Chanticleer Book Reviews

Author: j-m-salyards

  • CYGNUS SPOTLIGHT for SCI-FI – Book Awards, Science Fiction, Space Opera, Time Travel, Genetic Mods, Tech, Apocalyptic, Space Aliens

    CYGNUS SPOTLIGHT for SCI-FI – Book Awards, Science Fiction, Space Opera, Time Travel, Genetic Mods, Tech, Apocalyptic, Space Aliens

    Cygnus Award for Science Fiction

    The Cygnus Book Awards recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works in the genre of Science Fiction, Steampunk, Alternative History, and Speculative Fiction. The Cygnus Awards is a genre division of Chanticleer International Book Awards (The CIBAs).

    Chanticleer International Book Awards is looking for the best books featuring space, time travel, life on other planets, parallel universes, alternate reality, and all the science, technology, major social or environmental changes of the future that author imaginations can dream up for the CYGNUS Book Awards division. Hard Science Fiction, Soft Science Fiction, Apocalyptic Fiction, Cyberpunk, Time Travel, Genetic Modification, Aliens, Super Humans, Interplanetary Travel, and Settlers on the Galactic Frontier, Dystopian, our judges from across North America and the U.K. will put them to the test and choose the best among them.

    Get your Sci-fi on

     enter the CYGNUS AWARDS today!

    Who will receive a beautiful CIBA  CYGNUS Blue Ribbon? 

    Which CYGNUS AWARD winner will receive the next big publishing contract or land a top agent…? 

    Bennett Coles CYGNUS Grand Prize for VIRTUES of WAR 

    Harper Collins Voyager has picked up CYGNUS Grand Prize Winner Bennett R. Coles for his latest work Winds of Marque.

    Titan U.K. picked up his CYGNUS award-winning Virtues of War and then contracted for two more books in his series: Ghosts of War and March of War.

    Virtues of War

     

    Will it be you? 

    THE DEADLINE TO ENTER THE 2020 CYGNUS Novel Writing Competitions is April 30, 2020.

    ENTER TODAY!

    The CYGNUS BOOK AWARDS 

    Hall of Fame

    2018 Grand Prize Winner: 

    The Korpes File by J.I Rogers took home the 2018 CYGNUS Book Awards for Science Fiction Grand Prize Blue Ribbon.

     

     

     

    2018 First in Category Winners:

    • The Fortune Follies by Catori Sarmiento
    • It Takes Death to Reach a Star by Stu Jones & Gareth Worthington
    • Solar Reboot by Matthew D. Hunt
    • Apex Five by Sarah Katz
    • The One Apart: A Novel by Justine Avery
    • The Selah Branch by Ted Neill   

    2017 Grand Prize Cygnus Winner: 

    The Future’s Dark Past by John Yarrow

     

     

     

    2017 Cygnus Book Awards for Science Fiction First in Category Winners

     

     

    2016 Grand Prize Cygnus Winner:

     

    OVER by Sean Curley

     

    2016 Cygnus Book Awards for Science Fiction First in Category Winners

    2015 Grand Prize Cygnus Winner:

    The Great Symmetry by James Wells

    2015 Cygnus Book Awards for Science Fiction First in Category Winners

    2014 Cygnus Grand Prize Winner:

    Enemy of Existence by Yuan Jur

    Citadel 7, Earth’s Secret: Enemy of Existence by Yuan Jur

    2014 Cygnus Book Awards for Science Fiction First in Category Winners:

    2013 Grand Prize Cygnus Winner:

    Bennett R. Coles, Virtues of War

    2013 First Place Category Winners for the Cygnus Awards are:

    • The Lotus Effect by Bridget Ladd
    • Celia’s Heaven by Nancy Canyon
    • Artemis Rising by Cheri Lasota
    • The Maiden Voyage of the Mary Ann by Linda Reed
    • Ragnarok: Demon Seed by Ea Bishop

         

         

        Don’t delay. Enter today! 

        Chanticleer Book Reviews & Media, L.L.C.  retains the right to not declare “default winners.” Winning works are decided upon merit only. Please visit our Contest Details page for more information about our writing contest guidelines.

        CBR’s rigorous writing competition standards are why literary agencies seek out our winning manuscripts and self-published novels. Our high standards are also why our reviews are trusted among booksellers and book distributors.

        Please do not hesitate to contact Info@ChantiReviews.com about any questions, concerns, or suggestions about the Chanticleer International Book Awards. Your input and suggestions are important to us.

        Click here for more information about the Chanticleer Book Reviews International Book Awards.

      • SHADOW OF THE LAST MEN by J. M. Salyards, a dystopian sci-fi fantasy series

        SHADOW OF THE LAST MEN by J. M. Salyards, a dystopian sci-fi fantasy series

        A futuristic Earth turns into a dystonia. Its inhabitants are a blend of the best and the worst, the good and the evil. Survival is all that matters. Readers of sci-fi and fantasy will will love this apocalyptic, fictional universe.

        A societal hierarchy born out of greed and gluttony created a rift in the world’s population. Two factions emerged: the Outlanders and Order of the Last Men. The Outlanders make up the population’s majority, but they’re oppressed by the wealthy and elite group known as the Order of the Last Men.

        The Outlanders face a constant struggle for survival, while the Order enjoys the privileges of life with little regard for those beneath them. Sitting in the middle of the two factions are the Mystics. The Mystics seek unilateral reconciliation between the two groups in the hopes of a more peaceful world.

        Compelling characters are introduced that embody the tensions of a bitter dichotomous society. Harrow represents the Outlanders. He is a futuristic Robin Hood with little compassion for any particular group of people and a low threshold of tolerance for the Order. Alouine Morningstar is the daughter of the dead Chairman of the Highest Circle; she is nobility within the Order.

        Quintain, the mystic, is fully aware of the struggle between the Order and the Outlanders. He strives to help Harrow and Alouine find common ground against a common enemy, rather than the heritage of one another. Each character creates a connection to readers; seducing them into exploring the dystopian world further.

        As the plot progresses, the narrative dives deeper; transcending beyond a philosophical story about two groups on opposite ends of a societal spectrum. The story surpasses fiction and may be a reflection on modern-day society. We endure class-ism daily, but could the gap become wider? Where is the Quintain in our world to bring people together to eliminate hardship?

        J.M. Salyards writes a thrilling and profound novel that will keep readers hooked until the end. The ensemble of characters build up the tension until you are hanging off a cliff, anxious to read the second volume. Salyards crafts a balanced backdrop that portrays a world as futuristic, yet realistic.

        Shadow of the Last Men is a worthwhile read that holds its own in the sci-fi fantasy genre.