The Book of Paul

Jan 31, 2013 Katy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: anyone

Recommended to Katy by: Kriss Morton

Shelves: ebook

Book Info: Genre: Paranormal Thriller
Reading Level: Adult
Recommended for: People fascinated with occultism of all stripes, alternate ideas behind spirituality, dark suspenseful stories
Trigger Warnings: Torture, serial killing, explicit sex, (implied) rape, mutilation, betrayal

My Thoughts: This book. Wow, I don’t even know where to begin! I ended the book, shook myself all over, and said, “Oh my GOD!" This book was amazing, mesmerizing, engaging, wonderful... twisted... And I learned more about t...more

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Oct 26, 2012 Jeannie Walker rated it 5 of 5 stars

Talk about talent - this author has it.
I believe Richard Long has nailed his gift with his beautifully crafted psychological thriller complete with a love story.
The novel has short chapters and relentless action that pulls you into the story.
People with weak stomachs are advised that there are parts that will horrify you - think about Hannibal Lecter and you might get the picture.
It definitely is a very unusual novel and the first of seven volumes that I believe readers will also enjoy.

Jeannie...more

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Nov 16, 2012 Kriss Morton rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: novel-publicity-tour-books

Syzygy

Oh what a word, one of my favorites and one that fits all aspects of this gorgeous amalgamation of craziness and story arcs throughout the book! But wait, which definition applies to this book?

Syzygy (astronomy), a straight line configuration of three celestial bodies
--This book involves Hermetical teachings, some that may fly right over your heads like those celestial bodies, do not fret though, you do not have to get that stuff to enjoy this read! Just blow through it like I do in battle...more

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Sep 28, 2012 Jessica rated it 4 of 5 stars

As the tale told in The Book of Paul unfolds, we’re introduced to several complex characters, all of whom are connected by an intricate web skillfully woven by author Richard Long. At the center of this twisted web is Paul, the book’s sadistic namesake, who is bent on fulfilling an ancient prophecy by any means necessary. Paul’s protege, Martin, struggles with his blossoming feelings for his sexy neighbor, Rose, and his mounting distrust of the man who raised him and taught him everything he kno...more As the tale told in The Book of Paul unfolds, we’re introduced to several complex characters, all of whom are connected by an intricate web skillfully woven by author Richard Long. At the center of this twisted web is Paul, the book’s sadistic namesake, who is bent on fulfilling an ancient prophecy by any means necessary. Paul’s protege, Martin, struggles with his blossoming feelings for his sexy neighbor, Rose, and his mounting distrust of the man who raised him and taught him everything he knows. Every action, every character, is another piece in a giant jigsaw puzzle. Will Paul fulfill the prophecy? And if he does, at what cost?

I have to admit that when I first began to read this book I couldn’t help but wonder if I had bitten off more than I could chew. It is obvious from the start that this is not a book for the faint of heart. It wasn’t long, however, before I got so caught up in the unrelenting action that I couldn’t put the book down. I read the majority of it in one marathon reading spree that lasted late into the night (or, more accurately, the early morning). It was one heck of a wild ride, with twists and turns that had me on the edge of my seat the entire time I was reading. It has everything a person could possibly ask for: a gripping storyline, mythology and lore, neverending action, good vs. evil, and even a love story thrown into the mix for good measure! And best of all, it meshes together beautiful and every last bit of it plays a part in the larger scheme of things.

If I had to compare it to other works, I’d have to say it has the manic pacing of a Hunter S. Thompson novel, the unapologetic brutality of Fight Club, and the lore and mystery of The Da Vinci Code. I’m going to make a lame pun here, so you’ll have to forgive me in advance, but I’m just stating a fact: The Book of Paul is a truly thrilling psychological thriller. Mr. Long is immensely talented author and it’s a shame we had to wait so long for his work to come on the scene.

I honestly can’t remember the last time I read something so intricate and so engrossing! Despite my initial hesitance, it was a pleasure to read and I hated to see it come to an end. I can’t wait for the next book in the series! I will definitely be recommending this to my friends.(less)

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Dec 11, 2012 Doreen marked it as to-read

This is one book where you definately have to pay complete attention while you are reading it. Having said that, you will want to pay complete attention while reading it. If you don't, you might lose a bit of the details in the storyline. I enjoyed this book, it was definately different from any of the other books with similar plots. This one is in it's own category. Definately want to see what happens next...

