Gargoyle Prophecies Part I: The Savior Rises

I'll admit it. I've never been a fan of the whole horror creature fiction genre – the current vampire/werewolf story lines that run rampant in popular literature these days make me yawn. Dark creatures aren't supposed to fall in love and be mushy in any way.

Imagine my delight, then, when I picked up the Gargoyle Prophecies, Part I: The Savior Rises. There is nothing sentimental or heart-wrenching about this novel. Sure, you feel bad for the main character Stefani because it seems like everyone – and everything – in her life seems bent on destroying her psyche. But the story line is a fast-paced, mind-twisting, shocker. I literally couldn't stop reading it from the moment I realized nothing on the page is what it seems.

Except for one scene that depicts the defining moment of Stefani's life at the beginning of the book, we first meet her as a fiercely independent, but emotionally stunted, young woman barreling toward her 21st birthday. I feel confident that most of us approach this iconic, rite of passage birthday with excitement, as if our lives will finally begin once we reach that magic number. The date for Stefani also signals the beginning of a new life, but it certainly isn't one she envisioned.  In some ways, there is a psychological undertone in the book of the torment and tumultuousness we face as we leave behind our childhood and face our "destiny."

Enough about Stefani, however. Enter the gargoyles. I've always been fascinated with these little stone, horribly disfigured creatures that stood atop the great churches of the world. They were protectors. They were valiant, stalwart guards that watched over the Catholic faith and its practitioners. But, in their ugliness, I've wondered if there were an untamed, violent side that lay just beneath the surface. That fierceness is unleashed in this book in both good and evil ways.

Despite being inhuman, the gargoyles reveal themselves as being close to the human race. Some are greedy, some are deceitful, some crave power. Others, though, reveal a self-sacrificing kindness toward Stefani that is surprising. All, however, are ruthless. The brutality with which they both speak and act drives the plot forward, propelling you and compelling you to ride along with Stefani, her protectors, and her tormentors, as they traipse across the globe searching for answers about Stefani's identity and her inherent power.

Without a doubt, this is one of the few books that has kept be glued to the pages. It's not a light-hearted read, but it is an entertaining read. It also carries a deeper theme about the troubles we face and the scars we carry from childhood to adulthood. We all have baggage. How we choose to process and compartmentalize our experiences sets the tone for our lives. Although our experiences may not mirror Stefani's exactly, we all have been damaged in some way, and we long to find a way to a rebirth.

And let's face it – we all have our own gargoyles.