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To the End of Reckoning
A high-concept speculative thriller that asks what happens when history stops being debatable. To the End of Reckoning taps into modern anxieties about truth, technology, and belief—turning the discovery of impossible historical footage into a market-ready, conversation-driving novel.
What if a film existed of every major historical event?
Would footage of Caesar’s assassination or Columbus landing in the Americas be accepted as real? And if such films were genuine, who could have created them—and what would their existence mean for the future of humanity?
When a cache of impossible film reels is discovered in an abandoned barn in upstate New York, film historian Harry Kincaid is pulled into a government investigation unlike any other. Alongside a team of experts in film, history, and science, he must determine whether these astonishing recordings are CGI, AI fabrications, elaborate reenactments—or the authentic glimpses into the past.
From the signing of the Declaration of Independence to ancient battles lost to time, each reel exposes truths too extraordinary to dismiss. But as the team digs deeper, they uncover a warning embedded within the films—one that could alter the course of human civilization.
As governments close in and powerful interests race to control the narrative, Harry faces the ultimate if everyone believes something to be true, do the facts still matter?
To the End of Reckoning is a gripping speculative thriller that explores the boundaries of faith, science, and truth itself—hurtling from revelation to revelation until its breathtaking conclusion, when humanity must confront the path it has chosen in a crowded, cynical, and uncontrollable world.
The truth has been recorded. What happens when the world finally presses play?
What if a film existed of every major historical event?
Would footage of Caesar’s assassination or Columbus landing in the Americas be accepted as real? And if such films were genuine, who could have created them—and what would their existence mean for the future of humanity?
When a cache of impossible film reels is discovered in an abandoned barn in upstate New York, film historian Harry Kincaid is pulled into a government investigation unlike any other. Alongside a team of experts in film, history, and science, he must determine whether these astonishing recordings are CGI, AI fabrications, elaborate reenactments—or the authentic glimpses into the past.
From the signing of the Declaration of Independence to ancient battles lost to time, each reel exposes truths too extraordinary to dismiss. But as the team digs deeper, they uncover a warning embedded within the films—one that could alter the course of human civilization.
As governments close in and powerful interests race to control the narrative, Harry faces the ultimate if everyone believes something to be true, do the facts still matter?
To the End of Reckoning is a gripping speculative thriller that explores the boundaries of faith, science, and truth itself—hurtling from revelation to revelation until its breathtaking conclusion, when humanity must confront the path it has chosen in a crowded, cynical, and uncontrollable world.
The truth has been recorded. What happens when the world finally presses play?
250 pages, Paperback
Published August 4, 2026
About the author
John Bond
8 books15 followersJohn Bond’s life has been immersed in the written word. He has been a librarian, editor, book publisher, educator, publishing consultant, author, and (most importantly), avid reader. He has written eight books and worked with countless authors on finding their voice and a platform to publish their work.
A devoted book collector, John’s collection started with Bradbury and Vonnegut but has mushroomed into Murakami and Chiang and non-fiction in every discipline. He lives in New Jersey and is trying to get through his ever growing pile To Be Read.
A devoted book collector, John’s collection started with Bradbury and Vonnegut but has mushroomed into Murakami and Chiang and non-fiction in every discipline. He lives in New Jersey and is trying to get through his ever growing pile To Be Read.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 15, 2026
This compelling story had me hooked and eagerly looking for the answer to a a very intriguing mystery. The characters were well drawn and fun to get to know. The author ties deeper philosophical questions about humanity and our interconnectedness to the central mystery of the story, making the end both satisfying and thought provoking. As a reader who generally doesn’t gravitate towards science fiction and the like, this one made me realize I just hadn’t chosen the right books in that genre before.
September 5, 2026
A "Must Read" That Will Make You Wonder About The History You Thought Your Knew!
“To the End of Reckoning” is a fascinating book, which will keep you wanting to learn more. John Bond’s experience at an author, publisher, and librarian gives him the background and expertise to write a “speculative thriller” that will keep you eagerly turning the pages. I particularly enjoyed the character development of all the diverse and interesting characters in the novel. This book kept my interest and peaked my curiosity to discover what was going to happen next. I was always surprised! As a “history lover” I appreciated and enjoyed the “what if” story line throughout history. The storyline will encourage you to think about the history you learned in school and the history that is being created today from a more curious perspective. If you want a book that will engage your imagination and keep you wondering about the history you thought you knew, this is the book for you! You will not be able to put the book down because of the engaging storyline and characters. The book is a “Must Read” for anyone who wants to enjoy a book that will take you imagination to another level, time, and place!
“To the End of Reckoning” is a fascinating book, which will keep you wanting to learn more. John Bond’s experience at an author, publisher, and librarian gives him the background and expertise to write a “speculative thriller” that will keep you eagerly turning the pages. I particularly enjoyed the character development of all the diverse and interesting characters in the novel. This book kept my interest and peaked my curiosity to discover what was going to happen next. I was always surprised! As a “history lover” I appreciated and enjoyed the “what if” story line throughout history. The storyline will encourage you to think about the history you learned in school and the history that is being created today from a more curious perspective. If you want a book that will engage your imagination and keep you wondering about the history you thought you knew, this is the book for you! You will not be able to put the book down because of the engaging storyline and characters. The book is a “Must Read” for anyone who wants to enjoy a book that will take you imagination to another level, time, and place!
September 12, 2026
Thrilling story with a critical message for our time. Really enjoyed it and found the story thought provoking and important!
September 1, 2026
Hooks you from the start to the finish.
August 7, 2026
This is an excellent sci-fi story without violence and with a terrific, engaging premise. I gave it the following SCORE:
Setting: Sometime in the future, Palmyra, a small community in upstate New York, and Fort Drum
Characters: Harry, a film and movie specialist, Tighe, a CGI/AI expert, Anna, an historian, and a team of linguistics scholars, military security, and government project managers
Overview of plot: An incredibly advanced set of films has accidentally been found in a remote barn near Rochester, NY, home of Kodak, following the plane crash of a US Senator. The military quickly secures the site and brings in three experts in their fields – Harry, Anna, and Tighe. They arrive at a consensus that the technology of the films is way beyond our current capabilities, they were not produced by CGI, and, most importantly, they portray actual events at the time they occurred in world history precisely and vividly – such as the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Michelangelo’s paintings, and Lincoln’s assassination. The amazing scientific discoveries continue to grow, the tension builds, and the stakes become higher as the world begins to understand the implications of the accurate historical scenes.
Recommendation: 5 stars
Extras: This story reminds me of early, excellent sci-fi tales that Isaac Asimov and Arthur C. Clarke wrote so effortlessly and were long remembered. Hopefully, the story’s resolutions, with associated political ramifications, will not keep readers from enjoying this terrific tale.
Thanx to NetGalley and Histria Books for the opportunity to provide this candid review.
Setting: Sometime in the future, Palmyra, a small community in upstate New York, and Fort Drum
Characters: Harry, a film and movie specialist, Tighe, a CGI/AI expert, Anna, an historian, and a team of linguistics scholars, military security, and government project managers
Overview of plot: An incredibly advanced set of films has accidentally been found in a remote barn near Rochester, NY, home of Kodak, following the plane crash of a US Senator. The military quickly secures the site and brings in three experts in their fields – Harry, Anna, and Tighe. They arrive at a consensus that the technology of the films is way beyond our current capabilities, they were not produced by CGI, and, most importantly, they portray actual events at the time they occurred in world history precisely and vividly – such as the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Michelangelo’s paintings, and Lincoln’s assassination. The amazing scientific discoveries continue to grow, the tension builds, and the stakes become higher as the world begins to understand the implications of the accurate historical scenes.
Recommendation: 5 stars
Extras: This story reminds me of early, excellent sci-fi tales that Isaac Asimov and Arthur C. Clarke wrote so effortlessly and were long remembered. Hopefully, the story’s resolutions, with associated political ramifications, will not keep readers from enjoying this terrific tale.
Thanx to NetGalley and Histria Books for the opportunity to provide this candid review.
October 26, 2026
Really enjoyed this page turner. Starts as a more straightforward speculative fiction comfort read that feels like rewatching the National Treasure movies or re-reading Cloud Atlas. Over time it reveals many nooks & crannies (and short philosophical asides) about individual & collective memory, religion/myth and the side effects of a dystopian future.
Reminded me of many amazing books I've read in the past few years surfacing interesting questions related to memory, history, humanity:
Ted Chiang - Exhalation and Stories of Your Life. There is a Ted Chiang short story about a technology that allows you to revisit every moment of your life. I couldn't help but think of that story in conversation with this novella.
Yōko Ogawa - The Memory Police - Oddly enough this feels like the inverse premise of the book exploring collective amnesia instead of collective memory.
Jennifer Egan - The Candy House - I found a lot of similarities between the concepts in this novella & the "Own your Unconscious" technology in Egan's novel.
Will reread To the End of Reckoning when I need some comfort next year!
Reminded me of many amazing books I've read in the past few years surfacing interesting questions related to memory, history, humanity:
Ted Chiang - Exhalation and Stories of Your Life. There is a Ted Chiang short story about a technology that allows you to revisit every moment of your life. I couldn't help but think of that story in conversation with this novella.
Yōko Ogawa - The Memory Police - Oddly enough this feels like the inverse premise of the book exploring collective amnesia instead of collective memory.
Jennifer Egan - The Candy House - I found a lot of similarities between the concepts in this novella & the "Own your Unconscious" technology in Egan's novel.
Will reread To the End of Reckoning when I need some comfort next year!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
To the End of Reckoning was a very interesting book. I like the way it started with just a few people trying to solve a mystery to eventually bringing a more diverse set of people into the picture. There were quite a few different opinions, but the way that everyone worked together to study the films and other objects found was wonderful. Throughout the book I was questioning on where the films came from and how any of it was possible.
September 13, 2026
What a cool concept! All these cinema experts are brought in to analyze an unusual set of films, and each thing they discover only opens up more questions about what they are, where they came from, why they exist. It's a book with a clear sense of purpose and important message at the end. Quick read, really cool, very enjoyable!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews