I've been asked to introduce The Last Guardian to you, and I must admit, I hardly know where to begin. It is a unique position to be in, not only because this is my first novel, but also because it is not a conventional one.

 

At its heart, The Last Guardian is the story of an immortal man who no longer wishes to live, yet cannot bring himself to end his own life. To truly understand his motivations, however, the reader must also understand his past—and there is a great deal of it.

 

The novel unfolds across two timelines: Eli in the past and Eli in the present. I chose this structure because I wanted to reveal Eli’s history in a way that felt natural and engaging, rather than overwhelming the reader with exposition. Initially, I considered telling the story entirely in the present. But after completing the first six chapters, I realized there was simply too much backstory to weave in without constantly pausing the narrative to explain events, relationships, and history that deserved space of their own.

 

So I chose to tell two stories within one novel. And I believe that choice ultimately served the book well. Of course, whether it succeeded is for you to decide.

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