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The Undulating Shadows follows the lives of three orphans who are connected by a paranormal phenomenon that could threaten the entire planet. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I wouldn’t want to spoil the twist at the end, but I started from there and worked my way back. The motivation for some of the characters to turn out the way they did, made sense to start out from a challenging childhood, and what could be more traumatic and challenging than growing up in a dilapidated orphanage?
This novel provides readers with some astonishing twists. How do you balance story development with shocking plot twists? Or can they be the same thing?
I had one twist in mind from the beginning, but I wanted to leave easter eggs along the way that will give attentive readers that ‘ah-ha’ moment in the end. I believe (or for me, it’s like that at least) that when a reader discovers these in the end, or close to the end, it is an additional reward for their patience and time dedicated to finishing the book.
What was your process in writing the characters’ interactions to develop the bond they have?
To be honest, I was very skeptical about how they would be received given that they swear and there is physical abuse, etc. But I wanted to keep the characters authentic, although this is quite difficult in today’s social climate. So far, I’ve not been canceled due to their honest interactions, and I hope it stays that way lol.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
The next book is called Lucid, and it’s about a young boy who discovers his dad’s old psychiatric journals that give instructions as to how to utilize lucid dreaming to battle PTSD. This leads to serious complications as the boy’s boundaries between the conscious and subconscious–the dream world and the real world–begin to blur. I hope to publish in early 2024.
Author Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Website
A paralysis-inducing shadow has caused a chain reaction of traumatic events that lands the youngest boy, Justin, in a dilapidated orphanage in South Carolina. There, Justin’s friendship with two equally traumatized children provides temporary solace from his pain—until the shadows stir once more and leave everyone lucky enough to survive the onslaught with a shattered psyche.
33 years later, Justin stumbles upon an incident involving a similar paranormal phenomenon. His investigation reveals an unsettling truth dating back to 8,212 BC that has slowly been growing into an imminent threat to the entire planet.
Can Justin connect with his past to find the answers in time, or will he, along with every other soul on the planet, succumb to the shadow’s insidious power?
The Undulating Shadows
In The Undulating Shadows by DC Eastman, readers are thrust into a world filled with enigma and longing as they follow the lives of three orphans—Justin, Raven, and Albert—united and then divided by fate but ever tethered by the haunting presence of a deadly specter.
From the outset, the tragic circumstances that land Justin and Raven in the orphanage offer a compelling foundation for the narrative. When they encounter Albert, who has spent his entire life within the institution’s walls, friendship blossoms. Eastman deftly captures the innocence of their childhood bond, as well as the complexities of growing up, as Albert and Raven’s adoption drives an inexorable wedge between the trio.
What really sets this novel apart is the slow unraveling of the mystery surrounding the specter. Eastman masterfully withholds key details, inviting readers to join the characters on their journey to discovery. This journey is one filled with twists and turns, and the realization that Albert is not who they believed him to be adds an unexpected layer to the story.
Eastman’s character development is particularly praiseworthy, particularly during the characters’ youth. His ability to make readers connect with these characters is skillful, playing on universal experiences and empathetic understanding.
The transition from childhood to adulthood, I feel, is somewhat abrupt, a jump that, while understandable, could have been smoothed for better narrative flow. Raven’s ‘other sense’ is an intriguing element that I would have liked to have seen explored more before becoming a key tool in solving the mystery. Still, this does not detract significantly from the overall enjoyment of the novel. Eastman’s vivid imagination and skillful storytelling make The Undulating Shadows an entertaining read that is sure to satisfy fans of thrillers and mysteries.
The science fiction elements add another layer of intrigue, and although the beginning may seem slow, the patient reader is rewarded with a rich and interconnected story that unfolds beautifully. For those interested in a thrilling tale filled with mystery, suspense, and profound human connection, The Undulating Shadows is a compelling recommendation. I look forward to diving into more of Eastman’s work in the future.
Pages: 376 | ISBN : 0639763707
LITERARY TITAN 