Synopsis:
Ljluka Vargas, immortal prince and the cool-headed enforcer for the Vargas Dynasty, must go up against his most intriguing enemy, the mysterious Nalini. She intends to beat him to the secret archaeological site of The Book of Life which contains the genetic secrets of their ancient ancestors.
In order to escape the cruel domination of her family and gain freedom for her mother, Nalini assumes the role of assassin. In her rival, the sleek and deadly Luc, she finds a different kind of danger. She’s supposed to eliminate him, but that would foil destiny’s plan for them to be together.
It’s a race from power-hungry D.C. cabinet rooms through the secret realms of the Vatican, from cloud forests and desert sands to the caverns of the Underworld as mankind hangs in the balance. For whoever possesses the Book of Life has the potential to rule the world, offering or denying immortality to the human race.
My Review:
Elizabeth Alsobrooks debut novel, Illuminati: The Book Of Life, is a mysterious mixture of mythical ancient legends brought to life, intrigue and sabotage in both the ancient and modern day corporate world, family duels that rival the Hatfields & McCoys, and love that seems destined to end before it has a chance to blossom like Romeo & Juliet. I quickly found myself drawn into a web of suspense and intrigue as the race to find and possess the Book of Life escalates, and Luc and Nalini battle to claim the book for their rival families...while also fighting their attraction to one another. The author slides back and forth between the modern & ancient settings flawlessly as the characters travel via camels through the desert, navigate the booby trapped tunnels of the ones who came before, survive the horrors of the underworld, and sit in on meetings in a modern corporate boardroom. The wide array of characters include mortals, immortals, gods & goddesses, and mythical beings...the creatures legends are made of. They lend authenticity to the story as well as mystery, action, intrigue, romance, and yes, even humor - I'm talking about you Hassidim! What a great supporting cast of both friends and foes.
I was quickly drawn into Illuminati: The Book of Life. The characters are engaging, the action fast, the suspense intriguing. I found the characters, both good & evil, to be believable and became invested in their lives as the story unfolded. I liked the author's use of mythology & ancient legends in the modern world. It read as both an Urban Fantasy & Romance Suspense all rolled up into one.
The only issue I had is a minor one. At times, the dialogue felt a little drawn out, impeding the natural flow of conversation for me, and after all the tension and build up, I felt the first love scene occurred too quickly - not in the book timing but in the content of their relationship. I won't go into detail because of spoilers but suffice to say, I wanted a longer scene & more details of the seduction.
Illuminati: The Book of Life is a good, intriguing read. The author has laid the groundwork for Ljluka & Nalini's story to continue, as well as additional books featuring other characters. I read this one quickly and look forward to more of the story. Recommended for fans of Urban Fantasy and even Romance Suspense. A Must Read!
My Rating: 4 Pretty ♥♥♥♥'s...And that's the truth!
Cross My Heart...xxx
Sandra
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