Publisher: GryphonWorks | Published: December 8, 2010
ASIN: B004FN2CLS
It is absolutely thrilling to read a book of such caliber as The Summoner.
This book has it all – a damaged, yet redeeming protagonist; the woman with a past, a badge and a no-frills attitude; a mysterious religion determined to be a cult by a visiting religious phenomenologist professor; and finally, evil-doers that epitomize just the word! Oh, I could not read fast enough and yet, I also wanted to savor the book in its entirety. Have you ever done that? Come across a debut author and find that the way this author pieces his sentences together is like a dream? Am I gushing yet?
This book has it all – a damaged, yet redeeming protagonist; the woman with a past, a badge and a no-frills attitude; a mysterious religion determined to be a cult by a visiting religious phenomenologist professor; and finally, evil-doers that epitomize just the word! Oh, I could not read fast enough and yet, I also wanted to savor the book in its entirety. Have you ever done that? Come across a debut author and find that the way this author pieces his sentences together is like a dream? Am I gushing yet?To say I cannot believe this is a self-published book would be the understatement of the century! What made me agree to read and review this book, aside from the story line, is this quote I found from Layton Green on the Kindle Author Interview site:
You need to make sure you have an outstanding, polished product before you risk your reputation by self-publishing. I’ve been writing for over a decade, my book was agented for years, and had multiple acquisition editors who wanted to pick it up (the sales teams were leery of the Africa setting). I didn’t know if I had a book that would sell, but I knew my product was good and polished. I think self-publishing on Kindle is wonderful, but I think if I would have tried it too soon, it might have hurt more than helped. That being said, when you are “ready” is an individual question—but don’t publish until you are sure the book is the best it can be.
Summary: The Summoner begins by introducing Dominic Grey, diplomat security for the Ambassador to Zimbabwe. Grey has just been assigned to join the investigation into the disappearance of the Ambassador’s best friend and golfing buddy. Heading the investigation is Nya, a local Department of Foreign Ministry agent, and called in to assist is Viktor the religious phenomenologist. All three come into the investigation with a past, secrets, and unique perceptions. Layton Green is a giving the reader just enough information so that you are craving more Grey, more Viktor, more Nya. The small tidbits we get are enough to make you hunger for more, anxiously trying to get to the next turn of the page.
begins by introducing Dominic Grey, diplomat security for the Ambassador to Zimbabwe. Grey has just been assigned to join the investigation into the disappearance of the Ambassador’s best friend and golfing buddy. Heading the investigation is Nya, a local Department of Foreign Ministry agent, and called in to assist is Viktor the religious phenomenologist. All three come into the investigation with a past, secrets, and unique perceptions. Layton Green is a giving the reader just enough information so that you are craving more Grey, more Viktor, more Nya. The small tidbits we get are enough to make you hunger for more, anxiously trying to get to the next turn of the page. Green handles the sexual tension between Nya and Grey with a deft stroke of the pen, never once allowing that story line to overwhelm or take over the book. As someone who truly loves adventure/thriller fiction, I very much appreciated the Grey/Nya understated, yet still, steamy relationship.
Author’s Tone & Writing Style: For this to be a debut novel, Layton Green has come out of the chute on fire! The pacing of the story was spot on…I never once got bored, restless or tired. His vocabulary was exemplary! I love when a book forces me to pull a dictionary out – it’s not just a fluff book. Well, The Summoner is both highly entertaining, a Reader’s Digest vocabulary list, and a birds-eye view into a beautiful, proud country ravaged by its own government.
is both highly entertaining, a Reader’s Digest vocabulary list, and a birds-eye view into a beautiful, proud country ravaged by its own government. I am also anxious to learn more about Viktor, the religious professor. We discovered quite a bit about Grey and Nya’s past in The Summoner, book 1 of the Dominic Grey series, but we did not get quite as much about Viktor. Don’t get me wrong, all three characters are extremely well-developed – I simply want more Viktor.
, book 1 of the Dominic Grey series, but we did not get quite as much about Viktor. Don’t get me wrong, all three characters are extremely well-developed – I simply want more Viktor. Overall, the suspense is built gradually, with a shocking climatic ending. The setting is described as though you were there in Harare, Zimbabwe, as if you could smell the jacaranda and lady slippers. If you don’t read any other books this year – read this one!
Memorable Quotes:
Like all those who have lived their lives on the outskirts of conventional society, his desire for acceptance was as powerful as his inability to find it.
Grey didn’t pity himself, or feel misunderstood. He was simply more aware than most of the terrifying reality of the individuality of the soul.
Ahhh, makes me want to bring Dominic Grey home and kiss all of his cares away!
If you like this book, then perhaps you will enjoy these:
The Templar Legacy by Steve Berry
It is with many thanks I received this book from the author to read and review.
In no way did that affect my opinion or statements herein of the book.
© of A Novel Source
Good book and review. My few cents... If you like books like this, you might also enjoy "Miss Garrote".
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