Review: Dante's Journey

Dante's Journey by J.C. Marino

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Book Info: Genre: Paranormal Fantasy/Thriller/Classic Homage Reading Level: Adult

Disclosure: The author asked me to read this and provide an honest review. I purchased the book myself.

Synopsis: A flash of light and Detective Joe Dante steps through. No longer on the cobblestone streets of 1961 Boston, Joe finds himself in a horrifying new world-Hell itself. Joe was in hot pursuit of his family's killer, drug lord Filippo Argenti, when both were killed, and isn't about to let a little thing like death slow him down. So, with a healthy dose of New England stubbornness and the help of a mysterious guide, Virgil DiMini, Joe must evade angry demons, and search ever-lower through the rings of the original Dante's Inferno in hopes of finding justice for his wife and children. However, Joe will soon discover that behind every sin lies a secret and each secret revealed could land Joe in an eternity of hot water... VERY hot.

My Thoughts: This book is a homage to Dante’s Inferno, in which a Southie named Joe Dante travels the levels of Hell searching for Filippo Argenti. He meets people from every era, so we’re reading Joe’s 1950s lingo, as well as Hector’s hippie phrasing and even some 80s and 90s folks. It makes for an entertaining read.

The characters are so well-done, it’s like they’re someone you know. Joe, for instance, has to be one of the most aggravating people ever; he absolutely refuses to do anything anyone says, nor does he believe anyone when they tell him things, instead stumbling ahead and running pell-mell into all sorts of horrible situations out of sheer stubbornness. Virgil is a complete enigma.

Ultimately this book is about redemption, and about forgiveness. It’s a book that I think everyone needs to read, no matter what their faith or creed. Highly recommended.



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