Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of books does Mike Straus write?
I write gritty urban fantasy with a mythological twist.
My stories blend ancient mythology, modern settings, supernatural threats, and morally complicated characters. If you like forgotten gods, dangerous magical artifacts, hidden worlds, fallen angels, and ordinary people getting dragged into very unordinary situations, you’re in the right place.
What is The Albean Chronicles?
The Albean Chronicles is my Celtic-inspired fantasy series, beginning with The Staff of the Dagda.
The series draws heavily from Irish and Celtic mythology, including the Tuatha Dé Danann, the Fomorians, legendary magical artifacts, and the Otherworld—but reimagines those ideas as part of an original fantasy universe.
What is The Staff of the Dagda about?
The Staff of the Dagda is the first book in The Albean Chronicles.
It follows Liam O’Kean, a young man who discovers that the myths and legends he grew up hearing about are much more real—and much more dangerous—than he ever imagined.
Ancient powers are moving again, old enemies are returning, and a legendary Celtic artifact has become the centre of a conflict that reaches far beyond Liam's ordinary life.
What order should I read The Albean Chronicles in?
Start with:
Book 1: The Staff of the Dagda
Book 2: The Spear of Lugh
The series is designed to be read in order, with each book continuing the larger story.
What is Halo & Gunpowder?
Halo & Gunpowder is a separate urban fantasy series set in Detroit.
It follows Malach, a fallen angel caught up in a hidden supernatural conflict involving angels, ancient weapons, divine conspiracies, and some very dangerous people.
It is completely separate from The Albean Chronicles, so you don't need to read one series before starting the other.
Are your books Young Adult?
Not quite.
I write primarily New Adult fantasy. My protagonists are generally 20-somethings dealing with adult independence, relationships, identity, responsibility, and consequences.
If you enjoy YA fantasy but want older protagonists, darker themes, and a slightly grittier edge, my books may be a good fit.
How dark are your books?
Dark, but not relentlessly bleak.
You can expect violence, frightening supernatural imagery, morally complicated characters, danger, and occasional profanity. You won't find pages of extreme gore purely for shock value.
Think dark and cinematic rather than outright horror.
Do I need to know anything about Celtic mythology before reading The Albean Chronicles?
Nope.
Everything you need to understand the story is introduced in the books themselves.
That said, if you love mythology and want to dig deeper into the legends behind the series, you can explore the mythology and worldbuilding material if you so choose.
How closely does The Albean Chronicles follow real Celtic mythology?
The mythology provides the foundation, but The Albean Chronicles is fantasy—not a textbook.
Many of the gods, creatures, artifacts, places, and legends appearing in the series come from genuine Celtic mythology and folklore. I've adapted, combined, expanded, and occasionally reinvented those traditions to create the world of the novels.
Where mythology leaves gaps, I get to have fun filling them.
Will there be more books?
Absolutely.
The Staff of the Dagda is only the beginning of The Albean Chronicles, and I'm continuing to develop the larger series.
I'm also working on Halo & Gunpowder and its sequels, so there are plenty more supernatural problems waiting to make my characters' lives miserable.
Where can I get updates about new books?
You can follow my blog and social channels for writing updates, behind-the-scenes material, mythology, worldbuilding, and news about upcoming releases.
You can also join my email list if you'd like book news delivered directly to your inbox.
Why should I buy direct from your website instead of through Amazon?
I offer my e-books on Amazon for Kindle users. But Amazon takes a pretty significant cut of my earnings from each book. If you buy direct from my store, I keep more of the revenues. That means your money goes toward a real person instead of a corporation. It also means I get to keep writing more books!
Do you offer signed books?
Not currently. Availability of signed editions may change as new formats and editions become available. Check the website for current purchasing options and announcements.
Are you open to interviews, podcasts, reviews, or other media opportunities?
Yes.
If you're a reviewer, journalist, podcaster, blogger, Bookstagrammer, BookToker, or other creator interested in my work, feel free to get in touch through the website.
Can I contact you?
Absolutely.
For reader questions, media inquiries, professional opportunities, or anything else related to my books, use the contact information on the website.
I can't promise that the Tuatha will answer your message, but I will.