LatinosUSA

Today, I am thrilled to introduce author, C.S. Boyack, for my first author interview on LatinosUSA.

Craig has a wonderful array of fabulous books which you can find on Amazon US here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/C.-S.-Boyack/author/B00ILXBXUY. He is also a contributor to Story Empire Blog: Exploring the World of Writing. You can find his latest entertaining post here: https://storyempire.com/2025/11/13/soft-science-fiction/.

Thanks so much for thinking of me when you launched this new project, Robbie. It’s exciting that someone is enjoying some of my work.

I don’t mind admitting this is a bit of the Wayback Machine for me. I published the first Lanternfish book in 2018. Still, they tend to stick with us and I’ll do my best to cover your questions.

Please tell us a little about yourself and your writing. You like to write about unusual things in the genres of science fiction, paranormal and fantasy. What draws you to these genres?

Honestly, it’s because the world is just a little too real sometimes. I believe a bit of escapism is something everyone needs. I write about worlds where monsters can be overcome. People still have struggles, but find ways to deal with them. Not everything works out flawlessly, but it does seem to work out, and we all need to be reminded of that, too.

Tell us a bit about your Lanternfish series of books. What sparked the idea for a series about pirates/privateers?

It was a bit of a challenge. I am an old desert rat from Northern Nevada originally. Not an ocean in sight, and I like learning about new things and doing all the needed research. After coming up with some characters and a cause, it was off to the races. I let my imagination run wild, and things got pretty crazy.

Who is your favourite character in the Lanternfish series and why?

There are several good characters in this series. It isn’t an easy question, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say Serang. She was just an attempt to balance my international intentions, but she showed up with her own baggage and became really interesting. She was so interesting that I wrote my first and only prequel about her coming of age under difficult circumstances.

My favourite characters are the root monsters. Tell us a bit about them and what sparked such an unusual idea?

Everyone seemed to love the root monsters. I even had a dear author friend petition me for a specific root monster book. Personally, I think these guys are best in small doses. Honestly, they were born from the idea that Mal is a witch doctor of sorts. If you have a witch doctor, he should demonstrate some of that to the readers.

He was the one who grew the first batch of root monsters. They were intended to be short lived, and simple camp protectors for one night. After they started interacting with the crew and each other, I couldn’t bring myself to let them go.

These guys are part pygmies from The Mummy Movies, part Tooth Fairies from Hellboy, add a smattering of Minions, and maybe a bit of Wile E. Coyote and there they are. They’re sassy, a bit crazy, but capable. They sort of evolve into the verbal history keepers for the Lanternfish, but their stories don’t always match word for word to the actual events.

What’s next for author C.S. Boyack?

I’m always up to something, Robbie. I currently have three manuscripts going at once. I am neck deep into a space opera trilogy that I’d like to finish one day. I am seeing glimpses of the finish line for a political thriller I’d like to get out next. I also need to return to The Hat Series in 2026.

I’ll leave you with my bio box, a cover compilation, and some links if your fans would like to follow up. Honored to take part today.

The whole Lanternfish Trilogy http://mybook.to/LanternfishSeries

Serang http://mybook.to/Serang

My review of H.M.S. Lanterfish

I love novels about war and H.M.S. Lanternfish is a unique fantasy novel that fits into the war genre. When Captain James Bloodwater becomes appraised of the peril his country and surrounds face from the Hollish forces, he is cajoled into taking up a position as a privateer for the opposing Prelonians. King Reynard of the Hollish has joined forces with an extreme religious order called the Fulminites whose younger members are known as exploding monks as they have the ability to self-detonate and cause huge damage and destruction. This combined force is sweeping through the surrounding countries and conquering them with little opposition. James’s country of residence is on the target list and stands to fall in the foreseeable future.

James gathers together his old crew and readies his war ship, Lanternfish, to set out on an adventure to aid the Prelonian war effort in any way possible. He leaves behind his wife, but takes his stepson, Mule, on this new adventure.

Having read the first book in this highly entertaining series, it was great to see all the well-loved characters back in action, from Seran, the female war general, to Stowaway, the drunken gunner. Of course, my favourite characters are the root monsters or ‘Modders’, intriguing and vicious little creatures James created from tubers. James digs up the monsters from their peaceful sleep under the earth and soon Trouble, Flattop, Boss, and the others are back, in full gear, and ready for action at sea. The addition of Mule to the crew allows for an interesting coming of age sub plot which I enjoyed.

The original crew of the Lanternfish are just the beginning of the imaginative creatures and opponents Captain Bloodwater and his crew face during the journey to gather resources for the war and to meet up with their Prelonian recruiter. This story includes everything from obese and dictatorial talking toads to the spirits of dead pirates to ‘the black spot’. Aside from the monsters, the black spot was one of the most ingeniously creative and fascinating ideas in this amazingly imaginative story.

If you enjoy stories set in a fascinating fantasy world and populated by unusual mythical and fantasy creatures, with a fast pace and exciting plot and well-developed characters, you will love this book. This is one of the best ‘middle’ books in a trilogy I’ve read and had none of the ‘middle slump’ features I’ve grown to expect from three-book series. This exciting book is a good read in its own right but is better read in order as part of the series.

Purchase Link for H.M.S. Lanternfish on Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/HMS-Lanternfish-Book-2-ebook/dp/B08FHCQXM6

About C.S. Boyack

I was born in a town called Elko, Nevada. I like to tell everyone I was born in a small town in the 1940s. I’m not quite that old, but Elko has always been a little behind the times. This gives me a unique perspective of earlier times, and other ways of getting by. Some of this bleeds through into my fiction.

I moved to Idaho right after the turn of the century, and never looked back. My writing career was born here, with access to other writers and critique groups I jumped in with both feet.

I like to write about things that have something unusual. My works are in the realm of science fiction, paranormal, and fantasy. The goal is to entertain you for a few hours. I hope you enjoy the ride.

Craig