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CelticladyKK
Posted August 30, 2012
Can you really change the past or at least change some events in the past that would have an impact on the future? The Evelyn Project supposes just that, when a century later, a letter is revealed to have instructions on how a young woman by the name of Evelyn is dying and how she can be saved. Her father will do what it takes to save her so he goes to woman who can promise that his daughter can in fact be saved by using black magic.
What follows is a fast paced, chase from London, Italy and Switzerland going back and forth from 1894 to 2009. Frano Lorenzi, a professor and Eva Thibault, an actress are the main characters who are in over their heads and find themselves being chased and narrowly escaping with their lives. They have the instructions as to how Evelyn can be saved from her illness and other people desperately want these instructions for their own purposes. They come to find that they do not know who to trust or whom they can turn to for help to save them.
A greatly imagined story with mystery, murder and paranormal mixed in which leaves the reader wanting more.This brings me back to my original question, can we possibly change the past to effect the future? I recommend reading this book to find out that the possibility of this just may be true.. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and hope to read more by this author.
The Evelyn Project is a detailed, fast-paced novel with suspenseful and
mysterious tones. Kfir Luzzatto plies his novel with non-stop action and
a side of romance to reach out to a wide range of readers. The story
centers around a father, living in 1894, who is driven to the most
dangerous task to give his daughter more time to live. Over one hundred
years later, what he set in motion has a profound effect on a simple
Latin professor whose life becomes a whirlwind of deceit, romance, and
secrets. The novel is layer on top of layer of different perspectives.
The perspectives changed so abruptly it became hard to follow and
recognize which character is speaking, and sometimes the amount of
players in the story became overwhelming. The author manages to keep the
plot straight and moving forward. Seeing all sides of the story, the
ones against the project versus those who want to see their theories
brought to fruition, gives the story a unique pull but it becomes
difficult to decipher who's truly right or wrong. All of the characters
have connections to one another in some way, but their interests and
motivations differ vastly. Luzzatto successfully constructs a complex
story that unravels with an air of drama. Readers will enjoy The Evelyn
Project's original and energetic plot. Originally posted on Lovey Dovey
Books *ebook provided in exchange for an honest review*
dreamer2229
Posted August 2, 2012
I loved the improbable idea that is the basis for this story. The idea that you could change the past in the current time by following certain steps as foretold by a seer or witch is fascinating.
The story is well written, humorous, suspenseful, and exciting. I enjoyed seeing what happened at each step. I recommend this book.
I give this book 4 out of 5 clouds.
This product or book may have been distributed for review; this in no way affects my opinions or reviews.
What would you do to save your child's life? Would you give the Devil his due? And, would you be willing to give your DNA and more for the sake of an ancestor you never knew? These are questions author Kfir Luzzatto dares us to confront in his novel, "The Evelyn Project."
Rich in spirit-veiled detail, sublimely suspenseful and a roller coaster ride to the end, this book will have you caught up in a labyrinth of quests to solve the mystery of a century old bond between a father and daughter, a fatal illness and the paranormal.
Characters are strong in this book. They are vividly drawn and imaginative. I couldn't help feeling great sympathy for the desperate father who only wanted to save his child's life...a situation of love that ultimately turned deadly in the hands of the wrong people.
From a feminist point of view, one of Mr. Luzzatto's main characters, an aspiring French actress is nothing short of indomitable! As a strong representative of the best in women, she's a treasure. Feisty and heroic, she doesn't let ruthless men who pursue her and her lover, get the better of her. She's resourceful and resilient even when her lover, the Professor sometimes isn't! I loved her fighting spirit. She's a respectable and intelligent woman character, as well as a sexy one. A woman we can be proud of. Kudos to the author on this one!
On the other hand, Luzzatto's Professor, the other central figure in "The Evelyn Project" is the pensive character we'd expect him to be. Unsure of whom and which group of strange new fellows to trust, he balances their virtues against their unlikely truths. He takes us along for the ride as we try to figure out who to trust and who to believe in the quest for "Evelyn" and the secrets surrounding century old documents.
Story development is well defined. It's easy to follow the progression of this thriller through the eyes of a cultish group with their own longevity agenda, to the race of Evelyn's professorial ancestor for his life and his wits against them. I liked being kept guessing...who were the real "bad guys" in the chase?!
This is a fast-paced, intriguing novel that will keep you wondering until it's resolved in the closing pages. Kfir Luzzatto is an intelligent author who gives us an original story with turns of plot that hit you head-on! There were several surprises in the novel I didn't see coming, and I consider myself a seasoned reader. This is a book I can safely recommend to those who enjoy a thriller with paranormal and historical fiction underpinnings. You'll find the final repercussions just startling! I did.
This book was haunting from the moment you open it up till the end. When I received the book to review the cover intrigued me because we were in the middle of having a huge discussion on the paranormal and where ghosts fit into the bunch since many of us believe in their existence. Monsters of the non human variety require us to dispel our belief. Ghosts are borderline because even with Supernatural reminding us how horrifying they can be, they still end up feeling more in the range of Casper variety, just does not frighten us.
As I read further I realized this was nothing to do with a ghost, in fact I can say this book states also it has to do with black magic. This is a psychological terror-fest that has you clutching the cat in a death grip as you follow Franco and Eva through crazyville across Europe and time. But do not be mistaken, there are ghosts in this book, but none of them are friendly and none of them go boo! The tale bounces back and forth between generations of desperation to find a secret formula that only Franco can unlock. Trickery, murder and confusion ensue that is wrought so transparently and well done by our author you cannot help but jump on the train and go along for the ride.
There are a lot of tendrils to keep track of here, but it is well worth it. Nazi's, the alps (no singing in this tale though), deathbeds, blood letting, a bit of hocus-pocus and of course love.. oh wait there is also some bizarre behind the scene ponzi scams involving a very powerful and greedy man who has some underhanded dealings with someone in the Vatican, though that is a not as important to the story as it goes to the actual character development of the greedy little man... murder... mayhem, cross country chase... and Venice! What European tale would be proper and dark without having a scene or two in Venice!A fun place to start this cross country European chase to escape a hitman and the police and find out what is really in the documents that are causing all this craziness in the first place!
There is more than one mystery that I was sure I had solved that when it was exposed only to find myself back-peddling to double check because I was sure the author screwed something up only to find out Doh, it was me missing a minor clue! It truly was like being lost in some Scottish Loch being chased by Nazi's through the fog rain and mud and wondering why everything was in black and white! (yes I know a little heavy on the Hitchcockian visuals but HEY it was like being in the middle of a REALLY good Hitchcock movie! but with WORDS instead of moving pictures!)
This is not like DaVinchi's code, this is not your normal paranormal tale, nor is the black magic the central focus point. The focus is the characters, the trust, the building of relationships that have been thrust upon you and perhaps throw a little Plato-ism in with a possible “split-apart” with our Professor and the beautiful actress. Betrayal on all sides and that older gentleman? Well... he is much darker than he seems. A couple of shoot outs and dingy hotel rooms and you will see why I keep referring back to Hitchcockian feeling stories. It is a tale of depths, there is always more than meets the eye, there is always something else going on, and even in the end... even with that last page you are left feeling full but still in wonder if it is really ever going to be through.
Anonymous
Posted August 3, 2012
No text was provided for this review.
