Gripping & Intensely Entertaining
920206
I have to admit that when this first came to my attention I was a little intrigued about the book, but I could wait to read it until I had more free time. However, within just a few pages I was hooked on Gabby's unique world and the quest that she had taken up so long ago. Ms. Cosper has a distinct writing talent that shows in her work, crafting a singularly entertaining novel that grips you and offers an intensely engaging plot from beginning to end. In A Prescription for Delirium, Gabriella di Luca is a woman who promised long ago to watch over and protect the family of the man she loved but when forces outside of her own control were at work she wasn't able to save the eldest Van Helsing son. Skip 90 years into the future and Gabby is given the chance once again to right her errors by saving Esais, Adrian and Tres when they are in danger of finding the same fate as the eldest son so many years ago. It's up to Gabby to save not only the three brothers but herself and the town of Hampton as the devil comes out to play, twisting the mind and muddying the waters. A Prescription for Delirium was very engaging with a thrilling plot and a main character that not only kicked ass but took names as well. She's strong and independent, the perfect brave hero to save the day while saving herself as well.
3001457
I know its clich&eacute;d to say I couldn't put this book down but honestly, I couldnt. I found this world fascinating; the authors depiction of 1980s Romania is gritty and vivid. As I got wrapped up in the storyline and characters I found my heart beating a little faster in anticipation. With vampires, smugglers, sex, politics, psychological games, and characters questioning their ethics, this book has everything youd want in a fast-paced action/drama. It is rich and complex; if you have a strong stomach you will be entertained.
4140946
This is a must-read for fans of several genres (noir, horror, bizarro, action) as Iglesias deftly crafts a compelling narrative splicing together myriad literary techniques and styles. Filled with unique characters and memorable scenes galore, ZERO SAINTS has everything you want in a novel - it's a new breed of page-turner that keeps the reader engrossed even after the story ends. Violent, urgent, gripping and ultimately very poignant, this book is a tremendous achievement.
2495826
Enjoying such a mesmerizing story, and looking forward to either a second installment or a movie translation. I'm confident you'll enjoy this book - it's intense, and short enough to actually finish. Which makes it all the more powerful. Appreciate the Blessing of a great story, by Ms. Dupre
4430274
Strong historical events, which I loved immensely, and with characters which held me to them without giving way. Through difficult times, and with determination and passion in their lives, I became an excited on looker, and sometimes a character in many of the beautifully developed scenes. Of course I fell in love with Abby and Nate and several other characters, but immensely disliked others. Ms Wright's writing was purest and held my attention with an intense anticipation without superfluous wording, the sign of a true "wordsmith." By any stretch, I enjoyed this book from cover to cover more than any book I've read in the past two years, some of which were NY Times best sellers. Highly recommended for an entertaining and joyous ride.
240578
Wow! What can I say? This novel blew me away! This is the kind of book that I like to call a "buy once, read twice".

This absorbing and attention-grabbing work had me riveted from the beginning. The story flows from scene to scene effortlessly, and the author shows exceptional ability when it comes to storytelling.

As much as this genre can be predictable, I found this tale of intrigue to be refreshingly imaginative. There are twists and turns in this page turner that will take the reader on a gripping journey. Also, the writing style is uncomplicated which makes for an enjoyable read.

It's one of those rare stories that come along that makes you want to read it non-stop until you get to the end. I'm giving nothing away here. And this, I hope, will only add to the mystery!

A highly recommended read!
1571774
I started this book (full disclosure) because it was written by a friend. I finished this book because it was so incredibly compelling that I could hardly put it down.

Cait Reynolds delivers the most tightly written, carefully composed book I have read in years. There isn't an extraneous word in this manuscript. Every adjective not only describes a character or object, but also contributes to the mood of the room, the character of the person, the tension of the plot. The mythology is fully realized without being either obvious or predictable. The sexual tension between characters is both delicious and frightening, exactly as the tale requires. The deus isn't ex machina, the hints and clues all add up, the emotions feel real even when they're fantastical, and I can't wait for the sequel!
353586
This exquisite novel with its dazzling cover is something to treasure, for it contains such intricate detail as to take your breath away. The electrifying tension radiates off the pages as this thrilling, mesmerizing tale is as gripping as Dan Brown's `The Da Vinci Code' if not more so. I was swept into a mysterious world shrouded in conspiracy theories, deep-rooted history and ancient prophecies. The fast-paced, layered plot is something to loose yourself within as you unravel the truth bit-by-bit, reveling in the delights of the perilous backdrop that is so atmospheric. I was taken on the most thrilling journey to the exotic, piquant and vibrant Jerusalem where an ancient evil lies waiting hidden beneath a troubled, divergent civilization.

There is a single manuscript nearly all but forgotten, which contains the key to the greatest, shocking historical secret of all-time...

