I love how you did the story. Love the twist too. Would you be making a sequel to this?

wow words can't describe really how this story makes you feel. Stunned, exhausted, slightly seperated from life around, it really makes you think and reavaluate.

Very powerful in all ways and obviously a story dying to be written by you.

yeah

wow

god that was beautiful.

Hi. I haven’t written many reviews for this site, which is strange considering I was borderline obsessive about this site for a while. Back then, I couldn’t bring myself to write reviews because I was either A) just “ehh” about the story and therefore didn’t really have anything to say, especially if I gave up on the story or B) was so insanely jealous that some other person had written this AMAZING masterpiece that made my own pathetic attempts look… well… pathetic-er.

Anyway, after getting back into writing, I decided to check back with fictionpress and I ended up finding a blog and getting to your website. I remembered that you were a really well-known and well-liked author on fictionpress, and so I started reading what you wrote – and I promise I’m not a stalker, or at least that I don’t have any negative thoughts.

A lot of what you wrote about just really clicked with what I had thought – about the deterioration of fictionpress and how a lot of the stories aren’t really original and filled with similar characters, and how authors are shameless. Yet some things that you said was also really surprising and I had no idea that even popular writers, like yourself, were being bashed by hypocrites – sycophantic hypocrites at that, which we all know are the worst kind.

Okay, so getting to the point, finally. I read the post on Eidolon and remembered it just because it had been that good. I had attempted your other stories, which had more reviews (because I must admit I look at review count as an indicator of how “good” a story is), but frankly, I wasn’t as interested even though they were obviously well-written and really thought out.

Then, I read Eidolon, and I was just blown away. The subject matter was eerie, strange, disturbing, and downright sick at times, but I loved it. I read it all in one go, and at the end, I was left speechless. I’ve read a lot of stories, and many of them were enjoyable reads, some were discarded, and a few were inhaled and actually became a part of me because they resonated. Your story is in the latter group, and I remember that it completely changed my view of family relationships, the question of sanity, and how far and realistic writing could really go. I was really influential, and your story influenced me in a really good way.

Coming back now, after a few years, I only just now have the maturity to realize how much some of the stories on fictionpress really did for me, both in terms of my view of the world and my vision as a writer. I thought it was time to really give you your due appreciation, so I wanted to say thank you for sharing this with me. You said that writing Eidolon was difficult and took a lot of you. It must have been difficult, and this was a really intricate, extremely deep story. No – it isn’t even really a story; it is more like a presentation of Life. Thank you so much for facing your troubles, and overcoming the difficulties to write this beautifully moving piece.

Even though you have hypocrites and backstabbing reviewers, please continue to write. I’d love to see you published someday, and I was concerned when your last post seemed really disheartened and discouraged about writing. Personally, I couldn’t bring myself to finish your other stories, but you do have a talent for bringing people to life. That talent is obvious on every page and every dialogue, and that talent plus Eidolon has convinced me you are one of the finest writers on fictionpress who is deserving of all your fame.

Okay, that’s pretty much all I wanted to say, sorry the review is so convoluted, but again, I just wanted to tell you how much you influenced me and wowed me with the power of writing when I first read Eidolon a few years back. And I can tell you that I will definitely be reading it again, this time with a new perspective, and most likely still be going “Damn… I wish I had written that!”

wow this is an intense story yet beautifully written

I can't really describe how I felt after I read the last word of your story. Heart wrenching. Mentally and perhaps physically drained. I think that my feeling was only a portion of what you felt as you wrote word for word of the story. Everything from how confusing it was at the first few chapters of the story to how deep Cassie dug herself into her own mental relapse was written perfectly that I'm actually still stunned by it. After reading everything, I had to sit there for a few minutes to let everything sink in.

This is possibly one of the best stories I've read here in . After a couple of chapters I thought this must be a follow-up to another story of yours - went to check - and no. But soon I realised that it works perfectly as it is. The way everything is revealed bit by bit and Cassie falls deeper into madness.

It's not a happy story as you pointed out yourself, but it's one of those stories that don't need a happy ending. Even as the reader wants to rail against the cruelty of Cassie's fate, they must - however grudgingly - admit that the story is perfect like this.

I really enjoyed the style of writing, no long paragraphs full of detailed description, but the world shown the way Cassie saw it. The power struggles in the family, her descent into madness, it all felt very realistic. Really impressive storywriting.

Adding you to favorites so that I can find the rest of your stories when I have more time to read. :)

I'm not really sure I have the proper words to describe how I'm feeling right now. Taxed, maybe? Mentally drained? Exhausted? There's a hole slew of things running through my head, but I don't think any of them can put into words how this story made me feel.

Which is testament to how powerful it is, and how incredible of a writer you are. I know I've told you before, but you have a way with words that makes me innately grateful (as well as jealous). Stories like these are the ones that truly need to be told, and I've read your LJ entry on how draining this was for you to write.

I can only imagine. The happy-go-lucky ones take time, but these ones, the gut-wrenching, pulled-from-depths-nobody-should-brave ones... they are truly worth everything. And are so much more rewarding in the end.

The style you wrote this in, I think, only increased its hold on me. It was so haunting, so creepy, yet rang so true. And as Cassie said, she's like a car wreck that everyone has to stop and stare at. This story is beautiful in that gruesome kind of way.

I applaud you, darling. It was better than I could have ever expected.

Always,

Sammy

PS. One residual question: How old is Cassie?

I'm not sure what I can say about this. It was definitely a difficult story to read, and I can imagine it must have been difficult to write. It was heartbreaking, tragic, disturbing, and strangely real, if that makes any sense at all.

Great writing as always. :) Sorry that I can't find better words to describe it, haha.

btw i love this story.

me not understanding some things is what made me so freaked out. Idk why but it kept me up late, luckily i have TBWAQ to keep me from my nightmares and keep them happy.

After I had finished Eidolon, i finished TSWAQ and I am glad I did.

Loved this story so much, i agree with the other person that said i keep away from these stories usually but it reeled me in and cooked me for dinner[thats my atempt at wit.]

I love your stories thanks for keeping me reeled in, I have a goal to read all your stories, im pretty close ]

This was horrible.

...Oh, my God.

That was so horrible and mind boggling. I can't believe words like "sad" and "beautiful" come to my mind after reading something this perfectly insane, honestly.

As I said, mind boggling.

I'm not sure what to say after something this probing and, well, strong.

It's amazing how everyone in the elder trinity was equally mad, and I somehow learned to sympathize and love each one of them, no matter that they're sick fucks. If you don't mind me sayin'.

"We are all puppets, controlled by a capricious puppet-master, shambling in a jerky dance manipulated by him. My name is Cassandra Davidson, and I have more than one master. And so I dance because this is my cue now."

This somehow said everything. Those words struck me. Especially from "my name is..."

Actually, I think that would have maybe made an even better summary, if I may observe.

Either way... Whoa. Yes? Whoa.

And btw, regarding my obsessive reviewing these past few days, I'm bed ridden. So I'm not more of a virtual stalker now than I was, I just have more time on my hands. No worries ;)

It comes to mind how "Abide with me" is the perfect mixture and combination of EHL and Eidolon.

And I love how you ended things. The last paragraphs and question.

Yeah, I'm under that kind of impression that'll follow me for a few days. Maybe even catharsis.

Well..

cheers.

Wow. This is simply amazing. It is so dark; it gives me chills. The character portrayal is strikingly realistic. I can imagine every character. This has almost everything that I usually go out of my way to avoid reading. This, however, completely pulls me in. You have created this wonderfully, dark, and twisted world. The imagery was so intense, I began picturing the scenes. I really do not know what else to say. I really do adore this, for some reason. Especially the fact that it is not clear cut at all. So much is open for interpretation and imagination. Brilliant.

wow.

This is perhaps my favorite story on fictionpress. (and its not even a romance) I loved how everything was so mysterious up until the very middle. I savored every paragraph and so will my nightmares.

Thank you.

wow that was, i have to say, the most horrible, amazing thing i've ever read. im usually into light romance, like you're other stuff, but this just proved what a versatile writer you are. i actually preferred this to any of the others! thanks for sharing it

ness

Toxic. That family is just toxic.

I am blown away by this story. It is completely different than the stories you usually write, and that makes it interesting. You've shown these dark and twisted people so well. Poor Cassie was just caught in the middle, but even she isn't blameless. Charles and Connor were both sick puppies.

I just read up on the name Cassandra on wikipedia, and so much of that resonates with Cassie in this story. The voice in her head saying that no one will believe her. I remember reading stories about Cassandra and the fall of Troy. The connection there was very, very nice.

This story is just unlike anything I have ever read. Wonderfully written, with interesting characters, and a compelling mystery. Amazing!

Wow. Your plot is beautifully complex and intriguing. You left the reader guessing at many things, which made the mystery and mental instability of your characters more potent. This is truly marverlous. I would surely purchase this if it were published.