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El Señor
Legend has it the prophet Elijah never died. He summoned fire from heaven, healed the sick, and raised the dead. He defended the poor and oppressed and was feared by the cruel and the powerful. It is said he vanished into the clouds aboard a flaming chariot. But for centuries it was whispered that one day he would return, in another time, in another form.
It’s 2008, and Southern California is in the grip of severe drought and desperation. Ivan Scarlett, a man chasing fading Hollywood dreams, is drawn into a world of cartel violence, a kidnapped daughter, and men with blood on their hands. At the heart of it all is Clemente Rodriguez—a humble laborer with a mysterious past—whose presence is followed by the miraculous, but also by death.
As Ivan and Clemente plunge into the ungoverned canyons of Mexico, they are swept into a battle that blurs the line between legend and reality. Drug lords clash with their tiny band of mercenaries and the rising force of a forgotten people, awakening an ancient prophecy in the dust and blood of the Sierra Madre.
In this modern epic journey of faith, justice, and redemption, one man may fall—and another may rise in a fiery whirlwind.
It’s 2008, and Southern California is in the grip of severe drought and desperation. Ivan Scarlett, a man chasing fading Hollywood dreams, is drawn into a world of cartel violence, a kidnapped daughter, and men with blood on their hands. At the heart of it all is Clemente Rodriguez—a humble laborer with a mysterious past—whose presence is followed by the miraculous, but also by death.
As Ivan and Clemente plunge into the ungoverned canyons of Mexico, they are swept into a battle that blurs the line between legend and reality. Drug lords clash with their tiny band of mercenaries and the rising force of a forgotten people, awakening an ancient prophecy in the dust and blood of the Sierra Madre.
In this modern epic journey of faith, justice, and redemption, one man may fall—and another may rise in a fiery whirlwind.
434 pages, Paperback
Published February 10, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 13, 2026
This book is an absolute page-turner from start to finish. The action is relentless, the mystery is layered and smart, and the pacing never lets up. Every chapter pulls you deeper, with twists that feel both surprising and earned. The characters are vivid and compelling, making the stakes feel real and personal, and the plot balances suspense and momentum perfectly. Just when you think you’ve figured it out, the story takes another sharp turn. Fans of action-packed mysteries will not want to miss this one—I couldn’t put it down and immediately wanted more when it ended.
February 27, 2026
El Señor follows Ivan Scarlett and his gradually-amassed band of merry men as they set out on a harebrained mission to rescue a young girl from a Mexican cartel lord who has so far evaded multiple international capture efforts.
There are spiritual layers to the story as it draws loosely on the book of Kings, which makes for an interesting spin on an otherwise familiar plot. The climax in particular is very Old Testament, with strong magical realism. The action driving the plot makes it a real page turner at times, and the varied cast of characters are interesting and compelling. Wall is a talented writer of the Sublime, and the nature scenes in particular are vivid and lush, providing respite from a fast-paced action plot.
However, the protagonist is impossible to root for due to his deep running misogyny. Female characters exist solely as props and are often unnamed for chapters at a time, and always described in terms of their physical appearance (usually appealing sexually to at least one of the male characters). Even when shown a picture of the abducted girl the group has come to Mexico to rescue, the protagonist says "I don't know if I would have called her beautiful, but she was pretty enough... too much makeup." The protagonist's own mother is described as a "dark angel" and "exotic princess", and a South Asian woman is described as "surprisingly beautiful", showing his outmoded attitude towards women; especially women of colour. This can make the book tough to read at times. About halfway through the book we are introduced to a new female character, Misha. Misha is strong and tough and is a well-written example of resilience and compassion in the face of oppression, but it's a shame this comes so late in the book, as it shows Wall is capable of introducing deep, nuanced female characters, but it is Ivan's gaze that until now has kept all women reduced to props. In addition to Ivan's misogyny, at one point he kicks a toddler. I can only think this is meant to make us hate him and see him as evil, but I didn't understand what this added to the book, and did not feel he redeemed himself by the end as his growth was purely spiritual and not emotional.
Several characters are from immigrant backgrounds, and the writer has made the choice to painstakingly write out their accents (German, Sicilian, Mexican, Pakistani). This choice can also make for an uncomfortable read at times – not least of all because the Sicilian "accent" is apparently just not using spaces between words. Furthermore he seems to confuse the languages of Punjabi and Hindi when introducing a character from a remote part of Pakistan (who has a Bengali name). Misha is from Belarus, where the name "Misha" is almost exclusively used for men, not women, so this feels like an error, alongside several other names which feel made up or incorrectly spelled. Overall, I feel the text could have benefitted from a cultural sensitivity reader or more careful editor.
Thank you to NetGalley for this free eARC; this is my honest review.
There are spiritual layers to the story as it draws loosely on the book of Kings, which makes for an interesting spin on an otherwise familiar plot. The climax in particular is very Old Testament, with strong magical realism. The action driving the plot makes it a real page turner at times, and the varied cast of characters are interesting and compelling. Wall is a talented writer of the Sublime, and the nature scenes in particular are vivid and lush, providing respite from a fast-paced action plot.
However, the protagonist is impossible to root for due to his deep running misogyny. Female characters exist solely as props and are often unnamed for chapters at a time, and always described in terms of their physical appearance (usually appealing sexually to at least one of the male characters). Even when shown a picture of the abducted girl the group has come to Mexico to rescue, the protagonist says "I don't know if I would have called her beautiful, but she was pretty enough... too much makeup." The protagonist's own mother is described as a "dark angel" and "exotic princess", and a South Asian woman is described as "surprisingly beautiful", showing his outmoded attitude towards women; especially women of colour. This can make the book tough to read at times. About halfway through the book we are introduced to a new female character, Misha. Misha is strong and tough and is a well-written example of resilience and compassion in the face of oppression, but it's a shame this comes so late in the book, as it shows Wall is capable of introducing deep, nuanced female characters, but it is Ivan's gaze that until now has kept all women reduced to props. In addition to Ivan's misogyny, at one point he kicks a toddler. I can only think this is meant to make us hate him and see him as evil, but I didn't understand what this added to the book, and did not feel he redeemed himself by the end as his growth was purely spiritual and not emotional.
Several characters are from immigrant backgrounds, and the writer has made the choice to painstakingly write out their accents (German, Sicilian, Mexican, Pakistani). This choice can also make for an uncomfortable read at times – not least of all because the Sicilian "accent" is apparently just not using spaces between words. Furthermore he seems to confuse the languages of Punjabi and Hindi when introducing a character from a remote part of Pakistan (who has a Bengali name). Misha is from Belarus, where the name "Misha" is almost exclusively used for men, not women, so this feels like an error, alongside several other names which feel made up or incorrectly spelled. Overall, I feel the text could have benefitted from a cultural sensitivity reader or more careful editor.
Thank you to NetGalley for this free eARC; this is my honest review.
February 11, 2026
Book Review: El Señor by David Wall
El Señor opens with Ivan Scarlett, a struggling Hollywood aspirant whose obsession with his career has cost him his family. When he gives a ride to his coworker, Clemente Rodríguez, a hardworking and selfless Mexican laborer, Ivan has no idea how quickly his ordinary day will erupt into violence. Shots ring out at Clemente’s home, pulling Ivan into a world far beyond his ambitions and familiar life.
The novel blends thriller and spiritual allegory, with Ivan caught up in Clemente’s mysterious mission. Clemente acts with quiet moral certainty, protecting the vulnerable and confronting dangerous forces with calm courage. Criminal organizations and kidnappers circle them, yet Clemente’s selflessness hints at something larger at work.
David Wall keeps the tension high as the two men move through lawless regions of Mexico. Ivan’s perspective highlights the stark contrast between his ambition-driven life and Clemente’s grounded moral authority. Subtle hints suggest Clemente may be a modern incarnation of the biblical prophet Elijah, though the story leaves the question unresolved.
While action, suspense, and ethical reflection are strong, the novel is occasionally uneven. Some plot threads go underexplored, and the pacing stumbles at times. Still, El Señor offers a provocative story about ambition, sacrifice, and the difference between worldly success and moral clarity.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.
El Señor opens with Ivan Scarlett, a struggling Hollywood aspirant whose obsession with his career has cost him his family. When he gives a ride to his coworker, Clemente Rodríguez, a hardworking and selfless Mexican laborer, Ivan has no idea how quickly his ordinary day will erupt into violence. Shots ring out at Clemente’s home, pulling Ivan into a world far beyond his ambitions and familiar life.
The novel blends thriller and spiritual allegory, with Ivan caught up in Clemente’s mysterious mission. Clemente acts with quiet moral certainty, protecting the vulnerable and confronting dangerous forces with calm courage. Criminal organizations and kidnappers circle them, yet Clemente’s selflessness hints at something larger at work.
David Wall keeps the tension high as the two men move through lawless regions of Mexico. Ivan’s perspective highlights the stark contrast between his ambition-driven life and Clemente’s grounded moral authority. Subtle hints suggest Clemente may be a modern incarnation of the biblical prophet Elijah, though the story leaves the question unresolved.
While action, suspense, and ethical reflection are strong, the novel is occasionally uneven. Some plot threads go underexplored, and the pacing stumbles at times. Still, El Señor offers a provocative story about ambition, sacrifice, and the difference between worldly success and moral clarity.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.
April 30, 2026
El Señor was a phenomenal read. You are immediately pulled in with compassion for the sad life of Ivan Scarlett, and that compassion quickly turns into intrigue about what might happen next. Before you know it, you’re roped into the adventures of Clemente, Ivan, and many other unique characters.
The adventure is a rather bumpy ride, you never quite know what’s around the next corner, and that’s the best part. You don’t have all the pieces of the puzzle; you’re discovering them in real time with Ivan, and it makes for quite the ride. It’s one unfortunate event after another, but if we’re being honest, sometimes that’s life.
Wall does an impeccable job of bringing real-life moments into this crazy adventure. One line that really struck me:
“I’ve said ‘I’m sorry’ my whole life… but I never changed… It becomes just a worthless word then… So don’t tell me you’re sorry. Show me.”
One moment you’re reading about a man chasing dreams under the bright LA lights; the next, he’s chasing drug lords under the stars in the Sierra Madres. At its core, it’s the story of a man who wants to be more than his past, a man who wants to change and become better.
This story pulls on your heartstrings and keeps you hooked until the very last page. Read this book!
The adventure is a rather bumpy ride, you never quite know what’s around the next corner, and that’s the best part. You don’t have all the pieces of the puzzle; you’re discovering them in real time with Ivan, and it makes for quite the ride. It’s one unfortunate event after another, but if we’re being honest, sometimes that’s life.
Wall does an impeccable job of bringing real-life moments into this crazy adventure. One line that really struck me:
“I’ve said ‘I’m sorry’ my whole life… but I never changed… It becomes just a worthless word then… So don’t tell me you’re sorry. Show me.”
One moment you’re reading about a man chasing dreams under the bright LA lights; the next, he’s chasing drug lords under the stars in the Sierra Madres. At its core, it’s the story of a man who wants to be more than his past, a man who wants to change and become better.
This story pulls on your heartstrings and keeps you hooked until the very last page. Read this book!
March 4, 2026
Hat an amazing read, this book starts off with Ivan trying to make it in the move industry. It escalates to the failures of not doing so being an ordinary man and having to take a normal job. The book goes into plenty of twists and turns from friendships to dogs the Mexican cartel. What an absolutely great find the writing in this book is easy to read and follow along with with every page comes excitement. I can’t wait to read on thank you Mr. Wall for making a wonderful book so enjoyable and such easy reading. With any fiction book the idea is to capture the reader and you have done a great job from the shootouts to rescue you the children all of it. I am looking forward to reading your next publication. Thank you for your vision and your creativity, we need this type of reading in our world to take us away from where we are. Congratulations on making reading a better place for all of us.
March 24, 2026
Net Galley ARC
El Señor follows Ivan Scarlett, a failing Hollywood hopeful who gets pulled into a chaotic mission to rescue a kidnapped girl from a Mexican cartel. It’s a fast-paced, slightly unhinged setup that actually works, and when the action kicks in it’s properly gripping. The writing really shines in the nature scenes, which feel vivid and almost calming against everything else going on, and there are some interesting spiritual layers running underneath it all.
But Ivan makes this a difficult read. His constant misogyny means most of the female characters feel like props, described more for how they look than who they are, and it gets old quickly. Misha, when she finally appears, shows the author can write women well, which almost makes it more frustrating. Add in some clunky phonetic accents and odd cultural details, and it starts to feel a bit messy. It’s an easy book to fly through, but not one that fully earns its ending.
El Señor follows Ivan Scarlett, a failing Hollywood hopeful who gets pulled into a chaotic mission to rescue a kidnapped girl from a Mexican cartel. It’s a fast-paced, slightly unhinged setup that actually works, and when the action kicks in it’s properly gripping. The writing really shines in the nature scenes, which feel vivid and almost calming against everything else going on, and there are some interesting spiritual layers running underneath it all.
But Ivan makes this a difficult read. His constant misogyny means most of the female characters feel like props, described more for how they look than who they are, and it gets old quickly. Misha, when she finally appears, shows the author can write women well, which almost makes it more frustrating. Add in some clunky phonetic accents and odd cultural details, and it starts to feel a bit messy. It’s an easy book to fly through, but not one that fully earns its ending.
July 3, 2026
This book is like being hit by a train and being stuck on the front for a ride you weren’t expecting and definitely can’t get off of.
At first I regretted not reading this faster, but by the end I wished it would slow down as I found myself crying, rooting for relatable, real-world characters, and thrown side to side by this epic journey.
I think David Wall has done something kinda forbidden nowadays by taking fantasy, real life, and blending them together to create a world that suggests the unbelievable: Miracles in a modern age.
I wish there were more books like this, felt like I was reading Lord of the Rings mixed with All the Pretty Horses. One of the most visual books I have ever read. Images that are going to stay with me til we get a sequel.
At first I regretted not reading this faster, but by the end I wished it would slow down as I found myself crying, rooting for relatable, real-world characters, and thrown side to side by this epic journey.
I think David Wall has done something kinda forbidden nowadays by taking fantasy, real life, and blending them together to create a world that suggests the unbelievable: Miracles in a modern age.
I wish there were more books like this, felt like I was reading Lord of the Rings mixed with All the Pretty Horses. One of the most visual books I have ever read. Images that are going to stay with me til we get a sequel.
March 8, 2026
This was a page turner of a book. Witty, funny, and almost McCarthy-esque. 20 pages in and I was hooked. Direct and non stop action but also thought provoking. It was totally biblical and an epic. I’d recommend this book to anyone who’s looking for a quick, exciting read. I literally could not put this down once I was invested. Five out of five stars for sure.
March 3, 2026
An incredible novel that is thrilling and certainly leaves you wanting more. David Wall does a great job molding a faith-based biblical essence, with a captivating story that is relevant to pop culture. 100% recommend!
May 3, 2026
Mr Wall has written a modern day tale of Biblical proportions. I thoroughly enjoyed this fast paced roller coaster ride of love, friendship, sacrifice and redemption. A story of finding faith in the things unseen and believing that with God, all things are possible. Highly recommend!
March 5, 2026
Loved this book!! Exciting and well written .
April 9, 2026
This is a great book! I cried, I laughed and laughed! Exciting plot with plenty of twists, fun, emotional, just an overall great read!! And then there’s something more….
July 20, 2026
El Señor is an addictive adventure, an out of this world, mystical but gritty life and death mission of one man who decides to help his inscrutable fellow Los Angeles construction worker, Clemente, recover his kidnapped daughter. The fascinating undergirding of the story slowly exposes tender or terrifying roots, deeply entwined between the characters as it progresses to an absolutely epic firestorm of an ending with eternal ramifications. This a roller coaster ride that leaves you feeling exhilarated and satisfied.
The story is told by the all-played-out Ivan Scarlett, an almost-got-the-part actor who has been finally and firmly flushed down and out of the mucky whirlpool of Hollywood dreams. Ivan’s voice is enjoyably sardonic and hilariously accurate in his telling of his futile wanderings around - but not actually in- show business.
He is lovable in his utterly clueless and unsuccessful way, but desperately alone after watching his wife and kids exit his Hollywood habit.
Ivan, for the first time in his life, pursues a dream other than his own stardom. His long buried fiercely loyal soul begins to emerge in truly funny and touching fits and starts as the quest to help Clemente free his daughter, inevitably meshes with a mission far larger and more consequential than he could ever have imagined.
A few choice friends from Ivan’s past join Ivan and the inscrutable Clemente and are fascinating studies with their individual quirks and craziness. These polar personalities somehow work together and advance into the crushing Sierra Madre mountains in Mexico. They encounter intriguingly noble and tragically desperate characters on the journey who bolster their resolve to succeed. The scenes of nature are stunningly depicted and capture gorgeous moments of beauty, testing, and personal revelation in the harsh environment.
I especially loved the surprising turns in each character’s personal testing on this trek, from stark hopelessness to humor to resonating wonder to eye-opening truths. This story is unusual, a wild ride and an utterly worthy tale.
The story is told by the all-played-out Ivan Scarlett, an almost-got-the-part actor who has been finally and firmly flushed down and out of the mucky whirlpool of Hollywood dreams. Ivan’s voice is enjoyably sardonic and hilariously accurate in his telling of his futile wanderings around - but not actually in- show business.
He is lovable in his utterly clueless and unsuccessful way, but desperately alone after watching his wife and kids exit his Hollywood habit.
Ivan, for the first time in his life, pursues a dream other than his own stardom. His long buried fiercely loyal soul begins to emerge in truly funny and touching fits and starts as the quest to help Clemente free his daughter, inevitably meshes with a mission far larger and more consequential than he could ever have imagined.
A few choice friends from Ivan’s past join Ivan and the inscrutable Clemente and are fascinating studies with their individual quirks and craziness. These polar personalities somehow work together and advance into the crushing Sierra Madre mountains in Mexico. They encounter intriguingly noble and tragically desperate characters on the journey who bolster their resolve to succeed. The scenes of nature are stunningly depicted and capture gorgeous moments of beauty, testing, and personal revelation in the harsh environment.
I especially loved the surprising turns in each character’s personal testing on this trek, from stark hopelessness to humor to resonating wonder to eye-opening truths. This story is unusual, a wild ride and an utterly worthy tale.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews