Mysterion, June 2025

“The Watcher Awakens” by David A. Hewitt

Reviewed by Eric Kimminau

I had no idea what to expect, but I was hoping for something Annunaki-related tale describing the return of those known as “The Watchers.” “The Watcher Awakens” by David A. Hewitt instead brings a tale of the “ending (of) one cosmic era, and ushering in the new epoch of Khimtumsakka.” A film crew is working on an intense adventure movie in the harsh desert, led by a passionate but eccentric director who believes his film carries a deep, cosmic message. The lead actress is exhausted by the tough filming conditions and starts to question whether all the hard work is really worth it. The story shifts between the present-day film set and the director’s strange, life-changing experience years earlier that inspired his vision for the movie. As the cast and crew push forward, they are caught between the demands of filmmaking and the director’s belief that their work could reveal something much greater to the world. I had no idea this would lead to such an unexpected plot twist—a true virtual reality horror scenario. I’m not usually a fan of the dark fantasy or horror genre, but I did enjoy this story. However, I think the ending could have used a bit more development. It felt rushed and incomplete, leaving me wanting more explanation about what happened to several of the characters and the sudden jumps in the final moments. I also felt the story could have spent more time explaining the “Chronovision 5-D” technology, which supposedly “enables a depth of vision that demolishes the limitations of what we call time.” Overall, it was an enjoyable read, but it was missing the depth and detail my inner geek was hoping for.

Eric Kimminau is a BBS geek turned IT professional seeking the next Great Adventure.