New Novel Coined "Spiritual Thriller"

PR Log (Press Release) – Sep 25, 2006 – David Ausema of OnceWritten.com says, “WAKING GOD is not an easy book to pin down in a couple of words. It’s a thriller, but doesn’t seem quite comfortable in that category. It’s definitely a religious book, but not of any of the established religions, and in fact quite opposed to them. It’s likely to appeal to many of the Da Vinci Code fans, but it’s not a copycat. The back cover identifies it as “Speculative / Thriller.” I think I would only change that to “Spiritual Thriller” to give a clearer idea of where it fits, but of course any label will be oversimplifying the matter.

Andrew is an engaging character, intelligent without being arrogant, willing to learn as events pull him far from his academic world…

The other central character in the book (though less developed than Andrew) is Mara, a girl of Middle Eastern descent who has lead a strange life, violently torn from one family after another but forgetting her past with each new adoptive family…

Amidst this, Andrew is summoned to Italy to discover the man who has been talking to him in his dreams. There he learns the true story behind Lucifer, who wishes to free humanity from illusion, and Michael and the other angels, who wish to keep humans ignorant.

The truth, revealed as they attempt to free Mara from Michael’s clutches, will draw in lost Atlantis and the Tarot deck, conspiracy theories and hidden images, UFOs, the Knights Templar and ancient buildings around the world. There is a sense that perhaps the authors try to draw in and explain too many things at once and too neatly. But it’s a very fun ride as Andrew, with the help of his friend Eli, the mentorship of Lucifer and the assistance of a werewolf-vampire pair of guards, discover how these all fit together.

Not deus ex machina exactly, but perhaps diablo ex machina as Lucifer simply overcomes the final obstacle without any difficulty. But until that point, the excitement runs high.

The book does share a weakness with many other religious books of any religious persuasion, and that’s that it has a tendency to present anyone who disagrees religiously as shallow and ridiculous (if not outright malicious). Anyone that’s at all meant to be sympathetic is fundamentally in agreement with the religious ideas portrayed. So those readers who don’t agree or are more skeptical of the book’s claims, no matter how open-minded they are, will find themselves distracted at times, arguing with how some of the characters and ideas are portrayed.

But those willing to get past this will find an exciting and fascinating tale, one that’s well-told and fast-paced. And some will even find it inspiring.”

These are exerts form Mr. Ausema’s review. For more details go to www.oncewritten.com or to the official site of the controversial novel, WAKING GOD at www.wakinggod.com There you will find more great reviews from NYTimes bestselling author, Piers Anthony, BookReviews.com, Front Street Reviews.com and more.