Title: Project Genesis: The Gathering of Superheroes
Author: W. B. Stiles
Publisher: Authors Press
ISBN: 978-1-64314-043-8
Pages: 218
Genre: Science Fiction/Fantasy/Christian





The US Review Of Books (Original Article)

book review by Donna Ford

“Our people have prophesied…engineered human DNA to bring about the Omni child. He would lead humanity to man’s age of prosperity. It was his destiny.”

Two gifted children were born. John Tomar’s father was a Native American, claiming to have found the water of life and living hundreds of years since. Joshua Starr was born to a Chicago tycoon who consulted with the dark side. In their twenties, each son began to use his amazing mental and physical powers. That’s how John found Seattle reporter, Jane Watkins, in an alleyway searching for the identity of a serial killer known as the Slasher. Knife-wielding Nash, controlled by a demon, attacked her. John healed Jane’s near-fatal wound, then freed Nash of the class 2 evil spirit.

John’s father knew that the time for action had come. He assembled a band of men and women from around the world, each with superhuman abilities. At Tomar’s mansion, they practiced extending their limits as they ran, lifted weights, threw fire, and applied forces to subdue attackers. In an attempt to gain control of the entire northwest, Joshua Starr planned to trigger an earthquake from inside Mt. Rainer. On its wintry slopes, good prevailed against evil in the first battle of Project Genesis.

Stiles wrote this fantasy novel using as a plot line the classic battle between two forces with divergent agendas for mankind’s future. Setting the story location in America’s northwest, he opts to use a Native American as his main character. A second classic theme—the discovery of the water of life with wondrous properties of longevity and strength—creates a formula for statistics reminiscent of The Bionic Man and Wonder Woman. The author expertly handles conversation as a tool to reveal character and motivation. This method should easily carry on the story into the second book promised for the series. Plenty of action and loose ends in this exciting novel should entice a reader back for more.

RECOMMENDED READ by the US Review


Pacific Book Review (Original Article)

Reviewed by: Susan Milam

Project Genesis: The Gathering of Superheroes lays the foundation for a fantasy franchise with strong Christian overtones. Author W. B. Stiles imbues his cast of superheroes with the abilities expected in the genre. However, he makes it clear that their leader believes in and, at times calls on, the support of a higher power. Still, fans of traditional secular superhero epics will find that there is plenty of “super” action in this opening volume of the Project Genesis: The Gathering of Superheroes saga.

Hundreds and hundreds of years ago, a meteor falls to earth and buries itself deep within a mountain on the west coast of what will become the United States. In present-day Seattle, investigative reporter Jane Watkins makes the unwise decision to meet with a person who promises to give her information about the Slasher. She finds herself alone with a man who either suffers from multiple personality disorder or who is possessed by an evil spirit. Jane falls victim to a vicious knife attack but is saved by the arrival of the Advocate. Elsewhere in the city, Jacob Starr rendezvous with shape-shifting Master Rafar and receives a mission: Free Rafar’s “brothers” from their underworld prison in Tartarus. Somewhere on an estate outside of Seattle, Nathan Tomar enlists Professor Albert Hughes to research Tomar’s discovery of the “water of life.” On Mount Rainier, David Spencer and Steven Ricker study mysterious seismic activity.

W.B. Stiles weaves numerous storylines together as he builds the world in which his band of champions will operate. Against a background of increasingly worrisome volcanic activity, Mr. Stiles introduces an array of novice superheroes who are becoming accustomed to their powers. As is customary in this genre, the diverse group lives and trains in the home of a wealthy benefactor, Nathan Tomar, who has powers of his own. The Advocate, also known as John, is Nathan Tomar’s adopted son, and he stands above the others both in his skills and in his mission. Mr. Stiles quickly sets John up in opposition to malevolent Jacob Starr. Although the battles between John and Jacob fall into the classic struggle between good and evil, John is clearly more than just another superhero; although exactly who and what is not made clear in the franchise’s first installment.

While John is preeminent amongst the superheroes, all of them receive distinctive characteristics and voices. Jane Watkins provides a strong female presence, and it is evident that her relationship with John will move to the fore in later episodes. Albert Hughes serves as an expository character who helps the reader understand the origin and development of the world Mr. Stiles is building.

Mr. Stiles makes the Christian bent of the saga evident in the book’s opening confrontation between the Advocate and the evil spirit inhabiting the body of the man Jane Watkins interviews. However, he is careful to keep the story balanced and set firmly in the world of superheroes he is creating. Mr. Stiles is not proselytizing, he is offering a multifaceted world view that happens to be God-centered.

The first volume of Project Genesis: The Gathering of Superheroes is filled with world building and character development. Still, Mr. Stiles has not neglected the action that readers of science fiction fantasies expect. The use of Christian symbolism and John’s strong relationship with a higher power shouldn’t dissuade fans of secular sagas as these elements of character and plot only add to the book’s depth and power.


Khalid Khan
5.0 out of 5 stars,
December 21, 2014
Format: Paperback

Modern day superheroes with modern day crisis!
From cover to cover, was an exiting roller coaster of a read and enjoyed the adventure. A unique twist in the idea of modern day superheroes. Highly recommended. Looking forward to continuing The Genesis Project Series!


Jeanette G McGarry
5.0 out of 5 stars
January 19, 2015
Format: Paperback

A must read!
Very exciting book from beginning to end. A story within a story. I recommend it highly and can hardly wait for book 2 of The Genisis Project.


Gina Ford
5.0 out of 5 stars
April 5, 2015
Format: Paperback

An Amazing Story!
It was a great read. It had twist and turns and surprises in it . It was easy to not want to put it down.
Can’t wait for the next book to come out.


Jean Kryzsko
5.0 out of 5 stars
February 12, 2015
Format: Paperback

Can’t wait for the next one!
This is a wonderful book, I couldn’t put it down! Such a great story with so many different angles. This book definitely keeps you guessing.