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shadows of Katahdin
Beneath a New Sun
The man who saves him is Starwalk, an Abenaki whose language Fin inexplicably understands. Through Starwalk, Fin enters Ailen—the “Place of Happiness”—where he must learn unfamiliar customs, survive without the conveniences of his former life, and earn the trust of people who have never seen someone quite like him.
But Ailen offers more than refuge.
It gives Fin friendship. Purpose. A sense of belonging. And Hurit—a young woman who gradually becomes inseparable from the life he is building in this strange new world. Their connection deepens until Fin realizes that returning home may no longer be as simple as wanting the life he once had.
Beyond the safety of Ailen, however, another force is moving through the forests.
Pajackok, son of the Mohawk chief Devdas, carries old hatred and ambitions of his own, while the sinister presence known as Gitskog drives him toward greater darkness. As violence spreads and the security of the People of the Dawn begins to collapse, Fin’s private struggle for identity becomes entangled with a conflict far larger than himself.
What began as a journey to reconnect with his father becomes a journey through another age—and toward the man Fin was meant to become.
shadows of Katahdin
Destinies Bound
Two worlds. One warrior’s journey. A war that will decide the fate of nations.
Fin Eastwood was an ordinary teenager from New Jersey until the day he was thrust back in time to the ancient forests of Maine. Taken in by the Abenaki people, he has become a warrior, found love with the beautiful Hurit, and discovered a purpose he never knew he was missing.
But the peace he found along the Wolastoq River is about to be shattered.
Deep in the Atirutak Mountains, the sadistic Mohawk chief Pajackok and his band of magwak warriors are preparing for war. Fueled by hatred and guided by a demonic spirit, Pajackok will stop at nothing to destroy the Algonquin tribes and everyone Fin has come to love.
As the Iroquois Confederacy gathers more than five hundred warriors for a devastating spring offensive, the Algonquin nations must unite against impossible odds. Fin, his brother-in-spirit Starwalk, and the legendary warrior Chogan find themselves at the center of a battle that will determine whether their people survive or vanish into history forever.
Meet The Characters
Fin Eastwood
A teenager from northern New Jersey whose wilderness trip with his father becomes the defining journey of his life. Injured and displaced into another age, Fin must move from fear and disbelief toward adaptation, courage, responsibility, and belonging.
Ray Eastwood
Fin’s father. Following the death of his wife, Ray buries much of his grief in work. The Maine trip is his opportunity to reconnect with his son and begin confronting the loss they have both carried for years.
Starwalk
An Abenaki man whose vision leads him to Eagle Lake, where he discovers the injured Fin. Starwalk becomes rescuer, guide, teacher, friend, and one of the most important relationships in Fin’s transformation.
Hurit
A young woman of Ailen who becomes increasingly important to Fin as his connection to the village deepens. Their relationship grows from curiosity into genuine love, making Fin’s relationship with his old and new worlds increasingly complicated.
Pajackok
A powerful and deeply troubled Mohawk chief, the son of Devdas. His hatred of the Algonquin peoples and growing ambitions make him an escalating threat to Ailen and the surrounding tribes.
Gitskog
A frightening presence that has haunted Pajackok since childhood. Appearing at first as something almost compassionate before becoming demanding and destructive, Gitskog adds psychological and supernatural darkness to Pajackok’s journey.
Where History Meets Imagination
Shadows of Katahdin is a work of fiction inspired by the landscapes, peoples, traditions, survival skills, beliefs, and conflicts associated with the early native inhabitants of the northern continent.
The novel incorporates historically inspired elements—including traditions, rituals, weapons, village life, and geography—but does not present itself as a historical record. Certain characters, terminology, events, and cultural details have been created or adapted for the fictional world of the story.
As Cristopher Taylor notes in the manuscript’s Historical Notes, the intent is ultimately to approach the early native peoples represented in the story with respect for their significance, humanity, and history.
Inspired by history. Driven by imagination. Rooted in the human search for identity, belonging, and purpose.