IMAGO

by Greg Belliveau, G.K. Belliveau

Christopher Dante and his Uncle Hal work for the Universal Salvage Company scrapping discarded metal and stone outside the ruined city of Cogstin. It has been four hundred years since “The Event,” an unknown expulsion of energy that wiped out this once cultural center of the world. Little is know about what actually happened, but it is rumored that “The Event” was the last ditch effort to prevent the merging of two universes. It is a world controlled and monitored, a world of roles and selections, a top down world instituted so that “The Event” can never happen again. But one day while scrapping in the mysterious, ruined city of Cogstin, Christopher Christopher discovers a secret that forces him to face his past and his future, a truth so powerful that it could destroy everyone and everything he knows.

242 pages, ebook

Published November 1, 2019

About the author

This author also writes under the pen name G.K. Belliveau.

Reviews

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a well-written book. Unfortunately, I didn’t care for it. That doesn’t mean it’s not a good book (thus the 4 Stars). It was just a little too graphically horrific for me. But, that being said… that sort of means that it is a good book because it affected me. The author grabbed me and held onto me (unfortunately) and didn’t let me look away although I very much wanted to in some places. There were a few minor editorial issues that caught my eye, but almost every book has those. The book also reminded me a bit of Dante’s “Inferno” – the descent into Hell, the levels, everything. Plus, the whole character’s name thing. There is dark magic going on among other things. It’s kind of weird, kind of disgusting, kind of deep, kind of interesting, kind of a lot of things. But it is interesting, and that’s what counts.

Recommendation: If you like dark dystopian-type stories that can be a tad on the graphic side, you’ll probably like this one. It was definitely not my kind of story, but it is a well-written book.

Disclaimer: Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

[Aidan Toole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderfully bizarre book!
You are thrown into this world and situation that seems really confusing but also really interesting. You may have a lot of questions throughout the book but by the end they are mostly answered I promise. Just enjoy the ride!

I didn’t really understand everything that was happening for a lot of the book but it was so entertaining nonetheless! It’s pretty dystopian then some crazy magic stuff starts happening and you get a puzzle piece every couple chapters that explains what “The Event” is and who the main character is and it’s great.

There are some gruesome moments so beware.
There are also some things about the government I don’t understand but it’s not really important for the ending so it’s fine

About to read the sequel which seems like it’s about a whole other aspect of this world which is exciting.

[Gregory Didaleusky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Greg Belliveau's science fiction novel IMAGO captures your interest from the first pages regarding the "The Event," a mysterious and cataclysmic event occurring four hundred years ago destroying the city of Cogstin, the cultural center of the world. Christopher Dante, Uncle Hal, his legal custodian and Max work for Universal Salvage Company. Their job is to venture into Cogstin to salvage metal, piping and wooden planks under the watchful eye of Agent Smiley of the NRM Bureau of Corrections, Dante's parole officer. Christopher is haunted by a continuous vision of a glassed-in room and a white cushioned chaise lounge and the repeated inner voice saying: Sing to me, oh muse.
There is a secret shadowing our main protagonist, Christopher Dante, as he questions the true role of the antagonist Imago and the image of a butterfly. Both seem to play a significant aspect of his past and future. The problem is Dante hasn't any answers to these two questions. His quest for the truth takes him to the forbidden Sector 17 of Cogstin. Will the truth liberate Dante, or will it destroy him?
As a mystery/suspense/thriller author, I recommend IMAGO to readers looking for a well-written, science fiction novel touching the genres of mystery, suspense, adventure and an unexpected climax that answers Dante's questions, along with what his inner voice and visions mean.

[G Belliveau · Rating 5 out of 5]

“A compelling, fearsome, imaginative story about finding horror and hope in the ruins of the world."

--Benjamin Percy, author of Suicide Woods, The Dark Net, Red Moon, and Thrill Me.

Greg Belliveau’s story puts him in the company of China Miéville, or the Kazuo Ishiguro of The Unconsoled, of films such as The Matrix and Dark City. Beyond that, there are tantalizing echoes everywhere of The Divine Comedy. Readers, hang on tight, Greg Belliveau will take you on one hell of a wild ride.

- David Long, author of The Falling Boy and The Inhabited World