Seal of approval for Carrick author’s sci-fi tale

Carrick author Jo Zebedee at the Waterstones event. INCT 19-729 CON

Jo Zebedee’s debut novel, Abendau’s Heir, was released last month by Northumberland-based publisher Tickety Boo Press.

The book was formally launched at an event in Waterstones Belfast last Thursday evening, during which Jo read an extract.

It was the latest in a series of public engagements for the Eden-based writer, who enjoyed a successful turn at ComicCon earlier this month.

The release has also generated a positive reaction among users of Amazon and book-lovers’ website Goodreads.

One reviewer praised its “strong writing” and “vivid scenes and settings”, while another added: “Jo Zebedee shows the sure touch of a first class writer... I found it impossible to put down.”

The novel’s online exposure has helped boost the profile of the Carrick author, who has been invited to attend the TitanCon convention in September as a panellist.

The first book in Jo’s Inheritance Trilogy, Abendau’s Heir follows the story of Kare, who is caught between his cruel mother, the Empress, and his father, who wants to lead a rebellion against her.

Heavily influenced by well-known sci-fi titles such as Dune, the book has a more character-focused approach than is typical for the genre, according to its author.

Speaking to the Times in March, Jo said: “A lot of books within the sci-fi genres have this idea of a person being ‘chosen’.

“What I wanted to look at in Adendau’s Heir was how that impacts on a character and the price they would have to pay.

“The world it takes place in is important, but that probably features more in the second book.”

The novel’s release is timely as an increasing number of female sci-fi authors begin to break into the market.

“People are often surprised when I say I write sci-fi; in terms of readership it’s fairly evenly split, but sci-fi writing as a genre is seen as more of a male preserve,” Jo added.

“The sci-fi community have been very accepting and supportive, however.

“I suppose a female writer gives a different perspective to it.”

Sci-fi fans can visit Jo’s author’s forum at https://www.sffchronicles.com/forum/jo-zebedee/