Earth Shaker

Naomi Slocum—a beautiful, headstrong archaeologist—and her boss, Douglas Hackett—curator and owner of The Museum of the Unnatural—are excavating in Crete beneath the ruins of King Minos’ Citadel when they unearth Asterius. The myths of the malevolent demigod with the handsome head of the great white bull and the body of a powerful young man who was imprisoned by King Minos are revealed to be truths. Hackett and a reluctant Naomi enlist the help of pilot-for-hire (and Naomi’s budding love interest) Teddy Wilson to smuggle Asterius to Washington, D.C. Deep in the sub-basement of Hackett’s museum where the legend of Asterius’ perpetual sleep is shattered and he slowly comes to life. It isn’t long before Asterius breaks free, but he is obsessed by Naomi and claims her as his earth-beloved who is destined to bear him a son. Hackett’s madness escalates and he turns on Naomi and everyone around him. Despite her scientific training and her blossoming relationship with Teddy, Naomi finds herself increasingly mesmerized by Asterius’ power and mystery. Asterius has the ability to be a “bone-waker”—a creature with a life force so strong he can revive the dead. Asterius reanimates the exhibits in Hackett’s museum—a macabre crypt of skeletons and biological oddities. He recruits his army of the undead so that he can avenge his imprisonment in the labyrinth and protect himself and Naomi in his new dwelling. It all culminates in a climax between S.W.A.T Teams, and the F.B.I. At the same time, Naomi and Asterius are engaged in their own conflict as they both struggle between what it means to be human and the beast within. Naomi must choose between being truly human or succumbing to the beast within. Myth becomes reality as Asterius' obsession for Naomi holds no bounds; even to conjuring his power to bring the dead back to life, creating his own Brigade of Bones. The depth of human passion and heart sets this cutting-edge thriller/horror apart from just another monster story. There are plenty of monsters devoid of human feelings. I’ll take human insight with my chills and thrills any day. The story focuses thematically on the beast within man and woman. And some of Asterius and Naomi's interplay provides that. The relationship between Naomi and Asterius, while exploring her disturbing dark side, reveals the raw emotions of being human. Naomi soon learns the importance in heeding those words: Rest in Peace.