Spear of Destiny, ARKANE Thriller #13, Ebook

A compelling read that resolves one mystery only to begin another. Whether in novel or short story form, J.F. Penn is a master at writing a story that sucks you in until you feel like you are a part of it. Description of places help in that regard, making it easy to visualize places and things.
Morgan thought that her curse would only affect herself, but she finds out differently when she learns that her niece is sick, and she remembers the words that were said to her previously. Will the artifact she is looking for help both of them, or will she be too late. Awesome story.

Spear of Destiny is a gripping and fast-paced thriller that integrates historical intrigue with supernatural mystery.

The exploration of themes like power, history, and the battle between light and darkness adds layers of meaning to the story, making it a standout in the ARKANE series.

J.F. Penn’s vivid writing style brings the settings to life. From the ancient archives of Vienna to high-stake chases across Europe, the reader feels immersed in the story’s rich atmosphere.

The novel’s rich characters drive a narrative that is both thrilling and thought-provoking.

Penn’s ability to weave historical detail with fast-paced action keeps the tension high and the pages turning.

Spear of Destiny is an enjoyable read.

With its blend of history, action, and supernatural elements, this book is a must-read for those who enjoy intelligent, gripping thrillers.

I've been reading ARKANE since the very beginning. I read the first three books when they still had their old, Biblical titles and covers, before J.F. Penn redid them.

I have mad respect for this author, and mad respect for the series. I've been following her journey since before she left her day job to pursue writing full time, and I feel like she and I have a lot of common... okay, now I sound like this creepy stalker dude, but I promise I'm not. I just think many of her experiences mirror my own, is all.

Something I really enjoy about the series is the fact that one of the main characters is South African, and even though the author isn't South African, this character's experiences are so authentic. He emigrated to the UK to escape the crime here, after experiencing a deeply traumatic event. And honestly, that it such a common story; I think every South African knows at least one other person who can relate. I know I can. So yeah, I like Jake.

I like Morgan too. Morgan's a scholar. She doesn't necessarily believe in any particular god, but she's witnessed enough of the supernatural to know that there are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio.

This story's been a long time coming, but like all ARKANE thrillers, it's worth the wait because it's exquisitely researched. All (well, most) of the places the characters visit are real places which the author herself has visited, and it shows. Likewise, most of the backstory is real too, and resarched in great depth (there's even a full bibliography in the back matter), and then the author takes inspiration from that and runs with it to create the fiction.

Honestly, if you like this sort of thing, you'll love this series. Fair warning, though: although most of these books can probably be read as standalones, I would say you probably need to have at least read Book 12 before enjoying this one. But, I mean, they're not going anywhere, so why not start all the way from the beginning, at Book One?

I enjoyed the various archives filled with books of every kind from various time periods. Gabriel was an interesting character, even if the circumstances of his conception are vile (as are all things Nazi-related). The various locations Morgan and Jake travel to are vivid in their descriptions, making one feel like one is there – as it is with all books in this series. The political unrest and zealotry felt genuine for our time. And there’s lots of action and adventure. Yet, something felt missing. I can’t put my finger on it, though. Maybe, despite all the great visuals (I mean, Morgan and Gabriel see demon hordes ready to possess the angry mob rallying in D.C. and spill blood) and Morgan’s niece in peril, the depth of emotion wasn’t there, pulling one fiercely along.

A fast-paced action adventure with a hint of the supernatural at the core, with parallels between Nazi Germany and modern-day USA.

*I received an ARC from the author and this is my honest opinion.

Trigger warnings: ritual rape hinted at, demonic possession, Nazis, grooming, blood curses, torture.

Spear of Destiny (ARKANE Book 13), my twenty-third read from author J.F. Penn. Captivating, with well-developed characters coupled with an outstanding suspense storyline with intricately woven twists & turns. Penn, as always, does a good job with her character development; you can like and/or hate these characters. I'll be reading more by this author as I get more of her books. "I received a Kindle copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review."(RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).