TALISMAN: Subterfuge

· TALISMAN Book 1 · CM LLC
1 review
Ebook
308
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About this ebook

"One Away or One to Stay, and Balance Anew." He slinks through the night like a vigilante ghost through a ravaged, post-apocalyptic world. His mission? Save as many people as he can, and the beings promise they'll bring his wife back from the dead. Fail, or renounce his charge, and someone else he loves dies. No pressure.


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In a world still reeling from alien invasion, one man walks the razor’s edge between salvation and damnation. Eight years after the loss of his wife, The Talisman—once a war hero, now a haunted vigilante—has become a reluctant hero, bound to a cosmic bargain with the enigmatic Aeterium Axis. His mission is as impossible as it is cruel: save one thousand lives, and the love of his life will return.


Fail, and another soul he cherishes will be lost forever.


Armed with supernatural abilities and a relentless drive, The Talisman operates in the shadows, leaving only golden talismans as proof of his existence. But as a determined journalist closes in on his secrets and a vengeful former talisman hunts him across worlds, The Talisman's quest for redemption becomes a desperate race against time—and fate.


Talisman: Subterfuge is a pulse-pounding blend of sci-fi intrigue and raw human emotion, where every rescue comes at a devastating cost and every choice could tip the balance between hope and oblivion. Will The Talisman's sacrifice be enough to save those he loves, or will the darkness claim him first? For fans of high-stakes thrillers and cosmic mysteries, Talisman: Subterfuge is an unforgettable journey into the heart of loss, loyalty, and the price of second chances.


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From the prolific author of the bestselling Dissonance alien invasion saga, the Christian dystopian saga The End, the 9/11 historical fiction thriller Forecast, the dystopian dark fantasy paranormal thriller The Phoenix Experiment, and the disaster fiction novel The Slide comes a bold new look at what happens when we answer the chilling call of desperation. It's Edge of Tomorrow meets Redemption Ark, or The Road meets Watchmen. Perfect for fans of Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel, The Faithless by CL Clark, or Jackdaw by Tade Thompson.

"One Away or One to Stay, and Balance Anew." He slinks through the night like a vigilante ghost through a ravaged, post-apocalyptic world. His mission? Save as many people as he can, and the beings promise they'll bring his wife back from the dead. Fail, or renounce his charge, and someone else h...

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Ratings and reviews

1 review
Literary Titan
November 22, 2025
I’d absolutely recommend this book. It’s an emotional rollercoaster. If you loved the author’s Dissonance series, this is a no-brainer. You’ll love seeing Foxy again. If you’re new to this world, that’s fine too. The book does a great job of giving you the backstory you need. This is the perfect read for anyone who likes their sci-fi fast, full of action, and packed with a whole lot of heart.
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About the author

Award-winning and bestselling author, speaker, panelist, workshop presenter and voice actor Aaron Ryan lives in Washington with his wife and two sons, along with Macy the dog, Winston the cat, and the finches Inky, Pinky, Blinky & Clyde.


He is the prolific author of the bestselling Dissonance 6-book alien invasion saga, the Christian dystopian fiction trilogy The End, the Talisman trilogy, the sci-fi thrillers Forecast, The Slide, and The Phoenix Experiment, the nonfiction book God Is Not Santa, the children's picture books The Ring of Truth, The Sword of Joy and The Book of Power, the business reference books How to Successfully Self-Publish & Promote Your Self-Published Book and The Superhero Anomaly, 6 business books on voiceovers penned under his former stage name (Joshua Alexander), as well as a previous fictional novel, The Omega Room.


When he was in second grade, he was tasked with writing a creative assignment: a fictional book. And thus, The Electric Boy was born: a simple novella full of intrigue, fantasy, and 7-year-old wits that electrified Aaron's desire to write. From that point forward, Aaron evolved into a creative soul that desired to create.


He enjoys the arts, media, music, performing, poetry, and being a daddy. In his lifetime he has been an author, voiceover artist, wedding videographer, stage performer, musician, producer, rock/pop artist, executive assistant, service manager, paperboy, CSR, poet, tech support, worship leader, and more. The diversity of his life experiences gives him a unique approach to business, life, ministry, faith, and entertainment.


Aaron's favorite author by far is J.R.R. Tolkien, but he also enjoys Suzanne Collins, James S.A. Corey, Michael Crichton, Marie Lu, Madeleine L'Engle, John Grisham, Tom Clancy, Tim Lebbon, Christopher Golden, C.S. Lewis, Stephen King and Dave Barry.


Aaron has always had a passion for storytelling. Visit his website at https://www.authoraaronryan.com, join his exclusive Facebook group at authoraaronryangroup.com, or check out his store at authoraaronryanstore.com.

Award-winning and bestselling author, speaker, panelist, workshop presenter and voice actor Aaron Ryan lives in Washington with his wife and two sons, along with Macy the dog, Winston the cat, and the finches Inky, Pinky, Blinky & Clyde. He is the prolific author of the bestselling Dissonance 6-...

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