I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the ORIGINS PROGENY by Diana
Fedorak Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!
About The Book:
Author: Diana
Fedorak
Pub. Date: January 20, 2025
Publisher: Wild Rose
Press
Formats: Paperback, eBook
Pages: 402
Find it: Goodreads, https://books2read.com/u/mea6dR
The gripping sequel to Children of Alpheios, Firebird Award
Winner for Speculative Fiction, Science Fiction, and Dystopian.
Alina DeHerte thought she had escaped Alpheios, the genetically engineered city
on planet Eamine. After rescuing her son from its corrupt rulers, she built a
fresh life with a new fiancé in a remote sanctuary. But when word of her
mother's grave illness reaches her, Alina's fragile peace shatters.
Returning to Alpheios means Alina must navigate rising threats in an
unpredictable city. In pursuit of dominance, the city's power brokers are
jeopardizing their citizens' lives. Alina must ally with a man she has long
avoided—a Guardian officer who fathered her son. Both have a shared stake in
the city's uncertain future.
If Alina wants her mother to survive, she must unravel the city's secrets and
grapple with her conflicted past. Deep winter is upon them, and Alpheios is on
the brink of explosive change.
For fans of Divergent and Gattaca
Reviews:
"Merging lively action and
intrepid, engaging characters, Fedorak deftly teases and reveals political,
social, and medical conspiracies that have far-reaching consequences for the
entire planet. With some twists and turns, she creates an authentic world of
near-future science and thought-provoking issues related to designer babies,
corporate accountability, and familial commitment. A provocative
page-turner." — Booklife Editor's Pick
"Libraries seeking epic fantasies that build upon prior books in a solid,
compelling manner will find Origins Progeny a delightfully complex, thoroughly
engrossing acquisition. It should be as highly recommended to sci-fi and
fantasy patrons and book club as Fedorak's prior Children of Alpheios. The
seamless marriage of personal and family connections with social and political
struggle is simply outstanding." —Midwest Book Review, D. Donovan,
Sr. Reviewer
"Cellular-DNA science and aching hearts intertwine in a compelling SF
sequel. ..this is quality SF from a exciting, fresh voice in the genre." —Kirkus
"With its complex relationships, relentless pacing, and heart-wrenching
stakes, this book is an unforgettable journey into the heart of sacrifice,
resilience, and hope. Origins Progeny is a must-read for fans of dystopian
sci-fi and emotionally charged storytelling." —James Davison
for Speak Up Talk Radio
Grab Book 1, Children of Alpheios
here! https://books2read.com/u/bz6MkG
Interview:
For the readers: can
you tell us a little bit about your book and the characters?
Origins Progeny is the second
book in my speculative fiction series, Children
of Alpheios which is about how a society centered around biotechnology
impacts my protagonist, Alina, and her closest relationships. The ideas I
explore include designer babies, artificial reproduction, regenerative
medicine, and directed evolution. I was thrilled that it became an Editors Pick
from the Booklife reviewers at Publishers Weekly.
Alina is an expeditionary explorer, genetically engineered,
with a young son who has a DNA anomaly making him unique. She’d previously fled
the city of Alpheios to keep him safe. In Origins
Progeny, she returns home to her ailing mother and pursues a cure. In
returning, she’s also facing a strained relationship with her mother, as well
as decisions she made previously, regarding her son’s father, Chance. She has
no choice but to team up with him since he’s a Guardian Officer who can assure
her safe passage through the city and facilitate meetings with people who may
be able to help her mother. At this point, she’s also engaged to her fiancé,
Kiean, so a love triangle emerges in the story as a sub-plot.
What are you working
on now?
My final book in the series. It’ll be a trilogy.
Were any of the
characters in the book inspired by people from your real life?
My male characters, Kiean and Chance, are an amalgamation of
coworkers from my previous career in the Air Force. I was used to be
outnumbered as a woman.
Who was your favorite
character to write? What about your least favorite?
The first book was all from Alina’s point-of-view, but in Origins Progeny, I wrote some chapters
from Chance’s point-of-view. While Alina is still the heroine, Chance was fun
to write because previous events left a lasting impact on him, and his
character arc is a question mark for the reader in how he’ll develop. He keeps
me on my toes.
For the least favorite, there’s a Doctor Daxmen in the book,
a mad scientist type, who’s not a very good person.
What is your favorite
passage/scene in your book? There’s a scene where Alina and Chance just
escaped a violent situation and take refuge in his apartment. She’s stuck there
and can’t stand him, so we read about her dealing with it. The last few
paragraphs at the ending are also a favorite, but I won’t spoil it.
What kind of research
did you have to do for the story? I researched stem cell therapy, also
known as regenerative medicine. This involved media articles, videos of genetic
reprogramming, patients undergoing surgery, and scientific research articles. I
wanted to understand how stem cells work, how your body produces them, and the
promise that this therapy can repair damaged or diseased tissue.
I was listening to a
podcast with a regenerative medicine doctor who described advancements in this
type of medicine, and how rich people were flying out to the UAE where they
could undergo this therapy to stave off the effects of aging. I knew I had to
include this in my story since most of us do not have access to that kind of
medicine. I discovered stem cells are difficult to produce on a mass scale. You
usually have to use your own body’s stem cells for the treatment.
Recently, the news reported the UAE opened a stem cell
research center of excellence that hopes to be the global leader in
regenerative medicine. There’s definitely promise here in curing disease, but I
also look at people using it to live longer in Origins Progeny.
Lightning Round
Questions
What are you reading right now? Or what do you have on your TBR that
you’re dying to read? I read House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J
Maas last year. I really loved its cover from its B&N exclusive edition. It
was funny because I bought it right before a trip, and the flight attendant
stopped by to chat about it. I should have bought its sequel, House of Sky
and Breath at the same time because by the time I was ready to read it,
they were mostly sold out. I just found the right edition, and it’s next on my TBR.
Favorite social media site? Instagram. I like the aesthetic, and
it’s more relaxing than other sites.
Favorite Superhero or Villain? I grew up with Lynda Carter twirling
in my living room. Definitely Wonder Woman.
Favorite TV show? I just finished watching Silo, season 2 on Apple
TV. It was terrific.
Sweet or Salty? Sweet. Preferably, chocolate.
Any Phobias? No skydiving. I won’t jump out of perfectly good
aircraft.
Song you can’t get enough of right now? Guilty as Sin by Taylor Swift. I’m a Swiftie.
2025 Movie you’re most looking forward to? Dune 3, but I hear
that’s not out until 2026. I have eclectic tastes; so it’s Bridget Jones-I’m
Mad About the Boy this year. I loved the original book!
Do you play video games? If so what are some of your favorites? Not
lately, but I crushed Donkey Kong as a kid.
About Diana Fedorak:
Diana
Fedorak is a speculative fiction writer from Las Vegas, Nevada. Born in Saigon,
South Vietnam, she grew up in a Pan Am Airways family who frequently traveled
overseas. Her prior career was serving as an officer in the United States Air
Force. She enjoys writing complex characters in high-stakes science fiction and
fantasy worlds.
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Giveaway Details:
1 winner
will receive a $10 Amazon Gift Card, International.
Ends April 8th, midnight EST.
a Rafflecopter giveawayTour Schedule:
Week One:
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3/24/2025 |
Interview/IG Post |
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3/25/2025 |
Excerpt |
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3/26/2025 |
Scenes From Another Character's POV/IG Post |
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3/27/2025 |
Top 5 Favorite Books/IG Post |
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3/28/2025 |
Excerpt/IG Post |
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3/31/2025 |
IG Post |
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4/1/2025 |
IG Post |
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4/2/2025 |
Review/IG Post |
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4/3/2025 |
IG Review/TikTok Post |
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4/4/2025 |
Review/IG Post |
