Review: The Start of An Intriguing Series: The Other Covenant
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 02 17, 2012
4.5 stars of 5The Other Covenant is the first in what will prove to be an intriguing series for those of us who enjoy reading about the occult and the eternal struggle between good and evil. Elizabeth Mitchell, a successful psychologist is aware of a secret occult history that runs parallel to American history because her family, was, at one time part of it, part of The Other Covenant. The Other Covenant is a group of adepts who have used their psychic gifts for personal gain and to place themselves at the seat of all power in America, secretly and flawlessly. The psychic gifts are not evident in all of the descendents of the cabal; some of their children are born normal and never know the hidden occult facet of their families, both those born with psychic gifts are inducted and forever bound to The Covenant as soon as their gifts manifest.Elizabeth's family broke with The Covenant during the depression and was punished by losing everything they had in the crash. Although neither of her parents was psychically gifted, Elizabeth does have the power and has managed both to stay under the radar of The Covenant and to be trained by her cousin Julian, a well known and gifted enforcer to become an enforcer who fights black magic. If Elizabeth's gifts come to the attention of The Covenant, she will have to join or she will be killed.Imagine her terror and confusion when she receives a telephone call from the Grand Master of the Covenant who speaks a coded sentence that requires her, as an enforcer to meet with him. During her meeting with Richard Bennett, well known philanthropist and Covenant Grand Master, he divulges that he is going to be murdered by someone and that he is charging her with finding his murderer and protecting his young widow, Althea as she takes over their philanthropic foundation. Although Bennett apparently dies as of a heart attack, Elizabeth can see the traces of his psychic murder. She finds an ally in the bodyguard of Bennett's widow, decorated former Marine, Neil, her cousin and in members of a psychic hunting lodge that is also dedicated to fighting black magic.Is the murderer part of Bennett's disinherited family? His loyal, loving, but under appreciated staff? Or perhaps it was another member of The Covenant? Danger, murder, mystery and love are in the air as Elizabeth takes on the challenge of her life - the challenge that may take her life.The beginning of the book is slow as it sets the stage for the entire series and introduces the concept of The Covenant but once it starts to move, the new world created in The Covenant becomes plausible and engaging. Many of the characters are developed enough to pique your curiosity about their own stories, which will hopefully be revealed more in future books in the series.