First off, I can’t thank Maudlin House enough for reviewing Vitalerium. As a first time author, it can be a struggle–creating your brand, learning to market, chasing people down for reviews, and building a grass-roots following. Not to mention, putting out original content for the first time and hoping to god that it’s well received? That’s a whole other conversation. But to put yourself out there and receive such a glowing critique of what originally started as a cathartic practice? That, my friends, is fucking priceless.
Anyway, the folks over at Maudlin House really seemed to enjoy the first book in the Vitalerium series. Here’s what writer & reviewer Alana M. Kelley at Maudlin House had to say:
“Casbarro doesn’t just ask what humanity can do with immense power; he asks what it should do. The book grapples with questions of control, corruption, and the thin line between progress and destruction. It is the intertwining of these characteristics that lends resonance to the story, transforming it from what could simply be another interstellar adventure novel into a meditation on the human condition.” –Maudlin House
For the full review (which again, was awesome), click the link here.
What I’m most happy about is the fact that someone truly understood what I was trying to accomplish with this book(s).
Yes, it’s a sci-fi space-opera.
Yes, it’s a thrilling, high stakes space odyssey where you get to see some rough and tumble characters go on missions, and become embroiled in all types of depraved, debauchery and shenanigans.
Yes, I wanted to give the readers and unforgettably wild ride through a future society…
But I also wanted this book to make people think. Vitalerium shows a futuristic, multi-planetary civilization where a relatively modern society is possible. At second glance, you may notice that there are more parallels to issues in today’s society that have been transposed into a future setting. Despite the advances in tech, humanity is still human.
Either way, I’m just pumped that someone really liked my shit. Hope you all like it as well. Stay in the loop, because book 2 is on its way and I’ve got a drop later today that will divulge a little information on it…
Stay glued to the page, always be thinking, and enjoy your descent into the void, friends…
–NKC
