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Toward the Gleam #2
The Lucifer Ego: The Sequel to Toward the Gleam
Long awaited by fans of Toward the Gleam and Tolkien's stories of Middle Earth, sure to delight all Inklings fans! A SABBATICAL INTERRUPTED Frodo Lyle Stuart is looking forward to his sabbatical, hoping to unearth evidence that will add new lustre to his reputation as a first-rate archaeologist. But Lyle’s Uncle Henry, abbot of a nearby monastery, has other plans, recruiting him to track down a stolen artifact—a manuscript of unimaginable antiquity his uncle believes is the source for the greatest work of literary imagination in the 20th century.
HOAX OR TREASURE? Reluctantly, Lyle puts his ambitions aside to undertake what might be a wild goose chase—or something more perilous. As he tracks the manuscript across Europe, he is unwittingly entangled in the deadly scheme of an adversary who will do anything to satisfy his ambitions.
IS SOME KNOWLEDGE TOO DANGEROUS? In The Lucifer Ego, the prehistoric manuscript at the heart of Toward the Gleam still excites deadly passions and stirs up dark forces as old as time itself.
Inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, C.S. Lewis's Narnia stories, the Inklings, G.K. Chesterton and other great spirits of the 20th century, Toward the Gleam and its sequel, The Lucifer Ego, are packed with suspense, mystery, and big questions.
Once again, Doran drops us in the middle of a mystery and barrels off, daring us to come along. As with "Toward the Gleam," the mystery provides the scaffolding for heady explorations of substantive ideas--a thinking person's adventure quest. Dare we follow? How can we resist?
—A.K. Abeille, playwright, screenwriter, theatrical director
HOAX OR TREASURE? Reluctantly, Lyle puts his ambitions aside to undertake what might be a wild goose chase—or something more perilous. As he tracks the manuscript across Europe, he is unwittingly entangled in the deadly scheme of an adversary who will do anything to satisfy his ambitions.
IS SOME KNOWLEDGE TOO DANGEROUS? In The Lucifer Ego, the prehistoric manuscript at the heart of Toward the Gleam still excites deadly passions and stirs up dark forces as old as time itself.
Inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, C.S. Lewis's Narnia stories, the Inklings, G.K. Chesterton and other great spirits of the 20th century, Toward the Gleam and its sequel, The Lucifer Ego, are packed with suspense, mystery, and big questions.
Once again, Doran drops us in the middle of a mystery and barrels off, daring us to come along. As with "Toward the Gleam," the mystery provides the scaffolding for heady explorations of substantive ideas--a thinking person's adventure quest. Dare we follow? How can we resist?
—A.K. Abeille, playwright, screenwriter, theatrical director
249 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 17, 2018
About the author
T.M. Doran
7 books50 followersBorn in Long Beach, California, T.M. Doran has lived the majority of his life in Michigan, surrounded by sweet water.
www.facebook.com/AuthorTMDoran/
The Lucifer Ego (2018) depicts the theft of the ancient Toward the Gleam manuscript, and the trials and tribulations of the Oxford archaeologist recruited to recover it. Prehistoric archaeology, psychology, mythology (including Middle-Earth and Narnia), and First Things.
Toward the Gleam (2011) tells the story of the discovery of an unimaginably ancient manuscript, the man who discovers, translates, and protects it, and the person who would do anything to acquire it.
Terrapin (2012) is a mystery-thriller about how choices affect lives many years after these choices are made. Dennis Cole, and his childhood friends embark on a idyllic weekend reunion, until all hell breaks loose.
Iota (2014) tells the story of Jan Skala and others detained by the Russians immediately after WWII in a former German abattoir. Why have they been rounded up, and will any of them survive?
T. M. Doran has contributed to the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, USA Today, New York Times, Detroit Free Press, and Catholic World Report
www.facebook.com/AuthorTMDoran/
The Lucifer Ego (2018) depicts the theft of the ancient Toward the Gleam manuscript, and the trials and tribulations of the Oxford archaeologist recruited to recover it. Prehistoric archaeology, psychology, mythology (including Middle-Earth and Narnia), and First Things.
Toward the Gleam (2011) tells the story of the discovery of an unimaginably ancient manuscript, the man who discovers, translates, and protects it, and the person who would do anything to acquire it.
Terrapin (2012) is a mystery-thriller about how choices affect lives many years after these choices are made. Dennis Cole, and his childhood friends embark on a idyllic weekend reunion, until all hell breaks loose.
Iota (2014) tells the story of Jan Skala and others detained by the Russians immediately after WWII in a former German abattoir. Why have they been rounded up, and will any of them survive?
T. M. Doran has contributed to the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, USA Today, New York Times, Detroit Free Press, and Catholic World Report
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 21, 2018
I was a big fan of Toward the Gleam, and very excited to hear that its author had a sequel in the works. I was even more excited when he asked me to edit it. Since I believe Amazon disqualifies editors from reviewing books they've edited (and Goodreads is owned by Amazon), I won't say too much about it, except that anyone who loved Toward the Gleam, or who enjoys the fiction of Tolkien, Lewis, Chesterton, et al., is going to love this book. And anyone who has NOT read any of those but who loves books that mix mystery, suspense, and a touch of fantasy will also enjoy this book. There are also some deeper, very humane themes that run through the story, so it's not just fun fluff, but the story never gets bogged down.
September 7, 2018
Back in 2011 I reviewed “Toward the Gleam” by T.M. Doran. I enjoyed it a lot, but sometimes it takes further thought to determine how good a book is. This is one that stayed with me as I remember substantial parts of the plot and thinking back on it returns that enjoyment. A nice mix of fantastic elements in the plot along with a protagonist finding himself unraveling the mystery involved while facing increasing danger.
There is now a sequel to this book called The Lucifer Ego. If you had read and enjoyed Toward the Gleam than I believe you would enjoy the sequel. This book has some of the same elements but set in the years after the first book.
There is a bit of an Indian Jones quality as the skeptical Lyle gets in over his head trying to retrieve the artifact. Plenty of twists and turns along the way with some very interesting ideas involved. Certainly enough complexities to keep you on your toes. Recommended, and now I want to go back and re-read the first novel.
There is now a sequel to this book called The Lucifer Ego. If you had read and enjoyed Toward the Gleam than I believe you would enjoy the sequel. This book has some of the same elements but set in the years after the first book.
There is a bit of an Indian Jones quality as the skeptical Lyle gets in over his head trying to retrieve the artifact. Plenty of twists and turns along the way with some very interesting ideas involved. Certainly enough complexities to keep you on your toes. Recommended, and now I want to go back and re-read the first novel.
February 10, 2020
The first book, Toward the Gleam, was a very pleasant surprise. The first book had been on my radar for a while and sat on my kindle for a few months. But once I started reading it I could not put it down. But the same thing happened with this second volume. I picked it up and it sat on my to be read shelf for over a year. But once I started reading, I read it in three sittings over 4 days. And as much as I enjoyed the first volume, this second is even better.
This story is broken into four parts, Decisions, Destinations, Devastations, and Discoveries. The first is an entry dated August 5th, 2016 and the final May 10th, 2017. But interspersed are some going back to 1932, 1942, 1942, 1963, 1995, and 1960. In that order. The book continues the tale of the object left with the abbot, and the contents of it, from the previous volume. And the story proves to be a hunt for both the man who might have tampered with it, and the original quest for the volume. Frequently we reference back to events in the first story, but often are given more information, and see different events.
This volume has an interesting cast of characters. Henry, abbot of a monastery. Frodo Lyle Stuart, nephew to Henry and archeologist or paleo-archeologist. Samwise, Sam Stuart, older brother to Lyle. Beatrice Adams, a woman of Ugandan descent, and a gifted psychologist. Lyle goes on a quest to retrieve a stolen manuscript, at the request of his uncle and with the support of his brother and the woman he is dating.
The story is packed full of adventure. But also academics, and world class institutions. It is much an adventure as any of the Indiana Jones stores. And As intricate as a Tom Clancy or John Grisham story. And in the end, they must decide if the world is ready for the knowledge contained within the manuscript. Or if like the misnamed Mr. Hill and his stories can only let the world see a glimpse, a piece, and end with hope.
The story was a great read and was hard to put down. It is excellent for those who have read the first volume, Toward the Gleam. But is strong enough to stand on it’s own. A great read for fans of literary fiction or historical fiction of all ages. Overall an excellent read, but to be honest it will leave you wanting more.
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by T.M. Doran.
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2020 Catholic Reading Plan!
This story is broken into four parts, Decisions, Destinations, Devastations, and Discoveries. The first is an entry dated August 5th, 2016 and the final May 10th, 2017. But interspersed are some going back to 1932, 1942, 1942, 1963, 1995, and 1960. In that order. The book continues the tale of the object left with the abbot, and the contents of it, from the previous volume. And the story proves to be a hunt for both the man who might have tampered with it, and the original quest for the volume. Frequently we reference back to events in the first story, but often are given more information, and see different events.
This volume has an interesting cast of characters. Henry, abbot of a monastery. Frodo Lyle Stuart, nephew to Henry and archeologist or paleo-archeologist. Samwise, Sam Stuart, older brother to Lyle. Beatrice Adams, a woman of Ugandan descent, and a gifted psychologist. Lyle goes on a quest to retrieve a stolen manuscript, at the request of his uncle and with the support of his brother and the woman he is dating.
The story is packed full of adventure. But also academics, and world class institutions. It is much an adventure as any of the Indiana Jones stores. And As intricate as a Tom Clancy or John Grisham story. And in the end, they must decide if the world is ready for the knowledge contained within the manuscript. Or if like the misnamed Mr. Hill and his stories can only let the world see a glimpse, a piece, and end with hope.
The story was a great read and was hard to put down. It is excellent for those who have read the first volume, Toward the Gleam. But is strong enough to stand on it’s own. A great read for fans of literary fiction or historical fiction of all ages. Overall an excellent read, but to be honest it will leave you wanting more.
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by T.M. Doran.
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2020 Catholic Reading Plan!
October 10, 2018
Sequel to Toward the Gleam which came out a number of years ago. Glad to see the author is still pursuing this series and it looks like there will be more to come.
SPOILER ALERT!!!!!!
The first books deals with the notion that the Lord of the Rings was not created by Tolkien - but rather he finds the book and translates it because it is real history. Numenor and Middle Earth were real places in Europe ~30,000-35,000 years ago. Tolkien gives the original book to some monks to preserve before he dies because he doesn't think the world is ready for it.
The Lucifer Ego continues the story in the modern day with two brothers - named Frodo and Sam - an archaeologist and an MI-6 operative. Parts of the book are stolen by someone who is trying to gain knowledge of how to live a longer life without realizing or ignoring that it will make them into a form of a Ringwraith. Both books are great reads and I hope to seem more from this series.
SPOILER ALERT!!!!!!
The first books deals with the notion that the Lord of the Rings was not created by Tolkien - but rather he finds the book and translates it because it is real history. Numenor and Middle Earth were real places in Europe ~30,000-35,000 years ago. Tolkien gives the original book to some monks to preserve before he dies because he doesn't think the world is ready for it.
The Lucifer Ego continues the story in the modern day with two brothers - named Frodo and Sam - an archaeologist and an MI-6 operative. Parts of the book are stolen by someone who is trying to gain knowledge of how to live a longer life without realizing or ignoring that it will make them into a form of a Ringwraith. Both books are great reads and I hope to seem more from this series.
March 6, 2021
Excellent sequel
I loved this book. It kept me interested from beginning to end. The manuscript from Toward the Gleam has been stolen from the monastery to which the Professor who found it had consigned the treasure for safe keeping. The Abbott, who happens to be his uncle, has asked Frodo Lyle Stuart to track it down, which Lyle, an archeology professor at Oxford, proceeds to do, finding the journey across the continent to be fraught with danger. He has the help of his brother Sam, an English spy, and his girlfriend, a psychology professor who is a survivor of Ugandan genocide. The story kept me up at night. There were tears. Highly recommended.
I loved this book. It kept me interested from beginning to end. The manuscript from Toward the Gleam has been stolen from the monastery to which the Professor who found it had consigned the treasure for safe keeping. The Abbott, who happens to be his uncle, has asked Frodo Lyle Stuart to track it down, which Lyle, an archeology professor at Oxford, proceeds to do, finding the journey across the continent to be fraught with danger. He has the help of his brother Sam, an English spy, and his girlfriend, a psychology professor who is a survivor of Ugandan genocide. The story kept me up at night. There were tears. Highly recommended.
October 24, 2020
Another great story by T.M. Doran that wonderfully weaves mystery, adventure, philosophy and literary nods into a fictional delight to read! One thing I love about this work and in Toward the Gleam is how a fascinating story is told, in addition to an illustration of truth and beautify, creating a book both for enjoyment and cause to ponder what truly matters in life. I really enjoyed this book, and looked forward to anytime I could snag to read it, and plan to visit it again in the future! Having read this and Toward the Gleam, and loving them both, I plan to read other T.M. Doran books.
January 9, 2019
What evil hides in men and women? And which elements of it are of another origin, an intelligent and malevolent one? yes, this book is not for the Lilly-livered. Don't blame Doran for your nightmares or shortness of breath!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews