From producing Hollywood hits to writing globe-spanning fantasy thrillers, D.J. Williams brings a cinematic edge and real-world adventures to everything he creates. I did read Hunt for Eden’s Star and found it to be an interesting story. It had a somewhat Harry Potter vibe to it, and I think is best fit for those ya love a YA fantasy/adventure novel. I am thrilled to have D.J. on the blog today!
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About the Book
Hunt for Eden's Star Author D. J. Williams
Published by Tyndale House Publishers
on December 29, 2025
Genres: Young Adult Fiction / Action & Adventure / General, Young Adult Fiction / Fantasy / Contemporary, Young Adult Fiction / Religious / Christian / Action & Adventure, Young Adult Fiction / Thrillers & Suspense / Supernatural
Pages: 480
Amazon | GoodreadsDiscover the story of an intrepid, globe-trotting teen and a motley group of friends in a world where choices have epic consequences.
In this new coming-of-age YA fantasy novel full of action-packed adventure, Williams tells the tale of a teen who is thrown into a world of ancient secrets when he discovers a supernatural artifact that protects a weapon of mass destruction. With the help of a diverse group of friends, he embarks on a global adventure, seeking the truth about his sister's death. He uncovers two clandestine, supernatural societies waging an epic, hidden war that threatens the future of civilization.
As Jack races to collect ancient artifacts critical to the survival of the world, readers are transported to incredible international locales across Asia, including the lush jungles of the Philippines and the high-energy streets of Hong Kong. Themes of addiction, revenge, faith, and friendship emerge as Jack battles literal and psychological demons, and even his own friends and family members, on his quest to thwart the forces of evil.
In this novel, you will find:
- Relatable characters
- Clean and compelling YA fantasy
- The first in a series--more exciting material to come!
D. J. Williams's suspenseful, page-turning style whisks readers into a wildly exciting, supernatural adventure that grabs hold of the imagination and never lets go.
"Fast-paced action and a rich setting boost the beginning of a promising paranormal saga." - Kirkus Reviews on Hunt for Eden's Star
"A blistering, high-stakes, fast-paced supernatural thriller that's impossible to put down." - Ryan Steck, author of Fields of Fire
About the Author
With the DNA of a world traveler, D.J. Williams was born and raised in Hong Kong, igniting an adventurous spirit as he ventured into the jungles of the Amazon, the bush of Africa, and the slums of the Far East. His global travels submerged him in a myriad of cultures, providing a unique perspective that fuels his creativity.
As a fresh voice in mystery, suspense, and YA fantasy, his novels have climbed the charts ranking as high as #1 on Amazon Hot New Releases. His books The Auctioneer and Hunt For Eden’s Star have received stellar reviews from Kirkus Reviews, the most trusted voice in book discovery. Williams has also been featured in Publishers Weekly and Writer’s Digest.
Currently living in Los Angeles, D.J. is always on the hunt for the next story.
Follow D.J. on Instagram (djwilliamsbooks) for the latest news.
Author Interview
What inspired you to write Hunt for Eden’s Star and the Beacon Hill series? Can you tell us about the research that went into writing this novel?
For over a decade the Beacon Hill series has lingered in my mind and haunted my imagination. Spending many years overseas, I’ve always been drawn to different cultures and have found myself amongst people from all walks of life. I was inspired to write the series because the story wouldn’t let go. The storylines, characters, and locations are inspired by places I’ve been or people I’ve met. And in Hunt for Eden’s Star the inspiration led me back to my roots of growing up in Hong Kong and traveling through Asia as a teenager.
As a missionary kid who spent your childhood and teen years in Hong Kong, what was that experience like? How did it shape who you are today?
Growing up in Hong Kong was an incredible experience. Looking back now, I realize exactly how special those years were in shaping me into who I am today. Most of my childhood was a melting pot of friends of all nationalities and backgrounds. Those years rooted my values and enabled me to find my footing no matter where I might land traveling the world. And the life lessons I’ve learned and friendships from those years still guide me today.
You based several settings in this novel on places you have visited or lived. Why did you choose to include these locations? Why are they important to you?
I wanted to ground the world of Beacon Hill in Hong Kong, then build out from there in the world we see today and other supernatural realms. When I’m writing based on places I’ve been, the characters and settings become more alive. While Hunt for Eden’s Star primarily takes place throughout Asia, the entire series will lead readers on a global adventure to many places around the world.
Your novels discuss serious themes such as addiction and death. Why is it important for novels to tackle these issues?
For a story to leave the reader guessing, you need to constantly be raising the stakes for the characters in the world. Addiction and death are two major forces that alter the trajectory of a story, whether it be supernatural YA or real life. When I think of the YA readers who are facing many challenges in front of them, I wanted to approach these themes in a way that was real without preaching at them.
What has been the greatest challenge to living out your faith in today’s culture as a storyteller?
One of the challenges is to write a page-turner that appeals to a broad audience while remaining rooted to my values. Temptation has a way of pushing you beyond the boundaries, to cross the line, to make the story more edgy or socially acceptable. Believe me, I’ll push to the very edge but there are limits. When I think more about the characters and world that inspire me, I’ve found the challenges are less daunting. You’ll never please everyone, but you can entertain and inspire someone.
What has been the greatest challenge in writing a YA fantasy series?
Honestly, the characters have jumped off the page while I’ve been writing, but probably the greatest challenge is going deeper into the world building so Beacon Hill stands out from other YA fantasy series. I’ve been writing the Beacon Hill series over the last year and a half and have been relentless to not watch or read any other YA series. Of course, I did break that rule to watch Rings of Power.
What role does faith play in this story?
Faith definitely plays a role in the character’s evolution and the story arcs, however, I’ve worked hard to keep the faith thread as an underlying driver instead of making it the Holy Grail. As an author and believer, my hope is anyone who picks up the Beacon Hill series will be captured by the characters and the world, then discover the message along the way.
How has writing the Beacon Hill series influenced your faith?
Writing the Beacon Hill series has been one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences I’ve ever undertaken, especially when writing the books back-to-back-to-back-to . . . You get the idea. As the characters have revealed themselves, I’ve been challenged to pursue my faith in an authentic way amidst the highs and lows of life. Even after all these years, I’m still learning how to go beyond religious rules toward a deeper relationship with my Creator.
What are some of the life lessons you’ve learned as a producer, director, and writer in the entertainment industry?
The main ones are to keep relationships the priority, to treat everyone around me as an equal, to harness the creativity of others to inspire the great adventures of life, and to never allow an ounce of success to define who I am whether it be in my past, present, or future.
Which part of Hunt for Eden’s Star did you most enjoy writing?
I’ve enjoyed every aspect of writing Hunt for Eden’s Star because it’s been a dream of mine for so long to have the opportunity. One piece in particular that has been really fun has been writing the banter between Jack and his cast of misfits. And, the last chapter, that one was a blast to write. Everything led to this one moment where the world of Beacon Hill changed forever.
Which authors inspired you most when writing this story?
Hands down the authors who have inspired me the most are C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, and J. K. Rowling, especially within the YA genre. Each one for different reasons, and that’s been the challenge for me—to chase after them by creating my own world in Beacon Hill.
If you could tell your teenage self one thing, what would it be?
Never be afraid to chase after your dreams, and never allow anyone to tell you those dreams are impossible. Fear has a way of keeping us from discovering what it is we’ve been called to do in this life. The longer we are paralyzed by fear, the less courage we have to chase after who God has called us to be. When in doubt, choose courage over
What interests you about this story?
The author has such a unique background. I think I need to move this up on my TBR.