Author: Matt Eaton
Website: http://mattjeaton.com/
Genre: Alternative History Science Fiction / Paranormal Thriller

Review: Sleeping Gods

I enjoyed this well-written short novella and I must say that it really snuck up on me. It opens with an account of the 1968 flight of Apollo 8 and incorporates an interesting possible scenario of what the astronauts may have encountered on the dark side of the moon.

For me, the real eye-openers of the story begin after the astronauts splash down back on earth and are met on board the Naval carrier by an extremely odd, fanatical scientist waving around a copy of the Condon Committee Report. Even more surprising are the ensuing conversations which take place in an underground bunker somewhere else on the planet.

The story puts forth some very intriguing “what if” questions concerning the NASA space flights, non-human presence on the moon, the US government, and secretive elite factions around the globe. The author deftly weaves threads of known personalities and events with his own alternate version of what may have transpired during and after the historic moon mission.

The novella is a quick read and the author has left plenty of room for expansion into a longer story. I will definitely be buying the sequel when it comes out to find out more of what he theorizes about the “sleeping gods” and the horde of information kept from humanity at large.

Review: Apollo 8.1

Like Sleeping Gods, the first book in the series, the real heart of Apollo 8.1 springboards from the historical events of the Apollo 8 mission and takes you places you’re not expecting. It sneaks up on you and, before you know it, you’re caught up in a wondrous world of color and imagination.

The author gives us an outstanding depiction of the arrogant, self-serving Anunnaki/Ryl beings and an intriguing portrayal of Martians living quite well in another dimension of reality. He also shows us a clear view that contact with humans and their shortcomings may not be entirely welcome or wanted by more advanced cultures.

The writing is fluid and highly creative, with crisp, clean dialog. The main characters are likeable (for the most part), believable, and well-developed. The story structure is carefully laid out and it moves along at a good pace, well-balanced between action and thoughtful dialog.

If you are looking for a story that pushes past the usual clichés and boundaries of current popular books and movies, Apollo 8.1 will definitely give you something substantial and fascinating to dig into. Can’t wait for the next book from this talented author.

Review: Blank (extra chapter)

In this short story, which is an extended bonus chapter to his novel Blank, the author surprised me a second time. The story follows the main character Stone Luckman as he is projected back in time to view a series of events through the eyes of Bill Donovan, the father of US intelligence, during a visit to war-torn London during World War II.

Donovan makes his way through shattered streets to Westminster Cathedral where he meets with Cardinal Arthur Hinsley, head of the Catholic Church of England. The aging Cardinal escorts Donovan to an underground chamber and shows him a rather remarkable archeological find. The story attached to the object is quite an eye-popper, to say the least.

This all-too-short taste of this unexpected tale left me grinning and hungry for more. I’ll be plowing into the highly-rated full-length novel Blank next. If the character discussed at the end of the extra chapter is not fleshed out in the novel, I certainly hope the author intends to write a full accounting of him because I am hooked and intrigued. Well done, Matt! Please, spin more of your delicious speculations for us soon. I’m in for the ride.

Review: Pagan’s Ark

(only available on author’s website)

Awesome novella!

What I like best about Matt Eaton’s work is his ability to surprise me. His stories usually start out within normal, earth-bound, accepted 3D reality and are centered around historic military figures, but the action always takes off into uncharted territory. Cool! This novella does the same.

In Pagan’s Ark, Bill Donovan, father of today’s CIA organization, meets with Cardinal Arthur Hinsley of the Catholic Church in England during World War II where he is shown a mysterious sarcophagus found in the Middle East. The box contains a live being that is much larger than the standard human. This encounter starts Donovan off on a bizarre, grand set of events that takes him to the Vatican years after the war and on to Lebanon. It involves out-of-body projection, the Ryl/Anunnaki, the Nefilim, the ancient site at Baalbek, mega-ton stones moved by sound, and a small saucer-shaped craft. Intrigued?

As usual, the writing is outstanding and the story finely crafted. If you are fascinated by speculative what-ifs about our very strange, hidden history, you will love this book as much as I did. Keep it up, Mr. Eaton! Looking forward to the novel to follow.