Poseidon's Children by Michael West

9/10

After the ruins of a vast, ancient civilization are discovered on the ocean floor, Coast Guard officers find a series of derelict ships drifting in the current-high-priced yachts and leaking fishing boats, all ransacked, splattered in blood, their crews missing and presumed dead.

And that's just the beginning.

Vacationing artist Larry Neuhaus has just witnessed a gruesome shark attack, a young couple torn apart right before his eyes… at least, he thinks it was a shark. And when one of these victims turns out to be the only son of Roger Hays, the most powerful man in the country, things go from bad to worse. Now, to stop the carnage, Larry and his new-found friends must work together to unravel a mystery as old as time, and face an enemy as dark as the ocean depths.

This novel plays on our primal fear in true Michael West style. This time his attention is turned to the sea – something malevolent is lurking out there (or is it closer than we think?) and it wishes us harm.

This is another white knuckle ride with its mix of urban fantasy, science fiction and horror with the ancient mythological world colliding with the modern.

This is a mystery told from multiple points of view rather than from one particular person. In this way the reader is kept on their toes even if it does tend to jump around a bit. You feel this one is setting up a series so I suppose we can expect to meet a lot of characters.

And what a cast of characters they are: troubled artist Larry, inquisitive and adventurous archaeologist Carol Miyagi, tough and dedicated coast guard Earl Preston and an array of New York hit-men headed by larger than life Dante “Horror Show” Vianello.

Larry in particular is another West character who has to face up to the issues and events of his past in order to overcome his present problems. Fortunately his loving girlfriend Peggy is there with him to offer support and both will go on a life changing journey together.

Poseidon’s Children has short, sharp, jolting chapters which are incident packed. I enjoyed reading as the different lives and stories became interconnected. Also with its theme of an ancient religion and small town America hiding a big secret this has all the right ingredients to shock and entertain.

I can honestly say that I have never read anything like this before. Part of you is amused and incredulous, another is horrified but you are always thoroughly entertained.

Just when you think you have a firm grasp of what is going on West jerks the carpet right from underneath you!

With its compelling cast of characters, gripping plot, twists, gore and a showdown between New York mobsters and sea monsters you cannot accuse this one of being pedestrian!

The tone here is a knowing one, amused, mischievous almost saying “I know this is all far-fetched but hey let’s have a great time together!”

Conspiracy theorists, fans of science fiction and horror will all love this and the “Legacy of Gods” series is off to the strongest of starts.

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Poseidon’s Children (The Legacy of the Gods: Book One)
Published 2012 by Seventh Star Press
ISBN: 9781937929978

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