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After Olympus
After a Soviet spacecraft on a secret mission falls to earth in the Santa Cruz Mountains in 1978, three young men are forced to face a central question of when ancient sources of narrative lose their credibility, who owns the truth? In their decades-long quest for authenticity these unlikely sleuths formulate an answer — but not before they have traversed a bewildering world of Russian spies, ancient mysticism and modern day cyber-misdirection.
- GenresScience Fiction Fantasy
353 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2019
121 people are currently reading
85 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
May 29, 2020
A groundbreaking novel that will have you on the edge of your seat...
After Olympus by Santiago Xaman is a wonderfully written and richly descriptive novel with brilliantly drawn characters and settings. The author weaves a well-crafted multi-layered story where the lines of reality and fantasy become blurred. Intriguing twists and turns also ensures that this book will captivate the reader from the first page to the last. From beginning to end, the author holds the reader’s interest.
The contrast between tone and content is a characteristic talent of only a few authors. Santiago Xaman pays as much attention to his sentences as he does to his plots, shifting or consolidating meaning with the use of a single word. His writing is impeccably honed, full of juxtapositions and qualifications that help to create an intriguing atmosphere that will leave you spellbound.
I enjoyed the story, character development, and dialogue. There were plenty of plot twists that I didn’t see coming and that added to the book’s mystique. When I stopped reading to work, I found myself wondering what happened in the book, and replaying parts of the novel in my head to see if I could figure more out. It has been a while since I enjoyed a book this much.
Highly recommended reading and a well-deserved five stars from me.
After Olympus by Santiago Xaman is a wonderfully written and richly descriptive novel with brilliantly drawn characters and settings. The author weaves a well-crafted multi-layered story where the lines of reality and fantasy become blurred. Intriguing twists and turns also ensures that this book will captivate the reader from the first page to the last. From beginning to end, the author holds the reader’s interest.
The contrast between tone and content is a characteristic talent of only a few authors. Santiago Xaman pays as much attention to his sentences as he does to his plots, shifting or consolidating meaning with the use of a single word. His writing is impeccably honed, full of juxtapositions and qualifications that help to create an intriguing atmosphere that will leave you spellbound.
I enjoyed the story, character development, and dialogue. There were plenty of plot twists that I didn’t see coming and that added to the book’s mystique. When I stopped reading to work, I found myself wondering what happened in the book, and replaying parts of the novel in my head to see if I could figure more out. It has been a while since I enjoyed a book this much.
Highly recommended reading and a well-deserved five stars from me.
June 5, 2020
After Olympus by Santiago Xaman is an intriguing novel that puts off a vibrant sensation. The novel starts out telling about fictional character, Santiago, and how he came to be adopted by an American family. Then it jumps to his manuscripts that were buried and revealed. His involvement in the Russian box wasn't intentional, but when it falls from the sky and almost hits his house he has no choose. And so the magic begins.
Santiago Xaman is a dynamic author that spins mystique, thrills, and suspense into his writing. After Olympus is a story with several stories within. I learned many interesting facts about different subjects that make this a unique book that will hold your interest. The plot slowly evolves and builds. I could see the author creating a book that builds off this novel. Maybe the key that was found? Overall, I enjoyed the plot, characters, and the mood of the book. The only down side was I got confused over who was speaking when it changed at the chapters.
Santiago Xaman is a dynamic author that spins mystique, thrills, and suspense into his writing. After Olympus is a story with several stories within. I learned many interesting facts about different subjects that make this a unique book that will hold your interest. The plot slowly evolves and builds. I could see the author creating a book that builds off this novel. Maybe the key that was found? Overall, I enjoyed the plot, characters, and the mood of the book. The only down side was I got confused over who was speaking when it changed at the chapters.
November 4, 2019
After Olympus draws its readers into a setting that stimulates curiosity, intellectual aptitude and imagination.
In the beginning, the story provides an introduction to its main characters and the experiences from their past that have significantly contributed to their current way of life, the relationships they maintain and their current manners of thinking and engagement. Each character is explored so that the reader can realize their innate nature and come to understand their choices and movements as the story unfolds.
Some extremely advanced language and verbiage is used throughout the book which may cause its reader to be confused or disinterested in reading the story. This use of advanced language can be intimidating and daunting. The reader who appreciates learning while reading for entertainment may find themselves taking notes, highlighting passages and even utilizing a thesaurus as an accompanying piece.
As the story progresses past its initial character introductions, the reader will become emotionally attached to the characters as they develop into people whom the reader may be able to relate to; their understandings and struggles and involvements begin to feel familiar and may even be synonymous with the reader’s experiences or those of others in the lives of the reader. Interest becomes heightened as familiar nuances and details of the setting are revealed and recognizable. The reader’s thoughts will begin to expand and push beyond the obvious as the reader considers the possibilities presented in well known backdrops coupled with identifiable occurrences. At this point, the reader may become more invested and attentive. Investigating the meanings behind the advanced verbiage at this point is desired as a means to become more immersed in the story and accountable for fully understanding and following the interlacing story lines. The infusion of magic, particularly during times of discovery, serves to draw the reader in even more as he or she can place himself or herself in the shoes of the characters and envision their perspectives from a “through their eyes” point of view.
As After Olympus culminates, the reader’s emotions and commitment increase as the details start to align with real life and intertwine with actual events, attitudes, viewpoints and mindsets. The characters' theories become more pragmatic and the strategies more evident and applicable to current events. If the reader struggled to remain continuously interested before, by now they should have found it to be much easier and exciting. Navigating the twists and turns now is a joyride with anticipation of how things will turn out; building and growing as the conclusions unfold.
Now the reader has become a novice linguaphile and invested in analyzing and scrutinizing the ideologies and assumptions presented in the story. Delving into fantasy as a guide to probe and to seek to enlighten themselves, and even test their discoveries in reference to today’s climate, is the cherry on top.
Infusing fantasy with realism and fiction with fact, After Olympus will have its readers on an up and down emotional journey, tapping into their inner conspiracy theorist and idealist.
In the beginning, the story provides an introduction to its main characters and the experiences from their past that have significantly contributed to their current way of life, the relationships they maintain and their current manners of thinking and engagement. Each character is explored so that the reader can realize their innate nature and come to understand their choices and movements as the story unfolds.
Some extremely advanced language and verbiage is used throughout the book which may cause its reader to be confused or disinterested in reading the story. This use of advanced language can be intimidating and daunting. The reader who appreciates learning while reading for entertainment may find themselves taking notes, highlighting passages and even utilizing a thesaurus as an accompanying piece.
As the story progresses past its initial character introductions, the reader will become emotionally attached to the characters as they develop into people whom the reader may be able to relate to; their understandings and struggles and involvements begin to feel familiar and may even be synonymous with the reader’s experiences or those of others in the lives of the reader. Interest becomes heightened as familiar nuances and details of the setting are revealed and recognizable. The reader’s thoughts will begin to expand and push beyond the obvious as the reader considers the possibilities presented in well known backdrops coupled with identifiable occurrences. At this point, the reader may become more invested and attentive. Investigating the meanings behind the advanced verbiage at this point is desired as a means to become more immersed in the story and accountable for fully understanding and following the interlacing story lines. The infusion of magic, particularly during times of discovery, serves to draw the reader in even more as he or she can place himself or herself in the shoes of the characters and envision their perspectives from a “through their eyes” point of view.
As After Olympus culminates, the reader’s emotions and commitment increase as the details start to align with real life and intertwine with actual events, attitudes, viewpoints and mindsets. The characters' theories become more pragmatic and the strategies more evident and applicable to current events. If the reader struggled to remain continuously interested before, by now they should have found it to be much easier and exciting. Navigating the twists and turns now is a joyride with anticipation of how things will turn out; building and growing as the conclusions unfold.
Now the reader has become a novice linguaphile and invested in analyzing and scrutinizing the ideologies and assumptions presented in the story. Delving into fantasy as a guide to probe and to seek to enlighten themselves, and even test their discoveries in reference to today’s climate, is the cherry on top.
Infusing fantasy with realism and fiction with fact, After Olympus will have its readers on an up and down emotional journey, tapping into their inner conspiracy theorist and idealist.
November 2, 2019
After Olympus is a philosophical fiction novel that addresses many issues that face American society at present – fake news, divisive politics, and unequal treatment of race and gender. The reasons for the emergence of these problem as perceived by the protagonist and his friends in the novel (a Soviet scheme hatched in the 1970s) are probably not as important as the novel’s message that unless current institutions are changed, the United States will devolve into a feudal system in which only the privileged oligopoly will have the money and power. The novel advocates the need for change to allow Americans to be able to think better for themselves, mini-capitalism allowing for empowerment of the individual, and encouraging innovation among all citizens.
The novel’s message is interwoven among a plot line about Santiago Xaman, an immigrant orphaned in Central America, and his so-called magicians - two scientists, and a businessman, all of whom are the subject of Russian espionage. The plot features the typical spy novel elements –stereotypical Russian characters, betrayal, and double crossing. The novel also adds magic and mysticism stemming from Santiago’s childhood in Guatemala, which colors Santiago’s perceptions of the events in the novel.
The novel’s strength is that it contains many thought-provoking ideas about the current status of civilization and its future. The author was able to weave these ideas through a fictional plot that made the ideas easier and more enjoyable to digest. The novel’s weakness is that it tries to do too much. Too many ideas were presented in a disjointed manner, straying into epigenetics and microbiology, which did not seem consistent with the theme. The use of the magic and mysticism was distracting, and not really necessary to either the plot or the novel’s message.
Overall, the book is perfect for anyone looking for thought provoking literature and unique presentation of ideas. If you are looking for a great spy novel, however, you can probably find something better.
The novel’s message is interwoven among a plot line about Santiago Xaman, an immigrant orphaned in Central America, and his so-called magicians - two scientists, and a businessman, all of whom are the subject of Russian espionage. The plot features the typical spy novel elements –stereotypical Russian characters, betrayal, and double crossing. The novel also adds magic and mysticism stemming from Santiago’s childhood in Guatemala, which colors Santiago’s perceptions of the events in the novel.
The novel’s strength is that it contains many thought-provoking ideas about the current status of civilization and its future. The author was able to weave these ideas through a fictional plot that made the ideas easier and more enjoyable to digest. The novel’s weakness is that it tries to do too much. Too many ideas were presented in a disjointed manner, straying into epigenetics and microbiology, which did not seem consistent with the theme. The use of the magic and mysticism was distracting, and not really necessary to either the plot or the novel’s message.
Overall, the book is perfect for anyone looking for thought provoking literature and unique presentation of ideas. If you are looking for a great spy novel, however, you can probably find something better.
November 5, 2019
After Olympus is an account of Santigo’s journey spread over the old world to the new millennium. The plot weaves several twists and turns, representing human dilemmas and how life evolves from the year 1963, where the story begins to the year 2036. Xaman succeeds in intriguing the reader at several places with his narrative. The plot is intricate in nature and as a reader you have to keep account of characters, as they come and go; there are just a few characters that stay through the narrative, most of the characters are seen after larger intervals. Xaman attempts at juxtaposing the myths and legends of the old word and the new millennium, this helps him convey the dynamic flow of life around us.
Another aspect that the book brings to life is that the human conflict is eternal, no matter what time period in the evolution of mankind you were born to, your struggle with life is what will reflect your growth as a person. He also brings in a global perspective to this idea by bringing people from all continents to his plot and builds a narrative around their conflicts- be it the identity crisis of Melek or Gus’s attempt to change the world or Holmes dealing with the emotional turmoil. His three magicians represent life in different forms and shape.
Xaman succeeds in engaging the reader by bringing in several techniques of storytelling- from magic to realism; from emotion to delusion. He brings in a banquet of characters that symbolize various dogmas of human existence. Some stories are left to the reader’s imagination, while others are part of the main narrative.
This is overall a good read and you evolve with the narrative as it progresses, giving you an insight into Xaman’s mind to help you comprehend the complexities and uniqueness of the narrative.
Another aspect that the book brings to life is that the human conflict is eternal, no matter what time period in the evolution of mankind you were born to, your struggle with life is what will reflect your growth as a person. He also brings in a global perspective to this idea by bringing people from all continents to his plot and builds a narrative around their conflicts- be it the identity crisis of Melek or Gus’s attempt to change the world or Holmes dealing with the emotional turmoil. His three magicians represent life in different forms and shape.
Xaman succeeds in engaging the reader by bringing in several techniques of storytelling- from magic to realism; from emotion to delusion. He brings in a banquet of characters that symbolize various dogmas of human existence. Some stories are left to the reader’s imagination, while others are part of the main narrative.
This is overall a good read and you evolve with the narrative as it progresses, giving you an insight into Xaman’s mind to help you comprehend the complexities and uniqueness of the narrative.
November 2, 2019
I found this novel to be provocative in its storyline with the clear intent to inspire at the very least, a dawning of understanding as to how important it is to observe, record and listen, not just to others but also to what is not being said, both from without and from within. I found the long-term dismantling of America to be particularly poignant with the parallels long whispered in the “conspiracy theory” communities worldwide. This perspective of how the current political climate came to exist is the closest to what I would consider reasonable reality and much more believable than the 9/11 report.
I also thought the solution to this attack to be not only fantastical but also practical because my personal feeling is that this is the only way to change the course of humankind. Through the evolution of our consciousness and the expansion of the readily available gifts that each soul naturally possesses, we could quite literally change the face of the earth and turn around this slippery slope that we are currently on. Clearly this is not an idea that would be welcome by any entity looking to control you, which in turn explains much of the targeted advertising and media campaigns.
Overall I found this novel to not only expand my consciousness of how important it is to look at the big picture of what is, and what has been happening to America for the last several decades but also that innovation of the mind is what is truly needed in order to save America from the future that is surely coming.
I also thought the solution to this attack to be not only fantastical but also practical because my personal feeling is that this is the only way to change the course of humankind. Through the evolution of our consciousness and the expansion of the readily available gifts that each soul naturally possesses, we could quite literally change the face of the earth and turn around this slippery slope that we are currently on. Clearly this is not an idea that would be welcome by any entity looking to control you, which in turn explains much of the targeted advertising and media campaigns.
Overall I found this novel to not only expand my consciousness of how important it is to look at the big picture of what is, and what has been happening to America for the last several decades but also that innovation of the mind is what is truly needed in order to save America from the future that is surely coming.
November 5, 2019
“To most folks, liberty seems to be about staying out of jail. They ignore the fact that their own minds are, more often than not, shackled by things they were taught from birth, and that the liberty they need most of all is from that. The rest is just a flirtation with the word.”
This quote is from the character Melek in After Olympus, and it illustrates the most intriguing part of this work. The author questions what could be different, and better, in our world if only we could all open our minds to new ideas. He does this in a unique way, a combination of both reality and mysticism bound together to tell this story. However, there are so many different ideas and strands weaving through the work itself that it is easy to lose track of which one should be followed. Elements of fantasy and realism are wound together until the reader cannot be sure what is reality and what are figments of the imagination, which make this an interesting yet sometimes difficult read.
The main character, Santiago Xaman, is the primary source of information for the reader. He, and the cast of surrounding characters, lead you down a path of infinite possibilities regarding the workings of the modern world as well as creating intriguing ideas about how it could be. Overall, I did enjoy the book, but I was not able to lose myself completely in the story. I would recommend this read to people who questioned the way the world was going today and who were interested in elements of mysticism in their literary fiction.
This quote is from the character Melek in After Olympus, and it illustrates the most intriguing part of this work. The author questions what could be different, and better, in our world if only we could all open our minds to new ideas. He does this in a unique way, a combination of both reality and mysticism bound together to tell this story. However, there are so many different ideas and strands weaving through the work itself that it is easy to lose track of which one should be followed. Elements of fantasy and realism are wound together until the reader cannot be sure what is reality and what are figments of the imagination, which make this an interesting yet sometimes difficult read.
The main character, Santiago Xaman, is the primary source of information for the reader. He, and the cast of surrounding characters, lead you down a path of infinite possibilities regarding the workings of the modern world as well as creating intriguing ideas about how it could be. Overall, I did enjoy the book, but I was not able to lose myself completely in the story. I would recommend this read to people who questioned the way the world was going today and who were interested in elements of mysticism in their literary fiction.
December 10, 2019
After Olympus was a very interesting read for me. Like no other that I have read. I like the way the author started the book. It drew me in quickly and tugged at my emotions. I like how he used the manuscripts to tell the story. Although I knew the story was fiction the book contained a lot of facts. Reading through the decades, through the eyes of different men, from different ethnic backgrounds and upbringings made me feel a connection to the characters. After Olympus actually threw me off; in the sense of, the beginning of the book starts off so mystical compared to the end. I thought the entire story was going to go in a whole different direction, especially after finding out about Santiago’s special power. Then later on as your read, the plot really starts to unravel with more factual realistic things happening in the book. This was really a well written and thought out book. How the author took fiction and intertwined it with factual things, really makes you ponder about life and the ways of the world as we live in it. Just like in the book; the magicians along with Santiago come up with solutions to some of the wonders of life with their unconventional thinking. I like how the author made me able to visualize different perceptions of the same thing. At some points, I admit I was a little lost and didn’t quite understand, but what I did understand was there was love, lost, loyalty, and betrayal in this story, all the elements to make a great story. And honestly overall this book was a rather intriguing and enjoyable read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 4, 2019
Look at an ink blot. What do you see?
In After Olympus, that may depend on your mood. On which ‘you’ is deliberating at any moment.
Is After Olympus a spy thriller? A real-time warning? Is it an answer to Ayn Rand – an opposing message and blueprint for change? For equitable economic ‘progress’ and new beginnings? Or is it a magical parable about even bigger/deeper questions/truths?
Fast-pacing, intricate weaving, non-linear back-and-forth narrative; mysticism juxtaposed against scientific reference notes. Twists. Intertwined fates spanning a lifetime of mission, adventure, ideas, innovation, love and betrayal – and chilling moments of clarity. And there’s always the doubt. What is real, is this real? Why is your skin crawling? How far beyond the span of paper (wings) does this story fly?
This is a book for the discerning, thinking reader, but not for the (intellectually) faint of heart. Like nested Russian dolls, hidden things within, revealed, one after another – at the heart of which is a bargain, and, of course, the price -- and the magic. More intellectually than emotionally compelling, (at least for this reviewer) but the people within are also satisfyingly complex and three-dimensional. And believable.
One last thing. Draw no conclusions until the very last lines. Then let it sift around in your head for a while. You may feel compelled to read it again.
In After Olympus, that may depend on your mood. On which ‘you’ is deliberating at any moment.
Is After Olympus a spy thriller? A real-time warning? Is it an answer to Ayn Rand – an opposing message and blueprint for change? For equitable economic ‘progress’ and new beginnings? Or is it a magical parable about even bigger/deeper questions/truths?
Fast-pacing, intricate weaving, non-linear back-and-forth narrative; mysticism juxtaposed against scientific reference notes. Twists. Intertwined fates spanning a lifetime of mission, adventure, ideas, innovation, love and betrayal – and chilling moments of clarity. And there’s always the doubt. What is real, is this real? Why is your skin crawling? How far beyond the span of paper (wings) does this story fly?
This is a book for the discerning, thinking reader, but not for the (intellectually) faint of heart. Like nested Russian dolls, hidden things within, revealed, one after another – at the heart of which is a bargain, and, of course, the price -- and the magic. More intellectually than emotionally compelling, (at least for this reviewer) but the people within are also satisfyingly complex and three-dimensional. And believable.
One last thing. Draw no conclusions until the very last lines. Then let it sift around in your head for a while. You may feel compelled to read it again.
November 4, 2019
I enjoyed the way the book was written with a variety of styles (letters, memories, diary entries, emails, technical pieces, articles, pictures, etc.) as well as the variety of points of view from each of the characters. I enjoyed the magical/mystical story-telling about Santiago’s childhood at the beginning of the book, and wish the book had woven more sections like that in. I enjoyed the intellectual-ness of this book in the sense that it made me stop and think about some of the magician’s claims about society. I couldn’t help but picture a certain oligarch in my mind every time that word came up! After finishing the book the first time, the ending had me immediately re-reading it from the beginning with a new perspective into the characters. So many more details stand out to me the second time, and though I haven’t finished the second read-through, I am sure this book is one that will keep me thinking for quite some time.
A few disappointments were the emails to/from Tasha and Christine. I was always waiting for something more to be uncovered there, but it never really amounted to much. I did also try going to some of the websites provided and was disappointed that several did not work (though a few did).
A few disappointments were the emails to/from Tasha and Christine. I was always waiting for something more to be uncovered there, but it never really amounted to much. I did also try going to some of the websites provided and was disappointed that several did not work (though a few did).
December 3, 2019
This book was definitely interesting and I love how the author challenged how we imprison our own minds through limitations we set. The book does mix a bunch of genres, which for me didn't work well. There was the reality vs mysticism which reminded me of Harry Potter and how the real world and the magical world co-existed. And I didn't mind a bit of mystery but then trying to bring in a spy/thriller aspect was just too much. Every genre has key elements that make it work and for me this was just overdone. I also felt that this lead to a lot more telling and that the character was more of a device to drive the plot forward rather then being a character who is living in the world. At times the action and dialogue felt forced and not natural for the main character but that he needed to do or say certain things otherwise the plot would not have moved forward the way the author wanted it to. It also kept me disconnected from the character. While there are many areas where we can draw on parallels to our own world, the purpose of fiction is to draw us into the world of the book and into the characters themselves. This was lost for me in the book. It was too plot driven.
