Shadows Over Two Worlds

Matt Freeman, a troubled fourteen-year-old, is haunted by dreams and a sense of not belonging. After surviving a supernatural ordeal at Raven's Gate, he learns he is one of five Gatekeepers destined to prevent the return of the Old Ones—ancient, malevolent beings. But the threat is not over. A second gate is about to open, and Matt's powers, still raw and uncontrollable, are the world's last hope.

The Outcast's Awakening

Matt's new life in Yorkshire is marred by bullying and alienation at his elite school. His only support is Richard Cole, a journalist who has become his reluctant guardian. When Matt's psychic powers erupt in a moment of humiliation, he becomes a pariah, and the sense of being hunted intensifies. Meanwhile, his former guardian, Gwenda, is manipulated by a sinister force to seek his destruction.

A Deadly Prophecy Unfolds

The Nexus, a secretive organization, warns Matt that a second gate in Peru is about to open. A centuries-old diary, recently unearthed, may hold the key to its location. But others seek it too, including a mysterious South American businessman. Matt is drawn into a web of prophecy, ancient evil, and betrayal, as the diary's secrets threaten to unleash chaos.

The Relentless Pursuer

Gwenda, under the influence of a supernatural presence, attempts to kill Matt by driving a petrol tanker into his school. Matt's precognitive abilities allow him to save hundreds, but he is forced to flee, his life in ruins. The attack confirms that the Old Ones' influence is growing, and that Matt's role is central to the coming conflict.

The Nexus and the Diary

Matt and Richard are summoned to London by the Nexus, who reveal the existence of the diary of St Joseph of Cordoba, a Spanish monk who foresaw the return of the Old Ones. The diary is the target of a deadly bidding war. Matt is sent to meet the diary's owner, but the meeting ends in murder and the diary's theft, orchestrated by unseen enemies.

Betrayal in the Shadows

The Nexus is compromised by a traitor, and Matt's every move is anticipated by the enemy. The diary falls into the hands of Diego Salamanda, a grotesque and powerful Peruvian tycoon. Matt and Richard, traveling under false identities, are sent to Peru to stop Salamanda from opening the second gate, but are ambushed upon arrival. Richard is kidnapped, and Matt is left alone in a hostile land.

Flight to Peru

Matt, disguised and destitute, is aided by Pedro, a streetwise Peruvian boy. Together, they evade corrupt police and assassins, journeying through Lima's slums and the Andean highlands. Matt discovers that Pedro, too, is one of the Five, and their shared dreams reveal their destinies are intertwined.

Lost in Poison Town

Matt and Pedro find refuge in Poison Town, a shantytown ruled by Sebastian, a cynical outcast. Here, Matt learns the cost of trust and the power of loyalty. The boys' bond deepens as they realize they have met before—in dreams that are more than mere fantasy.

Dreamers and Gatekeepers

In their dreams, Matt and Pedro communicate across language barriers, discovering they are both Gatekeepers. Pedro's tragic past and Matt's sense of responsibility unite them. They resolve to find the second gate and stop Salamanda, even as the prophecy warns that one of them may die.

The Inca's Secret City

Rescued by Atoc, a descendant of the Incas, Matt and Pedro are taken to Vilcabamba, the lost city of the Incas. Here, they are honored as prophesied saviors. The Inca prince and his sorcerer reveal that the Old Ones' return is imminent, and that the Nazca Lines hold the secret to the gate's location. The Incas pledge their support, but warn that the prophecy cannot be easily averted.

The Nazca Enigma

With the help of Professor Chambers, an expert on the Nazca Lines, Matt and his allies decipher the diary's clues. They learn that the gate is a cosmic lock, set to open when the stars align on Inti Raymi, the Inca festival of the sun. Salamanda plans to use a satellite—his "silver swan"—to complete the alignment and open the gate.

The Condor's Night

As Matt and his friends search the desert for the gate, they are attacked by monstrous condors—manifestations of the Old Ones' power. The attack leaves them wounded and shaken, but they discover the platform from which Salamanda will control the satellite. The final confrontation is at hand.

The Satellite Swan

Salamanda's plan is revealed: he will use his satellite to mimic the missing star, completing the alignment and unlocking the gate. The Incas, armed with ancient weapons, storm Salamanda's compound. Matt and Pedro, now recognized as leaders, join the assault, but betrayal from within the Nexus nearly dooms them.

The Final Confrontation

In a climactic battle, Matt and Pedro, aided by Atoc and Richard, confront Salamanda and his forces. The traitor is unmasked, and the Incas' ancient weapons clash with modern technology. Matt's powers, finally unleashed, allow him to destroy Salamanda's control, but not before the satellite completes the alignment.

The Gate Opens

Despite their efforts, the gate opens. The Nazca Lines blaze with supernatural energy, and monstrous beings pour into the world. Matt, alone and exhausted, faces the King of the Old Ones. With Pedro's distant support, he channels all his power in a desperate attempt to hold back the darkness, but is overwhelmed and collapses.

The Healer's Touch

Matt lies in a coma, his life slipping away. Pedro, revealed as a healer, uses his hidden power to save Matt, drawing on the ancient magic of the Incas. The two boys, now bonded by fate and friendship, recover together, but the world has changed.

The Aftermath and the Gathering Darkness

The Old Ones have returned, but are weakened and scattered. Matt and Pedro, two of the Five, know their task is not over. The world is unaware of the danger, but the shadows are lengthening. The remaining Gatekeepers must be found, and the final battle is yet to come.

Characters

Matt Freeman

Matt is a fourteen-year-old orphan, marked by trauma and alienation. His psychic abilities—telekinesis, precognition, and more—are both a gift and a curse, surfacing in moments of crisis. Matt's journey is one of self-acceptance and responsibility; he is driven by guilt, a longing for belonging, and a deep sense of justice. His relationships are fraught: he is both protector and protected, often feeling manipulated by adults and fate. Over the course of the story, Matt evolves from a passive victim to an active leader, willing to risk everything for others, even as he fears the prophecy that one of the Five will die.

Pedro

Pedro is a Peruvian street child, toughened by loss and poverty. Initially a thief and loner, he is drawn to Matt by shared dreams and a mysterious sense of destiny. Pedro's power as a healer is latent until the climax, when he saves Matt's life. His journey is one of trust and transformation: from self-preservation to self-sacrifice, from skepticism to belief. Pedro's connection to the Incas and his resemblance to their legendary founder, Manco Capac, suggest a deeper mythic role. His loyalty and courage make him an indispensable ally.

Richard Cole

Richard is a journalist whose life is upended by his involvement with Matt. Initially motivated by curiosity and the promise of a big story, he becomes Matt's protector and surrogate family. Richard is pragmatic, skeptical, and often overwhelmed, but his loyalty is unwavering. He struggles with feelings of inadequacy and guilt, especially when he cannot shield Matt from danger. Richard's arc is one of reluctant heroism, as he moves from observer to participant, ultimately risking his life for Matt and Pedro.

Diego Salamanda

Salamanda is a physically deformed, brilliant, and ruthless Peruvian tycoon. His elongated head and monstrous appearance mirror his inner corruption. Driven by a desire for power and immortality, he seeks to unleash the Old Ones, believing he will rule in the new order. Salamanda is manipulative, charismatic, and utterly amoral, using technology and ancient magic to achieve his ends. His death is both a personal and symbolic victory, but his actions have already set the apocalypse in motion.

Atoc

Atoc is a descendant of the Incas, dedicated to protecting the Gatekeepers and preserving his people's legacy. Brave, resourceful, and self-sacrificing, he rescues Matt and Pedro, leads them to Vilcabamba, and ultimately gives his life in the final battle. Atoc's relationship with his brother Micos and his sense of duty highlight the theme of familial and cultural continuity. His death is a turning point, forcing Matt and Pedro to face the final confrontation alone.

Gwenda Davis

Gwenda is Matt's former guardian, embittered and broken by life. Under the influence of supernatural forces, she becomes an unwitting assassin, attempting to kill Matt in a fit of madness. Her actions are both horrifying and pitiable, illustrating the vulnerability of ordinary people to the Old Ones' corruption.

Fabian

Fabian is a Nexus member who betrays Matt and the organization to Salamanda. His motivations are self-preservation and ambition, rationalizing his actions as siding with the inevitable victors. Fabian's duplicity is a source of constant danger, and his eventual death is both a comeuppance and a warning about the perils of moral compromise.

Professor Joanna Chambers

Chambers is an expert on the Nazca Lines, whose knowledge is crucial to deciphering the diary's clues. Blunt, passionate, and slightly abrasive, she provides scientific and historical context, bridging the gap between ancient prophecy and modern technology. Her home becomes a sanctuary for the heroes, and her insights drive the plot toward its climax.

Susan Ashwood

Susan is a Nexus member with psychic abilities, serving as a mentor and warning voice. Her visions and connections to the spirit world provide guidance, but also underscore the limits of human understanding. She represents the theme of faith in the unseen and the burden of knowledge.

Huascar (Inca Prince)

Huascar is the prince of the hidden Inca city, Vilcabamba. He embodies the lost glory and enduring hope of his people, offering Matt and Pedro both protection and prophecy. His role is to connect the Gatekeepers to a deeper, mythic struggle, and to remind them that their fight is part of a larger, timeless battle.

Plot Devices

Prophecy and Destiny

The story is structured around a prophecy that five Gatekeepers must unite to prevent the return of the Old Ones. This prophecy creates both urgency and fatalism, as characters struggle to fulfill or escape their roles. The diary of St Joseph of Cordoba serves as a physical embodiment of the prophecy, its cryptic clues guiding the heroes and villains alike.

Dreams as Communication

Matt and Pedro's dreams allow them to communicate across barriers, revealing their shared destiny and the presence of the other Gatekeepers. Dreams also foreshadow events, provide warnings, and connect the present to the mythic past. This device blurs the line between reality and the supernatural, heightening the sense of inevitability.

Betrayal and Misdirection

The presence of a traitor within the Nexus creates paranoia and suspense. Allies may be enemies, and information is always suspect. This device keeps the reader off-balance and mirrors the characters' own uncertainty, emphasizing the theme that evil can corrupt even the most trusted institutions.

Duality of Technology and Magic

The use of a satellite to open a supernatural gate exemplifies the collision of technology and magic. The Nazca Lines, both archaeological marvel and mystical lock, symbolize this duality. The story suggests that progress and tradition are intertwined, and that the past's dangers can be reawakened by the present's hubris.

Sacrifice and Isolation

The prophecy insists that one Gatekeeper will stand alone against the Old Ones, and the plot repeatedly isolates Matt, forcing him to confront his fears and limitations. The deaths of allies and the injuries to friends reinforce the theme that true heroism requires sacrifice and that destiny cannot be avoided.

Analysis

Evil Star is a masterful blend of supernatural thriller, mythic quest, and coming-of-age story, exploring the tension between fate and free will, the burden of power, and the cost of heroism. Horowitz uses the structure of prophecy and the device of shared dreams to create a sense of inevitability, while grounding the narrative in the psychological struggles of his young protagonists. The collision of ancient magic and modern technology serves as a warning about the dangers of unchecked ambition and the persistence of evil in new forms. The novel's multicultural cast and global scope reflect a world where old boundaries are breaking down, but where ancient evils still lurk beneath the surface. Ultimately, Evil Star is a story about the necessity of connection—between people, cultures, and eras—and the hope that, even in the face of overwhelming darkness, unity and sacrifice can hold back the night.

Last updated: May 10, 2025