Destroying Eden

by Eric J. Bergman

Aidon exists as a Utopian society in an alternate universe where science, magic and religion collide. But this perfect society has been achieved at a steep price. Ruled by the Councils, wielding an ancient power, personal freedom, dreams and aspirations have been crushed. Obedience is the paramount virtue, resulting in a culture which has stagnated for thousands of years as they await the arrival of a Mantle Bearer to direct them.Crippled by grief, Colin Ericsson has become disconnected from life – until he nearly dies. His perception of the universe is shaken as he finds himself on Aidon, viewed with hostility and charged with being a false Mantle Bearer. Colin must fight for the life he had thought he no longer cared for in a world he doesn’t begin to understand. As an engineer, he is baffled as he learns that the mythology of his earth is a reality in Aidon. But it is the very ability to deal with things as they are, rather than how he thought they were, which turns to Colin’s advantage as he becomes the focus of a conflict determined to destroy him and possibly all those he comes to care for. Even as factions within Aidon conspire to destroy the Mantle Bearer, dark forces gather to put an end to Aidon. Outcast and condemned, Colin must embrace and master powers long considered but legend even in Aidon. Even that will not be enough unless he can join forces with the feared Lady of Prophecy, sworn defender of Aidon. Intrigue threatens the kingdom from within while a conquering army masses at the borders and Colin is hated by even those he thought were his friends. Ultimately, he may have to decide between survival or DESTROYING EDEN. Enter a magical world so much like our own, yet so subtly different you may wonder if it isn’t real. DESTROYING EDEN is a fantasy epic, available in paperback through Amazon and KDP Publishing and as a Kindle e-book.

466 pages, Paperback

First published April 13, 2012

Reviews

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

New author, Eric Bergman, weaves a fine tale in this fantasy adventure novel. A depressed chemical engineer from the Flathead Valley in Montana has a near death experience, but when he is revived, he finds himself on another world, patterned very much after our own Earth, aside from the twin moons. Also the civilization has made different choices and followed a different trajectory, and upheaval begins as Colin (the protaganist) begins to introduce new concepts into the world while learning many important lessons of his own in his new setting. The book is full of intriguing concepts, page-turning adventure, comic relief, and will make an excellent movie one day. It's a surprisingly quick read for its length. I definitely recommend it.

[Eric]

OK, I am biased. I wrote it. I've read it a dozen times and I liked it. I've had positive response from every person that I know read it. A couple of them sat on it for months, but when they finally read it, they really liked the book. Readers (ones not releated to me) have ranged from 15 year-old school girls to 40-something working mothers to a 70(+) year-old retired laser scientist.

This is an alternate reality story which incorporates elements of science, magic and religion. However, the real story is about the characters. The "special effects" are used artistically and sparingly rather than thrown randomly across the canvass of the page.

Take a look on Amazon for the teaser and an excerpt from the book. It is also available as a Kindle e-book.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a new author who self published here in Utah. I got the information from a friend and ordered it for my Kindle. It is an interesting read. I thought it was a very interesting idea as to what worlds beyond our own might be like. Not having a lot of information on what might have happened in the garden of eden in those other worlds, he gave an interesting story. It is not perfectly written, but I enjoyed it and the characters.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

I knew that Destroying Eden approached science fiction, a genre I am not fond of. However, I soon realized this book followed the tradition of C.S. Lewis' Space Trilogy, in that the author (Bergman) used allegory to tell a much larger (and more important) story. The beginning was a little slow for me, and created more detail than I would have liked. But, once the narrative moved to the core conflict, I really enjoyed reading this book. Bergman is aware of the nuances of human relations and how the slight expressions of kindness or envy can affect an entire people.

[Sherri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fun read, loved the characters and is a good uplifting story. I know the author and that made it more interesting!