A dystopian thriller set in the
very near future.
Which side are YOU on?
Protopia
by John Calia
Genre: Dystopian Thriller
In a world ravaged by ideological war, can two lifelong friends, torn apart, find
their way back to each other, or will conflicting visions of a perfect society
destroy their relationship or, worse yet, prove fatal?
Olivia and Alexandra, inseparable since
childhood, stumble into the brutal conflict between Cygnus, a bastion of
ultra-libertarian ideals, and Elyria, a socialist commune that promises
equality and justice. As tensions escalate, the women are forced to make a
choice: which community to join.
Olivia, haunted by anxiety and self-doubt, is
drawn to the promise of security and equality in Elyria. Alexandra, ever the
adventurer, chooses the independence and freedom of Cygnus. As they settle into
their respective communities, Olivia and Alexandra encounter rigid ideologies
and corruption at the highest levels of government. They challenge the leaders
of their respective communities and realize their lives are under threat.
Olivia must confront her own demons and the
limitations they’ve imposed on her life. Growing in confidence and
self-awareness, she starts to envision a different future—one that balances
individual freedom with collective well-being. As the conflict between Cygnus
and Elyria reaches a boiling point, Olivia and Alexandra must navigate the
treacherous landscape of their own divided loyalties. Can they turn the
obstacles into opportunities, or will the divide between them prove
insurmountable—even deadly?
Protopia
is a heart-pumping, thought-provoking tale of politics, adventure, and loyalty
set in a dystopian world that eerily echoes our own.
Fans of Emily St. John Mandel and Matt Haig
will love this new adventure from the author of Parallel Lies and the
best-seller The Awakening of Artemis.
As she gazed out at the ravaged landscape, Olivia Fletcher felt the weight of her exhaustion like a physical force dragging her down into the dusty earth. Five years of constant strife-of strategizing and problem-solving, of rising and failing-had all taken its toll She longed for a life of quiet contemplation, of peaceful days spent in a garden or a library, free from the constant din of conflict.
But that life seemed as distant as a dream. The struggle between Cygnus and Elyria showed no signs of abating and Olivia’s skills as a mediator and leader were still desperately needed. She felt like a worn-out tool, perpetually called up on to fix the unfixable, to bridge the unbridgeable gaps between sworn enemies.
Any yet, despite her fatigue, Olivia couldn’t shake the feeling of inadequacy that had haunted her for so long. Was she truly making a difference, or was she just a band-aid on a bullet wound? Did she have the strength and wisdom to bring peace to this shattered world, or was she just a fraud waiting to be exposed? The doubts swirled in her mind like a toxic fog, threatening to consume her at any moment.
As the war drums beat louder, Olivia knew she couldn’t afford to indulge in her uncertainty. She took a deep breath, squared her shoulders, and stepped forward into the fray once more. But the questions lingered, echoing in her mind like a whispered mantra: What if I’m not enough? What if I fail? What it….?
John Calia is a multifaceted
author, born in Brooklyn and formerly a naval officer, banker, entrepreneur,
and consultant. His debut business fable, The Reluctant CEO: Succeeding Without
Losing Your Soul, earned a five-star rating and sparked a passion for writing.
Calia’s fascination with artificial intelligence and its societal implications
led him to craft The Awakening of Artemis, a near-future speculative fiction
novel that soared to #6 on the Amazon Science Fiction Adventure bestseller
list. His latest release, Parallel Lies (2023), is the highly anticipated
sequel to his bestseller.
The book sounds very intriguing. Love the cover!