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Vatican Secret Archive #8

The Celestial Guardian

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Dive into the heart of Vatican intrigue with The Celestial Guardian, an adrenaline-pumping thriller that masterfully intertwines the shadowy corridors of religious power with the luminous frontiers of scientific discovery. This captivating narrative follows Father Michael Dominic, the esteemed Prefect of the Vatican’s Secret Archives, as he uncovers a remarkable artifact lost to time—Leonardo da Vinci’s most ingenious invention, the Celestial Guardian. Initially heralded as a divine instrument capable of forecasting a catastrophic asteroid bound for Earth, Father Dominic's discovery soon unravels a more ominous the Guardian’s ability to not just predict, but alter celestial events.As the revelation of its true potential threatens to shake the foundations of faith and science, the narrative propels readers into a high-stakes race against time. Father Dominic finds himself ensnared in a dangerous web of ambition and power, with factions including a power-hungry Vatican cardinal, vying for control of the Guardian’s world-altering abilities. Set against the backdrop of a Church grappling with transformative doctrines and the scrutiny of the world, Father Dominic must navigate his own inner turmoil while thwarting a global catastrophe.The Celestial Guardian is a riveting exploration of the delicate balance between belief and science, power and morality. It’s a story that delves deep into the heart of human vulnerability, ambition, and the enduring strength of the human spirit. With a narrative rich in historical enigma, scientific wonder, and human drama, this novel promises to keep readers on the edge of their seats, questioning where the boundary between miraculous and scientific truly lies. Prepare for a journey that spans the secretive vaults of the Vatican to the cutting edge of astronomy, all woven into a suspense-filled saga that guarantees to captivate from the first page to the last.

266 pages, Paperback

Published February 10, 2024

598 people are currently reading
169 people want to read

About the author

Gary McAvoy

38 books479 followers
Gary McAvoy is an American novelist known for internationally bestselling thrillers that blend historical intrigue, religious scholarship, and modern suspense. A lifelong researcher of rare manuscripts and Church history, he draws on extensive archival study to craft narratives rooted in authentic detail. His work includes the Vatican Secret Archive Thrillers, the Magdalene Chronicles, and the Vatican Archaeology Thrillers. Before turning to fiction, McAvoy built a distinguished career as an entrepreneur, technology consultant, and collector of historical documents. He now writes full time from the Pacific Northwest, where he continues to explore the shadowed crossroads of faith, power, and history.

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5 stars
541 (44%)
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331 (27%)
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233 (19%)
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76 (6%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
Profile Image for Matt.
4,858 reviews13.1k followers
February 6, 2024
First and foremost, a large thank you to Reedsy Discovery and Gary McAvoy for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

I am always excited when Gary McAvoy reaches out with another of his novels, full of action and a number of teachable moments. While usually steeped in religious and Catholic history, McAvoy pushes into a more scientific domain, while tackling modern issues of astrophysics, Church doctrine, and international safety. There are still the core characters that series fans have come to enjoy, with some great development, both personal and story arc related. McAvoy does not disappoint in yet another thrilling novel within this stellar series.

While completing his daily tasks in the Vaticans Secret Archives, Father Michael Dominic stumbles upon documentation related to one of Leonardo da Vinci’s most complex projects—the Celestial Guardian. Once deemed a highly advanced instrument that could predict celestial objects that might enter the Earth’s atmosphere and cause massive damage, further exploration by Father Dominic and those closest to him reveal another and more powerful aspect to the instrument. Keeping this under wraps is essential, but there are many with ears pressed against doors and who have spies in all corners of the Vatican.

As the Holy See is without a leader, a Conclave to elect a new pope is held, which leads to two diametrically opposed candidates vying for the position. When the white smoke exits the Sistene Chapel, Clement XV emerges and a new era on pontifical rule begins. This new direction could shape the future quite drastically, but also allow many to seek to influence the pontiff’s views. One such cardinal strikes as soon as possible, with knowledge of the Celestial Guardian to grease the wheels.

When news of the Celestial Guardian leaks outside the walls of the Vatican, as well as its power, many seek to have it for themselves. A plot to steal and utilise the Guardian takes place, putting one country ahead of the others as they try to manipulate the skies as well as defend the world from an ongoing asteroid that it hurtling towards Earth. As Father Dominic and his closest friends begin trying to decipher what’s happening, they learn that the sanctity of the Celestial Guardian has turned from being a piece of scientific knowledge into a weapon that could be used in the years to come. With his beloved journalist friend, Hana Sinclair, at his side, Father Dominic will have to fend off others and ensure the Vatican is not turned into a place for looting and creating new weapons of massive destruction. McAvoy does a masterful job its this piece to keep the reader wondering until the very end.

While I have always enjoyed Gary McAvoy’s writing about the Catholic Church in historical and modern times, I have also come to really enjoy his branching out into the impact of science on the Church and its policies. McAvoy does so here with da Vinci’s Celestial Guardian, illustrating the complexities of the device, its use, and the power struggle to possess its abilities. The narrative moves along at a fast pace and keeps the reader enthralled as events occur, posing a number of questions about ethical, political, and religious rights. The story’s momentum builds effectively and climaxes with a wonderful revelation that McAvoy surely hoped to ensure the reader ponders. With his great characters always evolving, the reader is permitted a generous glimpse into their intertwining, none greater than the Father Dominic/Hana Sinclair situation that has plagued series fans.

McAvoy has never struggled to create great plot points and developments to advance to story effectively. This is no exception, with a number of issues to tackle and resolve, McAvoy keeps the action high and the predictability low at times, juggling the concerns of many entities to develop a final solution for the main plot point, as well as hinting how one of the ongoing sub-plots might resolve itself. I have thoroughly enjoyed this series to date and am always eager to see what’s next, as things on the Holy See never seem to remain stagnant.

Kudos, Mr. McAvoy, for keeping things on edge until the final page turn.

Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Profile Image for Scott B Stillman.
138 reviews
April 19, 2024
An exciting new “flavor” in this series

The Author used this story to confront his characters with a global disaster scenario. They have to deal with shady and ambitious elements within and without the Vatican. This is a well paced thriller that is hard to put down.
12 reviews
October 9, 2024
Interesting read

Very good plot, and good characters - Not quite as easy to follow as previous books, but certainly a different concept with the usual twists.
133 reviews2 followers
February 17, 2024
Gary McAvoy at his best.
This historical thriller is a very interesting and engaging approach to the possible future Apocalypse, impending disaster. Using historical cryptic records of da Vinci’s genius vision, world’s theology beliefs, science and morale as a background, the author throws our Father Michael and Hana into the midst of the perilous fight to discover, create and then to try to protect Celestial Guardian device. This tense, fast paced thriller has it all: from dangers to politic, A crooked , power grubby Cardinal in the opulent Vatican, top nations plotting, CIA agents fighting on the wrong side, theft, guns, and devastating threat. Will Michael and his friends (I love them all) succeed? Will they survive? I could not stop reading and asking myself where the fiction ends and a reality starts. Watch the end!!!! OMG.
Is it really shocking? We just witnessed another flight to the moon, new discoveries in Egypt’s pyramids….
Thank you for the fascinating book. I cannot wait for the subject of your next new thriller.
Profile Image for Rick Francisco.
9 reviews
April 14, 2025
While I love Gary McAvoy and this whole series, The Celestial Guardian feels like a huge departure from all of the other books in this series. It is way too fantastical, the events that occur in the book happen at a torrid pace which is simply unbelievable and this novel departs from any historical fiction feel. This feels more like a total science fiction novel and the well developed characters of the series seem one dimensional which in previous novels was not the case at all. It almost feels like a stand-alone novel and not a very good one.
Profile Image for Penny Cipolone.
343 reviews2 followers
April 4, 2024
This was a promising story in the beginning, but like most of McAvoy's books lately, it went down hill fast. Things happen way too fast to be realistic. How can one build a Leonardo de Vinci contraption in a few weeks and then have it work perfectly? Where do all these experts in so many fields come together in such a short time? Biggest offense, however, is that the story just ends with no resolution. Maybe Hanna and Michael will get together in the next book of the series.
27 reviews
March 26, 2024
INTRIGUE, TREACHERY & DECEPTION

We are taken to new heights (literally), Gary McAvoy fashion, in this, his latest Vatican Archive thriller, which is filled with wonder, intrigue, treachery and deception. Such an exciting new story, focussing on the brilliance of renaissance genius Leonardo da Vinci! Centred on an accidental but important discovery by none other than our favourite protagonist Fr. Michael Dominic, this novel is powerful and compelling.

The author moulds complicated science, complex patterns, astronomical theories, asteroids and heavenly bodies into a stimulating story, easy for the reader to understand. We get a glimpse of the operations of various Space agencies around the world. Espionage, greed, ambition, rivalry, thirsts for power, crafty schemes & exploits are also in full view in this gripping narrative.

A slightly different tempo from his previous books in terms of the activity level and journeying through international destinations, the author nonetheless manages to insert a good deal of intrigue and heart-pounding intensity into this captivating novel. His writing style is smooth, easy and descriptive so that the plots and actions flow into one another. The book is beguiling from beginning to end with an abundance of dubious and surprising twists. Word imagery and creative descriptions treat us to glorious and sacred settings as we venture around Rome and within the Vatican, eavesdropping on its secret whispers and echoes.

Father Michael demonstrates his astuteness in trying to resolve a seemingly impossible situation. His close-knit team Hannah, the Swiss guards and other trusted colleagues as well as a few learned experts provide him with excellent support. Then there is our newly elected Pope, who displays maturity, understanding and wisdom; better still, he appears to have a good moral compass.

Love how the situation is resolved at the end of this enthralling tale!
1 review
February 26, 2024
The Celestial Guardian takes place shortly after the passing of Pope Ignacio. While mourning his Papa, Father Michael throws himself into his work with the Archives only to discover a long forgotten sketch by Leonardo da Vinci. Michael and Hana set about gathering a team to implement the building of a da Vinci designed device while trying to navigate the new boundaries available to them on a personal note. Along the way, Michael has to deal with a Cardinal who wants to use the device to cause an event that will drive millions to the Church because of religious wonder and fear. A Cardinal who truly believes that the ends justify any means used. I have learned that I need to start a Gary McAvoy book with enough time to read it in one setting. His books are so compelling that I do not want to stop until I have reached the end!! I can't wait for the next book in the series.
346 reviews4 followers
May 5, 2024
Book 8 in the Vatican Secret Archive is every bit as good as the other books in this series. This time Michael and Hanna are involved with a device purportedly designed on paper by Leonardo Da Vinci. This device, called the Celestial Guardian, is designed to predict the movements of celestial bodies. Michael and Hanna put together a team to build the device from Da Vinci's blueprints. It predicted a collision with earth by an asteroid. They also discovered that with enough power the device could also influence the orbit of celestial bodies, specifically the asteroid that was headed toward earth. But it was not as simple as that as various agencies both in and outside of the Vatican sought to obtain the device.
Good story and as with all the books in this series an engrossing read. Waiting for the next book in the series.
735 reviews5 followers
February 27, 2024
The Sky's the Limit

Holy heavens Father Michael! A forgotten manuscript of Leonardo da Vinci drawings of something very special. A meteor heading towards earth with the potential of creating another ice age. Can da Vinci be the saving grace? Can his Celestial Guardian be programmed with modern technology in order to move that meteor? Or will forces of ill-intent commandeer the Guardian for power, greed and a significant pay off. Great job. Thank you. Love the information you provide in fact of fiction but I missed the Italian dishes.
102 reviews1 follower
March 10, 2024
Once again Father Michael Dominic discovers a long-lost document written by Leonardo da Vinci that was believed to be more myth than fact. What he and Hana uncover has the potential to be dangerous if discovered and used by others with nefarious intentions. As in McAvoy's other novels in this series, there is intrigue and tension as the players race against the clock.

With a great deal of attention to detail, McAvoy uses scientific information as a major component in the narrative, sometimes at the expense of the intricate human interactions found in his previous novels. "Celestial Guardian," however, does not disappoint in keeping the reader engaged in the plot.
Profile Image for Kathy.
652 reviews
April 2, 2024
Another great read from Mr. McAvoy! In this story, Father Michael finds a da Vinci blueprint that shows a device that could predict extraterrestrial events. Father Michael along with Hana gather top scientists to actually make the device. They named it the Celestial Guardian. As others came aware of it, others wanted to acquire it and use for not always good reasons. The story had mystery, history, greed and redemption all wrapped up into an interesting story! I really enjoyed the story and love the series!
5 reviews
Want to read
February 11, 2024
The speed with which I grabbed my headphones...only to find six weeks between me and the audible version. Please tell me the six weeks is tentative... that I can get an advance audio file...O Gary, as we say, you've adopted a patient!
269 reviews5 followers
February 24, 2024
I adore this author!

Was so excited to see the latest book of the Vatican Secret Archives series! Once again, Father Dominic and Hana are involved in an unbelievable discovery and with it, heavy repercussions. Add in the usual “bad Vatican staff,” and you are in for one heck of a story!
Profile Image for pamela c zovistoski.
3 reviews
March 1, 2024
another winner

Caught up in the thrill of discovery and danger, McAvoy delivers again. He can deftly navigate his story within the realm of fact and fiction while giving us pause to ponder the two.
Profile Image for sue kuklewicz.
2 reviews
March 2, 2024
Another great read

Fast, historical fiction with just enough credibility to suck the reader into the plot. All the books in the series are unique, yet similar characters build storyline. I wait for the next adventure
Profile Image for Kenn Goslin.
810 reviews7 followers
March 2, 2024
Michael and Nana are both aware that their lives are changing!

Michael Dominic, Sara, Lukas et al are in for a mind bending adventure of mythical proportions as another artifact is discovered in a dark, dusty corner!
151 reviews
June 6, 2024
good

The story is a good read. I’m sure some of the catholic archives have some pretty interesting stuff and would like to know what it is!!!! But Gary keeps up the pace and intrigue
1 review
February 25, 2024
Brilliant

Like all your other books i am enthralled and can’t put them down… keep writing … they should be made into movies
9 reviews
March 3, 2024
Details

I am a big fan of this series and wait eagerly for the next book. This time I was not captivated. The story line was interesting,but it seemed to be all over the place and lack detail. Never less I am looking forward to the next addition.
Profile Image for Amanda.
19 reviews1 follower
March 12, 2024
Another Great Read

This book felt different to begin with because there was a new pope. This in itself could have meant great danger for Michael. I'm glad the other characters were still about and some interesting new ones. A good story but I get the feeling we're not done with this adventure.
24 reviews1 follower
March 26, 2024
Suspenseful and intriguing

Gary McAvoy delivers another fascinating story . He never fails to offer multiple facets and insights to the characters and the plot. Well done!
132 reviews1 follower
March 7, 2024
Well I thought the subject matter was a bit of a stretch but enjoyed this novel very much. It had the usual excitement and adventure the author always provides with surprises along the way and characters you love to hate and the good guys always prevail. I sailed right through this book in no time. A very entertaining story 👍
18 reviews
May 21, 2024
Utterly spellbinding!!!!!

Gary has done it again. Another great read. Kept me fascinated. If you're into the working of space and celestial movements this book is for you
Profile Image for Pamela Cunningham.
723 reviews
April 22, 2024
This is Book 8 Of The Vatican Secret Archives Book Series

This was an action pack suspenseful read so much happened. I really liked the premise of this book and can't wait until the next installment of this series comes out.
Profile Image for Janet McGee.
21 reviews
April 3, 2024
Show, don't tell

This was a maddening read. There is an author's rule of thumb that you don't tell your readers about the story progress, but rather, you show them. There was no showing here, only telling. There was every little sense of timing throughout, and far too little dialogue. Whereas the characters could have moved the story along, they were left to make intermittent appearances. Perhaps they were able to exchange a few words, but they were given too small a role in advancing the story line.
Another stumbling block was word choices. Adjectives are magical, conveying much enthusiasm but little meaning. Varied, precise adjectives could have done much to flesh out scenes and characterizations. So, too, are there other ways to say, "a testament to"?
It is the characters that have kept me coming back to this series. It was disappointing that the characters I know and love were frightfully static in this volume. Perhaps they will reappear more fully realized and with meatier dialogue in future installments.
Profile Image for Liz Hatcher.
189 reviews2 followers
June 21, 2024
I enjoyed this latest book by Gary McAvoy; but, I found a lot of the technical information about Leonardo Da Vinci somewhat over my head. For me there was too much technical information in regards to the actual creation and use of the machine (The Celestial Guardian). I would have preferred more information on some of the characters, like the new pope and several other new characters at the Vatican and the space agencies he introduced. Also there was less interplay between Michael, Hana, Michael's assistants in the archives and the Swiss Guards. I would have enjoyed more interplay between all of these people. Besides these few negatives, on my part, I still really enjoyed the book and look forward to the next book in the series!!
Profile Image for Mark.
195 reviews
June 18, 2024
Finished this book, i thought it was wrote well, but a lot different to the other 10 in the series, loving the characters, however it was based more physics rather than mysteries etc. However i would still recommend it
47 reviews
November 22, 2024
I have read most all of his books of and never been disappointed. Plots, twists,science vs fiction, church vs secular. Keep em coming,Gary
39 reviews
April 5, 2025
Star Wars and the Vatican

An entertaining story that was beyond probability but still a good read. The wide range of characters and clandestine figures added to the suspense.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews

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