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The Fruit of the Fallen
When an infant is thrust into the arms of Dr. Jonathan Keats by a dying nun, he find himself accused of murder. His search to identify the child carries him to Europe and to a secret religious society hiding a prophecy of unimaginable proportions.
Will Serenity D'Evele fulfill a frightening prophecy? In THE FRUIT OF THE FALLEN, her every action and decision could decide the fate of the world...
Will Serenity D'Evele fulfill a frightening prophecy? In THE FRUIT OF THE FALLEN, her every action and decision could decide the fate of the world...
252 pages, Hardcover
First published February 25, 2010
About the author
J.C. Burnham
1 book179 followersDr. James C. Burnham was born in Oklahoma and thereafter lived in small, country towns until his family moved to Northern California. Among rice paddies and wildlife reserves, he enjoyed a Huckleberry Finn childhood. His backyard was the Sacramento River, where he fished and swam at leisure. He has since earned professional degrees in music, literature, counseling, and a doctorate in learning psychology. A graduate of the Stanford University's Graduate Certificate in Novel Writing and an alumni of the Olympic Valley Writers Conference (formerly Squaw Valley), James is currently hosting a podcast on mental health titled Out of the Deep End, teaching for the University of Oklahoma, and writing his next novel.
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Wordpress: http://www.outofthedeepend.com
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/76...
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Fru...
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 11, 2010
Book Title: The Fruit of the Fallen
Author: J. C. Burnham
Publisher: Xlibris Corporation
ISBN: 9781450018159
Reviewed by Michele Tater for Review the Book
“Human beings must be known to be love; but Divine beings must be loved to be known.” Blaise Pascal
As a nun hands a baby to Dr. Jonathan Keats, she is fatally shot and Dr. Keats must run for his life as well as the baby’s. He is later framed for the murder of the nun and has to go into hiding. The infants name is Serenity D’Evele and her past is shrouded in mystery. When events occur, that are beyond Dr. Keats control, Serenity is given to Sister Sophia D’Evele who adopts the girl as her grandchild. After moving from country to country through most of her childhood, Serenity and her grandmother settle in California at a all girls school called Mount Sterling. Soon strange things start happening, a sighing of a demonic looking dog-like animal and the appearance of a tall blond hair man. One night Serenity is force to fight of the creature with some help from an unknown person. Her classmate Sarah starts to act differently too and seems to have burning hatred for Serenity. Serenity’s dreams also take a disturbing turn by become more vivid and having a man’s voice calling for her. She turns to her faith and her support group which consists of her best friend Ellen, her music teacher’s brother Talmadge and Father Abrienne. She will need all the help she can get, since she is possibly the key to a prophecy which may have apocalyptic consequences.
The Fruit of the Fallen with its beautiful cover art and its intriguing story line is a truly great read. It consists of 22 chapters that are divided by drawings of grapes on a vine, which becomes relative later in the book. Even though there were several religious references, they are explained for easy understanding. There are flash backs so the reader must pay attention, as well as they should anyway. Serenity, as the main character, is a likable person who has no lack of innocence.
The book is a mysterious and absorbing novel, which I think would appeal to the adult and the young adult reader. I high recommend this to anyone who likes a mystery with some faith testing added in.
Author: J. C. Burnham
Publisher: Xlibris Corporation
ISBN: 9781450018159
Reviewed by Michele Tater for Review the Book
“Human beings must be known to be love; but Divine beings must be loved to be known.” Blaise Pascal
As a nun hands a baby to Dr. Jonathan Keats, she is fatally shot and Dr. Keats must run for his life as well as the baby’s. He is later framed for the murder of the nun and has to go into hiding. The infants name is Serenity D’Evele and her past is shrouded in mystery. When events occur, that are beyond Dr. Keats control, Serenity is given to Sister Sophia D’Evele who adopts the girl as her grandchild. After moving from country to country through most of her childhood, Serenity and her grandmother settle in California at a all girls school called Mount Sterling. Soon strange things start happening, a sighing of a demonic looking dog-like animal and the appearance of a tall blond hair man. One night Serenity is force to fight of the creature with some help from an unknown person. Her classmate Sarah starts to act differently too and seems to have burning hatred for Serenity. Serenity’s dreams also take a disturbing turn by become more vivid and having a man’s voice calling for her. She turns to her faith and her support group which consists of her best friend Ellen, her music teacher’s brother Talmadge and Father Abrienne. She will need all the help she can get, since she is possibly the key to a prophecy which may have apocalyptic consequences.
The Fruit of the Fallen with its beautiful cover art and its intriguing story line is a truly great read. It consists of 22 chapters that are divided by drawings of grapes on a vine, which becomes relative later in the book. Even though there were several religious references, they are explained for easy understanding. There are flash backs so the reader must pay attention, as well as they should anyway. Serenity, as the main character, is a likable person who has no lack of innocence.
The book is a mysterious and absorbing novel, which I think would appeal to the adult and the young adult reader. I high recommend this to anyone who likes a mystery with some faith testing added in.
May 28, 2010
A bit of insomnia led him to take a walk, but the nun that was shot in front of his eyes after handing over a baby led him to set of circumstances that he would have never believed he would find himself in. Questioning his faith had become an everyday thing, but after the events that followed the arrival of baby Serenity into his life Dr. Jonathan Keats was willing to give God and all it entailed a second look. - She had known she was different for as long as she could remember, but Serenity D’Evele thought it was just because her and her grandmother moved so often. When she started hearing things and feeling things after arriving at yet another new school, she started to realize that there might be more to it. Finally being able to trust another as a friend and trying to determine what if anything was after her, Serenity knew that the one thing to get her through would be her faith.
I admit, I was not sure what to expect, I am cautious about religious or spiritually based books, but this one had me interested because of and in spite of the religious aspects of it. For the most part, the religious aspects where explained well and it didn’t lean on those points more than necessary to create this story. I found myself drawn to most of the characters (there were a lot for a book of this size) but the interaction was well placed. The tidbits about how Serenity came to be with who she was with and how she finally found out more of herself kept the intrigue alive for the reader as well, allowing the story a natural progression from Serenity’s point of view, but going all the way back to the initial connection with Keats also gave the whole prophesy angle a larger part of the story.
I admit, I was not sure what to expect, I am cautious about religious or spiritually based books, but this one had me interested because of and in spite of the religious aspects of it. For the most part, the religious aspects where explained well and it didn’t lean on those points more than necessary to create this story. I found myself drawn to most of the characters (there were a lot for a book of this size) but the interaction was well placed. The tidbits about how Serenity came to be with who she was with and how she finally found out more of herself kept the intrigue alive for the reader as well, allowing the story a natural progression from Serenity’s point of view, but going all the way back to the initial connection with Keats also gave the whole prophesy angle a larger part of the story.
May 28, 2010
The Fruit of the Fallen by J.C. Burnham is an intense story that leaves you breathless from the first word. The story starts off by introducing Dr. Jonathan Keats, a seemingly average man. It is when he is ambushed by a dying nun, and an infant thrust into his arms that his life takes a turn toward the extraordinary. From that moment he becomes a fugitive, accused of murder and kidnapping.
However it is the infant, a girl named Serenity, that is the stories main focus. Fast forwarding fifteen years later, we meet Serenity again and learn she is being transported, along with her grandmother, to her newest boarding school. We are told that to her knowledge Serenity has no other family and that she was constantly moved around as she was growing to follow her grandmother- a Catholic nun- on various church duties.
During her stay at Mount Sterling she reluctantly makes friends, and also meets a mysterious young man by the name of Tal who she is instantly attracted to. It is only when things start to take a dangerous turn that she learns that she is in the midst of an ancient angelic prophecy and may hold the key to the end of days.
Fruit of the Fallen was a pleasure to read from start to finish. Burnham’s description and attention to detail left this amateur theologian satisfied, but I did wonder if someone without my background in Christian Mysticism would be able to keep up. The chosen subject matter is not for the novice, but his writing style more than makes up for a layman’s lack of knowledge on the subject. All in all Fruit of the Fallen, the first in Burnham’s series was outstanding and I am anxiously awaiting the sequel. A definite must read.
However it is the infant, a girl named Serenity, that is the stories main focus. Fast forwarding fifteen years later, we meet Serenity again and learn she is being transported, along with her grandmother, to her newest boarding school. We are told that to her knowledge Serenity has no other family and that she was constantly moved around as she was growing to follow her grandmother- a Catholic nun- on various church duties.
During her stay at Mount Sterling she reluctantly makes friends, and also meets a mysterious young man by the name of Tal who she is instantly attracted to. It is only when things start to take a dangerous turn that she learns that she is in the midst of an ancient angelic prophecy and may hold the key to the end of days.
Fruit of the Fallen was a pleasure to read from start to finish. Burnham’s description and attention to detail left this amateur theologian satisfied, but I did wonder if someone without my background in Christian Mysticism would be able to keep up. The chosen subject matter is not for the novice, but his writing style more than makes up for a layman’s lack of knowledge on the subject. All in all Fruit of the Fallen, the first in Burnham’s series was outstanding and I am anxiously awaiting the sequel. A definite must read.
August 9, 2010
When a baby is thrust into the arms of Dr. Jonathan Keats he has not idea his life is about to change forever. All he knows is her name is Serenity and she must be protected at all costs. He quest for more answers leads him to Europe where he discovers that she is no ordinary child and that the very fate of the world may one day rest in her hands.
Having been moved around from school to school since she was young Serenity only has her grandmother to rely on. When strange things start to happen around her and her grandmother disappears, Serenity doesn't know who to trust. She eventually puts her faith into the hands of Tal, a mysterious young man she feels deeply connected to, but is he good or is he something else?
"The Fruit of the Fallen" by JC Burnham is a story full of prophecy, fallen angels, demons, hell hounds, and a secret religious society, that is told mostly through the eyes of a young girl who is just starting to realize her true purpose in life. It begins with a murder and the action doesn't stop until the very end when the reader is left wondering if there is more to come. It is a well-written book that speaks of religion and theology but doesn't preach at the reader. Instead, the story focuses on characters that just happen to be in a struggle between good and evil and look to theology for some of the answers.
A truly exciting and interesting book, I would recommend "The Fruit of the Fallen" to anyone with an open mind who enjoys a well told, action packed story. JC Burnham is an excellent story teller who I hope continues to tell the story of these characters in a future book.
Having been moved around from school to school since she was young Serenity only has her grandmother to rely on. When strange things start to happen around her and her grandmother disappears, Serenity doesn't know who to trust. She eventually puts her faith into the hands of Tal, a mysterious young man she feels deeply connected to, but is he good or is he something else?
"The Fruit of the Fallen" by JC Burnham is a story full of prophecy, fallen angels, demons, hell hounds, and a secret religious society, that is told mostly through the eyes of a young girl who is just starting to realize her true purpose in life. It begins with a murder and the action doesn't stop until the very end when the reader is left wondering if there is more to come. It is a well-written book that speaks of religion and theology but doesn't preach at the reader. Instead, the story focuses on characters that just happen to be in a struggle between good and evil and look to theology for some of the answers.
A truly exciting and interesting book, I would recommend "The Fruit of the Fallen" to anyone with an open mind who enjoys a well told, action packed story. JC Burnham is an excellent story teller who I hope continues to tell the story of these characters in a future book.
November 22, 2011
I was blessed to receive this as a GoodReads First Read - free no less ans signed by the author. This book was much more than I expected. I was looking for a murder mystery and discovered so much more. Do not think of your genre - just enjoy the read! It may change your mind about many things, both real and unreal. Great read!
July 9, 2011
This book was well-written. Different then most of the books I tend to read, but I was compelled to pick this up since I am friends with the author. Glad I read it!
April 29, 2012
I love this book!
March 9, 2012
I really enjoyed this novel and going on Serenity's journey and also Jonathan's. I loved some of the characters in the novel and the details and how everything was played out.
First, let's talk about the characters. Serenity was a 15 year old teenage girl who was trying to figure out who and what she really was. She wasn't a kick butt heroine which is what all YA novels that are coming out seem to have, but she wasn't whiny all the time which I liked. Sometimes I though it could have given more of her feelings but since it is told in 3rd person, I can understand why the author didn't. Jonathan was a likable character but sometimes her got really uber annoying. I felt like he was a 2 year old whining for his mother. I know why he was whining but I am not going to tell you because of a spoiler but he was whining all the time.
Next, let's talk about the plot. The plot of the book was very... interesting and unique. Alot of YA these days is dystopian, fantasy and one or two other things but this, well, I don't know if I would classify it as paranormal or what. Serenity was amazing at being independent and not depending on everyone when she needed something, important or not.
My overall thoughts of the book are definitely that I will be picking up the next book in the trilogy and that it was very unique. At some points it would get confusing with Jonathan and the writing style sometimes confused me on details and dialogue like who was talking. Other than that it was very enjoyable and I would definitely recommend for you to pick it up. This novel is self published through Xlibris and I will give you guys a couple of links to where to purchase it:
First, let's talk about the characters. Serenity was a 15 year old teenage girl who was trying to figure out who and what she really was. She wasn't a kick butt heroine which is what all YA novels that are coming out seem to have, but she wasn't whiny all the time which I liked. Sometimes I though it could have given more of her feelings but since it is told in 3rd person, I can understand why the author didn't. Jonathan was a likable character but sometimes her got really uber annoying. I felt like he was a 2 year old whining for his mother. I know why he was whining but I am not going to tell you because of a spoiler but he was whining all the time.
Next, let's talk about the plot. The plot of the book was very... interesting and unique. Alot of YA these days is dystopian, fantasy and one or two other things but this, well, I don't know if I would classify it as paranormal or what. Serenity was amazing at being independent and not depending on everyone when she needed something, important or not.
My overall thoughts of the book are definitely that I will be picking up the next book in the trilogy and that it was very unique. At some points it would get confusing with Jonathan and the writing style sometimes confused me on details and dialogue like who was talking. Other than that it was very enjoyable and I would definitely recommend for you to pick it up. This novel is self published through Xlibris and I will give you guys a couple of links to where to purchase it:
December 11, 2014
This book has taken me a LONG time to read. It was my first experience with Wattpad. Wattpad is a wonderful idea. But for people with eyes like mine, it is very difficult. The font is not adjustable. There is no text-to-speech to help me out. I should have spent the money and read it on Kindle but by the time I knew it was on Amazon I was about halfway through the book.
Then there is the story itself. I loved the nice quiet fun parts in the school. But most of the book was suspenseful and gave me anxiety. It seemed from the beginning to be a paranoia-producing plot. I didn't know who to trust. Who was the good guy? Who was the bad guys? And there were so many names to keep track of that I felt I needed a program.
But I did like the main character. She was well, developed and had guts. Even as a small child.
Maybe if you read it you won't have the troubles I had with it. Maybe it was just me. If your eyes can handle it try it on Wattpad as it is a free read. If not, go ahead and read the Kindle version. Maybe as a quicker read it will have more continuity.
Then there is the story itself. I loved the nice quiet fun parts in the school. But most of the book was suspenseful and gave me anxiety. It seemed from the beginning to be a paranoia-producing plot. I didn't know who to trust. Who was the good guy? Who was the bad guys? And there were so many names to keep track of that I felt I needed a program.
But I did like the main character. She was well, developed and had guts. Even as a small child.
Maybe if you read it you won't have the troubles I had with it. Maybe it was just me. If your eyes can handle it try it on Wattpad as it is a free read. If not, go ahead and read the Kindle version. Maybe as a quicker read it will have more continuity.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews