Official Review: Sorcerers' Prayer: A Trilogy

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 08 Jul 2020, 07:25

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Sorcerers' Prayer: A Trilogy" by Luigi N. Spring.]

3 out of 4 stars

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Sorcerers' Prayer: A Trilogy: Book 1 - Sacred Idol by Luigi N. Spring can be defined as a supernatural thriller because the villain is an immortal man who has deep knowledge of Hawaiian magic rituals. He was forgotten after he had disappeared in the 1800s, but he's still alive and he came back to take revenge on the descendants of the person he thinks he was wronged by. In 2014, when a man is killed following a complex Hawaiian ritual, Dr. Kawika Kinimaka-Ka'ahalewai, aka Dr. Triple K, an anthropology professor, is called by the local police to work as a consultant. The investigation turns out to be dangerous for him too.

This novel can be labeled in various ways as the author mixed various genres. There's no doubt that its Hawaiian setting is memorable. It's not just that the story is set mostly in Hawaii, it's that the Hawaiian "flavor" fills it up. Words in Hawaiian language and references to Hawaiian culture are present throughout the novel accompanying the plot's developments.

The villain is a Hawaiian man nicknamed the Judge because for some time in the 1800s he was indeed a judge. He learned deep secrets of Hawaiian religion and magic, to the point that he found a fountain of youth and became an immortal. A professor of anthropology with a deep knowledge of Hawaiian history and culture ended up becoming his main adversary.

This is not your usual crime thriller, and the supernatural element is just the most obvious one the author added. The murders are accomplished complying with a very precise ritualism to appease the Hawaiian god Lord Kaha. The ritual is quite brutal, so particularly sensitive readers might be disturbed even if the author described only the details that are relevant to the story. Despite that, the novel is full of humor, often dark, sometimes over the top, that adds a strong comedic component.

The important characters are well developed, also through their speech patterns. In the dialogues, the author included a lot of vernaculars and words in various languages that include Hawaiian and Japanese for characters of Japanese heritage. That means that the characters have their own recognizable "voice."

My only problem with this novel is that the plot development is uneven, affecting its pace. For example, when the story is just taking off after the beginning of the initial murder's investigation, there's a whole chapter about Detective Adams from the Honolulu Police, the cop in charge of the investigation, telling his backstory from the 1970s. I found that some other bits and pieces of the novel were of little or no use. In my opinion, a tighter plot development would have helped to keep a steady pace.

Despite this issue with some of the author's choices, Sorcerers' Prayer: A Trilogy: Book 1 - Sacred Idol is a novel I found intriguing for its beautiful setting and the many twists that can recapture the readers' attention even after some digressions. It contains some grammar and punctuation errors, but they didn't detract from my enjoyment. I think that its merits outweigh its flaws, so my rating is 3 out of 4 stars. It contains profanities and some milds sexual references that, together with some gory descriptions, make it suitable for adults. Note that it has an open ending as there will be more developments in its sequels. If you're looking for a supernatural mystery in an exotic setting, this is the novel for you.

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Sorcerers' Prayer: A Trilogy
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jenny delacruz · Post by **jenny delacruz** » 09 Jul 2020, 02:30

Your review is comprehensive and spot on! Although a fiction, it describes some of the tradition and rituals of the Hawaiian community. I would love to learn about their rituals and beliefs. I might get a gist of those through reading this book. Thank you, NetMassimo!

LinaJan · Post by **LinaJan** » 09 Jul 2020, 03:36

Ritual bordering magic, Hawaiian culture immersion, anthropology, and thrill - I feel like taking time off work just for this one!

Wonderful review! And so informative! Thank you

Onto my shelf this goes

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 09 Jul 2020, 05:08

jennydelacruz wrote: ↑09 Jul 2020, 02:30 Your review is comprehensive and spot on! Although a fiction, it describes some of the tradition and rituals of the Hawaiian community. I would love to learn about their rituals and beliefs. I might get a gist of those through reading this book. Thank you, NetMassimo!

The novel is not an anthropological essay, but Hawaiian culture is always at the center of the story. Thank you for your appreciation!

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 09 Jul 2020, 05:09

LinaJan wrote: ↑09 Jul 2020, 03:36 Ritual bordering magic, Hawaiian culture immersion, anthropology, and thrill - I feel like taking time off work just for this one!

Wonderful review! And so informative! Thank you Onto my shelf this goes

If you're interested in that setting, this novel is indeed for you. Thank you for your appreciation!

Kanda_theGreat · Post by **Kanda_theGreat** » 09 Jul 2020, 05:30

Did you mention that it has several genres?
Well, this one is a must read for me!
Great review.

Topsey · Post by **Topsey** » 09 Jul 2020, 06:29

What a great review. This sounds like a really good read and I’m intrigued by the setting and characters. I love when the author writes complex characters and beautiful narratives.

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 09 Jul 2020, 06:45

Topsey wrote: ↑09 Jul 2020, 06:29 What a great review. This sounds like a really good read and I’m intrigued by the setting and characters. I love when the author writes complex characters and beautiful narratives.

This seems the book for you. Thank you for your appreciation!

Caffrey_19 · Post by **Caffrey_19** » 09 Jul 2020, 08:48

This book seems to portray rituals, supernatural powers, magic, and killings. The plot dies sound interesting. Thanks for the review.

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 09 Jul 2020, 10:16

Caffrey_19 wrote: ↑09 Jul 2020, 08:48 This book seems to portray rituals, supernatural powers, magic, and killings. The plot dies sound interesting. Thanks for the review.

Yes, it portrays them all. Thank you for commenting!

Leen282 · Post by **Leen282** » 09 Jul 2020, 10:47

The review starts promising for me, setting in Hawaii and humour, including dark humor. I am not sure what to do with an open ending though, it often frustrates me. For now, this is a may-read and not yet a must-read for me.

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 09 Jul 2020, 10:59

Leen282 wrote: ↑09 Jul 2020, 10:47 The review starts promising for me, setting in Hawaii and humour, including dark humor. I am not sure what to do with an open ending though, it often frustrates me. For now, this is a may-read and not yet a must-read for me.

I understand your reluctance. You might wait for the sequels to be published, read reviews about them, and then decide. Thank you for commenting!

Adanna Inya · Post by **Adanna Inya** » 09 Jul 2020, 11:16

Several genres in one book? That's outstanding. I just wish that the villain would show me this fountain of youth. I want to be immortal too.

Mutai Marshal · Post by **Mutai Marshal** » 09 Jul 2020, 11:51

Lots of themes in the same book. This is such a fascinating read. Your review is lit! Looking forward to devouring it

Chinelookeke · Post by **Chinelookeke** » 09 Jul 2020, 13:42

The author did a very good work in writing this book and making it a must read. The reviewer also wrote a well detailed review. I love crime thriller novels. Thanks for the review it is great.