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REVIEW: Dante's Journey by J.C. Marino
Posted: 26 April 2010 by Tyson Mauermann in Labels: Dante's Journey, Fantasy, Horror, J.C. Marino
Publishing information: Paperback; 366 pages
Publisher: Star Publishing 22 Feb 2010
ISBN 10: 1935188097
ISBN 13: 978-1935188094
Copy: Provided by Author
Back of the Book "A flash of light and Detective Joe Dante steps through. No longer on the cobblestone streets of 1961 Boston, Joe finds himself in a horrifying new world-Hell itself. Joe was in hot pursuit of his family's killer, drug lord Filippo Argenti, when both were killed, and isn't about to let a little thing like death slow him down. So, with a healthy dose of New England stubbornness and the help of a mysterious guide, Virgil DiMini, Joe must evade angry demons, and search ever-lower through the rings of the original Dante's Inferno in hopes of finding justice for his wife and children. However, Joe will soon discover that behind every sin lies a secret and each secret revealed could land Joe in an eternity of hot water... VERY hot."
Dante's Journey is exactly as it sounds, a journey only, this one is unlike anything I have read in a long time and that is a good thing. The story flips back and forth between Dante's time in the various levels of Hell and his last few moments on earth before he is sent to hell. Just like the original poem, Virgil guides Dante through his journey and does his best to redeem him and find his place in heaven.
Dante's Journey has a lot of things going for it, for one it is a modernized retelling of the middle ages tale. Many of the individuals that Dante meets have been updated and the sins have more meaning for today's readers.
The Action is non-stop in Dante's Journey. Whether Dante is battling lizard, insect, or robotic demons you will continue to turn pages far into the night and into the next morning. The action scenes depicted in the novel were well-written and breath-taking.
The characters in Dante's Journey are also interesting. Even though many of the individuals have had their fates chosen for a lifetime of torment based on a single event, they do not define the characters. Dante enters hell-bent on revenge and as we trek through the various levels of hell we see Dante change for the better as the story progresses.
The only minor flaw that I found in Dante's Journey was that there were a few instances where I felt the author was attempting to show his political leanings. But, it was so minor that it did not distract from the story or interfere with my enjoyment of the book. It was one or two sentences that I thought could have been edited out and would not have affected the overall telling of the story.
After finishing Dante's Journey I have to say that I was impressed. Marino has taken an old classic and found a way to improved and modernized it. Not an easy thing to do, but after reading Dante's Journey J.C. Marino makes it look that way. I found that Dante's Journey was a quick read and had plenty of action. The pacing was perfect. Marino flawlessly moves from the past to the present without breaking stride. If you want a quick read with some great characters and pacing look no further than J.C. Marino's Dante's Journey, you will not be disappointed. As a debut novel I expect great things in the future from Marino.
Excellent review Tyson! A copy of Dante's Journey is on my TBR list so I'm looking forward to it.
I really liked Marino's style from the first dozen or so pages that I read when I received my copy so I'm glad but not surprised that you are impressed with it.
Let's see how Peter is going to like it :).