Title: What’s Behind the Looking Glass?
Author: Eric Shepherd
Publisher: PageTurner Press and Media, LLC
ISBN: 978-1649089656
Pages: 592
Genre: Contemporary Literature & Fiction
Reviewed by: Jack Chambers

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One of life’s most precious commodities has to be a person’s memories. From the first moments of childhood which we cherish forever, to the first steps our children take, and the desperate need to hold onto our memories in our final years, our memories are a truly powerful and necessary aspect of life that drives us to live every moment to our fullest. As Alek Wek once said, “The most beautiful things are not associated with money; they are memories and moments. If you don’t celebrate those, they can pass you by.”

In author Eric Shepherd’s What’s Behind the Looking Glass?, the author delves into the power of memories to fight for the future. In this book, the story follows EJ Stewart, caught between two worlds and searching for The Five Keys of Destiny, said to control the outcome of his world, as well as all of the worlds situated behind the looking glass. In order to stop an evil wizard named Morgan and his master Hess, EJ must relive his past and find a means of changing events and his memories to help combat the forces of evil gathering around him.

This is a powerful and gripping read. The author did an amazing job of drawing the reader in instantly, setting up this powerful fantasy-style narrative with wizards and surreal atmospheric tones; creating a great sense of imagery right off the bat. The way the author is able to subtly slip in and out of the more intimate and personal character developments of EJ and the Downing family with the overlapping “magical” elements of the narrative as each character begins to unravel their true identities is great to read. The author managed to create an experience which was not only entertaining, but both personal through the character interactions and larger than life in the overarching narrative.

The novel is absolutely a perfect read for those who enjoy contemporary literature & fiction, especially those that blend magical realism and fantasy with more personal character-driven narratives and surrealism. As a fan of these genres, it was so powerful and gripping to read the author’s words and have an image of the world around them come to life so clearly. The theme of memories and family played a great role in the development of EJ in particular, and led to some pretty emotional and heartening moments keeping the story alive throughout it’s rather lengthy read.

Powerful, engaging, and thought-provoking in its delivery, author Eric Shepherd’s What’s Behind the Looking Glass?, is the perfect first book in an ongoing contemporary literature series! The twists and turns in the narrative will have readers highly invested in this story, while the emotional bonds these characters share and the intense imagery will bring this story to life in memorable ways, leaving an emotional twist ending that will keep readers eager for the next chapter in this series.