dtaylorbooks's review
5.0
I'm gonna be honest. I probably wouldn't be as interested in a title like this if it weren't for Supernatural. Do you blame me? C'mon . . . have you SEEN Castiel? And maybe a little bite of Crowley, if for nothing more than his snarkitude?
But I liked what this book was promising. It's got religion without too much Jesus going on (actually there was hardly any at all); there isn't much god about it either, believe it or not. The focus is really on the angels, and the demon angels (in this world there aren't any demons a la Supernatural, the "demons" are fallen angels on Lucifer's side), and the fight to open up Hell's door and release Lucy from his cage. I liked that. There was a heavy theological element without it being preachy or, in Callahan's words, all woo-woo with the divine. It had a purpose and it stuck to it.
I liked this book to the point that I want to go out and read more of Browne's works. This guy writes up my alley, and not all of his stuff is like THE PARADISE PROPHECY either. But he does write thrillers and, judging just by this book, he writes them well.
It's been a long time since I've read a non-YA book that had me rocketing through it and Browne's PARADISE did just that. He writes in such a way that even when there isn't any action going on in the chapter, it feels like it. There's always some kind of threat lingering, even if it's off the page, and he makes sure that his characters feel it.
And his characters! They are haunted, damaged beings and he torments them with it. And I love it, the sadist that I am. Both Callahan and LaLaurie have some very large chips that they have to carry around on their shoulders but it doesn't sour them as characters. They don't sit around and pity themselves. They're not a drain on the plot. They have their issues but they turn them around into strengths. Even the most gruesome of pasts turns out to be helpful to the overall cause.
The only part that I was less than thrilled with was the ending. I felt it was a bit anticlimactic and ended a bit too abruptly for my liking. Like a button was pushed and poof! Over! It could have been set up for a sequel but I'm not sure if PARADISE is anything more than a stand alone. Other than that, even the fallen angels he uses are multidimensional. They, too, have weaknesses. Even angels aren't perfect and I like that.
Everything I was reading just felt so real. It felt like Browne had a firm grasp on the Christian mythos and what he created eased seamlessly into it, making it read as if it were something that really did/could happen. PARADISE never felt kitchy or over the top. I never felt like it was reaching for something that wasn't there. It was a level-headed, action-packed jet through the apocalypse. I'm willing to take another ride.
I think THE PARADISE PROPHECY would appeal even to readers of YA that have a thing for the angels and demons mythos. Even thought the characters aren't young, their ages aren't factors in the story so while reading it, they could have been much younger (although with Callahan's experience, that would have made the story reaching). But it's not about the age. The story is just great. If you're looking for an angels and demons story that DOESN'T revolves around some thinly-veiled abusive relationship between angels and humans, you'll find it with PARADISE. In fact, there really isn't much love interest at all in this. It keeps to the point and it's a point you'll want to ride all the way to the end. And then it'll leave you craving for more.
But I liked what this book was promising. It's got religion without too much Jesus going on (actually there was hardly any at all); there isn't much god about it either, believe it or not. The focus is really on the angels, and the demon angels (in this world there aren't any demons a la Supernatural, the "demons" are fallen angels on Lucifer's side), and the fight to open up Hell's door and release Lucy from his cage. I liked that. There was a heavy theological element without it being preachy or, in Callahan's words, all woo-woo with the divine. It had a purpose and it stuck to it.
I liked this book to the point that I want to go out and read more of Browne's works. This guy writes up my alley, and not all of his stuff is like THE PARADISE PROPHECY either. But he does write thrillers and, judging just by this book, he writes them well.
It's been a long time since I've read a non-YA book that had me rocketing through it and Browne's PARADISE did just that. He writes in such a way that even when there isn't any action going on in the chapter, it feels like it. There's always some kind of threat lingering, even if it's off the page, and he makes sure that his characters feel it.
And his characters! They are haunted, damaged beings and he torments them with it. And I love it, the sadist that I am. Both Callahan and LaLaurie have some very large chips that they have to carry around on their shoulders but it doesn't sour them as characters. They don't sit around and pity themselves. They're not a drain on the plot. They have their issues but they turn them around into strengths. Even the most gruesome of pasts turns out to be helpful to the overall cause.
The only part that I was less than thrilled with was the ending. I felt it was a bit anticlimactic and ended a bit too abruptly for my liking. Like a button was pushed and poof! Over! It could have been set up for a sequel but I'm not sure if PARADISE is anything more than a stand alone. Other than that, even the fallen angels he uses are multidimensional. They, too, have weaknesses. Even angels aren't perfect and I like that.
Everything I was reading just felt so real. It felt like Browne had a firm grasp on the Christian mythos and what he created eased seamlessly into it, making it read as if it were something that really did/could happen. PARADISE never felt kitchy or over the top. I never felt like it was reaching for something that wasn't there. It was a level-headed, action-packed jet through the apocalypse. I'm willing to take another ride.
I think THE PARADISE PROPHECY would appeal even to readers of YA that have a thing for the angels and demons mythos. Even thought the characters aren't young, their ages aren't factors in the story so while reading it, they could have been much younger (although with Callahan's experience, that would have made the story reaching). But it's not about the age. The story is just great. If you're looking for an angels and demons story that DOESN'T revolves around some thinly-veiled abusive relationship between angels and humans, you'll find it with PARADISE. In fact, there really isn't much love interest at all in this. It keeps to the point and it's a point you'll want to ride all the way to the end. And then it'll leave you craving for more.
mandym's review
4.0
First, I would like to mention I got my copy of this book (advanced Reading Copy) via the Goodreads First Read Giveaway - Thank you!
I really got hooked from the first chapter, it reminded me of a documentary I had seen on History Channel about the Devil's Bible,so I was already aware of the key element of the story. However, you wouldn't need to know anything about the Devil's Bible to appreciate the book. The author get stuck right into the story from the get go.
The author introduces the characters methodically, as the reader is taken from location to location. This process of following a sequence of events in order makes it easy to stay with the story, so many writers flip all over the place sometimes you can get lost in the sequences, so this nice, orderly progress worked for me! The main characters are imperfect humans, all with a story of their own, each written authentically and sympathetically.
I don't like putting in spoilers, suffice to say it is a book about good versus evil. A puzzle needs to be solved quickly, the destiny of mankind is about to changed for the worse unless someone can intervene before the apocalypse. A supernatural thriller for sure!
Anyone who loves John Milton will love the way each chapter carries quotations from "Paradise Lost", and how the author weaves into the story the Milton references. I thoroughly enjoyed this thriller, finishing it over a few days. It was certainly one of the best page turners I have read in a long time.
I would not be suprised if at some time in the future someone picks this up for screenplay treatment, as it gives license for some action packed scenes, the characters were neither overdone or flimsy, they seemed to hit just right for me.
I am looking forward to reading some of the other works by this author.
I really got hooked from the first chapter, it reminded me of a documentary I had seen on History Channel about the Devil's Bible,so I was already aware of the key element of the story. However, you wouldn't need to know anything about the Devil's Bible to appreciate the book. The author get stuck right into the story from the get go.
The author introduces the characters methodically, as the reader is taken from location to location. This process of following a sequence of events in order makes it easy to stay with the story, so many writers flip all over the place sometimes you can get lost in the sequences, so this nice, orderly progress worked for me! The main characters are imperfect humans, all with a story of their own, each written authentically and sympathetically.
I don't like putting in spoilers, suffice to say it is a book about good versus evil. A puzzle needs to be solved quickly, the destiny of mankind is about to changed for the worse unless someone can intervene before the apocalypse. A supernatural thriller for sure!
Anyone who loves John Milton will love the way each chapter carries quotations from "Paradise Lost", and how the author weaves into the story the Milton references. I thoroughly enjoyed this thriller, finishing it over a few days. It was certainly one of the best page turners I have read in a long time.
I would not be suprised if at some time in the future someone picks this up for screenplay treatment, as it gives license for some action packed scenes, the characters were neither overdone or flimsy, they seemed to hit just right for me.
