Mark Sabbas

A teenager escapes incarceration and is forced to confront the demons of his past.

The ‘Facility’ is a secure, military base for a group of ‘new youth’ children, born with special abilities. The children, identified by their abnormally large eyes and extraordinary psychic capabilities, are taken from their families and imprisoned against their will. Every Sunday, scientists conduct horrific experiments on the young minds, with the hope of harnessing their telekinetic powers in the future. Seventeen year old Samuel Helen has been incarcerated inside the facility since he was a young boy. But after ten years of pills, injections, and shock therapy, Samuel still cannot control his powers, and neither can his handlers. When prodded hard enough, the monster that lays dormant inside of him awakens. Samuel seeks comfort and solace from his trusted tutor and mentor, Walter, and his girlfriend Evelyn, an orphan from a neighboring village. One day, a group of radicalised psychic children attack the facility and attempt to set free the imprisoned children. Walter is killed and Evelyn’s village is burnt to the ground. Samuel and Evelyn escape into the forest, but when Evelyn is involved in a catastrophic incident and left unconscious, Samuel blames himself. Samuel meets Luna, a psychic with telepathic powers, and they travel through the forest to seek refuge at the Sanctuary, a hidden colony of gifted youth. As Samuel struggles to master his growing powers, he is forced to confront the demons of his own traumatic past.

The Monarchs is an epic, immersive, fantasy fiction novel, by debut author Mark Sabbas. Set in the not too distant future, Sabbas transports readers to a harrowing dystopian world where children are incarcerated to weaponize their telekinetic powers. With a unique blend of science fiction, fantasy and mysticism, Sabbas has created a unique futuristic world, full of action and memorable characters. Social commentary and contemporary references give this magical story an element of realism.

A stand-out debut novel by Mark Sabbas.

Star rating: 5 Stars 

Summary: Beautifully written, with incredible world building and unforgettable characters, this book will appeal to readers of science fiction and fantasy of all ages.