Something New in Catholic Fiction

Andrea Vij reviews Shard of Eden, a new futuristic novel by Eric Sammons. 

Shard of Eden 

By Eric Sammons 

Publisher: Saragossa Press 

Imagine a future in which artificial intelligence goes rogue and turns on humanity. A devastating war ensues, and although humans emerge victorious, the planet is left in ruins. Only one institution can provide the leadership, stability, and resources to rebuild a broken world: the Catholic Church.  

That’s right, the Catholic Church, and while a future of hope and renewal at the hands of Mother Church shouldn’t come as a surprise, if you’ve read any mainstream fiction lately, you know what a departure this is from the outlook found in so many novels, including those with a futuristic bent. But Shard of Eden by Eric Sammons counters the literary penchant for Godless dystopias with a refreshing, and unflinchingly Catholic, vision of post-apocalyptic life. 

Not Your Typical Sci-Fi 

While author Eric Sammons has nine previous books to his credit, Shard of Eden is his first work of fiction, and it contains many of the features you’d expect to find in a typical sci-fi novel: a starship that travels faster than light, crew members with Spock-like intellects, dazzling technological advances, and dramatic encounters with alien beings. (No spoilers, though; you’ll have to read the book to determine the meaning of the title, which didn’t hit me until page 298.) 

But Shard of Eden is not your typical sci-fi, especially when you take into account its wall-to-wall Catholicity, which comes across as a natural and inevitable component of the book rather than a conspicuous effort to evangelize. Catholicism is baked into the world Sammons has created, and with Catholic characters whose faith lives are integral to both their identity and their mission, the book evangelizes without necessarily trying to. 

The characters are not your typical sci-fi, either. First we have a pope who just happens to be a war hero, and on the starship he commissions, a crew of six imperfect but admirable men with compelling back stories: a captain with five children, a multilingual priest, a Dominican brother, a security officer, a navigator with a gambling problem, and a young AI prodigy. Each man comes to the crew with his own set of biases about the mission, and each signs on for his own reasons, but all six carry out their duties with courage, commitment, and faith in a greater good — plus, they attend Mass together as part of their on-ship routine.  

With its slate of positive role models, moms (including me) will want their sons to read Shard of Eden — and their daughters, husbands, and friends, too. The book offers a well-paced narrative that will appeal to a variety of readers including non-Catholics, teenagers, sci-fi enthusiasts, and even theologians. Readers with an interest in deeper questions about redemption, the Trinity, and the fall of man will find plenty of food for thought, while those who simply want to lose themselves in a good book will be able to jump in and enjoy the ride.    

A Bold Catholic Message 

While Shard of Eden promotes a bold Catholic message of goodness, truth, and beauty, it does so without a trace of preachiness. In the right hands, this innovative story could become a popular movie, but until it does, be sure to order yourself a copy of the book —and maybe an extra for that someone special on your Christmas list. 

Ask for Shard of Eden at your local Catholic bookseller, order online from Amazon, or purchase a signed copy from the author at EricSammons.com. 

Is this a book you'd like to read? Share your thoughts with the Catholic Mom community! You'll find the comment box below the author's bio and list of recommended articles.

Copyright 2025 Andrea Vij
Images: (top) detail from cover