Iona Portal: Book One of the Synaxis Chronicles

by Robert David MacNeil

The ancient battle between good and evil is nearing its end. Evil is winning. Since ancient times, our planet has been visited by super-intelligent aliens who shift between parallel worlds as easily as we move from sunlight to shadow. Described in our myths as angels, gods, and demons, these trans-dimensional beings often walk among us unnoticed, but they’re locked in a battle older than time, with our future hanging in the balance. The Archons' goal is to destroy the human race and seize our world for their own. Standing against them are the Irin, a benevolent race of winged aliens with great power but limited numbers. As our planet sinks rapidly toward apocalyptic doom, our only hope lies in the Synaxis, a group of ordinary men and women conscripted by the Irin and given supernormal powers. But it’s a race against time. And as the Synaxis members trek across the Scottish highlands to open the ancient dimensional portal on Iona, they must overcome heavily-armed psychopaths, flying bat-winged demons, and the awakening of a long-dormant volcano. Most of all, they must learn how to use their fantastic new powers to drive back the Archons and rescue the world from destruction.

Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction

296 pages, Paperback

First published August 19, 2011

About the author

Robert David MacNeil is an author, world-traveler, and investigator of things supernatural. Over the last twenty years he’s traveled to 31 nations teaching on angels, demons, and supernatural encounters. His travels have taken him from the steppes of Mongolia to the jungles of Thailand, and from the Eskimo villages of Northwest Alaska to le fin del mundo, the “end of the world,” at the tip of South America.

Robert loves science fiction and suspense thrillers, and is a student of history–especially ancient Greece, Rome and medieval Europe. He’s particularly fascinated with Patrick, Columba, and the Celts of ancient Ireland and Scotland. The Celtic monks had a very special relationship with the angels. They also loved beer and invented whiskey. The Irish really did save civilization.

Robert has authored five non-fiction books under a different pen-name. IONA PORTAL is his first novel. He’s presently working on the sequel, IONA STRONGHOLD.

Reviews

[Harule Stokes · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can't say I hated the book, because that would be a lie. I enjoyed some of it, but Iona Portal fell flat about halfway through the novel. The story became more and more simplistic and formulaic, turning the story very dull. I did like the ideas the author attempted to convey, but I as the story continued on it began to feel like less and less about the story and more about trying to finish in a way that would create the next novel in the series. So basically it felt forced.

Even with that, the author has a very good way with descriptions (but even that seemed to drone on and became nothing more than filler) and gave me a vivid picture of the areas in which the characters are located... especially the Ireland trips.

[Rolando Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The French surrealist poet Paul Éluard once remarked, perhaps figuratively, "There is another world, but it is in this one." Robert David McNeil would agree, literally. In his thriller "Iona Portal" he has conjured up worlds within worlds whose fates are intimately linked with that of our own, and he uses science, history and psychology effectively to argue for his vision.

Iona Portal is a science fiction page turner in which the author mixes fantasy and reality in just the right amounts. He includes maps of the locations where the story takes place as well as handsome illustrations of some of the events, which makes the narrative much more engaging and believable.

Robert centers his epic on a real place, the mysterious island of Iona, which for centuries has been a destination for pilgrims who are willing to traverse the Scottish lochs, glens, and bogs in order to gain enlightenment and perhaps witness some of the enigmatic things that allegedly happen there. Iona Portal is the story of one such pilgrimage, but with the fate of humanity at stake.

In many ways this is a classic tale. However, the author gives the story the necessary twist that makes it original, while at the same time linking it to rich historical traditions. The pilgrims are stalked by the evil Archons, who due to their large numbers are winning the war. But the Archons are hypersadistic, disorganized, and invariably overplay their hand. The pilgrims are protected by the Irin, who are benevolent and brave, but due to their few numbers, are losing the war. The pilgrims must reach their destination and learn to use their gifts to tilt the balance of the conflict towards the forces of good.

The book is well written and has an interactive table of contents, which is important due to its size. I found a formatting error in one page, but that did not detract from the reading experience. I recommend reading Iona Portal. It is science fiction, but next time you have a string of bad luck or watch the nightly news, it will make you wonder.

[Bedie Post · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the first page, I was captured! Because of the descriptive writing of this author, I could not only picture each location but I was personally involved with each character. I was held on the edge of my seat through the scenario that played out between good and evil...reality and the unseen world. I loved how the author gave understanding of multidimensional worlds that co-exist. He also left me wanting more...so glad there is a second and a third book coming. If you like Sci Fi, this is a book for you!

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the first science fiction (or fantasy) book that I have ever read other than what they made me read in school (ie Orwell's 1984). I heard the author speak at a conference, and enjoyed his message so I decided to give this book a try. Given that this is not my genre, at times I wanted to quit reading. However, there were just enough twists and turns to keep me engaged. The characters are different enough that it's possible to relate to them. For example, the recently divorced dad, the professional couple sleeping together, the frequent mention of alcohol - all these are relatable in society. I read a few reviews that said the book was heavy into Christianity but I would say it was more into biblical "Armageddon" types and symbols than the underlying faith and premise of Christianity. I think it's a good book; I recommend it to folks who like fantasy or sci-fi. There are enough surprises and twists and turns to keep the reader engaged into reading the next chapter.

[Ashley White · Rating 1 out of 5]

I went in knowing what this book was about. This book deals with the authors personal belief of reality. I can see some grains of truth and tried to read with an open mind. The idea for a novel is there, but it feels really forced and the typos and endless descriptions of each type of vehicle in the book and how each woman is beautiful and their constant description drove me crazy. The ending left me underwhelmed; I knew it was the end of the battle, not the war, but it still built up to very little delivered.

[Munashe N. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the whole trilogy. I really liked the charchters and alot of the funny parts scattered throughout. The writing style may bother you but i know exactly why. I know this author.
Heck, i met him! He is awesome! Very smart and wise; a pastor at GZI ministries.
He rights alot of deep and profound books about faith, but he hasnt really written much fiction. But if you really look into what he is trying to say in theses pages, i think you will like this read more.
As always, Happy reading!
(Araton is my favorite character haha)

[LaTrice McNeil-Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

This a difficult book to rate. While I understood the story arc and the plot, I found this impossibly boring and too churchy in a lot of ways. I think if this was edited down better and with less random character perspectives it could be very good. I tried to rate this at least 3 stars but I just could not.

[Darlene M. Sealy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing novels yet I learned more about spiritual warfare than I have ever understood! Thank you, Robert! I can’t wait to start book number 2. I wish they were all on audible!

Amazing novels yet I learned more about spiritual warfare than I have ever understood! Thank you, Robert! I can’t wait to start book number 2. I wish they were all on audible!

[Amy Laverick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has sat on my shelf for a few years unread, I finally got to it. When I first started reading it, I was a bit dubious, it didn't feel right for a sciffi / fantasy type of book. As I got through a few chapters though, it became a real page Turner. The story is good and makes a lot of sense.

[Betsy D Tibbs]

Start a journey read you won't put down

Robert David McNeal is a gifted writer . He has done his historical
and mythological research for the books . You will be enveloped in the story from the first page .

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it. Couldn't put it down. Looking forward to reading the next two in the trilogy

[Melody Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting concept

I enjoyed the book . I don't normally like science fiction. This did not read as such. Loved the book.

[Sarah Richardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars
This book read like a FANTASTIC premise written by a 16 year old. And the cover is atrocious 🤣

[Conny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book as a free download and I enjoyed it. This was my first book on Angel fiction and I was not sure what to expect but it was very entertaining with interesting characters and plenty of actions. I thought it was well written and the action flowed evenly until the very end. The only thing that bothered me and I don't want to give anything away, but I was wondering how the character would have explained the healing to family members? That part was completely skipped, but other than that I liked it.

[Jane Torrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just re-read this book, having first read it a year or so ago. The first time I just read it as a thriller; it is not a bad first book in the thriller genre. This time, I read it more to get insight into the way things operate in the spiritual realm. It is very good instruction in how we must operate in our spiritual gifts as we confront the evil attempting to overcome our world. I'm eager for the 2nd book in the series and for the movie!

[Kathie · Rating 2 out of 5]

eh

[Jacob Donley · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Iona Portal" was a refreshing read with a quick moving plot. This was a success as a first novel, and I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

[Steve Limoges · Rating 3 out of 5]

pretty good sci-fi. a little mystery/thriller mixed in.

[Dan Rogers]

Got to a point in this book here I found it difficult to continue as some of what was happening was in direct conflict with my personal standards. No sense continuing after that.

[Chathura · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing.

[Harmon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting concept...kinda dwindled down and lost originality as it progressed.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great start to an engaging series. Worth checking out if you like "angel" fiction.