The Third Eye of Cain

It’s three thousand years in the future. A malevolent dictator who has taken the once biblical name of Cain has largely conquered the world. He controls a technologically advanced army of more than nineteen million men. Over time, Cain’s hand has wreaked devastation on the earth, and he has built a web out of nanobots that prevents any souls from reaching heaven—or help from heaven reaching earth. But the earth and its protectors refuse to surrender. As predicted by the prophecies, nine Chosen humans consisting of eight women and one man have been granted the powers of the universe: Wind, Tsunami, Fire, Water, Life, Seer, Healing, Earth and Visionary. These personified elements of nature, the Chosen, must find one another as well as the Army of Resistance and travel across the broken and devastated lands of Martroix (the once great America) to the free bastion of Lecre, wherein awaits a special forces of fighters known as the Spies, as well as a well-trained army of half a million men.

The Third Eye of Cain is the first in a series, and it is a work of fantasy and science fiction. While its plot intricacies suggest some comparisons to The Game of Thrones, the tone takes on a morality closer to Tolkien or C.S. Lewis with a twist: the rise of the woman into the realm of leadership. Additionally, this work treats lesbian relationships with tolerance and it emphasizes a progressive theme that will resonate with those who view the earth and its environment with a friendly spirit as well as a protective sensibility. Finally, the villains are clearly drawn but the heroines exhibit complexity as they grow throughout their difficult journey, where they overcome torture, rape and an unceasing attack on their humanity.

The most exceptional aspect, however, of the Third Eye of Cain is the age of its main author. Now fourteen, Madeline Phoenix began writing a short story about a man who murdered a tree and then attacked the Wind with savagery, but Wind fought back. At my suggestion, Madeline began to fashion a novel, and for several months, she wrote for hours a day. She wrote in the car, between class, during class, and often late into the night. She’s like a guitar player who sleeps with her instrument or a baseball player who carries her mitt to bed.

I took on the novel in July, once it had gone through three drafts. With my background as a bestselling author in two Amazon categories, I recognized the book’s potential. Madeline’s work ethic and clear talent also humble me. Over the past three months, Madeline and I have gone through several rewrites, a great deal of developmental edits, more rewrites, and finally line edits. At this point, I would estimate the writing is seventy-five percent Madeline’s and twenty-five percent mine. I would have loved to pitch it as her work alone but I feel the need to honestly characterize the division of labor. It is my humble belief that this work is worthy of consideration, and it is my strong conviction that Madeline has an enduring talent and an overwhelming promise as an author who has the potential to write perhaps fifty books in her lifetime.