Dirty Eden [Kindle Edition]

J.A. Redmerski (Author), Daniele Serra (Illustrator), Pedro Medeiros (Illustrator)

Book Description

(Note: This novel is nothing like J.A. Redmerski's Darkwoods Trilogy or THE EDGE OF NEVER - do not attempt to read it with those expectations.)

Blasphemous. Dark. Humorous. Twisted. Unlike anything you've ever read before. DIRTY EDEN ain't your pastor's book.

**C.L. Stegall, author of The Weight of Night said: "I absolutely love it when I have not a clue as to what might happen next, and this story has those moments in spades.."

**Bob Milne/Beauty in Ruins said: "...this was one of the most original reads I've had the pleasure of experiencing in a long time." and "...an action-filled, suspense-laden, treacherous piece of storytelling..."



DESCRIPTION:

The Devil gives Norman Reeves an ill-fated mission he has no choice but
to accept: Find the center of Eden and reverse the Fall of Man. Thrust
into a place called Creation, Norman's task is plagued by unimaginable
people and events. He must unravel impossible clues to free the Three
Trees and keep himself out of Hell at the same time. On this surreal and
humorous journey, Norman discovers many things better left unknown: the
shocking secret lives of people close to him and the other unthinkable
reason he was brought here. But should Norman fail, like all visitors to
Creation, he will forget everyone and everything he has ever known,
becoming part of the madness that was once the paradise of Eden.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

J.A. Redmerski, New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of THE EDGE OF NEVER lives in North Little Rock, Arkansas with her three children and a Maltese. She is a lover of television and books that push boundaries and is a huge fan of AMC's The Walking Dead.

Product Details

• File Size: 766 KB
• Print Length: 346 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B007J6U2NI
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #40,758 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating and fearsome, gorgeous and grotesque - hooks you from the first page April 24, 2012

By Bob Milne

Format:Kindle Edition

Dirty Eden is a book that hooks you right from the first page, somehow managing to inject a little discomfort into the boring banality of an office commute. All it takes is a glimpse of a stiletto-heeled stranger to shake Norman's routine, and a stranger's offer of $500 to go back and talk to her is more than enough temptation to derail not just a commute, but a man's entire life.

That stranger is, of course, the Devil . . . and what he expects from Norman is far more than just your typical 'selling your soul' type of mythological transaction. As we soon discover, there are big stakes involved, with the fate of all Creation ultimately resting upon the shoulders of an otherwise unremarkable man who dared to ask himself "What can it hurt?"

Before long we find ourselves accompanying Norman on an underworld journey which echoes those of Odysseus, Dante, and Chris Nielsen, but which adds its own unique spin on not just the journey, but the mythologies that overlap and combine to approximate the truth of our reality. It's a journey that's as fascinating as it it fearsome, through a landscape as gorgeous as it is grotesque. I think it was the moment that the naked, seductive fairy emerged from the forest, volunteering to have her wings ripped off as the price of Norman's passage across the Field of Yesterday, that I realized there was no escaping this book until I saw how it all would end.

This is a very dark book, and one that doesn't shy away from the darkness inside us all. Whether Norman is being confronted by the truth about himself, his family, or society at large, we're invited to bear witness to the worst acts of which mankind is capable - rape, murder, incest, adultery, theft, etc. There's not a lot of hope to the story, but there is a redeeming quality to Norman's personal growth that propels us along. It's also a very complex book, and one that is equally capable in delivering twists in plot as twists in mythology. Nothing is quite what it seems here, and the worst mistake you can make in reading the story is to assume you know what the Devil, Norman, or the author truly intend.

Having dreaded a literary betrayal, fully expecting a typically biblical end to the story, I was delighted to discover a climax worthy of the story that precedes it, an action-filled, suspense-laden, treacherous piece of storytelling that pulls together all of the various characters and themes into an entirely satisfying resolution. More than that, I have to applaud Jessica for a final twist that is as glorious as it is unexpected.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Down the Wicked, Evil Rabbit Hole We Go! March 21, 2012

By K. Dome

Format:Paperback

Another wonderful entry from J.A. Redmerski, that DEFINITELY appeals to a more mature, dark minded audience!

From the opening line of this book, you immediately have that page-turning feel that accompanies a well written story. There were times I couldn't wait to read the next part, I felt like I wanted to skip ahead and cheat to see what happens to the characters. When I had to stop at the end of the night, I felt the need to get back to finish it. This was not a good thing when you have to work in the morning.

The book has a whole "down the rabbit hole" feel to it, which was a refreshing feeling when you consider the mythology it was dealing with. You were able to get lost into a story that you had never heard before, and which was completely original - despite incorporating characters such as The Devil, which can be an absolute hit, or a horrific miss when you incorporate him into ANY story. This portrayal, was definitely a refreshing hit! Deceitful, vindictive, wicked - all rolled up into a pretty, evil package.

The main character of Norman was relatable, which was good, even though I personally didn't really feel that I liked him. At least not until the end... but I won't talk about that as I don't want to spoil anything for you. The side characters which accompanied Norman in his trek was really what made this book to me. Each character had such depth and personality to them that it made me wanting more when I got to the end. The final situations that each character ended up in left a yearning in me to know more... What about Tsaeb, Sophie, and Taurus!?!?!?

The writing and the imagery in the entire book was beautiful, and could really paint pictures in my head which is something that I look for in a good book. "Dirty Eden" was definitely a wonderful book, and the ending had me on pins and needles hoping there is more to it all! It's an ending hook, that I hope is not just a tease!

Overall, I recommend this book to anyone who is of a more mature mind; are not offended by vulgar acts; disgusting situations; or themes some may consider "blasphemous". A GOOD READ!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Deal With The Devil July 8, 2012

By CL Nicolas-Stegall

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

First things first... I love reading something different. If it is just a twist on a familiar theme, it better be a damned good twist. But, if it is a take on a theme I am unfamiliar with, it just makes my day. Admittedly, I feel into this story of a man's deal with the devil wholeheartedly. I absolutely love it when I have not a clue as to what might happen next, and this story has those moments in spades.

Norman, our protagonist, is a complex, well-written character that has his own hang-ups that can sometimes get in the way of his own goals; even if he didn't set those goals. Redmerski let's us feel Norman's confusion and (sometimes) helplessness at being a tool of the Devil, himself. The author pulls us along on Norman's travails, allowing us to truly see this strange world of Creation through the lead's eyes, alone. I think I enjoyed that part of the novel the most.

Truth be told, some folks might be quite taken aback by Redmerski's horrifying tale, especially once they get into the deeper realms of the book, the encounters with the various demons and crazy-ass characters that populate Creation. She deals with this controversial story with a deft hand, though and I just let myself be carried along for the sinister and twisty ride with the joy of a boy on a rollercoaster ride!

I loved the strange, dark and confusing characters that Norman meets in his adventure. I especially enjoyed the two little demons that end up accompanying Norman on his trip through Creation: Tsaeb and Sophia. Sophia, in particular, was so well-portrayed that I was never certain at any moment whether she would be sugary sweet or rip someone's heart out. It was awesome!

Redmerski writes blasphemy in the most potable manner I could imagine. Controversy is the spice that livens up this feast of twisty-turny adventure.

I hope to read more of Norman in the future.

More About the Author

J.A. Redmerski, New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of THE EDGE OF NEVER lives in North Little Rock, Arkansas with her three children and a Maltese. She is a lover of television and books that push boundaries and is a huge fan of AMC's The Walking Dead.

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

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#64 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Contemporary Fiction

#74 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction

#85 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Romance > Contemporary

#92 in Books > Romance > Contemporary

#64 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Contemporary Fiction

#74 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction

#85 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Romance > Contemporary

#92 in Books > Romance > Contemporary