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CounterPoint
ASIN B00CWH4JGU moved to the most recent edition
"Sooner or later, the human experiment will have to be evaluated"
As the world turns on its axis, all but a precious few are aware of the cosmic conflict that has continued since time immemorial between heaven and hell, angels and demons. Angels have been tasked with guarding and administering the Human Experiment since creation began. The Archangel Michael fears the experiment has failed due to the pollution of evil and seeks to salvage what he can. The day of reckoning is fast-approaching, and humanity’s blissful ignorance will soon be shattered as these dueling forces come to a head on the battlefield of planet Earth.
High-ranking angel Ariel is made responsible for “securing” the Bassett family, and as the conflict begins to unfold, amidst an unreal, unsettling global tempest that seems never to cease, the family is forced to go on the run.
With the Bassett family and their allies in constant peril, the conflict widens in scope as well as geographic distance, and they find themselves battling angels, demons and ancient creatures on all sides. Led by Mary, beloved Irish matriarch of the family, the Bassett’s steady themselves for the onslaught ahead- readying for a battle that will test their fortitude and the survival of the world itself.
"Sooner or later, the human experiment will have to be evaluated"
As the world turns on its axis, all but a precious few are aware of the cosmic conflict that has continued since time immemorial between heaven and hell, angels and demons. Angels have been tasked with guarding and administering the Human Experiment since creation began. The Archangel Michael fears the experiment has failed due to the pollution of evil and seeks to salvage what he can. The day of reckoning is fast-approaching, and humanity’s blissful ignorance will soon be shattered as these dueling forces come to a head on the battlefield of planet Earth.
High-ranking angel Ariel is made responsible for “securing” the Bassett family, and as the conflict begins to unfold, amidst an unreal, unsettling global tempest that seems never to cease, the family is forced to go on the run.
With the Bassett family and their allies in constant peril, the conflict widens in scope as well as geographic distance, and they find themselves battling angels, demons and ancient creatures on all sides. Led by Mary, beloved Irish matriarch of the family, the Bassett’s steady themselves for the onslaught ahead- readying for a battle that will test their fortitude and the survival of the world itself.
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First published May 19, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 17, 2013
Counterpoint is a dystopian or apocalyptic escapade that took me by surprise. Angels are battling the demons of hell in order to save the lives of mankind. Jump on this fast paced book that will start from the moment you open the book, and won't stop until the very end.
There are some moments where the excitement slows down and the angels share witty and brilliant dialogue while they debate whether or not God will ever come back to the aid of the angels since his disappearance. This book seems awfully realistic, but it seemed like it would have more of a fantasy feel to it. I would almost believe this to be a piece of non-fiction
This book combines a great mix of philosophy and religion into a twist of a thriller. It really opened my eyes to the evil that is all around us in our present day society. Each character has their own individual personality that is unique and intriguing. They are all well developed and they each have their own special quirks that make them that much more intriguing and exciting.
I did find quite a bit of spelling errors and grammatical issues that were a bit distracting from the read. Don't skip paragraphs or skim through this book, you will miss something as each paragraph contains something interesting and important to the plot of the story.
I really hope there is a follow up book to this one, as it ended in a way that had me wanting the story to continue. I thought this book is definitely a 5/5 book that I would recommend to many of my book lovers out there.
There are some moments where the excitement slows down and the angels share witty and brilliant dialogue while they debate whether or not God will ever come back to the aid of the angels since his disappearance. This book seems awfully realistic, but it seemed like it would have more of a fantasy feel to it. I would almost believe this to be a piece of non-fiction
This book combines a great mix of philosophy and religion into a twist of a thriller. It really opened my eyes to the evil that is all around us in our present day society. Each character has their own individual personality that is unique and intriguing. They are all well developed and they each have their own special quirks that make them that much more intriguing and exciting.
I did find quite a bit of spelling errors and grammatical issues that were a bit distracting from the read. Don't skip paragraphs or skim through this book, you will miss something as each paragraph contains something interesting and important to the plot of the story.
I really hope there is a follow up book to this one, as it ended in a way that had me wanting the story to continue. I thought this book is definitely a 5/5 book that I would recommend to many of my book lovers out there.
August 21, 2013
Taking a Literary and Philosophical Risk and Making it Work
Few books of an `experimental nature' could be better timed than COUNTERPOINT by D.J.R. (also known as Daniel J. Rafferty). It turns our ideas of philosophy and religion upside down, creates a novel concept of the interaction of angels, humans, monsters and demons as the habitants on this planet, and occurs at a time when each of us is aware of the multitudinous evils that are gutting our present culture. Being the first installment of a trilogy we can only guess how Raffferty will play it out, but this is one of those books that should jump into the hands of concerned readers to await the next installment, discovering how the mind of Daniel J. Rafferty works.
Rafferty currently lives in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Always intrigued with epic dramas and grand questions which have been asked throughout the history of civilization, he aims to incorporate dramatic stories around these questions. This provides a large tapestry in which his writing is sewn. He states, `Ultimately, the books are about the fundamental question of where humanity has come and is it actually worth saving? I wanted to create an entire world which has angels running everything in the background because God has left. Angels are constantly struggling to cope with this massive responsibility while dealing with evil. What if they became tired and didn't believe in humanity anymore? That's the questions I want to explore in these three books.'
The book opens in 1939 with Mary Basset's father leaving to fight in WW II and from there jumps to the present where we meet David Basset, a global banker gay man living with his partner Thomas preparing for a holiday visit to grandmother Mary Basset's `safe' house in Dublin. David possesses the ability to move things with his mind, a skill that coincides with the strange skills Mary possesses and David begins to encounter spiritual beings both in London before their trip and in Dublin where he actually encounters Ariel, the angel tasked with care-taking the human population who after millennia rose to become Director of the Department of Special Operations. But before the story at hand begins to roll with the speed of a sky chariot, we also are introduced to Ariel's assistant Amber, Archangel Michael, Gabriel, Lilluth, Pravuil, the Three Sisters of Fate and all the other non-human cast that color this story. The angels have honed in on the Bassetts because of their special powers and the struggle in this first installment is convincing the Bassetts to prevent the end of the `human experiment' by destroying evil - a chink in the assignment of Ariel's mission, but one that expands into a magnificent epic. Rafferty is a master writer, able to not only hold our attention but to also alter our belief patterns about the current foreboding world climate. A very fine Book One of a Trilogy!
Grady Harp
Few books of an `experimental nature' could be better timed than COUNTERPOINT by D.J.R. (also known as Daniel J. Rafferty). It turns our ideas of philosophy and religion upside down, creates a novel concept of the interaction of angels, humans, monsters and demons as the habitants on this planet, and occurs at a time when each of us is aware of the multitudinous evils that are gutting our present culture. Being the first installment of a trilogy we can only guess how Raffferty will play it out, but this is one of those books that should jump into the hands of concerned readers to await the next installment, discovering how the mind of Daniel J. Rafferty works.
Rafferty currently lives in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Always intrigued with epic dramas and grand questions which have been asked throughout the history of civilization, he aims to incorporate dramatic stories around these questions. This provides a large tapestry in which his writing is sewn. He states, `Ultimately, the books are about the fundamental question of where humanity has come and is it actually worth saving? I wanted to create an entire world which has angels running everything in the background because God has left. Angels are constantly struggling to cope with this massive responsibility while dealing with evil. What if they became tired and didn't believe in humanity anymore? That's the questions I want to explore in these three books.'
The book opens in 1939 with Mary Basset's father leaving to fight in WW II and from there jumps to the present where we meet David Basset, a global banker gay man living with his partner Thomas preparing for a holiday visit to grandmother Mary Basset's `safe' house in Dublin. David possesses the ability to move things with his mind, a skill that coincides with the strange skills Mary possesses and David begins to encounter spiritual beings both in London before their trip and in Dublin where he actually encounters Ariel, the angel tasked with care-taking the human population who after millennia rose to become Director of the Department of Special Operations. But before the story at hand begins to roll with the speed of a sky chariot, we also are introduced to Ariel's assistant Amber, Archangel Michael, Gabriel, Lilluth, Pravuil, the Three Sisters of Fate and all the other non-human cast that color this story. The angels have honed in on the Bassetts because of their special powers and the struggle in this first installment is convincing the Bassetts to prevent the end of the `human experiment' by destroying evil - a chink in the assignment of Ariel's mission, but one that expands into a magnificent epic. Rafferty is a master writer, able to not only hold our attention but to also alter our belief patterns about the current foreboding world climate. A very fine Book One of a Trilogy!
