PROFESSIONAL BOOK REVIEWS:
I’m always delighted when I come across a debut novel that blows me away. There are some reviewers that feel they need to be more critical of an author’s first work, focusing on an in-depth analysis of all the technical components of the work. It’s a given that every first novel is going to have some flaws. To be honest, I read to enjoy a story not dissect it. However, we’ve all read a book where the flaws make it hard to focus on the story. Prophecy of Power is Andrew Parker’s first novel, but it is so captivating, I was instantly drawn into the story and kept enthralled until the last page. Actually, I’m still enthralled and anxiously waiting for him to finish the sequel. I read others reviews of this book before I picked it up and while they were favorable, several did make a point of focusing on minor technical flaws. For me, if there were mistakes, I was too mesmerized by the characters and story to notice. Prophecy of Power brings to life parts of the Book of Revelations in a very timely manner. Parker takes the mysticism out of the bible’s final book and gives it modern relevance. The central character, Rabbi Jacob Droutman has led an unassuming life. As he discovers he is questioning his Jewish beliefs and exploring his curiosity of other religions, he becomes entangled in murder, missing persons, government deceptions and cover-up plots by religious powers. He begins a journey that will put his life and others in jeopardy as he tries to solve a mystery that could reveal who the final world power is that signals the end of days. There are those who will do anything to find the answers and others who will stop at nothing to keep them hidden. Parker has written an enigmatic page turner that will have you holding your breath as you wait to see what happens next. Five out of five stars.
C.. Carter Martina
Andrew Parker is new to the book world and Prophecy Of Power is his debut novel, and, in my opinion he is off to a very fine start. The subject matter is an interesting one, and is the second novel I have read in recent weeks that uses the bible as a backdrop to a suspense thriller. This tactic is not an easy one to make work well. It is with great care that an author must tread. The reading public are a fickle group and it is all too simple to rile up certain factions. One only has to look back at Dan Brown and Irving Wallace to see the backlash that works of fiction that have a religious undertone can unleash. Andrew Parker though, does it with aplomb.
Our main character is a New York Rabbi, Jacob Droutman. A man slightly different from his fellow Rabbi’s, a man who is not neccaseraly questioning his faith, but is always seeking additional knowledge, there is always more to learn, it may be outside of your own faith, but it is all of potential interest. One such opportunity arises when he is invited to attend a lecture on the hidden meanings of the biblical book of Revelation. Dr. Stewart Renton will explain the modern day meaning of the last book of the Bible – the pamphlet reads. Jacob feels drawn to attend, while it might be nothing, offer no new insights, what possible harm could there be in just listening?
It is while at the lecture that Jacob meets a pretty young lady, Ayn. It is no chance encounter, for some reason he has been selected, but for what? Even Dr. Renton seems to be singling out Jacob during the lecture. Ayn gives the Rabbi an envelope, the contents of which are both baffling and intriguing. A series of newspaper clippings about 3 young students who mysteriously disappeared in Israel while on an archaeological investigation. Even stranger, the three had left clues that they had made a very significant find, one that had world wide consequences as well as a huge biblical significance.
The clues all seemed to lead to the book of Revelation, but what does it all mean? Is there a clue in Revalation that predicts the future of mankind?
Upon returning home Jabob finds his landlord dead, killed execution style, and his own apartment ransacked. Even stranger, he seems to have become a man of interest to the CIA and various other agencies. Why would a lowly Rabbi be of such interest?
One thing is clear, the three missing students are the glue, and the clue, are they dead or alive? It is with this determination to find out what happened to the three students, that Jacob basically walks away from his responsibilities in New York, even selling his beloved car, and heads to Israel to investigate.
To share more of the plot, would be to spoil it. Prophecy Of Power is an action packed thriller and well worth seeking out. It is also the stage setter for Andrew Parker’s next novel. Prophecy Of Power has a fine conclusion, and stands alone as a work of fiction, but I also know that there is a great deal more to this story than we learn in this first book.
I am hoping to interview Andrew in the next few days, and you can bet your bottom dollar that the subject of sequel is going to be a prime subject for discussion.
Take Prophecy Of Power out for a test drive, you will not be disappointed.
Simon Barrett.
"AN INGENIOUS SUSPENSE THAT RATCHETS UP THE TENSION INCH-BY-INCH!"
Inspired by Michael Connelly and John Grisham, along with his passion for
writing, Andrew Parker created a spectacular chilling story in his Masterpiece,
titled "Prophecy Of Power." Jacob Droutman was tormented for a long time,
by a sad, haunting memory of the disappearance of his older brother. While
Jacob preaches at the synagogue in New York as a rabbi, he tries to follow his father's footsteps, but has always been confused about the teachings of
his own religion, curious to learn about different religions. Jacob meets a
young woman, who is interested in details on Jacob's life history, because
her own brother also disappeared, along with her brother's two friends. Ayn
encouraged Jacob to read about a story, involving three Jewish students,
claiming they found a lost tomb. As Jacob began to investigate, he found out
that the discovery did not take place, and a student disappeared. Who was
John Duncan, how well did Ayn know him, and why was he declared a
danger to national security? Jacob's investigation began to bloom, while his
apartment is searched, and his landlord is murdered. Who did Jacob have
to follow, and who was following him? Who stole the papers from a CIA
agent, and how did they end up in Jacob's hands? I highly recommend this
book to all mystery, and thriller lovers. The story is incredible, the setting is
realistic, and the characters come to life. Furthermore, the author penned
a nail-biting and suspenseful plot, which is totally entertaining page-after-page, made for the movie screen. Why was Ayn murdered? Follow Jacob's
journey from New York to Israel as his investigation explodes, while he
walks in the same path as the missing students did. What does he find in
Jerusalem, can answers be found in a buried tomb, and who is the next
prophetic world power? What is found in Daniel's Prophecy, does Jacob
uncover the truth he searched for, or does his journey become Mission
Impossible? Andrew Parker's "PROPHECY OF POWER" is as electrifying as
15 MINUTES, and portrays an imaginatively living suspense on the same
scale as FRANTIC, with Harrison Ford.
"There are many examples in 'Prophecy of Power' that indicate the great potential of Andrew Parker's writing," - Best-Selling Author David Wilson.
Touted as a writer to challenge Dan Brown, Andrew Parker tries to takes us on a religious journey with a character at a cross roads, in search of the truths that will help him find solace and peace within his life. The meat of this story could have definitely rivaled The Da Vinci Code, but with a lack of character development and plot outlines I was simply left…unsatisfied. Parker, in a hearty first effort, seemed in a hurry to get the book on paper before he forgot the plot outlines, numerous as they were, instead of taking his time and weaving a truly engrossing tale and a main character that we could identify with.
Fast paced is always good in a thriller, but this was simply Mach speed x 10.-
All said an enjoyable 3 out of 5.
Reviewed by Randall Radic The title of this new religious thriller sums it up: a prophecy of power, potential and talent reside in the author, Andrew Parker. All the elements of a rock ‘em sock ‘em bestseller are in his novel, Prophecy of Power. There’s a skeptical rabbi, who wonders if Judaism is indeed the one, true religion. The rabbi, whose name is Jacob Droutman, begins comparing one religion with another, as he searches for the truth. The quest leads him to a seminar on the Book of Revelation. The seminar’s speaker – Dr. Renton – is a slick purveyor of the most irresistible type of religious snake oil – prophecy.There’s a mysterious femme fatale, too. She hands Jacob Droutman an envelope containing information about three missing students, who may or may not be dead. Soon afterward, Droutman’s landlord is found murdered. As the police homicide unit investigates, two CIA agents show up, informing the police that they are taking over the case “for reasons of national security.” Suspicious of everything and everybody, the police decide to continue an unauthorized investigation. The story is now cooking with gas! Rabbi Droutman, pulled in ever deeper, finally goes to Israel to try and find the three missing students. If he can find them, maybe he can discover their ‘secret.’ A secret so potent, world governments are willing to kill for it.Now we are talking! Prophecy of Power has every ingredient necessary for a thrill-a-minute ride. Almost.Parker writes well. For example, his description of Lansky Lounge, a local bar where the good rabbi indulges in a daily health regimen is a doozy: “Lansky Lounge was the Jewish gangster Meyer Lansky’s old boardroom and they kept his hideout dark and dangerous.” And Parker’s ear for conversational sound-bytes is finely tuned. There’s nothing phony or affected in the speech patterns of the characters. In other words, the dialogue isn’t forced. Rather it’s smooth and natural.There are, however, a couple of glitches in the story. For one, the story unfolds too fast. It’s like taking a hit of crank and then watching Jason Statham – who is also high on crank – as he tries to keep his heart rate up in the action flick of the same name, Crank. The overall effect is one of supreme twitchiness. One scene jumps into another scene before the first scene is over. Which means the reader is left breathless and wishing he was allowed to inhale before he was forced to exhale. For two, the story and the characters – which are definitely intriguing – lack development. Which is directly connected to the first glitch of too much velocity. Most readers want to watch the characters and the story evolve. In Prophecy of Power, they explode. Which means readers can’t enjoy the nuances and flaws of the people populating the story. Nor can they relish the interactions that result because of all those human flaws. All in all, Prophecy of Power is a good book. It has a zippy plot with lots of electrifying hanky-panky. Who doesn’t like tales revolving around the Book of Revelation? The Apostle John’s apocalypse has it all: demons, angels, Second Advent, Rapture, Armageddon, Gog and Magog – and oodles of prophecy. Combine all that with the writing talent of Andrew Parker and, well, it could be one hell of a story.But it’s gotta be developed just a little bit more. If that had taken place, then a good story would have become a kick-ass thriller.
Prophecy of Power by Andrew Parker, is an exciting thriller based upon religious prophecy. I am already looking forward to the next novel. The Doomsday Preachers! Highly recommended for thriller/adventure readers, those that love to follow the puzzle to the prize and those who enjoy matching religious prophecy to today's world!exciting thriller based upon religious prophecy. I am already looking forward to the next novel. The Doomsday Preachers! Highly recommended for thriller/adventure readers, those that love to follow the puzzle to the prize and those who enjoy matching religious prophecy to today's world!
Ever thought who could be the next world power? Enjoy the possibilities in Prophecy of Power.
