Riley: Eye in the City] is about an archangel in search of his human
mother. During his quest, he must battle evil forces intent on harming
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him and innocent people. It is this premise and Ken Mason's fast-paced,
no-nonsense writing style that makes for a fascinating read. My
attention was riveted from the beginning and it wouldn't let up! But I
have to warn you, there are some scenes so terrifying, I had to keep
repeating to myself: it's only a book...it's only a book...
The prelude clues you in as to why young Riley is wanted dead by an
unscrupulous army general named Luker. It explains how Riley
subsequently leaves Earth through a portal to become the King of the
Seventh Level of Purgatory...an archangel...a guardian of Heaven. The
Seventh Level of Purgatory, where dragons are his warrior allies.
Now at age thirteen, he is back on Earth to find his mother. He needs
the assistance of Cloe, a runaway teenager, whom he saves from a dismal
life of prostitution for the Mafia. With supernatural powers, he kills
her kidnappers and other thugs who are bent on capturing her. (I won't
tell you the frightening details here, but just remember, it's only a book...)
Detective Hunt, of the San Francisco police department, is assigned to
investigate a series of bizarre crimes reported to have been caused by a
thirteen year old boy. They are perplexing crimes that defy all of his
normally successful crime-solving logic.
In the meantime, having a common purpose makes for strange bedfellows
when General Luker teams up with the city's Mafia don. Their goal is to
terminate Riley, who has been an annoying threat to their ill-gotten
power and greedy lifestyles. They have deeply angered the archangel and
have been preparing for his return. But when Riley reappears to do
battle against these vile menaces to society, will he be able to
withstand the totally devastating force of their state-of the-art
arsenal of weapons? (...it's only a book...it's only a book...)
In between the heart-pounding action, this story is also about finding
answers, whether it be Riley's search for his mother and a higher
spiritual level, Cloe's search for the happiness her family once had, or
Detective Hunt's search for reasons as to why his young son is dying of
cancer. There is much deep thinking that goes on in the minds of the
main characters about God and why the innocent are made to suffer.
Ken Mason has written an enthralling blend of grim realism and
imaginative fantasy, from disturbing crimes like what we hear about each
day on the news to the spiritual world of Riley's Seventh Level of
Purgatory, as seen through Cloe's eyes.
[Riley: Eye in the City] may be "only a book," but it's one that is a
thought-provoking thriller full of high-level action and suspense. You
won't want to pass it up!
Riley, defender of Heaven, conqueror of evil. Thank goodness he's on our side!
The review of this Book prepared by Jeanne Allen
