About the Author:
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Joseph Rein
Techno-Thriller, Science Fiction
Joseph Rein is the author of the short story collection Roads without Houses (2018), which was nominated for numerous literary prizes. His short fiction has appeared in over twenty journals, magazines, and anthologies worldwide, and has twice been nominated for a Pushcart Prize. He is also a screenwriter and critical essayist. His second feature-length film, Who Killed Cooper Dunn? (2022), was featured on Showtime and other streaming platforms. He wrote, produced, and acted in multiple other short festival films, and has two feature-length projects in pre-production. He is currently a Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. When not writing or reading, he can be found hiking with his wife Jessica, playing cribbage, or recovering from various small injuries inflicted by his four children.
Featured Books by
Joseph Rein
YOUTOPIA
Techno-Thriller /
Sci-Fi
Youtopia – Book 1
In the individual, virtual-reality-like mind space of Youtopia, “Immersers” can live in their own perfect world, but chaos ensues when an Immerser is murdered inside his Youtopia.
FBI Special Agent Anabel Downer, one of the Bureau’s best, is assigned to the case. In her investigations of the mysterious murder, she interviews Youtopia’s staunchest supporters and naysayers, and gathers clues about the seedier sides of Immerser life.
Along the way, she encounters her own troubled past, and questions herself what is real. As the killer escalates his efforts, Ana must confront not only the hardest case of her life, but also her own demons.
“Youtopia… will leave you with your jaw on the floor… an edge-of-your-seat thriller that will have you questioning what is and isn’t real… This is one of the best sci-fi books I have ever had the pleasure to read, something very different in the genre…” ~ Readers’ Favorite Book Reviews, Anne-Marie Reynolds (5 STARS)
“…every moment is filled with suspense and intrigue from the start. Rein’s masterful storytelling drew me into a gripping narrative… highly original but also realistically executed…” ~ Readers’ Favorite Book Reviews, K.C. Finn (5 STARS)
“Youtopia is a fun, exciting, and, most importantly, thought-provoking read… This is a unique premise for a novel and one that I thoroughly enjoyed. I highly recommend this read.” ~ Readers’ Favorite Book Reviews, Grant Leishman (5 STARS)
YOUTOPIA REBORN
Techno-Thriller /
Sci-Fi
Youtopia – Book 2
Youtopia is dead—long live Youtopia Reborn.
Limited now to minors, the expanded mindscape worlds of Youtopia Reborn cater to the ill and unwanted, the children left behind by society. When Youtopia creator Sonya Young goes mysteriously missing, her abductor leaves a harrowing message: “Reborn for All.”
Lane Samson, a former Youtopia Immerser and local reporter, receives a strange voicemail from an old friend who claims to have secrets about Sonya Young’s abduction. The tip leads Lane to the one person more familiar with Youtopia investigations than anyone—former, disgraced FBI Special Agent Anabel Downer.
Together, Lane and Ana must piece together the mystery of Sonya Young’s disappearance as the abductor escalates his attacks, as all of the Youtopia children, and Lane and Ana themselves, face perilous danger.
YOUTOPIA INFINITY
Techno-Thriller /
Sci-Fi
Youtopia – Book 3
Finally, the perfect worlds of Youtopia can be shared with loved ones, allowing Immersers to live out their dreams together… until those dreams become nightmares.
Youtopia has reached its culmination in Infinity, a shared mindspace that offers collective perfection. Within the system, however, lurks a mysterious presence—the Harbinger—who warps perfection into the perfect killing grounds.
As Youtopia creator Sonya Young chases the Harbinger, the FBI knows it has only one place to turn: former Special Agent Anabel Downer, who will seek to unlock the mystery and finally overcome the company that has come to haunt, and define, her life.
Scheduled for release in the spring of 2025.
All Books by Joseph Rein
At this time, we have only the featured books above by Joseph Rein. Please stay tuned.
Highlights
February 2023: Joseph Rein signs with Evolved Publishing for his “Youtopia” series.
April 8, 2024: The first book in the “Youtopia” series, YOUTOPIA, officially releases.
May 2024: YOUTOPIA receives 3 separate, glowing 5-STAR reviews from Reader’s Favorite Book Reviews.
July 2024: YOUTOPIA wins the Literary Titan Gold Medal, accompanied by a glowing review.
September 2024: YOUTOPIA wins Honorable Mention at the hyper competitive Readers’ Favorite Book Awards.
December 14, 2024: The second book in the “Youtopia” series, YOUTOPIA REBORN, officially releases.
