New Book - The Chronicles of Good & Evil - Dracula's Lair / the Darkest Tower

First Review on Amazon - Price $2.99

"I'll go out on a limb here. I predict that this book, and the series of which it is part, are destined to become Classics in the Literature of Epic Fantasy. Why? Because it has the four elements every Fantasy literary classic must have. A vividly imagined multi-leveled Fantasy World. An inventive original plot. Believable Characters. Emotional magnetism. Perhaps the most important quality. This book has all these to offer and more. It's an Action-Adventure. It's a Thriller. It's a tear-jerker. It's a book that defies brief and precise descriptions. And is all the richer for it. If you're not fortunate enough to have read Mr. Murphy's previous (non Epic Fantasy) book -"A Diary's House" - the Author's style may be a challenge. For the uninitiated, or should I say the "un-murphyated" - the long sentences, ever in search of a period, the quirky phrasing and the invented language will take some getting used to. It did for me. But quickly I began to appreciate them. Because the author's enthusiasm is projected in his breathless-can't-wait- narrative style. Which, as it should, sweeps us appreciatively into the action. Like all worthy writers - Mr. Murphy is a keen observer of Human nature. Thus, there are no "false notes" here. No one dimensional characters. No sentence or scene that is not absolutely necessary. This combination of talent and prudence rewards the reader on many levels. Like "emerging" actors who are described in terms of existing "stars" - Mr. Murphy will inevitably be described by some as the "New Tolkien." While I'm sure he would be flattered, this does a disservice to both Authors. Yes, they're both in the Epic Fantasy/battling evil to save the World genre. Yes, they both offer an frightening assortment of gruesome monsters. But at its core - "Lord of The Rings" is a tale of male bonding. Frodo and Sam. The hero and his sidekick. While Mr. Murphy does repeat this motif, his substantial points of difference are the scope of his imagination and the varied and rich emotions of his characters. They glow through his prose like a coal fire that will not be extinguished. Not to mention the totally believable multiple Worlds and dimensions he has created. This is not to imply that I think Mr. Murphy is "better" than Mr. Tolkien. For me there is no "better. There is only "different." And to this marvelously different book, I give five stars. And after reading it, I think you will too. "

I hope you will take the opportunity to review this book and let me know what you think!

With warmest regards,

C. David Murphy