RELEASE DAY: POLARIS AWAKENING


  Polaris-Awakening

HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY TO POLARIS AWAKENING!!


Cover Reveal: Polaris Awakening
Title: Polaris Awakening 
Authors: Kellie Sheridan, Erin Latimer, Erica Crouch, Janna Jennings, Terra Harmony, Hannah Davies, & Meghan Jashinsky 
Series: Polaris Anthology #1 
Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult 
Published: May 26, 2015 
Publisher: Patchwork Press


Book Description: 


ZEUS PROTOCOL 000101: REBOOT, SCAN. DANGER DETECTED. THREAT LEVEL: UNKNOWN. RECOMMENDED ACTION: INCREASE MILITARY PRESENCE.

There’s trouble brewing on Polaris. Under the watchful eye of the space station’s supercomputer, Zeus, the lower classes are awakening to the corruption of their wealthy, privileged, and protected leaders. When the quiet voices of protest get louder and alliances form, change dawns on the horizon. But the small acts of resistance won’t be enough to subvert the system for long. Zeus is alert to the growing threat level, and he will do whatever’s necessary—including purging the lower levels of Polaris—to preserve stability for all. 

Inspired by the mythology of the constellations hung around Polaris, the seven stories in Polaris Awakening reimagine the classic characters in a futuristic world where alien creatures are commonplace, combat arenas are used for entertaining foreign dignitaries, slaves and soldiers stand side by side, and music orchestrates a revolution. And their first acts of defiance are just the beginning. Polaris will never be the same. 

ZEUS PROTOCOL 000099: ENGAGE THREAT.

Kellie SheridanErin LatimerErica CrouchJanna JenningsTerra HarmonyHannah Davies, and Meghan Jashinsky are the authors who have brought this YA science fiction anthology to life!


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The Polaris Anthology series is a young adult science fiction that retells some classic mythological stories about constellations in new and exciting ways! In the first installment, you are introduced to the space station of Polaris and the interesting characters aboard. You’ll see action, adventure, romance, and more.


Each of the seven stories in the anthology take place aboard the space station of Polaris. The station of Polaris is the brightest star in the galaxy, with it's shining technology and renowned space academy. But not everything on Polaris is perfect -- there's a tilt of balance in social classes, and those below are beginning to awaken to the injustice of their leaders. A rebellion is thrumming through the ship, and the characters of each story all play a part in the ripple of discontent. There are seven stories contributing to the anthology. And our authors (in order of appearance) are: Kellie Sheridan, Erin Latimer, Erica Crouch, Janna Jennings, Hannah Davies, Terra Harmony, and Meghan Jashinsky.

I can't believe the book is finally out!! I'm very excited for you all to read it. I have an inspiration blog planned and a guest blog lined up over at Danasquare's page soon, but in the mean time, here's a refresher of which myths inspired each story:

Zeus
  Kellie Sheridan's story opens and closes the anthology. Kellie's story doesn't focus on one particular constellation or origin myth, but rather she is writing as the embodiment of Zeus (you know, Mr. Lightning Bolt, the Big Guy in the Sky). Zeus is personified as the supercomputer operating Polaris, and he's more aware than you'd expect, which could lead to some danger for our characters...

 Ophiuchus
 After Kellie Sheridan's introduction, we have our first full story from Erin Latimer, which takes place off-station. Erin's story centers around the constellation Ophiuchus. The constellation represents the god Apollo struggling with the huge snake that guards the Oracle of Delphi. After Apollo slew the snake, he was ordered by Zeus to host the Pythian Games as a form of penance. Erin reimagines this on a desert world, with reptilian warriors!

  Lyra


 Next up is Erica Crouch with her story based on the constellation Lyra. In the original myth, Orpheus -- a musician with almost supernatural talent -- falls in love with Eurydice. But their love is doomed, and Eurydice dies, stolen away to the Underworld by Hades. When Hades hears Orpheus's mournful music, he strikes a bargain: Orpheus will be returned his love if he continues playing his music. Eurydice will follow him from the Underworld, but if Orpheus doesn't trust Hades and turns around to check that Eurydice is still with him, he will lose her forever. The deal is made, and Orpheus plays his lyre, but when he walks over pine needles and can no longer hear Eurydice's footsteps, he turns around and Eurydice fades away, gone forever. Erica's take shows us the clear divide between societies on the station and the cost of disobedience...


  Gemini
 Following Erica's piece is Janna Jennings's story of the constellation Gemini. The Gemini twins, Castor and Pollux, were both born from Leda, the Queen of Sparta. Their sister is Helen of Troy and there are several myths about them, including sailing with Jason and the Argonauts to find the golden fleece and fighting in the Trojan War to bring their sister Helen home. Castor is a renowned horseman, and Pollux is a great boxer. Janna keeps the theme of boxing with some brutal but entertaining boxing in the gritty underworld of Polaris - but the cost of losing is high!

Scorpio
 Then we have my story! Inspired by the constellation Scorpio, Scorpio has a few different mythologies to chose from, but the one I went with was a story about Orion and Artemis. Orion boasted that he was the greatest hunter in all the land and could kill any animal. Artemis -- Goddess of hunting and also protector of beasts -- sent a scorpion after Orion to defeat him. The scorpion stung Orion's ankle, killing him. Zeus was impressed by the scorpion, so he made a constellation for it. In the sky, the scorpion is at the opposite side of the horizon to Orion to keep them apart. My story follows Seth on his path of revenge, and deep into the world of the Academy that is based on the station.

  Virgo
  Terra Harmony's story follows next, and she was inspired by the constellation Virgo. Persephone, beautiful daughter of Zeus and Demeter, is tricked by Hades who carries her off to the underworld to be his wife. Her mother was so upset by this, she completely neglected her duties as goddess of agriculture, and famine spread over the entire world. The solution was for Persephone should be with her mother for half the year, and go to the underworld with Hades for the other half of the year. When Persephone is gone, agriculture essentially dies until she returns again six months later. Terra shows us more of the political dealings that people have to take part in to survive on Polaris...even the good guys!

 Taurus
 And finally, to close the anthology we have a story from Meghan Jashinsky, based on the constellation Taurus. From the Mesopotamian Epic of Gilgamesh, the goddess Ishtar sends Taurus to kill Gilgamesh because he spurned her. In the sky, this is why the constellation Taurus seems to be facing off with Orion (who is representative of Gilgamesh). Meghan focuses on Fairlee, a slave, and the oppressive nature of the Polaris regime.


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