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The Lilith Factor
Author Jean Paiva's riveting horror debut is based on a fascinating "what if"--what if Adam had a wife before Eve. Lilith was her name, and she was all that was evil. And now, two supremely seductive twins bear her beauty and her brand and vie for victims and ungodly power.
303 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1989
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 3, 2024
Another little gem from Onyx horror, an imprint of NAL that only lasted from 1986-91. Ignore the blurb on the cover; sensationalist marketing and nothing more. The Lilith Factor tells the tale of two twin sisters, Elise and Talia, born in backwater Kentucky. It seems they come from a long line of women, and 'power' of a sort flows down the matriarchal line. The brief prologue has the two young sisters, being raised by their 'aunt', off playing in the woods; little Talia kills a puppy because it loves Elise, and Elise brings it back to life...
Flash forward 20 years or so and the story begins in NYC, with Elise, happily married to Jeff; they met just before med school and both just graduating, decide to start a private medical practice. Meanwhile, Paiva introduces a range of other characters. Hal, a political figure running for the Governor of NYC, assisted by (as we shortly find out) Talia. Jeff's father, another doctor, heads some secret medical research team, funded by the military, and working on DNA (remember, this was the 80s and DNA stuff was HOT!). We also have Bree, part of a clan, or really a coven, who starts the novel working at a hospital, but soon becomes an assistant for Jeff and Elise. Finally, we have Bree's brother Michael, a warlock of sorts, who has been collecting cast off members of other covens/clans and obviously is up to no good.
The first 50 pages or so I found a bit confusing as Paiva introduces the cast, with little backstory as to what is going on. The author also kept many names secret until later, adding to the confusion. Nonetheless, the story does pull together and Paiva paces it well. While only briefly touching on back stories, and leaving lots of threads hanging at the end, this still proves to be a wildly entertaining read as we follow the various characters and their schemes. Pure pulpy goodness! While not oozing blood and gore, Paiva treats us to some shocking scenes, in rituals and confrontations among those with 'power'. Not striving to be some epic good/evil showdown by any means, it does seem Talia represents the dark and Elise the light; while Talia just wants more power, Elise seems content to heal and aid the injured. Bree? Something of a wild card. Fun stuff and I wish Pavia wrote more. 3.5 witchy stars, rounding up!!
Flash forward 20 years or so and the story begins in NYC, with Elise, happily married to Jeff; they met just before med school and both just graduating, decide to start a private medical practice. Meanwhile, Paiva introduces a range of other characters. Hal, a political figure running for the Governor of NYC, assisted by (as we shortly find out) Talia. Jeff's father, another doctor, heads some secret medical research team, funded by the military, and working on DNA (remember, this was the 80s and DNA stuff was HOT!). We also have Bree, part of a clan, or really a coven, who starts the novel working at a hospital, but soon becomes an assistant for Jeff and Elise. Finally, we have Bree's brother Michael, a warlock of sorts, who has been collecting cast off members of other covens/clans and obviously is up to no good.
The first 50 pages or so I found a bit confusing as Paiva introduces the cast, with little backstory as to what is going on. The author also kept many names secret until later, adding to the confusion. Nonetheless, the story does pull together and Paiva paces it well. While only briefly touching on back stories, and leaving lots of threads hanging at the end, this still proves to be a wildly entertaining read as we follow the various characters and their schemes. Pure pulpy goodness! While not oozing blood and gore, Paiva treats us to some shocking scenes, in rituals and confrontations among those with 'power'. Not striving to be some epic good/evil showdown by any means, it does seem Talia represents the dark and Elise the light; while Talia just wants more power, Elise seems content to heal and aid the injured. Bree? Something of a wild card. Fun stuff and I wish Pavia wrote more. 3.5 witchy stars, rounding up!!
January 10, 2022
Good book with plenty of horror. I loved the characters and scenarios!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews