Rite of Passage [Mass Market Paperback]

Richard D'Agostino (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2006

Stone ground against stone. The earth shook. Walls trembled. In a gush, sand poured from slots in the wall. Dust swallowed the air. A secret sanctuary has been breached. And so begins the tale of a prehistoric crystal cylinder seal, discovered in a passage beneath the base of Cheops' Pyramid. Because of its ultimate secrets, Egyptologist Dr. Karl Cassim's only daughter is taken hostage; Cairo's Minister of Police betrays his office; and the chosen must prove their worthiness by passing through the Seven Gates of Osiris. With the assistance of American astronomer Julian Rutledge, renowned British Egyptologist Sir E. Osborne Hunsdon, museum curator Nancy Gottlieb, and the very things he debunked — gods, curses, and magic — Dr. Cassim discovers a prophecy, a warning for the New Age of Man. Everyone's life will be changed.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Egyptologist thriller fans and anyone who appreciates an excellent apocalyptic tale will want to read the action packed Rite of Passage."  —Harriet Klausner

About the Author

Richard D'Agostino is a writer. He lives in Florida.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 473 pages
• Publisher: Medallion Press (March 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932815546
• ISBN-13: 978-1932815542
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,694,939 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Promising Writer and an Exciting Story, March 20, 2006

By 

Kenneth W. Clifford (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Rite of Passage (Mass Market Paperback)

The other reviewer went into great detail about the plot, so I won't; rather, I'd like to communicate my experience with the book, both Pro and Con.
Pro: Exciting story line, exciting locations, brisk pace, visual in places
Cons: writing came across strained, style was very choppy, characters did not have a lot of depth
I realize that this is a relatively new author, and it shows. The sparse style is difficult to pull off for many authors, but I "get" that the author is trying to find his voice. While the style was a bit sparse and the language often stilted, the ideas were great. There is clearly enough promise here that I will not hesitate to pick up the author's next novel.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent Egyptologist apocalypse thriller, March 8, 2006

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rite of Passage (Mass Market Paperback)

Mother Nature is apparently fighting back as the earth undergoes dramatic climatic changes. The planet is shaken to its core by numerous off the Richter scale earthquakes, category 4 and 5 hurricanes, monstrous flooding, and other disasters. In the midst of the natural global pandemic, a portal splits opens on the base of Cheops' Pyramid leading to previously unknown passageways beneath the edifice.

Renowned Egyptologist Dr. Karl Cassim leads the investigation into the secret rooms below the pyramid. His team discovers in one of the passageways a prehistoric crystal cylinder seal. Before Cassim can decipher what the discovery means, assailants abduct his daughter, planning to use her as a pawn to negotiate what they want from the Egyptologist. Feeling trapped because he already knows the criticality of his work while worries about his beloved daughter, Cassim and his allies, American astronomer Julian Rutledge, British Egyptologist Sir E. Osborne Hunsdon, and museum curator Nancy Gottlieb, test the Seven Gates of Osiris as an ancient prophecy warns of a coming of a New Age of Man that will change how we live today.

Egyptologist thriller fans and anyone who appreciates an excellent apocalypse tale will want to read the action-packed RITE OF PASSAGE. The key cast members, especially Cassim and his team, seem genuine; the electrifying story line comes first with an Indiana Jones' Raiders of the Lost Ark style of thrills and chills. The abduction may place Cassim in an untenable position, but pales next to the world in peril plot that grips readers from the simple introduction to the "Beloved of Thoth" until the final confrontation.

Harriet Klausner

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Exciting Tale, November 7, 2006

By 

B. Darby (Charleston, SC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rite of Passage (Mass Market Paperback)

This was a great tale; exciting and riveting. I became invested in the characters and had a hard time putting the book down. This story is made for the movies.