Anna’s Awakening is a dystopian science fiction novel from Belfast author, Scott Gilmore. Learn more about this must-read book here!
Anna’s Awakening, By Scott Gilmore
Anna’s Awakening is a dystopian science fiction novel from Belfast author, Scott Gilmore. The second novel in The IRIS Trilogy is a must-read for those who are fans of dystopian science fiction with a current, tangible theme.
With the current Coronavirus outbreaks across the world, there isn’t another theme within science fiction that is more in the news that that of viruses.
The whole premise of The IRIS Trilogy is that of a girl who has a genetic gift. This young girl, Iris, is the subject of genetic experiments to synthesise cures for illnesses, disease and viruses.
In a dystopian, futuristic United Kingdom, the need for drastic measures is required to battle viruses and disease that fail to be treated with traditional medication. With the use of Iris and the other subjects’ DNA, The Institute and The Authorities can find cures to stave off mass infection and possible pandemic.
This world may seem far off, but, as we battle Covid-19, there is real panic within countries and economies around the globe. If there is a time to get into a dystopian science fiction novel about the threat of viruses, it is now. Here, I delve into my reasons for writing Anna’s Awakening and, in turn, The IRIS Trilogy.
Both Anna’s Awakening and the previous novel, Inside Iris, are available from Amazon on Kindle and paperback.
Click the image above to listen to the reading on my YouTube channel.
What Inspired Me
When I started compiling content for my SG Fiction YouTube channel, I wanted to share some of the themes and issues that inspired my work. This was included in a short video titled Behind The Iris.
Within this video, I shared how the real-life threats of viruses and illnesses becoming resistant to antibiotics and other forms of traditional medication. As we move into a world that faces such risks, I felt it was an area that was rich with content that could be included within a dystopian science fiction novel.
When it came to planning and writing the second instalment of The IRIS Trilogy, I wanted to show how Iris was evolving and growing up. By showing the girl move to becoming a young woman, I could explore her developing independence and desire for freedom from The Authorities.
When I first introduced Iris in my first novel, Inside Iris, she was in a very fragile state. This was due to a painful detox programme she had to go through supervised by Dr Rosen and Jade. By showing this fragility, I could emphasise the immoral treatment of the young girl and, in turn, how corrupt the dystopian society of Hexingham had become.
In Anna’s Awakening, Iris is desperate to reclaim an identity that was robbed from her at a very young age. By adopting her birth name of Anna, shortened from Annabelle, she takes control of one of the few areas she can in her turbulent young life.
Without giving away too much, I wanted to show the growing strength that Anna develops throughout the 320+ pages of the novel. I was also eager to show the now seventeen-year-old Anna take ownership of her fate and make decision on her own. By doing so, this puts her in danger and allows dramatic events to take place between Anna, Kyle, Raymond, and some ‘forgotten’ characters from Inside Iris.
Check out some of the free YouTube content in the Anna’s Awakening playlist. This includes readings and flash fiction recordings to give readers a taste of what the novel is about. If you like what you hear, go to my homepage to order Inside Iris and Anna’s Awakening on Kindle or Paperback.
Click the image above to listen to the reading on my YouTube channel.
Anna’s Awakening Themes
Coming from a background of education, I worked with young people every day and am passionate about developing their creativity and writing about issues that are prevalent in their world. No doubt, growing up as a young person today is difficult, and I wanted to explore several themes that we can all identify with as we grew from young adulthood into our twenties.
Themes within Anna’s Awakening include:
Mental Health:
Throughout Anna’s Awakening, the main character goes through counselling. This helps to deal with some of the traumatic events that happened in her past. Anna meets Clara, Raymond’s niece, who works with her to help move on and develop a real identity away from Iris.
With schools and charities working with young people to manager areas like depression, anxiety disorders, and other mental health issues, I wanted to show counselling in a positive light. By approaching mental health as an area that is more common than many may think, I thought it could further work to remove any apparent stigma that may linger in this area.
Crisis Of Identity:
Many young people in various areas and backgrounds of society feel that they have a crisis of identity. Whether they are in their teens or early twenties, younger people can believe they don’t identify with society in areas like:
- Race,
- Economically,
- Socially, and,
- Gender.
Within Anna’s Awakening, the main character doesn’t have a valid identity as she has moved from being a ‘lab-rat’ as Iris to learning her true identity as Anna. There is no doubt that many young people can be in crisis with how they feel they relate to society and other people around them.
As Anna’s journey develops, she will see that she has an identity that she never felt was there before. This is a message I wanted all young people to take away from reading the novel.
Societal Pressures:
As society evolves, we see how areas like social media and the internet can place pressures on teenagers and young adults that weren’t there before.
When I worked in education, I was an ICT coordinator and would regularly have to talk to children on issues like social media, external societal pressures that came through digital, internet-based media, and internet safety. Here, I learned a lot about what young people are exposed to and how they feel about themselves in turn.
There is no doubt that charities, police, and teachers come across many stories of how young people are pressured in many aspects of their lives. Whether the pressure comes from the internet, exams, parental expectations, university courses, or finding a job after graduating, the world around people aged 12-25 exerts more pressure than ever before.
I wanted to share this overbearing atmosphere throughout The IRIS Trilogy with The Authorities and Security Forces being a constant shadow over Iris’, and latterly Anna’s, life. While many may not see the government or police as a societal pressure, many people from ethnic and minority backgrounds see things differently.
Click the image above to listen to the reading on my YouTube channel.
Science Fiction: The Next Instalment
Inside Iris and Anna’s Awakening are leading up to a third novel that is to be written over the coming months. The title has been decided, but I will not reveal it until closer to the time.
While the title cannot be revealed, those who read the first two novels will understand the dramatic events that are sure to be revealed in the third and final part of The IRIS Trilogy. This is especially true with the ending of Anna’s Awakening.
In relation to planning the novel, I know I have a lot more work to do to ensure continuity and cohesion with the first two novels. I also have a lot of dramatic action set pieces to compose, which will require maps and step-by-step plans to make sure all the i’s are dotted and t’s are crossed.
Let’s say; I’m looking forward to it a lot.
The final piece of the trilogy will be released in early 2021 with a collection of short stories, The Hexingham Chronicles, being released in mid-2020 (all being well).
Click on the image to see the fiction books I have released so far. Both Inside Iris and Anna’s Awakening are available for purchase on Kindle and paperback from Amazon.
As a dystopian science fiction novel, Anna’s Awakening is an excellent read. Yes, I’m biased, but I have also had several people read it who say the same. It is a perfect follow-up to Inside Iris and sets up the final part of the trilogy perfectly.
Throughout 2020, I will be busy with my work as a freelance copywriter and content creator, but my eyes are firmly on the conclusion of my first trilogy.
Remember, the first three chapters of Inside Iris are available for free by joining my SG Fiction community. There are also multiple YouTube videos on My SG Fiction YouTube channel as well as in the image thumbnails linked throughout this blog.
Get yourself a copy of Inside Iris and Anna’s Awakening today – the perfect dystopian science fiction novels to read in today’s climate.
