"Mayan myth says that the world will end on the winter solstice in 2012. The fate of the world depends on one man, Michael Gabriel. Unfortunately for the world, Gabriel has spent the last decade locked up in a psychiatric hospital by a powerful, and vindictive enemy. It is up to Dominique Vasquez to free Gabriel so he can prevent the destruction of the world, though it is not until much later that they realize the price they will have to pay to do so."
Samer Ismail, Resident Steve Alten Scholar
"
Forge, Feb 2001, 25.95, 379 pp.
ISBN: 0312874766
Over three decades, archeologist Julius Gabriel investigated the theory that the Mayan calendar foretold the Apocalypse and ancient edifices were a global puzzle with the solution to saving the world. His peers laugh at Julius, thinking the so-called scientist is a paranoid lunatic for seeking ties between Stonehenge, the Giza Pyramid, and other similar sites.
After Julius dies, his son Michael is taken away for attacking a former colleague now Secretary of State, Pierre Borgia. Under psychological observation, Michael persuades Dominque Vazquez that he is not only sane, but that the doomsday clock is ticking down its final days. Together, they forge a team trying to heave a Hail Mary pass that will thwart the evil alien conspiracy to destroy mankind even while government officials want them locked away or better yet dead.
DOMAIN is surprisingly an exciting, well-written science fiction-fantasy that works because the key characters seem genuine and the magical elements appear real. The story line entrenches the Biblical apocalypse predictions with Mayan myths into quite an action tale. Fans of SF, Fantasy, and end of the world novels will want to read Steve Alten's latest book that is the opening gamut of hopefully a powerful series reminiscent of the Invaders with an ancient mythos lending strong support.
Harriet Klausner
"
Harriet Klausner, Resident Steve Alten Scholar
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Overall Review
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Composition of Book Descript. of chases or violence - 20% planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 30% Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 40% Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 10%
Tone of book
- suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION?
- science fiction story
Tech./$$$/Info hunt
Yes
Stealing/recovering/destroying
- info about lifeform(s)/society/phenomena
Is this an adult or child's book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Profession/status:
- scientist
Age:
- 20's-30's
Eccentric:
Yes
- obsessed
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events?
Yes
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- very athletic
- average physique
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- 40's-50's
Profession/status:
- diplomat
- politician/elected ruler
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a little/some
- an average amount
How sensitive is this character?
- mean, arrogant
Sense of humor
- Cynical sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Average intelligence
Physique
- average physique
- missing body parts/abilities
Setting
Terrain
- Jungle
- Water
- Forests
Earth setting:
- 20th century
- current (early 21st century)
Takes place on Earth?
Yes
Style
Person?
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
scientific jargon? (SF only)
- some scientific explanation
- a moderate amount of scientific explanation
Sex in book?
Yes
What kind of sex:
- vague references only
- descript of kissing
How much dialogue?
- roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
- significantly more descript than dialog
