The Thunder Child

The Call of Reviews

"Stand By For Mars!"

The Call of Reviews

The Call of Reviews: Reviews by Matt Sanborn Fire in the Ocean, Curly Raphino Authorhouse Illustrations by Jim Warren The explosion of self published books has done two things: One, it has allowed very good pieces of work that are not commercially profitable for large publishing houses to reach the public. Secondly, it has allowed books that would profit from significant editing work to be published before their time. Fire in the Ocean, A New Testament, by Curly Raphino, is of the latter. This book is a meshing of Christian, Greek, Jewish and several other mythologies into what the author calls Christi-ology. It is difficult to tell if the author wishes the reader to believe this Christi-ology real, or strictly fiction. From the tone of the work, it would seem as if he intends it to be taken seriously, almost a “New Testament.” Here’s how the author describes the work in the back matter: FIRE IN THE OCEAN is a unique integration of Christianity and Greco-Roman Mythology figures paired seamlessly together to form an original concept called Christi-ology. Set in a fictional realm (Heaven) during the 16th century Renaissance Era, a magical story unfolds in this world that is meticulously tailored to suit the every need of the Higher Powers who reigns supreme. The mystical location is a parallel dimension that coincides with the world on earth and also quarters the exemplifying Kingdom of Elements, three designated empires that balances and governs three major components in man's world (earth, sky & sea). The life on earth becomes in conflict and compromised when a highly observed ordinance in Heaven is violated by two significant civilians. The price to pay for such defiance is high and the punishment is almost unbearable. Now revenge is being sought out on earth and everything affiliated with it. The entire human race becomes in danger and the only person with phenomenal powers that can stop it all is a 12-year old boy who is revered as a savior by a civilization in distress. Once a very long time ago, a legend was conceived from a detrimental mistake and now he alone has the power to restore the balance between two very distinctive worlds and all their inhabitants. FIRE IN THE OCEAN is a Spiritual thriller like no other before it, taking the battle between good and evil to unimaginable extent, while luring its readers into a world with endless possibilities. Discover a world where revenge is bittersweet, friendship is everlasting and the ocean keeps secrets so profound that the water it contains burns like fire. In his introduction, the author introduces his concept of the “Tri-forces” Life, Death and God.” It is a complex concept that is never fully explained, and unfortunately the author continually tells us, rather than shows, what he means. The writing is a bit repetitive as well. The book begins in first person limited, but quickly, moves into third person omniscient. In the author’s bio, he tells us the story began playing in his head, “like a movie.” And it seems he is trying to write a movie almost verbatim on paper, which leaves the characters not fully drawn. This is obviously a work of great passion, however, it would have benefitted from a skilled editor to help tighten up some of its flaws. The book is illustrated by Jim Warren. The cover is very beautiful, and the interior art is striking. (www.Jimwarren.com).

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