Awaken by DC Eastman is the gripping first installment in the Lucid series of psychological thrillers. The narrative follows Jack Traeger, whose father returned from America’s wars, tormented by battlefield experiences that left him with crippling PTSD. This once-adored father became a mere shadow of himself, attempting to heal through lucid dreaming. However, he suddenly left for the battlefield once more, never to return. Now, a decade later, Jack discovers his father’s lucid dreaming journal and decides to embark on a similar journey as a way to reconnect with his lost father. But what starts as an exploration quickly spirals into a nightmare.

The story begins with a grounded and realistic portrayal of lucid dreaming, clearly well-researched and meticulously detailed. However, the plot takes an unexpected turn when Jack’s subconscious starts to rebel against him, and the boundaries between dreams and reality begin to blur. The unsettling concept of reality being distorted by dream logic adds to the tension, reminding readers that the essence of lucid dreaming is the awareness that one is dreaming to control the dream. As the story progresses, it shifts from realism to a surreal dreamscape where Jack’s mind becomes an open book, especially regarding his deepest, darkest secrets. This dramatic shift may be jarring for some readers as the plot accelerates from a slow build-up to a whirlwind of events designed to drive the story forward. However, this sudden change works in the book’s favor, mirroring Jack’s own nightmares of worst-case scenarios that then manifest, keeping both him and the reader in a constant state of uncertainty about what is real. Viewed through this lens, Awaken skillfully uses the interplay of good writing and erratic pacing to make the reader question the nature of reality within the narrative. The seamless blend of dream and reality blurs the lines to the point where they become indistinguishable, creating a perfect backdrop for this psychological thriller.

Awaken is a masterful tale that engages readers with its psychological depth and thrilling twists. DC Eastman’s ability to weave a story where dreams and reality collide makes this a compelling read, especially for those intrigued by the mysteries of the mind and the horror that can emerge from within.

Pages: 345 | ISBN : 0796172633