Galaxy Goodfellow

Galaxy Goodfellow by Jermain L. Reeves is a Southern Gothic family saga that follows Galaxy Goodfellow, a young man with a mysterious past. In the haunting town of Mansaville, South Carolina, Galaxy Goodfellow, heir to a wealthy legacy, wrestles with his identity and an extraordinary secret: blue fire that erupts from his body. Haunted by the skeletons of Confederate soldiers and dominated by the devil known as Old Scratch, Mansaville endures a monthly storm of blood. When Galaxy leaves home after his mother discovers his scandalous encounter with the devil, he finds solace in the working-class side of town with his ex-boyfriend, Barkley. As they come out of the closet, their confrontation with a deceitful reverend ignites a chain reaction that will change their lives forever. Meanwhile, supernatural events and conflicts threaten to tear them apart.  

Jermain L. Reeves is a great storyteller who crafts an imaginative tale with intriguing characters. Galaxy is a complex and enigmatic character, with a dark past slowly revealed throughout the novel. He is haunted by his father's death and his mother's rejection, which drives him to seek comfort and acceptance in his relationship with Barkley. On the other hand, Barkley is a charismatic and troubled individual struggling to come to terms with his own past mistakes. He is a ruthless and cunning individual who will stop at nothing to achieve his goals. These genuinely flawed characters with disturbing backstories are enough to keep any reader turning the pages in Galaxy Goodfellow.  

Still, the setting is another delight in itself, a fictional town that is finely drawn, featuring a hub of supernatural activity and dark secrets. The city is divided into two distinct sides: the wealthy industrial side and the poorer factory side. Grand houses and opulent lifestyles characterize the industrial side, while the factory side is marked by poverty and neglect. The Confederate River runs through the town, separating the two sides and symbolizing the divide between good and evil. The novel explores several conflicts, including the struggle between Galaxy and his mother, who rejects him for his perceived lifestyle. The conflict between Galaxy and Barkley is also a significant aspect of the tension. The supernatural events that unfold in Mansaville create an atmosphere of tension and foreboding, heightening the suspense and infusing the narrative with a strong sense of unpredictability. Delivered in lyrical prose and featuring exciting imagery, this captivating tale has everything that makes for a great read — plot twists, character, and superior storytelling.