Stories by @mr95

Crimson Destiny

"Crimson Destiny" follows the captivating story of Akiko Tanaka, a biracial young woman of Japanese and African descent, who was adopted by a wealthy and influential Japanese family. As Akiko navigates the complexities of her dual heritage and the high-stakes world of her adoptive family's criminal empire, she finds herself unexpectedly falling for the heir to a powerful Japanese mafia organization. Akiko, a striking and intelligent woman in her mid-20s, was adopted as a child by the Tanaka family, a prominent business dynasty with deep ties to the Japanese underworld. Raised in the lap of luxury, Akiko has always felt a sense of disconnect, grappling with her mixed racial identity and the weight of her family's shadowy legacy. When Akiko crosses paths with Takeshi Nakamura, the charismatic and enigmatic heir to a rival mafia family, a forbidden attraction ignites between them. Despite the dangerous implications of their relationship, Akiko and Takeshi are drawn to each other, their connection deepening as they navigate the treacherous web of power, loyalty, and deception that envelops their world.

Valkyrie's Odyssey

"Valkyrie's Odyssey" follows the extraordinary journey of Astrid Eriksson, a young Scandinavian woman of African descent, who finds herself unexpectedly transported from modern-day Norway to the tumultuous and captivating world of the Vikings. Astrid, a brilliant and independent-minded graduate student, is conducting research on the historical connections between Scandinavia and Africa when a mystical encounter triggers a powerful time-traveling experience. Suddenly, she finds herself disoriented and dislocated, immersed in the rugged landscapes, fierce warrior culture, and intricate power dynamics of the Viking era. As Astrid struggles to adapt to her new surroundings, she crosses paths with a diverse cast of characters who become integral to her odyssey. Among them is Ragnar Lothbrok, a charismatic and skilled Viking warrior who is both intrigued and skeptical of the strange woman from the future. Together, Astrid and Ragnar embark on a journey to uncover the reason behind her displacement in time, forging an unlikely alliance that challenges the social norms of the Viking world.

Echoes of the Past

"Echoes of the Past" follows the extraordinary journey of Alejandro Montero, a young man in his early 20s of Spanish and African descent, who unexpectedly finds himself transported back in time to the vibrant and tumultuous era of the Renaissance. Alejandro's life in modern-day Spain is upended when a mystical encounter triggers a powerful time-traveling experience, sending him hurtling back to the 16th century. Disoriented and bewildered, he navigates the unfamiliar landscape of Renaissance Europe, where he must confront the challenges of adapting to a vastly different world. As Alejandro struggles to make sense of his situation, he crosses paths with a diverse cast of characters who become integral to his journey. Among them is Lucía Vázquez, a spirited and intelligent young woman with a deep connection to the occult, who becomes Alejandro's guide and confidante in this strange new reality. Together, Alejandro and Lucía uncover clues that suggest his displacement in time is not mere coincidence. They discover that Alejandro's African ancestry holds the key to unlocking an ancient power, one that has been suppressed and forgotten throughout the centuries. Pursued by those who seek to harness this power for their own nefarious ends, Alejandro must navigate a web of intrigue, political machinations, and personal revelations.

The Keeper

Michelle Benoit thought that what happened in the past would stay in the past. Yet her former lover, Logan Tanner, has come to Earth trusting her to help him protect 3-year old Princess Selene from harm. Two years had passed since she agreed to help; no one had come to the farm, but she always stayed cautious and made sure who ever did come to the farm was scared away with her shot-gun. Her days had become routine until Scarlet ran away away from home to fully live with Michelle. Logan returned earlier than expected to complete Selene's operations as he feared being caught, he hadn't used his lunar gift and was now going mad.Garan arrives to aid the operations and Michelle gives Selene the name Cinder.

Fairest

Who is the fairest of them all? Fans of the Lunar Chronicles know Queen Levana as a ruler who uses her "glamour" to gain power. But long before she crossed paths with Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress, Levana lived a very different story—a story that has never been told . . . until now.

