The veil of normalcy is torn for Samuel Jiménez, a successful professional in Toronto, when a sudden collapse confronts him with a terrifying reality: the echoes of a shamanic past in the mountains of Colombia and the presence of a dark entity that accompanies and torments him.
His path leads him to discover secret teachings, unsettling cults, and a supposed transcendental mission to seal peace in Colombia. In this dizzying odyssey, where the line between healing and insanity blurs, Samuel must confront not only the entities that haunt him but also his own fears and the possibility that his quest for spiritual power is the ultimate trap. Will he break free, or will he become another pawn in an ancient war for control of his soul?
The seed for this novel was born from a very personal process of introspection and healing. For years, I poured my experiences with spirituality, encounters with yagé, Muisca traditions, and my own battles with mental health into an autobiographical manuscript. It was my story, raw and honest.
However, I felt that for the essence of that experience to truly resonate, it had to transcend my biography. It was the advice of writer Héctor Forero that illuminated the path: transform my testimony into fiction. This creative freedom allowed me to build a universal narrative with archetypal characters and a plot that explores the themes of light and shadow in a deeper, more extreme way.
Thus, Samuel Jiménez was born. He walks in the footsteps of my past, but his demons and his destiny are entirely his own. Writing this novel was a fascinating challenge, a return to the ability to imagine worlds and live intensely through the characters. It is a testament to a unique historical moment, a window into the indigenous world, and a reflection on the subtle dynamics of power and manipulation that sometimes hide behind the spiritual quest.
Embark on this journey and discover what lies in the darkness.
My main intention is to share this story. If Samuel’s journey resonates with you, the best way to support this project is by helping it reach more people.
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© 2025 Manuel R. Avila. All rights reserved.