Review: A Fast-Paced Romp through the Inquisition Where Everyone's Soul Hangs in the Balance
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 09 15, 2013
This book was fast-paced. I literally ran through it in a day. The author hits you with action right from the first chapter, a man running from the Inquisition. Obviously, he's been falsely accused of witchcraft.Asked to provide an honest review of this book, I was hesitant to accept the task since it is the second book in a series. I have not read the first and know nothing about it, so I was concerned that those facts might affect my enjoyment of this book.Not so. Ethereal Influence: The Inquisition is a complete, stand-alone story. The characters are well developed, and if they had their beginnings in an earlier book, their past actions seemed immaterial. I was thankful for that, as I was able to enjoy this story on its own merits. Though, now I am curious what the first book was about, and when my review list lightens, I'll have to check it out. This book had a firm ending, but sequel potential remains.The story is overtly Christian (not preachy, but certainly firmly based in Christianity), but it has a strong fantasy feel. Examining it on its literary merits alone, it is a fantastic tale filled conflict, historically, well-researched and accurate torture (I think, I'm not a historian, but it jives with my knowledge of the Inquisition), the horrors of what man can do in the name of God and the resolve of those who dare oppose it, and even soul selling, demon strength and, of course, the epic battle of good versus evil.There are a few formatting glitches and misspellings, but nothing significant or that even detracted from my enjoyment of the book. I would recommend this novel to Christians who like fiction centering on their faith and non-Christians who like a fast-paced fantasy read.