Rise of the Protector

AT SEVENTEEN, Jinx is doing a below-average job of staying out of trouble. In her defense, being the first and only reject from the Virtual World she was born to enter was a bit of a bummer.

While every other denizen on her space station trains for their future life in the VR (a virtual reality designed for discovering higher wisdom and recording it), Jinx prepares for Galactic Release by shifting her trouble-making into overdrive. When she isn’t sneaking into restricted areas, she’s devising ways to check on, Laris — the only denizen she cares for.

But when the space station’s VR goes into lockdown, trapping Laris and thousands more, Jinx is pulled into a mystery.

Her race to uncover the truth reveals galactic thugs hunting her kind, an annoying zealot undermining her every move, and a hazardous virtual landscape to navigate.

So yeah, Jinx has got her hands full.

Fortunately, she’s got a waggish geek and an ice cream addicted tween AI who’ll risk their backsides to make sure she fulfills her so-called destiny. Not to mention a few new powers that’ll come in handy . . . if she can stay alive long enough to discover them. Fingers crossed she’ll master her inner hero. The survival of Laris, humanity, and all organic life depends on it.

But hey, no pressure. She’s got till the end of the day.

Praise for Jinx
“A top recommendation for readers who like their sci-fi unpredictable, fast-paced, and science-based. A story that stands out from the crowd.” — D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review

“Quirky characters propel this galaxy-crossing cyberpunk tale of gaining confidence and trusting friends as Taylor continues the well-crafted adventures of snarky young troublemaker Jinx.” — Booklife Reviews

“Jinx is an excellently drawn hero, who readers will find themselves rooting for and wondering what she will do in the next episode. Star Wars fans will think some of the characters stepped right out of the Mos Eisley Cantina.” — BlueInk Review

“An engaging space adventure with relatable characters . . . that will delight adult and young adult readers alike.” — Kirkus Reviews

"The cast’s energy is encapsulated in their ill-timed, witty banter . . . a fun, fast-paced science fiction novel." — Foreword Clarion Review

"I love Jinx. The prose is excellent, the dialogue is often hilarious, and the emotion is exquisitely handled. I got very emotionally invested." — Amy Bennet, fmr Locus Magazine Editor & Novelist