Not Alone (Vox Oculis, #1) / Vox Oculis (ePub)

Blue DuBois wants the world to leave her alone, but the world has other plans.

It's summer, 2011, and for four and a half years, all Blue has been looking for is a normal life after losing her family in a suspicious fire. But what is normal for a fourteen-year-old that can hear what no one else can? And what should she do when she hears something that presents a tantalizing opportunity to avenge her family? With an unexpected new friend and ally, she comes up with a slam-dunk plan. All she has to do is risk everything, including both of their lives.

Whether you like coming-of-age or teen thrillers or mystery (and just a touch of paranormal/sci-fi), you will find an enticing blend of all these elements in this first book of a unique YA series set in down-to-earth rural Vermont. With just a touch of maybe-this-could-be-real scientific conjecture as an intriguing element, this is a story more about friendships and those magical bonds created by shared terrifying experiences during a formative time of life.

"Extraordinary and unforgettable ... Martin blends elements of thriller, science fiction, and teenage drama into a taut YA coming-of-age tale about a young girl struggling to find her bearing in the cozy town of Westbury, Vermont. Martin's keen understanding of adolescent psyche, sharp observations, and lively imagination command steady attention. A dazzling blend of thriller and SF, this is a knockout." -- The Prairies Book Review

"The author's ingenuity in masterminding [the] genetic trait upon which much of his narrative is crafted is truly brilliant. It adds depth to those who possess it and greatly enhances the overall storyline. All who read it will be enthralled by the twists and turns that ensue and will wait with arms wide open for its sequel to be published."-- San Francisco Book Review

"While stories of teen characters with exceptional abilities are abundant, Martin offers an alluring blend of the paranormal with a more grounded, realistic storyline ..." --The BookLife Prize

"This book was totally unexpected. I really enjoyed it. It's a YA thriller with sci-fi elements ... very well written." ­-- Isabella Wilson, London Book Trio

"The first half of the book is set up ... the second half of the book is a blur of flipping pages ... I found the character Martin wrote to make the villain oddly fascinating ..." ­-- Carolina Herdegen, Kiss the Book