photo taken by Jackie
Info and blurb from goodreads.com
Book was sent to me for an honest review by THE AUTHOR courtesy of BOSTICK COMMUNICATIONS
Dante's Journey by J C Marino
A flash of light and Detective Joe Dante steps through. No longer on the cobblestone streets of 1961 Boston, Joe finds himself in a horrifying new world-Hell itself. Joe was in hot pursuit of his family's killer, drug lord Filippo Argenti, when both were killed, and isn't about to let a little thing like death slow him down. So, with a healthy dose of New England stubborness and the help of a mysterious guide, Virgil DiMini, Joe must evade angry demons, and search ever-lower through the rings of the original Dante's Inferno in hopes of finding justice for his wife and children. However, Joe will soon discover that behind every sin lies a secret and each secret revealed could land Joe in an eternity of hot water.... VERY hot.
Paperback, 368 pages Published February 22nd 2010 by Star Publish (first published February 2010) ISBN 1935188097 (ISBN13: 9781935188094) Language English
Lately I have come to a realization which is fairly obvious to anyone who takes note of my reading preferences, I am a "shallow" reader! My books all fall under the category of easy/fast, and in some cases frivolous reads...
I rarely like to venture out of what I find "comfortable" and pick non-serious reading material for the most part....
"Dante's Journey" was not one of those "easy" or "comfortable" reads for me. I purposefully requested a review copy from the author knowing it was going to be something that would "stretch" my mental muscles in ways they had not been used since my high school English teacher made us all read Orwell's "1984", Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men" and Harper Lee's "To Kill A Mockingbird" . These books all have one thing in common for most people in that they are considered to be "classic reading", however like "Dante's Journey" the books also share something else and for me that is a timeless story that calls you to read and captures your imagination with intriguing characters and at times horrifying descriptions of what is taking place...
I can honestly say that in reading the story of Joe Dante it opened up some personal introspection about the way in which I go through life interacting with friends, family and even strangers!
The book made me laugh in delight at some of the old fashioned repartee and outdated expressions of early 1960's language.. I was fascinated with the scope of events and span of time that the author skillfully interwove into Joe's journey when he came across people along the way from different periods in history who were condemned to Hell.. The way the author has taken the different representations of mortal sins and the sinners that are bound to each level of Hell, the truly horrible and gruesome Demons that torture those same sinners, woven it all together in a way that is not like a sermon but flows effortlessly to create all the dynamics necessary to make the plot work is the mark of a good storyteller!
Throughout the story we are given flashbacks that detail the background story of Joe's life both personal and professional, these allow the reader to better understand Joe's reactions between each segment of the trip through all 9 circles of Hell.
"Dante's Journey" is a story that will stay with you long after you are finished reading it, the characters are well drawn and fleshed out in a way that bring them to life no matter how minor. Not only is this a well thought out book but it is full of written visuals that detail Hell in a way that is both realistic and at times brutally painful to read. The book brings up many subjects for the reader to ruminate on, not least of all the recurring question of "Who are we?" One of the quotes from the book is "In every journey comes a moment...one like no other. And in that moment, you must decide between who you are...and who you want to be." I ask myself that question and to be honest am still working on who I want to be!
Truthfully think that readers who enjoy a mixutre of Paranormal Elements, Horror, Mystery Thrillers, Sci-Fi and especially lovers of Gritty Dark Urban Fantasy will take this book and run with it from page one! I for one am very glad I requested and received a copy to read, it truly did stretch my "mental muscles" in a good way and was well worth the time it took to read!
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4 comments:
What a great review! I love books that make you think. Although I don't read as much "less comfortable reading" books, I do love them once in a while. This books sounds interesting! I'll check it out! Thanks Jackie.:)
It was a bit different from reading about werewolves and vampires that is for sure, but in a good way!
jackie ^_^
Great review! I haven't heard about this one until now, but it sounds like a book I'd love :) Actually, I think that if I had it at this moment before me, I would've started it right now :) I'm adding it now on my wishlist!
If I can convince one person to try the book and they like it and tell others than that works for me! I am glad it sounds like something you would like to read Aleksandra, I hope you do some time!
jackie ^_^
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