About The Book of Paul
"Everything you've ever believed about yourself...about the description of reality you've clung to so stubbornly all your life...all of it...every bit of it...is an illusion."
In the rubble-strewn wasteland of Alphabet City, a squalid tenement conceals a treasure "beyond all imagining"-- an immaculately preserved, fifth century codex. The sole repository of ancient Hermetic lore, it contains the alchemical rituals for transforming thought into substance, transmuting matter at will...and attaining eternal life.
When Rose, a sex and pain addicted East Village tattoo artist has a torrid encounter with Martin, a battle-hardened loner, they discover they are unwitting pawns on opposing sides of a battle that has shaped the course of human history. At the center of the conflict is Paul, the villainous overlord of an underground feudal society, who guards the book's occult secrets in preparation for the fulfillment of an apocalyptic prophecy.
The action is relentless as Rose and Martin fight to escape Paul's clutches and Martin's destiny as the chosen recipient of Paul's sinister legacy. Science and magic, mythology and technology converge in a monumental battle where the stakes couldn't be higher: control of the ultimate power in the universe--the Maelstrom.
The Book of Paul is the first of seven volumes in a sweeping mythological narrative tracing the mystical connections between Hermes Trismegistus in ancient Egypt, Sophia, the female counterpart of Christ, and the Celtic druids of Clan Kelly.
I'm rarely at a loss for words, yet when I finished reading The Book of Paul I sat speechless and exhausted. Not only is it one of the most intense books I've ever read, it challenged me to consider another way of thinking as I entered the mind of a mad man--the main character, Paul. The last time I felt this kind of intense struggle was when I read Neil Gaiman's American Gods.
Suffering an unimaginable upbringing, Martin keeps mostly to himself. Paul, his mentor and only father figure he ever knew, raised Martin to overcome pain--but only by subjecting him to torturous acts in order to break him of pain's stronghold. When Martin develops feelings for Rose, a neighbor, he starts to question his fate. Many lives hang in the balance when Martin decides to finally face Paul and everything Paul ever taught him.
The story is captivating, seducing the reader with action and a disturbing need to know. As much as I wanted to walk away at times, just to process what was happening and come up for air, I couldn't... Martin and Paul had me in their grips and wouldn't let go. Kudos to Richard Long for an intricate and fascinating story.
Note: So much of this book I'm still processing. I think a second, thorough read would push it to 5-stars because I would have the opportunity to really take in everything that was happening. At times, the pacing strangled me... mostly in a good way.
Rating: 4 stars
About Richard Long
Richard Long writes to exorcize the demons of his past and manifest the dreams of his future. His debut novel, The Book of Paul, is a dark, thrilling, and psychologically rich supernatural horror/thriller that blends mythology, science and mystery into a page-turning addiction. Richard is also writing a YA novel, The Dream Palace, primarily so that his children can read his books. He lives in Manhattan with his wife, two amazing children and their wicked black cat, Merlin.
For more information, please visit his website, blog, Facebook page, on Twitter, YouTube, Google+, and GoodReads.
Buy The Book of Paul
This is a blog tour, please visit the The Book of Paul blog tour page for more stops.
Note: I received a complimentary copy from Tribute Books for review purposes. No other compensation was received. A positive review was not guaranteed or requested; the views expressed are my own.
For more information on Tribute Books, please visit their website, on Facebook, and on Twitter.
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Giveaway
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Tia, I can tell Richard's book knocked you for a loop (but in a good way!) - thanks so much for the review :)
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ReplyDeleteIt really did, Nicole. I feel like I need to take the time to read it again and really take it in!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great review Tia. If you have any questions you'd like to ask, feel free to contact me. And get working on the second read, I want that fifth sheriff badge!
ReplyDeleteRichard, There was so much to take in, and you did an amazing job of keeping me guessing (and processing). It's one of those books that needs to be read like a fine wine deserves to be savored. I'll have to take it on vacation and really dive in again.
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