DualGemini
11-15-2010, 09:40 AM
I want to review this new novel I finished yesterday, called "Crimson Creed: Doctrine of Darkness" by Mary Mora & Daniel Mora:
First off, I was skeptical about buying it at first seeming that the publisher is PublishAmerica. However, after my nagging brother insisted, I did so (and it was my type of story anyway --a period-piece mystery / horror). It's 385 pages long, so I knew I would have a long good read or a long bore.
The novel, which is fiction (the authors say it is based on fact --which I can see though), takes place during the Roman empire, when Christianity was on the rise. It's about a Priest of the early Church (named Abadius) which had done horrible things in his past --which are slowly revealed through dreams & psychological events. He is sent to Egypt (having started in Greece) by a Bishop named Papias to investigate a heretic group which has been troubling the Church. And he goes (of course). Before he even gets there, there is a bunch of troubles he encounters (which just stays in the boundry of realism). But finally he reaches the group. And like some cop investigating some secret society, nothing there is what he was expecting. Despite this, Abadius sees little things that always keeps his guard up. The protagonist (?) --Abadius-- finally discovers their secret which is the climax of the novel. --Well, I don't want to ruin the end with spoilers and seeming that it is a mystery / horror / suspense / action... I will leave the story part at that. But, after reading it...
At first I was very skeptical --thought is was going to be a 'lost my money' type of day. But after reading the first two chapters (of 22) the first day, I was shockingly interested, it actually grabbed me. The authors did a great job with the atmosphere, details, and giving just enough shaded clues to make me want to keep going. The clues, which are mostly psychological, are very well done. The authors have whole chapters which solely show the past-life of several of the characters, which I personally thought added an extra boost to the story --put me into the time period's diversity and better explained the characters' personalities. I found many original ideas throughout the book (especially the climax), and was surprised others hadn't used them before. When it came to the details (the realism factor), it was great, but they were a little too much for me personally. It was just that the horrible happenings could have been left more to the imagination rather than painting you a complete picture. Others may like that, but just too much for me. The thing I liked most about it was how the story's separate pieces connected to the story-line without confusion. However, another thing that was a little iffy was that the authors went into such detail, that they had people with accents say "yis" instead of 'yes' and whatnot. It was an interesting way to do it, but was a bit difficult at times (thank goodness they didn't do the main characters that way).
So, all in all, it was a good book filled with suspence & mystery --it really puts one in the environment --makes you feel what Abadius is going through. And here is my breakdown:
Detail: 10 / 10
Story: 9 /10
Originality: 10 /10
Readability: 8 /10
Characters: 9 /10
Fluid: 8 /10
Writing style: 7 / 10
Overall: 9 / 10
Despite its strange elements in the writing, I do highly recommend this book. My brother was finally right about something (sorry if you read this J). It was a good surprise.
I bought the book through the authors' site (Crimson-Creeds.webs.com) which my brother gave me. A pretty cruddy site, but still a good read.
Who else here has read it and what did you think of it (I want to discuss the chapter "Aeons of Archons" with someone --the psychological chapter).
Jennifer C.
First off, I was skeptical about buying it at first seeming that the publisher is PublishAmerica. However, after my nagging brother insisted, I did so (and it was my type of story anyway --a period-piece mystery / horror). It's 385 pages long, so I knew I would have a long good read or a long bore.
The novel, which is fiction (the authors say it is based on fact --which I can see though), takes place during the Roman empire, when Christianity was on the rise. It's about a Priest of the early Church (named Abadius) which had done horrible things in his past --which are slowly revealed through dreams & psychological events. He is sent to Egypt (having started in Greece) by a Bishop named Papias to investigate a heretic group which has been troubling the Church. And he goes (of course). Before he even gets there, there is a bunch of troubles he encounters (which just stays in the boundry of realism). But finally he reaches the group. And like some cop investigating some secret society, nothing there is what he was expecting. Despite this, Abadius sees little things that always keeps his guard up. The protagonist (?) --Abadius-- finally discovers their secret which is the climax of the novel. --Well, I don't want to ruin the end with spoilers and seeming that it is a mystery / horror / suspense / action... I will leave the story part at that. But, after reading it...
At first I was very skeptical --thought is was going to be a 'lost my money' type of day. But after reading the first two chapters (of 22) the first day, I was shockingly interested, it actually grabbed me. The authors did a great job with the atmosphere, details, and giving just enough shaded clues to make me want to keep going. The clues, which are mostly psychological, are very well done. The authors have whole chapters which solely show the past-life of several of the characters, which I personally thought added an extra boost to the story --put me into the time period's diversity and better explained the characters' personalities. I found many original ideas throughout the book (especially the climax), and was surprised others hadn't used them before. When it came to the details (the realism factor), it was great, but they were a little too much for me personally. It was just that the horrible happenings could have been left more to the imagination rather than painting you a complete picture. Others may like that, but just too much for me. The thing I liked most about it was how the story's separate pieces connected to the story-line without confusion. However, another thing that was a little iffy was that the authors went into such detail, that they had people with accents say "yis" instead of 'yes' and whatnot. It was an interesting way to do it, but was a bit difficult at times (thank goodness they didn't do the main characters that way).
So, all in all, it was a good book filled with suspence & mystery --it really puts one in the environment --makes you feel what Abadius is going through. And here is my breakdown:
Detail: 10 / 10
Story: 9 /10
Originality: 10 /10
Readability: 8 /10
Characters: 9 /10
Fluid: 8 /10
Writing style: 7 / 10
Overall: 9 / 10
Despite its strange elements in the writing, I do highly recommend this book. My brother was finally right about something (sorry if you read this J). It was a good surprise.
I bought the book through the authors' site (Crimson-Creeds.webs.com) which my brother gave me. A pretty cruddy site, but still a good read.
Who else here has read it and what did you think of it (I want to discuss the chapter "Aeons of Archons" with someone --the psychological chapter).
Jennifer C.