2023 INDEPENDENT PRESS AWARD Recipient - Distinguished Favourite in the category of Science Fiction

Adults are slowly dying off and children are becoming "Antisenent"—not aging, confined to their young bodies. Unable to reproduce, the population will soon reach a standstill.

This is the dismal fate of the people of the planet Eiyesa.

For Sergen, his inability to age holds a darker reality. He and his mother are restricted from leaving their home by his father, Erek.

A powerful political figure, Erek may be combating a harsh political regime and its misguided ideologies but he is the opposite at home, secretly violent with his family. Sergen's only visitor is his healer, who mends their wounds but is otherwise powerless to help them.

Surely, there must be a way out of Sergen's tragic circumstances?

"A highly inventive work of topical science fiction, the novel balances well the hero's quest with timely themes. Adam excels at building tension, which is effectively sustained throughout, setting an eerie tone from the start. Imperious Realm is a strong opening installment to the Reign of the North Forest series, with a wholly original premise that opens up a number of enticing threads for further books." — Self-Publishing Review​

*Content warning: Major theme of domestic violence and child abuse (chronic, aftereffects); major theme of discrimination (political, verbal, genocide); plague; mental health (depression, anxiety, grief); attempted murder; murder; suicide; death due to natural causes; drowning; missing persons; chronic illness; animal attacks; violence (adult-adult, adult-child, adult-Antisenent, Antisenent-Antisenent).