Halfway through her Ph.D., Jennifer Jaine’s faith has been shaken. She has become convinced that the Catholic church’s authority is based on a lie. Desperate to prove herself wrong, she goes to the Vatican, only to be caught up in an international hunt for the truth about the church, the Pope, and how Jesus intended his followers to live their faith.
A stolen artifact, a mysterious murder, and an escaping intruder lead Jennifer from the Vatican to the streets of Rome to the Cave Church of St. Peter in Turkey, where she discovers a secret that could delegitimize the Pope. Chased by scheming cardinals and the trigger-happy head of Vatican security, assisted only by an elderly professor, the son of an Italian Mafioso, and a mysterious—but handsome—Turk, Jennifer must decide whether to become complicit in the church’s duplicity or shake the foundations of the planet’s most dominant religion.
Semi Finalist
Assessment:
Plot: The author provides a captivating plot that takes the reader deep into the Vatican, revealing secrets that those in power wish to remain buried. The resulting quest will keep readers on their toes until the end.
Prose: This well-written novel offers the perfect balance of action, description, and character insight. Thanks to great prose, the plot unfolds at a good pace, keeping reader interest but also providing the background necessary to understand the intricate issues at play.
Originality: Inevitably, all mysteries centering on this topic will be reminiscent of The DaVinci Code. Once the reader digs further, however, the story here is strikingly distinctly different and original.
Character Development: The author does a superb job creating a likable protagonist in Jennifer Jaine, Other characters are equally well presented and realistic.
Blurb: This fast-paced and intriguing work will hook readers from the first page to the last, leaving them wanting more.
Date Submitted: August 04, 2017
A THRILLER FOR DIE-HARD DAN BROWN FANS!
I have to admire the time taken in researching this intense novel. Fantastic for anyone interested in the origins of the Roman Catholic church, and its history. The attention to detail regarding architecture and localities is spectacular. The plot does often get weighed down with religious facts and dialogue about theology, which results in a somewhat sluggish flow and hazy storyline at times. But, all-in-all, Blood Symbols is a book worthy of any bookshelf, and a MUST READ for any die-hard Dan Brown fan.
