Review
Action-packed, intense, and thematically profound, this is a conspiracy thriller done right...Barr crafts an absorbing plot around history, religion, myth, archeology, and secrets long buried in his engrossing latest in The Vatican Archives series, featuring Vatican archeologist Fr. Daniel Azar and his best friend, Swiss Guard Luca Rohner. When an ancient tomb is discovered in the ruins of Babylon, the Pope sends Daniel and Luca to Iraq to investigate the matter. But there are sinister enemies who want to lay their hands on the ancient discovery. Meanwhile, in Washington, D. C., Leslie Richardson, the Director of the CIA, also becomes aware of the ancient secret and sends her own team of a pair of agents, who are trained under Mossad but work for the CIA now, to Iraq to find out more about the discovery. When ISIS gets involved, the Vatican and the CIA know they must join forces if they want to defeat their sinister ISIS enemy. But the real danger born out of myth is already awaiting ahead. Barr weaves history and myth, human greed and motivations, frailty and compassion, into an engrossing conspiracy tale. His writing is fast-paced and utterly engaging as he offers detailed descriptions of archeological procedures, biblical events, and apocalyptic prophecies. He skillfully brings the individual perspectives of his characters to life, pulling readers right down into their psyches. Daniel, with his sharp intellect and empathy makes for a worthy hero. The fiercely loyal Lucca easily wins readers' hearts. The standout among a memorable cast are Ranbir Singh, the CIA Antiquities Division advanced computer hologram that accompanies Rebecca and Isacc, and Grigio, Daniel's fiercely loyal wolfdog. Barr sets up the ISIS terrorists as clear villains while providing plenty of insight into their culture and motivations, allowing readers to better understand the complexities of the chaotic Middle Eastern terrains. Heavily shadowed with fantasy and myth, the novel is given weight by its focus on religion, terrorism, the mood of a war-trodden land engulfed in chaos, and the characters' interpersonal dynamics. Meticulously researched and intelligently crafted, the novel has a swift pace. Along the way, Barr captures the war-laden cultural milieu of Iraq with compelling detail. The result is a rich, vivid, and addictive book filled with deeply realized characters and settings. Meticulously researched and brilliantly crafted, this swiftly paced, action-packed tale is a treat for lovers of conspiracy thrillers.
The Prairies Book Review
Move over, Indiana Jones! There's another swashbuckling hero in town! Gods In The Ruins: A Vatican Archives Thriller by E. R. Barr is the fantastic debut to a genre-blending new series. The protagonist, Fr. Daniel Azar, is not your average priest. He's also a trained archeologist and the godson of the current pope. But his story begins years earlier. As a Chaldean Christian in Iraq, Daniel had an unusual upbringing. At the age of eight, he was entrusted with a priceless gift - a ring that once belonged to King Nebuchadnezzar II. Daniel soon learns that this is no ordinary piece of jewelry, and there are many who would kill to have it. Fast forward to the present, and Daniel's parents uncover an opulent Babylonian tomb. Inside the structure, they find a tablet with a shocking apocalyptic prophecy etched into its surface. Daniel senses that the discovery has something to do with him and his mysterious ring. With human and supernatural forces pursuing him, can the young clergyman survive multiple attempts on his life?
The tale is written from the perspective of an omniscient narrator, and I appreciate the table of contents, character list, and titled chapters. The themes of this complex story include archeology, science fiction, biblical events, apocalyptic prophecies, mystery, terrorism, action, adventure, mythology, paranormal powers, and Vatican secrets. Because the main character is a Roman Catholic priest (like the author), the religion is discussed throughout the plot. Islamic beliefs are also described because the story takes place in a predominantly Muslim region. While these details add another layer to the narrative, Monsignor Barr included them tactfully and tastefully without sounding preachy. There are a number of violent scenes, and a few curse words appear in the text. However, there are no salacious scenes.
I was thoroughly impressed by the diversity of the characters and their distinctive personality traits. In addition to Daniel, the other characters are believable, and each of them added a memorable flair to the story. Markoz and Frannie Azar, Daniel's parents, are respected archeologists and professors. In the aftermath of Saddam Hussein's fall in the early 2000s, they made the difficult decision to send Daniel to live with his godfather, Pope Patrick. As the first Irish pontiff, Pope Patrick raised Daniel and nurtured his desire to join the priesthood. At the Vatican, Daniel met his best friend, a Swiss Guard named Luca. Brave, loyal, and fun, Luca is my favorite human character in the book. My favorite character overall is a magical wolfdog called Grigio. Like a faithful guardian, Grigio always came to protect Daniel whenever trouble was afoot. ISIS terrorists emerged as realistic villains, whereas the scholarly imam, Dr. Nabil Kasser, remained ambiguous because it's hard to tell whether he's a friend or a foe. Excellent backstories were provided for each character.
I cannot overstate how much I enjoyed this book! It could be adapted into a great blockbuster film. Monsignor Barr has an exceptional gift for storytelling. He seamlessly combines fact with fiction to create an unforgettable story that is impossible to put down. I was blown away by the creativity, the unexpected moments, and the accuracy of the archeological details! The narrative is written so that readers are privy to the secret motives of supporting characters and left wondering when the truth will be revealed in the plot.
It is a perfect blend of action and humor that has rekindled my love of archeology. Therefore, I am pleased to award Gods In The Ruins: A Vatican Archives Thriller by E. R. Barr a rating of four out of four stars. Fans of the Indiana Jones series and The Mummy franchise will relish this novel. I certainly did! Now I'm waiting with bated breath for the sequel. —OnlineBookClub.org
This story is a feast for anyone who loves great action thrillers with a touch of the supernatural. (5 star review)
--Vincent Dublado, Readers' Favorite
About the Author
E. R. Barr, author of The Tales of Conor Archer series, grew up in Conor Country, also known as the "Driftless" area of southwest Wisconsin. The Vatican Archives series is a new addition to his fiction repertoire but is connected to the world of Conor Archer. E.R. Barr is a priest, educator, college professor, newspaper editor, speaker and writer. He makes his home in Rockford, Illinois and is a noted expert in Celtic spirituality, storytelling, and history.
