We’ve all been there. Watching a great movie, reading an engrossing book, perhaps even playing an amazing video game, fully invested in the experience, when bam, it hits us right in the face. Innuendos are exchanged, characters disrobe, and a sex scene ensues that’s so sudden and out of nowhere that it leaves us wondering where in the world it came from and what it even remotely had to do with the plot. So much for enjoying that movie, book, or video game with your kids, right?
Or perhaps you’ve taken your kids to a movie that’s supposed to be for them, only to find that it’s riddled with four-letter-words (I’m looking at you, Marvel). I mean, these are movies specifically targeted at children. There are action figures, Halloween costumes, Happy Meals…anything and everything that would entice your kids to want to experience these things, only to expose them to the last kinds of language or inappropriate visuals that kids should be exposed to. What is a parent supposed to do? Suck it up? Succumb to the world? Restrict your kids to the Hallmark Channel and PBS? Wouldn’t it be nice if there was something out there that managed to be action-packed and riveting while at the same time being, well, clean?
There is.
My name is Lee Stephen, and I’m the creator of the Epic series. When I released the first installment of Epic in 2006, a book called Dawn of Destiny, I committed myself to two things: writing something that glorified my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and making it something that parents didn’t have to worry about. In many ways, those things went hand-in-hand. As Christians, we’re instructed to set ourselves apart from the world. The first thing I ever did with Epic was dedicate it to God, and in doing so, I committed myself to doing it differently. Over a decade later, now with three boys of my own and particularly in the morally-challenging days we live in now, that commitment stands stronger than ever. If you’re cautious about what your kids are exposed to and still believe in traditional values, this is a series you can let your kids read without worry.
And you should read it, too! It has been critically important to me that Epic be clean for kids, but make no mistake, this is a serious series that approaches some very real issues head-on. The loss of faith, the darkness of the human condition, the horror of war and tragedy…being a clean series doesn’t mean it pulls its punches. What it means is that it approaches these difficult topics in a way that kids and their parents and read and discuss side by side. The fan feedback I get for Epic ranges from teenagers to men (and women!) in their eighties and nineties. Seeing the wide range of people who have reacted positively to Epic has been one of the most worthwhile aspects of being its creator. That kind of response is what all writers strive for.
In 2014, Epic received an amazing distinction when Dawn of Destiny won both Best New Fiction and Audiobook of the Year from the New Apple Literary Awards. It was an incredible honor that spoke to the immense care I’ve put into its quality. Just being a series that injects elements of faith into a science-fiction setting isn’t enough by itself to make the story worth your while. The story has to be good. It has to be well-written. The characters have to be enticing, the plot lines engrossing, and the action heart-pounding. Epic isn’t a cheesy blend of science fiction and Christianity. It’s an adrenaline-pumping thrill ride starring a character of genuine, at times struggling, faith. That’s when it feels real; that’s when it feels relatable. That’s when you lose hours of sleep because you can’t stop reading. That’s the experience I want to give you – and your kids – without the unnecessary pressure of worrying when the next sex scene or f-word will drop. Let’s be honest. Your kids probably don’t want to watch Fireproof. But I’ll bet they want to see the Avengers or play Halo. It was for that reason – for that distinct lack of a Godly influence in those environments – that Epic was written.
So please, explore the series, explore the site, and get ready for the ride of your life. This is the series you’ve been waiting for. I can’t wait to have you aboard!
Sincerely,
Lee Stephen
This book has it all: action, aliens, shooting, romance, and surprisingly, faith. It’s the story of one soldier’s journey to find himself and the utter faith that he puts in his God. DO NOT LET THAT DETER YOU FROM READING THIS BOOK!!! There’s no ‘in your face’ religious stuff, but just the simple question that all of us, especially soldiers, have asked: “Am I doing what I’m supposed to be doing?” – Charles, review for Epic: Dawn of Destiny
I was almost put off by this book because of the main character’s affinity with his faith, but it’s such a carefully crafted character feature, subtly implemented; it just is who Scott is and there’s no need to worry about being preached to at any moment throughout the series. – Cynthia Martens, review for Epic: Dawn of Destiny
My father introduced me to this book, and he reads an incredible amount of sci-fi across the board. When he recommends books, I usually enjoy them to a certain extent, because we share the same tastes in books. However, this book was beyond anything I could have hoped for in a low publicity indy book. I can say with complete honesty that this is one of my top 3 favorite book series across any genre. – Bob, review for Epic: Dawn of Destiny
I read a ton of sci-fi, and by a ton, I mean that I read on average one book per week. If it’s a really good one that I can’t put down, the time line is even less. For example, I got Dawn of Destiny in the mail Tuesday evening and finished it by Saturday around noon. Just couldn’t put the book down — it was that good. – Aaron Spuler, review for Epic: Dawn of Destiny
Oh my goodness where to begin? This book is beyond good. I saw the book and tried it out and thought it would be just another nice read. I couldn’t have been more wrong. The moment I read the prologue I couldn’t put my kindle fire down. Mr. Stephen has created something that is hard to describe. I wouldn’t be surprised if a movie was made from the book. – Anthony, review for Epic: Dawn of Destiny
I found it quite refreshing that the book dealt with serious, hard subject matter in a manner that is appropriate for anyone to read. The author leads the reader into an introspective process to uncover and accurately portray the psyche of an individual. Profanity is not a fundamental element in literature; it adds no momentous embellishment. – Kristina Orlando, review for Epic: Dawn of Destiny
How do I say this? This book will break your heart – very well written, plot definitely was NOT predictable. The ending of this book offers an uncertain hope – uncertain because the events told by the book were so crushing. Highly recommended read – this series has been thoroughly enjoyable. – Matthew, review for Epic 2: Outlaw Trigger
I thought that the opener of the series “Dawn of Destiny” was a good book, but Outlaw Trigger goes to a completely different level. The author has a real ability of making you care for the characters very quickly. Even though you know what is going to happen in parts of the book, I found myself shocked after it did. I couldn’t believe what I was reading. – Anne Everette, review for Epic 2: Outlaw Trigger
If you are a sci-fi fan like me you have to read these books. This is scifi at its best. – Kenneth Walker, review for Epic 2: Outlaw Trigger
Stephen has topped himself with this one. OUTLAW TRIGGER is an exciting and superb follow-up, a power-house of a read that will leave you eager for the third volume. – Matthew Baker, review for Epic 2: Outlaw Trigger
I’m hooked on the series! It’s a clean book, not overly religious. I’m a Christian and look for authors that can spin a good tail without compromising into coarse language and situations. Grateful for Stephen’s sharing of his writing talents and providing these stories affordable to us his audience. Thank you! – Susan Raleigh, review for Epic 2: Outlaw Trigger
Mr Stephen’s ability to force your own emotions out into the open WHILE reading is noteworthy. The book challenges your own beliefs, imagination and decision-making process. You’re forced to empathize with the protagonist, and you learn that the antagonist is more than you initially imagined. The depth of the characters is exposed, and it’s impressive. – M. Archebelle, review for Epic 2: Outlaw Trigger
I just finished Outlaw Trigger and am still kind of stunned! I don’t want to say too much about it, because it is so action packed and I don’t want to risk giving any spoilers, but what a great follow up to Dawn of Destiny! – R. Reitmeyer, review for Epic 2: Outlaw Trigger
Rarely does a book cause an emotional reaction from me. I’ve read so many, many science fiction books that sometimes it’s hard to tell them apart. They seem to have the same predictable plot and follow along just as you’d expect to the end. Not this book. Not these books. The author has managed to capture some of the emotions that go into being a good person as well as a bad person. – Guardsix, review for Epic 3: Hero
Lee Stephen excels at strong character development. He portrays strong men and stronger women. All the characters are truly developed: None are perfect, all are flawed. That makes them human. Then to encounter their intimate spiritual moments, when they come to grips with their need for a savior, their need for God, is very moving. This is a spell-binding, action-packed adventure that is very human, encompassing all sides of us: physical, mental and spiritual. – Debby Young, review for Epic 3: Hero
This is the best series I have ever read and I have read thousands of books. I just can’t put it down from one page to the next and just when I think I know how it will end the author changes the plot and it get even better. If your a reader that enjoys to read great books you just have to get this series. – VicM, review for Epic 3: Hero
If you’ve gotten through Hero, congratulations. You’ve come off of one loop in the roller coaster and are now heading straight for a 200 foot drop. – Chris, review for Epic 4: The Glorious Becoming
This is one of the best books I have ever read. If you have not read the first three books in the Epic series, you should, if only to then be able to taste the pure brilliance and genius writing in The Glorious Becoming. Epic readers already know how well written the series is, but those who read this book will see that Lee Stephen has just taken his writing to an entirely new level. – Derek N Lea, review for Epic 4: The Glorious Becoming
Can’t say enough about this series. Great storyline, different, expressive characters, super message, hope I don’t have to wait to long for the next book! – Bebec, review for Epic 4: The Glorious Becoming
I read the first book in the series because it was on a list of free books. Once I read it, I was hooked. Same thing happened with my grandson and we have read every book in the Epic series. – June, review for Epic 5: Enemy One
Oh No! Lee, I never saw it coming! Thank you for catching me off guard over and over in this book. Thank you for making me have to stand up to read some of it because the intensity was too great to allow sitting. Thank you for the stunning fabric the story is weaving – Peggy Villars Abadie, review for Epic 5: Enemy One
I was a late comer to the series only finding the first book about a year ago. I was instantly hooked & tore through the first 4 books in a matter of weeks. I’ve waited with bated breath for this book & worried that Lee couldn’t possibly top the last one. Just how wrong I was amazed me. This level of detail & the scope of the story had me locked in place & cursing Lee when I realised I was still reading at 2 am on a work night! – Andrew Roberts, review for Epic 5: Enemy One
It is a pity the Epic books are not known to the public in general. These are books that are much better than most sci-fi best sellers I’ve ever read. – Bruno Sampaio, review for Epic 5: Enemy One