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Jul 28, 2012 Shelly rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: reviews-requested

This review was posted originally on my blog {Dive} Under the Cover

I don't even know where to start with this review. I suppose I should start by saying that this isn't the type of book I normally read, but the synopsis intrigued me and I was not at all disappointed. I will also say that in taking these chances with books that are out of the norm for me, I am actually finding some really great new, to me, authors.

I should warn you right up front that this book is going to take you on a wild and...more This review was posted originally on my blog {Dive} Under the Cover

I don't even know where to start with this review. I suppose I should start by saying that this isn't the type of book I normally read, but the synopsis intrigued me and I was not at all disappointed. I will also say that in taking these chances with books that are out of the norm for me, I am actually finding some really great new, to me, authors.

I should warn you right up front that this book is going to take you on a wild and crazy, dark and dirty ride. I am having trouble even putting my thoughts about this story into words. It's just that crazy, I was struggling to describe it to a friend yesterday! It's not romance, but it does have a thread of a love story throughout it that really has the potential to change the course of history as Paul sees it. It's doesn't feel paranormal or supernatural, but really, in essence it is when you take into account the whole of the story. There is an underlying horror like feel to it, but it's not a scary horror, more like a creepy serial killer like horror. Suffice it to say, I can't really classify it other than to say that it has a little bit of everything in it. I also have to say that while it has a little of everything, if you aren't really prepared for the worst you probably won't enjoy it. If you have a weak stomach or you can't handle a torture, body modification, etc...then this probably isn't the book for you.

There really is no way to explain the story without giving anything away and I really dislike to post spoilers especially in a case like this, where every twist and turn of the story is so significant. The characters are really quite complex and while it seems like they are doing bizarre things most of the time, everything that happens really does have a place. There is someone pulling the strings here and it's not hard to figure out who it is.

I must say that Richard Long is a tremendous and unique story teller. I was immediately pulled into the story from the very first short chapter. I love that most of the chapters are really short, they are like short little story bursts. This book is also really different in that it's told in 1st person part of the time and the rest is in 3rd person. One of the characters is the narrator and his part is obviously told in 1st person. We don't find out who the narrator is for quite some time, but he plays a very significant part in the story. The other parts of the story are told in 3rd person from one of the other characters perspectives. What I think is super cool is that the narrator really is omniscient even though he is a character in the story, that is one of his "gifts" and it's not always a fun one to have in his case.

Let's talk about some of the characters. Paul really is a gross and deeply disturbed character, probably one of the worst I have read! He really has no redeeming quality except for maybe Martin. As unlikable as Paul is, I found Martin to be a quite the opposite. It will seem weird (that I like him so much) especially as you first start reading the book, but really from the minute Rose enters the picture you can see a light in him. It may be hidden under layers of icky residue left there from how he was raised, but it's there nonetheless. I really like Rose, I think that she sees something in Martin that no one else does. She feels something for him that she doesn't really understand especially since she has really only known him for such a short time. They are both pretty damaged people, but together they have tremendous potential to change everything.

From the time the story starts until it ends only a couple days pass in reality, but a lot of back story is given in Martin's suppressed memories and the narrators journal entries. This part of the story, that I like to think of as "Martin's Story" really starts when he is a boy. The overall story goes back thousands of years, though, all the way to the beginning of time really. We get a sense of this part of the story from the narrators journal entries, he is giving us a pretty clear view of all the things that he is learning as he learns them from a number of sources. He is really the main character in the whole of the story, but since he isn't revealed for so long it's hard to think of him as such. This is just the beginning of the story and I can't wait to see what comes next.

This is such a unique story, at least it was for me. The whole time I was reading it I couldn't help but wonder where on earth this came from. It's a puzzle from the beginning, but once you hit the halfway point the pieces start fitting together in a beautiful if not psychotic way. There are still things that I wonder about, but I have every confidence that my questions will be answered as the story continues. At it's heart it's a supernatural thriller, but it's deeply psychological as well. It will make you re-think what you think you know about the "beginning", science and even religion. It will take you on a wild ride for sure, so buckle up!
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Jan 07, 2013 Steven rated it 5 of 5 stars

I stepped away from reading books in the paranormal/horror genre some time ago. After reading The Book of Paul I ask myself why I ever did? Richard Long took me on a twisted and, somewhat sadistic thrill ride. He has masterfully blended mythology and mysticism to the point where you might actually question what is real. But where this book shines is in characters such as the book's namesake Paul, who you want to hate, but he's like an actor who owns the stage, you anticipate his next scene; and...more

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Sep 08, 2012 Christa Wick rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is a great read. While standing completely on its own, it puts me in mind of Clive Barker, Umberto Eco, Neil Stephenson (thinking Quicksilver's first third - which I love) and the best of Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code without all the stuff that keeps me from having read more than one Dan Brown.

There is a great deal of violence and a smidge of sex, but it is well handled and shouldn't make more gentle readers uncomfortable (while satisfying readers like me who are comfortable with Barker, Palah...more

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Sep 29, 2012 M. Fenn rated it 4 of 5 stars

I received an ebook copy of Richard Long's self-published début novel, The Book of Paul, in exchange for my honest review as part of this week's Novel Publicity whirlwind blog tour.

The Book of Paul is a supernatural thriller, the first in a planned series of seven, that takes its readers down a dark, twisting path involving the title character's lust for immortality and apocalypse. He also likes pain, a lot. We learn about Paul by initially meeting his victims: Martin (a tortured man-literally a...more

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Nov 11, 2012 Jodi rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

At first glance you think, oh boy here’s another book about a psychotic serial killer in the vein of Silence of the Lambs. But then as you read you realize The Book of Paul is so much more. The first installment in a seven volume series sets the undertone of what is to expect in the other six volumes.

The intricate vignettes Long weaves are the stuff nightmares are made of. Not specifically a horror in the holy crap it’s scary style, but is more the feeling of a prickling up your spine. The Book...more

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Oct 02, 2012 Leah rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Everyone

Recommended to Leah by: Richard Long

I loved this book ( No, not in an "Ophrah"it changed my life way.) the storyline completely sucked me in. I could think of nothing more than finding out what happens to Rose, Martin and Wlliam. The way that William tells this story through his eyes really captivated me, aswell as all the Mythology and the heaping dose of Mysticism. I am forgoing any spoilers about this book, because I believe that the readers should discover everything that makes this story so AMAZING.

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Dec 14, 2012 Mitsy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle-read, thriller, mystery, horror, favorites, humor, paranormal, 2012-favorites

Insanely brilliant! Richard Long has managed to include history, mythology, religion, science fiction, mystery, romance, comedy, paranormal and thriller all in one book. AMAZING! The one thing that ties it all together is the art he writes with. There are a lot of poetic moments, especially the horror scenes. He makes horror beautiful. The depth is astounding and almost too much. The only regret I have is there is an ending. I could have lived in this world indefinitely. All these words seem ins...more

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Mar 19, 2013 Tia Bach rated it 4 of 5 stars

I'm rarely at a loss for words, yet when I finished reading The Book of Paul I sat speechless and exhausted. Not only is it one of the most intense books I've ever read, it challenged me to consider another way of thinking as I entered the mind of a mad man--the main character, Paul. The last time I felt this kind of intense struggle was when I read Neil Gaiman's American Gods.

Suffering an unimaginable upbringing, Martin keeps mostly to himself. Paul, his mentor and only father figure he ever kn...more

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Mar 13, 2013 Leslie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: action, fantasy, fiction, historical, horror, hope, imagination, magic, mystery, paranormal, spiritual, romance, suspense

Article first published as Book Review:The Book of Paul by Richard Long on Blogcritics.

Is it really possible for a parallel universe to exist, one right beside our own where those that inhabit both, live lives very different from those on our own existence? If so, what if this world was a part of the beginnings and endings of everything we believe to be real.

In The Book of Paul by Richard Long we meet some unique and interesting characters. But it is the world itself that takes you on a roller...more Article first published as Book Review:The Book of Paul by Richard Long on Blogcritics.

Is it really possible for a parallel universe to exist, one right beside our own where those that inhabit both, live lives very different from those on our own existence? If so, what if this world was a part of the beginnings and endings of everything we believe to be real.

In The Book of Paul by Richard Long we meet some unique and interesting characters. But it is the world itself that takes you on a roller coaster of a journey, one that will both horrify and delight you, as you hit the highs and lows through the cast of characters that border on both genius and madness.

Paul is not who many believe him to be. For some he is a friend, and others a father figure, but only very few really know the truth behind his being. Having rescued Martin from and manipulative and deadly mother as a child, he raises him the best way he knows how. Or does he? There is depth and depravity, hidden from most, and Martin becomes a stone cold personality, with no one other than his foster father Paul who understands him.

But then he meets Rose, she too is damaged, yet holds a secret that she herself has hidden deep. Her own life is addicted to pain and sex, yet when she meets Martin, she immediately recognizes a feeling, that seems centuries old.

If these characters are not enough, there are watchers, and doers throughout the communities, each with their own brand of narcissism, waiting for their own entrance to the horror that continues to build as the pieces come together and the time for recognition comes through.

Often the “devil is in the detail,” and such is the case, but don’t leave out the angels or the existence of just about every form of belief you have heard of or imagined. With a sharp wit, and strong sense of the macabre, Long has delivered a work of horror that keeps you reading to the very end.

What happens? How do the characters survive, or do they? Can they stop Paul from his ever increasing frenzy?

If you enjoy historical religious and pagan beliefs, this book is chock full of information. If you like horror with your romance, then you will find yourself immersed in both. Long has written a fascinating and oftentimes horrific look into the depths of belief, and used an eclectic mix of differing histories to pull off a work that keeps you guessing.

This would be a great book for a discussion group, there is so much going on that you could read it untold times and still find something new. A group would find a great deal to discuss with all of the differing offers.

Even with the horror there is a sense of purpose, but be prepared to become immersed, keep the lights on and the doors locked, the horror will keep the chills flowing. (less)

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Mar 10, 2013 Julie Ramsey rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: done

The Book

There's an old song that starts out, "You always hurt the ones you love".
In that case, Paul Kelly must adore his boys.
But he has his reasons, as do all sociopaths. However, his reasons transcend time and space, life and death, love and hate, lifetimes and generations. And those who are his "children" must learn these reasons first-hand.
There's Martin, rescued from his abusive mother by Paul. This boy learns early on that there are worse things than being locked in a basement for the week...more

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Mar 05, 2013 Nickida Stephens rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book was really out of the realm of any other books I’ve read before. I have a horrible habit if reading ahead when I read books. I read the first few chapters and then read the end of the book to see how it ends, then I got back and read the middle. Sometimes I just can’t wait to find out what’s going to happen. There are only a few books that I’ve read that I didn’t do this with. I can now add The Book of Paul to that list. The book immediately started off engrossing, I was wrapped up in...more

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Feb 27, 2013 Leanne Herrera rated it 4 of 5 stars

"Everything you've ever believed about yourself...about the description of reality you've clung to so stubbornly all your life...all of it...every bit of it...is an illusion."

This is a line from the synopsis of this book and if this book were a biography instead of fiction, every bit of life as we know it would indeed be an illusion. The development of the characters and the story line pull you in so deep that while reading it you can almost believe that what you are reading is really happening...more

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Feb 10, 2013 Jaylyn Styles rated it 5 of 5 stars

The Book of Paul introduces a bold and fluid concept. Character wise I think this book has it all, they goes well in the story that is brightly woven with the great writing skills of the author. I can say that I really liked this book very much but I think it got a little bit overboard that I get too excited that I somehow spoiled myself in the process of reading it. Should I remind you that this book is a paranormal thriller and that it thrilled the bones out of me. I was gasping and gripping m...more

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Feb 02, 2013 Romancing the Book rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: urban-fantasy

Reviewer: Marissa
Source: Publisher
Marissa's review is posted at Romancing the Book's blog.

The Book of Paul is one of those books that you yearn to put down but just can’t seem to stop reading. I was immediately drawn in and confused, bored and intrigued. But it was the characters that kept me picking the book up.

Paul, the father-figure antagonist of the story, is a self-described angel. He tells of “another world not at all like the world we live in” and how “the luminous beings in the other wo...more Reviewer: Marissa
Source: Publisher
Marissa's review is posted at Romancing the Book's blog.

The Book of Paul is one of those books that you yearn to put down but just can’t seem to stop reading. I was immediately drawn in and confused, bored and intrigued. But it was the characters that kept me picking the book up.

Paul, the father-figure antagonist of the story, is a self-described angel. He tells of “another world not at all like the world we live in” and how “the luminous beings in the other world were made of pure energy, so they could never die.” At first, I see Paul as a sort of savior, saving Martin from a horrific childhood filled with abuse and anguish; but as the story progresses, Paul’s true colors come out and he becomes more despotic monster than angel.

Martin, the son-figure, begins as an abused child who yearns for love and finds it in Paul, his mother’s new boyfriend. As a child, Martin is smart – he knows when to keep his mouth shut – but he is also needy, craving the love and affection he never received from his mother. When Paul offers him attention, Martin eats it up and does whatever Paul asks of him to keep it. It’s this little boy I first begin to like, feeling sympathy and heartache as his story begins, then intrigue as his relationship with Paul develops. As a man, I like how Martin tries to stay away from Paul but is drawn back, knowing fate has something in store for him but not quite sure what or how to play it.

Rose is a tattoo artist and body enhancement specialist. She loves pain, both inflicting and receiving. I wasn’t quite sure what to make of her at first but there was something about her that drew me. She is plucky. That’s not a word I would normally use but it seems to fit Rose. She deals in a world most of us would never have the stomachs to even think about for more than a few seconds – and she does it all happily. However, she is not the brave, stoic heroine we read in a lot of the romance novels. When confronted with probable death, she screams, pleads and cries. This makes her much more human than those other characters.

I have to admit I also learned a few things from this book, including different body enhancements I never would have thought of and the idea of technological singularity (the point when computers become more intelligent than humans). But some of these things also made for a difficult read, be it stomach-turning or just attempting to absorb the information. If you have time to sit with an intense, page-turning book, this is definitely for you.(less)

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Jan 22, 2013 Bob & Eliza Richardson rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: book-club-read

Cover - I loved the nail on the cover which the author also uses to indicate a new chapter. Original and relates to the story.

Formatting / Appearance - There were no issues at all.

Content - I liked the fact that this book cannot be defined by one genre or has more than one central theme. But to someone reading Richard Long's writing for the first time, these are the very things that take awhile to digest. There is the raging undercurrent of religion, sex, friendship, acceptance, life, death an...more

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Jan 22, 2013 Melody Armstrong rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: book-club-read

What were the main themes of the book? It's really hard to give only two main themes like I usually do because this book offers a fascinating adventure between passion, drama, thriller, love, lust, horror and even BDSM.

Describe 2 different settings or locations. One - "In the creation of the most powerful ritual objects, the Master molds his intent, with the guidance and participation of the angels." I think this is more than a religious aspect and speaks of an individual's mindset or a person'...more

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Dec 29, 2012 Tom rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction, horror, best-books-of-the-year

First things first: "The Book of Paul" is a challenging read. Author Richard Long sets the bar really high for this novel, and he reaches it. As I said, it's a challenge. Various elements from disparate mythologies are blended together, along with science, and a gleefully psychopathic, near-immortal protagonist.

From the synopsis: The Book of Paul is the first of seven volumes in a sweeping mythological narrative tracing the mystical connections between Hermes Trismegistus in ancient Egypt, Soph...more

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Nov 07, 2012 Suspense Magazine added it

At first glance you think, oh boy here’s another book about a psychotic serial killer in the vein of “Silence of the Lambs.” But then as you read you realize “The Book of Paul” is so much more. The first installment in a seven volume series sets the tone of what to expect in the other six volumes.

The intricate vignettes Long weaves are the stuff nightmares are made of. Not specifically a horror in the holy crap it’s scary style, but is more the feeling of a prickling up your spine. “The Book of...more

2 likes · like · see review

Oct 12, 2012 Drennan Spitzer rated it 4 of 5 stars

Reading Richard Long's The Book of Paul has felt rather like a crash course in the occult. I have found it to be overwhelming and, quite honestly, a bit distracting. However, I believe that it is this very element that many readers would find appealing.

Long constructs a fast-paced narrative that I would describe as suspense, fantasy, and horror all at the same time. Long manages to draw on a number of threads that make speculative fiction, as a genre, so engaging to many readers (and I am absolu...more Reading Richard Long's The Book of Paul has felt rather like a crash course in the occult. I have found it to be overwhelming and, quite honestly, a bit distracting. However, I believe that it is this very element that many readers would find appealing.

Long constructs a fast-paced narrative that I would describe as suspense, fantasy, and horror all at the same time. Long manages to draw on a number of threads that make speculative fiction, as a genre, so engaging to many readers (and I am absolutely including myself here), including the blurry, nearly invisible line between the world we know we inhabit and the world we might wish to inhabit. In the case of Long's The Book of Paul, rather, I think it's a world that we are thankful we don't inhabit, for this novel is not for the squeamish. The violence and bodily mutilation he depicts is graphic and brutal. There were times when I thought I'd have to set the book aside, and I don't think of myself as particularly sensitive to this sort of thing. I am not intending to suggest, however, that the violence is gratuitous. It serves an important function in what the book is doing, I think.

Long's strength lies in his facility with myth, legend, and occult knowledge. He draws on Celtic and druid lore, Egyptian myth, classical myth, the Hermetic tradition, and a heavy dose of the Tarot. In fact, I'm pretty sure that list was incomplete. I'm rather in awe of the knowledge that Long and that his characters, particularly William, the narrator, possess. And I'd be willing to bet that the immersion in this vast array of occult knowledge and tradition will be a bit attraction for many readers. I found myself drowning in it. On the one hand, the feeling of immersion in the occult world--and attendant Irish-style clan warfare--that Paul and the others live in allows the reader the experience of fully inhabiting the fantasy world that Long constructs. On the other hand, I had rather a hard time keeping up, having little to no background knowledge of such matters myself. Particularly difficult to follow were the discussions not just of the Tarot but of Paul's new interpretation of the traditional Tarot deck. Again, my guess is that although I found it a bit difficult to keep up with, many readers would relish the novel for this very reason. And certainly, this drawing on such a large body of occult knowledge allows Long to construct a secondary reality that is particularly convincing.

NOTE: This review originally appeared on www.drennanspitzer.com Please visit me there!(less)

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Oct 03, 2012 Letty Killeen rated it 5 of 5 stars

From start to finish Richard Long’s “The Book of Paul” is an exciting, fast-paced and undeniably shocking read.

The characters are full-blooded, whimsical yet scarily believeable. The antagonist, Paul, is unusual in every respect: an unstoppable, malodorous, and deadly evil genius whom the reader hates to love, but cannot quite prevent themselves from doing so.

The short punchy chapters keep one's adrenalin pumping, while the narrative leapfrogs from one crisis to another, creating a spine-chilli...more

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Sep 24, 2012 Albert rated it 4 of 5 stars

Overall Feedback: As I was starting this one I noticed that Richard was making nuanced revelations about certain aspects of the characters. These would have stood out more had Richard not moved between characters so quickly. Now most of you reading this review would take those first two lines as criticism, but it is not. Richard narrative ability not only allows him to move deftly between characters but he is able to do so without distracting the reader. He does well to cause a reader to read th...more

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Aug 27, 2012 Chasity rated it 5 of 5 stars

‘The Book of Paul’ was the best dark horror novel I have ever read, and I say that in all honesty. No book has ever blown my mind quite like this one and I must warn you before you read this novel; you will never look at literature the same way again. ‘The Book of Paul’ was such a brilliant masterpiece that I literally could not put it down I was consumed in the story, the characters and the pure utter darkness of this book. Talent like this only comes around every once in a great while and I fe...more ‘The Book of Paul’ was the best dark horror novel I have ever read, and I say that in all honesty. No book has ever blown my mind quite like this one and I must warn you before you read this novel; you will never look at literature the same way again. ‘The Book of Paul’ was such a brilliant masterpiece that I literally could not put it down I was consumed in the story, the characters and the pure utter darkness of this book. Talent like this only comes around every once in a great while and I feel like I have stumbled upon gold. I can very well say anything that Richard writes I will rush to buy, it is such a rare talent he has as a writer.

I feel so lucky to have been asked to review this amazing novel, I found it to be stunning, creative, with such detailed precision in the way the story was told. It was a mind bending story that you absolutely have to read! I have not read a book with such talented, detailed writing in so long, if ever. Richard Long really sets the standards high in the horror/ thriller genre. I mean Paul makes the baddest of the bad look like sheep. Paul is so sick and twisted but you can’t stop reading it, you have to have more of Paul. ‘The Book of Paul’ is such a dark, seductive tale of things you couldn’t even begin to imagine. Take your sickest thought and multiply it by a thousand and you may have just stumbled upon the very tiniest hint of what goes on in Paul’s brain. You really have to read this brilliant masterpiece, I cannot even put it into words how stunning I believe this book is. I believe it will be a classic one day.

I am so much more thrilled to find out it is the first book in a series. I will definitely be reading all of them. The characters and the story are addicting. You can go ahead and try to say they are not, you are flat out lying! ‘The Book of Paul’ is by far the best novel I have read all year! I am addicted to this series now and I will read everything Richard Long writes from here on out. I believe this man is a genius with words and storytelling. I will be a fan for life. If you have not read ‘The Book of Paul’ you are missing out, I tell you! What are you waiting for? Go, now! Get it! Read it and see for yourself what I am talking about! I assure you, your eyes will be opened to a very new world.
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Aug 10, 2012 Hira rated it 5 of 5 stars

"The Book of Paul" by Richard Long is, and I have to admit this to begin with, is not the kind of book that I usually pick up. I'm a HUGE fan of thrillers, so the premise was incredibly intriguing to me - and boy am I glad that I decided to give this book a try! You may have seen me describe many a thriller as being "atmospheric" - well, I love using that adjective because the truth is, I really believe the setting and the atmosphere are KEY, especially in a thriller or mystery. "The Book of Pau...more "The Book of Paul" by Richard Long is, and I have to admit this to begin with, is not the kind of book that I usually pick up. I'm a HUGE fan of thrillers, so the premise was incredibly intriguing to me - and boy am I glad that I decided to give this book a try! You may have seen me describe many a thriller as being "atmospheric" - well, I love using that adjective because the truth is, I really believe the setting and the atmosphere are KEY, especially in a thriller or mystery. "The Book of Paul" is completely brilliant because although the narrative is absolutely engrossing, the book is thoroughly absorbing in it's ability to creep you out with the build-up of its creepy atmosphere and chilling setting. This book defies any genres, because it is the amalgamation of many genres in one - horror, supernatural, paranormal, romance, thriller, and mystery. And the beauty of it is, it does justice to all of the above, it is all of the above, without focusing too much on one or the other.

In addition to the creepy, dark and foreboding nature of this book - it is also a novel of multi-faceted and multi-dimensional characters. Characters like Martin, who is a truly troubled character, but beneath the surface lies a decent human being marred by the inadequacy of his upbringing. And then there's Rose, whose presence seems to have a positive effect on Martin, is herself a damaged woman with a past - but in the short time that they come to know each other, they tend to understand and connect with each other, and soon become important to one another. Then, there is Paul - and I left him for last because I believe him to be the most complex character of all - he is truly a despicable being, a gross and negligent man who has almost no redeeming qualities. But as flawed as he is, it's absolutely riveting to read about his character and his atrocious deeds!

The timeline of the narrative is quite short, and comprises of only a few days - but we are able to appreciate the past of the characters via Martin's memories, which he has suppressed, and via journal entries made by the narrator. The narrator is the main character of the book, and the story revolves around him, but all the characters are so absolutely essential to the story that it is absolutely impossible to pin-point any important characters. This book is a roller-coaster ride, with a fireworks to boot - it is crazy, it is zany, it is thoroughly enjoyable, and it will puzzle you...until you get to a little past halfway, and then things fall into place. But here's the unique thing about Richard Long's book - even though the pieces of the puzzle begin to fit, the premise is still so unique, and so crazy, that one cannot help but be completely hypnotized by it. A part of your brain begins to accept it, and the other part is astonished that such events have come to transpire in the course of the narrative. I really want to go ON and ON about it, but I would not want to give too much away.

Believe me, anyone with an inquisitive mind, and a penchant for the weird or scary would love to read this book. But be prepared, some parts of the book are quite disturbing, and include torture and mutilation - if you are not someone who can handle the gore, this may not be the book for you. However, if you are able to stomach such indelicacies, then this is the kind of book that is sure to baffle you in the best way possible! Let me forewarn you - this book is a conundrum wrapped in a riddle, it is both puzzling and thoroughly riveting to read. This book will send tingles up your spine as you read, and a feeling of dread will permeate your being as you advance through the story, you will probably check the deadbolts and windows of your home twice, if not thrice, and you might even end up having to sleep with a night-light on....but trust me, whatever the case may be, this book is sure to bamboozle you with its awesomeness - I can't wait for the rest of the books in the series!!!(less)

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Aug 07, 2012 Vibina Venugopal rated it 4 of 5 stars

Have you ever wondered what it would be like sprinting a marathon?? If not just read the book..This book is a sprinter from page one an absolute page turner...There are secrets to be kept and mysteries to be unlocked, lives to be saved and fight one's destiny...Life long feud between Clan O'Neil and that of Kelly's..Many a life is fallen apart by ruthless Paul at childhood that includes Rose Queen ...When I started reading my mind was prepared for a thriller now wait there comes romance okay so...more
Have you ever wondered what it would be like sprinting a marathon?? If not just read the book..This book is a sprinter from page one an absolute page turner...There are secrets to be kept and mysteries to be unlocked, lives to be saved and fight one's destiny...Life long feud between Clan O'Neil and that of Kelly's..Many a life is fallen apart by ruthless Paul at childhood that includes Rose Queen ...When I started reading my mind was prepared for a thriller now wait there comes romance okay so I thought it has romance oh no there comes some myths and physical torturing and some childhood trauma by now my mind was used to expect the unexpected from the book.This book is a complete page turner..I developed a liking for Martin as much I felt a kind of detest..Martin goes through hell from childhood knowing love only when he meets Rose a weird tattoo artist by call of destiny, on the other hand Paul is indifferent to any kind of human feelings even has he trains his son and hunting them others he exhibits a detachment to every act even as he kisses his son on forehead or when he takes of someones head or slit someone's throat oh did I just say all those things!! that is exactly all these actions are performed as a matter of fact....William is Martin's blood brother as he latter finds is a curious collector,whose curious leads him to all kind of trouble , the novel moves through his point of view, his knowledge in many fields keeps the gripped to the story all together..As you read through I felt nothing can be out of bound as far as this book is concerned..Reading through the book made me to research on the history of many of the things described in the book for instance Antropodermic bibliopegy (book made of human skin) I won't spoil the fun by pointing out the others.All characters are wonderfully depicted distinct in their charcater portrayal, Paul by selfishness, arrogance and pride, Martin by courage,trust, compassion., Rose with her weirdness, craziness, love ,lust and skill while William is all curious to his talent,enthusiastic learner, ardent friend and brother...The book of Paul is an absolute complete page turner, in that aspect this book did a wonderful job letting me enjoy further reading...The language is crisp, easy and flowing..The chapters are short letting the reader sink into each part of web the author weaves very comfortable..The author is able to hold on the mystery as long as he wishes , spilling the beans at his pace ..Only thing I would have loved to read more on mystical connections between Hermes Trismegistus in ancient Egypt, Sophia, the female counterpart of Christ, and the Celtic druids of Clan Kelly, I guess that would be in next book perhaps...Omen, Tarot cards,mystery, murder,tortured angel, cold blood murder, pain,endurance, lust, love, trust, betrayal, science, myth now what more can the reader ask in a single novel..This has a bit of everyting not one in particular that is the unique part of the novel... and needless to say this is an amazing start for seven volume sequel..
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Sep 12, 2012 Erin rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book grabs you right from the start! Can not put it down. It is a wild, wild ride! Wow! this book is a great read. It is an epic, original. I enjoyed the story and characters. But the best part of the story? That there will be sequel(s). I can not wait!

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