Utterly immersive and unforgivably addictive
Months after enduring a heartbreaking loss, an emotionally taxed and recently widowed father agrees to take his gifted 14-year-old son on a vacation to tour ERE IMMENSUS. Though Brian’s father can scarcely afford the out-of-state trip, visiting the beloved company known for its revolutionary nuclear fusion propulsion system and subsequent space missions might be the only way to help the bereft teen regain his spark. And once company founder Killian Wells makes a personal introduction, Brian’s spark is indeed reignited. Killian is an American icon, a man dedicated to science, exploration, his company, and his family. Immediately, as though destiny had sent the boy, Killian recognizes something special in Brian, even if it’s buried under layers of grief. So after some persuasion, Brian’s father agrees to uproot from Chicago and relocate to the Austin-based ERE IMMENSUS. There, Brian will be educated with a few other bright teens, including Wells’ remarkable daughter, Electra. The opportunity is incredible, even unprecedented, but there is a problem. Once a media darling and object of public adoration, Killian’s company has pinged the radar of Kairos, a persuasive yet secretive agency with global reach. At Kairos’ unyielding pressure, popular opinion wanes, and federal regulatory bodies demand more intrusive oversight. Killian has managed turbulent waters in the past, but nothing could prepare him for the unrelenting tidal wave of trouble surging for him, his company, and his family.
Brian, Electra, and Killian are highly intelligent and incredibly determined to do what’s right, but they learn that truths can be twisted, and lies can become indistinguishable from reality in Vincent Piana’s cinematic teen thriller, Immensus. Without relying on deus ex machina or adult savior tropes, the author masterfully crafts exceptional yet relatable young heroes who navigate some grown-up challenges. Besides an attempt at saving a company and possibly the country, these endearing teenagers work through grief, fear, and love, all without ever getting sappy or melodramatic. The teens command the spotlight, but the presence of responsible adult characters adds gravitas to the fast-moving plot and allows readers to feel like the story is plausible. From a tech mogul suddenly branded a dangerous terrorist to a secret organization with limitless influence, this near-future stunner provides plenty of fuel for thought about governance, authority, autonomy, democracy, and the illusion of freedom. Utterly immersive and unforgivably addictive, Immensus is a spectacular adventure sure to become an obsession.
