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Notna
History’s most peaceful race created one of its deadliest weapons.Forged in the Living Flame by a long-extinct alien race, The Gem of Notna is the stuff of legends, on par with Pandora’s Box or the Holy Grail. But once archaeologist Dr. Jack Corbett stumbled upon the crystal deep in the Amazon, he triggered a whirlwind of events and found himself neck-deep in a centuries-old holy war. The Divine and the Underworld have been locked in a virtual stalemate for the past three hundred years, and the Gem of Notna could be the key to breaking it.With the gem in his possession, Jack discovers a world of monsters and gods, as well as an entirely different plane of existence that watches over our own. Old grudges resurface, fallen warriors are reborn in the most violent of ways, but at the end of the day, the fate of the world may well rest in Jack’s hands.J.D. Cunegan (Bounty, Blood Ties) introduces Notna, a supernatural fantasy epic that will leave readers flipping through the pages with every twist and turn. Grand in scale and steeped in the very comic book lore that lured Cunegan to writing in the first place, Notna proves that anyone can save the world – or die trying.
366 pages, Paperback
Published October 7, 2017
3 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
About the author
J.D. Cunegan
16 books143 followersFiction is the weapon I wield against an unjust world I am powerless to change.
J.D. Cunegan has a unique writing style that introduces the reader to his comic book-inspired storytelling and fast-paced prose. A lifelong storyteller with a passion for writing, Cunegan has an extensive background in journalism, media relations, and marketing. Cunegan currently lives in Hampton, Virginia, with his cat, and next to stories, his big passion in life in auto racing. When not hunched in front of a keyboard or with his nose stuck in a book, Cunegan can be found at a racetrack or watching a race on TV.
DISCLAIMER
None of my work contains material or content originating from Generative AI. My novels, short stories, non-fiction books, and the covers representing them were created solely by human writers and artists, and I do not condone or consent to the use of my material, or the material of the cover artists with whom I’ve worked, in training any Generative AI program.
Email: jdcunegan@gmail.com
J.D. Cunegan has a unique writing style that introduces the reader to his comic book-inspired storytelling and fast-paced prose. A lifelong storyteller with a passion for writing, Cunegan has an extensive background in journalism, media relations, and marketing. Cunegan currently lives in Hampton, Virginia, with his cat, and next to stories, his big passion in life in auto racing. When not hunched in front of a keyboard or with his nose stuck in a book, Cunegan can be found at a racetrack or watching a race on TV.
DISCLAIMER
None of my work contains material or content originating from Generative AI. My novels, short stories, non-fiction books, and the covers representing them were created solely by human writers and artists, and I do not condone or consent to the use of my material, or the material of the cover artists with whom I’ve worked, in training any Generative AI program.
Email: jdcunegan@gmail.com
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 31, 2020
Buffy meets Indiana Jones in Supernatural Style! Buckle up ladies and gents cause this is one hell of a ride!
Dr. Jack Corbett is a renowned archaeologist specializing in non-Christian history and symbology. And he is a black man teaching these subjects in the heart of the Bible Belt, where many of the devout don't take kindly to history lessons that went against their teachings. To say that Jack has seen quite a few astonishing things in his career would be an understatement. And yet, there was nothing that even remotely prepared him for the consequences of accepting a tempting job offer from the Smithsonian. Retrieve the fabled Gem of Notna from Brazil.
Fly there, retrieve the artifact and return. Easy right?!
It should practically be a piece of cake for Jack and his partner Cassandra.
Except that no one had counted on a deadly weapon with a mind of its own, freaky monsters from the Underworld, supernatural warriors, or gods. Jack and Cassandra trigger a whirlwind of events and find themselves neck-deep in an honest-to-goodness centuries-old holy war. The Divine and the Underworld have been locked in a virtual stalemate for the past three hundred years, and the Gem of Notna could be the key to breaking it.
And then there is that ominous prophecy about the Chosen One, meant to save the world, that irks Cassandra to no end, because Why is the Chosen One always a he?!
It foretells a mighty warrior chosen to represent the Divine and balance the scales.
And yet,
'Funny thing about prophecies. Even the ones that turn out to be right are terribly unreliable.'
Cassandra 'kind of tossing a vampire out the window' makes for more than enough proof that things aren't as expected. She is after all, NOT The Chosen One.
so "Drop the macho act Jack. Can the chivalry and stop with the bullshit."
This woman will not stand back and sit on the sidelines.
An art student whose dream vacation suddenly turns into the world's most confusing babysitting adventure for a man who literally falls straight out of the sky... Gods out of time who prove to be
quite a disappointment because they 'weren't supposed to be such assholes' .... A power hungry demon who delights in gruesome gore and wants to rule the Universe... And perhaps the deadliest weapon ever forged.