I am looking forward to reading some of the other works by this author.
hdbblog's review
5.0
Imagine if you will, a world that is on the brink. God has turned his back on the people he created, leaving them to fend for themselves. Every soul on Earth is at the mercy of a Heavenly War. One side is set on creating the Apocalypse, the other side on preventing it. Callahan and LaLaurie have just stumbled into one of the biggest and longest standing battles in the history of the world, and as a reader you're along for the ride. Sound intriguing? I guarantee you, it is.
Meet our fearless team. Sebastian "Batty" LaLaurie is a bibliophile, theologian, and John Milton fanatic who also happens to have a drinking problem. His past is dark, and littered with secrets. Then there's Bernadette Callahan. Section agent, massive cynic and all around bad-ass woman. She might be nearing a collapse, but she'll be damned if she's going down without a fight. These two characters drive the story forward as they take off, across the globe, gathering clues. Murders, sacred relics, and musty archives are just some of what you'll find as you join their journey! It's tough not to be immersed.
What I loved most about The Paradise Prophecy is that it isn't a light read. Yes, I'm serious. The psychological aspect of this book is beautifully done, and really makes the reader think as they are reading. I devoured page after page as I hunted for clues and tried to tie things together. Browne crafts the plot carefully, allowing the reader to keep an eye on the big picture while still paying attention to little details. I never felt like I was drowning in too much information at one time, or being given a watered down version of Milton's epic. Quite the opposite actually. To me, it felt like a balanced read. Giving me just enough to keep me reading on, but not so much that I felt like I was being spoon fed the plot.
Perfectly done Robert Browne, perfectly done.
It's not often that a book has the ability to render me speechless. However as I turned the last page of The Paradise Prophecy that's exactly what occurred. I was utterly blow away by the complex plot that Browne had crafted. He weaves a tale that pulls you in deep, and doesn't let you go until the last moment. Pages just flew by. That doesn't generally happen in a 400 page book, but before I knew it I was finished and gasping for air. I read this entirely through in one sitting.
If you're looking at the cover of Robert Browne's book and thinking of similar titles, let me set you straight right now. Despite his name being similar to another writer, and despite this being a book along the same vein, this is infinitely better! At least such is the opinion of this humble reader. The Paradise Prophecy is a gripping, thrilling, and gorgeously written novel! It's everything I love about the thriller genre.
Highly recommended!
Meet our fearless team. Sebastian "Batty" LaLaurie is a bibliophile, theologian, and John Milton fanatic who also happens to have a drinking problem. His past is dark, and littered with secrets. Then there's Bernadette Callahan. Section agent, massive cynic and all around bad-ass woman. She might be nearing a collapse, but she'll be damned if she's going down without a fight. These two characters drive the story forward as they take off, across the globe, gathering clues. Murders, sacred relics, and musty archives are just some of what you'll find as you join their journey! It's tough not to be immersed.
What I loved most about The Paradise Prophecy is that it isn't a light read. Yes, I'm serious. The psychological aspect of this book is beautifully done, and really makes the reader think as they are reading. I devoured page after page as I hunted for clues and tried to tie things together. Browne crafts the plot carefully, allowing the reader to keep an eye on the big picture while still paying attention to little details. I never felt like I was drowning in too much information at one time, or being given a watered down version of Milton's epic. Quite the opposite actually. To me, it felt like a balanced read. Giving me just enough to keep me reading on, but not so much that I felt like I was being spoon fed the plot.
Perfectly done Robert Browne, perfectly done.
It's not often that a book has the ability to render me speechless. However as I turned the last page of The Paradise Prophecy that's exactly what occurred. I was utterly blow away by the complex plot that Browne had crafted. He weaves a tale that pulls you in deep, and doesn't let you go until the last moment. Pages just flew by. That doesn't generally happen in a 400 page book, but before I knew it I was finished and gasping for air. I read this entirely through in one sitting.
If you're looking at the cover of Robert Browne's book and thinking of similar titles, let me set you straight right now. Despite his name being similar to another writer, and despite this being a book along the same vein, this is infinitely better! At least such is the opinion of this humble reader. The Paradise Prophecy is a gripping, thrilling, and gorgeously written novel! It's everything I love about the thriller genre.
Highly recommended!
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