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The Boy on the Blue Mountain: (Book One)
'A magically visual reading experience!' 'This chilling novel took my breath away!' - Anjali Menon, writer-filmmaker of three super hit movies On a strange island called Kuhuma in the sea of Pasifikka, a 13-year-old boy receives a blood-chilling prophecy in his In a hundred days, the earth will crack into 16 subplanets. That very same week, a team of highly-trained assassins arrive to massacre the boy and his family. On this mysterious mountain island then unfolds a gripping drama around the untold darkness of humans that will alter the destiny of mankind. The apocalyptic prophecy comes true. The earth splits up. A new galaxy known as Earthopia is formed, in which humans become an insignificant species and strange, deadly creatures come out of their existential hiding. But so does Theo de Lumen, an unlikely superhero, an immortal phenomenon of light, to lead the remaining humans to truth through the epic battles of their mind. But will they listen to him? Book One of the new cinematic fantasy-thriller novel series, 'Magical Chronicles of Earthopia' from the prize-winning author-screenwriter Joshua Newton.
185 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 28, 2021
2 people are currently reading
8 people want to read
About the author
Joshua Newton
7 books11 followers[ Joshua Newton is a screenwriter and an author based in India. He has received two global awards in magazine writing and photojournalism ]
Happy to connect with you..
I am here to invite you to TheoWorld™, a 'magically thrilling' novel series, to be launched on 1st Jan 2021 on Amazon & Flipkart.
Are you an ex-Potterhead longing for something new? Would you like to enter a fresh fiction arc to binge on? How about a homegrown novel that presents a mytho-cosmology unheard of before?
For the last couple of years, I'd been building up a new world suitable to set a grimdark series that's actually noblebright within :-) It isn't exactly Indian. Well, why can't we produce stories for both Indian and global readers?
TheoWorld™ will be my New Year gift to you 😊 Coming to this series as a screenwriter, I wished to create a 'cinematic reading experience.' But, better you be the judge, not me :-)
1. My previous books: 'The Book of People: Ten Life Tales From India' and 'Soulbiscuits: Tiny Bites For Truthful Living' available on Amazon.
2. My screenplays: 'Ritu' (Malayalam + Telugu) and 'Offseason' (Kerala Cafe). Both were made into films by the national award-winning filmmaker Shyamaprasad in India.
3. A short story of mine, 'Taj Mahal', was published by Rupa Publications in the collection of modern Indian fiction named 'Why We Don't Talk'.
4. I am also a grateful receiver of two global awards in magazine writing and photojournalism. My journalism has appeared in over 60 publications around the world.
5. I live with my partner Bini and our two children Gautam and Daya. Yea, we do miss dogs and will be doing something about it ;-)
Before turning full-time to creative writing, I worked for sixteen years as a journalist. I was the launching features editor of Men's Health (India), UAE Digest (Dubai Media City), a rewrite editor with Business World, and the coordinating editor of New Indian Express (Kerala). Over the two decades, I've written on a wide variety of themes ranging from underworld goons to Indian textiles.
Well, that's the short version :-) But who among us is a CV? Aren't we all more than facts? Feel free to ping, connect, follow, or befriend..
I'll be posting upcoming news & events on my series launch here. Do stay tuned and keep in touch!
Thanks in love!
Happy to connect with you..
I am here to invite you to TheoWorld™, a 'magically thrilling' novel series, to be launched on 1st Jan 2021 on Amazon & Flipkart.
Are you an ex-Potterhead longing for something new? Would you like to enter a fresh fiction arc to binge on? How about a homegrown novel that presents a mytho-cosmology unheard of before?
For the last couple of years, I'd been building up a new world suitable to set a grimdark series that's actually noblebright within :-) It isn't exactly Indian. Well, why can't we produce stories for both Indian and global readers?
TheoWorld™ will be my New Year gift to you 😊 Coming to this series as a screenwriter, I wished to create a 'cinematic reading experience.' But, better you be the judge, not me :-)
1. My previous books: 'The Book of People: Ten Life Tales From India' and 'Soulbiscuits: Tiny Bites For Truthful Living' available on Amazon.
2. My screenplays: 'Ritu' (Malayalam + Telugu) and 'Offseason' (Kerala Cafe). Both were made into films by the national award-winning filmmaker Shyamaprasad in India.
3. A short story of mine, 'Taj Mahal', was published by Rupa Publications in the collection of modern Indian fiction named 'Why We Don't Talk'.
4. I am also a grateful receiver of two global awards in magazine writing and photojournalism. My journalism has appeared in over 60 publications around the world.
5. I live with my partner Bini and our two children Gautam and Daya. Yea, we do miss dogs and will be doing something about it ;-)
Before turning full-time to creative writing, I worked for sixteen years as a journalist. I was the launching features editor of Men's Health (India), UAE Digest (Dubai Media City), a rewrite editor with Business World, and the coordinating editor of New Indian Express (Kerala). Over the two decades, I've written on a wide variety of themes ranging from underworld goons to Indian textiles.
Well, that's the short version :-) But who among us is a CV? Aren't we all more than facts? Feel free to ping, connect, follow, or befriend..
I'll be posting upcoming news & events on my series launch here. Do stay tuned and keep in touch!
Thanks in love!
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
April 18, 2021
The first book of Earthopia talks about the earth and earthlings before the earth imploded. The imploded earth and its residents were transformed for better or worst. This book is like a prequel to the world we will travel to in the books to come.
The introduction is great! It throws the reader into the middle of chaos. It excites and in a way makes us abhor violence (Edward Bond much?). The author creates this tapestry from many cultures in a single story makes the story relatable to all.
Bembe, a mere boy of the Kuhuman island, is the central character dream of a creature. He is subconsciously aware that Chimogo, his best friend is no more, but is hesitant to believe. He visits her house in the hope of discovering something. The concluding paragraphs at the end of each chapter give us a peek into the future.
We are constantly reminded that there are lots of surprises waiting for us!
Zook is an interesting character and so is Bembe. Don is a typical character of his "trade". Kuhumans think they are better than others, but they are drowning in the blood of innocents.
The author's philosophy of life is painted clear in bold shades throughout the story. I like the fact that their God is androgynous and has been shown as an eye. (An all seeing eye, gedddit?)
Beautiful description of the forest, very visual indeed. Many allusions to movies are perceivable in the book. Astral projection, the magic of the forest, all mixed with a very real world.
There are a lot of wise tidbits, that is not preachy. This "wisdom" is inherent and can be read without saying out loud. If you read between the lines it is easy. A thousand things said in few words.
The beauty of the narrative is the mix of alienation and indulgence at the same time. You will walk through terrains unfamiliar and suddenly face an oasis of familiarity. Many things remind me of Roots, Avatar and Hollywood Spanish gangs. It will be a people pleaser without falling into the abyss of pulp fiction.
The land that imploded was full of excitement. Some of the scenes were a bit graphic (ain't for the faint-hearted). I thoroughly enjoyed the story. It has everything from sheer terror, gore, romance, magic, fantasy and intrigue. Those familiar with African stories will relish this one very much.
There is something hauntingly beautiful about the story. The "moral" the author intended is very clear. Nothing is permanent except for change. Happiness is an occasional visitor and sadness is that pesky neighbour who won't keep their nose out of your life.
The story is told in bits and pieces. You discover it as the story moves. There is no time sequence as such. I feel it is mostly in the past. Snatches from the lives of Kuhumans and Don. It is a heady mix.
A novella that plunges you head deep into the world of Earthopia awaits you at the end of the novel. We finally are able to navigate the world of Earthopia before the next book. The art that accompanies each chapter is fabulous! A big shout out to the artist. You will miss out on the next big series if you don't grab a copy soon!
The introduction is great! It throws the reader into the middle of chaos. It excites and in a way makes us abhor violence (Edward Bond much?). The author creates this tapestry from many cultures in a single story makes the story relatable to all.
Bembe, a mere boy of the Kuhuman island, is the central character dream of a creature. He is subconsciously aware that Chimogo, his best friend is no more, but is hesitant to believe. He visits her house in the hope of discovering something. The concluding paragraphs at the end of each chapter give us a peek into the future.
We are constantly reminded that there are lots of surprises waiting for us!
Zook is an interesting character and so is Bembe. Don is a typical character of his "trade". Kuhumans think they are better than others, but they are drowning in the blood of innocents.
The author's philosophy of life is painted clear in bold shades throughout the story. I like the fact that their God is androgynous and has been shown as an eye. (An all seeing eye, gedddit?)
Beautiful description of the forest, very visual indeed. Many allusions to movies are perceivable in the book. Astral projection, the magic of the forest, all mixed with a very real world.
There are a lot of wise tidbits, that is not preachy. This "wisdom" is inherent and can be read without saying out loud. If you read between the lines it is easy. A thousand things said in few words.
The beauty of the narrative is the mix of alienation and indulgence at the same time. You will walk through terrains unfamiliar and suddenly face an oasis of familiarity. Many things remind me of Roots, Avatar and Hollywood Spanish gangs. It will be a people pleaser without falling into the abyss of pulp fiction.
The land that imploded was full of excitement. Some of the scenes were a bit graphic (ain't for the faint-hearted). I thoroughly enjoyed the story. It has everything from sheer terror, gore, romance, magic, fantasy and intrigue. Those familiar with African stories will relish this one very much.
There is something hauntingly beautiful about the story. The "moral" the author intended is very clear. Nothing is permanent except for change. Happiness is an occasional visitor and sadness is that pesky neighbour who won't keep their nose out of your life.
The story is told in bits and pieces. You discover it as the story moves. There is no time sequence as such. I feel it is mostly in the past. Snatches from the lives of Kuhumans and Don. It is a heady mix.
A novella that plunges you head deep into the world of Earthopia awaits you at the end of the novel. We finally are able to navigate the world of Earthopia before the next book. The art that accompanies each chapter is fabulous! A big shout out to the artist. You will miss out on the next big series if you don't grab a copy soon!
May 16, 2021
Some books engross you and make you mad to complete it as soon as possible, and The Boy on the Blue Mountain is, for me, surely one of them.
The story revolves around Bembe, a 13-years-old boy, who knows that his best friend, Chimogo, is no more, but he doesn’t want to believe. He ventures into her house in the hope he’ll get to know something about his friend.
Things are going fine in Kuhuma Island till Don Raul enters the scene. He wants to possess the island so that he can boost his drug trade and other illegal works. Both Mirsakuk and Ajenguva, Bembe’s parents, take a stand that they will not let the Don take this stand; however, some are helping the cruel Don to win Kukuma Island.
The story has many twists and turns. The mythological element in the story is just so fantabulous. The author has smartly interwoven the world of Gods in the story. It seems all real because not all the inhabitants believe in these things.
No doubt, the story is the USP of this book, even though it is told in bits and pieces. At the end, when this world ends, everyone dies. Without revealing much about the story, Don Raul and his team visit the Island to kill Bembe and his family, and he succeeds to a certain level as well.
The characterization is too powerful. Bembe’s character is perfectly written; his family’s characterization is so real that I was able to connect with every family member. Xook is a vital character in the story.
The narrative style is excellent. It is fast-paced and engaging. The writing style is so captivating.
Also, the concluding paragraphs after each chapter provide some wisdom to give and tell us what may happen next. There are enchanting illustrations in the book before the start of each chapter.
Also, I am in love with the cover of this book; it looks so real from the paper quality to the printing style.
The novella added to the book will stimulate you to know the world of Earthopia.
The best part is, this is the first book in the Earthopia series and is a prequel in a way to story.
I couldn’t put this book down…
Eagerly waiting for the next part!!!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED…
The story revolves around Bembe, a 13-years-old boy, who knows that his best friend, Chimogo, is no more, but he doesn’t want to believe. He ventures into her house in the hope he’ll get to know something about his friend.
Things are going fine in Kuhuma Island till Don Raul enters the scene. He wants to possess the island so that he can boost his drug trade and other illegal works. Both Mirsakuk and Ajenguva, Bembe’s parents, take a stand that they will not let the Don take this stand; however, some are helping the cruel Don to win Kukuma Island.
The story has many twists and turns. The mythological element in the story is just so fantabulous. The author has smartly interwoven the world of Gods in the story. It seems all real because not all the inhabitants believe in these things.
No doubt, the story is the USP of this book, even though it is told in bits and pieces. At the end, when this world ends, everyone dies. Without revealing much about the story, Don Raul and his team visit the Island to kill Bembe and his family, and he succeeds to a certain level as well.
The characterization is too powerful. Bembe’s character is perfectly written; his family’s characterization is so real that I was able to connect with every family member. Xook is a vital character in the story.
The narrative style is excellent. It is fast-paced and engaging. The writing style is so captivating.
Also, the concluding paragraphs after each chapter provide some wisdom to give and tell us what may happen next. There are enchanting illustrations in the book before the start of each chapter.
Also, I am in love with the cover of this book; it looks so real from the paper quality to the printing style.
The novella added to the book will stimulate you to know the world of Earthopia.
The best part is, this is the first book in the Earthopia series and is a prequel in a way to story.
I couldn’t put this book down…
Eagerly waiting for the next part!!!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED…
March 22, 2021
A cleverly crafted story with elements of magic, fantasy and a real world riddled with evil and greed. Only a writer with a capacity to evoke visuals can achieve the connection with the readers. Joshua has achieved this without much strain. His experience in script writing will take the readers along and make them see what he wants them to see. The rare thrill of watching an amalgam of Avataar and a Tarantino movie is what the readers would experience. Being the first of its kind in India, the book is sure to go places.
May 9, 2021
This book bravely shatters the good-evil or angels-demons duality, which is prevalent in our common story lines. The result is that by the time we close the book, we will have at least a moment of self reflection.
We need such fresh tales to upend the narratives, that we are used to consuming. It's a good start to a trilogy, yet not too long to finish.
Interesting as well. The suspense motivated me to read last 17 chapters in 1 day. Worth reading.
We need such fresh tales to upend the narratives, that we are used to consuming. It's a good start to a trilogy, yet not too long to finish.
Interesting as well. The suspense motivated me to read last 17 chapters in 1 day. Worth reading.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews