The Demons That Save Us: Echoes of Etherium Volume 2

by Maximilian Lopez, Lyrica Costello (Illustrator), Amparo S Morales (Editor)

As the clock ticks toward a multi-universal cataclysm, the dangers in both worlds become increasingly clear. With hopes and dreams on the line, unlikely heroes must confront an unyielding force of destiny that threatens to plunge them into its unforgiving depths. The five unsuspecting test subjects—Corey, Selene, Joseph, and the Finnish twins—are bound by Dr. Kreiner and his father’s experiment to a fate they can barely imagine. When their consciousness is synchronized into their dream selves, it opens a gateway to an alternate reality. With a secret government agent determined to discover the truth, the stage is set for an epic battle against impossible odds. Strap in for a riveting sci-fi thriller as dreams come alive and fate draws you ever closer toward its relentless grip in book two of the Echoes of Etherium Series - The Demons That Save Us.

248 pages, Paperback

Published July 5, 2023

About the author

Max grew up dreaming impossible dreams of an alternate life other than the one he had in a small town outside of San Antonio, Texas. Shortly after high school, he joined the Marine Corps where he traveled to Foreign Lands. Throughout his budding Marine Corps career, he studied military radar technology and decided to leave the Marine Corps after a memorable eight years to work in the civilian Radar Technical Community at Saab Defense Inc. in Syracuse, NY. During the following eight years, he met his beautiful and intelligent wife, Shirley. Eventually, Max and his growing family wanted to move away from the snow so he accepted a position working as a Government civilian for the US Navy specifying in emerging naval radar technology. Currently, Max resides with his wife and two handsome boys in Virginia Beach, Va.

Reviews

[Lezlie The Nerdy Narrative · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book and its series is perfect for readers who love sci fi thrillers!

A few months ago, the author reached out to me to see if I would be interested in reading the first book in the Echoes of Etherium series, THE DREAMS THAT BIND US. I was very intrigued by the premise that when we sleep, we're not actually dreaming, instead we're glimpsing alternate realities. I was blown away by how interesting that storyline turned out to be and I fell in love with the characters. I've always been a huge lover of the found family trope and Maximilian Lopez won me over with his use of it in the series opener.

Now, I did read the ARC of this one - and it was provided to me at no cost by the author - but I asked(begged) for it. As soon as I finished the first book, I immediately was in touch with the author about the next in the series and shamelessly requested early access.

The characters I loved so much from the first book return - in an alternate reality - to search out a possible cure for Selene's mother in their original (but is it really??) reality. First, our group must find each other, which isn't as easy as you might think. One element the first book explores is these alternate realities are different versions of ourselves - different due to making different choices or how we would have lived if our circumstances were different. I found this concept so interesting and enjoyed learning more about it as our characters learned to navigate this other world.

There was a neat twist on the found family trope that was equal parts interesting and stress-inducing at the same time. The author chose so well to approach these characters this way because it makes this book stand out from the first book AND it is in line with the alternate reality plotline.

Once the characters reunite, there is the revelation that not only did they all lead very different lives here, but the good doctor who was helping them from their original reality is also a different version of himself and most assuredly up to no good. The kind of no good that can lead to the end of the world type of no good.

I love Lopez's style of storytelling and writing style. I highlighted so much, but most of it would be spoilers to share, so I'll go with a description towards the beginning that stood out especially vivid to me:

"Floating embers of a campfire lost themselves in the Texas country air as music blared from the truck speakers of Joey's borrowed ride."

I could see those embers floating lazily in the air of the night sky. I swear I could hear the crackling of the fire and smell the wood burning. With that came nostalgia - I had many nights as a teenager/college kid where we had gatherings like this.

The best comparison I can think of to demonstrate the characters, plot and pacing is the show 24 with Keifer Sutherland. Smart people getting into impossible situations and having to think quick on their feet to save the world - all on a strict time frame.

I'm eager to dive into whatever Maximilian Lopez writes next!

[Cris M · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was just as fun to read as the first one, especially after the halfway mark I feel like it hits its stride and the pace kept me engaged the whole time. The prose is pleasant and invisible for the most part but occasionally the author goes all out and plants some gold nuggets that really shine. The characters are relatable and have their own voice, my only criticism would be that sometimes it was confusing when the POV changed because it was in 1st person and I'm more used to POV switches in 3rd.

Overall, the book (and series) still makes me think of Fringe and I still love it for that. Now I'm looking forward to seeing how the story ends because the end threw me a curveball.

[Red Lagoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lopez brings the science and creativity again for the second installment of the Echoes of Etherium series. He weaves a mind-bending interconnection of alternate universes - and alternate personalities - that build to an epic, cinema-worthy climax.