Format read: eBook
Number of pages: 256 pages
Release date: July 13, 2010
Source: Review copy provided by author
Formats available: eBook, Hardcover
Purchasing info: Goodreads, Amazon, Books on Board, author’s website

Book Blurb:

What would you do if the love of your life was murdered by a deranged killer? Would you become a vigilante and seek retribution? And would this revenge affect those you care for in the afterlife?

LOGIC OF DEMONS The Quest for Nadine’s Soul takes you on a journey inside the psyches of men and women forced to deal with the spiritual consequences of their decisions. Through the lives of a demon, two Angels, and a mysterious teenage girl, a plethora of politically and socially relevant issues ranging from the roots of genocide and sex trafficking to child conscription and religious fundamentalism are addressed in this fantasy thriller. Life as well as the afterlife converge in this novel to explain certain peculiarities of the human condition. Whether you are God fearing individual or an atheist, LOGIC OF DEMONS The Quest for Nadine’s Soul addresses moral and theological issues of interest for people of all backgrounds.

What would you do if the love of your life is brutally raped and murdered, and you knew who did it?

Basically there are two paths you can follow. You can try to cope with the pain, get on with your life and leave the thing to the authorities, or you can succumb to dark desires of revenge and handle the problem yourself. What would you do? What would be the consequences? Nearly all religions believe in a kind of afterlife. Will you be able to enter heaven after taking revenge upon yourself and committing murder? And will you then be able to ever see your beloved again?

The story Mr. Goodman presents revolves around these questions. The protagonist Devin has experienced such bitter fate, and is now condemned to work for hell. He is obliged to sell the “formula” which gives the “strength” to stand up to one’s enemies and safe oneself. Devin is promised that after selling this formula to a teenager called Nadine he will be released from service and can see his wife again. Another tragic choice awaits him. Sell to Nadine and lure her to the dark path for his own selfish ambitions or do the noble thing for the price of never being happy again?

Our hero once again he chooses the simple path, but meets the other side. Devin meets an angel who tries to show him an alternative path. Together they set on a journey to dark places in the not so far past where Devin can witness firsthand the results that come from the formula – murder, rapes, genocide etc. 

Our demon in training begins to question the reasoning he had so far. But what can he do to loosen his bond   to hell? Is it possible to redeem oneself in the afterlife? Suddenly a third party enters the play – the Paladin. These are religious fanatics that know their holy book (whether Bible,Thorah or Koran) by heart and think they therefore know the will of god. These paladin are sworn to protect heaven from all “unworthy” souls, that is every soul who does not match their pattern. Needless to say, that Devin -as a demon, whether in training or not- is an archenemy to the paladin, especially as they too are interested in Nadine.

Why is Nadine so important that heaven and hell are battling to gain her soul? She seems an ordinary teenager, but for some reason she is deeply depressed. Devin is caught between the hammer and anvil. All he ever wanted was to meet his wife again, but he seems to be further away from her than ever…

H.A. Goodman takes us on a rapid voyage through space, time and spirituality. What is good or evil? What are the differences and more important what are the similarities between the great religions? The reader can ponder these questions, but is not lead to a preset conclusion by the author. Some interesting aspects

of religion and fundamentalism are laid bare, and I think it is worth thinking about it. The style of writing is intriguing and exciting, but there is sometimes not enough time to reflect on the moral aspects of the situations in which Devin finds himself.

I was quite surprised by the quality of this book, what with the high expectations the blurb left me with. 😉

The story has many twists and turns so it never gets boring and ultimately, nothing is what it seemed at the beginning…

I give Logic of Demons: The Quest for Nadine’s Soul 3,5 out of 5 bookies.

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