The Came from the Shadows: The Truth (Prequel)

They Came from the Trees, Book 4

By: Christopher Francis

Narrated by: Charles Morton

Caught between survival and the search for truth, Sheldon fights to reclaim his humanity in the face of alien deception.

For ten years, Sheldon Hickory believed the alien intellect’s initial visit was friendly—one where the idealism behind their global encounter was a step toward Earth’s salvation.

Yet, the second wave’s brutality shattered this ideal. Sheldon believed it was a virus that mutated their species and split their vision in two. This dichotomy allowed Sheldon to reconcile the horror with the hope, to see the violence as an unfortunate byproduct of a noble aim gone awry.

However, Sheldon Hickory’s nights are now haunted by vivid dreams, unearthing the truth behind the first wave.

Through the shadows of his memories, he begins to piece together the actual events: The thing in the sky, the attacks in the woods, the monsters in the trees, the vanishing of his friends, murder, betrayal, and the eroding horror left inside Sheldon’s heart.

With Orillia by his side, Sheldon reflects on survival and identity during those harrowing two days during the winter of 2016 in the dark, snow-laden forest of Hidden Trail.

©2024 Christopher Francis (P)2024 Christopher Francis

A blend of suspense & revelation in this prequel!

In *They Came from the Shadows: The Truth*, Christopher Francis masterfully blends suspense and revelation, crafting a gripping prequel that's as thought-provoking as it is thrilling. Charles Morton’s narration breathes life into this tale, capturing the tension and emotion perfectly. A must-listen for those who crave a fresh twist on alien encounters and the dark truths that lurk beneath the surface!

Perceptions & Deductions

I was amazed at the development of thought portrayed by Sheldon in this story. I liked that Sheldon wasn't content with just accepting the words of the alien race and that he was driven to find the truth behind their actions on Earth. I liked that this book detailed a more in-depth clarification of all that was happening when the alien race first came here. I am looking forward to the next book in this series. I thought Charles Morton's narration was fine, and his performance was easy to follow, although there were noticeably long pauses between chapters. I was given a copy of the audiobook. I volunteered, without financial gain, to post this review which included my honest opinions regarding this story.