The Prodigal’s Foole is the first of The Arcana Chronicles series. Firstly, I’ll qualify my review by saying I don’t usually read science fiction or urban fantasy. I’m a realist who finds it difficult to suspend my disbelief with the written word, but I must say, I LOVED this debut novel by R.B. Wood, and I’m thrilled to be a stop on his Magical Mystery Book Tour.
Before you proceed any further, have a look at this book trailer—it’s absolutely first rate!
The Prodigal’s Foole revolves around Symon Bryson, a man who’s been living in self-imposed exile in Ireland. He reluctantly returns to the States after being summoned for a secret assignment.
The story begins with Symon arriving in Boston where he was trained by the Catholic Church as a magician He’s painfully aware that his magical skills were partially responsible for a failed mission ten years earlier, resulting in multiple fatalities. Reuniting with an eclectic mix of men and women who each have their own special powers, they set out to find Monsignor Charles DuBarry—their mentor who has been abducted. Evil forces are obviously at play, and one senses that unless the group finds out what happened to the Monsignor, the world will be in grave peril.
As the smart-ass protaganist, Symon is the strongest magic practitioner of the team, but he is undisciplined. His sardonic wit reminds me of a young Indiana Jones in the face of danger—quick with the one-liners and equally likeable. You understand how incredibly gifted he is, and yet, he does not realize his power. This creates enormous anticipation as we follow along for the ride. What evil forces will this group come up against, and will they persevere?
The story telling is done with the deft hand of a writer who knows how to entice. R.B. Wood spins an intricate web filled with the mystery of the Catholic Church, magical spells, and the Shadow world. Written in the intimate voice of the first person, the plot quickly drew me in and kept me enthralled. At times, I felt I was right there fighting the demons myself. I even heard the alternating soundtracks of The Omen, Raiders of the Lost Ark and Mission Impossible ringing in my head!
All the characters of The Prodigal’s Foole are strong and well-defined. A touch of romance provides another layer and reveals the human side of Symon. It’s an incredible story that will scare you, make you laugh, and keep you cheering for good over evil. Don’t miss it!
LAUNCH DATE: 10 • 31 • 11
Buy Links for The Prodigal’s Foole
Add R.B. Wood to your list of authors to watch for!
Come back tomorrow when I interview him for a bonus edition of “Inside the Author’s Mind.”
Lovely review Eden! I’m SO glad you enjoyed the book!
-RB
Indeed! Thanks for giving me the opportunity to beta read something different — it was a blast!
eden
Great review, Eden!
Thanks Larry, happy you dropped by to read.
eden