The Phoenix Gate

by Michael S. Vischi

In the year 2016, the final discovery and reproduction of Cold Fusion, lead the world into its third world war - the War of Ruin. What was left of mankind was forced underground only to emerge to the surface a millennium later, to rebuild and reclaim the planet.

During that time, a new government rose to power - the Council of Aurora. Along with the guidance of Lady Miriam, humans finally reclaimed the surface, reaching every corner of the globe. Mankind finally returned to the glory they had prior to the War of Ruin. This was an age woven into history that had become 'Evolution'.

Alex Landari, a researcher for the Council of Aurora, is plagued by dreams - dreams he cannot possibly understand. All of that changes on fateful day, when he is brought in a rare DNA sample that cannot possibly exist. His research into it thrusts him into a deadly game of cloak and dagger that will change the world once again.

For Alex, nothing is as it seems. After being thrown into the middle, in order for him to discover the truth and finally pull back the veil, he will have to travel back to the beginning... the beginning of it all.

469 pages, Paperback

First published May 12, 2015

About the author

I'm a navy veteran who served from 1999 to 2013 and spent my first ten years of enlistment, forward deployed in Japan. Throughout my service, I utilized downtime while deployed, in port and between operational missions, to finish writing my first novel. I've been honing my craft for over twenty years and began my writing journey long before my naval career. This is a journey I've continued since I moved into the next chapter of my life. I never thought I'd land in Kentucky of all places. It's here that my new stories will be given life and it'll be interesting to see what that looks like another 20 years from now.

During my naval career, I traveled across most of Asia, the Middle East, and parts of Europe. When I couple those experiences with my imagination, I consider myself a real-life adventurer. I try to use that sense of adventure to breath life into my work - hoping to capture the thrill, excitement, and discovery of the worlds I've written about. Whether it's science-fiction, fantasy, or horror, it's the adventure itself that enthralls me, that burrows its way out of my imagination and forces me to scribble it down before it eats me alive — which has seriously happened at least once or twice.

Now, I'm delving deeper into the art of writing and just published the first volume of a new series I'm working on - Dramïr - and just in time for the holiday season. Woot Woot, Hoo-rah, and all that Jazz! I'll also continue my walk with Christ. I've learned the closer I grow to God, the more He helps me use the gifts He has given me… I'll see you between the pages, my friend.

“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.”
– Jeremiah 1:5(nlt)

Reviews

[Kathi · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I first started reading this book I loved it. The premise was great, the hook and first few chapters pulled me in. The story line was singular and focused, giving the characters time to talk and feel and for situations to breathe a bit. However, as the story progressed - the 5th chapter and onward - the story started to lose me. I couldn’t ever tell which side characters were on as they seemed to switch loyalties and motivations. And there’s a lot of sexual moments and thoughts from the main character, which I normally don’t mind one bit but here it felt excessive and very out of place at times. By the last third of the book I felt pretty overwhelmed reading it, trying and failing to grasp what was happening to whom and why.


I should also note that I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway and despite not loving it I am grateful to have had the opportunity to read it.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been waiting for something to keep my attention and this was it. I simply couldn't put it down. It's the first uniquely original story I have read in a long time. On a scale of one to ten, this book is a borderline eleven.

[Thuyvi Barrineau Lmt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not even into sci-Fi but found the storyline very interesting. I enjoyed the love story within the main storyline.

[Josh · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story is based 1000 years after the apocalypse has occurred. Cold fusion caused the world to explode in war, but the inventory of cold fusion put in a fail-safe - the phoenix gate. Alex, who is a researcher, is part of a weird accident which starts to awaken him into his true identity. So he goes across the land with two fellow researchers to reawaken his mind.

To be honest, I couldn't get through the book. The writing is good, but there seems to be a lack of connective-ness that makes it hard to follow. The book screams teenage sex and seems to want to include every fantasy device in the book. Once it hit the links to Atlantis, I had to stop.

*I got this book through GoodRead's Giveaways - an excellent source of interesting books!

[Michael Vischi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beast took about 15 years from start to finish, to finally get it available to the world. The first 10 it was constantly evolving, fine-tuning, and molding into the amazing adventure that awaits you!! It was an amazing novel to write and capture from the deepest parts of my imagination. Extremely fun stuff, and I sincerely hope you love reading it as much as I've enjoyed writing it and watching it continually evolve over the years! Hoo-rah and God bless!