Babylon

by Carol Roberts

An ancient story has survived the floods, surfacing in Babylon 3000 BC. It speaks of a power that allures its finder to give up his own son for an experiment that tears lovers apart and corrupts the most precious of all human gifts.

A man arrives at Arwina’s doorstep, bleeding to death and without any memory of who he is. Hiding him from the king until he has fully recovered she then offers to help him retrace his steps. But as he becomes embroiled in the past, uncovering who he is, and why he has become that way, she knows she will have to let him go. Because like him she is compromised by a destiny beyond her own will and not free to follow the calling of her own heart. As he makes the final discovery about himself, the agony of his past threatens to once again engulf him, and he has to make the painful decision of whether to walk away and take the second chance that life has given him.

151 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 12, 2016

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Melissa Hernandez · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story quite a bit, but there was a few things I didn't like. The synopsis made it seem like it was going to be a story focused between two characters, Rihat and Arwina. The beginning definitely balanced between the two - learning about their backgrounds, their growing friendship, etc., but then it completely shifts to focus more on Rihat. It becomes more of his story, and Arwina takes a back seat as Rihat's friends are helping him win the fight against the king. I wanted to see their reunion, a kiss or a 'I love you' going on. Another thing that rubbed me the wrong way, which may not to others is how Arwina was described as 'exotic.' Just say she was beautiful or smoking hot or gorgeous or an angel. Exotic has animal-like connotation, which I thought we were passed that. I understand that we're dealing with mythology time and what not, but still, it's not hard. The story is predictable, but it's a good predictable. You'll be rooting for Rihat. I know I was! It was a short story with some bumps along the way, but definitely enjoyable!

[Katherine Hebert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romance and Adventure in a Historical Setting

Tower of Babel is Rihat’s story: the event that cost him his memory and the journey he takes as he starts to remember. Arwina is one of the supporting characters; she actually takes in Rihat as he heals. The final important character is Ninus. He is connected to both, and in a rather surprising twist, they all were connected to each other before Rihat showed up on Arwina’s doorstep.

The novel does take some time to set up but it’s not a terribly long read to get through it. The author’s shining grace with this book is how she really gets into the language of time. It really helps to paint a vivid picture in the reader’s mind.

I found the end predicable but it was a good journey to get there so I didn’t mind. I’d recommend the book if you enjoy this style.

[Cristina Slusariuc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roberta Caroll’s book conquered me with the fascinating mix of ancient fantasy, romance, and intrigues which, framed by a well-written manner, made the book hard to put down once started, each chapter being even more exciting than the previous ones!

I found this book “different” in a positive way from what I read before and, besides the fact that due to its good story-line “Babylon” can be easily read, what I most enjoyed was the style used by the author to create an imaginative set of complex characters and plot.

I’m looking forward reading the upcoming book of Roberta Caroll from the “Story beyond time” circle and, as I enjoyed “Babylon”, I think that it shouldn’t be missed by any avid reader!