Review of Gods In The Ruins
Posted: 23 Aug 2021, 08:15
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Gods In The Ruins" by E. R. Barr.]
Move over, Indiana Jones! There’s another swashbuckling hero in town! Gods In The Ruins: A Vatican Archives Thriller by E. R. Barr is the fantastic debut to a genre-blending new series. The protagonist, Fr. Daniel Azar, is not your average priest. He’s also a trained archeologist and the godson of the current pope. But his story begins years earlier. As a Chaldean Christian in Iraq, Daniel had an unusual upbringing. At the age of eight, he was entrusted with a priceless gift – a ring that once belonged to King Nebuchadnezzar II. Daniel soon learns that this is no ordinary piece of jewelry, and there are many who would kill to have it. Fast forward to the present, and Daniel’s parents uncover an opulent Babylonian tomb. Inside the structure, they find a tablet with a shocking apocalyptic prophecy etched into its surface. Daniel senses that the discovery has something to do with him and his mysterious ring. With human and supernatural forces pursuing him, can the young clergyman survive multiple attempts on his life?
The intriguing cover image features the cracked sculpture of a Babylonian ruler and a fearsome dragon roaring as it emerges from the statue and other ancient ruins. So, readers can already get a sense of what to expect from this thrilling novel. My only critique is that the cover art consists of various shades of brown, and I would have preferred the addition of a contrasting color. The tale is written from the perspective of an omniscient narrator, and I appreciate the table of contents, character list, and titled chapters. The themes of this complex story include archeology, science fiction, biblical events, apocalyptic prophecies, mystery, terrorism, action, adventure, mythology, paranormal powers, and Vatican secrets. Because the main character is a Roman Catholic priest (like the author), the religion is discussed throughout the plot. Islamic beliefs are also described because the story takes place in a predominantly Muslim region. While these details add another layer to the narrative, Monsignor Barr included them tactfully and tastefully without sounding preachy. There are a number of violent scenes, and a few curse words appear in the text. However, there are no salacious scenes.
I was thoroughly impressed by the diversity of the characters and their distinctive personality traits. In addition to Daniel, the other characters are believable, and each of them added a memorable flair to the story. Markoz and Frannie Azar, Daniel’s parents, are respected archeologists and professors. In the aftermath of Saddam Hussein’s fall in the early 2000s, they made the difficult decision to send Daniel to live with his godfather, Pope Patrick. As the first Irish pontiff, Pope Patrick raised Daniel and nurtured his desire to join the priesthood. At the Vatican, Daniel met his best friend, a Swiss Guard named Luca. Brave, loyal, and fun, Luca is my favorite human character in the book. My favorite character overall is a magical wolfdog called Grigio. Like a faithful guardian, Grigio always came to protect Daniel whenever trouble was afoot. ISIS terrorists emerged as realistic villains, whereas the scholarly imam, Dr. Nabil Kasser, remained ambiguous because it’s hard to tell whether he’s a friend or a foe. Excellent backstories were provided for each character.
I cannot overstate how much I enjoyed this book! It could be adapted into a great blockbuster film. Monsignor Barr has an exceptional gift for storytelling. His experience in the priesthood lends credence to the information and contributes to his vivid descriptions of the settings. He seamlessly combines fact with fiction to create an unforgettable story that is impossible to put down. I was blown away by the creativity, the unexpected moments, and the accuracy of the archeological details! The narrative is written so that readers are privy to the secret motives of supporting characters and left wondering when the truth will be revealed in the plot.
Apart from a few negligible errors, this is a fantastic book, and there is nothing to dislike about it. It is a perfect blend of action and humor that has rekindled my love of archeology. Therefore, I am pleased to award Gods In The Ruins: A Vatican Archives Thriller by E. R. Barr a rating of four out of four stars. Fans of the Indiana Jones series and The Mummy franchise will relish this novel. I certainly did! Now I’m waiting with bated breath for the sequel.