Royal Blood

"Royal Blood" follows the life of Antoine Moreau, a 30-year-old French man of African descent living in Paris who unexpectedly discovers that he is a direct descendant of the former French royal family. Raised by a single mother in a working-class neighborhood, Antoine's life revolves around his job as a history teacher and his passion for social justice. Everything changes when a genealogical DNA test reveals his royal lineage, linking him to a historical bloodline that was thought to be lost to time. As the news breaks, it ignites a fierce backlash from far-right factions in France, who are outraged at the idea of a Black man potentially ascending to the throne. Antoine finds himself thrust into the public eye, facing media frenzy, political intrigue, and threats from extremist groups that see his existence as a challenge to their vision of national identity. With the help of his determined friend and activist, Leila Kone, and his distant cousin, Louis de Montclair, who is part of the old aristocracy, Antoine navigates the complexities of his newfound identity and the weight of historical expectations. As he grapples with the implications of his royal blood, Antoine must confront his own beliefs about power, privilege, and the meaning of leadership in a modern, multicultural France.

Awakening the Ancestors

"Awakening the Ancestors" follows the journey of Amani Diallo, a 22-year-old French man of African descent who grapples with his identity amidst the cultural complexities of modern Paris. Raised in a devout family of Abrahamic faith, Amani feels increasingly disconnected from the teachings of his upbringing. Struggling with his sense of self and the weight of his family's expectations, he embarks on a quest to explore his roots. His journey leads him to the vibrant African Cultural Center in Paris, where he meets Layla N'Guessan, an outspoken and passionate friend who encourages him to embrace his heritage. Together, they delve into the ancient beliefs and practices of African spirituality, awakening a deep connection to his ancestry. As Amani begins to explore these beliefs, he discovers latent powers that connect him to his lineage as a descendant of African gods. With newfound abilities, including the manipulation of nature and spiritual communication, Amani faces both the wonder and the burden of his heritage. Along the way, he encounters Baba Kofi, a wise elder who becomes his mentor, guiding him through the complexities of his powers and responsibilities. However, Amani’s journey is not without conflict. His family, particularly his mother, Mama Diallo, struggles to accept his departure from their faith, fearing for his soul and well-being. As tensions rise, Amani must confront the challenges of self-acceptance, familial loyalty, and cultural identity.

Winter

Princess Winter is admired by the Lunar people for her grace and kindness, and despite the scars that mark her face, her beauty is said to be more breathtaking than that of her stepmother, Queen Levana. Winter despises her stepmother, and knows Levana won't approve of her feelings for her childhood friend--the handsome palace guard, Jacin. But Winter isn't as weak as Levana believes her to be and she's been undermining her stepmother's wishes for years. Together with the cyborg, Cinder, and her allies, Winter might even have the power to launch a revolution and win a war that's been raging for far too long. Can Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, and Winter defeat Levana and find their happily ever afters?

Cress

Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army. Their best hope lies with Cress, who has been trapped on a satellite since childhood with only her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker—unfortunately, she’s just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice. When a daring rescue goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a high price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing stop her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only hope the world has.

Scarlet

Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She's trying to break out of prison—even though if she succeeds, she'll be the Commonwealth's most wanted fugitive. Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit's grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn't know about her grandmother or the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother's whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner.

Cinder

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, ruthless Lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl . . . Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s letumosis. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, developing a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

Wayfarers

When Rosemary Harper joins the crew of the Wayfarer, she isn't expecting much. The Wayfarer, a patched up ship that's seen better days, offers her everything she could possibly want: a small, quiet spot to call home for a while, adventure in far-off corners of the galaxy, and distance from her troubled past. But Rosemary gets more than she bargained for with the Wayfarer. The crew is a mishmash of species and personalities, from Sissix, the friendly reptilian pilot, to Kizzy and Jenks, the constantly sparring engineers who keep the ship running. Life on board is chaotic, but more or less peaceful - exactly what Rosemary wants. Until the crew are offered the job of a lifetime: the chance to build a hyperspace tunnel to a distant planet. They'll earn enough money to live comfortably for years... if they survive the long trip through war-torn space without endangering any of the fragile alliances that keep the galaxy peaceful. But Rosemary isn't the only person on board with secrets to hide, and the crew will soon discover that space may be vast, but spaceships are very small indeed.

One Of Us Is Lying

The story begins when the five major characters — Bronwyn, Simon, Nate (Nathaniel), Cooper, and Addy (Adelaide) — attend detention with teacher Mr. Avery after he found phones in each of their school bags, against the high school's no-phone policy. During their detention they hear the sounds of a collision coming from the school parking lot, and while the students investigate through the window, Mr. Avery leaves to see if he can help. Simon — creator of the 'About That' gossip app in which the personal lives of students at their fictional American high school, Bayview High, are posted for the rest of the school to see — begins a speech about the stereotypical personalities of the other four students and how he, through the medium of his app, is the omniscient narrator. He then drinks water from a plastic cup, announces that it tastes bad, then suffers a fatal allergic reaction.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

The story begins with a quiet, sensitive, 15-year-old boy named Charlie writing letters about his life to an unknown recipient. He discusses his first year at high school, grappling with two traumatic experiences from his past: the suicide of his only middle-school friend, Michael, a year before and the death of his Aunt Helen (his favorite aunt) during his early childhood. Mary Elizabeth, a member of the group, invites Charlie to the school's Sadie Hawkins dance and he begins a desultory relationship with her. During a game of Truth or Dare, when dared to kiss the prettiest girl in the room he kisses Sam; Mary Elizabeth storms out, the rest of the group shuns him and Patrick suggests that Charlie stay away from Sam for a while. His flashbacks return, and he goes back to seeing a psychiatrist. Patrick and Brad's relationship is discovered by Brad's abusive father. When Patrick is bullied by the football players at lunch the next day and Brad calls him a "faggot," he attacks him. Charlie breaks up the fight, again winning the respect of Sam and her friends. Patrick brings him to a park where gay men engage in sexual activity; he kisses Charlie impulsively and then apologizes, but Charlie understands that he is recovering from his romance with Brad.

Six of Crows

Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price—and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can't pull it off alone... A convict with a thirst for revenge. A sharpshooter who can't walk away from a wager. A runaway with a privileged past. A spy known as the Wraith. A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums. A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes. Six dangerous outcasts. One impossible heist. Kaz's crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and destruction—if they don't kill each other first.

Eleanor & Park

Two misfits. One extraordinary love. Eleanor... Red hair, wrong clothes. Standing behind him until he turns his head. Lying beside him until he wakes up. Making everyone else seem drabber and flatter and never good enough...Eleanor. Park... He knows she'll love a song before he plays it for her. He laughs at her jokes before she ever gets to the punch line. There's a place on his chest, just below his throat, that makes her want to keep promises...Park. Set over the course of one school year, this is the story of two star-crossed sixteen-year-olds—smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try.

Cursebreakers

Cursebreakers

The Broken Earth

On a singular supercontinent called The Stillness, people live with the constant danger of quakes and, in the coastal comms, tsunamis. Living among humans are Orogenes, who can harness the power of the earth to wield magic. Humans fear the Orogenes, and given the chance, slaughter them. The Fifth Season tells us of the story of three Orogenes: Damaya, a young Orogene, who is taken to the Fulcrum to be trained as an Imperial Orogene; Syenite, a four-ringer Imperial Orogene, who goes on a mission to help a coastal comm and at the same time procreate with the ten-ringer Alabaster; and Essun, an Orogene who lives in disguise as a still.

F•R•I•E•N•D•S

F•R•I•E•N•D•S

The Umbrella Academy

The Umbrella Academy