Eve's Tomb - Review

Vinamzi Lance, an Oxford graduate is shocked to hear about the murder of his Professor. He is more perplexed when he learns that the last message from the Professor is for him.

However, the message turns out to be a code. Along with the Professor’s son Bruce, they embark on a frantic hunt through the Vatican and then to North America after the lost prophecy of Nostradamus. Retrieving the prophecy is not as easy as two great powers, the Church and the Virgins (a secret cult) embroil as they think it holds the destiny of the world. Ironically all the intricate plotting of the Virgins and the Church turn to mayhem as they confront an adroit deception. Finally, the last hopes of saving the world from a nuclear disaster and the battle of the sexes are in the hands of Vinamzi and his friends… Will they be able to stop the destruction or will Eve’s tomb be a burial ground of them all…

About the Author

D. Ronald Hadrian is studying English Literature. Apart from writing and reading, he loves trekking and touring. He continuously tries to improve himself in all aspects of life. He acts in dramas in college, and is part of the Drama Club in college. Besides writing fiction, he writes poetry and drama too. His first work, Hiron - The Dark Blood, was published in 2008.

Science meets religion and religion meets literature in D.R.Hadrian’s 'Eve’s Tomb', plotting up a story-line that revolves around the lost prophecy of Nostradamus, and how an Oxford Graduate, Vinamzi Lance, seeks for it, along with the help of his deceased Professor’s son, Bruce. The events take place in several parts of the globe, from Vatican and then to North America, setting high expectations of a thrilling chase of missing symbolism and unraveling secret codes.

The story starts off well, with a strange ritual that we have not heard of before, and thus we get fascinated to it. Soon, the Professor gets murdered, and all hell breaks loose, when it is prophecised that the world would come to an end. Vinamzi and Bruce, who are entrusted with the task of finding the truth, encounter several dead ends, and are often challenged in their quest. They seek to solve the mystery, but then things go out of hand, and trust turns to deception, as the darkness behind the veils are revealed. The readers read on, in anticipation of what-comes-next, as it wouldn't be easy to keep this book away once you start reading it.

On one hand this book is blessed with a well-devised plot. The readers cannot predict what would happen next, and this adds an alluring charm to the story. The suspense is always there, egging the reader to go on and on. However, on the other hand, I couldn't stop thinking that this book could have been presented in a lot better manner. Firstly, the cover pic is dull, and devoid of the brightness and beauty that would attract one to pick up this book from the shelf. Perhaps, a better cover pic in the subsequent editions will definitely help this book. Secondly, I found several editing glitches in different parts of the story. This again acts as a hindrance when a reader would like to read a book in one go. Lack of proper editing, including grammatical errors, can prove to be a major obstacle in the path to a reader’s heart. Also, the characterization, and the relationship between the protagonists could have been sketched elaborately, making it easier for the readers to relate to them.

Some of the chapters were written in a beautiful manner. However, the book comes interspersed with parts that needed a little more of polishing, to make them shine as a coherent whole. This again diluted the intelligent story-line, and made me, as a reader, feel not too deeply satisfied. A tighter writing, with a better editing, and a brighter cover pic, probably in the next edition, could really work wonders for ‘Eve’s Tomb.’

If you are a lover of mysteries and thrillers, this book is for you. You will love the story and the plot, and will appreciate Hadrian for coming up with a subject so enchanting. If the author and his team can work towards the flaws that I have highlighted above, and rectify them soon, this book can really turn out to be an excellent read. After all, the plot deserves to be read, and a fluent storytelling and style will ensure its success.

Title: Eve's Tomb

Author: D.R.Hadrian

Publisher: Blackbuck Publication

Publication Year: 2013

Language: English

Binding: Paperback

Genre: Fiction

No. of Pages: 248

Price: Rs 150

My Rating: 2/5