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The Aaru Cycle #3
Aaru: Dante's Path
“Everyone who has ever built anywhere a 'new Heaven' first found the power thereto in his own Hell.”
-Friedrich Nietzsche
The virtual paradise of Aaru is destroyed. The lords and ladies are overthrown. Most of the Vedas are captured, and Magic Man’s dark creation, Hel rules with an iron fist, exacting her horrible revenge.
Arch Veda Rose is afraid it’s all her fault. While the defeated lords and ladies sequester themselves in the impregnable tree-fortress of Yggdrasil, Rose decides it is up to her to make things right. Together she, and her bitter rival Matteus decide to work together to secretly infiltrate Hel’s Kingdom of Dis and rescue their tormented friends.
At the same time, Koren has struggles of her own, mourning the untimely death of her father and separation from her sister Rose even as the corrupt megachurch pastor, Benjamin Belial, inserts himself deeper and deeper into her life, affairs, and family, and public opinion turns increasingly against Elysian Industries. Though worlds apart, both sisters must traverse a proverbial Dante’s Path with no guarantee of success or survival.
-Friedrich Nietzsche
The virtual paradise of Aaru is destroyed. The lords and ladies are overthrown. Most of the Vedas are captured, and Magic Man’s dark creation, Hel rules with an iron fist, exacting her horrible revenge.
Arch Veda Rose is afraid it’s all her fault. While the defeated lords and ladies sequester themselves in the impregnable tree-fortress of Yggdrasil, Rose decides it is up to her to make things right. Together she, and her bitter rival Matteus decide to work together to secretly infiltrate Hel’s Kingdom of Dis and rescue their tormented friends.
At the same time, Koren has struggles of her own, mourning the untimely death of her father and separation from her sister Rose even as the corrupt megachurch pastor, Benjamin Belial, inserts himself deeper and deeper into her life, affairs, and family, and public opinion turns increasingly against Elysian Industries. Though worlds apart, both sisters must traverse a proverbial Dante’s Path with no guarantee of success or survival.
479 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 10, 2020
3 people want to read
About the author
David Meredith
4 books83 followersDr. David Meredith is a writer and educator originally from Knoxville, Tennessee. He received both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts from East Tennessee State University, in Johnson City, Tennessee. He received his Doctorate in Educational Leadership (Ed.D.) from Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, Tennessee. On and off, he spent nearly a decade, from 1999-2010 teaching English in Northern Japan, but currently lives with his wife and three children in the Nashville Area where he continues to write and teach English.
Author page: https://www.facebook.com/DavidMeredit...
Author page: https://www.facebook.com/DavidMeredit...
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 27, 2020
David Meredith has outdone himself with the third book in his Aaru series. DANTE’S PATH is a true testament to this author’s talent as he takes us back into his virtual reality afterlife.
Computers are deeply entrenched in our lives and one company found a way to place the consciousness of a deceased person into a virtual reality. Something has been happening in that world. It is being destroyed by a dark entity who has created an anti-heroine, Hel who now rules with an iron fist fueled by the poison of revenge.
Rose must team up with Matteus, her bitter enemy, to free those held by Hel and return their virtual world to the paradise it was meant to be. Can they muster the strength to out match Hel and the Magic Man? Who IS the Magic Man and how has he infiltrated this world? How can he be stopped? Who is Hel? What has tormented and twisted her?
Koren has had to face traumas of her own in the real world. Her life has become a nightmare, a train wreck out of control. Without the support of each other, sisters Rose and Koren must each find a way to the truth.
Brilliant science fiction that readers will get lost in! Characters that come alive, a story that will have readers on the edge of their seats and that “what if” factor that makes this fantasy seem far too possible. Fresh, well-written, masterful world-building and non-stop action that allows our imaginations to run free! David Meredith is a master of his craft!
I received a complimentary copy from David Meredith! This is my honest and voluntary review.
Series: The Aaru's Cycle - Book 3
Publisher : Bowker (September 10, 2020)
Genre: Urban Fantasy | Science Fiction
Print Length : 479 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Computers are deeply entrenched in our lives and one company found a way to place the consciousness of a deceased person into a virtual reality. Something has been happening in that world. It is being destroyed by a dark entity who has created an anti-heroine, Hel who now rules with an iron fist fueled by the poison of revenge.
Rose must team up with Matteus, her bitter enemy, to free those held by Hel and return their virtual world to the paradise it was meant to be. Can they muster the strength to out match Hel and the Magic Man? Who IS the Magic Man and how has he infiltrated this world? How can he be stopped? Who is Hel? What has tormented and twisted her?
Koren has had to face traumas of her own in the real world. Her life has become a nightmare, a train wreck out of control. Without the support of each other, sisters Rose and Koren must each find a way to the truth.
Brilliant science fiction that readers will get lost in! Characters that come alive, a story that will have readers on the edge of their seats and that “what if” factor that makes this fantasy seem far too possible. Fresh, well-written, masterful world-building and non-stop action that allows our imaginations to run free! David Meredith is a master of his craft!
I received a complimentary copy from David Meredith! This is my honest and voluntary review.
Series: The Aaru's Cycle - Book 3
Publisher : Bowker (September 10, 2020)
Genre: Urban Fantasy | Science Fiction
Print Length : 479 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
September 14, 2020
Dante’s Path is the third book in the Aaru series. It picks up right where the second one left off. There are so many storylines in this series and the author is amazing at weaving them together and not losing any of the threads. The characters, including the minor characters are very well fleshed out and I actually care about what happens to many of them. The end tied up a few things, but also set up even more. I’m looking forward to the fourth book now! If you liked the first two Aaru books, you’ll love this third one.
July 16, 2021
Wow! The third book has progressed this story even better. Getting to see not one, but four perspectives in this book was very cool, especially since Hel is a combination of the other three: Rose, Koren, and Magic Man. It is certainly interesting hearing the conflict Hel has between the two parts of her that are split down the middle. I would love to see her act as the third sister in the end, finding what makes her happy as well. Her brutalization and violence against the other residents in quarantine and Vedas was horrible and it broke my heart! All of them had gone through such hardships while they were alive, and I think that was revealed a lot more in this book. Auset is one of my favorite characters, so the poor girl made me sad seeing her like that. :’(
The determination Rose, Kurt, Christopher, and Suzume had to help others and to save everyone was great. It was fantastic to see those bonds. Also, equipping characters with the ability to combat their fears in their avatars was lovely, especially Suzume’s angel wings. (Seriously, she was an angel and I hope to see more of her in the future.) I also was not liking Bill Johnson for a while since he was a pretty bad guy and experienced heavy alcoholism. Quite a few people in my family are like that, so I could put myself into Koren’s shoes with her frustrations. However, his love for his daughters, Hel, even Gypsey after what a witch she was, showed some major character development and true growth after his death.
Another thing I want to mention is the perseverance of Floreliza, Florie, throughout this book. I mean, this girl is tough as nails, having to suffer with the rest of them at the abusive and horrible “reform” place. Honestly, she might be my new favorite character. What she did to bring down the establishment and all she lost, suffered through, she embodies strength.
Ugh, Holly and Kevin (what a pedo!) I’m so glad Amy and the rest of Koren’s team was able to draw attention to the abuse and all of the kids got to leave. It really makes you think there are likely girls like Florie or Ava out there at the religious so-called reform places that are being sexually abused and being gaslighted for it. As sad as it was to read, many of the events call very needed attention to real life happenings like this. The assault Koren and her friends faced, the mother and son with no food and starving, and even Benjamin Belial brainwashing people to follow him under the gias of religion. These are true things that happen so it was very relevant.
The book has never claimed to shy away from terror and is meant to make you think, question, and ponder. It is definitely and has since the beginning, been more of a dark and uncomfortable tale, but in a good way. It is fascinating about the technology and inner workings of this place, Aaru, and how so many characters and personalities go into that. I cannot wait to see how the Hel and Rose partnership goes, especially with the twist at the end, just wow!
I want to thank David for being kind enough to send me a copy of his book in exchange for this honest review. I wish I had read this much sooner, but am so glad I finally did. It only gets better, these books.
Lastly, a special mention to some of my favorite characters: Auset, Suzume, Kurt, Koren, Rose, Bindi
I would love to see more from these characters perspectives, but that’s just my bias! Great book!
The determination Rose, Kurt, Christopher, and Suzume had to help others and to save everyone was great. It was fantastic to see those bonds. Also, equipping characters with the ability to combat their fears in their avatars was lovely, especially Suzume’s angel wings. (Seriously, she was an angel and I hope to see more of her in the future.) I also was not liking Bill Johnson for a while since he was a pretty bad guy and experienced heavy alcoholism. Quite a few people in my family are like that, so I could put myself into Koren’s shoes with her frustrations. However, his love for his daughters, Hel, even Gypsey after what a witch she was, showed some major character development and true growth after his death.
Another thing I want to mention is the perseverance of Floreliza, Florie, throughout this book. I mean, this girl is tough as nails, having to suffer with the rest of them at the abusive and horrible “reform” place. Honestly, she might be my new favorite character. What she did to bring down the establishment and all she lost, suffered through, she embodies strength.
Ugh, Holly and Kevin (what a pedo!) I’m so glad Amy and the rest of Koren’s team was able to draw attention to the abuse and all of the kids got to leave. It really makes you think there are likely girls like Florie or Ava out there at the religious so-called reform places that are being sexually abused and being gaslighted for it. As sad as it was to read, many of the events call very needed attention to real life happenings like this. The assault Koren and her friends faced, the mother and son with no food and starving, and even Benjamin Belial brainwashing people to follow him under the gias of religion. These are true things that happen so it was very relevant.
The book has never claimed to shy away from terror and is meant to make you think, question, and ponder. It is definitely and has since the beginning, been more of a dark and uncomfortable tale, but in a good way. It is fascinating about the technology and inner workings of this place, Aaru, and how so many characters and personalities go into that. I cannot wait to see how the Hel and Rose partnership goes, especially with the twist at the end, just wow!
I want to thank David for being kind enough to send me a copy of his book in exchange for this honest review. I wish I had read this much sooner, but am so glad I finally did. It only gets better, these books.
Lastly, a special mention to some of my favorite characters: Auset, Suzume, Kurt, Koren, Rose, Bindi
I would love to see more from these characters perspectives, but that’s just my bias! Great book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 24, 2020
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this continuation of Aaru. I felt that a lot of it was centered around Koren growing and standing up for herself, which I'm definitely for. I was more fascinated with Koren's side of things this time around. I thought her situation was really interesting, and I was rooting for her to come out of it in a really strong way, which she did. The ending has me so excited for the next book and I can't wait to see the new dynamic between Hel and Rose. I'm trying to not go too deep into this because I don't want to give out spoilers, but I'm really glad I got a chance to read this. Can't wait to read more.
For my full review check out: https://linzthebookworm.blogspot.com/...
I really enjoyed this continuation of Aaru. I felt that a lot of it was centered around Koren growing and standing up for herself, which I'm definitely for. I was more fascinated with Koren's side of things this time around. I thought her situation was really interesting, and I was rooting for her to come out of it in a really strong way, which she did. The ending has me so excited for the next book and I can't wait to see the new dynamic between Hel and Rose. I'm trying to not go too deep into this because I don't want to give out spoilers, but I'm really glad I got a chance to read this. Can't wait to read more.
For my full review check out: https://linzthebookworm.blogspot.com/...
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews