As John Day author Craige McMillan prepares to witness the Aug. 21 total solar eclipse, he has released an eclipse edition of his book “Reconnaissance: The Creator Returns” — the first volume in his “Armegeddon Story” series.

Among the characters in the supernatural novel is Achiel, a Yupik tribe native, who feels a light cut through him as he paddles an Alaskan river.

He can’t help wondering if the eclipse he saw foretells something momentous for him and his Native American tribe.

McMillan, who’s lived in John Day for 14 years, first released “Reconnaissance” in 2014.

The newer edition includes a modified 2017 eclipse cover, an author prologue, a table of contents and updated formatting.

The “Armegeddon Story” series includes three volumes with another on the way.

The author said he relies heavily on conversation and action to move his stories forward.

“Character development is key,” he said. “Tight, strong descriptive settings let the reader fill in their own details.”

McMillan also said he’s light on introspection, allowing the characters to change and move the story from beginning to end.

He said he works to create believable characters and a realistic depiction of the supernatural with a sense of mystery throughout.

It’s “unlike anything else available,” he said.

McMillan said he demonstrates with clarity why an “end times” in one form or another is likely.

He said he felt re-releasing “Reconnaissance” would offer a memento for eclipse visitors, which they can read as they travel home.

The book takes the reader from Alaska to Rome and Brazil and, the author says, “both sides of the veil of eternity.”

The paperback novel is available at most online retailers. For more information, visit www.craigemcmillan.com.