A nun commits suicide in front of thousands in Spain. In Australia, Siobhan Russo recognises that nun as her mother, Denise Russo, who disappeared six years ago.
In search of answers, Siobhan travels to the isolated convent where her mother once lived. Here she discovers Denise’s final confession, a book that details a heinous betrayal that left her crippled and mute, and Denise’s subsequent deal with the Devil to take revenge. In the desperate bargain Denise made with the Prince of Darkness, she wagered Siobhan’s soul.
As Siobhan discovers the fate of her soul, she learns that hidden within the pages of her mother’s confession is part of The Devil’s Prayer, an ancient text with the power to unleash apocalyptic horrors.
And now her mother’s enemies know Siobhan has it.
Can Siobhan escape an order of extremist monks determined to get the Prayer back? Can she save the world from its own destruction?
My Review:
I have to admit that it took me longer than expected to read this book. Though it comes with a warning for explicit content, I was not prepared for what the book had to offer. I had to put the book down at several points just to get over my shock. That said, the book was quite a ride! I found myself enjoying it irrespective of the surprises and at times because of the surprises it folds in its pages.
Plot:
The book offers a multi-layered plot where on one hand we discover the life that Denise had lived away from her family and about her death. On the other hand, through Siobhan we see a daughter's quest for answers which lead her into a path that leads her away from the things that she is familiar with. The underlying conviction of the book is that if there is a God, then there surely must be a Devil.
Characters:
The author has done a fantastic job of developing Denise's character through Siobhan's journey. Revealing little information at a time, it was like piecing a jigsaw puzzle to see Denise come alive in the pages. Siobhan on the other hand kind of took a back seat. Yet there are pieces of her in the book that will give you a look into her life as well. I guess, we will see more of Siobhan in the coming books.
Narrative:
For most parts the author has done an impressive job of building up and letting the story flow. His descriptions of the dark scenes were absolutely mesmerizing. But there were a few abrupt moments when the author provided us with information at a go and nothing else was happening for pages.
Looking forward to the next installment eagerly.
💓💓💓💓
