Official Review: The Alter Prey by Frederick Mulae

MajestyBooky · Post by **MajestyBooky** » 05 Sep 2020, 14:06

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Alter Prey" by Frederick Mulae.]

3 out of 4 stars

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The Alter Prey by Frederick Mule is one of the most comprehensive books on split personalities I have ever read. The book is about a young man called Stuart Ryder, and his alter, Paolo. As a young boy, he experiences a traumatic accident which leads to the death of both his parents. In order to cope, he conjures Paolo who remains dominant until when he injures Father Flavin to escape the constant sexual abuse. Stuart takes over for twenty years until when using age regression on a patient one day, triggers the re-emergence of a bitter and angry Paolo. He wants to assert dominance over Stuart, who he blames for keeping him imprisoned. He is also angry over the vile acts of sexual abuse he suffered as a young boy. It is no surprise he wants revenge. Exuding childlike characteristics, he is intent on getting his way with a complete disregard for consequences. That is how he ends up committing murder, leaving Stuart with a huge problem: how to report the murder and not get convicted for the crime.

The author does a slow introduction to the story. He first introduces Stuart, a clinical psychologist specializing in psychotherapy, and those involved in his life. Before we get to the meat of the story, we have a good understanding of Stuart and can tell him apart from Paolo. This is one of the things I loved about the book.

Another thing was the coverage of child molestation, sodomy, and homosexual hate crime. I appreciate that the author brought awareness to such sensitive topics. Homosexuality was given prominence due to Paolo's past, as a survivor of sexual abuse. I wish the author had included Father Flavin and the housemistress in the story, so we could see them get punished for child molestation. In Zoltan's (Stuart's therapist) words, "any religious order or institution confessing to such heinous acts would find the social and legal repercussions destructive to their cause."
This is one of the biggest problems that sexual abuse victims face today. It is a shame that a place largely considered as holy, shelters perpetrators of such acts.

The only thing I disliked was some parts that seemed unnecessary. Chapter 30 for instance. Paolo's girlfriend Bailey, and her roommate, hold a conversation that spans the chapter. That it does not contribute to the plot in any way only lengthens the book unnecessarily.

I rate it 3 out of 4 stars because of the reasons above. The book was professionally edited as I found only one minor error. I recommend it to those who love subjects surrounding mental health and psychology. Since it contains profanities and graphic sexual content, I recommend it to an audience of above eighteen years, and to those who do not find graphic content unappealing.

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The Alter Prey
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Tablito · Post by **Tablito** » 09 Sep 2020, 03:56

The abuse that Paolo suffered when growing up overshadows his reasoning, he doesn't consider the consequencies of his actions.

Star_and_Buck · Post by **Star_and_Buck** » 09 Sep 2020, 09:00

The author did a good job by writing this book so did you by writing the review. Nice review!

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 10 Sep 2020, 01:58

This story is really tragic, so it seems suitable for people who are into tough dramas. Thank you for your great review!

10 Sep 2020, 05:42

The effects of trauma playout differently but must never be taken lightly. What a sad story. I will pass as this book seems like a trigger for me. Thanks for the sensitive review. Good job.

AnnOgochukwu · Post by **AnnOgochukwu** » 10 Sep 2020, 07:44

OMG! This storyline is a bomb; a great combination of suspense, intrigue, crime, and psychology. Can I get my hands on this book?
Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD) is a topic that has intrigued me since I first learnt of it from one of my favorite books, Tell Me Your Dreams by Sydney Sheldon. Although it is still a debated topic among psychologists, there is a unanimous submission that childhood trauma follows it's victims to adulthood and sometimes to their graves. Aye, it is sad.
Amazing review! It really tickled my fancy.

SamaylaM · Post by **SamaylaM** » 14 Sep 2020, 23:50

This seems like such a tragic psychological book. The themes give me mixed feelings, however, thank you for putting up such an honest and great review!

MajestyBooky · Post by **MajestyBooky** » 23 Sep 2020, 11:22

Tablito wrote: ↑09 Sep 2020, 03:56 The abuse that Paolo suffered when growing up overshadows his reasoning, he doesn't consider the consequencies of his actions.

This is unfortunately true. A ripple effect that affects their adultlife so much.

MajestyBooky · Post by **MajestyBooky** » 23 Sep 2020, 11:25

Star_and_Buck wrote: ↑09 Sep 2020, 09:00 The author did a good job by writing this book so did you by writing the review. Nice review!

Glad you enjoyed it Star_and_Buck

MajestyBooky · Post by **MajestyBooky** » 23 Sep 2020, 11:31

NetMassimo wrote: ↑10 Sep 2020, 01:58 This story is really tragic, so it seems suitable for people who are into tough dramas. Thank you for your great review!

It is a really heartbreaking story. The graphic scenes sure require someone with a tough stomach.

Thanks for your comment NetMassimo

MajestyBooky · Post by **MajestyBooky** » 23 Sep 2020, 11:36

Nqobile771 wrote: ↑10 Sep 2020, 05:42 The effects of trauma playout differently but must never be taken lightly. What a sad story. I will pass as this book seems like a trigger for me. Thanks for the sensitive review. Good job.

It is a sad story but with a great ending atleast. It left me feeling relieved on behalf of the characters

MajestyBooky · Post by **MajestyBooky** » 23 Sep 2020, 11:40

Nqobile771 wrote: ↑10 Sep 2020, 05:42 The effects of trauma playout differently but must never be taken lightly. What a sad story. I will pass as this book seems like a trigger for me. Thanks for the sensitive review. Good job.

I am sorry this is a trigger for you. The effects of such traumatic events shouldn't be underestimated and perpetrators should be punished severely.

MajestyBooky · Post by **MajestyBooky** » 23 Sep 2020, 11:46

AnnOgochukwu wrote: ↑10 Sep 2020, 07:44 OMG! This storyline is a bomb; a great combination of suspense, intrigue, crime, and psychology. Can I get my hands on this book?
Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD) is a topic that has intrigued me since I first learnt of it from one of my favorite books, Tell Me Your Dreams by Sydney Sheldon. Although it is still a debated topic among psychologists, there is a unanimous submission that childhood trauma follows it's victims to adulthood and sometimes to their graves. Aye, it is sad.
Amazing review! It really tickled my fancy.

I also have read Sheldon's book on the subject and find the topic very fascinating too. I hope you get to review it and compare notes, you sound so enthusiastic.

You will love it.

MajestyBooky · Post by **MajestyBooky** » 23 Sep 2020, 11:52

SamaylaM wrote: ↑14 Sep 2020, 23:50 This seems like such a tragic psychological book. The themes give me mixed feelings, however, thank you for putting up such an honest and great review!

It is of a sensitive topic plus the graphic descriptions don't help matters.
I appreciate your input.

AnnOgochukwu · Post by **AnnOgochukwu** » 24 Sep 2020, 01:10

MajestyBooky wrote: ↑23 Sep 2020, 11:46
AnnOgochukwu wrote: ↑10 Sep 2020, 07:44 OMG! This storyline is a bomb; a great combination of suspense, intrigue, crime, and psychology. Can I get my hands on this book?
Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD) is a topic that has intrigued me since I first learnt of it from one of my favorite books, Tell Me Your Dreams by Sydney Sheldon. Although it is still a debated topic among psychologists, there is a unanimous submission that childhood trauma follows it's victims to adulthood and sometimes to their graves. Aye, it is sad.
Amazing review! It really tickled my fancy.
I also have read Sheldon's book on the subject and find the topic very fascinating too. I hope you get to review it and compare notes, you sound so enthusiastic.

You will love it.

I hope so too

. And I know I'll love it

.