliver ANY highs. Not so with “Catalyst”. I have barely scratched the surface here with ALL of the positive points this book has in wrapping the reader back into the world of Anterra. The world created in these first two novels is not shrinking or closing off at all. If anything, it is expanding exponentially like a level 12 Biat Aether Havityn! And I look forward to the next book to answer my lingering questions like where is Alec? And what’s the plan for “best girl” Thea?
I would recommend this book for anyone interested in Sci-fi/Fantasy over the age of 14. There is mild cussing throughout, but the deaths in this book are the major warning for concerned parents. Lyze’s death in a cave is quite scary and cinematic in nature. Several characters (including one I thought we would have for a while because she was awesome) have very violent throat-slitting deaths mixed with some elements of mental torture to their friends.
One last thing: I like to add this "one last thing" section as an insight into how weird I am when I read books. So, when I read, like most people (I think), I do the voices in my head. Whenever Haze spoke, I immediately did a voice like Venom from the comic book movies. Same excited and somewhat maniacal interaction. Same gruff vocal intonations. I just kind of think that’s how he/she/it sounds when it talks to Nero. And that makes me happy! Also, every time I read the title, I started singing “All Downhill From Here” by New Found Glory. You either get it or you don’t!
Final Review: 4.8 destructive Havityn storms out of 5 (4.8 / 5)
Purchase “Catalyst” on Amazon.com
https://www.amazon.com/Catalyst-Anter...
Contact this phenomenal author:
Blake Vanier
Instagram: @blakesbooksandstuff
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Twitter: @BlakeAVanier
Website: https://blakevanier.com/anterra/
Review by Brett Salter
Opening Line: “The thumps of Aether rifles echo down the pristine, white hall.”
Favorite Lines: “Isis grabs the collar of his suit, pulling him in close. “I’ve put up with plenty of crap in my life, and I’m not about to give up now. We all die, soldier. If I’m going to go today, the Drebin are going to tell their blasted savior how badly I hurt them before I ended. You can either join me and fight, or give up your suit for someone else who will. What is your choice?”
The Review:
“Catalyst” is book two of author Blake Vanier’s The Anterra Collection series which follows several main protagonists’ adventures around the continent of Majirin on the planet Anterra.
The orphans are back in their second book, and they’ve brought several new things with them. Of course, some time has passed since the first entry, and our main characters have all changed and grown into their very individual arcs, which I am sure will command attention in later installments of the series. However, this book focuses mostly on Iona with Nero garnering the second most attention. So, if you liked Iona from the first book, you will really “dig” this one. This review will mostly cover the changes and new things introduced since the first book. I would also STRONGLY recommend reading the first book before attempting this one since there are several plot lines that carry over into “Catalyst”.
I just want to start out by saying that I thought this book improved from the first one in several aspects. Starting with the characters’ evolution reflected in the time passed. They have grown in the time between books. That includes everything from the more adult language they use to the exploration and proficiency of their abilities to the “interests” they have found with each other. I will not spoil it all, but I will say that there are a few couples that are forming in the aftermath of book one, one of which I am very on board with. Thea and Nero seem to have a very age-correct crush on each other that helps guide their motives in this book. Nero wants to help his longtime friend while Thea respects and seems interested in the mystery of Nero. Being from the RPG generation, I found this pairing to be similar to Tifa and Cloud from Final Fantasy VII. And before you say I’m way off, there were other Final Fantasy references in this book as well, so maybe I’m not too far off (Biggs and Wedge).
The introduction of some new characters into the party also helped expand this book beyond the original five’s involvement. We meet Ariana and Lubb at the very beginning who seem to fit right in with this eclectic group while they are with us. Lubb’s use of puns in his normal conversation had me laughing out loud quite a few times. Even the other characters enjoy his puns and try their hand at it several times. This wordplay almost takes the place of the “what am I like?” game the orphans played in the first book. Whether a replacement or not, the punish conversation still adds to making the characters real and relatable. And I just LOVE a relatable character. Another really cool character we meet is Kaina who is a total B.A. and new teacher for them to utilize inside Catalyst. (Sadly, Sosimo is noticeably more absent in this book. You’re still the man, Sos!) She instantly caught my eye, and I was excited and saddened to follow her role in the book. Also, M is here, and I THINK she’s the same lady from the first book, but with a much larger action spotlight in this one. Even Steve was a welcome addition although he kinda came out of left field for me. And I didn’t quite understand his role in the story other than Steve Ex Machina. LOL.
Lastly, I found their skills and abilities improvement to be a huge “catalyst” for driving this book beyond the first. They’ve had time to work with Aether, and we see that very early on with Nero. Although he’s used more as a weapon, the underlying power is tangible in these pages. I can’t wait to see everything he’s capable of, especially with Haze around. In one scene, Nero uses Aether to pick a lock and get into Villhelm’s study which was a concisely cool use of Aether. There are plenty of other scenes where Nero and Iona’s Aether manipulation is done interestingly, but I don’t want to give it all away. Let me just say I especially enjoyed their powers during the battle at the end and when they work together to assist Thea’s physical state. All groovy stuff, for sure
You know what really stood out in the first book? You know what really separates Blake Vanier from most authors writing a deep story with an incalculably large world? The way he does exposition. With book one, Blake found novel and fresh ways to provide exposition of the world to us from its history and the races of Anterra by use of secondary sources, flashbacks, and oral tradition. And, yes, he’s done it again. This time, we get to meet a summon (Final Fantasy?) named Cognia who has made it her mission in post-life to gather as much knowledge of the world as possible. She has lived so long that she is more equipped than anyone the histories and intricacies of the world. She is, in this book, and I expect in future books, to be a sly source of information beyond character conversation and exposition dumps. Nicely done, Blake!
This is a great sequel! There are so many times that sequels fall flat or repeat the same highs as their predecessor. Or worse, don’t deliver ANY highs. Not so with “Catalyst”. I have barely scratched the surface here with ALL of the positive points this book has in wrapping the reader back into the world of Anterra. The world created in these first two novels is not shrinking or closing off at all. If anything, it is expanding exponentially like a level 12 Biat Aether Havityn! And I look forward to the next book to answer my lingering questions like where is Alec? And what’s the plan for “best girl” Thea?
I would recommend this book for anyone interested in Sci-fi/Fantasy over the age of 14. There is mild cussing throughout, but the deaths in this book are the major warning for concerned parents. Lyze’s death in a cave is quite scary and cinematic in nature. Several characters (including one I thought we would have for a while because she was awesome) have very violent throat-slitting deaths mixed with some elements of mental torture to their friends.
One last thing: I like to add this "one last thing" section as an insight into how weird I am when I read books. So, when I read, like most people (I think), I do the voices in my head. Whenever Haze spoke, I immediately did a voice like Venom from the comic book movies. Same excited and somewhat maniacal interaction. Same gruff vocal intonations. I just kind of think that’s how he/she/it sounds when it talks to Nero. And that makes me happy! Also, every time I read the title, I started singing “All Downhill From Here” by New Found Glory. You either get it or you don’t!
Final Review: 4.8 destructive Havityn storms out of 5 (4.8 / 5)
Purchase “Catalyst” on Amazon.com
https://www.amazon.com/Catalyst-Anter...
Contact this phenomenal author:
Blake Vanier
Instagram: @blakesbooksandstuff
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Twitter: @BlakeAVanier
Website: https://blakevanier.com/anterra/
December 26, 2021
The Catalyst by Blake Vanier can be best described as a deep dive into the complex world we discovered in The Orphans of New Lur. The plot is mainly around Nero, Catalyst, Iona and Isis. We are left with more questions than before, or to put it another way, we are eagerly anticipating the next book in the series.
A more detailed review can be found here.
A more detailed review can be found here.
March 15, 2021
After reading the engrossing first book in this series, I was eager to jump into the next part of the story. This book was even more exhilarating than the first, packed with both intrigue and adventure. This story weaves new layers to the complex world of Anterra and the lives of the characters. It is filled with excitement and mystery, making it hard to put down. As with any good book in a series, I'm left wanting more. I can't wait for the next one to come out!
May 1, 2021
Catalyst is the second book in The Anterra Collection composed by Blake Vanier. While I am still not out of my book hangover after reading his first book The Orphans of New Lur, this book continues the adventure of Nero and his friends in the complex world of Anterra. The sequel continues with the story where the group of children from the first part grows up in terms of their age, powers and maturity. The situation becomes more complex for these children and thereby comes more mysteries to solve. I was overwhelmed by the amount of creativity that Blake has put into this series. The author reveals more secrets and mysteries in this series and that made the plot more intriguing than his previous book.
The writing style is lucid and consistent throughout the book. The story was fast-paced, and the characters are craved in more detail which made the reading very interesting. There is nothing that I disliked about this book. Blake Vanier has once again done a brilliant job by creating an elaborate and detailed world that reveals more magics in his story. I honestly rate this book with 5 out of 5 stars, and I just cannot wait to read the next book in the series.
The writing style is lucid and consistent throughout the book. The story was fast-paced, and the characters are craved in more detail which made the reading very interesting. There is nothing that I disliked about this book. Blake Vanier has once again done a brilliant job by creating an elaborate and detailed world that reveals more magics in his story. I honestly rate this book with 5 out of 5 stars, and I just cannot wait to read the next book in the series.
December 17, 2020
I launched into this book fully invested in Nero and his friends after reading The Orphans of New Lur. I was enthralled as their personalities and aether abilities developed. Along the way we meet other lovable characters as well as sinister ones. The dialog is awesome and the action scenes are fun to read (and I usually get bored during action sequences). I can't wait for book 3 to come out!
December 15, 2020
This guy is amazing! How he managed to hook me onto his book, not just once, but twice now by his summary alone?! It really seems like these characters are backed up against the wall, and thats always going to be interesting to see pan out. Amazing work Blake! Would definitely recommend this
December 19, 2020
As the epic matures, so does the group and their relationships. They face new challenges, and cool new characters. There are some surprises in this one, keeping it suspenseful, and both new and continuing storylines. So good!
December 18, 2020
Great book for Middle School, Young Adults, and even those of us in our forties. Character development is really good: you become invested, even in the protagonist Isis. Can’t wait for book 3.
January 23, 2021
“Catalyst” is a compelling sequel that continues to explore the intriguing world of Anterra and follows the group of children from “The Orphans of New Lur” as they come of age and grow in power and maturity. I loved learning more about the intricacies of Anterra and the ways that the various kinds of people interact with Aether and each other. Blake Vanier has created an elaborate and detailed world and reveals it’s magic more and more with each book in the series. I can’t wait to read the next book, “The Tenebrous Miasma,” when it is released!
April 4, 2021
I thought the first book was great but this one surpasses it by far. It grabbed me right from the 1st page and kept ahold of me for the entire weekend, until I finished it. I had other things planned but I had to find out what happens next on Anterra. The Orphans from the first book are maturing and developing into interesting people, that I like and even admire. I definitely want to see them succeed, and the odds are against them. I can't wait until the next book drops! If you like sci fi that deviates from the traditional themes, read this series!
April 4, 2017
It was interesting seeing the kids from the first book a few years later and how their relationships had evolved. There was some more world building and development of the physics/magic stuff that was also enjoyable to read. I felt lost during some of the story arch, not really sure where it was going and was a little disappointed there wasn't more interweaving of the two main storylines, though they did touch briefly right at the end. I particularly liked the new character, M, and the set up for the next story.
November 15, 2019
I had the luxury of reading the second book immediately after completing the first and I couldn't put the book down until I finished it! The character development throughout the book and the intensity of the plot was on point. The only downside for me was not being able to read book 3 right after finishing Catalyst.
December 21, 2020
I ended up reading the first book on a whim. I usually don't read sci fi/fantasy but my husband purchased it and I decided to give it a try. Thouroughly enjoyed reading Orphans and happily read the Catalyst now. The characters are very imaginative and original. The saga of the orphans of New Our continues. I hope Vanier stays positive and continues on with more good reads.
December 24, 2020
I was very excited to get my hands on this book after reading the first one, and I was not disappointed. I could tell the book was good because I was staying up very late reading. When I slept, Nero and company would inhabit my dreams. Upon waking in morning I would reach for the book to read just one more chapter. Can't wait for book 3 to come out!
October 28, 2020
Extremely intriguing story, great characters, and I would highly recommend. Glad I purchased this book and read through the experience.
-Joe
-Joe
December 28, 2021
The continuing saga of the orphans from New Lur. Artfully written, mainly from two opposing viewpoints, this second book continues to engage and tease the reader.
May 17, 2021
The adventure continues...
Catalyst was a fun read. The adventures of the friends that we met in "The Orphans of New Lur" continue and the mysteries deepen. The book probably raises more questions than it answers about what is going on on the world of Anterra and how deep the powers of Aether go. What will happen in the next book?
Catalyst was a fun read. The adventures of the friends that we met in "The Orphans of New Lur" continue and the mysteries deepen. The book probably raises more questions than it answers about what is going on on the world of Anterra and how deep the powers of Aether go. What will happen in the next book?
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews