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The Malignancy
300 pages, Paperback
Published May 26, 2024
2 people are currently reading
9 people want to read
About the author
Liam Wilson
1 book6 followersI grew up in Edmonton, Alberta and I live with two loving parents and a sister. I have two dogs, Lucky and Suzy, but they are getting kind of old now. Lucky is fairly obese, but we have her on a diet so she doesn't just collapse from gluttony one day. Fatally, that is. A fatal collapse. She already does tend to just topple over from time to time, but I think she is still alive. As of this writing, anyway. Sheesh.
I enjoy cooking, but I just follow recipes. I don't really have the skill to invent anything on my own. I don't really have a lot of skills, in general. I'm not really that smart. Maybe average. I do get decent grades though. High 80s and low to mid 90s across the board. Regardless, my practical knowledge of certain things is low. Street smarts are lacking, and although I do have a generally blue-collar working family, those skills did not pass to me. I won't be doing a trade. What's more, I am not very athletic, but unlike Lucky, I am not fat. I suppose if I keep eating for pleasure I'll eventually gain weight and have a massive heart attack. I don't really care, to be honest; I like to eat good food. Maybe I'll shake up my diet a bit though. I love salads and chicken and all sorts of healthy things. It's hard sometimes, you know?
I have lots of allergies, but I won't share them here in case someone tries to assassinate me one day. Can't make it too easy for them, eh?
What else? Oh! Well, I do like to go skiing. I love the mountains and the fresh air. I don't know if I could live in a big city. It would be too suffocating. Edmonton is a big city, I guess, but I live in the suburbs so it's not the same thing. And when I mean big city I mean New York or Toronto. I feel like it would just be so lonely and cold. Maybe I'll write something about that. Lots of people have covered loneliness already, but I'm sure I could add my own spin.
I do have Tourettes syndrome, which means that I have unsteady hands and restless legs. It also means that at the end of every day I kneel down in my washroom and let out all the tics which I had been holding in throughout the day. Tensing my arms, making sounds, but most importantly I imagine things. I don't know how to explain it...it's like dreams or movies. I'm fully conscious and can stop ticking at any time. I am very fortunate that I have that ability. But when I do finally tic, it's kind of cool actually, because of what I see. My imagination runs rampant. And those sounds I make are the action-packed sequences and I tense up my muscles in excitement. It's just the most bizarre, indescribable thing. Yet at last, I was able to articulate one of these so-called movies into written form. So when the psychiatrists ask what I see when I say that I see movies, I can now just hand them a copy of The Malignancy. It's a very satisfying new state of affairs, if I do say so myself. Now, don't get me wrong. The vast majority of the book, the small details, were written as I went. I had plenty of writers block at various points. Yet, the broad strokes of the plot was always there in my mind. It was very frustrating being unable to just get it down on paper. It took over a year and a half.
I enjoy cooking, but I just follow recipes. I don't really have the skill to invent anything on my own. I don't really have a lot of skills, in general. I'm not really that smart. Maybe average. I do get decent grades though. High 80s and low to mid 90s across the board. Regardless, my practical knowledge of certain things is low. Street smarts are lacking, and although I do have a generally blue-collar working family, those skills did not pass to me. I won't be doing a trade. What's more, I am not very athletic, but unlike Lucky, I am not fat. I suppose if I keep eating for pleasure I'll eventually gain weight and have a massive heart attack. I don't really care, to be honest; I like to eat good food. Maybe I'll shake up my diet a bit though. I love salads and chicken and all sorts of healthy things. It's hard sometimes, you know?
I have lots of allergies, but I won't share them here in case someone tries to assassinate me one day. Can't make it too easy for them, eh?
What else? Oh! Well, I do like to go skiing. I love the mountains and the fresh air. I don't know if I could live in a big city. It would be too suffocating. Edmonton is a big city, I guess, but I live in the suburbs so it's not the same thing. And when I mean big city I mean New York or Toronto. I feel like it would just be so lonely and cold. Maybe I'll write something about that. Lots of people have covered loneliness already, but I'm sure I could add my own spin.
I do have Tourettes syndrome, which means that I have unsteady hands and restless legs. It also means that at the end of every day I kneel down in my washroom and let out all the tics which I had been holding in throughout the day. Tensing my arms, making sounds, but most importantly I imagine things. I don't know how to explain it...it's like dreams or movies. I'm fully conscious and can stop ticking at any time. I am very fortunate that I have that ability. But when I do finally tic, it's kind of cool actually, because of what I see. My imagination runs rampant. And those sounds I make are the action-packed sequences and I tense up my muscles in excitement. It's just the most bizarre, indescribable thing. Yet at last, I was able to articulate one of these so-called movies into written form. So when the psychiatrists ask what I see when I say that I see movies, I can now just hand them a copy of The Malignancy. It's a very satisfying new state of affairs, if I do say so myself. Now, don't get me wrong. The vast majority of the book, the small details, were written as I went. I had plenty of writers block at various points. Yet, the broad strokes of the plot was always there in my mind. It was very frustrating being unable to just get it down on paper. It took over a year and a half.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 8, 2024
Before I start my review, I just wanted to give a HUGEEEE shoutout to this author! Thank you so much, Liam, for reaching out to me and providing me a copy of this great debut book! Well done! 👏
The beginning of the book starts with a young man being taken from his home and transported to an unknown location.
Despite the endless scenarios running through Ashton’s head, he would’ve never imagined that he’d be told that he was taken to be trained and sent into a different time period. Time travel simply isn’t possible - or is it?
The reason that Ashton, a seemingly normal teenage boy, was chosen to take part in the journey is because his genetic makeup has something that could possibly cure a disease that has been spreading throughout the team due to traveling through time.
Ashton’s journey is full of challenges, loss, and grief, but also a little bit of loveeee sprinkled in!
The descriptions of not only the places the characters are seeing, but of the characters themselves was FANTASTIC! I truly felt like I was right there with Ashton, rooting him on from the jump. And I related hardcore to him when, after everything he went through, he sat down and watched Seinfeld. Absolutely love it.
Such a great, fast-paced book about time travel, growth, and navigating the challenges that are brought forth. 👏 I would have never guessed this was written by a 17 year old.
This will definitely be one I purchase as a physical copy to keep on my shelf as a trophy!
The beginning of the book starts with a young man being taken from his home and transported to an unknown location.
Despite the endless scenarios running through Ashton’s head, he would’ve never imagined that he’d be told that he was taken to be trained and sent into a different time period. Time travel simply isn’t possible - or is it?
The reason that Ashton, a seemingly normal teenage boy, was chosen to take part in the journey is because his genetic makeup has something that could possibly cure a disease that has been spreading throughout the team due to traveling through time.
Ashton’s journey is full of challenges, loss, and grief, but also a little bit of loveeee sprinkled in!
The descriptions of not only the places the characters are seeing, but of the characters themselves was FANTASTIC! I truly felt like I was right there with Ashton, rooting him on from the jump. And I related hardcore to him when, after everything he went through, he sat down and watched Seinfeld. Absolutely love it.
Such a great, fast-paced book about time travel, growth, and navigating the challenges that are brought forth. 👏 I would have never guessed this was written by a 17 year old.
This will definitely be one I purchase as a physical copy to keep on my shelf as a trophy!
October 8, 2024
My first read in September was an YA sci-fi novel, The Malignancy by Liam Wilson.
First off, the author is 17! Well done!
WHAT THIS STORY IS ABOUT
Teenager Ashton is kidnapped by eccentric billionaire Matthias Mattheson, who’s obsessed with the Roman Empire and ancient Antioch.
He takes Ashton to Turkey, where he’s built a time machine.
His team has already traveled to second-century Antioch multiple times.
The only problem is that they’ve all developed a fatal disease, but believe Ashton’s unique genetic traits could hold the key to their survival.
Ashton ends up enslaved, all alone in a foreign country, two thousand years before he was born.
He tries to escape his barbaric captors, and along the way, makes friends, enemies, and even falls in love.
✨✨✨
I enjoyed how action-packed this novel is. While reading it, we should look deeper, between the lines, because I feel there is much more to the story than what’s written on the surface.
I also love the author’s take on time travel and how young the protagonist is. I mean, he’s like me at 17! I had a legacy knife back then, btw.
I love the Roman Empire, the idea of nightmares/hallucinations being connected with alternate realities, and questioning the main character’s sanity.
And, of course, I’m a fan of the thought-provoking theme of altering the past and waking up in a reality that’s not quite the one you remember.
First off, the author is 17! Well done!
WHAT THIS STORY IS ABOUT
Teenager Ashton is kidnapped by eccentric billionaire Matthias Mattheson, who’s obsessed with the Roman Empire and ancient Antioch.
He takes Ashton to Turkey, where he’s built a time machine.
His team has already traveled to second-century Antioch multiple times.
The only problem is that they’ve all developed a fatal disease, but believe Ashton’s unique genetic traits could hold the key to their survival.
Ashton ends up enslaved, all alone in a foreign country, two thousand years before he was born.
He tries to escape his barbaric captors, and along the way, makes friends, enemies, and even falls in love.
✨✨✨
I enjoyed how action-packed this novel is. While reading it, we should look deeper, between the lines, because I feel there is much more to the story than what’s written on the surface.
I also love the author’s take on time travel and how young the protagonist is. I mean, he’s like me at 17! I had a legacy knife back then, btw.
I love the Roman Empire, the idea of nightmares/hallucinations being connected with alternate realities, and questioning the main character’s sanity.
And, of course, I’m a fan of the thought-provoking theme of altering the past and waking up in a reality that’s not quite the one you remember.
August 6, 2024
This was a well written book with an exceptional storyline which kept me reading and entertained . I am a casual reader and this book was recommended to me to read this summer when I was on the beach on a holiday . I liked the historical references which were well researched for the time frame . This book has time travel and a lot interesting angles as the book does look into the characters past which is in the future as he has travelled to the past and so on and so forth . I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a nice easy read with a good storyline . It was a nice change from the corporate censored books which are mass produced now a days .
July 1, 2024
Rating: 4/5
I received this book for my honest opinion.
I have to say for this being the author's debut book and writing at a young age, I think he did a really great job.
This book is about a young man named Ashton, who is kidnapped by a billionaire named Matthias Mattheson, who has built a Time Machine that will go back to the Roman era. He has found that certain people with a gene can withstand the time traveling and with the help of Ashton he is hoping that he will be able to adventure there again and again. However, when Ashton’s and a group of three others travels back everything horrible that could happen does. Two of his travel partners are killed, and himself and one other are sold as slaves. Ashton will have to learn how to navigate life as a slave, then learn how to live once he is freed, and still holding on to the hope that he can find his other mate that was sold so they can go back to their lives.
I am a huge nerd when it comes to learning about anything about this time period. So when I was asked to read this book, of course I jumped to do so. I liked that this author used facts of things that did really happen and showed the readers what it was like living in that time period the best that we can know. I also enjoyed that even though this author used important facts and information from this era he still was able to change it here and there and make it his own. I can’t say that there weren't any flaws in this book, there were a few. At times I felt that the book was going in a different direction or that it was a little bit all over the place, but other than that his writing style was easy to read and understand. I felt that the pace of this book was just right because he was trying to get the readers to understand what the characters were feeling and to understand them a little more. The world building was great. I do wish that we could have gotten a little more but once again with this being his debut book I think it was well done and I can not wait to see what else this author will give us.
I thought the character Ashton did a lot of growing up while he was in Rome and that he had to grow up really fast. I liked that we got to see how his life was when he was able to come back and to see him changing his old ways.
If you want a book that has action, life lessons, learning to forgive and move one, understanding and coming into oneself, you read about hardships and overcoming them.
I want to thank Liam Wilson for the opportunity to review this book.
I received this book for my honest opinion.
I have to say for this being the author's debut book and writing at a young age, I think he did a really great job.
This book is about a young man named Ashton, who is kidnapped by a billionaire named Matthias Mattheson, who has built a Time Machine that will go back to the Roman era. He has found that certain people with a gene can withstand the time traveling and with the help of Ashton he is hoping that he will be able to adventure there again and again. However, when Ashton’s and a group of three others travels back everything horrible that could happen does. Two of his travel partners are killed, and himself and one other are sold as slaves. Ashton will have to learn how to navigate life as a slave, then learn how to live once he is freed, and still holding on to the hope that he can find his other mate that was sold so they can go back to their lives.
I am a huge nerd when it comes to learning about anything about this time period. So when I was asked to read this book, of course I jumped to do so. I liked that this author used facts of things that did really happen and showed the readers what it was like living in that time period the best that we can know. I also enjoyed that even though this author used important facts and information from this era he still was able to change it here and there and make it his own. I can’t say that there weren't any flaws in this book, there were a few. At times I felt that the book was going in a different direction or that it was a little bit all over the place, but other than that his writing style was easy to read and understand. I felt that the pace of this book was just right because he was trying to get the readers to understand what the characters were feeling and to understand them a little more. The world building was great. I do wish that we could have gotten a little more but once again with this being his debut book I think it was well done and I can not wait to see what else this author will give us.
I thought the character Ashton did a lot of growing up while he was in Rome and that he had to grow up really fast. I liked that we got to see how his life was when he was able to come back and to see him changing his old ways.
If you want a book that has action, life lessons, learning to forgive and move one, understanding and coming into oneself, you read about hardships and overcoming them.
I want to thank Liam Wilson for the opportunity to review this book.
April 21, 2025
I have to start by mentioning that the author wrote this book when he was 17 which is amazing!
And for a debut novel written at such a young age, this book was really good and I had a great time reading it.
This book follows 17 year-old Ashton, who gets kidnapped out of the blue and taken to a billionaire and his team of scientists, who have supposedly figured out how to travel to the past. Getting used as a test subject, Ashton is transported to 115 AD, to the city of Antioch. But things don't go exactly to plan, and when Ashton gets separated from his team and taken as a slave, he ends up spending a lot more time in the past than was planned. And so begins Ashton's journey to try find a way back home, but also of making new friends and experiencing new things, and even finding love.
I loved the way the author wrote descriptions and built the world in which the story is set - it was really fun to read and I think a history lover, especially someone fascinated in the Roman Empire, will really enjoy the setting. For the most part, the story was fast paced and filled with action, so it rarely got boring to read and Ashton's adventures were engaging the whole way through.
At the start, I didn't feel like Ashton was a very developed character, but this improved in the end as Ashton processed a personal tragedy he was going through as well as his current time travelling experience, and this made him have more depth emotionally.
While you can enjoy this story as an action-adventure about time travelling into ancient times, I realised at the end that there are some darker and serious themes that were tied in, which honestly just made the book even better.
There is some coarse language and themes, so I wouldn't recommend this book for someone under 16-17, but I think people that are mature enough will really enjoy this book, especially if they like stories of time travel and ancient history.
And for a debut novel written at such a young age, this book was really good and I had a great time reading it.
This book follows 17 year-old Ashton, who gets kidnapped out of the blue and taken to a billionaire and his team of scientists, who have supposedly figured out how to travel to the past. Getting used as a test subject, Ashton is transported to 115 AD, to the city of Antioch. But things don't go exactly to plan, and when Ashton gets separated from his team and taken as a slave, he ends up spending a lot more time in the past than was planned. And so begins Ashton's journey to try find a way back home, but also of making new friends and experiencing new things, and even finding love.
I loved the way the author wrote descriptions and built the world in which the story is set - it was really fun to read and I think a history lover, especially someone fascinated in the Roman Empire, will really enjoy the setting. For the most part, the story was fast paced and filled with action, so it rarely got boring to read and Ashton's adventures were engaging the whole way through.
At the start, I didn't feel like Ashton was a very developed character, but this improved in the end as Ashton processed a personal tragedy he was going through as well as his current time travelling experience, and this made him have more depth emotionally.
While you can enjoy this story as an action-adventure about time travelling into ancient times, I realised at the end that there are some darker and serious themes that were tied in, which honestly just made the book even better.
There is some coarse language and themes, so I wouldn't recommend this book for someone under 16-17, but I think people that are mature enough will really enjoy this book, especially if they like stories of time travel and ancient history.
March 1, 2025
I feel thoroughly satisfied after finishing this book. It was easy to read and a very quick read, engaging, interesting, and most of all it felt realistic.
The Malignancy is the debut novel of a seventeen-year-old and all things considered, it’s really good. There are quite a few formatting issues and grammatical mishaps, a couple inconsistencies, but for a first book and a self-published one that’s to be expected. If you set aside those few minor issues, it is a really good read and a very interesting story.
The writing style is a little unconventional. It feels much more conversational that most books I’ve read, less like you’re reading a novel and more like someone is standing in front of you and telling you a story of something from their life. The result of this is that there is less detailed description of what the main character, Ashton, is seeing, less of the “show don’t tell” rule, but on the flip side the character and personality and emotions of the main character are portrayed EXCEPTIONALLY well. Ashton’s voice comes through so authentically. I mean, he literally sounds exactly like the seventeen-year-old Albertan boys I have interacted with in real life. And his emotions, his change and growth over the story, the ups and downs of his personal journey all feel incredibly real.
The setting in ancient Antioch is also very well research and presented in a both historically accurate and more importantly authentic way, as Wilson discusses in his author’s note.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I found it incredibly interesting, real, emotional, and engaging. I want to read more from this author and follow along as his writing gets better.
Content warning: the book does deal with some pretty tough subjects, including death, suicide, and sexual assault.
The Malignancy is the debut novel of a seventeen-year-old and all things considered, it’s really good. There are quite a few formatting issues and grammatical mishaps, a couple inconsistencies, but for a first book and a self-published one that’s to be expected. If you set aside those few minor issues, it is a really good read and a very interesting story.
The writing style is a little unconventional. It feels much more conversational that most books I’ve read, less like you’re reading a novel and more like someone is standing in front of you and telling you a story of something from their life. The result of this is that there is less detailed description of what the main character, Ashton, is seeing, less of the “show don’t tell” rule, but on the flip side the character and personality and emotions of the main character are portrayed EXCEPTIONALLY well. Ashton’s voice comes through so authentically. I mean, he literally sounds exactly like the seventeen-year-old Albertan boys I have interacted with in real life. And his emotions, his change and growth over the story, the ups and downs of his personal journey all feel incredibly real.
The setting in ancient Antioch is also very well research and presented in a both historically accurate and more importantly authentic way, as Wilson discusses in his author’s note.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I found it incredibly interesting, real, emotional, and engaging. I want to read more from this author and follow along as his writing gets better.
Content warning: the book does deal with some pretty tough subjects, including death, suicide, and sexual assault.
August 21, 2024
The plot is incredible and would definitely recommend for readers who enjoy historical fiction. There were a few places in the story that were confusing (more so in the first few chapters) however once you get past them the storyline is very good. There are spelling mistakes and grammatical errors which could be fixed with another round of editing however the writing style definitely gets better as the story continues. I feel as a teen author’s debut novel this is a great start and I am sure the author will go on to write books that are even better.
August 24, 2024
the malignancy follows a 17 year old troubled boy, Ashton, through his adventures in ancient Rome after being kidnapped from his bedroom by an underground, illegal scientist.
Ashton has to work through grief, hardship, and find a way to get back home to his family in 2023. he learns to love and to fight, while still holding onto the idea of going home again.
considering this was written by a 17 year old, this was a good book! it was imaginative & action packed all the way to the end!
Ashton has to work through grief, hardship, and find a way to get back home to his family in 2023. he learns to love and to fight, while still holding onto the idea of going home again.
considering this was written by a 17 year old, this was a good book! it was imaginative & action packed all the way to the end!
December 28, 2024
This is an interesting adventure and Ashton is a troubled character who doesn't seem to have much look on his side!! It's a suspenseful adventure story with a mix of history, sci-fi and dark themes within. Keeps you on your toes and has you questioning who can/can't be trusted. I was glad when Ashton finally reached a point where he could be free, however, this is likely to be a physical freedom with the events remaining on his mind for some time to come!!
August 17, 2024
This was a great debut. I appreciate Liam for reaching out for starters! This book was fun and I liked the variety from my usual books. I also love any talk of / reference to time travel in books as well!
October 20, 2024
Great work! I picked up this book at a signing, and love the commitment to self promotion. Stay bold, hone your craft, and seek challenges. I sense the makings of a great author here, and will be keeping an eye out for the next book.
November 25, 2024
˗ˏˋ3.25 ★ ˎˊ˗
The book has a good premise and I like the time travelling concept of it but I personally find the story flow wasn't smooth.
The book has a good premise and I like the time travelling concept of it but I personally find the story flow wasn't smooth.
July 1, 2025
I had a lot of fun reading this book! It was very entertaining, and there were some moments that really had me on the edge of my seat, especially when the group gets kidnapped. I actually gasped out loud at that part! The beginning felt a little rushed, so it took me a minute to fully get into it, but once I was in, it just got better and better.
I loved getting to know the people Ashton meets after time traveling, he offered a cool and different perspective, since he was an outsider who only knew about these things through history books. The parts about slavery were craaazy, but in a good way—I couldn’t put the book down because I was so invested in finding out if their plan would work!
Props for including a lot of details, you can tell the author did his research to make it feel real. Honestly, for a debut novel, especially from a young author, this was fantastic! I’m really hoping for a second book because when I finished reading it I couldn't help but wonder where Ashton would travel next.
I loved getting to know the people Ashton meets after time traveling, he offered a cool and different perspective, since he was an outsider who only knew about these things through history books. The parts about slavery were craaazy, but in a good way—I couldn’t put the book down because I was so invested in finding out if their plan would work!
Props for including a lot of details, you can tell the author did his research to make it feel real. Honestly, for a debut novel, especially from a young author, this was fantastic! I’m really hoping for a second book because when I finished reading it I couldn't help but wonder where Ashton would travel next.
December 3, 2024
The writing style sometimes is all over the place. There are parts that are very well written and then there are parts that look are a bit all over the place. Keep in mind this author is just 17 and this is his debut. Overall I really enjoyed the story itself. With some learning and maybe some more experience or a good editor, I think this young author can make it far as a writer.
September 13, 2024
Great sci-fi debut
Action-packed and thought-provoking novel. I love the high stakes, the nighmares and hallucinations, connected with alternate realities, and Roman Empire, of course. Congrats to the author!
Action-packed and thought-provoking novel. I love the high stakes, the nighmares and hallucinations, connected with alternate realities, and Roman Empire, of course. Congrats to the author!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews