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3 out of 4 stars
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Ehndale is extremely wealthy. No one really knows him, but many detest him as much as they admire his attractiveness and wealth. He has a secret book in his library containing names of his conquests. Nobody is permitted to read the book. Anyone who looks at it pays dearly even though no one knows when and how. Ehndale solicits help from his protégé, Vikki, to find a potential candidate for a project he has. He requires one who is ambitious but has been frustrated with life, which would make the indoctrination process easier. Vikki’s parents had not been well off and had warned her severally to stay away from Ehndale. However, she had chosen to pursue financial success at the expense of a dwindling relationship with her parents and sister. She was, therefore, capable of finding an ambitious candidate.
Thurmond was eventually picked as the most suitable candidate. The book narrates his background, why he was selected, and so much more. Ehndale’s Defeat: Lost to Heaven: Book 1 was authored by DA Cassidy. It is the first book and a captivating introduction to the trilogy. Ethics and morality are on the back burner, and all that matters is profit and pleasure. There is nothing like the afterlife, and any attachment that may hinder one from the goal is forbidden. Your input is acceptable to the level that it does not contradict the mighty man’s view. These are some of the things that made the book thought-provoking.
The plot was the most intriguing thing about the book. The author carefully created a huge mountain out of an anthill, and, as follows, it was easy to comprehend why petty issues could evoke extreme reactions. At first, the story was simple, and I could not have guessed how complex it became as it progressed. Further, the slow pace and vivid descriptions made the story a bit boring. However, these are the qualities that gave the book its uniqueness and made it stand out eventually. Consequently, my reading experience was fascinating down to the concluding page. The ending was equally spectacular. It was one little, intentional, and selfless act that changed everything substantially.
There is nothing I disliked about the book. The characters were exceptional, and all of them had significant roles to fulfill. I am delighted the author developed them brilliantly and realistically as the book was largely character-driven. The mystery surrounding Ehndale made him unpredictable. Vikki was enterprising and goal-driven. She had taken after her mentor, but the constant conflict in her mind in the wake of meeting Kate revealed another side that she had tried to bury. Many questions filled my mind when I thought of the implications of everyone following Ehndale’s example. Fortunately, the distinct personalities maintained balance in a world where moral values, belief, pleasure, and amoralism were at war.
My only suggestion is that the brief description of the characters, in the beginning, would have been written at the end. That would provide readers a chance to do their individual character assessments and later compare them with the author’s descriptions. I rate the book 3 out of 4 stars because I discovered a few grammatical errors. I recommend it to all fans of fiction addressing the question of good and evil. There a few expletives in the book that will not detract from its general enjoyment, though. The moral and ethical dilemmas in the book will prompt every reader to think critically.
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Ehndale's Defeat
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