REVIEW: "The Seer" by Jared Nathan Garrett

****(4) out of 5 stars!

While on a dig in Egypt, graduate intern Nathan Eckhoff unknowingly dons the ancient cloak of Joseph and become imbued with its visionary powers.  Like an ordinary citizen suddenly turned superhero, he struggles with how to use this newfound ability.  Having recently lost his father to suicide, and having vowed that he would not ignore any promptings to help others, he tries to assist a woman about whom he has a strong impression.  But he finds the results of his actions less than desirable.  In fact, he flubs things up so badly that he hurriedly leaves the country, afraid that the authorities will soon come looking for him.

Once back in the United States, things don’t get any easier for Nathan.  He meets a man named John who seems to know all about him and the cloak, but who offers more questions than answers.  He also gives Nathan an assignment: to find the cursed man with the betrayer’s blade, and stop him from the evil he is planning to commit.  In addition, some unknown player keeps trying to kill Nathan, apparently for reasons unrelated to the cursed guy, but definitely having to do with the cloak.  As before, nothing seems to go according to plan, but somehow everything turns out (mostly) all right in the end.

This story is based on the prophecy of the Lamed Vovniks, also known as the Thirty-Six righteous people, although it barely touches the surface in mentioning the mystical concept, not really delving into it very much.  Although there do appear to be others of the 36 among some of the strangers that Nathan encounters during his misadventures.

The premise is very intriguing, the characters fairly interesting, and the action pretty continuous.  There is more fighting and violence than I personally care for, but nothing too extreme.  The ending provides enough closure to be satisfying, yet leaves plenty of room for possible sequels.  A fun, adventurous read that I would definitely recommend.     

I received an e-copy of this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review.