Grady Harp
August 26, 2013
"An Apocalyptic War On Earth"
This is an amazing story. As I read it, I envisioned watching it as a movie on the silver screen. This is a story of angels, demons, and humans ... with Heaven as the center point of controlling what goes on upon Earth. Archangel Ariel is head of the Department of Special Operations, and for the last 100 years has been locating and exterminating demons and ringleaders around the globe. However, the levels of demonic activity has started to rise. Heaven's resources are running out of angel-power. Stronger actions against the demons is warranted, even if war could possibly devastate the planet. A management meeting is to be held for the first time in over 500 years, since the time of the Knights Templar. At that time, the meeting resulted in the massacre of the Knights. This time, the summit meeting is being held in London at the Dorchester Hotel. Security is tight, and Archangel Michael conducts the meeting, proposing the new goal of cleansing the world of ALL evil. One archangel disagrees with him ... Gabriel, but he cannot change the goals of Michael. It is determined there will be a war between Heaven and Hell, and the Earth just might be destroyed. Earth's future is no longer in the hands of God, but has been left to be administered by the leader of the Elders, Archangel Michael. There is turmoil between many of the archangels. Furthermore, there is one human family that has been identified as to the success of Michael's mission. He orders the Bassett Family, consisting of David, his mother, sister, and especially Grandma Mary, be taken to a safe place. The Bassetts are different from other humans as they have special gifts. Why would Heaven's archangels want to kidnap them? This is a very interesting book describing how Heaven and Hell are managed in a different dimension, and how they wage war against each other on planet Earth. The quality of writing is excellent, the pace is very vigorous, and the characters well defined, captivating, and unique. An intense story you'll want to read.
This is an amazing story. As I read it, I envisioned watching it as a movie on the silver screen. This is a story of angels, demons, and humans ... with Heaven as the center point of controlling what goes on upon Earth. Archangel Ariel is head of the Department of Special Operations, and for the last 100 years has been locating and exterminating demons and ringleaders around the globe. However, the levels of demonic activity has started to rise. Heaven's resources are running out of angel-power. Stronger actions against the demons is warranted, even if war could possibly devastate the planet. A management meeting is to be held for the first time in over 500 years, since the time of the Knights Templar. At that time, the meeting resulted in the massacre of the Knights. This time, the summit meeting is being held in London at the Dorchester Hotel. Security is tight, and Archangel Michael conducts the meeting, proposing the new goal of cleansing the world of ALL evil. One archangel disagrees with him ... Gabriel, but he cannot change the goals of Michael. It is determined there will be a war between Heaven and Hell, and the Earth just might be destroyed. Earth's future is no longer in the hands of God, but has been left to be administered by the leader of the Elders, Archangel Michael. There is turmoil between many of the archangels. Furthermore, there is one human family that has been identified as to the success of Michael's mission. He orders the Bassett Family, consisting of David, his mother, sister, and especially Grandma Mary, be taken to a safe place. The Bassetts are different from other humans as they have special gifts. Why would Heaven's archangels want to kidnap them? This is a very interesting book describing how Heaven and Hell are managed in a different dimension, and how they wage war against each other on planet Earth. The quality of writing is excellent, the pace is very vigorous, and the characters well defined, captivating, and unique. An intense story you'll want to read.
June 25, 2013
This an alternate reality novel so big it takes up residence in reality and stays there. D.J.R. has built a thorough world including its cosmology where Angels have taken to corporate stylings in both dress and manner. The story revolves around a human family, the Bassetts, with a manor in the UK and special powers. The Bassett family comes to the attention of the Angels because of their powers. This all takes place in modern times with the problems of our times culminating in the very real threat of the end of everything. Now this is no big deal since it all happens about twice a millennium, but this time the head of the Angels' Department of Special Operations has superiors who are thinking it might be time to bring the human experiment to a conclusion.
David is a young professional with the ability to move things with him mind. As a member of the Bassett family, these powers are nothing unusual, but to Angels the Bassett family represents a problem. With David's grandmother, Mary, at the helm, and Ariel, the head of the Special Operations department who chooses to help the family come what may, they all decide reluctantly to fight against Heaven and the Demons in their effort to stop the "evaluation" and the end of the world.
Go ahead and spend the extra spare change on this one. It's worth the price, with good writing, clear plot, great characters, all making it very enjoyable.
David is a young professional with the ability to move things with him mind. As a member of the Bassett family, these powers are nothing unusual, but to Angels the Bassett family represents a problem. With David's grandmother, Mary, at the helm, and Ariel, the head of the Special Operations department who chooses to help the family come what may, they all decide reluctantly to fight against Heaven and the Demons in their effort to stop the "evaluation" and the end of the world.
Go ahead and spend the extra spare change on this one. It's worth the price, with good writing, clear plot, great characters, all making it very enjoyable.
October 22, 2013
The novel Counterpoint by Daniel Rafferty is like a biblical science fiction novel with paranormal pieces intertwined into it. Humans, Angels, and Demons all play an equally huge part in the destruction of the world and what they are calling the "Human Project." Rafferty gives a great alternative view of how Earth works. The beginning of the novel was slightly slow and did not give enough background information on key characters. But I pushed through around about chapter four or five, I was able to get the gist of the key players. The Bassett family (humans) are really strong despite their outer appearance. Rafferty's character development improves exponentially after a few chapters in, you really have to stick with reading the novel; it all comes together eventually.
Daniel Rafferty sure put an unique spin on the battle of good and evil. Anyone who knows the stories of the Bible, world events and Greek lore will enjoy this novel and appreciate the references it entails. I hope this is a series book, I can envision this story line continuing for more novels to come. Great job Rafferty.
Daniel Rafferty sure put an unique spin on the battle of good and evil. Anyone who knows the stories of the Bible, world events and Greek lore will enjoy this novel and appreciate the references it entails. I hope this is a series book, I can envision this story line continuing for more novels to come. Great job Rafferty.
November 6, 2013
It's difficult to determine whether to catagorize this novel as a political thriller or a religious thriller, because there is certainly a strong mix of both. However, while the concept and storyline are very creative and original, the overall writing quality is mediocre at best.
Rafferty himself provided the most accurate description when the narrating character stated of his grandmother, "She deserved a peaceful retirement, not to be dragged ino something out of a badly written novel."
The sentence structure is sometimes choppy, sometimes jumpy, and sometimes repetitive, but it certainly never flows and creates the feeling that it was written by a 12 year old. This began as a story with huge potential, but culminated abrubtly in the middle of the storyline after 39 chapters. Let's hope any sequel the author may be planning is more well thoughtout than CounterPoint, which will leave readers very disappointed.
Rafferty himself provided the most accurate description when the narrating character stated of his grandmother, "She deserved a peaceful retirement, not to be dragged ino something out of a badly written novel."
The sentence structure is sometimes choppy, sometimes jumpy, and sometimes repetitive, but it certainly never flows and creates the feeling that it was written by a 12 year old. This began as a story with huge potential, but culminated abrubtly in the middle of the storyline after 39 chapters. Let's hope any sequel the author may be planning is more well thoughtout than CounterPoint, which will leave readers very disappointed.
August 26, 2013
Rating: 9.0/10.0
Review: CounterPoint was quite an interesting read. Who doesn’t love Angels vs Demons and the end of the world? I love love love post-apocalyptic books! The cover makes it look like it’s more of a legal thriller (I read the reviews of others and they seem to agree), and with the page count being above 200 the pricing point is perfect. The book does end on a cliff hanger, but I like that because it always leads to another book or story line! I’d recommend this book to any post-apocalyptic fan.
Reviewed by IABookReviews.com
Review: CounterPoint was quite an interesting read. Who doesn’t love Angels vs Demons and the end of the world? I love love love post-apocalyptic books! The cover makes it look like it’s more of a legal thriller (I read the reviews of others and they seem to agree), and with the page count being above 200 the pricing point is perfect. The book does end on a cliff hanger, but I like that because it always leads to another book or story line! I’d recommend this book to any post-apocalyptic fan.
Reviewed by IABookReviews.com
May 27, 2015
Good fiction
While the story was entertaining, too many liberties were taken with the religious parts of the book. The foul language used by one character didn't add to the book. The use of a same sex couple is another example of neglect for the reader. While fiction has a wide berth, common decency must take precedence.
Enjoyed the book, but won't read this author again.
While the story was entertaining, too many liberties were taken with the religious parts of the book. The foul language used by one character didn't add to the book. The use of a same sex couple is another example of neglect for the reader. While fiction has a wide berth, common decency must take precedence.
Enjoyed the book, but won't read this author again.
September 9, 2013
interesting point of view
September 26, 2013
great story with strong characters! can't wait for the next one! !!
December 12, 2013
I had to stop reading...the writing was hard to follow. Too bad. Concept was interesting.
December 5, 2013
Good plot but too many errors and random characters added.
April 25, 2017
It's very rare that I just give up and I did. As much as I like the show Supernatural, is how much I disliked this. Sad.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews