Item: Catalyst
Rating: 4.5
Author: Gina

Catalyst by Tracy Richardson | The Catalysts Book 2 | There is more to this world than meets the eye in science fiction author Tracy Richardson’s newest installment in her young adult series, Catalyst (releasing on June 2, 2020 from Brown Books Publishing Group). The story features returning characters from the series’ first book, The Field, but centers on Marcie, who has a sixth sense. She feels a sort of ‘knowing’ about certain things that can’t be explained – an intuition that extends beyond normalcy.

Catalyst by Tracy Richardson | The Catalysts Book 2 | Blog Tour | Interview

Catalyst by Tracy Richardson
Series: The Catalysts #2
Published by Brown Books Publishing Group on 06/02/2020
Genres: Enviromental, Fiction, Metaphysical, Science Fiction, Young Adult
Format: eBook, Paperback
Pages: 248

Marcie is spending her summer working on the archeological dig that her mother runs: Angel Mounds, a site of an ancient indigenous civilization. Soon after she arrives, she meets some intriguing individuals, and becomes wrapped up in a supernaturally-charged mission to save the planet from the destruction man has brought upon itself.

Marcie Horton has a sixth sense. Not in the "I see dead people" way, but . . . well, maybe a little. She feels a sort of "knowing" about certain things that can't be explained-an intuition that goes beyond the normal. Then there was that one summer four years ago when she connected with a long-departed spirit . . . But nothing that incredible has happened to Marcie since.

This summer, Marcie is spending time working at Angel Mounds, the archeological dig her mother heads, along with her brother, Eric, and his girlfriend, Renee. The dig is the site of an ancient indigenous civilization, and things immediately shift into the paranormal when Marcie and her teammates meet Lorraine and Zeke. The two mysterious dig assistants reveal their abilities to access the Universal Energy Field with their minds-something Marcie knows only vaguely that her brother has also had experience with.

Marcie learns how our planet will disintegrate if action is not taken, and she and her team must decide if they are brave enough to help Lorraine and Zeke in their plan to save Mother Earth, her resources, and her history. It looks like the summer just got a lot more interesting.

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Source: The Write Reads Tours

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A few quick thoughts on Catalyst by Tracy Richardson

Catalyst by Tracy Richardson is a contemporary fiction novel. I would hesitate to call this book YA fiction, as I think it is a great read for everyone.

In book 2, we return to the Horton family. This time the main focus is on Marcie, younger sister of Eric, whom we met in The Field. She is learning to develop her 6th sense, while working on her mother’s archeological In Southern Indiana.

I love the fact I gain so much knowledge while reading a book from Tracy Richardson. This time we learn about the devastating effects of fracking upon the earth.

Without giving away spoilers, this story is hard to discuss. Let’s just say there are emotions, angst, turmoil, and action from start to finish.

The story has a bit of sweet, clean, YA romance interspersed with some Sci-Fi, metaphysical fiction.

My only complaint is that the story is too important to rush though the details. I feel like it might have been better presented with the addition of a few more chapters, giving us more background on the characters and underlying plot features.

Overall, this is an excellent fictional story with twists and turns, family and friendship dynamics, a special socially appropriate message.

This is my review of The Field | The Catalysts Book 1

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Catalyst by Tracy Richardson | The Catalysts Book 2 | Blog Tour

About Tracy Richardson

Tracy Richardson wasn't always a writer, but she was always a reader. Her favorite book growing up was A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle. In a weird way her life reflects the book through odd synchronicities. She has a degree in Biology like Mrs. Murry and without realizing it she named her children Alex and Katie after Meg's parents. (Really, it was not intentional, because that would be weird)!

Tracy uses her science background in her writing through her emphasis on environmental issues and metaphysics. Growing up, Tracy's younger brothers called her 'sarge' and once when she took a personality test for a job, the evaluator said she could give a Drill Sargent a run for his money. If you need someone to boss your around, Tracy's your gal!

Tracy lives in Indianapolis.

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Author Interview:

1. In what ways does Catalyst differ from The Field, and how is it similar?

Catalyst and The Field are both science fiction novels with environmental themes. The Field’’s science fiction focus is
on actual science that is currently being researched and written about– The Universal Energy Field or the Zero Point
Field. Its environmental theme is softer – introducing readers to the possibility of access to an endless supply of energy
and comparing it to so-called clean coal and other renewable energy sources like wind and solar. There is a metaphysical
bent to The Field as well. Eric is able to access the Collective Consciousness with his thoughts – another thing that has
been researched and written about.

The science-fiction elements in Catalyst are more supernatural and traditional sci-fi – that’s all I can say without spoilers! The environmental focus is reality-based as it highlights the dangers of fracking and all of the other destructive activities humans do that cause climate change. In Catalyst I am stepping out strongly as an environmentalist and the characters take a more active role in fighting climate change. The books are companion books. Many of the same characters appear, but Catalyst is not a sequel to The Field and can be read as a stand-alone.

2. Environmental issues are a major theme in your work. How would you describe the current state of our
nation’s relationship to these issues?

As with many things in our country, I believe there are essentially three camps on the issue of the environment. Those who are justifiably extremely concerned and who care deeply about what is happening, those who deny that anything is happening negatively to the environment at all, and those who are totally unengaged for a variety of reasons.

There are so many people who are raising the alarm. Young people are especially engaged. Scientists have been warning
us about the dangers of climate change for years. Then there are those people, often our leaders or leaders of industry, who are fighting for the status quo in the name of profit and power. I don’t think we can reach those people.

But the people who are not engaged because they are uninformed or just trying to get through the day and make ends meet are the ones we can reach. It’s not that they don’t care, it’s that they don’t know what to do. I was at a big super-sized grocery store near where I live in Indianapolis recently. EVERYONE was getting their groceries in plastic bags. They didn’t even have paper bags available and no one, except me, brought their own re-useable bags. It seems like a small thing, but if we all stopped using plastic bags it would have a huge impact.

The Midwest is usually behind the coasts on this sort of thing. Recycling was mandatory when I lived in New York over 20 years ago. In the suburban neighborhood where I lived outside of Indianapolis for a number of years one of my neighbors refused to pay the $3 per month to recycle because he didn’t want someone ‘making money’ off of his trash. So short-sited. But recycling is not the answer. We need to reduce and eliminate the trash we generate. I’m sure you can tell I’m a bit passionate about this!

I feel like the tide is turning toward action on addressing environmental issues. We have so little time.

Catalyst by Tracy Richardson | The Catalysts Book 2

3. What sets Catalyst apart from other science fiction novels?

Catalyst is not about space exploration and space wars. It’s about how we’re not alone in the universe and how we’re probably not even be the most advanced species in the galaxy. It’s based in present time Earth dealing with the real issues we face while also exploring the possibilities of what and who might be out ‘there’ and what our relationship with them can be. It also explores our evolution as a species. What’s next for humanity if we can move forward and past our fear and hatred into love and compassion.

4. How does your degree in biology influence the story of Catalyst?

I have always loved science. To me there’s a magic and beauty to the world around us that science helps explain. My science background helps me to see how we are all connected by an elegant design. Science and spirituality are not contradictory. It doesn’t matter what your concept of God or a higher presence is. I think science proves its existence.

My background in science also helps me to understand some of the more complex concepts and break them down for my readers to weave them into a story. It’s given me a curiosity to always wonder ‘why’ and understand that for all we think we know, there is vastly more that we don’t know.

Science is a discipline. Researchers test their hypothesis again and again and revise their discoveries. It is not an opinion. It is based on the facts as we currently know them. To say that climate change isn’t real is to deny these facts.

5. The novel unfolds in Indiana, your current place of residence. What are some of your favorite characteristics
of your home state, and have you incorporated any real or local aspects into your writing?

The Midwest is a beautiful, but underappreciated, part of the country. Indiana has many different areas of topography.
In The Field, Renee, who is from France, comments on the subtle beauty of Indiana, the glorious over-arching sky, the undulating cornfields, and picturesque farmland.

In Catalyst, southern Indiana features more prominently with its rolling hills and state and national parks. I’ve taken creative license with my locations in the state, so I’m not representing actual places, more a melding of real places into someplace else entirely. However, I did visit Angel Mounds historic site near Evansville along the Ohio River and incorporated it into Catalyst. I also visited Cahokia mound in southern Illinois and an archaeological site near St. Louis called Emerald Mound and morphed all three indigenous sites together for the dig site in Catalyst.

Greystone mountain is based on a hill in Brown County State Park that has the stone monoliths described in Catalyst. The wind farm that Eric and Renee visit in The Field is based on the actual wind farm located along I65 midway between Indianapolis and Chicago. While I create a lot in my imagination, a lot of real people and places do make it into my books!

Catalyst by Tracy Richardson | The Catalysts Book 2

6. What impact would you like Catalyst to have on readers?

I would love it if readers would see that the Earth is our one and only home and that we have a responsibility to take care of her. To recognize that we are all connected and that what happens on the other side of the world can impact them and is affected by the things they do. To understand that what they do matters and that they can have an impact. We can make the world a better place. We don’t have to go with the status quo. Each and every one of us can be a catalyst for positive change.

7. What can readers expect in the third installment of the series?

I’ve just started writing the next novel. It’s a true sequel to Catalyst and is from both Eric and Marcie’s point of view. Eric
and Renee are in France with her physicist father and are being persecuted by people who don’t want his research into the Universal Energy Field to be made public and available to everyone.

Marcie is in Washington, D.C. with Leo on an internship with an environmental group. They are all moving into the space of being true catalysts for change. That’s all I’m going to say except that I see a research trip to France in my future!