Intense battles and deliciously gruesome gore, an epic war between good and evil and badass warriors reborn in the most violent ways, relatable characters with great depth, a unique story full of thrilling action complete with a touch of solid romance and a brilliant mix of myths and genres. This tale has it all! Including one of the most awesome opening scenes ever!
Great characterization will have you rooting in no time for not only the MCs, but secondary cast as well. The masterfully laid pace will have you slowly pick up threads from both different timelines and POVs, piecing the story together like one huge giant puzzle. The witty banter will have your lips curl up in a smile while the gory scenes will literally make you shudder.
And all of it combined is bound to give you that nice feel of watching a thrilling edge-of-the seat blockbuster movie.
Great prose, fabulous action, beautiful character growth and a masterfully unveiling plot, Cunegan delivers on each and every count.
Notna is thrilling, epic, unique and badass awesome!
And if you're a fan of Supernatural, Buffy or Indiana Jones, YOU HAVE GOT TO GIVE IT A TRY!
Happy reading ya'all
and always remember:
Sometimes, when things are at their worst, people will show you their best.
Find this review and more on my book review and cover art blog The Magic Book Corner
Dr. Jack Corbett is a renowned archaeologist specializing in non-Christian history and symbology. And he is a black man teaching these subjects in the heart of the Bible Belt, where many of the devout don't take kindly to history lessons that went against their teachings. To say that Jack has seen quite a few astonishing things in his career would be an understatement. And yet, there was nothing that even remotely prepared him for the consequences of accepting a tempting job offer from the Smithsonian. Retrieve the fabled Gem of Notna from Brazil.
Fly there, retrieve the artifact and return. Easy right?!
It should practically be a piece of cake for Jack and his partner Cassandra.
Except that no one had counted on a deadly weapon with a mind of its own, freaky monsters from the Underworld, supernatural warriors, or gods. Jack and Cassandra trigger a whirlwind of events and find themselves neck-deep in an honest-to-goodness centuries-old holy war. The Divine and the Underworld have been locked in a virtual stalemate for the past three hundred years, and the Gem of Notna could be the key to breaking it.
And then there is that ominous prophecy about the Chosen One, meant to save the world, that irks Cassandra to no end, because Why is the Chosen One always a he?!
It foretells a mighty warrior chosen to represent the Divine and balance the scales.
And yet,
'Funny thing about prophecies. Even the ones that turn out to be right are terribly unreliable.'
Cassandra 'kind of tossing a vampire out the window' makes for more than enough proof that things aren't as expected. She is after all, NOT The Chosen One.
so "Drop the macho act Jack. Can the chivalry and stop with the bullshit."
This woman will not stand back and sit on the sidelines.
An art student whose dream vacation suddenly turns into the world's most confusing babysitting adventure for a man who literally falls straight out of the sky... Gods out of time who prove to be
quite a disappointment because they 'weren't supposed to be such assholes' .... A power hungry demon who delights in gruesome gore and wants to rule the Universe... And perhaps the deadliest weapon ever forged.
Intense battles and deliciously gruesome gore, an epic war between good and evil and badass warriors reborn in the most violent ways, relatable characters with great depth, a unique story full of thrilling action complete with a touch of solid romance and a brilliant mix of myths and genres. This tale has it all! Including one of the most awesome opening scenes ever!
Great characterization will have you rooting in no time for not only the MCs, but secondary cast as well. The masterfully laid pace will have you slowly pick up threads from both different timelines and POVs, piecing the story together like one huge giant puzzle. The witty banter will have your lips curl up in a smile while the gory scenes will literally make you shudder.
And all of it combined is bound to give you that nice feel of watching a thrilling edge-of-the seat blockbuster movie.
Great prose, fabulous action, beautiful character growth and a masterfully unveiling plot, Cunegan delivers on each and every count.
Notna is thrilling, epic, unique and badass awesome!
And if you're a fan of Supernatural, Buffy or Indiana Jones, YOU HAVE GOT TO GIVE IT A TRY!
Happy reading ya'all
and always remember:
Sometimes, when things are at their worst, people will show you their best.
Find this review and more on my book review and cover art blog The Magic Book Corner
November 28, 2017
Action packed and exciting - it's like Indiana Jones and Supernatural had a baby, only that baby decided the world should end.
