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The Penitent: Part I
A baby is born and placed in his dead mother's arms. When the funeral shroud is cast over her, his father decides to name his son Pall. It will soon become a name that strikes a shiver into the hearts of those who hear it in combat.
A lone survivor on a battlefield many years later, Pall dazedly recovers from the wounds of war. Despite the dead cast about him, everything he looks upon is unfamiliar to him. Wandering away from this scene of carnage, he encounters John Savage, a giant of a man who puts Pall within the sight of Savage's seven–foot, nocked longbow.
What ensues from this deadly encounter is an elusive journey for truth. Yet, it is haunted not just by a ravening demon that is out to destroy Pall and John, but by the vision of a startling beautiful young woman protecting Pall from afar.
A lone survivor on a battlefield many years later, Pall dazedly recovers from the wounds of war. Despite the dead cast about him, everything he looks upon is unfamiliar to him. Wandering away from this scene of carnage, he encounters John Savage, a giant of a man who puts Pall within the sight of Savage's seven–foot, nocked longbow.
What ensues from this deadly encounter is an elusive journey for truth. Yet, it is haunted not just by a ravening demon that is out to destroy Pall and John, but by the vision of a startling beautiful young woman protecting Pall from afar.
243 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2016
2 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
About the author
A. Keith Carreiro
9 books44 followersKeith lives in Swansea, Massachusetts. He has an abiding love and passion for the visual, literary and performing arts. At an early age he started playing the classical guitar and studying privately with Maestro Joseph Raposo, Sr. (Boston Conservatory of Music) until he was 17. He started writing poetry in high school. Reading, music, storytelling and movies became singular passions for him, all of which set him on a lifelong path of exploration in creativity.
In the spring of 2014, he began thinking in earnest about what life would be like in the future. Given the fact that civilization would be intact, what would people 500 years from now be like? How would technology change them? What effect would mankind’s aggressive personality traits and competitive, warlike spirit have on the ever spiraling rush toward scientific mastery over the universe? How much would the practice of scientism affect, even replace, religion as we know it today?
Starting on May 23rd until October 9th of that year, he sat down at his computer on a daily basis and began writing a science fiction/fantasy/thriller about the quest for human immortality that plays itself out in the 26th century. This website helps introduce readers to this chronicle and it represents Keith’s ongoing journey in writing about it.
In the spring of 2014, he began thinking in earnest about what life would be like in the future. Given the fact that civilization would be intact, what would people 500 years from now be like? How would technology change them? What effect would mankind’s aggressive personality traits and competitive, warlike spirit have on the ever spiraling rush toward scientific mastery over the universe? How much would the practice of scientism affect, even replace, religion as we know it today?
Starting on May 23rd until October 9th of that year, he sat down at his computer on a daily basis and began writing a science fiction/fantasy/thriller about the quest for human immortality that plays itself out in the 26th century. This website helps introduce readers to this chronicle and it represents Keith’s ongoing journey in writing about it.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
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April 10, 2019As a "Part I", I knew this one was not going to quite finish, but I kind of wish that more happened?
As it is, this story feels very much like backstory. I think I'll wait until I finish the next one before I write a proper review.
---
The Penitent: Part I traces Pall Warren's story in the aftermath of a devastating battle. He meets the mysterious John Savage, gets caught up in the pillage of the farm they're sheltering in, and faces the strange otherworldly creature, Unger.
Carreiro jumps back and forth in time through a series of flashbacks within each chapter, often Warren's memories or reflections on the past. At times, this feels a little clunky and disorienting--then again, I very much prefer streamlined stories that stay mostly in a singular time period. (I blame the speed-reading; I really should concentrate more.)
His writing style hearkens back to an older style, a little more stylistic and laborious, complete with random outbursts of poetry--possibly due to Carreiro's background as an adjunct professor of English. All the Shakespeare must come out somewhere, I guess. The Christian themes don't really come up that much in this one, other than some supernatural events and visions (it's much more obvious in the next book: the Penitent - Part II).
Even though it's only Part 1, and I expected it not to have a complete arc, I personally wanted more story in it--more moving forward action, instead of reflections on the past. As it is, I'm not going to give any star-rating for this review because I really don't know how to rate it.
Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
As it is, this story feels very much like backstory. I think I'll wait until I finish the next one before I write a proper review.
---
The Penitent: Part I traces Pall Warren's story in the aftermath of a devastating battle. He meets the mysterious John Savage, gets caught up in the pillage of the farm they're sheltering in, and faces the strange otherworldly creature, Unger.
Carreiro jumps back and forth in time through a series of flashbacks within each chapter, often Warren's memories or reflections on the past. At times, this feels a little clunky and disorienting--then again, I very much prefer streamlined stories that stay mostly in a singular time period. (I blame the speed-reading; I really should concentrate more.)
His writing style hearkens back to an older style, a little more stylistic and laborious, complete with random outbursts of poetry--possibly due to Carreiro's background as an adjunct professor of English. All the Shakespeare must come out somewhere, I guess. The Christian themes don't really come up that much in this one, other than some supernatural events and visions (it's much more obvious in the next book: the Penitent - Part II).
Even though it's only Part 1, and I expected it not to have a complete arc, I personally wanted more story in it--more moving forward action, instead of reflections on the past. As it is, I'm not going to give any star-rating for this review because I really don't know how to rate it.
Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
February 13, 2017
First off I would like to thank Tribute Books for allowing me to participate in this tour. I was intrigued by the synopsis and jumped at the chance to review this book.
When I began to read the book I was drawn into the pages, imagining the characters and the surroundings, even creating my own playlist to go along with the book. Though some parts were a bit slow for my taste, it did not bother me one bit as the book kept a nice pace throughout the entire read. I fell in love with each page as I turned to the next.
Until the end I was captivated having that sense of awe when there was nothing left to read. I am eager to see where the story leads to next and will be keeping my eyes peeled and ready for the next installment.
4/5
~Marie
When I began to read the book I was drawn into the pages, imagining the characters and the surroundings, even creating my own playlist to go along with the book. Though some parts were a bit slow for my taste, it did not bother me one bit as the book kept a nice pace throughout the entire read. I fell in love with each page as I turned to the next.
Until the end I was captivated having that sense of awe when there was nothing left to read. I am eager to see where the story leads to next and will be keeping my eyes peeled and ready for the next installment.
4/5
~Marie
February 14, 2026
“We are two of a kind. Worn out from use. Tired, tattered. Timeworn.”
This quote serves as the perfect entry into The Penitent - Part I, a novel that grips you with its atmosphere of war, mystery, and resilience. The quote emerges from a moment of desolate recognition on a blood-soaked battlefield, drawing the reader into a haunting truth: we are all searching for the narrative that makes our suffering meaningful.
Carreiro’s work is a profound meditation on how brokenness, when met with courage and faith, becomes the very ground from which redemption grows. The narrative blends the grit of conflict with the timeless search for truth, and it is told in a voice that feels both timeless and urgent.
At its core, this is a story about endurance in the face of hardship. Pall Warren, the protagonist, is shaped by suffering yet defined by inner strength. His journey resonates with themes of perseverance and courage, while his uneasy partnership with the enigmatic John Savage adds depth and intrigue. Together, they embody the tension between despair and hope, reminding us that true resilience is the choice to rise from pain with dignity and purpose.
The prose is vivid and immersive, balancing the brutality of war with moments of compassion and loyalty. The flashbacks enrich Pall’s backstory and gradually reveal his identity, though at times they could be more seamlessly integrated. Some readers may find the pacing deliberately slow in the early chapters, but patience is rewarded with a narrative that grows in intensity and emotional resonance.
January 18, 2019
Okay, I admit it. The book is better than well-written. Descriptions and characters are outstanding and vivid. The story line is really captivating. But--I didn't read much of it. If I want to sleep at night sans nightmares, I cannot read, watch, or listen to horror stories. This one is. So ... even though I didn't personally like the genre, I can admire the writing skills. I still have to give this terrifying sci-fi five stars. The Penitent is Part I of The Immortality Wars.
Pall is a young man at the beginning of the book, a little dazed at his first real exposure to deadly battles. As he stumbles away from the countless dead and dying soldiers, he encounters John, a much more experienced and expert soldier than he is. They become companions, not even knowing if they fought that battle on the same side or not.
It's very shortly after that point--when Pall begins to experience worse than war and John spots an enemy more deadly than any either of them had met before--that I quit reading. Sorry, Mr. Carreiro. Rank cowardice, I realize.
So go ahead and buy it, if you dare. Available from Amazon.
I received a free copy of this book from the author, but my opinions are my own.
Pall is a young man at the beginning of the book, a little dazed at his first real exposure to deadly battles. As he stumbles away from the countless dead and dying soldiers, he encounters John, a much more experienced and expert soldier than he is. They become companions, not even knowing if they fought that battle on the same side or not.
It's very shortly after that point--when Pall begins to experience worse than war and John spots an enemy more deadly than any either of them had met before--that I quit reading. Sorry, Mr. Carreiro. Rank cowardice, I realize.
So go ahead and buy it, if you dare. Available from Amazon.
I received a free copy of this book from the author, but my opinions are my own.
February 17, 2017
Pall's life has never been easy. From the moment he was born, he's had to put up with the fact that people shun him. Part of him often wonders as to why they do so, but he does his best to ignore the things he cannot understand. Living a life full of heartache and constant struggles, he immerses himself in the world around him. War and pain are things he's only ever known, yet deep inside he knows there's something more out there. He just has to be patient until he finds it.
A dark, yet bittersweet story, The Penitent immerses us in the circumstances of Pall's life. This is a man who's been dealt card after painful card from the moment he came into the world. His father never lets him forget the reason behind his existence. Neither do the people within the small town they live in. Nevertheless, he does his best to find traction in the world he lives in.
A.'s unique way of storytelling captures the reader's attention. It makes the reader want to delve further in finding out whether Pall changes the circumstances of his existence. If he's able to find meaning within the chaos he deals with on a daily basis. Touched by the Hand of God, Pall refuses to leave things as they are. He will do what's right no matter the cost.
Pall's journey of discovery and his search for the truth takes him further than he ever imagined. It's a journey that allows him to become what he was always meant to be. The author has done a wonderful job in creating such a complex world and characters. Though the story does have a slow start, at first, don't let that deter you from continuing on. It's worth diving further into this dark and troubled tale.
A dark, yet bittersweet story, The Penitent immerses us in the circumstances of Pall's life. This is a man who's been dealt card after painful card from the moment he came into the world. His father never lets him forget the reason behind his existence. Neither do the people within the small town they live in. Nevertheless, he does his best to find traction in the world he lives in.
A.'s unique way of storytelling captures the reader's attention. It makes the reader want to delve further in finding out whether Pall changes the circumstances of his existence. If he's able to find meaning within the chaos he deals with on a daily basis. Touched by the Hand of God, Pall refuses to leave things as they are. He will do what's right no matter the cost.
Pall's journey of discovery and his search for the truth takes him further than he ever imagined. It's a journey that allows him to become what he was always meant to be. The author has done a wonderful job in creating such a complex world and characters. Though the story does have a slow start, at first, don't let that deter you from continuing on. It's worth diving further into this dark and troubled tale.
March 6, 2021
Set in a world reminiscent of middle ages, this ambitious, deeply intricate speculative fiction thriller series, the first trilogy of a nine-book series by Carreiro brings together an unlikely band of heroes on a quest to unravel evil breaking out in their land.
In the first installment of the trilogy, Pall Warren, the member of an elite unit whose vanguard was sent against a coalition of raiders invading the country, wakes up after a head wound and realizes he is the sole survivor after the bloody combat. Unable to recall anything about his past, he forms an uneasy bond with an enigmatic bowman, John Savage, and the two set on a journey to unravel the evil breaking out around them.
The second installment sees 17-year-old Evangel, the future soulmate of Pall, coming to terms with her new identity after a series of miracles rock the very nature of her reality.
The third installment takes Pall to the port city of Seascale. With the realm of West Fundlund coming under attack by the renegade priest Kosem Mungadai, a thaumaturge of the 13th level in the occult arts, Pall finds himself in the middle of a bloody war with evil unleashing chaos everywhere.
Carreiro’s prose is crisp, narrative fluid, and he devotes special attention to sketching his characters, showing how they are affected by the events unfolding around them. Pall is driven by twin imperatives—his need to unravel his past and learn who he is in reality and his quest to discover the truth behind war and evil taking over the land. John Savage, the man shrouded in mystery, remains wholly intriguing. Evangel shines throughout.
Pall’s backstory is revealed through flashbacks, and it’s through Pall and Evengel’s stories that Carreiro brings insight and understanding to ways that regular people respond to the unfolding of evil. Though bloody wars rupture at regular intervals, Carreiro’s tale is steeped more firmly in the intrigues of individual struggles, interpersonal clashes, and power politics.
Packing in an epic’s worth of backstory and emotions, this impressive series argues that even the most brutal monster battles are less harrowing than the clash between hope and cynicism and faith and disbelief within a person’s soul and how courage, strength of arms, and the blessings of love can not only endure but also overcome the corrupting power of destructive forces.
This trilogy will ignite readers’ fervor for the next trilogy in the series.
In the first installment of the trilogy, Pall Warren, the member of an elite unit whose vanguard was sent against a coalition of raiders invading the country, wakes up after a head wound and realizes he is the sole survivor after the bloody combat. Unable to recall anything about his past, he forms an uneasy bond with an enigmatic bowman, John Savage, and the two set on a journey to unravel the evil breaking out around them.
The second installment sees 17-year-old Evangel, the future soulmate of Pall, coming to terms with her new identity after a series of miracles rock the very nature of her reality.
The third installment takes Pall to the port city of Seascale. With the realm of West Fundlund coming under attack by the renegade priest Kosem Mungadai, a thaumaturge of the 13th level in the occult arts, Pall finds himself in the middle of a bloody war with evil unleashing chaos everywhere.
Carreiro’s prose is crisp, narrative fluid, and he devotes special attention to sketching his characters, showing how they are affected by the events unfolding around them. Pall is driven by twin imperatives—his need to unravel his past and learn who he is in reality and his quest to discover the truth behind war and evil taking over the land. John Savage, the man shrouded in mystery, remains wholly intriguing. Evangel shines throughout.
Pall’s backstory is revealed through flashbacks, and it’s through Pall and Evengel’s stories that Carreiro brings insight and understanding to ways that regular people respond to the unfolding of evil. Though bloody wars rupture at regular intervals, Carreiro’s tale is steeped more firmly in the intrigues of individual struggles, interpersonal clashes, and power politics.
Packing in an epic’s worth of backstory and emotions, this impressive series argues that even the most brutal monster battles are less harrowing than the clash between hope and cynicism and faith and disbelief within a person’s soul and how courage, strength of arms, and the blessings of love can not only endure but also overcome the corrupting power of destructive forces.
This trilogy will ignite readers’ fervor for the next trilogy in the series.
September 2, 2019
Unexpectedly good.
After a slow start story moved along. Some confusion but then things started to gel. Very different and interesting and engaging. Stay with the story but be aware it doesn't "end" but instead continues into part 2. I usually don't like to continue to the sequel but will definitely read the next.
After a slow start story moved along. Some confusion but then things started to gel. Very different and interesting and engaging. Stay with the story but be aware it doesn't "end" but instead continues into part 2. I usually don't like to continue to the sequel but will definitely read the next.
January 1, 2017
The beginning nearly made me want to stop...but keep on reading-- this book is worth the challenge. It ebbs and pulls you in and when you think you can guess the end....SURPRISE! I was disappointed when I finished the book-- I WANT THE SEQUEL!!
November 2, 2016
Fantastic!! Fast paced; full of suspense, twist and turns! I can't wait until Part II is released!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews