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Cryptic Spaces #2
Cryptic Spaces: Book Two: Eight Queens by Deen Ferrell
The Absconditus crew is dead and its murderous hijackers have been drowned in the sea -- well, mostly. True, the ship is sitting on the bottom of the ocean, but Willoughby has already had to face one of its hijacker goons as a white-eyed zombie. What if there are others? There is little time to consider as every passing hour brings him new challenges. He must find his friends, Antonio and T.K., lost somewhere in the sands of time. He must save James Arthur from the threat of a mysterious scar-faced witch. He must find out what the self-proclaimed Demon Lord, Beelzebub, really wants, and figure out a way to thwart him. He needs to come to terms with his growing feelings for Sydney, whose idea of a rough day is trying to fit 189 designer accessories into a single yacht closet. From the snow capped peaks of the Andes, to the center of the Bermuda triangle, from the Minsk Theater in St. Petersburg, Russia, to The Treasury in Petra, Jordan, the action never stops in this riveting sequel to the award winning Cryptic Foresight. Adventure has a new game-and winning is so much more than just staying alive.
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First published October 24, 2014
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About the author
Deen Ferrell
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 28, 2015
I received this book as part of the first-reads program.
First off -- the four stars are with "rounding-up". I have also conditioned my opinion on the experience of reading the first book in the series. It is probably sufficient to say that I do not foresee reading the next book in this series.
So, what's wrong with it? Well -- as it is customary for later installments in any book series, there is some reminding the reader of past events. It is unfortunate that this book takes place in multiple settings. I should say -- this is not per se unfortunate -- it is unfortunate that with every change of setting, the reader gets reminded of what had happened. There are no different perspectives to speak of; this device does not shed light on the characters themselves, in my opinion. It just appears that the editor forgot that there is a *single* reader who supposedly paid attention and can recall the same reminders from a chapter earlier. As a result the initial (at least) quarter of the book turned out quite slow.
Next, there is an immense cast of characters and it is my sincere hope that the author had an idea about how to wrap it all up in the end. Certain characters are out of the picture as of the end of this book. Do not get me wrong -- I do not mind there being such a huge cast; I simply do not feel that they were all necessary for the development of the story line.
The back cover looks a tad like my six-year-old's "Ripley's" comics. It clashes with the "mystique" of the contents of the novel itself. I might be wrong, but the author did not intend for this work to be a "campy" read. There appear to be higher aspirations reflected in the plethora of mythological and historical references. A redesign of the back cover might be nice?
Most importantly, there is a noticeable number of typographical errors in the text. As one approaches the end of the text, they get more and more frequent. Were the editor and/or the writer in a hurry? The name of one of the principal characters is spelled in a handful of different ways. This is not a plot point, but an error (in my opinion). The name of a minor character also gets spelled in two different ways. If it is hard to keep track of the awkward spelling of unusual names, it might be a good idea to give the characters "regular" names.
First off -- the four stars are with "rounding-up". I have also conditioned my opinion on the experience of reading the first book in the series. It is probably sufficient to say that I do not foresee reading the next book in this series.
So, what's wrong with it? Well -- as it is customary for later installments in any book series, there is some reminding the reader of past events. It is unfortunate that this book takes place in multiple settings. I should say -- this is not per se unfortunate -- it is unfortunate that with every change of setting, the reader gets reminded of what had happened. There are no different perspectives to speak of; this device does not shed light on the characters themselves, in my opinion. It just appears that the editor forgot that there is a *single* reader who supposedly paid attention and can recall the same reminders from a chapter earlier. As a result the initial (at least) quarter of the book turned out quite slow.
Next, there is an immense cast of characters and it is my sincere hope that the author had an idea about how to wrap it all up in the end. Certain characters are out of the picture as of the end of this book. Do not get me wrong -- I do not mind there being such a huge cast; I simply do not feel that they were all necessary for the development of the story line.
The back cover looks a tad like my six-year-old's "Ripley's" comics. It clashes with the "mystique" of the contents of the novel itself. I might be wrong, but the author did not intend for this work to be a "campy" read. There appear to be higher aspirations reflected in the plethora of mythological and historical references. A redesign of the back cover might be nice?
Most importantly, there is a noticeable number of typographical errors in the text. As one approaches the end of the text, they get more and more frequent. Were the editor and/or the writer in a hurry? The name of one of the principal characters is spelled in a handful of different ways. This is not a plot point, but an error (in my opinion). The name of a minor character also gets spelled in two different ways. If it is hard to keep track of the awkward spelling of unusual names, it might be a good idea to give the characters "regular" names.
August 4, 2015
Action-packed, young adult version of Indiana Jones meets Creatures of the Deep. Although I haven't read Book 1, I found it easy to follow and able to grasp the storyline fairly quickly. Ferrell had a way of engaging the reader with vibrantly developed characters and an adrenaline-filled plot. I found myself fully immersed after a few chapters and sometimes felt as though I'm even in the midst of action with all the players.
This was a surprisingly fun, entertaining read. I highly recommend this book: a bit of Jurassic Park-ish, with Star Trek sci-fi and minimal girl/boy mushy stuff. I am actually getting Book 1 right now and waiting on Book 3 to come out.
This was a surprisingly fun, entertaining read. I highly recommend this book: a bit of Jurassic Park-ish, with Star Trek sci-fi and minimal girl/boy mushy stuff. I am actually getting Book 1 right now and waiting on Book 3 to come out.
March 13, 2016
Amazing better than the first book if that's possible I love this second book in this saga. This truly exquisite story the fast & thrilling adventure you can 't help but get carried away with this wonderful story a lot of ups and downs with all the characters you can't help but turn the pages. This wonderful book was a gift from the fabulous author Seen Ferrell. My thank to Deen Ferrell for the privilege and pleasure of reading his amazing books. This book I truly am delighted to recommend this amazing book to all my friends so to all happy, happy reading from wee me.
February 13, 2016
This is an entertaining action adventure fantasy with an abundance of historical and mythological allusions. Inhabiting the story are a great cast of characters with Willoughby endeavouring to find his friends. It is a roller coaster of a thrill ride. Despite me not having read the first book in the series, I did not find it impeded my enjoyment of the book. Many thanks to the author for a copy of the book via the goodreads giveaways.
May 30, 2016
I was sent this book by the author and goodreads in exchange for an honest review.
Sadly after a few chapters I did abandon this one, something I do rarely. It wasn't terrible, I just struggled to work out what was happening, perhaps because I hadn't read the first book?
YA isn't something I usually go for but I thought I would approach this with an open mind. I think the style would definitely appeal to a YA reader as there's a LOT going on, it's just not my cup of tea.
Sadly after a few chapters I did abandon this one, something I do rarely. It wasn't terrible, I just struggled to work out what was happening, perhaps because I hadn't read the first book?
YA isn't something I usually go for but I thought I would approach this with an open mind. I think the style would definitely appeal to a YA reader as there's a LOT going on, it's just not my cup of tea.
April 17, 2023
I enjoyed the first Cryptic Spaces, but this one really hooked me on the series! The characters are more developed, and I am more drawn into the story. I SO love Antonio...And Willoughby and Sydney are such a great pair, too. The places this story takes us are fascinating, and the adventure continues to entertain me.
February 23, 2016
Received this book as a Goodreads give away. I will freely admit I have been avoiding time travel books, because so many have come out at once, but this book won me over. It has a fairly large cast of characters, but they are well realized, the plot is not lacking in complexity - but can be followed. All in all it's well written and a page turner - well worth a go.
August 13, 2015
I thought the second book was better than the first book. It was kind of hard to grasp the ideas though, but I still enjoyed it. I really look forward to the next book like I look forward to a holiday, can't wait to read the 3rd!
October 17, 2015
Read it and loved it! Here's my link to the non-spoilery review of this book.
http://geniebooksandstories.blogspot....
http://geniebooksandstories.blogspot....
July 20, 2016
Very good, I really hope this gets turned into a show. I hope to see much more from you.
March 7, 2025
📗Cryptic Spaces Eight Queens 👸👸 by Deen Ferrell is an exceptional work of fiction that masterfully blends psychological intrigue with intellectual depth. The novel follows a group of eight women, each symbolizing a chess queen, whose lives intertwine through a series of mysterious and complex events. Through the lens of chess, Ferrell explores themes of power, identity, control, and strategy, weaving a narrative that is both cerebral and emotionally rich.📚📚
✍️📗Ferrell’s writing is precise and immersive, drawing the reader into the world of the characters with each carefully crafted scene. The pacing is deliberate, building suspense while maintaining an underlying tension that mirrors the game of chess itself. Each character is thoughtfully developed, with distinct voices and motivations that reflect their personal struggles and ambitions. The author does an excellent job of creating multidimensional women who feel authentic and relatable, even in the midst of extraordinary circumstances.📚📚
✍️📗The chess metaphor is integrated seamlessly into the plot, enriching the story without overwhelming it. It offers insightful commentary on power dynamics and manipulation, particularly regarding the roles women are often forced to assume. Ferrell handles these themes with sensitivity and nuance, making the novel both intellectually stimulating and emotionally engaging.
✍️📗Cryptic Spaces Eight Queens👸👸is a compelling and thought-provoking read. Ferrell has crafted a suspenseful, intelligent novel that will resonate with readers long after the final page, establishing her as a skilled storyteller with a deep understanding of human nature.📚📚
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED 💯💯💯💯
✍️📗Ferrell’s writing is precise and immersive, drawing the reader into the world of the characters with each carefully crafted scene. The pacing is deliberate, building suspense while maintaining an underlying tension that mirrors the game of chess itself. Each character is thoughtfully developed, with distinct voices and motivations that reflect their personal struggles and ambitions. The author does an excellent job of creating multidimensional women who feel authentic and relatable, even in the midst of extraordinary circumstances.📚📚
✍️📗The chess metaphor is integrated seamlessly into the plot, enriching the story without overwhelming it. It offers insightful commentary on power dynamics and manipulation, particularly regarding the roles women are often forced to assume. Ferrell handles these themes with sensitivity and nuance, making the novel both intellectually stimulating and emotionally engaging.
✍️📗Cryptic Spaces Eight Queens👸👸is a compelling and thought-provoking read. Ferrell has crafted a suspenseful, intelligent novel that will resonate with readers long after the final page, establishing her as a skilled storyteller with a deep understanding of human nature.📚📚
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED 💯💯💯💯
January 16, 2019
Intresting
A bit confusing and long winded, but it was enjoyable. I wish the author would cut out some of the not needed extra explanations
A bit confusing and long winded, but it was enjoyable. I wish the author would cut out some of the not needed extra explanations
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews