What do you think?
Rate this book
God's Lions #2
House of Acerbi
Returning to Rome from a forced sabbatical, a Jesuit cardinal discovers that a dark force born of vengeance from an ancient religion has been unleashed against the world. Thrust into an end-game scenario, the cardinal joins with a dedicated team of Israeli and Spanish scientists as they race across the globe to stop an unspeakable evil … only to discover that they may already be too late. Once again, the meticulous background research that has become the hallmark of author John Lyman’s novels is evident in this bone-chilling sequel to his bestselling book, "God’s Lions – The Secret Chapel", as readers are transported into the cloistered world of scholars, archaeologists, code-breakers, and intelligence specialists who have discovered evidence of an evil force that has ruled a single family for over seven hundred years. Put on a pot of coffee. This page-turning thriller will keep you up until the wee hours of the morning.
458 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 14, 2011
102 people are currently reading
229 people want to read
About the author
John Lyman
10 books62 followersJohn Lyman is the bestselling author of the "God's Lions" series of books. He describes his novels as "spiritural thrillers" for the times we live in. John is currently at work on the third book in the series, "God's Lions - The Dark Ruin".
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
March 9, 2017
This sequel by John Lyman was everything I expected it to be and more! I hope a third book is in the works. The plot was fantastic and I enjoyed the book so much, I could hardly put it down.
November 10, 2012
Just wrapped up John Lyman's second in the God's Lion series. In House of Acerbi, Lev, Leo, and the rest of the familiar crew are challenged again to save the world from certain annihilation. The villian this time is the ultra rich and powerful Rene Acerbi, and he has engineered a virus that discriminately kills thousands in metropolitan areas around the world. With the help of the Mossad and a few new friends, the Bible Code team races to track down Acerbi and foil his plan for world domination. With all the plot twists and turns that hooked us in "The Secret Chapel," Lyman delivers another suspenseful page-turner. As in the first book, there is much suspension of disbelief, but the novel entertained none the less.
Although I read the electronic version on my Kindle, I also purchased the beautiful trade paperback edition for my bookshelf.
Although I read the electronic version on my Kindle, I also purchased the beautiful trade paperback edition for my bookshelf.
April 3, 2012
After reading the first "God's Lions" book, I was very excited to start the second in the series "God's Lions - The House of Acerbi. This book is not just good, it actually one of those rare cases where a sequal is better than the original. In HOA, the book follows the same group of characters as the first book. This time there is a worldwide threat from a strain of weaponized virus and the bible code team must find out who is behind the attacks, and find a way to stop them. The book is very well thought out and pretty well researched. The plot is scary and totally believable. There are a pair of great twists at the end of the book that put an already great read completely over the top.
This one is highly reccomended. Can't wait for the third book.
This one is highly reccomended. Can't wait for the third book.
October 14, 2019
A
I liked the story, but not what you chose to do to the Catholic faith. I saw it coming with the incessant beat down on the celibacy of priests - but am disappointed by your taking the cheap way out. By 'changing' the faith you loose. It is no longer Catholic. And a priest must say Mass daily, you should have written that part into the story. Not sure I'll keep reading.
I liked the story, but not what you chose to do to the Catholic faith. I saw it coming with the incessant beat down on the celibacy of priests - but am disappointed by your taking the cheap way out. By 'changing' the faith you loose. It is no longer Catholic. And a priest must say Mass daily, you should have written that part into the story. Not sure I'll keep reading.
January 9, 2012
Wow! What a great read this was! I can't wait for the next one to follow up on the storyline. Scary to think this could happen. And I just absolutely love the group of characters that form the heart of this series. Good people and wish there were more like them in this world today.
January 2, 2012
Excellent read. Parts are a little far-fetched but all of it was incredibly entertaining. I'll look forward to the next book in the series.
March 18, 2013
Loved this book. Better then the 1st book in the series. Looking forward to reading the next book.
November 3, 2013
And the fun continues in this book! Loved the intrigue and action as well as the locales brought forth in great detail.
December 14, 2013
Loved this series
March 11, 2014
Thoroughly enjoyed this second book in the series. About to start part 3.
May 2, 2019
What a Journey
This book has more twists than a roller coaster. I am somewhat at a loss for words. Fast paced action with our Bible Code Team takes us all over the world. It tackles so many issues with the Catholic Church and the world. I’m not sure I liked the very end of the book but it sure is interesting! I love the history and the presentation. I agree with most of the points made. Can’t wait for the next one, so I am off to get it. BTW, if you’re a staunch Catholic, don’t get offended, just read it. The book is very revealing. I have said a lot with very few spoilers, so I’m off to read the next one. I’ll be back!!
This book has more twists than a roller coaster. I am somewhat at a loss for words. Fast paced action with our Bible Code Team takes us all over the world. It tackles so many issues with the Catholic Church and the world. I’m not sure I liked the very end of the book but it sure is interesting! I love the history and the presentation. I agree with most of the points made. Can’t wait for the next one, so I am off to get it. BTW, if you’re a staunch Catholic, don’t get offended, just read it. The book is very revealing. I have said a lot with very few spoilers, so I’m off to read the next one. I’ll be back!!
February 5, 2023
The lions are back and this time they are hunting a bad guy who is supposed to be the antichrist
This book is coming for the traditional dispensationalist view point so there is no need for the rapture or the tribulation
The Catholic church is lead by a logical Norwegian Jesuit Pope who is going to allow Priests to marry
The big baddie is a global conglomerate leader who offers salvation from a global plague
It seems to early for this story to be wrapping up
This book is coming for the traditional dispensationalist view point so there is no need for the rapture or the tribulation
The Catholic church is lead by a logical Norwegian Jesuit Pope who is going to allow Priests to marry
The big baddie is a global conglomerate leader who offers salvation from a global plague
It seems to early for this story to be wrapping up
September 26, 2018
Wonderful Book!!
This book was just as gripping as the first one! Cant wait to continue reading this incredible series!! Once I started reading this book I couldnt put it down!!!!
This book was just as gripping as the first one! Cant wait to continue reading this incredible series!! Once I started reading this book I couldnt put it down!!!!
January 27, 2019
Great series of Books
Second book in series I have enjoyed reading the book to see how the characters and plot would,develop from the first interesting read .
Second book in series I have enjoyed reading the book to see how the characters and plot would,develop from the first interesting read .
June 19, 2019
Another thrilling read....
This second book to this series was not a disappointment. Looking forward to the next book in this series. Starting in 3 2 1.....
This second book to this series was not a disappointment. Looking forward to the next book in this series. Starting in 3 2 1.....
December 29, 2019
The story had twist and unexpected turns. I enjoy the characters especially the Cardinal.
March 24, 2024
Chesterton's fence came to mind while reading this author's puerile attacks on priestly celibacy.
January 30, 2012
Two years after the release of John Lyman's debut novel, "God's Lions: The Secret Chapel," Lyman is back with its sequel, "God's Lions: House of Acerbi."
This time, Lev, Leo and the rest of the Bible Code Team are working around the clock to identify, and put a stop to, the forces behind a lethal virus devastating cities around the globe. With the world on lockdown and clues pointing to the role of the Devil's Bible in the current catastrophe, the group's investigation takes them across Europe and, eventually, to Mexico.
Lyman's writing is noticeably smoother this time around. "The Secret Chapel" suffered from clumsy exposition, and the Christian aspect was a bit over the top at times. (Well, what did I expect from a novel categorized as a religious thriller, after all?) "House of Acerbi," though not free of those flaws, shows improvement. It helps that the majority of the characters have already been introduced.
However, many of the things that were so neat about "The Secret Chapel" have a diminished presence here. The code doesn't play a pivotal role in the story - aside from setting up the twist at the end - and that's odd, because it was presented as such a game-changer in the first book. True, Daniel phones in at a couple points with new facts gleaned from the Bible, but they're not instrumental to the resolution. And, ah, the villain. To go from fighting Satan himself and his hand-picked demonic henchmen to fighting ... genetic manipulation and a megalomaniac. It's just not the same.
Lyman's books could be more tightly plotted, and they would benefit from a more streamlined cast of characters. His ideas are intriguing, though. Lyman sets up the premise for the sequel to the "House of Acerbi" at the end of this book, and it looks like he'll be returning to more of what I enjoyed about "The Secret Chapel." Here's hoping.
This time, Lev, Leo and the rest of the Bible Code Team are working around the clock to identify, and put a stop to, the forces behind a lethal virus devastating cities around the globe. With the world on lockdown and clues pointing to the role of the Devil's Bible in the current catastrophe, the group's investigation takes them across Europe and, eventually, to Mexico.
Lyman's writing is noticeably smoother this time around. "The Secret Chapel" suffered from clumsy exposition, and the Christian aspect was a bit over the top at times. (Well, what did I expect from a novel categorized as a religious thriller, after all?) "House of Acerbi," though not free of those flaws, shows improvement. It helps that the majority of the characters have already been introduced.
However, many of the things that were so neat about "The Secret Chapel" have a diminished presence here. The code doesn't play a pivotal role in the story - aside from setting up the twist at the end - and that's odd, because it was presented as such a game-changer in the first book. True, Daniel phones in at a couple points with new facts gleaned from the Bible, but they're not instrumental to the resolution. And, ah, the villain. To go from fighting Satan himself and his hand-picked demonic henchmen to fighting ... genetic manipulation and a megalomaniac. It's just not the same.
Lyman's books could be more tightly plotted, and they would benefit from a more streamlined cast of characters. His ideas are intriguing, though. Lyman sets up the premise for the sequel to the "House of Acerbi" at the end of this book, and it looks like he'll be returning to more of what I enjoyed about "The Secret Chapel." Here's hoping.
October 27, 2012
This is a story of good and evil, between the Bible Code team/Catholic church/Israelis and a crazy megalomaniac named Rene Acerbi. I didn't know when I started the book that there was a previous one, and it definitely would have helped to have read that first. There are a lot of references to the first one, and the author doesn't explain what happened in it until at least halfway through this book (and still not completely), so it's not really a stand-alone story.
The story line is interesting, and definitely carries the reader through the book. The characters are also an interesting mix, but there is a lot of very long explanatory dialogue by each of the main characters which somehow works to keep their voices from sounding distinct. This is, ultimately, what kept me torn between 3 and 4 stars. If there was less lengthy dialogue, and if what there was was more distinct between the characters, it would definitely be a 4.
The story line is interesting, and definitely carries the reader through the book. The characters are also an interesting mix, but there is a lot of very long explanatory dialogue by each of the main characters which somehow works to keep their voices from sounding distinct. This is, ultimately, what kept me torn between 3 and 4 stars. If there was less lengthy dialogue, and if what there was was more distinct between the characters, it would definitely be a 4.
April 30, 2014
This 2nd book of the "God's Lions" series is just as riveting as the first. The team continues to decode the hidden messages in the old testament and with their knowledge, they pursue a mad man who's main agenda is to deplete the world's population by an air borne virulent biologically engineered virus. It kills thousands of people in different parts of the world but then mysteriously stops. cutting the populations down but not annihilating everyone. It isn't specifically oriented to any particular group either. It kept me on the edge of my seat and had me wondering what would happen next. There are twists,turns and many surprises throughout the text. The characters are very believable and the writing is authentic and historically correct.
I have already bought the next book in the series "God's Lions The Dark Ruin" and can hardly wait to start reading it.
I have already bought the next book in the series "God's Lions The Dark Ruin" and can hardly wait to start reading it.
August 7, 2012
I really wanted to love this book, I really did. Especially since I liked God’s Lions: The Secret Chapel so much and am a huge supporter of indie authors. Again Lyman has come up with a compelling plot, but I thought the plot of Secret Chapel was more so. Also, House of Acerbi was much longer, largely due to unnecessary detail about anything and everything that did not further the plot. I scanned over a lot of it. It appears that there will be a third book, and I will read it, but I am hoping for a more tightly formed plot and the exclusion of superfluous details. In other words, something more like Secret Chapel.
January 21, 2017
For people who are curious about predictions for the end times, this is a great read. Set in Italy and Israel over the series. Strong characters and great depth. I read the whole series of these and found them thought-provoking as well as good reads. I purchased the first one and at the end, I was disappointed, not in the story but because I needed to know more. I then bought the rest if the series. Great stories! Highly recommend them.
May 19, 2020
Modern Day Christian Thriller
This is the first book of John Lyman’s that I have read and all I can say is WOW!! Reading this in the mist of the Covid-19 pandemic even brings it to life even more!! It’s a fast paced thriller about a virus that kills like a biological engineered weapon, it was like hearing the evening news. Now I need to go back and read the first book in the series before reading the third book.
This is the first book of John Lyman’s that I have read and all I can say is WOW!! Reading this in the mist of the Covid-19 pandemic even brings it to life even more!! It’s a fast paced thriller about a virus that kills like a biological engineered weapon, it was like hearing the evening news. Now I need to go back and read the first book in the series before reading the third book.
September 13, 2019
Awesome Read
Love this series. It's my third time reading them. I'm still surprised that I still get lost in the story and how fast I lose the track of time.. Definitely my favorite author and favorite series... I definitely recommend everyone to read and enjoy three adventures of the stories.
Love this series. It's my third time reading them. I'm still surprised that I still get lost in the story and how fast I lose the track of time.. Definitely my favorite author and favorite series... I definitely recommend everyone to read and enjoy three adventures of the stories.
April 1, 2020
A bit believable
Though I am not catholic by faith, it a brings a more realistic viewpoint I think the Church should adopt away from the antiquated beliefs. I love how Jewish believers are interwove into the plot. After all, they ARE God's chosen people. This set of books is an absolute page turner. I love and highly recommend them.
Though I am not catholic by faith, it a brings a more realistic viewpoint I think the Church should adopt away from the antiquated beliefs. I love how Jewish believers are interwove into the plot. After all, they ARE God's chosen people. This set of books is an absolute page turner. I love and highly recommend them.
June 28, 2012
I struggled to make it through this one. I do like the characters, so I would read another, but there is just too much filler text in this book for me. I found myself scanning through the majority of pages
August 12, 2012
Better writing than his first book,GOd's Lion's The Secret chapel. I would have rated it a 4 but my secret litmus test is this question: Would I ever read this book again? If my answer is No than it doesn't get a 4 or 5. An enjoyable read for fans of this genre.
August 23, 2013
I give this 3 1/2 stars. I'm really enjoying the series. I am planning to read the third, and I've heard there will be a 4th book. I like the fact that the church is really the good guy, that it's not "preachy" and that the technology and theories are plausable.
July 28, 2015
Thrilling sequel to God's Lions: The Secret Chapel. I read this one much faster as now I'm hooked on the characters and their battle with the forces of evil. Lyman weaves an intriguing spiritual thrill and issues of modern life and faith.
August 3, 2016
3.5 Stars
I didn't like this book as much as the first one. It dragged in some places. Then the ending felt rushed. However, there were a couple of surprising twists that make me want to start the next book right away.
I didn't like this book as much as the first one. It dragged in some places. Then the ending felt rushed. However, there were a couple of surprising twists that make me want to start the next book right away.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews