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Prosperine #0.5
The Second Coming
In 2095, an ancient tomb is discovered. It contains a message for humanity that changes everything.
This is a prelude to Avanaux: A Hickory Lace Adventure (Book 1 of the Prosperine Trilogy).
This is a prelude to Avanaux: A Hickory Lace Adventure (Book 1 of the Prosperine Trilogy).
34 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 7, 2015
7 people are currently reading
53 people want to read
About the author
P.J. McDermott
11 books25 followersPJ lived in Ferguslie Park, the setting for his debut novel, Small Fish Big Fish, (republished as Caught in the Long Grass) until he was fifteen. At twenty-one he went back to study full-time at Langside College, and from there to Glasgow University, graduating Bachelor of Science.
A regular on the Scottish Folk Club circuit, PJ played guitar and sang with his friends and cousins for pocket money. He lived in Paisley until, at the age of twenty-six, he met and married Sue, who convinced him to return with her to Australia, a move he has never regretted.
In 2014, PJ discovered a modest talent for writing and published Small Fish Big Fish: A Coming of Age Novel.
PJ's first love is Science Fiction, and he has written several books in this genre including the epic series, Prosperine: The Adventures of the Space Heroine Hickory Lace.
PJ lives with his wife, in Melbourne. They have two beautiful daughters, and three seriously cheeky grandchildren.
A regular on the Scottish Folk Club circuit, PJ played guitar and sang with his friends and cousins for pocket money. He lived in Paisley until, at the age of twenty-six, he met and married Sue, who convinced him to return with her to Australia, a move he has never regretted.
In 2014, PJ discovered a modest talent for writing and published Small Fish Big Fish: A Coming of Age Novel.
PJ's first love is Science Fiction, and he has written several books in this genre including the epic series, Prosperine: The Adventures of the Space Heroine Hickory Lace.
PJ lives with his wife, in Melbourne. They have two beautiful daughters, and three seriously cheeky grandchildren.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 9, 2019
Fascinating prequel of intrigue, religious connotations, more based in Christianity. A background story of an imminent WWIII apocalyptic era. An arquelogical discovery provokes a world wide mind blowing consequences. I was not expecting that! A thrilling and dire situation indeed. A definitive captivating and snagging episode to read the rest of the series!
January 4, 2018
This short story packs a punch. A lot happens in a very short number of pages and it was expertly written. Absolutely fascinating take on Christianity and the future of religion without being preachy. Easy to read with vivid scenes and enough characters to make me wonder where it was going next. For sure sucked me into the world the author painted.
I did doubt the coincidence at the start of the book, however. The timing right at the start of an Earthquake happening and they just happen to be there. Once I got over that small hurdle I really enjoyed it.
Rating
4 stars
If I had to pick one saying for this short story, I'd say 'pleasantly surprised.'
This review is voluntary. More reviews at creatingworldswithwords.wordpress.com.
I did doubt the coincidence at the start of the book, however. The timing right at the start of an Earthquake happening and they just happen to be there. Once I got over that small hurdle I really enjoyed it.
Rating
4 stars
If I had to pick one saying for this short story, I'd say 'pleasantly surprised.'
This review is voluntary. More reviews at creatingworldswithwords.wordpress.com.
September 20, 2016
A really interesting prequel to The Proserpine Trilogy.
So, just what is contained in the unearthed stone box - something very unexpected. Its unforeseen contents bring about an important change that echoes down to Hickory Lace almost a century later.
Important and intriguing background to The Proserpine Trilogy - a very enjoyable series well worth checking out, especially as the first book, Avanaux, is free!
I received a copy of this short story via the author's newsletter - an excellent decision on my part.
So, just what is contained in the unearthed stone box - something very unexpected. Its unforeseen contents bring about an important change that echoes down to Hickory Lace almost a century later.
Important and intriguing background to The Proserpine Trilogy - a very enjoyable series well worth checking out, especially as the first book, Avanaux, is free!
I received a copy of this short story via the author's newsletter - an excellent decision on my part.
June 30, 2017
In the year 2096, a Catholic priest and his Turkish assistant come upon an ossuary that bears the bones of Phillip the disciple, his sister Mariamne, and the testimony of Phillip concerning the life and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The ossuary is smuggled out of Turkey, now headed by members of a quasi-religious cult called the People's Crusade. The Crusade has overtaken many countries - most notably France - and is known for their humanistic world view.
For a short story, a lot of things happen; it's almost as if it's a Cliff Notes for the trilogy that takes place some eighty years later. The story could stand alone on its own. However, as part of a trilogy to which none of the characters in this story will play a part, I am of the opinion that this could've been better served as an opening chapter to the first novel. Cut the short story in half, and you have the set up for the trilogy that follows.
The story is not terrible, but seems rushed and does not inspire me to want to delve into the trilogy.
BOTTOM LINE: A fine short story, nothing more.
For a short story, a lot of things happen; it's almost as if it's a Cliff Notes for the trilogy that takes place some eighty years later. The story could stand alone on its own. However, as part of a trilogy to which none of the characters in this story will play a part, I am of the opinion that this could've been better served as an opening chapter to the first novel. Cut the short story in half, and you have the set up for the trilogy that follows.
The story is not terrible, but seems rushed and does not inspire me to want to delve into the trilogy.
BOTTOM LINE: A fine short story, nothing more.
April 25, 2018
I heard the audio version, known as Born of Fire. I guess the author likes changing the title.
Anyways, this is a precursor for the author's sci-fi series The Prosperine Trilogy, explaining what happened on earth prior to the series' setting. I haven't actually read any of the series (ducks), so I'm basing this on it's own merits, but it has a lot to do with religion.
This story starts well enough, with a priest and his aide finding an artifact that rattles the world's religious communities. He unwisely smuggles it out of Turkey and everything goes downhill from there. The problem is, it goes downhill too fast, and the story becomes a collection of snippets of what happened over five years. It could easily be longer and more coherent, without drifting into novella land, and I think it needs it. The narrator is pretty good though, and the plot seems like it would hold my interest longer if it put the brakes on even a little. Perhaps if I read some of the series it would make more sense, but then this book doesn't serve much purpose as an introduction.
Anyways, this is a precursor for the author's sci-fi series The Prosperine Trilogy, explaining what happened on earth prior to the series' setting. I haven't actually read any of the series (ducks), so I'm basing this on it's own merits, but it has a lot to do with religion.
This story starts well enough, with a priest and his aide finding an artifact that rattles the world's religious communities. He unwisely smuggles it out of Turkey and everything goes downhill from there. The problem is, it goes downhill too fast, and the story becomes a collection of snippets of what happened over five years. It could easily be longer and more coherent, without drifting into novella land, and I think it needs it. The narrator is pretty good though, and the plot seems like it would hold my interest longer if it put the brakes on even a little. Perhaps if I read some of the series it would make more sense, but then this book doesn't serve much purpose as an introduction.
June 14, 2017
Kindle Unlimited {sometimes here and there one may be through freebie day from some site}
In 2095 AD, an elderly priest exploring an archaeological dig looking for ancient artefacts discovers a chamber containing a limestone burial box, and what it contains will take the world to the brink of an acopalyptic war and change the future of the human race. This 10,000 word short story is the prequel to the scifi—fantasy adventure, the Prosperine Trilogy, featuring the space heroine Hickory Lace. It takes place eighty-four years before the first book in the series, Avanaux, and deals with the cataclysmic events on the planet Earth leading to the formation of the Alien Corps.
Dust And Ashes {Prosperine Trilogy 0.5} revised/extended of previously published The Second Coming
Avanaux (Prosperine Trilogy #1)
Rise of the Erlachi (Prosperine Trilogy #2)
The Scarf: A Scifi-Fantasy Adventure (The Prosperine Trilogy Book 3)
Prosperine: The Adventures of the Space Heroine Hickory Lace: (Box Set)
In 2095 AD, an elderly priest exploring an archaeological dig looking for ancient artefacts discovers a chamber containing a limestone burial box, and what it contains will take the world to the brink of an acopalyptic war and change the future of the human race. This 10,000 word short story is the prequel to the scifi—fantasy adventure, the Prosperine Trilogy, featuring the space heroine Hickory Lace. It takes place eighty-four years before the first book in the series, Avanaux, and deals with the cataclysmic events on the planet Earth leading to the formation of the Alien Corps.
Dust And Ashes {Prosperine Trilogy 0.5} revised/extended of previously published The Second Coming
Avanaux (Prosperine Trilogy #1)
Rise of the Erlachi (Prosperine Trilogy #2)
The Scarf: A Scifi-Fantasy Adventure (The Prosperine Trilogy Book 3)
Prosperine: The Adventures of the Space Heroine Hickory Lace: (Box Set)
May 24, 2017
5/23/17
DUST AND ASHES
P J McDermott
In 2096, a priest and an archeology student walk into a cavern after an earthquake....Sounds like a joke huh? Believe me it is not. Anyway, they walk into this cavern and find a ossuary that has been there since the beginning of christianity. In this is the bones of Saint Phillip’s family and a manuscript written by Saint Phillip who was one of Jesus’s disciple.
This manuscript sets off a flurry of events which have severe repercussions for everyone on the earth. It is hard to read this book and not see that the more things change, the more they stay the same. Especially when people and governments are involved/
Dust and Ashes is a prequel to Avanaux which is Book 1 of the Prosperine series. It was terrifyingly interesting and I would recommend it highly, in fact I will get Avanaux and continue the series.
DUST AND ASHES
P J McDermott
In 2096, a priest and an archeology student walk into a cavern after an earthquake....Sounds like a joke huh? Believe me it is not. Anyway, they walk into this cavern and find a ossuary that has been there since the beginning of christianity. In this is the bones of Saint Phillip’s family and a manuscript written by Saint Phillip who was one of Jesus’s disciple.
This manuscript sets off a flurry of events which have severe repercussions for everyone on the earth. It is hard to read this book and not see that the more things change, the more they stay the same. Especially when people and governments are involved/
Dust and Ashes is a prequel to Avanaux which is Book 1 of the Prosperine series. It was terrifyingly interesting and I would recommend it highly, in fact I will get Avanaux and continue the series.
September 6, 2018
This is the older edition; my review is for and on the revised "Born Of Fire (Prosperine Trilogy 0.5)."
Merged review:
Fundamentals
Theology and science fiction needn't clash. Imagine finding a verifiable document written by one of the apostles. Imagine it as direct journal instead of parable. Now imagine that facts, actions, and words support a slightly different version of the perceived truths derived from interpretations of Old and New Testaments. Written as a prequel to a series, this tale creates a springboard for a new Crusade, religion and hate ever having made for more fiery conflict than any other cause.
Merged review:
Fundamentals
Theology and science fiction needn't clash. Imagine finding a verifiable document written by one of the apostles. Imagine it as direct journal instead of parable. Now imagine that facts, actions, and words support a slightly different version of the perceived truths derived from interpretations of Old and New Testaments. Written as a prequel to a series, this tale creates a springboard for a new Crusade, religion and hate ever having made for more fiery conflict than any other cause.
May 1, 2019
2016
Sorry, this fantastic fiction reached back into real world history and face planted into a wall of make believe. I could not suspend my disbelief. I really wanted to like this series.
2019
I re-read this, forgetting I had read it previously. I was much better at writing reviews in 2016. And again, I really wanted to like this series.
I suspect if this prelude was destroyed, and the actually trilogy follows the blurbs, it might turn out ok. As long as there're no flashbacks to the prelude.
Good luck PJ. Your writing wasn't bad.
Sorry, this fantastic fiction reached back into real world history and face planted into a wall of make believe. I could not suspend my disbelief. I really wanted to like this series.
2019
I re-read this, forgetting I had read it previously. I was much better at writing reviews in 2016. And again, I really wanted to like this series.
I suspect if this prelude was destroyed, and the actually trilogy follows the blurbs, it might turn out ok. As long as there're no flashbacks to the prelude.
Good luck PJ. Your writing wasn't bad.
November 25, 2016
This is a very interesting prequel to a trilogy. The author depicts several divergent world actions that have an overall devastating effect on the earth and its people. The author shows how these actions, preceived and intentional, could led to a shooting war. The plot could have been taken from todays headlines involving any slight. The characters were well developed and the plot itself was systematically progressed to the point where the reader had only one option but to say, "Oh my God".
February 3, 2017
Fantastic introduction to a series that I hope to continue on with soon!
I'm a big fan of apocalyptic fiction, and this story hit the nail on the head. Major archaeological finds, feuding countries and religious factions, and a secret that changes everything - what's not to love? McDermott's short story is well-written and draws the reader in immediately, and I look forward to diving in to more of this author's work.
I'm a big fan of apocalyptic fiction, and this story hit the nail on the head. Major archaeological finds, feuding countries and religious factions, and a secret that changes everything - what's not to love? McDermott's short story is well-written and draws the reader in immediately, and I look forward to diving in to more of this author's work.
October 28, 2015
It's a very short story but it's a prelude to the trilogy.
I liked reading this introduction, it made me want to pick up the next book.
The writing is simple and clear and the author can hold us to the narrative.
It's without a doubt a story I want to read more about.
I liked reading this introduction, it made me want to pick up the next book.
The writing is simple and clear and the author can hold us to the narrative.
It's without a doubt a story I want to read more about.
October 13, 2015
As a prelude to the novel Avanaux: A Hickory Lace Adventure (Book One of the Prosperine Trilogy), ‘The Second Coming’ has served its purpose. Mr. McDermott’s writing is technically excellent, and the story line is compelling; so much so that I immediately bought “Avanaux.”
June 1, 2017
I really enjoyed like novella and introduction to the trilogy. The story development was superb and the characters have depth. So much happens in these 34 pages that you feel you have read more but you still want to read more. Well worth the read.
September 13, 2015
exciting beginning
The author writes very well. He is also familiar with his subject making it more real. Someone who can set up a fiction from historical data is to be commended.
The author writes very well. He is also familiar with his subject making it more real. Someone who can set up a fiction from historical data is to be commended.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews