Until now, fraternal twins Zander and Elizabeth Stephens have lived a largely normal life. Over the course of a few momentous days, they learn they have mystical powers, which they must use to defend their own lives and save their small town from destruction. In her debut novel “Soulless Grounds” (ISBN 1469918137), Denise Burtz creates a science-fiction fantasy where Native American tribes, telepathic wolves and reptilian vampires all play a central role in vying for control of the twins and their newfound supernatural abilities. 

In the town of Landing Falls, the lives of brother and sister Zander and Elizabeth begin to change when the village’s historic library begins to crumble. Tribal leader Qaletaqa informs the siblings that they are the chosen ones who must restore the landmark. Beneath the building lies a force field created in the 1800s to contain the Skamps, half-vampire, half-reptilian creatures that were buried alive. It turns out that Zander and Elizabeth were cursed at birth by Abaddon, keeper of the underworld, into helping him release the Skamps from their holding cell. 

To get the twins to do his bidding, Abaddon abducts and tortures the twins and their father. Yet it turns out Elizabeth has absorbed an unusually high amount of supernatural powers and is capable of fighting off Abaddon. To force her into completing his wishes, Abaddon transforms Elizabeth’s brother into a Skamp, pitting brother and sister against one another.  

Caught between the love of her family and the moral desire to save the sacred town of Landing Falls, Zander tells Abaddon there is nothing he can do to make his twin join him. Elizabeth vows to fight her brother Zander. Yet before their deadly battle can take place, Elizabeth will turn the tables on the underworld’s keeper and force a resolution that no one saw coming.

A vampire tale and a family drama, “Soulless Grounds” is a sci-fi fantasy that explores the bonds between siblings. Despite its emotional themes and witty writing that makes it appealing to a general audience, Burtz knows her debut novel sticks to the heart and soul of what makes the sci-fi and fantasy genres so special and exciting.

Denise Burtz