Review of Unyielding Destiny

[FAIZANUL HAQUE]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Unyielding Destiny" by Spiros Gratsias (author of Unyielding Destiny).]

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5 out of 5 stars

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"Unyielding Destiny" is a historical novel set in the 1930s in New York and San Francisco, written by Spiros Gratsias. The book follows the life of Frank Morris, an orphan who is adopted by Don Cabineri, the head of a powerful mafia family. Frank finds himself drawn into a life of crime after serving in the Korean War, and he ends up in prison. He eventually escapes and takes on a new identity, working as an assassin for the Cabineri family. Fate brings him face-to-face with Scott, the son of a man who once saved his life but who is now a deputy district attorney determined to eradicate organized crime. The outcome of their meeting is uncertain.

Frank Morris is the protagonist of the story, a former soldier who is haunted by memories of the Korean War. He becomes a secret hitman for the notorious Don Cabineri's crime syndicate and finds himself deeply involved in the dark underworld. During a daring escape from Alcatraz prison, he meets Scott, the son of Roy Easten, a fallen comrade from the war. Scott, who is now a district attorney, becomes entangled in a case that is directly linked to Frank, prompting him to confront his past, his sense of honor, and the role that fate has played in his life.

Gratsias expertly weaves together the narratives of Frank and Scott, creating a suspenseful and profound novel. The author takes great care in developing the characters, with Frank portrayed as a complex and multifaceted individual, while Don Cabineri emerges as a master strategist in the world of crime. The use of witty dialogue and philosophical reflections adds depth to the storytelling.

The plot is well-constructed and stays true to its theme. The characters are all male and well-developed, with only a handful of female characters who play no significant role in the story. Historical events, such as the assassination of President Kennedy, are mentioned, but they have little relevance to the plot. Frank is an impressive character, intelligent, self-educated, loyal, fearless, patient in his decision-making, and full of remorse and survivor’s guilt. He often contemplates Roy Easton and his sacrifice, wondering why his life was spared in war only for him to become a criminal while a good family man lost his life.

The author uses Italian quotes and oaths to illustrate the strength of character in Don Cabineri, highlighting the loyalty, courage, and devotion of his group members. The workings of the mafia families and the organized crimes that run parallel to law enforcement are informative and fascinating. The eloquence of the character's sentiments surpasses the scenes of violence, which are portrayed matter-of-factly. The tone of the story is serious and reflective, and the mood is somber. There is little to dislike about the book, with only a few insignificant typos present, which do not affect the overall quality of the novel. I give this book a perfect score of 5 out of 5 stars.

The book portrays the humane aspect of the mafia with a touch of philosophy. The author conveys the message of how young children are pushed into a life of crime, which society can prevent with empathy and cooperation with law enforcement. Although criminals have no remorse for their crimes and killings, they also possess positive traits like love, faithfulness, loyalty, respect, devotion, and self-sacrifice for their leader. This is a thought-provoking novel that I highly recommend to readers who enjoy meaningful stories based on social issues and organized crimes.

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Unyielding Destiny
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[Asjad Khan 3]

This book offers fascinating insights into the world of the mafia. With some editing to clear up confusing parts, it could become excellent. It seems like a fantastic choice for fans of suspense and crime stories, particularly those intrigued by the mafia and crime. Cheers! It was an unforgettable journey, full of unexpected twists and turns. Thank you for your insightful review!

[FAIZANUL HAQUE]

Thank you very much for this wonderful comments!