Story Overview
The above quote is from "Frankenstein, or, the Modern Prometheus" and written by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley. It is Lily Godwin's favorite story. And it is a statement that Lily might well be pondering herself were she not so unclear on exactly what this "something" could even be, let alone understand it. All she knows is that she is compelled to move and to react to its influence, whether it be in dream, memory, or reality. But how can she move if she can't imagine, can't remember, or can't see the way to her goal?
This unrelenting, inevitable drive to migrate will bring an understanding to her at last, for better or worse, good or evil. Like Walton, she is on the verge of a great revelation, filled with apprehension and anticipation... and perhaps this "something" else? Lily cannot understand it. She can't remember what she was trying to recall... can't imagine what she'd seen in her dream... can't even see the road right in front of her eyes, or note the landmarks, mark the hazard signs, map out a safe route. Just move... before it's too late.
She thinks she remembers or imagined in a dream an angry voice that whispered something to her in her ear, or was it in in her head, or soul... something about change? Or did its sound only portend it, which would be just as ominous? Something that she did not understand, but certainly will see...
As you can see, Lily has a lot to uncover, learn, and discover before the truth is revealed, not only for her, but for all of us. Consider the surface scratched ;-)
UNBOUND is (among many other things) the story of Lily's search for answers. Her lack of success is not for lack of trying. She is incessently curious and always seeks out solutions to problems, and is given to visiting missions, shrines, and cathedrals in a futile effort to understand what this alien emptiness inside of her signifies.
She just doesn't understand. Since people say that The Maker is everywhere, and The Creator will answer their prayers, and that God loves each and every one, then she should be able to hear Him too, or at least feel Him, or It. She tells Will that she just believes, but hardly believes it herself. She tries praying, tries listening, tries searching, at first for a responsible Father, then for an explanation for her ailments, finally for a sense of true identity and a meaning for her life.
What she finds is not what she wants, but it is what she gets...
UNBOUND is very much a story on what it means to be human, and at our core levels. Lily feels as if an empty vessel. She doesn't know why. And now, she doesn't even remember that anymore... but she moves on seeking light, much as a sleepwalker might, or a moth. Awakening becomes another matter entirely. And we find that light can burn flesh, too.
Underview
The complex story of UNBOUND is similar to a pair of intertwined mobius strips: two larger stories that are separate, yet conjoined where they twist, each needed to complete the Whole, perfectly parallel, even when they turn back on themselves to try and grasp each other's end to form a different circle. It's one story, but it will hardly feel like it.
The Main Story's premise is far greater than what I can tell or attempt to synopsize here. At this point I can just show a portion of one side, and only through the characters of Book One: Earth. Aside from Lily, this includes the story of Will, her companion and very-visible ward, whose own coming-of-age story takes up a good part of the book. As I've mentioned on the Excerpt Page , he barely survived a traumatic childhood, and is dreading the impending return to his parents, who not only were junkies, but also abused him. Both he and Lily are anxiously anticipating that day, and what he will do after that, and what she herself will do when that Day of Departure does arrive.
Themes of crime and punishment, forgiveness and vengeance, and love and hate are central to the whole novel, on one level, or another. The storylines change and morph, much like a kaleidoscope of stars, made of mobius strips...
Innerview
Until I manage a deal (or self-publish) I'll only be revealing and dealing here with Book One: Earth. Things really open up in Book Two and I don't want to tip my hand other than what I'm showing and sharing here to the potential Reader. I want to ensure that he or she will have as wondrous, thought-provoking, and emotionally gripping AND UNEXPECTED a journey as possible, one filled with many surprises, much delight, and everpresent Love. (Along with the sorrow, trauma, violence, gore, and death; there's quite a bit of that, too.) The adventurous Reader will be investing in characters and stories that will hopefully reward them in the long run, and at over 730 pages, it will be quite a lengthy and fulfilling trip!
I kept the writing uncomplex and direct. Despite its length and multiple plotlines the novel is comfortably tight. Nevertheless the reading will be rough going at times, and in a few parts will be sure to piss some Readers off as much as it pleases them in others. Some passages were absolutely heartbreaking to write, but ultimately it IS the "loves story" that the Muse wanted to tell and is determined to have you read at any cost, to help heal your broken hearts and soothe your saddened souls. That much I know for certain, and without a doubt. You'll have to hurt to heal; there's much too much callous out there...
For those of you who believe in faith, love, and liberation, for those in touch with imagination, your hearts, and your souls, this story will resonate deeply. However, it's very difficult to fit into a genre. Urban fantasy is convenient; but there is a lot of suspense, horror, and mystery in it, among other elements as well. There is a LOT of magic involved in its creation: vibrational, spiritual, and natural. So we'd very much like to share our Offspring, our Creation, with you, and simply tell you a tale. That's all it is. We pray that you will enjoy our story. It was written just for you.
You'll see ;-)