2017 Karen Sampson

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Chapter- 75 Carter Exposed

"So good so action packed and well written. I do want to encourage a quick new chapter before I have bitten off every inch of fingernails i have i am stuck in suspense and hanging barely by a finger off the cliff you left me on lol you are a very talented writer and story teller though I give you that!!" https://www.wattpad.com/478315693/comment/2544356400?utm_source=android&utm_medium=sms&utm_content=share_comment&wp_page=comment&wp_uname=RobertLHarpur&wp_originator=X4ezE2iqgqocJUsZSaYK8TRAjuUDbvsCDiGfaH8uEoetr5ghmyacQKcxB0ic0jLLfFFCvTfRlCQc5LYWA0iLVdggXwJf6%2BcDXkhM8hAVnfTmUv5gouMZfJgN5xkuhNKn

2022 Epilogue Comment

EdwardEdCahill

"one of the best books that I have ever read on Wattpad"

https://www.wattpad.com/story/326689265?utm_source=android&utm_medium=link&utm_content=share_reading&wp_page=reading&wp_uname=RobertLHarpur&wp_originator=Eufj574O1DxzkLjlHj6xTL0M4WHEYzkXawkCopztkqEfnECmg6Ip1m%2Faj5bU8erF%2FM%2BdtfMlhKw65VSnHvp6Rng5cEzcq7v%2FENYvKkg3Xedbx7IG39JsEL16btIKT%2BJH

2023 2nd Horror/Paranormsl

The Wonder Awards

Horror/Paranormal reviews

"The Spectre of the Vatican"

The Wonder Awards

12/03/2023

@juneamoe

-Wattpad-

The SPECTRE of the VATICAN (@RobertLHarpur)

Cover (3/5): (Author's Note: Cover has been changed since.)

The cover for 'Here after dark' is gorgeous. The one for 'the spectre of the Vatican'? Not so much. The picture does hold significance in terms of what happens in the story, however it does not really catch ones eye. Considering that this novel is merely the toned down PG version of the actual novel, I suppose it is acceptable.

I'd rate the 'Here after dark' novel 5 points, this one however merits 3.

Blurb (10/10) ~ Hook, Mechanics, Character Intro (if applicable), Relevant Information

The blurb is short and sweet; it introduces both the main character and the chief conflict. However it doesn't quite immediately make the reader want to sample the book.

It's not simple to pinpoint on exactly why the blurb isn't magnetic, but it doesn't manage to get the reader invested in the main character. The premise of a curious Catholic secret and assassinations does add a lot of spice to the premise. Overall, the blurb covers all the basics and does excite the desire to unravel the secrets hidden underneath the holy altar.

Fits Genre (5/5) ~ does the cover and blurb fit the genre that the book was entered under?

While the cover itself can at best be described as mildly abnormal, the book weaves together the best of horror, paranormal phenomenon, mystery and one soul stirring conspiracy in it. The book absolutely fits under the category. I took the liberty to read both the original 'Here after Dark' and the entry 'The SPECTRE of the VATICAN'. Both the book captures the so called secrets hidden behind the curtains of religion with fascinating execution. It is paranormal in more ways than one.

However the horror here isn't so much in the paranormal side as it is in the human heart.

Mechanics: (13/15) ~ Grammar, spelling,

The book has numerous errors scattered throughout its vast length. Most seem like momentary slips in typing as the flow of writing takes over. While the original Here after Dark has significantly less errors, it is not the book being marked (hence the deduction). I also think that in the process of censoring the original text, some parts were accidently deleted. One very significant example is that chapter 65 of 'here after dark' is missing nearly a 1000 words if not more. The entire scene of the terrorist shooting isn't there. There are many similar small omissions throughout. However by reading both books I believe I managed to find and read the entire text.

I think the story has been written beautifully; perhaps a prolonged editing session or hiring an editor might be immensely beneficial in taking this book's reading experience to the next level. That is unless the intent for this story was merely sharing it, in which case it's also fine as is.

The grammar, while not entirely ignorable, didn't impact the reading on a whole by a significant amount.

Vocabulary: (15/15) ~ is it repetitive? Is it relevant to the plot?

For a book dealing with the other side of life, semantics are crucial... which is why as frustratingly vague as the words of the 'teacher' can be, I admit they're tastefully used. The subtle details the usage of words can add onto a conversation are very well captured here. There are a fair amount of idioms and some interesting backgrounds to it all.

The various cultural elements too have been captured in the early the characters speak. The vocabulary truly does compliment the book.

Pacing and Flow: (15/15)

I was hooked for the entire 77 chapter ride that this book took me on. This book touches on a lot of topics, and each has been dealt with well.

The dramatic irony heightens to a peak towards the middle as the reader is privy to so much more information than our poor mislead characters. It's oddly infuriating, and yet fitting to see them stumble through clues and run about in circles as they seek to discover what we just found out through the movies.

Benign seeming characters suddenly take on sinister hues and things truly aren't as simple as they seem. Except for a few chapters around the 70's where watching the group argue over what and who caused the tragedies before finally taking Carter's 'soul's' advice, the others had the perfect amount of tension. The mentioned one however did become a little tedious towards the end.

For the most part, this is a book that is hard to put down once it has taken over your mind... and it does. Take over the mind with surprising swiftness.

Plot/Creativity: (15/15)

Right off the bat we see stakes rise. It is no understatement to say that is one controversial book. This book explored the idea of The Catholic Church being home to a lot more than the gospel of Jesus Christ.

We delve into the existence of an almighty being dubbed 'All' and witness teachers and movies and umbilical cords come together in an oddly scientific and spiritual way. The concepts often struck me as familiar, perhaps it is because I've known similar schools of thoughts for large periods in my life. I must admit, the buildup to the secret was phenomenal; the real itself was mildly disappointing (once again mostly due to my own familiarity with the idea 'All' embodies here). But the secret quickly managed to gain strength and enigma as the plot furthered and we were forced to confront the tyrannical rule that silently and secretly steeped over the world.

The entire book could be said to be the embodiment of a conspiracy theory, one that has been meticulously thought out and executed! I'll not comment on the religious side of things too much or even on the spiritual significance and accuracy of it all... that is beyond this reviews scope. All I can say is that considerable research and insight have gone into its making.

The horror in the book comes from the humans that inhabit earth and not from that spirits that are allowed to briefly roam it.

It is infuriating to see two innocent teenagers truly in love with each being ripped apart by circumstances. The wrath of a pedophile who was denied his prey, the claws of priests who have been plotting for centuries, the hypocrisy of parents who believe that a Web of lies is the best way to 'protect' their young wards and that they're capable of making the 'best decision'.

Another infuriating incident is where the spread of knowledge is treated almost as a cardinal sin. This book covers a vast variety of topics that while controversial, truly make an impression.

It seems oddly fitting that the book both begins and ends with a death. Father and son, who never met in real life, just might be united in death.

Characters: (15/15) ~ Relatable, Interesting, Dialogue (relevant/interesting),

The characters are distinctively human and multifaceted. We see how someone can ruin lives in the name of love. We see how someone can have their entire identity snatched from them all because they got in the way of another's evil desires. We see how prejudice can make people spin a Web of lies that they flaunt until they themselves become a part of it.

The book has many characters, and while most of them do not get much screen time they still manage to give us a glimpse into their past and the events that shaped them into the humans that they are.

Particularly in Carter, we get to witness a savvy reporter who is not quite as truthful as he might appear to be. We witness his death and we witness his growth in afterlife as he's forced to accept the deception he's spent his whole life under. We, alongside him, learn to let go.

There is a lot of character growth we witness, there are also characters that manage to infuriate to the end... take Carter's grandmother for instance. Overall, each character has been written with mastery and they each make their mark.

Overall Enjoyment (5/5)

The novel is a thrilling and mind boggling read! It can keep the reader hooked and hanging onto their seats. It can excite and infuriate as it shows the sheer hypocrisy we as humans are capable of. The action in the book doesn't fail to stun the readers as assassinations and cold blooded murders are committed by priests donning skull shaped rings.

The book is immensely thought provoking. It is one of those books that feel like they finished too quickly because no moment was a dull one. Each chapter reveals something new... despite being privy to much more knowledge that any of the characters (except perhaps teacher), we're forced to scavenge for clues as we walk through because there still is so much we aren't privy to.

Even the Thomas hypothesis was an intriguing one. What if gods are merely humans with powers or intellect beyond the standard human? That has always been one though process that has entranced me. This book captures it well. It can make one question reality.

Total: 96/100

-----The End-----

The SPECTRE Of The VATICAN ©

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