What always gets you hooked on Cunegan's writing (something I love about the Jill Andersen series) is how the seemingly effortless style pulls you right in. Reading the book is almost like watching a movie, with just the perfect amount of description to have you imagine intense battles right before your eyes. Unlike the Bounty series, however, the scale of this adventure is massive: we're in the middle of a holy war, between different planes of existence, connecting different countries and even dimensions.
It's massive. It's epic. What's not to love?
On top of a huge scale end of the world apocalypse scenario, we also have lovable characters you can't help to root for, and a prologue that breaks your heart just two pages in. Jack and his girlfriend Cassandra are professors of Archeology, hired to retrieve a legendary gem from deep inside the Amazon rainforest - only to get thrown into a battle between good and evil that has lasted for millennia, culminating in an epic final showdown on earth and in hell itself. But these two loveable lovebirds are determined to save their world from destruction and will stop at nothing to protect us. Even if it means giving into a prophecy and embracing the role of Chosen One...
What's refreshing is also having the romance portion of this adventure be between two people who have been very much in love for quite a long time. There's no will they/won't they, no awkward flirting: only two committed people supporting each other (quite literally) to the ends of the earth. It's so fantastic to have a healthy relationship in an adventure novel like this!
The supporting cast is also quite amazing. Whether they're displaced out of time, or common people embracing their role in this mess, or even those who have lived at war all their lives, they're complex and steadfast.
And the villain(s) - what's not to love about hating them? Vampires, demons from hell, Gods out of time, giant purple... wait, I won't spoil it for you. How Cunegan has managed to merge so many myths and genres, I will never know. It's masterful!
All in all, if you're looking for fun, Notna is the book for you. Cunegan has entered the realm of fantasy with swords drawn, and you're not soon to forget him! Brilliant and energetic, impossible to put down, treat yourself to a high stakes adventure with Notna.
What always gets you hooked on Cunegan's writing (something I love about the Jill Andersen series) is how the seemingly effortless style pulls you right in. Reading the book is almost like watching a movie, with just the perfect amount of description to have you imagine intense battles right before your eyes. Unlike the Bounty series, however, the scale of this adventure is massive: we're in the middle of a holy war, between different planes of existence, connecting different countries and even dimensions.
It's massive. It's epic. What's not to love?
On top of a huge scale end of the world apocalypse scenario, we also have lovable characters you can't help to root for, and a prologue that breaks your heart just two pages in. Jack and his girlfriend Cassandra are professors of Archeology, hired to retrieve a legendary gem from deep inside the Amazon rainforest - only to get thrown into a battle between good and evil that has lasted for millennia, culminating in an epic final showdown on earth and in hell itself. But these two loveable lovebirds are determined to save their world from destruction and will stop at nothing to protect us. Even if it means giving into a prophecy and embracing the role of Chosen One...
What's refreshing is also having the romance portion of this adventure be between two people who have been very much in love for quite a long time. There's no will they/won't they, no awkward flirting: only two committed people supporting each other (quite literally) to the ends of the earth. It's so fantastic to have a healthy relationship in an adventure novel like this!
The supporting cast is also quite amazing. Whether they're displaced out of time, or common people embracing their role in this mess, or even those who have lived at war all their lives, they're complex and steadfast.
And the villain(s) - what's not to love about hating them? Vampires, demons from hell, Gods out of time, giant purple... wait, I won't spoil it for you. How Cunegan has managed to merge so many myths and genres, I will never know. It's masterful!
All in all, if you're looking for fun, Notna is the book for you. Cunegan has entered the realm of fantasy with swords drawn, and you're not soon to forget him! Brilliant and energetic, impossible to put down, treat yourself to a high stakes adventure with Notna.
June 23, 2021
This was a story of the forces of "good" versus "evil" with a healthy dose of other parties being involved that add twists to what you think you know. There's a prophecized hero that gets caught up in the middle of everything in a series of increasingly dangerous encounters that unfold quite easily as if it was a movie. It's intense and action-packed but with plenty of great characterization and some fun moments. There's also a bit of the idea that prophecies aren't always exactly what they seem and that makes for a highly enjoyable climax.
Overall it's a fun thrilling read.
Overall it's a fun thrilling read.
July 7, 2018
This book is an interesting and exciting mixture of fantasy, superheroes, and mythology. Cunegan drops us into a Holy War with complex and original characters. In the midst of the epic battle between good and evil, there is a sweet romantic spin between the MC (Jack) and his girlfriend, fellow archeologist Cassandra. It was a nice touch that gave the characters depth that I like in a story. This was my first read by this author and it won't be my last.
