Book Review: The Bronze Scroll

 

A New-Age Journey of Discovery: For their first novel in the Knights of the Lost Temple series, co-authors Paul and Alia chose the so-called Copper Scroll (which is actually made of bronze) as a central element in the characters’ story. One of the Dead Sea Scrolls found in a desert cave in the 1950s, this artifact is a treasure map listing tons of gold and silver hidden at vaguely described locations that scholars had given up on deciphering. As a supposedly “unsolvable” mystery, the Copper Scroll would serve a symbol of the discontents of modern life, in which the great, achievable dreams seem to have already been accomplished. There was just one problem. The Copper Scroll wasn’t unsolvable after all. As Sam and his friends work to decipher this ancient treasure map, its mysteries unravel one by one.

The authors of this new adventure-romance series invite you to join them on this voyage. Currently working on the second book in the series, the authors believe that the world’s diverse spiritual traditions hold answers for our troubled times. Paul, who identifies as “spiritual but not religious,” and Alia, a “new-age Muslim” from an Afghan American family (writing under her pen name), believe that greater understanding among the world’s different faiths and beliefs is essential to solving the world’s current problems. Recognizing that even the smallest miracles—like an ancient treasure map found in a desert cave—can make a big difference, the authors welcome you to share this journey together.

My review: This is a slow-burn adventure which unfolds gradually, given the massive back history of the ancient world and the scroll itself. The authors mix history (biblical and ancient), geography, travel, suspense, villainy, and thrills to engage the reader with Sam and his quest. If you’re looking for the rollercoaster non-stop action and pace of Indiana Jones or Dan Brown, you will not find it here. There are many links and threads from the past that must be woven carefully into the present day to give meaning to the quest.

Sam is a thoughtful and spiritual protagonist who doesn’t actually understand his dreams and visions, especially those of people from the past who offer him advice and valuable pointers in his quest. The reader gets to know Sam, his dreams, and his desires intimately and thus has a deeper understanding of who he is and what the future has in store for him. There are many surprises waiting around the corner, it seems, as he learns more about his family and their history too.

If I have any criticism, it is that the factual information is really dense and could be spread out for an easier reading flow. In addition, while many historical details are very necessary for the plot to make sense, the extra details on just about every site of interest or antiquity were unnecessary and slowed the pace down. Facts not germane to the plot could be put in a glossary at the end for the interested reader to learn more. That said, the action really picks up in the last part of the story where there are big reveals, big betrayals, and lots of thrills in a life-and-death race against time. The end is astonishing as well and segues nicely into the next leg of Sam’s adventure while still wrapping up this mystery quite neatly. The book is well written and well edited. History buffs and fans of archaeological mysteries will appreciate the depth of the research and enjoy this book. 4/5

 Book website: https://www.knightsofthelosttemple.com/

Amazon Selling Page: https://amzn.to/3BcelQr

 

TV Series review: Nine Perfect Strangers

 

 Nine Perfect Strangers is based on the 2018 book by Liane Moriarty. Nine ostensibly perfect strangers find themselves at a wellness retreat, Tranquillum House in California, to rest, recuperate, find themselves, and their purpose in life. The place is run by the mysterious Masha, a Russian woman with dubious motives. It becomes apparent that they are not guests by chance; they have been picked, but why? It also becomes clear that the place is run along very odd lines and their hostess is more than passing strange. Masha is also being stalked by someone sinister. Things go downhill very quickly into chaos and some rather drastic situations involving the paranormal.

Having watched The White Lotus, which I absolutely loved, with a kind of horrified fascination, I thought this would be similar kind of dark social satire. Sadly, it was not. While fatally flawed and only saved by reasons I shall enlarge upon shortly, the biggest problem with 9PS is that it is an homage to one person: actress Nicole Kidman, who is also an executive producer. Unless the actress is Glenn Close or Meryl Streep, an homage can be dodgy. This one is very definitely skewed in favour of an actress who could not actually hold all the threads together.

The plot is filled with holes you can drive a truck through. This is the most expensive resort around and yet none of the guests knew they had to sign an NDA, give blood for tests, surrender all electronic devices, and drink weird concoctions which resulted in even weirder behaviour. The location, while beautiful, is very obviously Australia (Byron Bay, NSW) so why the producers tried to pass it off as California beats me. The whole plot soon reveals as being an elaborately staged project by Masha to invoke the supernatural based on (of course) drugs and the grief of several of the characters. She is hoping to cross the divide between this world and the next. This is all revealed very quickly and then the point is somewhat moot as Masha proceeds to become even more and more deranged and the guests band together for protection.

The series succeeded in spite of Kidman, not because of her. Kidman plays Masha as a somewhat unhinged Madame Arcati, with a truly dreadful Russian accent that kept slipping, a wig that looked like an old mop, and clothes that hinted at girlish times back in Russia with lots of crochet lace and cheesecloth. Many scenes turned into yawn-fests with excess time spent on Masha swimming, Masha sitting under a tree, Masha lying almost naked on a bed while she seduces her wingman. Alas, were the actress 32 instead of 52, this might have worked. Kidman’s love affair with Botox has resulted in her expressions being reduced to staring wide-eyed, clenching her jaw, and looking grim. Everyone else acted her off the screen. Repeated and interminable flashbacks (always the same, of Masha) also add to audience boredom. Plus, the camera does not lie and there were the occasional very realistic and unfuzzed moments….

The good stuff comes via the actors who pull the whole thing together despite the above-mentioned production fatalities. I have always thought of Melissa McCarthy as the ‘fat chick’ in movies, the chubby friend who makes the main star look good. She is amazing in her portrayal of a disillusioned romance writer struggling with her own personal life and her flagging career. Plus, she really rocks red lipstick. Bobby Canavale is another actor I have seen in small roles, but he shines as the rising sports star felled by an accident and a descent into pills and booze. I have always liked Luke Evans in movies. In real life he is gay, but his portrayal of a gay character seemed unexpectedly cliched and uncertain. Samara Weaving and Greg Chandler play the couple with marital problems. I thought they were just background figures in the beginning but give them time—they do surprise the audience. Regina Hall, the single mom struggling with anger issues, well, she drops a bombshell and had me taken aback when her role in all this is revealed. The others all played their parts well and the degree to which they end up annoying the audience is a testament to their skill.

The music is really excellent, and the opening graphics are visually stunning and strangely psychedelic, which gives the audience a good idea of what they are about to encounter. However, I found the story fell apart at the end and the tying up of loose ends was very deus ex machina. But, if you can bypass the boring bits of self-indulgent homage, this is worth watching, if only for Melissa and Bobby’s story. 3/5