The Appeal of Apocalyptic Novels by M. Kircher, author of 'The War Inside'

Author M. Kircher shares her thoughts on the appeal of apocalyptic novels. Why do you like them? Share your thoughts and ask her your questions below.

I think that apocalyptic novels appeal to readers for many reasons, but I think the strongest and most direct reason is that we’re all fascinated by the end of the world. The decimation of our planet and the annihilation of the human race is something most people fear. But we fear it in a way that interests us because it’s so otherworldly to imagine it actually happening - even though we do have the power to obliterate ourselves with today’s advanced chemical weapons and nuclear bombs.

Mortality is something that most people have a hard time dealing with. I mean, who really likes to think about death? But when you read about it in a book, it takes away a bit of the harsh reality. Reading about a fictional apocalypse not only grabs our attention the way a horrific car crash on the side of the road does, it helps us process what’s really important in life. Apocalyptic novels make us think about where we could go horribly wrong as a society and also how we could make things right.

So readers are sucked into these terrifying/thrilling scenarios and then they start to care about the doomed characters. But out of all this mess a hero or heroine usually emerges. This person, or group of people, discovers that they have the ability, courage, or special gifts to prevent the destruction of the world and save human kind.

We like to consider death, but then we want to feel like we have the power to beat it.

And this is where the immense popularity of apocalyptic novels comes in. It allows readers to consider that humanity (and each unique individual) might be faced with insurmountable odds, but will always come out the victor. In our heart of hearts we want to be that hero or heroine who saves the world. And we love the idea of people of every walk of life coming together and working toward a common, worthy goal. We want to fight the good fight and save the day. It’s a timeless story plot that while it might trend in and out over the years – will ultimately stand the test of time.

Thank you so much for having me and I hope you enjoy, The War Inside: Book One of the Horizons Trilogy! – M. Kircher

The War Inside: Book One of the Horizons Trilogy
by M. Kircher

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BLURB:

The end of the world is only just the beginning. So eighteen-year-old Thea discovers when her solitary life on a dying Earth is shattered by a mysterious dream, a devastating choice, and a strange gift that propels her on a journey towards the restoration of all mankind.

Thea is bitter and alone; eking out her miserable life on the sunless, cloud-covered Earth she inhabits. A terrifying dream convinces her to save the life of an injured girl, and despite her misgivings, Thea decides to rescue sixteen-year-old Viviana. She soon learns that gentle Viv has a life-threatening infection, as well as a freakish patch of glowing skin over her heart. When this light spreads to Thea, causing her palms to glow, she is forced to trust Caden, an arrogant, lazy, and annoyingly handsome boy she despises. Caden has a map to the last city on Earth, and the only place that might have a cure for both Viv's infection and the strange light on Thea's hands. As the trio embark on a journey through the barren wilderness, Thea and Caden discover, and try to fight, their mounting attraction to each other. Along the way they are joined by Rain, Naomi, and Enoch who explain that the light is not a curse, but a powerful gift meant to heal the polluted Earth and reconnect the remnants of humanity. When the group learns that Viv is the key to this planet-wide redemption, and that there are deadly shadows who will do anything to keep humans in the darkness forever, they each must make the difficult decision to help Viv fulfill her destiny...and save the world.

Don't miss THE WAR INSIDE, an exciting young adult dystopian/fantasy novel by debut author M. Kircher.

Read an excerpt:

The War Inside
© 2013 By M. Kircher

“It’s real. All of it. And Viv. She changed me, even before I left, I think. I started to feel things, and it scared me. Is that what you want me to say, Thea? I was scared; I admit it.”

Thea hunched her shoulders, knowing Caden was right. If she had been in his place, she would have walked away. Without a second thought.

Caden stepped closer and pulled Thea to her feet. “I’m sorry I left. I’ve never cared about right or wrong before now. But somehow I knew I had to come find you.”

He took her hands, and Thea felt a tingle of sensation run up her spine. She knew she should pull away, but she stood frozen, unable to break the contact. Caden slowly unwrapped the strips of cloth that still covered her palms. When they fell to the floor, he took his thumbs and rubbed them in circles over her shining skin. It felt very warm.

“What do you want from me?” she whispered.

Caden ran his palms over hers. “A second chance,” he said softly, and Thea felt her heart jump.

“Ahem!” Rain cleared his throat loudly, and Thea and Caden leaped apart. “I hate to break up this touching scene.” Rain grinned mischievously. “But Enoch wants us to go with Naomi. He says we need to practice. Whatever that means.” He looked from Thea to Caden. “Unless you two have other plans….”

“No!” said Thea quickly, her heart still pounding in her chest. She couldn’t even look at Caden. How had she let herself be drawn in like that? Ugh, no wonder he’d been with almost every girl in the Valley. The guy could turn on the charm, but she wouldn’t let him get to her. She could never forget what he had done.

“We’re coming,” she told Rain briskly.

Available on Amazon

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

M. KIRCHER graduated with a B.A. in Fine Arts from Gordon College and is currently an author and artist. "The War Inside" is her first novel, but there are more to come including the second book in The Horizons Trilogy, "The Gray Horizon" and "Dreamcatchers", a futuristic twist on the legend of Rip Van Winkle. She devours YA, science fiction, fantasy, and romance on a regular basis and is immensely happy to pour her time and energy into creating stories for other people to enjoy. Bob Ross and J.R.R. Tolkien tie for her two favorite people of all time.

She and her husband write regularly for Relevant Magazine (www.relevantmagazine.com) and Simply Youth Ministry (www.youthministry.com). They also just had their first book published called "99 Thoughts on Marriage and Ministry", by Group Publishing.

M. Kircher lives in Connecticut with her husband, one energetic son, and a new baby girl.

Website: www.mkircher.com
Blog: http://mkircher.com/blog/
Twitter: @MKircher83
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mkircher83
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7202354.M_Kircher
Amazon Author Profile: http://www.amazon.com/M.-Kircher/e/B00E8AKEGI

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