Title: Shaytan: A Journey into Evil
Author: David S. Arthur
Publisher: Brighton Publishing
ASIN: B00TWUV89G
Pages: 372
Genre: Adventure Fiction
Reviewed by: Lisa Brown-Gilbert, Pacific Book Review
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
Book Review
Venturesome British adventurers, Richard and Emily Quizzenbury get more than they bargained for when they set out on a sightseeing tour of turbulent 1947 India in Shaytan: A Journey into Evil, Book 2 of David S. Arthur’ s exciting Quizzenbury adventure series.This beguiling and thrilling addition to the well-received adventure series teems with history, mysticism and adventure which artfully whisks readers far and away to a turbulent 1947 India, post British control.
Richard and Emily Quizzenbury, being consummate travelers and after having endured life in war torn Britain, decide a change of scenery is in order and set out on a sightseeing tour of India. They are accompanied by Richard’s schoolmate, as their Shikari guide the handsome, spiritual and expert hunter – Victor Bloodworth. However their sightseeing quest gets waylaid by a plea to Victor for help in hunting an evil presence which terrorizes a native village mercilessly stealing and killing victims for their flesh as they sleep. The superstitious natives believe the killer to be a man during the day who becomes a flesh devouring demon at night, called the Shaytan.
Victor, accompanied by his uncle and spiritual mentor accepts the challenge of hunting the man eating killer but puts aside the superstitious belief that the menace is a demon; he believes he will be hunting a leopard. The Quizzenbury’s soon find themselves unexpectedly drawn into the deep disquieting jungles of India and into a long and dangerous venture often placing the couple directly in harm’s way.
What really makes this an engaging read is not only the tense moments, but author David S. Arthur’s decidedly skillful use of contemplative narrative delivered via the intimate journal entries of the three predominate characters, Richard Quizzenbury, Emily Quizzenbury and Victor Bloodworth. Each perspective is unique and deeply insightful as they portray their emotions, trials, tribulations and deepest feelings about this venture and their lives.
I enjoyed reading Shaytan: A Journey into Evil, it is a fascinating character driven tale which intelligently entertains. The combination of the underlying theme of good vs evil, realistically depicted scenes of harrowing adventure, engaging characters, the presentation of India’s abundant history and discerning juxtaposition of India’s metaphysical belief system vs the Bible, made this an absorbing read which I personally found to be some of the best thought provoking material that I have read in a while.
Overall Shaytan was a worthwhile read I would definitely recommend it to thrill seeking readers who enjoy good adventure fiction that edifies as well.
