Title: A Glass Darkly
Authors: Max & Ariana Overton
Published in 2004 by Mundania
Press
Genre: Paranormal Action/Adventure
ISBN: 1-59426-011-7 (Hardcover @ $22.00)
ISBN: 1-59426-141-5 (Trade Paperback @ $12.00)
Related Books: 1) Glass House, 3) Looking Glass
Morgan Steele is a plagued man ensconced in darkness. A man who hears voices from living shadows that promise him greatness and immortality in exchange for their freedom. Morgan already considers himself a powerful sovereign who does exactly as he pleases. He bows down to no one. Not even the unholy forces that he cannot see. Considered to be an eccentric millionaire Morgan lives in a highly secure and massive compound built within a mountain. A hideaway retreat identical in looks to that of a place called Glass House. Morgan Has hired Travis Parker, a brilliant engineer, to head a development of unknown magnitudes and repercussions. He needs a machine built for a purpose so nefarious as to signify the end of all creation. In Morgan's employ are highly intellectual rogue scientists. Morgan leaves them in the dark as to his plans despite their wishes to know the reason for the machines' existence. His insatiable appetite for supremacy has made Morgan a victim of an evil he is unknowingly about to set free.
Morgan's plans come to a halt when his Vox Dei, Voice Of God, fails to function properly. Not having the answers he seeks Morgan turns to Travis and demands the projects completion. Not wanting to be a victim of Morgan's rage Travis turns to brutalizing the other scientists for results. Morgan longs to dispense of Travis but bides his time until the job is done. He discovers that he needs a more qualified physicist in order for his machine to work correctly. Morgan turns his thoughts to a woman he once knew a some time ago. A woman who still haunts his sleepless nights. Used to controlling everything within his grasp, she was no exception. Morgan’s need to own everything eventually pushed her away. Morgan knows he needs her once again because it is only through her that his ultimate goals can be attained.
Affectionately known as Andi, Andromeda Jones just wants to be unemployed and left alone. She see's herself as hermit and prefers the company of her mountain lion to that of the human variety. While she considers herself to be a super sleuth, her investigating past is far behind her. That is until her sister Samantha Hay and her husband James mysteriously vanish. Separated as kids while in an orphanage Andi has vowed never to lose Sam again. Having little clues to go on Sam feels that her sister is in need of rescuing. Andi knows little of what went on in her sister past during her trip to Australia. She does however hear talk that Sam and James were seen in the Blue Mountain area by tourists and that they are living with strange creatures.
A call from Marc Morgan brings Andi out of hiding. A former beau of Andis', marc offers her in his opinion the opportunity of a lifetime. He needs her to do an expose on Morgan Steele. He preys upon the fact that she once knew Morgan personally and that alone would grant her entrance into his secluded environment. Morgan is up to something covert and Marc wants to break the story. Having previously dated Morgan Andi is at once assailed with memories of the man who sought to own her as if she were one of his prized possessions. She turns him down reminding herself that Marc is the reason she lost her former career as a physicist. Marc then sways her with news of her sisters whereabouts and hints that Morgan had something to do with her family's disappearance. Putting her painful reminiscences of Morgan aside Andi realizes that she has to confront him in order to find her sister.
Upon seeing Andi Morgan admits to never having stopped loving her. He thinks to keep her with him again but Andi is only there for information about Samantha and James. As Andi works her knowledge on the project Morgan has created she comes to some stunning revelations. To what extent would Morgan go to further his own greed. He uses human being as test subject for a machine that has dire consequences on it's targets. She feels the evil as it tries to twist and bend her to its will. But is Morgan truly a part of the malignant villainy that is underfoot? Andi encounters horrendous acts of terror that hold her hostage within steel and rock walls. It is only a matter of time before the evil that was constructed is allowed full reign upon its intended victims. By then will it be to late for them all? Will mankind be lost if ancient and deadly shadows are free to roam and destroy all within its path? Max and Ariana Overton has thrust Andi into a place of terrifying proportions. An ageless battle of good versus evil that can only result in one final winner.
As the mystical nine seek to overtake the world, Andi along with characters from GLASS HOUSE race against time to prevent it from happening. With Gaia's birth mankind has a chance. Without her all may very well be lost. First off I have to admit that I am still suffering the after shocks of such a compelling read. never have I encountered such depths of human suffering, triumphs and joy's. I read the book in one sitting. Afraid for one instance to walk away and miss the chance of something amazing and exciting. A GLASS DARKLY rivets the reader and holds you within its pages of stunning imagery. You can actually see the battles fought and creatures that yearn for a taste of the living. Max and Ariana Overton have outdone themselves with the 2nd installment in THE GLASS HOUSE TRILOGY. A GLASS DARKLY triumphs in its immense ability to capture attention and not let go. I recommend this book to everyone because it has something truly breathtaking for us all. Life. And why we need to be thankful for it before there is nothing left but distant recollections retained by none.
Happy reading,
Joann Ruffen
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