Shadow of the Eternal Watcher

By: Josh Mendoza

Narrated by: Kellen Boyle

Duster Raines has demons. Some visit him in his dreams, reminding him of the choices he made in combat to survive. Others visit him while he’s awake, demanding he pay penance for those sins. But lately, he’s started seeing an alternate version of reality where he leads a life of importance full of wealth and power. Visions so vivid, they seem more real than the life he lives as a PI, scrounging the gutters of Los Angeles for an easy buck. It’s enough to drive anyone insane.

Pulled into a missing persons case he never wanted, Raines finds himself framed and hunted by the government. But as he searches for answers to clear his name, he discovers a truth he never could have imagined. He possesses the ability to bend spacetime to accomplish incredible feats.

With these powers, maybe he’s got a shot at the life he deserves.

There’s only one problem standing in his way, the other Duster Raines.

©2025 Josh Mendoza (P)2025 Josh Mendoza

Critic reviews

"Recommended for space opera fans with a taste for irony." —Library Journal

Noir novel with a sci-fi twist

This novel masterfully blends captivating noir themes with a unique science fiction twist. The gritty atmosphere and morally ambiguous characters kept me on the edge of my seat. The unexpected sci-fi elements seamlessly integrated into the narrative, adding layers of intrigue and suspense. I was particularly impressed by the author's skillful world-building and intricate plot. This is a must-read for fans of both genres.

Knockout Sci-Fi + Detective Novel Thrill-Ride

Shadow of the Eternal Watcher grabs you from the first page and doesn’t let go.

In his fantastic debut novel, Josh Mendoza fuses old school detective work with pulse-pounding action and sets it all against the backdrop of a society that is tearing itself apart at the seams - even though it doesn't appear so on the surface.

The story pulses with a kind of visual energy that makes it easy to imagine as a moody motion picture in your mind. My favorite aspect of SotEW is how Mendoza unveils his dystopian setting gradually, mirroring the descent of his main character, Duster Raines, into entropic chaos. Watching the world disintegrate through Duster’s increasingly fragmented perspective keeps the reader guessing about what's around every corner.

For fans of cross-genre storytelling, Shadow of the Eternal Watcher is a must-read. It manages to be both intelligent and adrenaline-fueled—an ambitious, layered narrative that heralds the arrival of an exciting new voice in fiction (and sci-fi in particular!). I can’t wait to see what Mendoza does next, and here’s hoping someone in Hollywood is already working on the adaptation of Shadow of the Eternal Watcher.

Great book.

Clear writing. Clear science fiction. Great storytelling. The characters were very well-developed and believable. Great book. 10/10

Well written

Great book for SciFi readers, great word choice and character development. Teens will love this except for the F word used frequently. I was not a fan of the narrator but he got the job done. I could see this as a series.