Moscow, 1987 — Since witnessing his mother and stepfather’s brutal murder a decade earlier, 15-year-old Daniil Victorevich has been haunted by night terrors. He dreams of attending university, but his aspirations have been put on hold indefinitely by his violent crime boss father. Then Daniil hears about a new KGB-approved drug coming to Moscow. This drug promises to stop nightmares, repair relationships, and enhance his favorite music. He’s determined to get his hands on it so he can heal both himself and his fractured bond with his father. But his resolve comes with hard questions. Can a pill undo years of cruelty? How can he convince his emotionally distant father to take it? And, even if it does work, will it bring them closer together, or will it uncover cracks too deep to mend?
The physical version of this story includes more than 70 original full-color illustrations to help bring it to life. The hardcover version is printed on premium white paper.
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About the Author
Chrystal Doucette
Chrystal Doucette lives in Washington State with her five cats. She enjoys playing retro video games and watching old Soviet films. She has an MA in Communication and a BA in Journalism.
Questions About Finding Ecstasy
Is Danya a real person?
No, Danya is an entirely fictional teenage boy living in Moscow, Russia, in the 1980s. The other characters are similarly fictional.
Will there be a sequel to Finding Ecstasy?
Yes, a sequel is in the works, tentatively titled “Ecstasy Lost.” A prequel is also under way.
How did you make the art?
What a process that was! I spent probably a couple of thousand hours on the art, using tools like Photoshop and Midjourney. It was a painstaking, choppy, cutty, iterative process.
Why did you include the art?
My mind’s eye is severely lacking. Because of this, the novel’s creation became stagnant. I finally decided to try visually depicting the characters and the settings. It unlocked something inside of me, enabling me to finally finish my book. I’ve included the images with the hopes that others might find them helpful and enjoyable.