The book of Paul

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

In the rubble-strewn wasteland of Alphabet City, a squalid tenement conceals a treasure "beyond all imagining"-- an immaculately preserved, fifth century codex. The sole repository of ancient Hermetic lore, it contains the alchemical rituals for transforming thought into substance, transmuting matter at will...and attaining eternal life. When Rose, a sex and pain addicted East Village tattoo artist has a torrid encounter with Martin, a battle-hardened loner, they discover they are unwitting pawns on opposing sides of a battle that has shaped the course of human history. At the center of the conflict is Paul, the villainous overlord of an underground feudal society, who guards the book's occult secrets in preparation for the fulfillment of an apocalyptic prophecy. The action is relentless as Rose and Martin fight to escape Paul's clutches and Martin's destiny as the chosen recipient of Paul's sinister legacy. Science and magic, mythology and technology converge in a monumental battle where the stakes couldn't be higher: control of the ultimate power in the universe--the Maelstrom. The Book of Paul is the first of seven volumes in a sweeping mythological narrative tracing the mystical connections between Hermes Trismegistus in ancient Egypt, Sophia, the female counterpart of Christ, and the Celtic druids of Clan Kelly.

Reviews provided by Syndetics

Publishers Weekly Review

Like graphic depictions of violence against women and sententious mythological blather? Then this is the book for you. New York City neighbors Rose and Martin have a chance encounter and quickly develop a passionate affair. Their relationship has more than the usual challenges given that Martin's father is a master sadist who believes his violence is part of a larger plan: clan war linked to prophecies leading up to Armageddon. It's conceivable that the right author could employ gripping prose and well-realized characters to generate reader investment in a story line that most people would find distasteful. That doesn't happen here. Instead of inspiring fear and creating suspense, graphic scenes (e.g., when a person's eyelids are nailed open) repel rather than engage. (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Kirkus Book Review

The sadistic account of one man's quest to escape a prophecy he never wanted. Martin's life was never what he imagined. He started off with a negligent and abusive mother, a friendless childhood and more hurt and terror than most can imagine. It only got worse when his new "Daddy" came on the scene--the prophetic, masochistic and pain-happy Paul who became the only father Martin ever knew--the man who taught (by way of torture) that suffering is merely a feeling that one can overcome. Fast-forward to New York's grungy, pre-gentrification Alphabet City. It's a hepatitis-infested, murder-heavy neighborhood; the perfect setting for this twisted tale. It's here that Paul continues to inflect his torture. And it's here where Martin meets Rose, a tattooed, pierced and unabashedly vivacious girl who lives in his building. Because of his feelings for Rose, Martin must revisit his past and determine both his own nature and if he will continue down the same warped path of pain as his father. Told in flashbacks from each character's point of view, including an omniscient, but untrustworthy, narrator, the novel is an easy read. That is, until victims have body parts sliced off and hands nailed to tables and are hog tied, gagged and stuffed in a bag in Paul's house of horrors. The star-crossed Rose and Martin find themselves on the opposing sides of warring clans. This ensures their thrilling quest for freedom and the power to choose their own destinies, regardless of their pasts. Long's prose is deft and clear, transporting the reader from one character's psyche to the next, from Paul's squalid squatting quarters to Rose's warm and color-drenched apartment. Heavy on the gore, blood and suffering, this tale is a compelling one. Those who embrace the genre will eagerly anticipate a second installment in the series. A psychological thriller for readers who are bored with run-of-the-mill horror movies, enjoy the dark side of mythology and science fiction, and most importantly, have strong stomachs.]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.