December 12, 2019
If you have ever found yourself pondering round and round in your mind how the world really works, and how it became this way you'll find a few allies in After Olympus. The world's recurring mistakes and unplucked solutions are the catalysts of this world-spanning, heroic tale. From a malevolent Roman Centurion still among us to three Magicians and some ingenious plans for our future including a scientific innovation that prevents those mental mistakes in rationale which have plagued our world, there is sharp thinker's gold in these pages. Behind the science, we can also feel here the true heart and inner beauty required to save so many in this memoir of the emotional lives and loves of truth-seekers who lead humanity forward and away from its insidious condition. A timely story, the book raises a mirror to a world fatigued by the news and tired choices on repeat, reminding us "Liberty is what breaks open the cage in your head. It's how you become authentic. It's how you add value. Otherwise, you're just a stained-glass window that someone else painted, and the photons of your life pass straight through it."
June 19, 2020
After Olympus by Santiago Xaman is a story that catches you from the beginning because it surprises. Santiago discovers a Soviet spaceship that falls near his lands and surprisingly, two men who investigate this event arrive at his door. The three of them of them will be in charge of deciphering this mystery.
Perhaps the mixture of literary genres makes this book so attractive. It hasa lot of science fiction and the author's imagination flies in a magical way, but it also has accurate historical data. In the story, there are mystical Gods, prophecies and the Russian spies, who could not be missed. By mentioning Russian spies, you may think that the story is a bit confusing but it really surprised me how all these elements combine perfectly as pieces of a puzzle.
Following the plot of the reading is very easy; it has a very clear chronology. The characters are very well developed and each one is a fundamental part of the story.
If you are looking for a book that captures your attention fully and has its own narrative style, you should definitely read After Olympus by Santiago Xaman. It is a highly recommended book.
Perhaps the mixture of literary genres makes this book so attractive. It hasa lot of science fiction and the author's imagination flies in a magical way, but it also has accurate historical data. In the story, there are mystical Gods, prophecies and the Russian spies, who could not be missed. By mentioning Russian spies, you may think that the story is a bit confusing but it really surprised me how all these elements combine perfectly as pieces of a puzzle.
Following the plot of the reading is very easy; it has a very clear chronology. The characters are very well developed and each one is a fundamental part of the story.
If you are looking for a book that captures your attention fully and has its own narrative style, you should definitely read After Olympus by Santiago Xaman. It is a highly recommended book.
September 19, 2020
An entertaining and thrilling story of Quasi-fiction that provides some enthralling philosophical concepts.
Described as Quasi-fiction by the author, this mysterious novel is apparently a blend of some facts combined with a fictional plot. Whatever the case may be, this is an entertaining and thoroughly absorbing novel written in the style of a modern H. P. Lovecraft. However, the author's style of writing is far more engaging and elegant than the old master. But many of the elements of a convincing story are combined here, from mysterious manuscripts, to newspaper accounts, and eccentric scholars.
There are some philosophical questions and the nature of reality comes into question. Elements of fantastical philosophy, science, and mystery are combined in a riveting plot that grasps the reader's attention and makes the book far too absorbing to put aside.
Readers who enjoy thought-provoking themes combined with a convincing plot will relish this masterpiece. I will certainly read this book again in order to appreciate the subtleties and existential subjects that are raised, as well as the sheer pleasure derived from reading a good story.
Described as Quasi-fiction by the author, this mysterious novel is apparently a blend of some facts combined with a fictional plot. Whatever the case may be, this is an entertaining and thoroughly absorbing novel written in the style of a modern H. P. Lovecraft. However, the author's style of writing is far more engaging and elegant than the old master. But many of the elements of a convincing story are combined here, from mysterious manuscripts, to newspaper accounts, and eccentric scholars.
There are some philosophical questions and the nature of reality comes into question. Elements of fantastical philosophy, science, and mystery are combined in a riveting plot that grasps the reader's attention and makes the book far too absorbing to put aside.
Readers who enjoy thought-provoking themes combined with a convincing plot will relish this masterpiece. I will certainly read this book again in order to appreciate the subtleties and existential subjects that are raised, as well as the sheer pleasure derived from reading a good story.
September 24, 2020
“After Olympus, a work of quasi-fiction by Santiago Xaman” is the first novel by the author and a fantastic way of starting his career as a writer. As it is explained in the first pages, the term quasi-fiction refers to a narrative that presents a combination of fictional characters and real facts. This concept is the backbone of this book and one we cannot lose track of it. As we read the story, the limit between reality and fantasy disappears and we cannot help but wonder what the difference between these two concepts is, and even, if there is any difference at all. In this way, the novel captures our imagination and full attention from the very beginning to its last page.
The story begins in 1978 when a Soviet spacecraft on a secret mission falls to earth in the Santa Cruz Mountains. In the face of this event, three men are forced to change their lives to answer a central philosophical question: who owns the truth? In their 80-year-long journey to find the answer they encounter their share of Russian spies, ancient mysticism and modern day cyber-misdirection.
I really enjoyed reading this book. I recommend it.
The story begins in 1978 when a Soviet spacecraft on a secret mission falls to earth in the Santa Cruz Mountains. In the face of this event, three men are forced to change their lives to answer a central philosophical question: who owns the truth? In their 80-year-long journey to find the answer they encounter their share of Russian spies, ancient mysticism and modern day cyber-misdirection.
I really enjoyed reading this book. I recommend it.
September 24, 2020
Let me start by saying that I enjoyed this quasi-fiction story. Yes, quasi-fiction. Author Santiago Xaman is the writer of “After Olympus”. He created a novel combining fictional characters with published facts of minor historical significance.
The author takes us back to the 1970, when a Soviet spacecraft on a secret mission falls to earth in the Santa Cruz Mountains. On board of the spacecraft there are 3 young men, who are forced to face a critical and central question: Who owns the truth? The format of the book is in the form of journal entries, where the protagonists tell us their journey and where darkest secrets are kept.
This theme, which has implications far beyond the obvious parallel truth, is skillfully handled in “After Olympus”. Xaman's prose is exquisite, since in his narration he combines fictional events and reality in a unique way.
I recommend this novel to all those people who enjoy reading new types of fiction, fictions that are challenging and provocative.
The author takes us back to the 1970, when a Soviet spacecraft on a secret mission falls to earth in the Santa Cruz Mountains. On board of the spacecraft there are 3 young men, who are forced to face a critical and central question: Who owns the truth? The format of the book is in the form of journal entries, where the protagonists tell us their journey and where darkest secrets are kept.
This theme, which has implications far beyond the obvious parallel truth, is skillfully handled in “After Olympus”. Xaman's prose is exquisite, since in his narration he combines fictional events and reality in a unique way.
I recommend this novel to all those people who enjoy reading new types of fiction, fictions that are challenging and provocative.
November 18, 2020
Being a competent and frequent reader, I must admit that I felt impressed by this novel. ‘After Olympus’ is a multilayer story that combines magic, mysticism, mystery and Russian espionage. Santiago Xaman, author and protagonist, has successfully created a thought provoking and captivating story in which reality and fiction become together. In fact, the story is so wittifuly written that it’s quite hard to figure out what is fantasy and what is not.
Santiago, Holmes and Melek set out on an adventure and a mysterious journey after a Soviet spaceship falls near Santiago’s lands. Although the plot seems a bit intricate, there are many compelling action scenes and the narrative includes many unexpected twists that make the story absorbing.
One of my favourite features of the narrative is that it includes many words from different languages such as Spanish and Russian. As Santiago’s childhood took place in Guatemala there are many intercultural references to his native culture and language. All in all, I really enjoyed reading this story.
Santiago, Holmes and Melek set out on an adventure and a mysterious journey after a Soviet spaceship falls near Santiago’s lands. Although the plot seems a bit intricate, there are many compelling action scenes and the narrative includes many unexpected twists that make the story absorbing.
One of my favourite features of the narrative is that it includes many words from different languages such as Spanish and Russian. As Santiago’s childhood took place in Guatemala there are many intercultural references to his native culture and language. All in all, I really enjoyed reading this story.
November 23, 2020
After Olympus explains the events that occured after a Soviet spacecraft crashed to earth in 1978, and 3 young men, who were investigating, ended up questioning reality and what truth really means. They have asked these questions for years and traveled to different places to find answers, but they discovered that this search is not as simple as it might seem. In fact, they come across spies, ancient myths, and all sort of people and cyborgs. They must fight against these situations to help discover the real answers to their problems.
The detailes provided in this book is interesting and the cultural and historical content in the story moves back and forth to make the story entertaining, but fun as-well. Xaman's writing of characters and dialogue is amazing and really playful. His point of view feels like a critique to the actual way the government has of handling decisions and how they always manage to hide the truth. This is one of those books which you really could not predict how much you were going to enjoy it.
The detailes provided in this book is interesting and the cultural and historical content in the story moves back and forth to make the story entertaining, but fun as-well. Xaman's writing of characters and dialogue is amazing and really playful. His point of view feels like a critique to the actual way the government has of handling decisions and how they always manage to hide the truth. This is one of those books which you really could not predict how much you were going to enjoy it.
November 4, 2019
I absolutely adored this book! I loved that it was written as a
narrative, so it felt like I could step into the character’s shoes and see it through their eyes. The
way the author, Santiago Xaman, wrote the emotions was great. I’m definitely into science
fiction, and this book was a great read; there was even a night I didn’t put it down for nearly 4
hours. The language and diction was great, and I really enjoyed the characters and the way
they were described; Holmes was my favorite. I was engaged the whole time, but especially
towards the end as it went past 2019 and delved into the future. I would recommend this book to
a friend if they enjoy science/quasi-fiction, but I think anybody could read this and enjoy it. I also
really enjoyed the scorecards and technical notes throughout the book. I also enjoyed how the
author added dates and years, which made it easy to follow through a 70+ years worth of
content. I adored that the story went on beyond our years, and not just through past history. It
was definitely interesting to read through the year 1963 to past our current year. I liked the way
the book was in sections, almost as if they were journal entries. Overall, I definitely enjoyed this
book. I would recommend it to a friend and would reread it!
narrative, so it felt like I could step into the character’s shoes and see it through their eyes. The
way the author, Santiago Xaman, wrote the emotions was great. I’m definitely into science
fiction, and this book was a great read; there was even a night I didn’t put it down for nearly 4
hours. The language and diction was great, and I really enjoyed the characters and the way
they were described; Holmes was my favorite. I was engaged the whole time, but especially
towards the end as it went past 2019 and delved into the future. I would recommend this book to
a friend if they enjoy science/quasi-fiction, but I think anybody could read this and enjoy it. I also
really enjoyed the scorecards and technical notes throughout the book. I also enjoyed how the
author added dates and years, which made it easy to follow through a 70+ years worth of
content. I adored that the story went on beyond our years, and not just through past history. It
was definitely interesting to read through the year 1963 to past our current year. I liked the way
the book was in sections, almost as if they were journal entries. Overall, I definitely enjoyed this
book. I would recommend it to a friend and would reread it!
November 3, 2019
As a young boy, Santiago lives a rich spiritual life, consorting with supernatural beings and idolizing his older sister as the avatar of Itzel, the Mayan rainbow goddess. Orphaned by a brutal dictator at age nine, he's raised to adulthood by a kindly California couple, but never forgets the magic powers promised him by Xaman Ek, god of travelers. Years later, he witnesses a Soviet satellite fall to Earth, yielding up a Cold War message that tumbles him and his friends into a maelstrom of science vs. magic, espionage vs. invention, and betrayal vs. redemption that consumes them for sixty years. This complex mélange of events and intertwined fates both anchors Santiago in place… and allows him to become something more than human.
A tour-de-force of human potential and magical realism, After Olympus will lead you to question the very nature of existence — and how we define the layers of reality we weave into the tapestries of our lives.
A tour-de-force of human potential and magical realism, After Olympus will lead you to question the very nature of existence — and how we define the layers of reality we weave into the tapestries of our lives.
November 8, 2019
AFTER OLYMPUS by Santiago Xaman was an interesting read. I didn’t know what to expect at first. Is it a spy thriller? Is it a philosophical novel? Is it sci fi? Is it all three? I enjoyed the diary aspect of it. It made me feel closer to Santiago (once I realized the ‘author’ and narrator were the same person) and more invested in the story. There was at least one line from each chapter (usually more) that made me smile or had an “aha” deep thought moment. I kept looking for a pen or pencil as I read to underline my favorite lines. I thought the characterizations and dialogue were crisp and fresh. I felt like the characters were fleshed out nicely – including dialogue quirks, especially from Tasha. At times, I felt as if I was reading a secret/hidden nonfiction diary instead of a work of fiction. I’m not familiar with the author, but, based on AFTER OLYMPUS, I’d check out his other works.
June 4, 2020
After a Top-Secret Soviet spacecraft crashes in the Santa Cruz Mountain Range after a failed mission, three young men face a hard question that most civilizations face when new technologies are implemented at a rapid pace. They have to reconcile the old way of life and beliefs with the new, and who might hold the actual truth? Russian Spies, ancient mysticism and modern day cyber-misdirection all come together in a conspiracy theory tale for the ages. This book was certainly entertaining and will keep you guessing until the end.
Any book that can keep you guessing from the front to the back is a great book. This one certainly will lead you on a merry path with the twists and what you though in the beginning will not be accurate in the end. Hats off to the author, for a job well done! I have never heard of the “Quasi-fictional” genre before, but this is certainly an exciting introduction.
Any book that can keep you guessing from the front to the back is a great book. This one certainly will lead you on a merry path with the twists and what you though in the beginning will not be accurate in the end. Hats off to the author, for a job well done! I have never heard of the “Quasi-fictional” genre before, but this is certainly an exciting introduction.
June 6, 2020
An original and excellent book!
This is an incredible quasi-fictional book, a brand-new kind of genre to enjoy! “After Olympus” was written by Santiago Xaman and it is absolutely compelling.
The story is set in the year 1978 when a Secret Soviet spacecraft impacts in the Santa Cruz Mountain Range due to a failed mission. So, a group of three men must strive to answer several queries about this unfortunate event and the consequences this brings to society. In this story there are lots of turns and twists which captivate the reader´s attention throughout the reading.
It is a well-written and easy to follow story. The characters are well-developed, too. I really loved the writer´s style since I found it difficult to put it down. I am giving it 5 stars out of 5 because I believe that the plot is absorbing and original. For sure, I would like to read other books from this author. I thoroughly recommend this novel to any reader.
This is an incredible quasi-fictional book, a brand-new kind of genre to enjoy! “After Olympus” was written by Santiago Xaman and it is absolutely compelling.
The story is set in the year 1978 when a Secret Soviet spacecraft impacts in the Santa Cruz Mountain Range due to a failed mission. So, a group of three men must strive to answer several queries about this unfortunate event and the consequences this brings to society. In this story there are lots of turns and twists which captivate the reader´s attention throughout the reading.
It is a well-written and easy to follow story. The characters are well-developed, too. I really loved the writer´s style since I found it difficult to put it down. I am giving it 5 stars out of 5 because I believe that the plot is absorbing and original. For sure, I would like to read other books from this author. I thoroughly recommend this novel to any reader.
September 21, 2020
“After Olympus” by debut author Santiago Xaman is a unique philosophical mystery novel, hard to compare with others or even to classify into a one type of writing. Described by Xaman as a work of quasi-fiction, its background nature is to define reality: what is real, what is not real, and what defines each.
While telling the story of three young men trying to find the certainty through a bewildering world of Russian spies, ancient mysticism and modern day cyber-misdirection, the writer blends fact and fiction in a really in-depth plot.
The author did a great job coming up with a unique book, originally and creatively written, in a steady pace and cunningly plotted, with really well-developed characters.
All in all, this is not only an entertaining read, but it also spread your mind out to a magical realism that mystery readers can really enjoy. I definitely recommend it to all of them.
While telling the story of three young men trying to find the certainty through a bewildering world of Russian spies, ancient mysticism and modern day cyber-misdirection, the writer blends fact and fiction in a really in-depth plot.
The author did a great job coming up with a unique book, originally and creatively written, in a steady pace and cunningly plotted, with really well-developed characters.
All in all, this is not only an entertaining read, but it also spread your mind out to a magical realism that mystery readers can really enjoy. I definitely recommend it to all of them.
November 1, 2019
Overall, I liked the book. It jumped around a lot and you had to stay focused . It made one think of how we are so misled and gullible. I do like the fact that they did try to reverse that by sending out the truth. I think that’s what happening now. It’s getting out there little by little. I feel like people are starting to wake up. It’s a shift in energy and hopefully we are rising to a higher frequency.
People are starting to dissect what they hear and read before blindly believing it. I think the three people n the book had distinctly different approaches to solving the puzzle but each one was viable. I think I could have done without the Tasha drama but I see how it fit. The thing with her and Christine was a bit silly to me..
I liked the book as a whole and I think it has a very good message. More fact than fiction.
People are starting to dissect what they hear and read before blindly believing it. I think the three people n the book had distinctly different approaches to solving the puzzle but each one was viable. I think I could have done without the Tasha drama but I see how it fit. The thing with her and Christine was a bit silly to me..
I liked the book as a whole and I think it has a very good message. More fact than fiction.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 15, 2019
This novel by Santiago Xaman tells the tale of a few young men who are questioning reality and what truth really means after a Soviet spacecraft falls into the Santa Cruz Mountains in the late 1970s. They ask this question for decades and travel the globe to find answers for it, but discover that this search isn’t as simple as it might seem. In fact, they come across spies, ancient myths, and even cyber deception. They must fight against these issues to help discover the answers to their life-changing questions.
This quasi-fiction novel is full of plot twists and plenty of interesting characters. However, in some areas scenes can go by a little quickly. It also runs at 303 pages which might be a little long for some. Despite this, it’s definitely a book to check out if you enjoy magical realism or are looking for an interesting read to snuggle up with.
This quasi-fiction novel is full of plot twists and plenty of interesting characters. However, in some areas scenes can go by a little quickly. It also runs at 303 pages which might be a little long for some. Despite this, it’s definitely a book to check out if you enjoy magical realism or are looking for an interesting read to snuggle up with.
January 16, 2020
Well written story that will draw you in and hold you captive.
This is a story that weaves in and out of itself hitting on many different levels. The way it weaves in and out fits perfectly with the story and keeps the reader engrossed and wanting more. It’s real and magical and they both fit together nicely the way the author has threaded the two worlds of fantasy and reality. I didn’t see any reference to a series but I wouldn’t be mad to find out that this is one of a series! I enjoyed the story and the indicate details that brought it all together. The characters are very well written and they really make the fantasy side of the story seem more realistic. Overall I enjoyed the book and really looking forward to reading more from this author and seeing what they bring to the table in the future. I’m certain it will be great.
This is a story that weaves in and out of itself hitting on many different levels. The way it weaves in and out fits perfectly with the story and keeps the reader engrossed and wanting more. It’s real and magical and they both fit together nicely the way the author has threaded the two worlds of fantasy and reality. I didn’t see any reference to a series but I wouldn’t be mad to find out that this is one of a series! I enjoyed the story and the indicate details that brought it all together. The characters are very well written and they really make the fantasy side of the story seem more realistic. Overall I enjoyed the book and really looking forward to reading more from this author and seeing what they bring to the table in the future. I’m certain it will be great.
June 3, 2020
“After Olympus” is a book written by Santiago Xaman. It is his debut novel. The title is really good. As soon as I read it, it called my attention because it is mysterious and it makes you want to find out what it really means. This fiction book is written for a general audience. The best things about the book are the characters, who are very interesting, and the setting, which is presented with photographic detail.
Each part is more exciting than the last one, so I can’t choose one. All of the sections, kept me engaged sitting at the edge of my sit wanting to know what will happen next.
All in all, the ending is very exciting because it is completely unexpected. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys mystery. It’s an easy read and I would say it’s perfect for reading during these quarantines days. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Each part is more exciting than the last one, so I can’t choose one. All of the sections, kept me engaged sitting at the edge of my sit wanting to know what will happen next.
All in all, the ending is very exciting because it is completely unexpected. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys mystery. It’s an easy read and I would say it’s perfect for reading during these quarantines days. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
June 6, 2020
After Olympus, by Santiago Zaman, is a wonderfully written book for any type of reader. It deals with different topics and aspects of life in just one read, what makes the plot unfolds in a really unexpected but catchy way. The lines of reality and fantasy are interwoven all the way from the beginning until the end.
This novel is written in the third person and it is widely descriptive with brilliantly portrayed characters and settings. There are plenty of attractive twists and turns that would hold any reader’s interest to see what happens next.
After reading this book, many of you will question why we sometimes put our own minds in jail and live our lives with limitations that have no explanation.
I believe this book does not really fit into one genre since it stands out from others. It is definitely a page-turner which I totally recommend.
This novel is written in the third person and it is widely descriptive with brilliantly portrayed characters and settings. There are plenty of attractive twists and turns that would hold any reader’s interest to see what happens next.
After reading this book, many of you will question why we sometimes put our own minds in jail and live our lives with limitations that have no explanation.
I believe this book does not really fit into one genre since it stands out from others. It is definitely a page-turner which I totally recommend.
June 8, 2020
“After Olympus”, a work of quasi fiction, was written by Santiago Xaman, debut author. This book has a bit of everything. The reading is very enjoyable and the plot is fully developed. The reader gets caught in the middle of what is real and what is not. This blending of facts and fiction is one of the things that I liked the most and that differentiates this read from others.
Character are well developed and they are quite believable. Moreover, the author’s writing style is captivating; once I started reading it was difficult to put the book down. I will certainly be reading more books from this author.
All in all, it is an enjoyable read that has a unique writing style and for these reasons I am giving it four out of five stars. I will definitely recommend reading After Olympus.
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