Interview with the author of ‘Rapture’, Phillip W. Simpson

I have previously reviewed ‘Rapture’ (You can find my review here). I’d like to welcome to the blog, Phill Simpson, the author of Rapture, to talk about the book and his series. He will be answering my questions truthfully as I don’t think he wishes to remain behind when the Rapture happens!

Phillip W. Simpson 

Describe your book? What genre do you consider your book?

Rapture is a Young Adult dystopian, post-apocalyptic novel. It’s a different take on the end of the world scenarios using the Rapture as a stepping off point, imbuing it with all the fantasy elements that I love.

Rapture by Phillip W Simpson Review

Rapture by Phillip William Simpson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Set in a world where the Biblical prophecy of the Rapture has come true, the story follows the protagonist Sam. Sam is half-demon and-half human, having characteristics of both. He is stronger and faster than most humans, heals faster and is difficult to hurt. He of course has horns protruding from his head, which makes interacting with people a little difficult. Like a demon, he is burned by contact with anything holy and cannot venture near a church. But, he has all the emotions of a human. He is awkward and shy, gets angry and ashamed and feels loyalty and love.

Sam’s entire world revolves around Hikari, his mentor and father-figure and his daughter Aimi. Sam is mainly confined to their house and only steps outside in the dark, or when he is wearing a cap or a hood to cover his horns. Sam has been trained as a warrior right from a very young age and is extremely proficient in using various weapons as well as hand-to-hand combat aided by his inhuman strength and speed. He is portrayed as fumbling his way through almost everything else. He has difficulty expressing himself and is positively disastrous in his interactions with others his age. Sam is in love with Aimi, and she is the only person with whom he interacts somewhat freely. This love story develops throughout the book, and I suspect it will have much larger role to play in later ones.