Sean Ryan and his girlfriend Isabel Sharp are exploring the ancient, mysterious city of Jerusalem when they find themselves drawn into a dangerous game with deadly consequences. Meanwhile in the same city Doctor Susan Hunter was translating an ancient manuscript, until it suddenly disappears without a trace. Behind Lady Tunshuq's Palace in the Muslim quarter of Jerusalem the archeologist Max Kaiser is found dead, with murder on the cards now no one is safe...

The sequel to `the Istanbul puzzle' (shortlisted for the Irish crime novel of the year 2012) continues the story from where it left off, by including the square and arrow symbol (that Sean and Isabel discovered within the Museum of Antiquities), in central Cairo near Tahrir square. Against the backdrop of the many Pharaohs, including notably King Tutankhamun's mask, this beautiful story is something that will delight those who enjoy exploration and adventure. The intriguing, fascinating historical elements are wonderful that combined with exciting action for a rollercoaster of a ride make this a splendid story and page-turner. Complete with photographs and information about Jerusalem this is a book dedicated to the city, its culture and is a testimony of the author's accomplished writing ability for he allows you to glimpse beneath the shiny surface and explore the unexpected!

This confident, convincing strong thriller is an undeniably remarkable piece of great writing, that is perfection itself and which I highly recommend. To find the answers to all the secrets and unravel the riddles one must delve deeper into the complexity of the plot, remicent of the detective /archeologist that is longing to explore and uncover so much. This fantastic book is a must-read and one that I cannot praise highly enough, for it unexpectedly surprised and overwhelmed me!

*I won a copy through a `GoodReads, First-Read' giveaway. I would like to thank the author, as I concider myself to be extremely privileged to have had this opportunity*
3285389
impossible to put down, highly entertaining journey across generations, with unexpected turns leaving you on the edge of your seat all along
3487149
Vastly intrigued by the author's very candid biography, I skimmed the synopsis for this book and thought it was worth a read. I did not think it would be my type of book in the first few pages, but somewhere around Chapter Two and 5%, I got totally sucked in and found myself flipping pages eagerly to learn what happens next.

I liked Jacob more than I expected to, and I cared a great deal about his fate. There were moments where I was staring at the pages in utter shock at his cruelty, and then, somehow, I liked him again. This author has a magical touch and I feel very lucky to have stumbled upon this unique, stylish, and masterfully executed story.

The way he writes about interpersonal relationships between family members, and between males and females is so imaginative and precise. I can visualize every scene so clearly, and it certainly keeps me guessing. Reading this story was a real treat, and I felt completely gripped. I felt like I was stuck inside a disturbing movie and terrified of what was going to happen next, but unable to stop watching.

I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a surprising and gut-wrenching read. There are some formatting issues in the kindle edition I read, but the story is so great that you should be able to overlook it easily.
4142029
From the beginning, I was plunged excitedly into a cannot-put-down, do-not-want it to end fantasy tale. The story itself is quite thrilling, an intricately woven one that portrays a girl with ordinary teenage issues suddenly being catapulted into an intriguing, perilous adventure involving a griffin and a being from a twin world.

The story is quite exhilarating throughout, with zesty dialogues between characters and vivid descriptions of people, places and things. Several segments were so skillfully written that there was a strong sense that I was there, in the story itself. There is a harmonious flow throughout the story as it moved me to and fro, from Frankies rich, zesty day-to-day life situations into the perils undertaken with the griffin and his companion.

I found Frankie to be an engaging and fascinating character. She is not cast as one of the cool kids at school. Frankie appears to be rather ordinary; a girl who is struggling to maneuver through the throes of middle adolescence towards adulthood. I was delightfully engaged during the segments involving Frankies encounters and foibles at her school. Her discoveries about friendship and enemies, and the humanness of teachers, brought me back into memories of my own teenage years.

There was for me an element of complexity that added psychological depth to the story, flowing beneath the storyline itself. I resonated deeply with the authors ability to script Frankies coming-of-age maturity, as evidenced by her reactions to ordinary yet often intense life events; they are in counterpoint to the daring challenges that she takes on with new friends, those other-worldly beings.

One of the most moving scenes for me related to an unexpected, fascinating purpose for Frankies encounter: her ability to call forth a griffin from this parallel universe ends up serving her familys tragic circumstances in a unique mysterious way.

There are exhilarating scenes involving flight and deeply moving ones that relate to mystery. I consider the writing to be masterful; the story to be extraordinary.
4165718
I just finished reading THRESHOLD and really, really loved it.  It's a gripping suspense -  I stayed up way too late reading it the last two nights because I simply couldn't put it down!  Its not all buildup and foreshadow either.  Right from the start and continuing throughout the whole book, big signicant, surprising things actually _happen_ that really push the story along at a fast pace.  What I found even more enjoyable was the characters.  Not only does O'Branagan create real, human characters, she does a truly remarkable job, IMO, of talking authentically from the point of view of a very diverse set of them - from a (special) 12-year-old boy, to an angst-filled 17-year-old girl, to a wise old Anishinaabe (Ojibwe) shaman, to a middle-aged severe preacher's wife...and quite a few more.  The characters really talk and think their ages and genders and experiences,  and they area joy to read, to get to know, and to watch transform and grow.  At its highest level, the book is a very spiritual one.  There are elements of Native American spirituality, Christianity, Judaism, new-age / ancient goddess mysticism, zen, and science ... but it's not a "comparative religion" study!  It's a connected theme, that maybe all of these are more-or-less just one thing, just different human expressions of a single spirituality in the universe that is composed of love and faith.  That theme, the characters, and the plot all blend and work very well together and produce a book that is simultaneously thrilling, uplifting, entertaining, and enlightening.  For me personally, I've been making the journey "from head to heart" in my own life, and this book did a lot to reaffirm the true wisdom of that for me.
2582626
"Sons" captured not just my interest but my soul.  I could feel the tension of good versus evil & cheered on Rieper to fight the good fight.  While it is fiction, the possibility of truth is always present, making it most intriguing.  As evil pulls our real world daily, I felt the power of good pushing through & was fascinated by the genuine characters.

There is also a wealth of knowledge tucked into this book which could have been a lot to take on but instead it was so well delivered that it helped me follow every surprising turn.  I actually was left wanting even more info on topics of religion & politics, not something I expected, but it had me completely captivated until the end!  The plot is gripping & Val's brilliant ability to use description allowed me to "see" the story unravel before me as if it where a movie.  I strongly recommended.
3803539
Within the first few pages, the reader is gripped by the plight of a woman betrayed for an unknown reason, and subjected to a fate worse than death. What follows is a sweeping, complex narrative that involves gods, royalty, a war for survival, and a blossoming romance between a brave young woman in a terrible circumstance, and a being of incredible power, learning to be human once more.

The entire story is gripping, exciting, and enticing. The battle scenes have a frantic energy, yet are still easily understood, even as powerful magic swirls around the battlefield. The characters are well-developed, and even the most despicable villains have redeeming qualities, and it's easy to see why people follow them. The various storylines are interwoven in a convincing and realistic narrative that provides a complete story, despite being the first part of a trilogy.

I am eagerly looking forward to the next novel, and any more work from the author!
1366853
This is one of the most interesting books I've read in years. I recommend it highly to anybody interested in good fiction--both avid readers and those who have let too much time slip by since their last read. Perfect pacing and control of revelation and suspense allow you to lose yourself in the delight of a good story.

There's music in the language and complexity in the characters and the plot lines. As a bit of a history buff, I'm often let down by this sort of novel. I was astounded by the accuracy with which this book brings a historical world alive.

The book is funny at times, and tragic, like our lives. The human relationships in the book are all so real I was often deeply shaken.

Of all the book's many admirable qualities, though, what I would say was the most rewarding to me as a reader (and RE-READER) is the this book's innovative form.

Like any great work of art, the form of this book honors our long literary tradition and renews, adds to, or deepens that very tradition through innovations so subtle and yet so fascinating that their meanings unravel only slowly--a strong brain-satisfaction lasted on long after I had finished reading.

It's a collection of stories that intricately interconnect. The gaps make the world of the book enormous; the overlapping makes it real. Characters from earlier stories turn up later fully grown, with their lives already lived, so that what I take away is the most amazing twist of the Postmodern "fragmentation" theme yet to be written: diverging plots and wandering characters somehow converge again because our lives are not only hellish at times and lonely and hard but magnificent--and mysteriously whole.
1567586
What a ride! My recommendation is to avoid reading this book if there's something critical you should be focusing on--even days after I finished, I couldn't get Catching the Drift out of my head. Complex, brilliantly crafted, and intense, this was certainly a read worthy of any serious lover of literature.

Alex Fahlstrom wakes up after surviving a brutal shooting only to find that he can't remember anything about his past. His family moves from Montana to Kansas to make a fresh start, and as Alex makes new friends in his new home, he starts to unravel the mystery behind the cause of his amnesia--or does he? The novel treads the fine line between dreams and reality, making the reader question everything. And the twist--NEVER saw that coming.

This was a great read on so many levels--can't wait to reread!
1704843
Mr Filotto manages a rare thing with this first instalment of a hopefully larger read: a truly gripping tale. I literally read it in one sitting as the fast paced narrative and air of both mystery and believability drew me in. There is both a nod to the classic staples of scifi  in Mr. Filotto's style and delivery, but with a modern, very thoroughly researched modernism that brings the story into the world in which we (might) live. This isn't just the hackneyed story of an average Joe (literally Joe) propelled into a world he doesn't understand, it feels more like the dawning of an unready perilously balanced world into which a tactical genius with natural but unrefined power is being summoned to shake the situation to it's core. The planning is cool, the equipment and tech are both believable and practical, the political intuition is human (ie bent) the protagonist are both real and strong, and the sex (mentioned in the review above) is hyper real, well placed and RED HOT. Oh, and who doesn't like the prospect of seeing space Nazis crushed! I am looking forward to further instalments!