Prophecy, an ARKANE thriller by Joanna Penn
“I looked, and there before me was a pale horse. Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth.” Revelation 6:8
The prophecy in Revelation declares that a quarter of the world must die and now a shadowy organization has the ability to fulfill these words. Can one woman stop the abomination before it’s too late?
When the medieval Devil's Bible is rediscovered, the malevolent Thanatos organization finally holds the power to fulfill the prophecy through demonic curses that lie within. All they need is the vehicle to take the curse to the masses and the pale horse of the apocalypse will ride forth.
When mysterious suicides in Israel draw Oxford University psychologist Morgan Sierra into the fray, she joins ARKANE, a secret British agency investigating paranormal and religious experience, for their investigation. Partnered with Jake Timber, the two must stop the Devil's Bible from reaching Thanatos before destruction is unleashed.
From the catacombs of Paris to the ossuaries of Sicily and the Czech Republic, Morgan and Jake must find the Devil's Bible and stop the curse being released into the world before one in four are destroyed in the coming holocaust. Because in just seven days, the final curse will be spoken and the prophecy will be fulfilled.
What do you think?
I'd love to know what you think. Does this sound like your type of book? Please do leave a comment below.
Giveaway of print copies of the first novel, Pentecost
Pentecost sales are almost at 16,000 copies now and unsurprisingly, 98% of those have been ebook sales. It's still ranking in the Bestseller lists for Religious Fiction in the US & UK and sporadically ranks for Action-Adventure. It currently has 57 reviews averaging 4 star in the US Amazon store & 16 reviews averaging 4 star in the UK Amazon store.
This means that a print book is basically a vanity project for me so I have something to give to my Mum & Dad 🙂 I still want to do print books but because of the extra design & pro-typesetting I want to use, it takes more money than ebooks. I am also un-publishing the current print version of Pentecost soon in order to republish at a smaller size, 5×8 instead of 6×9 as for my shorter books, this just looks like “more value” to the customer. Weird, yes, but true! I also want to correct a few mistakes and also add a chapter of Prophecy at the end. So the current print version of Pentecost will soon disappear and I'm giving away 2 copies on Goodreads – click here for the giveaway (currently pending approval by Goodreads by shouldn't be long!). Check out the video below as I talk about the reasons why I am un-publishing this version and come join the giveaway!
Please leave your comments and valuable feedback below!
View Comments (19)
The Devil's Bible? What's that? Sounds really, really interesting! This blurb is just fantastic. I didn't realize your Arkane series has fantasy elements in it. That's just what I read and review on my book blog. I already have Pentecost, but I'll need to get on with reading it. This second one sounds very exciting.
The Devil's Bible is real - it's the largest medieval manuscript in the world and has a great myth behind it! So the book is based on a lot of truth but there are definitely fantasy/paranormal elements to it - I hadn't thought of it that way but you're right! It's certainly more paranormal than Pentecost was so maybe I'm moving in that direction!
Joanna,
The next book looks great from the cover and description. Looking forward to this. I understand you are going to add a chapter on Prophecy in the next edition and correct a few mistakes. Does this mean that those of us who bought the Kindle or e-book edition with not get this update as well? Amazon are able to notify all the buyers of the Kindle edition and make the update available for download.
Hi Peter, the Kindle version was updated for the mistakes last March so if you bought after that, then the typos should be fixed. I will be updating the Kindle version with the chapters so I guess you should get them when Amazon release the update. But, don't worry, I will also be putting the first few chapters here so you can read them regardless. Thanks so much for your interest.
Thanks Joanna,
According to Amazon, I bought Pentecost on March 1, 2011. Would I have bought the updated version then?
Regards
I think so but I can also email you the updated version if you email me privately - joanna@TheCreativePenn.com
Thanks Peter :)
I loved Pentecost and was totally enthralled by it. I can't wait for Prophecy.
With regards to the blurb, I wonder if the second paragraph should be deleted as I think it is quite invovlved and may put people off buying it. However it won't stop any followers form buying it.
Regards and Merry Christmas
Stanford
Thanks Stanford, I really appreciate that & yes, the general consensus is that will disappear :)
"Ground-breaking neuro-theology brain research has enabled manipulation of belief so fundamentalists will enact violence in the name of God."
I don't think we need neuro-theology brain research for fundamentalists to enact violence in the name of God. They seem perfectly happy to do it on their own!
However, that aside, the premise sounds intriguing. I personally figure Monsanto will prove to be the personification of the pale horse rider, but this Thanatos group sounds like a more easily recognized villain. ;-)
You've absolutely got the gist of it James! I'm glad you find it an interesting premise, it's something that has fascinated me for years!
I too really loved Pentacost so I am anxiously awaiting the release of Prophecy.
As far as the cover description goes, I think I agree with the previous comment. The neuro-theology paragraph almost makes it sound a little too far fetched for a new reader (even though as a reader of the series I understand it!)... The rest of it sounds wonderful, I cannot wait for it's release (I hope they hurry up with those final edits!!) :)
Thanks Michelle! I'm so glad you like it and I'll ditch that paragraph. I was trying to explain too much :) I should have the book out by New Year.
Based on comments here and on my other site, I have removed this paragraph:
Ground-breaking neuro-theology brain research has enabled manipulation of belief so fundamentalists will enact violence in the name of God. As Abraham obeyed the command to sacrifice, so now the faithful are ready to obey what they believe is the ultimate authority. Paired with the curse of the Devil’s Bible, Thanatos intend to use it to kickstart an escalation of extremist violence and it seems a religious war will soon overtake the earth.
Thanks for your help!
I truly loved Pentecost and am so looking for forward to reading Prophecy. I hope there are lots more to follow! These are my kind of books.
Thanks Linda, I certainly enjoy writing them as well!
I have read another novel that was about the Devil's Bible. Maybe God's Lions: The Secret Chapel. After a while they all run together. Loved the idea of an evil bible. Looking forward to your new book.
I haven't read that one Jim but I'll have to have a look. I hope Prophecy doesn't just run into the rest :)
Joanna, this sounds fabulous ... again! I loved Pentecost and was thrilled to review it for you. I will be delighted to do the same for Prophecy. The cover is great with just the right combination of mystery, fantasy and intrigue. I agree with the others (and you) about removing the paragraph discussed above. You don't need it. I'm so thrilled for the well-deserved success of Pentecost. Onward!
Thanks Patricia, I've emailed you directly.