L. S. SHERWOOD
STORIES
Writer's Message
The writing of Children of Syn was originally inspired by Homer’s world-hopping ‘Odyssey’ – assuming Odysseus were a 10-year-old girl in space, fighting for the future survival of humankind.
It’s a story that concerns ordinary people placed into absurd life conditions, all within the context of a larger idiosyncratic universe. In this case, as seen through the eyes of Children, who are rarely given credit for their cleverness, resilience and adaptability.
My true goal was to create Science Fantasy for smart and curious young people, that depicts personal relationships alongside larger human issues… all infused with a sense of humor.
During the writing process, I admit to feeling perpetually challenged, which made me happy. I hope that the joy experienced in composing these words will be shared by those who read it, whether they are young or just trying to stay that way.
L. S. SHERWOOD
Books
| A Scattered Light Trilogy |
Ravn is a 10-year-old Child of Luna…
One of only a few original children created after the Collapse of Earth and Scattering of humanity throughout the solar system.
Although training since birth, she is surprised to be Selected with 24 other Children as potential Stewards to oversee the human evolution on one of the 5 APAPTists Colonies.
Along with Phenix, her eccentric Syn, she is thrust into a series of dangerous trials that will test her ability to adapt to alien environments alongside diverse New Humans, themselves genetically modified to survive on their worlds.
Her odyssey takes her to Ceres, Ganymede, Enceladus, Oberon and finally Mars, a journey that will drive her own evolution and force her to confront the adults seeking to control her.
All the while, a hidden Plan unfolds with herself at the center. One that promises to guide the future direction of Humankind and question what it truly means to be human.
Ravn is a Child of Luna…
One of only a few Original Human Children created after the Collapse of Earth and the scattering of humanity throughout the solar system. Despite being quite ordinary, she is selected as a potential Steward to oversee New Human evolution on the 5 ADAPTist Colonies. Although trained since birth by the Teachers, Ravn believes her success can be attributed to the famous Isabel Arcady, the Steward Prime of all the Colonies. And the mother she has never met.
Along with Phenix, her illegal Syn, she is thrust into space to complete a series of dangerous trials. Each Colony tests her ability to adapt to alien environments along with the diverse New Humans genetically modified for their worlds. It is an adventure not all the Children are expected to survive.
Ravn first travels to the Colony of Ceres, a frozen planetoid in the Belt. Here, the gravity is so minimal that the New Humans stay forever attached to the ground, while simultaneously avoiding eruptions from below and asteroids from above. Ravn and her friends must play a dangerous Game to determine who among them best understands what it is to be Cerean.
And meanwhile, a hidden Plan unfolds with herself at the center. One that promises to guide the future direction of humankind – and question what it truly means to be human.
-The First Book in the exciting new Trilogy about the future of humanity, and the young girl who is destined to write its next chapter-
Ravn’s Odyssey continues…
When she is rudely kidnapped on the harsh Colony of Ganymede. Trapped on a world where stealing is commerce, Ravn and Phenix must escape the ever watchful New Humans and save her friends from harm – putting her own life at risk. And while one boy is set to become Steward with the help of the Teachers, another attempts to steal the job.
Her ensuing trip to Enceladus begins with a turbulent dive to reach the living oceans beneath. The Children meet the New Human Naiads, who live playfully in the watery flow that bring them life. But it is the tiny Archaics, the only non-terrestrial lifeform ever discovered, whom they must learn to trust if they are to survive the Naiads instinctual race against the current.
The distant moon of Oberon is the next stop for the Children that remain. Here, they embark on a desperate search through vine-covered caverns to find a lost Steward. The hermit-like Oberonians value silence as much as isolation, and the deeper Ravn travels, the more hostile they become. But finding the missing Steward proves to be only the first step in solving an even greater mystery.
All along the way, Ravn’s connection with Phenix becomes stronger, as does her extraordinary abilities. And with newfound clarity, Ravn begins to unravel one of Isabel’s greatest secrets.
-The Second Book in the exciting new Trilogy about the future of humanity, and the young girl who is destined to write its next chapter-
Ravn’s epic journey ends…
On Mars, the 900-year-old Colony that is home to her mother, Isabel Arcady. The New Humans here live in deep, city-sized fissures called Burrows. A fiercely communal People, they are sheathed in the same minerals as the rock that surrounds them – ever enduring under the protection of their omnipotent Queens.
As their gifts become more pronounced, Ravn and Phenix enjoy great success. But after easily winning the first task, their illegal bond is suspected, and Ravn must remember how to survive without her Syn. Fortunately, she befriends a New Human Youngster, radically different from herself, but alike in so many ways. Together, they must overcome the difficult changes necessary to evolve.
Ravn’s time on Mars ends with a brutal challenge. Along with her friends, she joins in a manic convergence of 48 aspiring Queens, all fighting to open a new Burrow. And while Ravn discovers what is necessary for the survival of a species, she also learns a personal lesson in Sacrifice. One that takes a heavy toll on herself and those she cares about most.
In the end, Ravn must either be Selected or shipped back to Luna, an epic failure. Perhaps more importantly, the secret of Isabel’s Plan for the future direction of human evolution – and her own part in it – is finally revealed.
-The Third Book in the exciting new Trilogy about the future of humanity, and the young girl who is destined to write its next chapter-
Contact
Mail me
stories@lssherwood.com
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