The universe is not broken.
It is operating exactly as designed.
Reality is governed by an ancient experiment known as the Game-a system that forces conscious beings into fragile bodies, erases their memories, and measures survival as proof of worth. Those who fail are forgotten. Those who succeed never learn how many were erased.
On a meticulously controlled world built on compliance and quiet observation, Scott Daniels begins to experience unauthorized thoughts-memories that should not exist, instincts that contradict everything he has been taught. The more he tries to suppress them, the clearer it becomes: his life is not his own, and his world is not what it claims to be.
Watching from beyond the physical realm is Xin, an Ethereal intelligence who understands the Game's true function. It does not seek truth. It does not reward morality. It selects for obedience, adaptability, and silence. Xin sees the uncounted dead, the lives discarded before awareness ever had a chance to form. And knowing the system cannot be dismantled from the outside, she enters it-accepting mortality, memory loss, and extinction as the price of resistance.
As Scott's identity fractures and suppressed histories bleed through the seams of reality, the illusion of choice collapses. Freedom may never have existed. Meaning may be a byproduct of survival. And love itself may be nothing more than a fault in the system.
Sandcastles and Rainbows is a dystopian science-fiction novel about control disguised as order, memory as rebellion, and the cost of questioning a universe that punishes awareness.
You are not lost.
You are contained.
Myers, Christopher D.: -
Christopher Myers is a seasoned writer whose journey began in high school, where he penned over 300 poems, laying the foundation for his literary aspirations. His dedication to the craft has spanned decades, culminating in the release of his debut novel, Sandcastles and Rainbows: Love Exists in the Universe on October 1, 2024, a project that has been over ten years in the making. Christopher's prose blends romance, science fiction, and philosophical musings, capturing the complexities of love and existence in a universe defined by both beauty and hardship. The anticipated sequel, Sandcastles and Rainbows II: The Search for Thron, is set to be published in 2025, continuing his exploration of deep, existential themes.
A lover of adventure, Christopher has traversed the globe, visiting all seven continents, including a recent expedition to Antarctica in 2024. His travels have taken him from the peaks of the Canadian Rockies to the vast plains of Argentina, and from the towering Great Wall of China to the ancient Pyramids of Giza. These experiences provide him with a rich palette from which he draws inspiration for his storytelling.
Christopher has lived in Michigan, Texas, California, and Hawaii, where he honed his culinary skills at Leeward Community College, with a perfect 4.0 GPA. When not writing or exploring new destinations, he enjoys the company of his cats, who have been constant companions throughout his life. He continues to travel the world alongside his wife, Yen, seeking new inspirations for his future works.
