About the author
Tony DiVincenzo is the author of the Takara Shining series, a coming-of-age urban fantasy that delves into spiritual, environmental, and mystical themes. This speculative fiction saga masterfully blends elements of science fiction, epic fantasy, and metaphysical allegory, creating a unique blend of genres. The story unfolds on an ancient planet called Ligo, where a pivotal event—the Takara Shining—ignites transformation, awakening, and conflict among its diverse inhabitants.
DiVincenzo's passion for literature blossomed in college, inspired by the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, Terry Brooks, and Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series. He began writing Takara Shining in 2016, with the first book, "The Binding," published in 2021. The third and final installment, titled "Unity," is scheduled for release in 2025.
Born in Virginia, DiVincenzo spent his first 14 years traveling extensively with his family across the United States and internationally. These experiences exposed him to a rich tapestry of cultures and fostered a deep appreciation for nature. His family eventually settled in the Pacific Northwest, where he developed a passion for the outdoors through activities such as camping, backpacking, hiking, and fishing.
In his free time, DiVincenzo enjoys reading, writing, and spending quality moments with family and friends. When he's not crafting new worlds, he can often be found camping and kayaking with his family, exploring the beautiful landscapes of the Pacific Northwest.
The Story Behind The Story
The idea of Takara Shining was planted long before I ever put pen to paper—it began on a sweltering highway when I was just nine years old.
Growing up, family road trips meant watching a flat, dry, barren landscape roll past the car windows. But on a trip from Texas to Portland, our route took a sudden, magical turn through New Mexico's Carson National Forest. When we pulled over for a break and I stepped out of the car, the air hit me differently. Instead of emptiness, I found myself enveloped by towering Ponderosa Pines, cool mountain air, and a lush, breathing world.
Standing there in the quiet majesty of the forest, something deep inside me stirred and woke up. I felt impossibly alive, flooded with an inexplicable energy that left me completely baffled. I didn't understand where it came from, or why it felt so monumental.
That mystery followed me for years. When my family settled in Gresham, Oregon, in 1976, the Cascade Mountains became my second home. Countless days spent hiking and backpacking brought that exact same feeling rushing back over and over again—a profound sense of awe that I could feel in my bones, even if I couldn't yet name its source.
The puzzle finally fell into place in college, when a friend suggested I read the book of Psalms. Opening to the beginning of Psalm 19, my heart literally stopped in my chest. I stared at the words, reading and re-reading them until the truth settled deep into my soul:
The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.
They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.
Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
In that moment, the curtain was pulled back. The vibrant energy I had felt in the New Mexico pines and on the Oregon ridges wasn't just imagination—it was the quiet, constant voice of the Creator echoing through creation, reaching out to connect with every living thing.
That discovery became the heartbeat of Takara Shining. My ultimate dream for this story and this world is to weave that exact same awakening into the narrative—to invite you to feel that deep, unshakeable connection to the world around you.
After all, the Latin root ligo means to tie, bind, or fasten. And through Takara Shining, that is my purpose: to weave a story that binds us back to the wonder, the beauty, and the deep connections we were always meant to share.
The Heart of the Shining
Takara Shining is more than a collection of stories; it is a portal into a world where the mundane meets the extraordinary. I invite you to wander through these pages and discover the quiet magic that resides within the everyday. This is a tribute to the art of storytelling and the enduring power of the human spirit.