May 27, 2020
Thrilling adventure
Cunegan pens a thrilling story in Notna. I haven't read anything from this author before, and I really enjoyed it. The characters were unique and realistic. The story brings in the believable, even if almost impossible. This book deserves a second read! (and maybe more). A very well-written story, and I enjoyed it. It's a great story to follow and try to figure out what will happen next. This author's characters develop and interacts well with the other characters. The story is filled with history, secrets and something very powerful. When Corbett has a grand discovery, it soon had a wondrous and exciting (even if terrifying) domino effect. I have fast become a big fan of (this author). This is a story that brings the reader in from the beginning. I look forward to reading more stories by this author. This book is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews.
Cunegan pens a thrilling story in Notna. I haven't read anything from this author before, and I really enjoyed it. The characters were unique and realistic. The story brings in the believable, even if almost impossible. This book deserves a second read! (and maybe more). A very well-written story, and I enjoyed it. It's a great story to follow and try to figure out what will happen next. This author's characters develop and interacts well with the other characters. The story is filled with history, secrets and something very powerful. When Corbett has a grand discovery, it soon had a wondrous and exciting (even if terrifying) domino effect. I have fast become a big fan of (this author). This is a story that brings the reader in from the beginning. I look forward to reading more stories by this author. This book is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews.
August 5, 2019
Dark and violent action and a victorious plot that will have you cheering and shuddering at the same time!!
Cunegan brings his trademark knack for realistic, relatable characters and peril that leaves you breathless, coupled with a story poised to resonate with every reader!
As it warns at the start, it’s not for the faint of heart or the weak of stomach. Several scenes were almost too much for me—but the story was too good, I couldn’t put it down!
Brilliant, perfect for those fans of Buffy, Supernatural, and Indiana Jones—this is prime paranormal storytelling, Y’all!!
Cunegan brings his trademark knack for realistic, relatable characters and peril that leaves you breathless, coupled with a story poised to resonate with every reader!
As it warns at the start, it’s not for the faint of heart or the weak of stomach. Several scenes were almost too much for me—but the story was too good, I couldn’t put it down!
Brilliant, perfect for those fans of Buffy, Supernatural, and Indiana Jones—this is prime paranormal storytelling, Y’all!!
September 11, 2021
Globe-trotting, myth-shaking, world-threatening thriller your kind of thing? Step right up, for this thrill-ride from JD Cunegan.
Look, there's one name I'm going to mention right from the off. Though I hesitate to do so because it's an author name that a lot of people have a bit of scorn for. Dan Brown. But, you know what? I've read a bunch of Dan Brown stuff and what's good about it is the way he conjures up these threats from across history and binds it into a story that hops from one location to another around the world. He has his failings elsewhere, sure, but that's what works - and it's also what works here.
Here, an archaeologist is on the trail of the Gem of Notna, whose power can be both a threat to the world and... perhaps, in the right hands... its redemption.
This is the first book I've read by Cunegan, and his writing is fun, brisk and keeps the plot moving along, revealing a story set in the modern day but stretching back to the dawn of time. Ancient beings and gods are woven throughout, but overall it becomes a very personal tale as our heroes learn the power that they're dealing with, and try to work out how they can use it to save the day, and the world.
A good, fun read.
Look, there's one name I'm going to mention right from the off. Though I hesitate to do so because it's an author name that a lot of people have a bit of scorn for. Dan Brown. But, you know what? I've read a bunch of Dan Brown stuff and what's good about it is the way he conjures up these threats from across history and binds it into a story that hops from one location to another around the world. He has his failings elsewhere, sure, but that's what works - and it's also what works here.
Here, an archaeologist is on the trail of the Gem of Notna, whose power can be both a threat to the world and... perhaps, in the right hands... its redemption.
This is the first book I've read by Cunegan, and his writing is fun, brisk and keeps the plot moving along, revealing a story set in the modern day but stretching back to the dawn of time. Ancient beings and gods are woven throughout, but overall it becomes a very personal tale as our heroes learn the power that they're dealing with, and try to work out how they can use it to save the day, and the world.
A good, fun read.
August 17, 2019
Right out the gate this author takes you straight into the thick of the action, and theres no slowing down to follow! I loved the action, character growth, and plot. J.D.Cunegan's writing takes you into his world where monsters are just an everyday occurrence.
November 22, 2017
A very enjoyable story about a Holy War...a literal one between the forces of good and evil. The heroes were quite relatable and the settings interesting.
November 5, 2022
Fun read.
This was a fun story and a fun read. I wasn't s hurt e what to.expect but im.glad I gave it a try. Turns out it was just what I was in the mood for!
This was a fun story and a fun read. I wasn't s hurt e what to.expect but im.glad I gave it a try. Turns out it was just what I was in the mood for!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews