3 out of 4 stars
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Categorized within the C/M/T/H genre, The Man of the Sea: Heaven’s Gate by Nathan Kippley is truly a fantastic and enthralling read. It is fast-paced in most sections and contains the necessary elements of adventure, suspense, and romance to keep its young and adult audiences’ eyes riveted to its pages. The book is sectioned into the two (2) below-mentioned stories which alternate at each chapter and then culminate towards the ending chapters. The plot is truly intriguing as it centers around an old wife’s tale or folklore of a nefarious seaman who haunts the region of Heaven’s Gate and other areas within the Bermuda Triangle. He butchers his many unsuspecting victims with much gory relish and the blessed few who escape, live forever in a strange world of trepidation and despair.
In the first scenario, Silas and his younger brother Joe, with much elation and great expectation journey from their hometown of Maine to settle in the beautiful tropical paradise of Florida Keys. They have just been traumatized by a family incident and now welcome with open arms, the opportunity to revitalize their lives by starting a fishing business in the Keys. However, unbeknownst to them, their plans could be crashed if the haunting presence of the Man of the Sea, were to eerily beckon them to sail the high waters towards his hideous dungeon of doom.
Not too far away from the brothers, the newly endowed millionaires, Billie, her husband Jack and his business partner and friend Peter, luxuriate in splendor on their beautiful yacht, which sails idly on the turquoise waters of the Caribbean sea, destined for Jamaica. The millionaires who have lived in a trailer for years are still stupefied with disbelief at their new found wealth. They have longed for this well-deserved vacation for years after devoting most of their lives’ to their careers. Their idyllic setting is however rudely interrupted by the loud banging of gun shots, which riddle the air to pierce their bodies, souls, and minds forever. The questions to be asked, therefore, is who is it that wants them dead, and will Billie and her friends be able to survive the insidious tentacles of their predator?
What I like most about this book is that it encourages loyalty towards family and friends. I have observed with much delight, that faith, courage, and sacrifice of self, are qualities, that are portrayed in most of the protagonists’ characters, especially Billie and Joe. I am also reminded by the story, to not take for granted that my surroundings are always safe but to take the necessary precautions to secure my life, and the lives of my families and friends. It must be noted, that persons who have lost loved ones in a violent manner are encouraged by the story to be heartened to have the faith and determination that are necessary to forge ahead and overcome their sorrows, even by assisting others. This upstanding act will help in lessening their own pain. Other persons who are still grieving and in vulnerable positions, should read with caution as old wounds may be re-opened by the gory details.
Author Kippley has indeed demonstrated to his readers his adept skills at storytelling and his vast knowledge of the English Language. This knowledge he has utilized to create vivid images of picturesque tropical sceneries, those of love-filled moments and the chilling scenes of frightful deadly hatred and mayhem. The story is written in the third person and the mood throughout the book is hope. As it concerns the prologue, I know that it is an introductory section within a story, but I still I think too many spoilers are given away in it, and, therefore, I will give it a 3 out of 4 stars rating, being that it detracts from the intrigue. I must add that the grammar to date seems to be immaculate, except for those used colloquially, which is expected. I am somewhat disappointed as it concerns the ending of the story as I had expected to see different results for some of the characters. Anyway, I am anticipating that the author is presently working on part 2 to this book.
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Man of the Sea
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