Customer Reviews

The Angel Hunter

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I just finished your book. It took me a while to read it, as I had to
stop and think about some of it quite a bit. My comment is WOW! I
have done a lot of reading and am familiar with some of the books you
had mentioned. I also believe the premise that we only "reap what we
sow" in this world of ours. But now I have to go out and get hold of
a couple more so that I can answer some of the questions your book has
raised.

My hope for your book is three-fold. One, I hope everyone enjoyed it
as much as both my husband and I did, two, that it makes people stop and think about their beliefs, and their lives and the world we live in,
and three - that it's a fantastic seller!

Anyway, we both really enjoyed it, and have had a few conversations
about it. I really can't wait for The Tantalus Key.

OK !!!!!!!! It's been along time since I have hated to put a book down, but this book is such a PAGE TURNER !!! What a story !!!! I wanted to keep reading, yet, I also didn't want to get to the end of the book, because I would have finished it. This is THAT GREAT of a READ !!! The reader gets very involved in the storyline because the author doesn't miss anything in his descriptions of the characters, settings or thoughts...he covers it all so beautifully. I must have said at least 10 times to my husband, "OH, my gosh...!" and "You have to read this !"
If you enjoy the super-natural, you believe another 'force' is a posibility, you have loved someone so much you would do anything for them, this book is for you. Since the sequal is not out yet, I am going to re-read this one again. With pleasure.

The Angel Hunter kept me intrigued from the very first page! I am now reading this book for a second time and find so much depth in this novel! The story weaves it's way through so many levels and leaves the reader wanting more! I can't wait for the sequal, or better yet, I can't wait for the movie! J.A. Leary is destined to be an author who will become a household name some day!

The strongest element of this story is J.A. Leary's ability to transport the reader to time and place. I've visited the Notre Dame campus for a brief tour when I attended a christening many years ago, but it was nothing compared to the exquisite details portrayed in this mysterious tale. (I confess what made the strongest impression on me was "touchdown Jesus!") But now I want to go back and see the grotto--the setting at the center of The Angel Hunter.

Short chapters weave together the characters--Victoria and her babies, as well as her mother, the FBI agent investigating the disappearance of her twins, the priests embroiled with the history and goings on of the grotto, the doctor looking into the presumed case of postpartum depression to name a few. Leary's disciplined writing is rich in detail and feeling. The story moves forward quickly, laying out the details in a way that makes what is actually a bizarre tale highly believable.

Reading this novel was an interesting departure from a summer filled with memoirs and women's fiction. It was both creative and intelligent and J.A. Leary is clearly a talented novelist. I'm really looking forward to next book.

I am posting this review for my daughter who received this novel from the author for reviewing. I have read the book as well and recommend it.

Summary:

Victoria Hunter faces an enormous terror as her twin sons are torn from her arms, and the shock leaves her with little more than vague memories of consuming fear and something profoundly evil. FBI agent Mc Clanahan is convinced that Victoria Hunter suffers from severe postpartum psychosis and is herself responsible for the infants disappearance. Her psychiatrist however, is beginning to sense that what she is up against is not something easily explained in the glib terms of psychiatry and law enforcement. Meanwhile, Father Stephen Christensen, an aged Catholic priest finds himself closer to the truth than most and that isn't much comfort to him. An ancient secret is waking up and reaching for destiny. Victoria's mother has some deeply help secrets which she simply cannot reveal to her daughter, even in the light of these terrifying circumstances. As the protagonist and the other characters start to spiral towards a terrifying crescendo the reader will find themselves struggling to define good and evil within the context of this book.

Review:
J. A. Leary's debut book is a good start. It is a supernatural mystery starring Victoria Hunter, a highly accomplished business woman and mother of twins. It has an original plot, unlike many of the popular wannabes, interesting dialogue, and life-like characters. Mr. Leary proves that it is possible to write a spell-binding book involving the supernatural without vampires and werewolves. Yes, you read that right. There are no vampires fighting over the heroine in this book. Many twist and turns will compel you to keep turning the pages well into the wee hours of the morning. The book delves into the eternal question of good and evil and challenges some deeply held Judeo-Christian principles which may further fascinate (or upset) some readers.
The initial pages felt awkward as though the writer was trying to write according to some creative writing principles handed down by a teacher from long ago, rather than in his own voice. By about chapter three it was clear that Mr. Leary had found his way back to his own voice and style and the novel had managed to garner my undivided attention. As the perspective of the narrator changed frequently in the book it became, at times, cumbersome to read.

This book is not an easy read and some of the scenes can be quite frightening, which makes this not a book I would recommend to younger audiences. But to readers who enjoy reading something other than your average pool side novel I recommend this book.

I am an avid reader and typically finish a book in a few days but this was exceptional and I could NOT put this down. Victoria's epic journey will take you through a world of good and evil as this mother struggles to bring her twins back from the unexplainable. I also love the challenging views Leary presents into religious dogma without debunking a creator. Ingenious! I cant wait for the next story in this epic battle of good and evil.

I consider myself an avid reader and have a personal library in my house. A frend tipped me off to this new author and I'm on the edge of my chair waiting for his next book. It is packed with gripping suspense. It's a fast-paced thrill ride. YOU MUST READ THIS ONE.

J. A. Leary has written a powerful and fascinating novel full of great imagery and an unforgettable heroin. This is a definite page turner that you won't want to put down.