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The Awakening
Humanity achieved biological immortality. But at what cost?
The year is 2135. AOL Industries ushered in a new generation of humans who cease to age around their mid-30s and cannot die from natural causes. However, a recent mutation in successive generations of the drug’s recipients has led to psychics: humans with supernatural abilities. State arbitrators, the modern police force of the Republic, are tasked with escorting psychics to rehab centers, or in extreme cases, termination.
Set in the city of Dain, the shining capital of New Earth, The Awakening is the story of a motley crew of individuals who discover a conspiracy that could upend the peace the Republic has experienced since its expansion throughout the galaxy. There are three who have spearheaded this daring operation.
Dakari Minathi was the best arbitrator on the force–until he started asking the wrong questions. Now he is left with the perilous choice of pursuing a case the CDAD would rather leave classified while risking his life (and his family’s lives) in the process.
For Quan, the world was his oyster–until he became a psychic. Now his metamorphosis has shrunken his world from being one of the highest-ranked duelers in the nation to living in crummy apartment complexes to hide out from state arbitrators. That all changes when he uncovers a way to escape New Earth by going to the Gerumandian Academy.
There Quan meets a flight student named Mirabelle Marshall who has compiled a harrowing list of missing students. Perhaps the only thing more frighting than these findings are the questions that remain unanswered: Where are these students going? Why can no one remember them? And who might be next?
The year is 2135. AOL Industries ushered in a new generation of humans who cease to age around their mid-30s and cannot die from natural causes. However, a recent mutation in successive generations of the drug’s recipients has led to psychics: humans with supernatural abilities. State arbitrators, the modern police force of the Republic, are tasked with escorting psychics to rehab centers, or in extreme cases, termination.
Set in the city of Dain, the shining capital of New Earth, The Awakening is the story of a motley crew of individuals who discover a conspiracy that could upend the peace the Republic has experienced since its expansion throughout the galaxy. There are three who have spearheaded this daring operation.
Dakari Minathi was the best arbitrator on the force–until he started asking the wrong questions. Now he is left with the perilous choice of pursuing a case the CDAD would rather leave classified while risking his life (and his family’s lives) in the process.
For Quan, the world was his oyster–until he became a psychic. Now his metamorphosis has shrunken his world from being one of the highest-ranked duelers in the nation to living in crummy apartment complexes to hide out from state arbitrators. That all changes when he uncovers a way to escape New Earth by going to the Gerumandian Academy.
There Quan meets a flight student named Mirabelle Marshall who has compiled a harrowing list of missing students. Perhaps the only thing more frighting than these findings are the questions that remain unanswered: Where are these students going? Why can no one remember them? And who might be next?
- GenresScience Fiction
424 pages, Paperback
Published June 9, 2022
About the author
Joshua Kapusinski
2 books11 followersWelcome! I'm a history teacher, follower of Jesus, and science fiction writer. If you're into dueling tournaments, mysteries, and speculative fiction, maybe you've come to the right place.
I try to write fast-paced, character-centered fiction. It's what I love. Hopefully, I've done that with my first book, the Awakening.
The rest of the series is a work in progress, so stay tuned for more!
I try to write fast-paced, character-centered fiction. It's what I love. Hopefully, I've done that with my first book, the Awakening.
The rest of the series is a work in progress, so stay tuned for more!
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 21, 2022
This was such a cool concept that was like a Hunger Games meets The Darkest Minds meets Gladiator. With a cliffhanger ending that needs a sequel.
The year is 2135. New Earth is inhabited by those lucky enough to escape a dying planet. Technology has invented a drug that eliminates aging after 30 preventing death by natural causes. A small percentage of people develop side effects from the drug granting them powers.
Out of fear, these people, called psychics, are quickly captured and put in rehabilitation centers and never seen again. But these aren’t the only people disappearing, and most can’t remember these missing kids at all. Where are they going? And why can’t anyone remember?
This story has so much going on that I can’t even begin to write a short synopsis that covers everything. There’s lots of plot points and action throughout that’ll keep you turning the page. A solid sci-fi debut!
The year is 2135. New Earth is inhabited by those lucky enough to escape a dying planet. Technology has invented a drug that eliminates aging after 30 preventing death by natural causes. A small percentage of people develop side effects from the drug granting them powers.
Out of fear, these people, called psychics, are quickly captured and put in rehabilitation centers and never seen again. But these aren’t the only people disappearing, and most can’t remember these missing kids at all. Where are they going? And why can’t anyone remember?
This story has so much going on that I can’t even begin to write a short synopsis that covers everything. There’s lots of plot points and action throughout that’ll keep you turning the page. A solid sci-fi debut!
August 23, 2022
“The Awakening” was a great science fiction mystery to sink my teeth into, and in the instant I started reading, the vibes that came from this book reminded me of Star Wars Episode 2, Gataca, and Blade Runner from all the descriptors of the future Districts. It was set in 2135, where no-one ages past 30 years of age. The worry that has been created by the drug companies is that a mutation has been created within some people where they also become psychic and in some cases, hold supernatural abilities. Naturally, bureaucracies don’t like this “malfunction” and arbitrators have been coerced into escorting these ‘mutants’ to another world or at worst, terminated.
On top of all of this, there are several pivotal converging plot lines and stories that all intersect at different times, including Dakari the arbitrator who asks too many questions (supported by Amelia, an equally inquisitive arbitrator), Quan the student returning to the Gerumandian Academy in the shadows of his brother, his friend Alexander, and the people he meets along the way, including Mirabelle, Derek and Kairo. You might wonder if some of the characters could ever have a connection but there has been a lot of work done to really create strong story lines here and create the strong and deep relationships they have. The action sequences are very detailed, and it was very easy to visualise these futuristic scenes. There is a YA slant to this book with reference to some of the younger characters and the Academy they attend, however don’t let that stop you reading this. I think this is going to be a great book series!
On top of all of this, there are several pivotal converging plot lines and stories that all intersect at different times, including Dakari the arbitrator who asks too many questions (supported by Amelia, an equally inquisitive arbitrator), Quan the student returning to the Gerumandian Academy in the shadows of his brother, his friend Alexander, and the people he meets along the way, including Mirabelle, Derek and Kairo. You might wonder if some of the characters could ever have a connection but there has been a lot of work done to really create strong story lines here and create the strong and deep relationships they have. The action sequences are very detailed, and it was very easy to visualise these futuristic scenes. There is a YA slant to this book with reference to some of the younger characters and the Academy they attend, however don’t let that stop you reading this. I think this is going to be a great book series!
April 2, 2023
Y’all want your sci-fi fix?? This is it henny! When Joshua sold this as a Cowboy Bepop meets Blade Runner meets Fullmetal Alchemist I was SOLD! And he was not a lying man.
Now y’all know how I love me some action scenes…and THIS?! Wig….snatched. House….down. Me….gagged. Top tier. This bih had oodles upon oodles of fire fights, demonic magic, high speed chases, roof slinging, blade wielding, genetic altering REALNESS! Oh I was living. Audibly, emotionally, and physically LIV. ING. Like I said, the opposite of bored.
I think the thing that made this the most enjoyable for me was its steadily, involved pace! I was NEVER bored! Even in transitional scenes or the chapters building up to focal points of the plot, you could just FEEL the atmosphere stirring. Pieces remained moving, plotters were plotting, physics were psychic-ing (I’m making it a thing) and I never left its grip!
Whether he meant to or not, Joshua made the statement of different doesn’t always mean bad. As the MC came to find out. Especially in the world we’re living in today. In this book, psychics are perceived as impurities that should be punished for being different. Those who don’t choose immortality are seen as lesser for opting to age normally and live out life as the clock ticks. When in reality, it’s those who are doing the condemning that are likely the savages. This hit me in the feels, and I’m not mad about it! These messages need to be put out there!
Now y’all know how I love me some action scenes…and THIS?! Wig….snatched. House….down. Me….gagged. Top tier. This bih had oodles upon oodles of fire fights, demonic magic, high speed chases, roof slinging, blade wielding, genetic altering REALNESS! Oh I was living. Audibly, emotionally, and physically LIV. ING. Like I said, the opposite of bored.
I think the thing that made this the most enjoyable for me was its steadily, involved pace! I was NEVER bored! Even in transitional scenes or the chapters building up to focal points of the plot, you could just FEEL the atmosphere stirring. Pieces remained moving, plotters were plotting, physics were psychic-ing (I’m making it a thing) and I never left its grip!
Whether he meant to or not, Joshua made the statement of different doesn’t always mean bad. As the MC came to find out. Especially in the world we’re living in today. In this book, psychics are perceived as impurities that should be punished for being different. Those who don’t choose immortality are seen as lesser for opting to age normally and live out life as the clock ticks. When in reality, it’s those who are doing the condemning that are likely the savages. This hit me in the feels, and I’m not mad about it! These messages need to be put out there!
April 4, 2023
This book had some cool ideas that interested me from the start. It’s fast paced and action packed with interweaving plot lines that included a few twists. I think it’s a great book for younger readers interested in sci-fi, as it features a lot of the themes you’ll see within the genre without being too dark or convoluted.
I thought the setting was interesting and different from a lot of sci-fi that I’ve read, the expansion of the world is what I’m most looking forward to in future books.
Overall this was a very nice start to a writing career and the beginning of what I’m sure will be a thrilling series.
I thought the setting was interesting and different from a lot of sci-fi that I’ve read, the expansion of the world is what I’m most looking forward to in future books.
Overall this was a very nice start to a writing career and the beginning of what I’m sure will be a thrilling series.
February 25, 2026
Creative page-turner which kept me interested from front to back. Every character had a unique backstory which helped me to genuinely care about them. Sometimes Sci-Fi can rely too much on action, this has a perfect balance.
Highly recommend!! Starting Exodus (the second book) now!
Highly recommend!! Starting Exodus (the second book) now!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews