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The Magdalene Prophecy, Quickening: Setting the Stage for the Second Coming
The Vatican receives a ransom demand. One hundred million dollars in two weeks for the safe return of the Magdalene Treasure. But there is a problem. The Vatican knows nothing about the treasure. Nor about any theft.
Yael is a lethal fixer-turned-sleuth brought in to handle the safe return of what the thief describes as Mary Magdalene's ancient relics, a so-called Sacred Orb and a secret manuscript written by the disciple of Christ herself.
Soon Yael learns that in the final years of her life Mary Magdalene had a prophetic vision of a time when the world would be awash in confusion and conflict. A powerful force called the Quickening would emerge to threaten the very survival of humanity. The only hope lay with the Magdalene Treasure finding its way into the hands of a man and woman destined to shepherd humankind through the travails.
Stakes grow higher as Yael finds herself trapped in a powerful storm unlike any she'd ever seen. Was this the Quickening?
Yael battles scant clues, a ticking clock and cataclysmic events in her search to find the thief and recover the relics.
Will the Treasure be found? And will Yael discover the truth about the Magdalene Prophecy and all it foretells?
Yael is a lethal fixer-turned-sleuth brought in to handle the safe return of what the thief describes as Mary Magdalene's ancient relics, a so-called Sacred Orb and a secret manuscript written by the disciple of Christ herself.
Soon Yael learns that in the final years of her life Mary Magdalene had a prophetic vision of a time when the world would be awash in confusion and conflict. A powerful force called the Quickening would emerge to threaten the very survival of humanity. The only hope lay with the Magdalene Treasure finding its way into the hands of a man and woman destined to shepherd humankind through the travails.
Stakes grow higher as Yael finds herself trapped in a powerful storm unlike any she'd ever seen. Was this the Quickening?
Yael battles scant clues, a ticking clock and cataclysmic events in her search to find the thief and recover the relics.
Will the Treasure be found? And will Yael discover the truth about the Magdalene Prophecy and all it foretells?
374 pages, Paperback
Published February 16, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 17, 2021
The Book Maven’s Journal Reviews for Word Connoisseurs
REVIEWER: J.Hunt
STAR RATING ⭐️⭐️
The Magdalene Prophecy, The Quickening
By Shams-Tabriz
The premise to Author Shams-Tabriz's book, The Magdalene Prophecy, The Quickening, is another spin-off trope of Dan Brown's highly successful Da Vinci Code theme.
In this iteration, the hunt is on for mysterious ancient artifacts stolen from the Vatican. One particular relic, a golden orb, is said to foretell Christ’s Return to Earth or either the Earth’s Destruction.
The Vatican is quasi-central to the puzzle surrounding the “heavenly orb” that is curiously found almost immediately at the beginning of the novel with help from whom? A little birdie or voice told me?
At this point, Author Shams-Tabriz mixes metaphors by referencing the second verse of the ancient Hermetical text, The Emerald Tablet of Hermes Trismegistis, a very early document of indeterminate age and origin.
According to most documentation, it's always been extremely popular among occultists, philosophers, Kabbalists and alchemists. In this novel, it is the whisper of “angels?”
…”As above, so below.”
Furthermore, the “whodunit” of the missing items seemed to be rather obvious. Consequently, it wasn't much of a puzzle, just a lot of “who saids?” or “did whats?”—spinning wheels. Also, completely out-of-the blue, the author pulls some trickery to help further his riddle and sleuthing that I did not find compelling.
In addition, the only character that was truly developed and had any real depth was Yael. She is written as central to the story as it's protagonist. Yael, is a complex woman with a troubled and lethal past. She's combination enforcer, hit-woman and detective.
Author Shams-Tabriz is passionate about the character, Yael, because he wrote chapters and chapters in the novel just about her. Regardless of how intriguing this character, I do not believe that she should be such a primary focus of this book.
Perhaps Yael’s character and her background materials could be extrapolated and used in a separate novel featuring her and her exploits—regardless of the fact that this novel is the first in a trilogy.
Lastly, just as a housekeeping note to the author. I see no references to a Publisher listed. In citing that, I found several minor editorial tweaks that should be corrected for a more professional publication going forward (several adverb modifier placements; and for an; just minor things).
REVIEWER: J.Hunt
STAR RATING ⭐️⭐️
The Magdalene Prophecy, The Quickening
By Shams-Tabriz
The premise to Author Shams-Tabriz's book, The Magdalene Prophecy, The Quickening, is another spin-off trope of Dan Brown's highly successful Da Vinci Code theme.
In this iteration, the hunt is on for mysterious ancient artifacts stolen from the Vatican. One particular relic, a golden orb, is said to foretell Christ’s Return to Earth or either the Earth’s Destruction.
The Vatican is quasi-central to the puzzle surrounding the “heavenly orb” that is curiously found almost immediately at the beginning of the novel with help from whom? A little birdie or voice told me?
At this point, Author Shams-Tabriz mixes metaphors by referencing the second verse of the ancient Hermetical text, The Emerald Tablet of Hermes Trismegistis, a very early document of indeterminate age and origin.
According to most documentation, it's always been extremely popular among occultists, philosophers, Kabbalists and alchemists. In this novel, it is the whisper of “angels?”
…”As above, so below.”
Furthermore, the “whodunit” of the missing items seemed to be rather obvious. Consequently, it wasn't much of a puzzle, just a lot of “who saids?” or “did whats?”—spinning wheels. Also, completely out-of-the blue, the author pulls some trickery to help further his riddle and sleuthing that I did not find compelling.
In addition, the only character that was truly developed and had any real depth was Yael. She is written as central to the story as it's protagonist. Yael, is a complex woman with a troubled and lethal past. She's combination enforcer, hit-woman and detective.
Author Shams-Tabriz is passionate about the character, Yael, because he wrote chapters and chapters in the novel just about her. Regardless of how intriguing this character, I do not believe that she should be such a primary focus of this book.
Perhaps Yael’s character and her background materials could be extrapolated and used in a separate novel featuring her and her exploits—regardless of the fact that this novel is the first in a trilogy.
Lastly, just as a housekeeping note to the author. I see no references to a Publisher listed. In citing that, I found several minor editorial tweaks that should be corrected for a more professional publication going forward (several adverb modifier placements; and for an; just minor things).
December 14, 2020
376 pages
4 stars
This book is very well written and plotted. The ending brings Yael to a broken old man who, thinking she is someone else, begs her forgiveness. It is a very dramatic and exciting scene. Yael finds emotions she hasn't used in a long while.
After a slow start, the book picks up speed. We meet several interesting people along the way.
I want to thank NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for forwarding to me a copy of this good book for me to read, enjoy and review.
4 stars
This book is very well written and plotted. The ending brings Yael to a broken old man who, thinking she is someone else, begs her forgiveness. It is a very dramatic and exciting scene. Yael finds emotions she hasn't used in a long while.
After a slow start, the book picks up speed. We meet several interesting people along the way.
I want to thank NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for forwarding to me a copy of this good book for me to read, enjoy and review.
June 12, 2021
The enigma of Mary Magdalen. Who was she, really? What was her significance? Her legacy? The vacuum left by these unanswered (and unanswerable) questions leaves room for speculation, for tales of prophec and sacred artefacts. This story is one of those. It is a many-layered mystery involving the Vatican and all of its secretiveness. We have a strong female protagonist with an interesting back story and what seems to be building into a better future. The story is fast-paced and interesting - kept me hooked all the way through. The only disappointment was that I was left puzzled by the ending. I am aware that the book is part of a trilogy, but I'm not sure if I'm right assuming that the story is unfinished? I'm trying to say this without giving too much away but what was clearly in existence at the beginning of the book, seemed not to be at the end. I went back and re-read to see if I had missed anything. Were these two different timelines? Did the beginning of the story take place in 1973? I still don't know and probably won't unless I read the next book. This is my voluntary review of a free copy of the book.
December 23, 2020
It took me a bit to get my bearings, but once I got that it is was great read. Some great insights in what would be if Mary Magdalene was viewed differently, an apostle, and confidant of Jesus, and in that aspect it made me think. The character of Yael really comes to life in this book, you start with a non-feeling, stone faced warrior, and through her investigation you learn about her and she learns about herself, a crack in façade is opening and she is learning to feel and care.
Just when you think the mystery of The Magdalene Prophecy is solved, nope … looking forward to the next book. And yes, I want to see how Yael evolves as I feel like she has so much to give, and I want to find out more about the Thomas, there has to be more to that part of the story.
Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for a copy of this book for my honest opinion.
Just when you think the mystery of The Magdalene Prophecy is solved, nope … looking forward to the next book. And yes, I want to see how Yael evolves as I feel like she has so much to give, and I want to find out more about the Thomas, there has to be more to that part of the story.
Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for a copy of this book for my honest opinion.
February 19, 2021
This starts a little slow but really picks up. I read it in one evening because by the time I was half way through I had to know what happened! I'll have to read the second one because I'm intrigued by the ending.
I really enjoyed the last 25%, and it was the mystery with the twists and turns that kept me reading from the start. Well, that and my interest in anything Mary Magdalene!
Maybe I just wasn't totally in the mood for this book, because it really was a well written and well researched book, and there really wasn't anything I didn't like. I did enjoy it though. Think I'll be revisiting this one at some point!
I really enjoyed the last 25%, and it was the mystery with the twists and turns that kept me reading from the start. Well, that and my interest in anything Mary Magdalene!
Maybe I just wasn't totally in the mood for this book, because it really was a well written and well researched book, and there really wasn't anything I didn't like. I did enjoy it though. Think I'll be revisiting this one at some point!
May 19, 2021
This is a good read for anyone interested in the catholic church and the myths of their hiding the truth about Christ and his teachings. Yael is a lethal fixer-turned-sleuth investigating a curious ransom demand received at the Vatican. The problem no one will disclose what has been stolen. Yael starts investigating and discovers clues to the Magdalene Prophecy. He hopes that whoever stole the treasure will use it for good. This is book 1 and I'm looking forward to book 2, I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
November 6, 2021
I really did enjoy this book and found the characters were very well developed; however, the first couple chapters were populated by endearing characters, then the entire book shifted to someone from a clandestine organization, a killer. Not a spoiler since you learn all this at the beginning of the book.
The story felt unfinished and there were many loose ends. They may all be tied up in book two and three, but I'm not sure I love the characters enough to continue reading. The killer does redeem herself to a degree, but I didn't love her enough to proceed with further books in the series.
The story felt unfinished and there were many loose ends. They may all be tied up in book two and three, but I'm not sure I love the characters enough to continue reading. The killer does redeem herself to a degree, but I didn't love her enough to proceed with further books in the series.
May 18, 2023
I like some suspense and mystery in my books this certainly offered both of those. I did have some trouble getting into the book and had to read A few chapters before I thought okay this is okay I'm going to finish it.I would recommend it to someone who likes to mixture of doubt along with enjoyment of borderline disturbing!
June 11, 2021
Engrossing
Always thought Mary Madeline was given short shrift by the church patriarchy. I have read both volumes hoping she would speak through the author. While I’ve seen glimpses I hope more will be told in Vol 3. Intriguing story for sure.
Always thought Mary Madeline was given short shrift by the church patriarchy. I have read both volumes hoping she would speak through the author. While I’ve seen glimpses I hope more will be told in Vol 3. Intriguing story for sure.
February 15, 2024
Indiana Jones meets the Da Vinci Code in an international relic hunt with a good amount of adventure and theology mixed with some archeology as time ticks to find the hidden relics. A fun weekend read for those into the trope.
February 4, 2021
Magdalene prophecy,quickening
This was a great read. The characters ,very good..kept me guessing. The plot was exciting
I am waiting to read the other books in the series.
This was a great read. The characters ,very good..kept me guessing. The plot was exciting
I am waiting to read the other books in the series.
July 9, 2021
Very entertaining
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was fast paced and had a great details. I already purchased book 2.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was fast paced and had a great details. I already purchased book 2.
August 2, 2021
I gave up at 19%. Was sad to do so. The plot was very intriguing but I couldn't connect with the characters.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews