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Akil Smith was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, and has lived in various different cities, from Frankfurt, Germany, to Montréal, Canada. He grew up in a geek-filled family of comic book and sci-fi fans. Growing up, he watched and read anime and manga, had a passion for art and poetry, and took up both expressive forms. What began his writing career was the support of his parents, the push coming from his mother. From time to time, he would tell her about his dreams of the characters and events he would see. Shewould tell him to write them down so that he wouldn’t forget. Those tales are being told now. Alam Beginnings is the first of many. To stay in touch with Akil you can follow him on Instagram @ao.smithofficial and YouTube as “That Writer Akil.”
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
ALAM Beginnings is a work of fiction penned by author Akil O. Smith in the science fiction, adventure, and interpersonal drama subgenres. It is intended for the young adult reading audience and contains some moderate violence and strong language. Readers are introduced to a harrowing galactic war between the Zorians and the Rigions in the Andromeda galaxy. Amidst this conflict, the birth of the 'Alam,' a supposed great being, sparks a hunt by the Rigions, who seek to enlist the child to their side. Tiyshio and Shawn, two alien refugees on Earth, find themselves entangled in the war's repercussions, facing loss, betrayal, and the unraveling of dark secrets.
Author Akil O. Smith has crafted a riveting journey into a complex world of intergalactic conflict and personal turmoil that offers a great balance of elements of war, betrayal, and friendship. The characters of Shawn and Tiyshio, each grappling with their own demons and motivations, have a core power that drives the emotional resonance of the story forward. As their paths diverge and secrets unravel, the tension mounts, leaving readers eager to uncover the truth alongside them. This is helped hugely by the close narrative techniques and strong speech and thought presentation that puts us right on their shoulders as the action and emotion spill out. Smith's vivid storytelling and intricate world-building drew me in chapter after chapter, and I loved the way that the atmospheric lexis of the work reflected the mood and intention of each scene so well. Overall, ALAM Beginnings is a highly recommended read for fans of YA science fiction and will suit any reader seeking a diverse new cast of characters for a thrilling and thought-provoking adventure read.
