A Universe Revealed

by Eric von Schrader

A secret makes you play its game. And when you play it, the secret wins. Always.

How do you keep the biggest secret in history, especially when a master spy is snooping around?

In A Universe Revealed, Diyami Red Hawk is pursuing a sacred mission to build a new Native American city at the ancient site of Cahokia. But his success is based on a lie. If anyone finds out, will his project come crashing down?

For years, Jim Collins, a financial genius and superb poker player, has been haunted by the mystery of his father, who was “very famous, but you’ll never find anyone who has heard of him.” When he meets Billy and Carol Boustany, he feels hope for the first time.

They introduce him to Diyami, who desperately needs his strategic wisdom. Together, they all come up with a plan to defeat the secrets. It brings the Intersecting Worlds trilogy to an astounding conclusion.

381 pages, Paperback

Published March 1, 2024

About the author

In my career, I have made documentary films and produced television shows. I work as an instructional design consultant. I was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, and spent most of my life there. I have always been fascinated by the older parts of the city and their echoes of a lost world.
A few years ago, my wife and I moved to Carpinteria, California. I've always wanted to live by the ocean. Still, the neighborhoods and streets of St. Louis are etched deep into my brain.

Reviews

[Gail Tognarelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a love story to the St Louis that is and the St Louis that should be. Eric's vision should fill the SD world with a yearning to be what it could be. Eric's characters define the best of the political architerture that should be. The 2 worlds share their gifts and accept their differences. If only.....

[Bryan Deutschmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eric has created an amazing conclusion the the Intersecting worlds trilogy. He makes you feel like you are actually there with Billy and everyone else. Not enough words can describe the whole series. Congrats Eric on a job well done!!!

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third and final novel in his Intersecting Worlds trilogy. The short note on the first two is there are two parallel earths (the origin of which is explained in the epilogue to this book) that for a while had an intersection at St. Louis where people could cross from one world to the other. That was closed in the second book, but fear not, another crossing point was found at the very end of that one.

All the characters we've come to know in the previous books are back, though several are reduced to cameo status. The primary focus this time around is on Diyami Red Hawk, originally from the second earth (dubbed HD for purposes of identification) in the well developed Native American city of Cahokia, trying to build up the local (SD) version of that place. But there are forces out there causing trouble, not the least of whom is one Ralph Pellegrini (aka Snidely Whiplash, in my mind anyway), a former CIA agent we've encountered before.

With far fewer new concepts to introduce this time, von Schrader's plotting and storytelling scenarios have gotten even better. He builds and releases tension and suspense quite nicely - this whole series could easily be turned into a good TV show. The last part of the book is good enough for an ending to the concepts he's put together these past few years, but I do think some bits were worked out a little too easily. At least he does allow for the obvious political differences which would arise in this day and age. (He also comes up with the best way of dealing with the question of what world we are in as the presidents of both these United States are people we've never met.)

A fun way last trip in a fun series of events.

[Jan Keenoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eric Von Schrader’s newest installment to his Intersecting Worlds trilogy, is titled A Universe Revealed and it is, well, a revelation. Von Schrader’s character driven storytelling continues a journey that is total fantasy, yet it is anchored by vulnerable and flawed human nature, realistic and hopeful goals, and a trust in mankind’s better angels. The impossible situation is satisfactorily explained in the course of a complicated set of circumstances that is slowly and skillfully unpacked. The reader is rewarded with lofty conclusions that are not only sensible, but they prompt the reader to cheer the characters on, without reservation. Throw in the many references to real St Louis places, and add in an inspiring dream for Cahokia and Native Americans everywhere, and stir up some cleverly funny references to contemporary media, politics, and sports, and the revelation is complete, and a universe is revealed! I highly recommend this trilogy, and espeically the newest third piece to Von Schrader’s Universe puzzle.

[Michael Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book as well as the entire series. I did not grow up in St. Louis but found the sites mentioned interesting and imaginative. The tie-ins to St. Louis are done very well, but not necessary to be form St. Louis to read the story. The third book of the series told the rest of the story and answered most if not all of the questions I had from the first two books. I especially like the native American concurrent running throughout the series. I heartily recommend the all the books in this series.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book that pulls you in and makes it hard to put down. I really enjoyed this book, just as I did the others. This one I thought the author did an especially good job focusing on other characters, building more interesting backstories, and having a great ending. As a St. Louisan I find the trilogy extra interesting but really I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys alternate universe stories.

[richardrpjasper.org · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF

A third of the way through it was clearly going to be another cloak and dagger mishmash with the CIA guy pondering whether to use "enhanced interrogation" techniques. As if there wouldn't be plenty of drama tackling the oil and gas industries, the auto industry, the federal government, and the State of Illinois. I hope Diyami's and Meredith's Cahokia gets off the ground but the silly spy games bored me to tears.

[David M. Bolinsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful visit to a parallel world!

This trilogy is imaginative, human and credibly detailed in both versions of St. Louis; its characters are wonderfully drawn and memorable. I’m impressed with how von Schrader juxtaposes two worlds that began as one.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful Fantasy

I was surprised there was a third book as I liked the ending of the second one. Yet, this third book of the series was not a disappointment. Plenty of unexpected twists and turns to keep you turning the pages. An interesting series that's kind of believable.

[Alexa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic series

I loved this series! What a fun thought. Just the kid of read I needed right now. I would highly recommend this to anyone who loves alternate history or sci-fi

[John Demos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Trilogy.

What a great ending to the trilogy! A fun read, excellent pacing. Make sure to read the first two books

[Karen Edgecombe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Universe Revealed

This was the third in a series that I read it was a very good story. Now I have to get back to my regular life. Thank you for this series.

[Lori Wilkey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed the entire series. It was a quick, fun read that does make you wonder what if.