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DAMIAN NORTH
Reviews By My Readers
Best Page Turner I’ve Read In A Long Time.
Fantastic Debut Novel from Damian North
By European Reader on 21 Oct. 2016
I will begin by saying - What A Privilege to be one of the first to read this work of a debut author. This author will be going places. This has been the best story I’ve read this year. Brilliant.
I have been a follower of @Damian_North for several years and was delighted to see that he published. When I discovered on Twitter that his debut novel was published, I immediately downloaded it. Sat down on Thursday evening with a cuppa and started…. I was hooked. Within six hours I had the book finished. It was AMAZING - OMG, talk about a story plot…. Dan Brown watch out.
At first I didn’t know if a Vatican Thriller would be my cup of tea, but from the 1st chapter I was captivated and could not put the book down. All 66 chapters revealed so much of a visual storyline and each chapter ended with a cliff hanger which meant I had to keep reading. It is clear Damian knows the inner workings of the church very well and some of his lines were so powerful that I was highlighting them on the iPad as I went along - especially the line ‘If only they knew that well from which they drank was poisoned’ within the context of the setting I just went WOW.
Each character within the story was incredible and identifiable with their own personal ways dialogue. I especially loved Cardinal Guarducci and the amazing and gentle Gustave Hasler. Through the story I laughed and cried, the goose pimples were mostly always standing on edge and when I got to the end I thought - incredible. The whole idea and the simplicity of it is what makes this novel so believable and disturbing. So much so that when I went to bed last night I dreamt about the characters.
There’s an old saying that when you finish a good book you wish you could live for a thousand years to read as much as you can - That is how I felt having read Damian North. For a debut novelist it’s a difficult game to crack but I know that this guy will do it. I wish I could give more than five stars because it really was that good. So, if you enjoyed Angels and Demons, Conclave, Morris West or are in anyway intrigued by the Vatican … then buy this book.
Well done Damian - I’ll be in Donegal this weekend and reading it for a second time on Saturday afternoon after walking the dog. Good Luck.
Damian North Replied - Thank You European Reader. I was delighted to receive your review on amazon.co.uk this evening. I am delighted that you thoroughly enjoyed reading the novel. You will never know how much your feedback means - It has been a long 24 hours to hear back from someone who has read the book and it was a good positive review.
Yes, Guarducci is some character I had fun creating him and as for Hasler - who couldn't like him? I hope you enjoy your trip to Donegal tomorrow. Keep in touch via Twitter - I've sent you a DM to link this reply.
By Amazon Customer on 22 Oct. 2016
What can I say!!! Damian North is a brilliant storyteller. This was a compulsive read and I couldn't put the book down. A great book in its own right - and for a debut novel - WOW.
Independent writers are bucking the publishing trend. When I consider some of the rubbish coming from publishing houses recently - it is great to see raw talent like Damian North break the mould and prove that a great story needs to be published and read. This book should be turned into a film its that good.
The whole balance of the story and the tension which builds up throughout is something few authors can write, maintain and captivate. Often stories can get bogged down in trivialities but not Pontifex Maximus. It felt like a rollercoaster - the first few gripping chapters are the climb and then you are taken over the edge and into a thrilling ride. So happy I came across this on kindle.
Great product and absolutely riveting. When's the next book out????
Damian North Replied - Thank You for your kind comment it was great to hear. I am really glad that your enjoyed the book. At the moment it's like a young sampling and just taking root but your comment has given it a good boost and I hope that more will be inspired to buy it on the back of what your have said. As to a film lol that would be magic wouldn't it ... who knows lol As to the next book well... time is needed.
By Misty on 22 Oct. 2016
A brilliant book! Thrilling! You will not be disappointed! This story is full of suspense, surprises, shocks and cliffhangers. The author takes us into the sacred halls of the Vatican to the Oval Office in the White House and invites you to take a closer look. The storyline is unnerving in its plausibility and possibility......and leaves you wanting more. The story is fast paced and each chapter adds a new layer of information and thrills that are gripping and holds your attention. I couldn't put it down because I wanted to know what happened next. The plot is captivating and the characters are well developed, if you liked the Dan Brown series of novels then you will love this......except this is better! I agree with the reviewer who said it would make a great movie. While reading the book I was struck by how visual it was and the story played like a movie in my imagination. That was a rare experience and I believe that it is testimony to the writing skills of this author and his ability to weave the whole plot into a seamless tapestry. I don't want to say too much about the plot or characters of this book because I don't want to spoil the experience for the reader but look out for the moment that is reminiscent of the Judas kiss....a glimpse of intimacy that truly encapsulates the true nature of evil itself. It made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck......pure genius. I believe that we will be hearing more about this author in the future, I hope so because this is a brilliant book and I can't wait to read the sequel. For a debut novel this is as polished and perfect as they come. It really has a touch of class...just like the book cover! Thank you Damian North for the gift of this story. You have restored my faith in the belief that there are still some great writers out there who have the talent and skills to produce a really good story and who respect the readers who read them. Good luck and good fortune with this!
Damian North Replied - Thank you for the review, it means a lot. Delighted that you enjoyed it and thank you for the kind words. Glad you enjoyed the Judas kiss moment it really revealed the hidden depths of that character in that chapter. Looking forward to hearing from you again.
Hugely Enjoyable Story Told At
By PCMC on Oct. 2016
Hugely enjoyable story told at a brisk pace and deserving of your time. Centre stage is the Vatican and its intrigues set against a political world backdrop that is alarmingly (and depressingly) familiar. This is what gives this book its sense of frightening realism.
This is a well written, fast paced, political, supernatural thriller . Guaranteed to have you turning the pages. You’ll probably finish it in one sitting.
Damian North Replied - Thank you. Glad you recommended that the novel was a fast page turner- that was the goal. Appreciate your review and the time taken to write it.
By Geraldine on Nov. 2016
I have to say this was by far one of the best books I have ever read!! Amazing plot and amazing characters. When reading the book you can actually visualise yourself being in the middle of it all and it all happening round you. The way the characters were portrayed was absolutely magnificent and felt as if you knew each one personally. Excellent read and I honestly can't wait for the sequel 😃😃
Damian North Replied - Thank you for the feed back on this review and through the website that you had posted one. Delighted to hear from you and have added you to the mailing list for further publications.
An Excellent Read Of Power And
By Anne Scott on 30 October 2016
A terrific read, the plot kept me guessing until near the end of this great first book by Damian. I cannot wait to read the sequel.
The narrative is well written, full of great insight to the intricacies of the Vatican and the powers within it.
Damian North Replied - Anne, to receive a review like this form on of Ireland's most esteemed principals means so much. Thank you so much for your warm review and the emails.
By R. Gregory on 28 October 2016
Read it over two days. Couldn't put the book down. Pretty scary especially with all the upheaval in the world!
Damian North Replied - Greatly appreciated it. Hopefully, you won't have to wait too long until the next novel.
By Alexis Williamson 28 October 2016
What a story! Packed with intrigue, mischief and downright wrong doing by the worlds most powerful people. Can't wait for the next book. Damien North's Pontifex Maximus is well worth your time. Read it you won't be disappointed.
Damian North Replied - Alexis, thank you for the review and glad you enjoyed the mischief and the wrong doings of the plot. A pleasure to read your review.
By Kathi Mode on November 3, 2016
Read this Book! Very fast paced, and informative with great detail. I love books that I don't want to put down. I would call it a religious, political thriller.
Very well written and very absorbing.
Damian North Replied - Kathi, thank you for the review and thanks for spreading the world across in the States.
Hopefully The Second Novel Will
By Maureen Buskirk on October 29, 2016
I loved reading this novel. It was hard to put down and the unexpected twists and turns kept me glued to page after page. I hope the next book of the trilogy lives up to this experience.
Damian North Replied - Maureen, I am so glad that you loved reading the novel. To hear that means so much as an author. There will be a novel released in January, but it won't be the sequel to Pontifex Maximus, the sequel should be available come summer 2017 ... all being well.
By Darren on October 29, 2016
A conspiracy theory frighteningly relevant to our times. This thrilling debut novel will surely have secured North's place among our great story tellers. A page turner from start to finish. You won't be disappointed!
Damian North Replied - Thanks Darren, I glad you found it relevant to our times - often it is that which is around us that can appear most frightening once we look a little closer into it.