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Leviathan
"I am not a monster."
Ramona Knox is a rookie agent at the FBI with a special advantage; since she was a child, Ramona has been visited by a suited man who says he is Death.
Now on her first case with the Bureau in Washington, Ro is assigned to apprehend a heinous group of child traffickers led by the enigmatic Jordan West.
As another child goes missing, Ramona must capitalize on every lead, leaving no stone unturned. As she and her friend Death venture further down the rabbit hole, West’s trail leads through the Catholic Church, the Bureau and into the afterlife itself. And as the evidence mounts, Ramona begins to believe her old companion might know more about her fate than he’s letting on.
Can Ramona follow the trail to Jordan West and save a young child? Or will she fall into the same trap which has already claimed other agents?
Urban fantasy meets kidnapping thriller in the first installment in The Book of Death series! Get your copy now!
Ramona Knox is a rookie agent at the FBI with a special advantage; since she was a child, Ramona has been visited by a suited man who says he is Death.
Now on her first case with the Bureau in Washington, Ro is assigned to apprehend a heinous group of child traffickers led by the enigmatic Jordan West.
As another child goes missing, Ramona must capitalize on every lead, leaving no stone unturned. As she and her friend Death venture further down the rabbit hole, West’s trail leads through the Catholic Church, the Bureau and into the afterlife itself. And as the evidence mounts, Ramona begins to believe her old companion might know more about her fate than he’s letting on.
Can Ramona follow the trail to Jordan West and save a young child? Or will she fall into the same trap which has already claimed other agents?
Urban fantasy meets kidnapping thriller in the first installment in The Book of Death series! Get your copy now!
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
October 7, 2019
Those familiar with Nicholas Gagnier’s work will certainly appreciate Leviathan for its inventiveness, depth of character development and plot, and the parallels between his creative worlds and reality. Gagnier’s fiction is always thrilling and thought provoking; within are messages society needs to hear.
FBI agent Ramona Knox is the perfect protagonist to inhabit the land of Leviathan—the Capitol, where child abductions have become a plague. Knox is dark and guarded, intelligent, and has an odd relationship with a man that is Death. I was immediately taken with her, and found myself admiring her brain and tactics.
As always, Gagnier keeps his story line right and tight, but never fails to throw the leader for a loop with his genius twists. Though reading his previous work is not a must to follow Leviathan, I highly recommend you do read them. From his book, Gagnier just gets better and better.
FBI agent Ramona Knox is the perfect protagonist to inhabit the land of Leviathan—the Capitol, where child abductions have become a plague. Knox is dark and guarded, intelligent, and has an odd relationship with a man that is Death. I was immediately taken with her, and found myself admiring her brain and tactics.
As always, Gagnier keeps his story line right and tight, but never fails to throw the leader for a loop with his genius twists. Though reading his previous work is not a must to follow Leviathan, I highly recommend you do read them. From his book, Gagnier just gets better and better.
December 4, 2019
Gagnier is a leading indie author for a really good reason, his output is beyond compare. The man is a literal machine in how much work he produces. Sometimes that can be a bad thing, a writer can water themselves down by having an addiction to writing and runs thin on depth. We've all read the one book a writer wrote that was superb and then wondered how they wrote such bad or weak books afterwards. What sets the tone for a writer of substance is one who is able, each and every time to PRODUCE. I think of Jonathan Kellerman who is a favorite pulp writer of mine - nearly all of his 50 plus books are superb and it's rare for him to disappoint. I can't say the same for many others authors I routinely read. Therefore when Gagnier let me know this had dropped I was stunned at his productivity and at the back of my mind I wondered how it could be as good as some of his other works? Here's the thing though, so far he's not let me down. His mind seems to be able to wrap itself around ANY subject and this one in particular really gripped me. I've read books before by Gagnier where he has law-enforcement but I wondered if he could pull it off to write not only with an FBI Agent but a female one, as lead. I should have known better. In his previous novels Gagnier has proven his virtuosity at writing women, and children, he's got the gift and that means your characters are whole and substantive and stay with you long after the book is over. I hope we see this character again because she was someone I grew to like very much, in that raw and vulnerable way Gagnier always paints his characters - which I think humbles them and ensures a level of realism you don't get with the more 'perfect' characters seen in other authors books. This was a real adventure and I loved it for the unexpected twists of plot and exciting storyline. In particular I was really surprised and impressed with how Gagnier was able to combine the phantasmagoric again with 'ordinary life' I think this has to be his calling card and something rarely done in fiction - even indie fiction. He reminds me a lot of Gabriel Garcia Marquez in his alacrity with feelings and fantasy that are neither disturbed or diluted by the other, they rest equally in the sub-text and ensure the novel has strong legs. You can't read an ordinary book by this man, he's always going to surprise you, he's always got something up his sleeve and this is no exception. I found it really interesting to read this AFTER reading a hard science fiction novel by Gagnier, because reading them back to back I saw his versatility as an author up close and personal and how adept he is with different voices and world views. He's able to really suck you into any concept he possesses and you believe it utterly. I've yet to dislike an idea Gagnier has had, and I continue to marvel at his prodigious success as an indie writer of our time. If you want to read something that will stay with you and not disappoint you with a flat, predictable ending, this is a terrific choice. Just be aware, nothing is as it seems!
December 13, 2019
No stranger to Gagnier’s work this was another enjoyable read and somewhat thrilling until the sanctimonious villain appeared. The plot twist was, unfortunately, predictable and the dissent into the dystopian supernatural called for too much suspension of belief, in my opinon.
As a stand alone read, and if I were new to Gagnier’s work, it is well written with his trademark dialogue helping any reader quickly empathise with some characters, understand others and wish to launch vitriol at a few. Gagnier has always done characters well.
However, as a reader of the Olivia and Hale series, I felt the villain (no spoilers) is a trope building upon villains within Gagnier’s first series. Their actions and the reactions to them felt familiar, done before and for a much higher purpose than the one laid out in Leviathan.
Will I continue to read to find out what happens to Knox? Of course. But do I feel perhaps this world and its characters are being drawn out? Yes. Or at least for now, that’s my judgement.
That said, if you love thrillers - read it. If you love superb characterisation in the likes of Ramona Knox, read it; in this realm Gagnier does not disappoint.
As a stand alone read, and if I were new to Gagnier’s work, it is well written with his trademark dialogue helping any reader quickly empathise with some characters, understand others and wish to launch vitriol at a few. Gagnier has always done characters well.
However, as a reader of the Olivia and Hale series, I felt the villain (no spoilers) is a trope building upon villains within Gagnier’s first series. Their actions and the reactions to them felt familiar, done before and for a much higher purpose than the one laid out in Leviathan.
Will I continue to read to find out what happens to Knox? Of course. But do I feel perhaps this world and its characters are being drawn out? Yes. Or at least for now, that’s my judgement.
That said, if you love thrillers - read it. If you love superb characterisation in the likes of Ramona Knox, read it; in this realm Gagnier does not disappoint.
August 11, 2019
Follow the life of Ramona Knox, FBI Agent rookie. She thinks she's heartless. She thinks she's cold. Her only friend is Death. And he's not really a guy you can sit down and have a chat with. She's handed the most important case the FBI has... and she's brand new. Her Director and her Quantico mentor have faith in her. Her new partner? Not so much. As she works hard to solve the case and make an impression on her partner, she runs into a whole lot of trouble. And more questions. She's a good agent, great detective and yes, kind of cold. But as dark as the book is, it's something that could definitely happen, maybe has happened, in history. It's gritty and action filled and terrifying because of the realness of the situations she becomes entangled in. And though it's not the type of fantasy I normally read, I'm SO glad I gave it a chance. It was well worth the sleepless nights (due to me not wanting to stop reading)!
November 7, 2019
Outstanding! Action-packed!
The Book of Death: Leviathan is a suspenseful and twisted thriller with supernatural elements that will keep you racing to turn the pages to see what will happen next. This book is action packed, and it takes you on a journey into the life of a rookie FBI agent, Ramona Knox, who’s tragic past still lurks in the recesses of her mind. Ramona is a compelling character that is willing to sacrifice herself in the name of justice for whom she is fighting. There are twists and turns throughout the book, and there’s no way the reader will guess the ending.
Nicholas Gagnier is a talented author who understands the depths of darkness on emotional and psychological levels. He vividly paints a picture of each scene with great detail, and the reader feels like he/she is inside the story and in the minds of the characters. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an exciting and page-turning read.
The Book of Death: Leviathan is a suspenseful and twisted thriller with supernatural elements that will keep you racing to turn the pages to see what will happen next. This book is action packed, and it takes you on a journey into the life of a rookie FBI agent, Ramona Knox, who’s tragic past still lurks in the recesses of her mind. Ramona is a compelling character that is willing to sacrifice herself in the name of justice for whom she is fighting. There are twists and turns throughout the book, and there’s no way the reader will guess the ending.
Nicholas Gagnier is a talented author who understands the depths of darkness on emotional and psychological levels. He vividly paints a picture of each scene with great detail, and the reader feels like he/she is inside the story and in the minds of the characters. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an exciting and page-turning read.
July 6, 2019
I haven't read the first series that this is a spin off of, and I didn't need to - that said I now really want to. The world is built and balanced on unfairness. This is the underlying theme of the story and there is a lot of death and heart ache to prove it. Definetly cried more than once as a result, but I still can't wait to see what happens next. If you like a good supernatural mystery, this book is for you.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 15, 2019
This book has well laid out characters, each have a purpose, and depth, with unique traits. Loved the flow of this story, all the surprises, and twist keep me reading. Didn't get anything done today because I couldn't put this book down. I felt the main characters pain through out this book and loved her view on life, death and duty. There were a few points that I was teary eyed, and willing the words to be read faster so I could uncover more of the story quicker.
June 29, 2019
I love this fresh new FBI thriller. Rookie FBI agent Ramona Knox is a strong female character trying to solve a number of child abductions. She uses all her knowledge and other special advantages, including a buddy named Death.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 8, 2019
What a ride! This is a great thriller, much like a America's Most Wanted story meets Supernatural and Constantine with a strong female lead!
I would lightly recommend reading Olivia and Hale first (even of just the last book). However it's not really necessary since this can stand on its own. Looking forward to follow ups in this series or anything related.
I would lightly recommend reading Olivia and Hale first (even of just the last book). However it's not really necessary since this can stand on its own. Looking forward to follow ups in this series or anything related.
June 28, 2019
Such an awesome idea, this book takes us to a place where we cannot imagine going. I love the characters and the story and the total idea. I am so looking forward to more from this author in this topic.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 1, 2019
Very good book! Definitely, suggest starting with Olivia and Hale. I read this as an offer from the author in Discord, and it is something that can be read and understood as a standalone. The characters feel real and this book is an emotional ride.
March 20, 2022
Full of tired clichées and bad tropes as well as all the typical mistakes most new authors seem to make.
Tough cops posing and spouting tired one-liners to establish how badass they are.
Paltry statements by the MC that are treated like they hold incredibly genius insight.
The only thing the MC ever does for the investigation is to stumble across a perpetrator in the act entirely accidentally while not even looking for anything.
The book tries for a dark atmosphere with no happy endings but the attempt is very transparent and shallow.
For that matter, "shallow" is a term that describes most aspects of the book.
The book very much feels like watching a low-tier crime show in many ways.
Flashback repetition of information like you typically see in those TV shows to remind the viewer of the information from previous episodes in case they missed it.
But in this case, it's stuff that just happened like 2 pages before in the same book!
It tries to replicate a TV series in book form without really understanding any of the different storytelling and scene-setting tools in film and literature.
wtf is police procedure, this is urban fantasy, I can make up my own police procedure.
Everything is just contrived and unbelievable and at the same time, the book doesn't have an interesting story to tell.
It's not unbelievable plot conveniences that are used to get to some important point in the story. It just follows an illogical chain of events surrounded by empty and unbelievable world-building.
All this makes it kind of a nothing-burger.
There are only two good things I can say.
First, I found the supernatural element of the MC talking to someone that has taken on the role of Death quite intriguing. While this is not a new idea in any way, the way it is presented here makes it interesting nonetheless.
And second, the book does a good job at building up the heavy, depressing, and gloomy atmosphere it is aiming for. In itself, this is something quite a few seasoned authors struggle with, but the book doesn't do anything with it. It really just makes it more exhausting to read.
It's just a "catch the bad guy" story and that's it. But the process of getting there is in no way believable or interesting.
It's not horrible but it's just not good in any way either.
Tough cops posing and spouting tired one-liners to establish how badass they are.
Paltry statements by the MC that are treated like they hold incredibly genius insight.
The only thing the MC ever does for the investigation is to stumble across a perpetrator in the act entirely accidentally while not even looking for anything.
The book tries for a dark atmosphere with no happy endings but the attempt is very transparent and shallow.
For that matter, "shallow" is a term that describes most aspects of the book.
The book very much feels like watching a low-tier crime show in many ways.
Flashback repetition of information like you typically see in those TV shows to remind the viewer of the information from previous episodes in case they missed it.
But in this case, it's stuff that just happened like 2 pages before in the same book!
It tries to replicate a TV series in book form without really understanding any of the different storytelling and scene-setting tools in film and literature.
wtf is police procedure, this is urban fantasy, I can make up my own police procedure.
Everything is just contrived and unbelievable and at the same time, the book doesn't have an interesting story to tell.
It's not unbelievable plot conveniences that are used to get to some important point in the story. It just follows an illogical chain of events surrounded by empty and unbelievable world-building.
All this makes it kind of a nothing-burger.
There are only two good things I can say.
First, I found the supernatural element of the MC talking to someone that has taken on the role of Death quite intriguing. While this is not a new idea in any way, the way it is presented here makes it interesting nonetheless.
And second, the book does a good job at building up the heavy, depressing, and gloomy atmosphere it is aiming for. In itself, this is something quite a few seasoned authors struggle with, but the book doesn't do anything with it. It really just makes it more exhausting to read.
It's just a "catch the bad guy" story and that's it. But the process of getting there is in no way believable or interesting.
It's not horrible but it's just not good in any way either.
April 19, 2020
Unique, dark and enticing.
Leviathan is the first book by Nicholas Gagnier I've read, and I can say I don’t think I’ve ever read a book quite like that. I picked it up, not sure what to expect, but as soon as I started reading the prologue, I was hooked.
The world created by the author is painful in its reality. It’s not beautiful. It’s dark and gritty. It’s the world where children are disappearing, and the FBI can’t do anything to stop it. Ramona, the main character, is a young woman with a hard past. She is not a perfect kick-ass female protagonist who laughs in the face of danger, no matter what that danger is. She thinks her soul is dark and her only friend is the man who calls himself Death… She has flaws and imperfections, but she is a strong person who would sacrifice everything to help a child.
From the first page of this book to its last, the story is a non-stop action and an emotional roller coaster. It’s original and unpredictable. Just when you think you got it figured out, the next chapter proves you wrong.
If you like magical realism with a lot of action, well-developed characters, and an unpredictable plot, then I would highly recommend this book to you. I know after reading Leviathan, I want to read other books by this author.
Leviathan is the first book by Nicholas Gagnier I've read, and I can say I don’t think I’ve ever read a book quite like that. I picked it up, not sure what to expect, but as soon as I started reading the prologue, I was hooked.
The world created by the author is painful in its reality. It’s not beautiful. It’s dark and gritty. It’s the world where children are disappearing, and the FBI can’t do anything to stop it. Ramona, the main character, is a young woman with a hard past. She is not a perfect kick-ass female protagonist who laughs in the face of danger, no matter what that danger is. She thinks her soul is dark and her only friend is the man who calls himself Death… She has flaws and imperfections, but she is a strong person who would sacrifice everything to help a child.
From the first page of this book to its last, the story is a non-stop action and an emotional roller coaster. It’s original and unpredictable. Just when you think you got it figured out, the next chapter proves you wrong.
If you like magical realism with a lot of action, well-developed characters, and an unpredictable plot, then I would highly recommend this book to you. I know after reading Leviathan, I want to read other books by this author.
April 5, 2021
When I read that the plot revolves around someone that for most of her life has seen a stranger claiming to be Death, I had to take this ride.
'Leviathan' is the first book of a fantasy series called 'The Books of Death,' which in turn is a spin-off of a the 'Olivia&Hale' series. Obviously, you'd probably be better off reading the whole work, but I started from 'Leviathan' and Gagnier makes sure that you'll be up to speed as the series proceeds, so don't worry.
This one book, though not the whole series, is actually as much a thriller as it is a fantasy, with protagonist FBI rookie Ramona Knox charged with stopping a nasty series of children abduction. The story has its fair amount of twist and turn, and if you're a fan of the genre you'll probably find yourself reading page after page trying to see how the case will get solved.
Ramona is nice character, in which she's "human" (hurt and sometimes lacking self-confidence) and yet a good egg. I appreciate the fact that she is presented as a no-nonsense person, though I must admit my only criticism is that at times she sounds a bit too badass.
All in all, this is a very good blend of genres and I can definitely see why Gagnier receives as much love and praises as he does. It is also a great start for a great series.
'Leviathan' is the first book of a fantasy series called 'The Books of Death,' which in turn is a spin-off of a the 'Olivia&Hale' series. Obviously, you'd probably be better off reading the whole work, but I started from 'Leviathan' and Gagnier makes sure that you'll be up to speed as the series proceeds, so don't worry.
This one book, though not the whole series, is actually as much a thriller as it is a fantasy, with protagonist FBI rookie Ramona Knox charged with stopping a nasty series of children abduction. The story has its fair amount of twist and turn, and if you're a fan of the genre you'll probably find yourself reading page after page trying to see how the case will get solved.
Ramona is nice character, in which she's "human" (hurt and sometimes lacking self-confidence) and yet a good egg. I appreciate the fact that she is presented as a no-nonsense person, though I must admit my only criticism is that at times she sounds a bit too badass.
All in all, this is a very good blend of genres and I can definitely see why Gagnier receives as much love and praises as he does. It is also a great start for a great series.
May 22, 2020
Gripping and Gritty Suspense Dunked in Supernatural Thrills
I was hooked on Leviathan right from the get go! Rookie FBI Agent Ramona Knox is a strong female protagonist who has suffered the hard knocks of life and is a product of her traumatic experiences. A self proclaimed sociopath. Dead inside. Despite this belief of herself she is driven to hunt down a ring of child abductors and to save their most recent victim, while simultaneously unraveling the mystery of the Grim Reaper's life long obsession with her.
Nicholas Gagnier is a talented writer with a mastery over written language that gives the reader a clear vision of characters, setting and action, but exerting a level control over the revelations of the story in a way that kept me grasping for clarity of what was really going on between some of the characters and situations. I mean this in the very best way. The author teases with some details, holds back full meaning in some interchanges, etc. And I just had to keep plunging onward with Ramona to get the answers!
What a crazy ride! I loved this book and cannot wait to move on to the next!!
I was hooked on Leviathan right from the get go! Rookie FBI Agent Ramona Knox is a strong female protagonist who has suffered the hard knocks of life and is a product of her traumatic experiences. A self proclaimed sociopath. Dead inside. Despite this belief of herself she is driven to hunt down a ring of child abductors and to save their most recent victim, while simultaneously unraveling the mystery of the Grim Reaper's life long obsession with her.
Nicholas Gagnier is a talented writer with a mastery over written language that gives the reader a clear vision of characters, setting and action, but exerting a level control over the revelations of the story in a way that kept me grasping for clarity of what was really going on between some of the characters and situations. I mean this in the very best way. The author teases with some details, holds back full meaning in some interchanges, etc. And I just had to keep plunging onward with Ramona to get the answers!
What a crazy ride! I loved this book and cannot wait to move on to the next!!
June 22, 2020
This was my first book by N. Garnier. I was surprised by how entertaining it was. I usually don't read thriller, but the synopsis was catchy enough, and then the intrigue kept me reading. I finished Leviathan in a week-end, reading chapters every time I had a moment alone. The events flow as in a movie with a lot of action scenes. Garnier's job on Ramona was a fresh breath as she never sees herself as a victim but keeps assuming her choices with that kick-ass, dark personality one expects in an FBI agent. The supernaturals elements were a bit too much at some points (I think that Tim's presence would have been enough - in a "ghost" way), considering the quality of the realistic parts. But the Book of Death is really worth your time!
June 2, 2021
Leviathan is a refreshingly original story - imagine Jessica Jones if she had a guardian angel - and that guardian angel was actually Death. The mixture of dark mystery and urban fantasy immediately pulled me right in. Based on previous books I've read, I often (wrongly) thought I knew exactly what was going to happen, but was surprised by each twist. Gagnier was able to expertly make supernatural elements seem believable and like they belonged in the real world setting. The preview of book two made me VERY excited to keep reading! I highly recommend the audiobook!
June 17, 2023
I have never read a book by this author before but I was not disappointed because it was not what I was honestly expecting.
Ups and downs throughout the entire story and I enjoyed not knowing where he would take the characters and their stories next. I do like the FBI rookie that has the horrible past but is willing to do whatever whenever. I got some Supernatural vibes in here and LOVE a strong-willed FMC.
I would like to thank Nicholas for the Ebook and note that all of my thoughts/opinions are completely my own.
Ups and downs throughout the entire story and I enjoyed not knowing where he would take the characters and their stories next. I do like the FBI rookie that has the horrible past but is willing to do whatever whenever. I got some Supernatural vibes in here and LOVE a strong-willed FMC.
I would like to thank Nicholas for the Ebook and note that all of my thoughts/opinions are completely my own.
August 16, 2021
I found this book interesting, but the MC has a extremely depressing life and it though very busy does not get much better. I starts out very much like our world, but then changes( reason explained in book) to a Parallel Earth. Narrator does a good job with the characters and storyline.
September 5, 2021
I see this is a 'series' however the next book has nothing to do with the main character of this one, so I will pass.
December 2, 2021
This book has a very Noir feel to it
Urban fantasy elements are a bit light but overall really enjoyed it!
Urban fantasy elements are a bit light but overall really enjoyed it!
July 15, 2019
This is the 1st book I've read written by Nicholas Gagnier; he has done a great job at writing a good book; I will definitely be reading more of his books.
The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.
I loved the characters.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.
I loved the characters.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews