User:Pagedancer/StarChildTrilogy

The Star Child Trilogy is a series of three astrologically-based fantasy novels written by Jared R. Lopatin. The books center around a prophecy that foretells the birth of the Star Child. They chronicle the upcoming battle between Merel, a power-hungry star, and the Star Child. The main body of characters includes anthropomorphized signs of the zodiac, each with a specific power. They are protected by The Gathering, a association of supernaturally talented people who work together to produce a better world. With Merel growing in power and the Star Child growing up, the novels spur further towards the final battle between balance and annihilation.



Rising Sign

 * The first book, Rising Sign, is told from the point of view of Timothy Dalis, an aspiring actor from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1999. He learns through contact with Sereny, a psychic, that he is one of twelve guardians created to protect a powerful infant who is about to be born - the Star Child. These guardians are each a sign of the zodiac given human, each with an ability. Tim is the Libra, with the talent to charm. He is to find the other eleven Signs and the Star Child before the year runs out. Opposing him is  Merel, a star who is gaining power in order to become immortal. Should this happen, the imbalance will destroy the universe. The Star Child is the only hope for salvation. Throughout the novel, Tim encounters the eleven other Signs, discovering history and secrets along the way and finding a home at The Gathering, a place where gifted members of society are welcome. The story concludes with a battle and a trick, enabling the Signs to rescue the Star Child, only to learn that there were two Star Children and Merel is in possession of the other.


 * Rising Sign was published in May of 2009 through CreateSpace and is available through Amazon.com and the Star Child Trilogy website.

Ruling House

 * The second book, Ruling House, continues the adventures on the astral plane, exploring the twelve Houses of the zodiac and their significance. It is scheduled for release in late 2010.

Returning Planet

 * The third book, Returning Planet, introduces the twelve Planets of the zodiac and prepares for the final battle. It is scheduled for release in late 2011.

Signs

 * Dana Wyntrap - the Aries with the talent of telepathy. She was born 5 April 1980, an only child of wealthy parents who don't wholly approve of her. Before joining the Signs, she attended college for psychology. She is fourth to join the Signs and is featured in all three novels.
 * Elizabeth Medina, or Izzy, - the Taurus with the talent of turning to stone. She is eleventh to join the Signs and is featured in all three novels.
 * Jamee Holm - one of the Gemini with the talent of transforming the inanimate. She has a twin brother, James, who has the same talent, and a younger brother,  Joey. She was born 6 June 1978 in California. She is third to join the Signs and is featured in all three novels.
 * James Holm - one of the Gemini with the talent of transforming the inanimate. He has a twin sister, Jamee, who has the same talent, and a younger brother,  Joey. He was born 6 June 1978 in California. He is third to join the Signs and is featured in all three novels.
 * Emily Halsbern - the Cancer with the talent of empathy. She was born 1 July 1979 and resided in a mental institution before joining the Signs, due to her lack of control over her power. She is ninth to join the Signs and is featured in all three novels.
 * Rhys Avella - the Leo with the talent of feline communication. She has a best friend in Donne, the calico cat, and two protectors:  Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning. She was born 11 August 1970 and worked as a nurse before joining the Signs. She is the fifth to join the Signs and is featured in all three novels.
 * Michael Conway - the Virgo with the talent for healing. He was born 10 September 1981 and is captured by Merel. He is rescued by the Signs and saved by  Sereny's sacrifice. He is last to join the Signs and is featured in all three novels.
 * Timothy Dalis, or Tim, - the Libra with the talent of charm. He was born 11 October 1975 in Delaware and moved to Philadelphia to pursue an acting career, but worked backstage and in retail at The Book Nook until he joined the Signs. His two best friends are Nell and his cat,  Harmony. He is the main protagonist of  Rising Sign and featured in all three novels.
 * Rory Styx - the Scorpio with the talent of poison. She was born 7 November 1976 and grew up trained in weaponry after the death of her family at a young age. She is seventh to join the Signs and is featured in all three novels.
 * Alexander Conlyn, or Xander, - the Sagittarius with the talent of travel. He was born 3 December 1974 and grew up in The Gathering, raised by his parents,  John and Rachel Conlyn. He initiates the coming together of the Signs and is featured in all three novels.
 * Stephen Wyonne - the Capricorn with the talent of freezing time. He was born 15 January 1972 and lives alone in the mountains. He is tenth to join the Signs and is featured in all three novels.
 * Cole Price - the Aquarius with the talent of water control. He was born 14 February 1971 and was a college professor and has a noted interest in mythology. He is sixth to join the Signs and is featured in all three novels.
 * Kelsey Baker - the Pisces with the talent of dreams. He was saved by his talent when his mother, Merel attempted to abort him, but he escaped to the  Dreamworld of the astral plane. His birthday is celebrated on 16 March 1973 and he is the 8th to join the Signs. He is featured in all three novels.

Miscellaneous

 * Cassandra DeVoe - diva actress.
 * Gary - Nell's boyfriend.
 * Harry Ventnors - scientist who invented the psyphagyte.
 * Joey Holm - younger brother of Jamee and  James. (deceased)
 * Latwanda - on technical crew with Tim.
 * Mark - owner of The Book Nook.
 * Nell - Tim's best friend, having grown up with him since they were six years old. She takes Tim's job at The Book Nook when he joins the Signs. She is dating  Gary.
 * Sheila - employee of The Book Nook.

Non-humans

 * Andoleen - the Fire-Spirit, Patron of Fire, creator of the telekinetics.
 * Harmony - companion to Tim. Formerly known as Sylvia.
 * Lena - grandmotherly waitress at Ilene's who turns out to be an astranihl.
 * Manaran - the Seed-Keeper, Patron of Air, creator of the [[#telepath | telepaths].
 * Merel - a star bent on gaining/hoarding power to attain immortality. Followed by astranihl.
 * Niole - the Mer-Child, Patron of Water, creator of the psychics and precogs.
 * Rythsinda - the Dryad, Patron of the Earth, creator of the empaths and the healers.

Terms

 * astranihl - shapeshifting beings who follow Merel.
 * empath - one who can feel what others are feeling; one who takes in others' emotions.
 * nascregala - birthright.
 * Patron - a deified being associated with an element (air, earth, fire, water, ether).
 * precog - one who has visions of the future; a person with precognition.
 * psyphagyte - a machine that feeds on energy.
 * telekinetic - one who can move matter by thought alone.
 * telepath - one who can communicate through thought alone.