In a dystopian future where environmental damage has ravaged the Earth, a giant corporation called Nattech, Inc. controls society, deepening the divide between the haves and the have-nots. This is the setting of Shadow of the Storm, a new novel by the late Robert Edward Graham and C. S. Fuqua, published by Foolscap & Quill. The story begins with the discovery of a rock bearing strange markings on Mars. The ship returning it to Earth malfunctions, and the crew arrive in comas. As civil unrest surges and natural disasters multiply, people begin to disappear.
Jim Pleasant Wolfshadow, a Cheyenne former Navy Seal and retired Nattech operative, comes out of retirement to find his friend Max after he vanishes. During a meeting with The Seven, a group of the world's foremost physicists, Wolfshadow also disappears. He finds himself in Earth's dismal future, accompanied by a shapeshifter who leads him on a quest not only to return Max to Earth but to stop a godlike entity known as Mahu. Mahu exists in another dimension and feeds on chaos. He has sent a monster called Briareus to destroy humanity, but his actions threaten to destroy both time and space throughout the universe. Wolfshadow battles Mahu on his home world, and when all hope seems lost, a surprising ally arises.
The novel's implications extend beyond its pages. It serves as a cautionary tale about environmental degradation and corporate control, reflecting contemporary anxieties about climate change and social inequality. The story's cosmic stakes—the potential destruction of time and space—underscore the interconnectedness of all things, suggesting that local actions can have universal consequences. Moreover, the novel's publication is a testament to perseverance. Robert Edward Graham's life-long ambition to write a novel was repeatedly thwarted by fate. In the 1990s, he was teamed with instructor C. S. Fuqua by the Writer's Digest school. After the course, Graham enlisted Fuqua as co-author. The road was difficult, with cancer and addiction sidelining the novel for long periods. Yet Graham returned to it on his deathbed, dictating the end to his brother David.
Graham was a stage and film actor, model, and founding member, lead vocalist, and songwriter of the 1960s band The Penthouse Five. The first draft of Shadow of the Storm was completed days before he succumbed to cancer. C. S. Fuqua has been widely published in non-fiction, science fiction, dark fantasy, mainstream and literary fiction, poetry, and mystery/suspense. His books include The Crosses (with Bonnie Lynne Del Aguila), Walking after Midnight: Collected Stories, Big Daddy's Fast-Past Gadget, White Trash & Southern: Collected Poems, and Native American Flute: A Comprehensive Guide. His short work has appeared in publications such as Cemetery Dance, The Christian Science Monitor, Naval History, Main Street Rag, and Year's Best Horror Stories. Fuqua lives in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Foolscap & Quill is an independent publishing company in Jefferson County, Colorado.
Why does this matter? Shadow of the Storm is more than an entertaining adventure; it is a poignant reminder of the power of storytelling to confront societal and existential threats. In a world facing real environmental crises and growing inequality, the novel's themes resonate deeply. It also stands as a tribute to Graham's determination, proving that even in the face of mortality, creative vision can prevail. The book's release invites readers to consider the chaotic forces—both human and cosmic—that shape our existence and the resilience needed to confront them.