******
Gods In The Ruins
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Move over, Indiana Jones! There’s another swashbuckling hero in town! Gods In The Ruins: A Vatican Archives Thriller by E. R. Barr is the fantastic debut to a genre-blending new series. The protagonist, Fr. Daniel Azar, is not your average priest. He’s also a trained archeologist and the godson of the current pope. But his story begins years earlier. As a Chaldean Christian in Iraq, Daniel had an unusual upbringing. At the age of eight, he was entrusted with a priceless gift – a ring that once belonged to King Nebuchadnezzar II. Daniel soon learns that this is no ordinary piece of jewelry, and there are many who would kill to have it. Fast forward to the present, and Daniel’s parents uncover an opulent Babylonian tomb. Inside the structure, they find a tablet with a shocking apocalyptic prophecy etched into its surface. Daniel senses that the discovery has something to do with him and his mysterious ring. With human and supernatural forces pursuing him, can the young clergyman survive multiple attempts on his life?
The intriguing cover image features the cracked sculpture of a Babylonian ruler and a fearsome dragon roaring as it emerges from the statue and other ancient ruins. So, readers can already get a sense of what to expect from this thrilling novel. My only critique is that the cover art consists of various shades of brown, and I would have preferred the addition of a contrasting color. The tale is written from the perspective of an omniscient narrator, and I appreciate the table of contents, character list, and titled chapters. The themes of this complex story include archeology, science fiction, biblical events, apocalyptic prophecies, mystery, terrorism, action, adventure, mythology, paranormal powers, and Vatican secrets. Because the main character is a Roman Catholic priest (like the author), the religion is discussed throughout the plot. Islamic beliefs are also described because the story takes place in a predominantly Muslim region. While these details add another layer to the narrative, Monsignor Barr included them tactfully and tastefully without sounding preachy. There are a number of violent scenes, and a few curse words appear in the text. However, there are no salacious scenes.
I was thoroughly impressed by the diversity of the characters and their distinctive personality traits. In addition to Daniel, the other characters are believable, and each of them added a memorable flair to the story. Markoz and Frannie Azar, Daniel’s parents, are respected archeologists and professors. In the aftermath of Saddam Hussein’s fall in the early 2000s, they made the difficult decision to send Daniel to live with his godfather, Pope Patrick. As the first Irish pontiff, Pope Patrick raised Daniel and nurtured his desire to join the priesthood. At the Vatican, Daniel met his best friend, a Swiss Guard named Luca. Brave, loyal, and fun, Luca is my favorite human character in the book. My favorite character overall is a magical wolfdog called Grigio. Like a faithful guardian, Grigio always came to protect Daniel whenever trouble was afoot. ISIS terrorists emerged as realistic villains, whereas the scholarly imam, Dr. Nabil Kasser, remained ambiguous because it’s hard to tell whether he’s a friend or a foe. Excellent backstories were provided for each character.
I cannot overstate how much I enjoyed this book! It could be adapted into a great blockbuster film. Monsignor Barr has an exceptional gift for storytelling. His experience in the priesthood lends credence to the information and contributes to his vivid descriptions of the settings. He seamlessly combines fact with fiction to create an unforgettable story that is impossible to put down. I was blown away by the creativity, the unexpected moments, and the accuracy of the archeological details! The narrative is written so that readers are privy to the secret motives of supporting characters and left wondering when the truth will be revealed in the plot.
Apart from a few negligible errors, this is a fantastic book, and there is nothing to dislike about it. It is a perfect blend of action and humor that has rekindled my love of archeology. Therefore, I am pleased to award Gods In The Ruins: A Vatican Archives Thriller by E. R. Barr a rating of four out of four stars. Fans of the Indiana Jones series and The Mummy franchise will relish this novel. I certainly did! Now I’m waiting with bated breath for the sequel.
******
Gods In The Ruins
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
