Hello, book friends. Today is my favorite day of the week: Book Tour Day! Book Tour Day does not fall on any consistent day… just whenever I have a book tour to post.
Today I am bringing you The Abdication by Justin Newland in conjunction with Zooloo’s Book Tours. Thank you to Zoe and Justin for including me in the Tour. But, enough about me; let’s get to the good stuff.
Synopsis
The town of Unity sits perched on the edge of a yawning ravine where, long ago, a charisma of angels provided spiritual succour to a fledgeling human race. Then mankind was granted the gift of free will and had to find its own way, albeit with the guidance of the angels. The people’s first conscious act was to make an exodus from Unity. They built a rope bridge across the ravine and founded the town of Topeth. For a time, the union between the people of Topeth and the angels of Unity was one of mutual benefit. After that early spring advance, there had been a torrid decline in which mankind’s development resembled a crumpled, fading autumnal leaf.
Following the promptings of an inner voice, Tula, a young woman from the city, trudges into Topeth. Her quest is to abide with the angels and thereby discover the right and proper exercise of free will. To do that, she has to cross the bridge – and overcome her vertigo. Topeth is in upheaval; the townsfolk blame the death of a child on dust from the nearby copper mines. The priests have convinced them that a horde of devils have thrown the angels out of Unity and now occupy the bridge, possessing anyone who trespasses on it. Then there’s the heinous Temple of Moloch!
The Abdication is the story of Tula’s endeavour to step upon the path of a destiny far greater than she could ever have imagined.
Review
Author Justin Newland describes The Abdication as a “suspense thriller”, which I find to be an accurate way to categorize this novel. There certainly is a lot of suspense in the story, and that is no surprise given Newland’s history: this is not the author’s first rodeo, having published several novels before this one. Newland certainly knows how to layer the drama in the narrative so the reader has several components of tension to look forward to.
My favorite aspect of this book, though, is the ending. There are some twists en route to what turns out to be a pretty satisfying final act, but Newland is also not afraid to make tough decisions with the characters along the way. You are going to have to read the book to find out more!
Author Information
Justin Newland is an author of historical fantasy and secret history thrillers – that’s history with a supernatural twist. His stories feature known events and real people from history which are re-told and examined through the lens of the supernatural. He gives author talks and is a regular contributor to BBC Radio Bristol’s Thought for the Day. He lives with his partner in plain sight of the Mendip Hills in Somerset, England.
His Books
The Genes of Isis is a tale of love, destruction and ephemeral power set under the
skies of Ancient Egypt. A re-telling of the Biblical story of the flood, it reveals the
mystery of the genes of Isis – or genesis – of mankind.
The Old Dragon’s Head is a historical fantasy and supernatural thriller set
during the Ming Dynasty and played out in the shadows the Great Wall of
China. It explores the secret history of the influences that shaped the
beginnings of modern times.
Set during the Great Enlightenment, The Coronation reveals the secret history of
the Industrial Revolution.
His latest, The Abdication (July, 2021), is a suspense thriller, a
journey of destiny, wisdom and self-discovery.
Follow him at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justin.newland.author/
Website : http://www.justinnewland.com/
Amazon UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Abdication-Justin-Newland/dp/1800463952
Amazon US – https://www.amazon.com/Abdication-Justin-Newland-ebook/dp/B098PHD84Y
Thank you for stopping by, book friends. I hope you enjoyed your time here. Please follow along with the remainder of the book tour. The schedule is below.
Thank you Jason for this review and for taking part in the tour today! x
Thank you for having me, Zoe.
Hi Jason, thanks for your kind and considered review. Justin.
Thank you, Justin.