SEVEN POINT EIGHT: THE SECOND CHRONICLE

BY MARIE HARBON

EXCERPT

She focused on the door, and felt a tingling sensation as the atoms of her consciousness oozed through the cherry oak. The illumination of a board room followed the momentary darkness. A large table dominated the room, around which fifteen seats were equally spaced, and a Japanese tea set took pride of place in the centre. The room’s décor suggested simplicity, the key feature being a large set of samurai swords, split between three walls. Tahra gazed at them, admiring their antiquity and military splendour.

The men took their seats, opened their briefcases and laid out some paperwork in neat piles, while the middle aged man positioned himself at the head of the table. Tahra assumed he was the bank manager. He spoke, although none of it made any sense to her. She watched from the shadows, observing how paperwork changed hands along with some fervent discussion.

I wish I knew what they’re saying, she thought. Although it looks like they’re hammering out a deal. 

One of the men picked up a large briefcase from the floor, placed it on the table as if it were heavy and flicked open the clips.

I need a closer look, Tahra told herself.

Eager for an enhanced view of the proceedings, she homed her consciousness in on the briefcase and confirmed her expectations. Wads of Yen filled the briefcase, stacked neatly, extravagant value only established by the expression on the face of the bank manager. The bringer slid it across the table, and Tahra moved even closer.

At that point, the men stopped talking. Is the deal off? she wondered.

In unison, their heads turned towards one point in the room. This couldn’t be…

They can see me?

Their indignity at being disturbed quickly turned to terror. They babbled incoherently, eyes wide, mouth agape, brows furrowing. What scared them so much? Didn’t they like women? Looking down to see how she’d manifested, she couldn’t believe her eyes.

Oh…!

Her energy body had materialised in the physical world, in this very room. It glowed red, with an arterial network in magenta pulsing and glowing, alive with a raw vigour that she’d only seen in the other dimensions.

I look demonic. No wonder they’re afraid.

The men grabbed the papers from the table, stuffed them in their briefcases and scurried to the door, as if a monster had just broken into the room, intent on eating them. However, the bank manager didn’t frighten so easily. His lips set in a straight line, eyes zeroing in on Tahra, he reached up and slid one of the samurai swords from its sheath on the wall.

Normally, such a weapon would inflict critical damage on a mortal body, but as he swung it at her, the blade passed right through her. Not even a glitch in her energy body. As the blade failed to injure her, the bank manager’s face fell, babbling something in Japanese with a raised voice.

Tahra looked down again at her energy body, finding no damage. A malevolent smile spread across her face.

I’m invincible. I’m a God here too.

REVIEW

Wow!  Where to begin on this one? 

I guess I should start by saying that I did not read the first book.  I thoroughly enjoyed this one though.  There was no point in it that I was distracted or tempted to put it down.  It held my interest through all 747 pages.

There are so many themes and layers to this story.  At the highest level it’s about two men who both are researching the ability to explore alternate realms of existence.  One has more pure motives than the other.  One is willing to do whatever it takes to reach the end goal.  He is willing to destroy anyone or anything that gets in his way.  Then there is the woman that they both love that is critical to this exploration.  She wrestles with herself throughout the story.  Is she good or evil?  What are her true motives?  But there is so much more.

There is exploration of different facets of us as humans.  Cruelty, beauty, love, clinging to the past – all of these are examined.  This book also looks at where we draw the line with our abilities.  The fact that we can do something doesn’t mean that we should.  Where do you draw the line?  It looks at the choices we have to make out of love.  Choices we make because it’s best for those we love, not necessarily for us.  Choices we make because we don’t want to appear a certain way.

It’s sci-fi, Egyptian occult, physics, romance, family love, good vs bad, regret, and friendship.  A fascinating read.

I’m searching for what I didn’t like.  Hmmmm.  OK, there were times that I felt like there was a jump in the story line.  Like there was a piece missing.  It felt a few times like the jump that was made from point A to point B didn’t make sense to me.  This is possibly because I didn’t read the first book, but I don’t think so.  Maybe I’ll go back and read and then read this again and see if I feel the same.

I enjoyed this very much.  The plot was compelling and tight; the characters were very well developed; the descriptions of the settings were excellent.  One warning – there are some graphic descriptions of human mutilation.  A very well done book.  

The author is offering a FREE copy of Seven Point Eight: The First Chronicle for everyone via Smashwords  Plus, 12 ebook swagbag including, sci-fi, fantasy, paranormal and YA titles.!

To enter for a chance to win the giveaway, email me at soniafogal@gmail.com with 3 themes of the book that I mention in my review.  You really should read this one!  Why not get it free?  You have until midnight EST on Tuesday, January 15, 2013!