In THE MONARCHS, debut author Mark Sabbas ambitiously blends science fiction, fantasy, and metaphysical themes to craft a coming-of-age tale set in a post-apocalyptic world. The novel follows Samuel Helen, a gifted teenager with psychic abilities, as he navigates a world torn apart by war. At a clandestine government facility, Samuel endures experimentation by scientists seeking to harness his telekinetic powers. He finds solace only in an unlikely friendship with Evelyn, an orphan from a nearby village, and the tutelage of his wise mentor Walter, who introduces him to philosophy and “old world” music.
The fragile peace of Samuel’s cloistered existence shatters when the facility is attacked by the “black robes,” a cult of rogue psychic children. The attack sets off a chain of events that propels Samuel and Evelyn on a perilous odyssey. Guided by mysterious forces, they seek refuge at Sanctuary, a hidden colony of gifted youth. But their respite is shattered by shocking betrayals and the revelation of a military conspiracy exploiting the children’s abilities. As Samuel struggles to master his growing powers and unravel the secrets of his destiny, he must confront his traumatic past, forge alliances, and ultimately embrace his role as a messianic figure fated to usher in a new era for humankind.
Sabbas demonstrates a knack for vivid, unsettling imagery—a shadow speaks in menacing hisses, “soulless vacuums where its eyes should have been”—and brisk pacing that keeps the pages turning. The post-apocalyptic setting is atmospheric and immersive, a grim backdrop for Samuel’s journey of self-discovery. The supporting cast is compelling if not always fully developed, with Walter’s avuncular wisdom and the complex machinations of the shape-shifting Luna leaving the strongest impressions. However, the novel’s ambitious melding of genre tropes sometimes falls short. The shift from gritty sci-fi survivalism to New Age spiritualism in the final act feels abrupt and muddled, with various metaphysical concepts (collective consciousness, karmic rebirth, cosmic ascension) thrown into the mix haphazardly. And while Samuel’s evolution from traumatized test subject to transcendent savior figure is clearly Sabbas’s central concern, the character’s development ultimately seems rushed and unearned.
THE MONARCHS is at its best in its haunting evocations of a shattered world and tender depictions of young people grappling with burgeoning abilities and the weight of unwanted destinies. Sabbas’s reach occasionally exceeds his grasp in terms of harmonizing his various genre elements and philosophical concerns, but for the most part this is an engaging and moving hero’s journey.
Elevated by debut author Mark Sabbas’s infectious passion for music, philosophy, and matters of the spirit, THE MONARCHS delivers an uplifting, vividly imagined tale of human potential and the unifying power of empathy and love.
~Edward Sung for IndieReader