Vermilion Flames

Midnight War, Book I

By: Adam Fernandez

Narrated by: Eden Gabay

In the pursuit of progress, how much of your soul are you willing to sacrifice?

In the shadow of a ruined Earth, the Republic and its church claim to offer safety and security while burning ideas and people alike. No moon or planet is free of flames and bloodshed, even as the rebel organization, the Vermilion Coalition, seeks to dismantle the Republic’s oppressive regime.

On a terraformed Mercury, Kaya al Vardan hopes to find the truth behind her mother’s murder; a difficult task when everyone insists it was a tragic accident. When Kaya’s adventurous spirit leads her into the forbidden Great Desert, she’s sent to the Republic’s capital on Mars to study under the watchful eye of the all-powerful church she despises. There she unravels mysteries about her mother’s life and faces a choice: fall in line or risk everything to take up her mother’s mantle.

Silas Beckett, High Commander of the Pandora Fleet and hero of the Republic, can feel his time running out. Fighting terrorists has been his life’s mission, but his nemesis Hex—leader of the Vermilion Coalition—still eludes him. As his failures mount and his allies abandon him, he has few chances left to bring Hex to justice. Can Silas secure peace for his family and for the entire solar system?

Vermilion Flames is the first book in the Midnight War series, an action-filled epic set long after the destruction of Earth.

©2024 Adam Fernandez (P)2024 Adam Fernandez

A Great Book

The story in this book is spectacular with depth and filled with thoughtful characters. The author shows a strong philosophical connection.

I need book 2!

I listened to the audiobook version and let me just start by saying it's one of the best I've heard. The different character voices, relaying the emotion of scenes, and the immersive audio effects were top notch!
As for the story, wow. A unique set of characters that clearly had their own motivations and outlooks on life. Each plot point felt earned and the conclusion has you on the edge of your seat. The writing style was also very pleasant with consistent peppering of phrases that made me pause and smile at how at how creative they were.

Overall, a must read first entry for any lover of sci-fi and good stories in general. A part of me wanted to geek out more on the science of things, but the soft sci-fi setting complimented the narrative nicely.