A nun commits suicide in front of thousands in Spain. In Australia, Siobhan Russo recognises that nun as her mother, Denise Russo, who disappeared six years ago. In search of answers, Siobhan travels to the isolated convent where her mother once lived. Here she discovers Denise’s final confession, a book that details a heinous betrayal that left her crippled and mute, and Denise’s subsequent deal … subsequent deal with the Devil to take revenge. In the desperate bargain Denise made with the Prince of Darkness, she wagered Siobhan’s soul.
As Siobhan discovers the fate of her soul, she learns that hidden within the pages of her mother’s confession is part of The Devil’s Prayer, an ancient text with the power to unleash apocalyptic horrors.
And now her mother’s enemies know Siobhan has it.
Can Siobhan escape an order of extremist monks determined to get the Prayer back? Can she save the world from its own destruction?
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See the stunning locations from the book at devilsprayer.com.
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The Devil’s Prayer
By: Luke Gracias
5 out of 5 stars
The story The Devil’s Prayer by Luke Gracias is a book in the horror genre. It is one that had me turning pages. I was on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next. I enjoyed reading about the main character of Siobhan Russo. Siobhan’s mother had disappeared six years ago, and she was left with responsibilities and questions. Now those questions have only grown as her mother has committed suicide. Determined to find out the truth behind her mother’s disappearance and suicide she travels to the convent where her mother lived. There she finds a final confession from her mother, Denise, and pages that are part of The Devil’s Prayer. What will Siobhan learn when she reads her mother’s confession? Will she find all of the answers that she is seeking? What do the pages of The Devil’s Prayer reveal? Siobhan has also found herself being pursued by extremist monks who want the pages she has found back. Will they be successful, or will Siobhan escape their grasp? Read this book to find out. This story has scenes of action and danger. It is thrilling and suspenseful. I had to remind myself to breathe. Siobhan’s mother was also a very interesting and intriguing character. I was appalled and angry at what she went through, however, I at times questioned the actions that she took. The story also has other additional characters. Some of them help and some are only out for themselves. I enjoyed reading about the part that each one played in the book and their interactions with Siobhan. This is a story that had chills going up and down my spine and found I didn’t want to put it down until I had finished the final page. Highly recommended.
This book is EPIC!!!
From the first page through to the last the reader is held totally captive to a story line that begs to be read without pause. The characters are robust, perfectly formed and completely believable while taking part in events that stretch the imagination to the fullest. From theft, rape, attempted murder and more we move into the territory of the supernatural with an ease that speaks volumes about the skill of the author and his pen. Throughout the book the research Luke Gracias has done shows in the knowledge of the areas travelled by the characters and the history that is involved in the story. All of it is put together with tremendous skill to bring us a riveting story that is virtually impossible to put down before the end. I cannot wait for the sequel to arrive to continue the adventure!
I most definitely recommend this book to anyone that isn’t afraid of the dark in all things!
The Devils Prayer by Luke Gracius is not only interesting, but it never fails to surprise. At a time when many novels follow predictable, well-trod paths, Gracias keeps readers guessing right up to the end.
The tale begins in Spain with delicious, haunting, cinematic prose. Readers first meet Sister Benedictine as she self-flagellates during the festival of Maundy Thursday. One might believe the action takes place centuries ago; however, it actually takes place in the present. The author employs his copious knowledge of history to build realistic, authentic activity that is sure to draw readers into the action. Soon, desperate to evade red monks who are stalking her, the mysterious Sister Benedictine is off on a nightmarish mission that revolves around a Bible and a key.
Soon, the plot drops out of the frame and readers are taken to Australia where they meet Siobhan Russo, a young woman struggling to come to terms with the disappearance of her mother, many years ago. Then, Siobhan finds that her mother has passed on, at a convent in Spain. At a memorial for her mother, an enigmatic priest hands Siobhan a Bible with a key in it, and Siobhan embarks on a search for answers.
The rest of the tale bounces back and forth between Sister Benedictine’s history and Siobhan’s quest for truth. Why did Siobhan’s mother disappear without a word? What does this all mean for Siobhan and her sister? Not only are the girls in danger, but their souls are at stake.
The characters are well-drawn and likable, and the settings are extremely interesting. The convoluted, intertwined plot lines work well together to create a pleasant read.
Unfortunately, the superior prose that graces the beginning of the novel stagnates toward the end with a patch of authorial intrusion that does not serve to propel the plot and comes off as a history lesson. Luckily, it can be skipped without losing anything. The tale ends with a teaser that portends a possible sequel that will be welcomed by many readers.
The Devil’s Prayer is a compelling and intriguing novel blending historical fiction with religious treachery and deceit. It is fast-paced and deliciously dark, making for the kind of psychological thriller you don’t want to put down. Siobhan’s search, and the fearsome truths awaiting her, provide quite the wild ride.
This highly original novel is well-written and edited, though I found some of the writing to be a bit more pragmatic than artistic. For that reason it doesn’t flow as well as it could, but the intrigue of the story and the detail more than make up for it.
So excited to hear a sequel is planned, as The Devil’s Prayer ended too soon with so many questions unanswered.
The Devil’s Prayer by Luke Gracias is a story about a nun who commits suicide. Siobhan Russo recognizes the nun as her long lost mother, and prepares for a journey to find answers about her mother’s death. I’m conflicted in my review of this book. On one hand, the characters are believable, but on the other hand, this reads more like a research paper than a novel. There are far too many places and dates that I ended up getting lost in the details. Nothing ever got resolved, so I’m guessing there is another book to be written? If not, this book could use some serious revamping. I was highly disappointed.