Customer Reviews

4 reviews

• Loreta

  Astonishing! Mr. Hess's unique style immerses the reader in the storyline with stark imagery and poetic license. The book is rich with symbolism and controversial implications. This is a book for our times, about our times, and just in time to hope - A thought-provoking read you will want to read again and again.

• Onlinebookclub.org

  This book, American Odyssey by B. F. Hess, takes us on an enthralling and extraordinary journey through the life of Uriel Jacob Sullinger. He is a character whose transformation from innocence to darkness and back to light forms the heart of this narrative. Having come from a broken home, he forms a relationship with his uncle, who points his character in a particular direction. His love and empathy for him remain evident throughout the story. Jacob did quite well in academics and became a junior associate in one of the big law firms in Manhattan. However, his encounter with a long-lost friend would begin a downward spiral in his life. Daniel, his former classmate, comes to him with a proposal to make him over twenty-five million dollars in fees. Picking this case would make him brush shoulders with the who's and whose of Manhattan, including politicians and cartels. His upbringing and his uncle's influence had long corrupted his decision-making process, which shows throughout the book. Find out Jacob's path, the people who helped him there, and whether he picked himself up by reading this fantastic book. I did enjoy reading this book. Jacob's journey was lengthy, yes, but captivating from start to finish. Witnessing Jacob's evolution into a world-weary adult shaped by the unforgiving realities of life was incredible. The plot was well-developed. I loved the idea of Jacob himself narrating his life story to Dr. Kessler and Boo. It made it more relatable and personal. The story, the author's writing style and delivery were all great. The author's descriptions of scenes and characters were impeccable. I could empathize, justify, and almost predict the things in Jacob's mind because of how closely the author presented him to us in this book. My favorite praise of the book is that it is a treasure trove of thought-provoking quotes and reflections on life, love, and the human condition. I found myself highlighting various sections and profound thoughts in the book. Several moments of introspection invited readers to pause and contemplate the deeper meaning behind Jacob's journey. There is nothing negative I can report about this masterpiece. In that light, I'm glad to award this book a perfect rating of five out of five stars. It is gratifying to read. It is well-written and professionally edited. If you are looking for a novel that will entertain and enrich you, this book is worth embarking on. ****** American Odyssey

• Booknerdection.com

  This book is an absolute eye-opener for man’s desire for money, luxury and lust. The way in which Uriel, and readers get to learn difficult lessons of humanity and the consequences greed brings for its attainer are well-described using the main character’s story. The plot of this book is intriguing, to say the least. From the first chapter, there were mysteries that grew increasingly once the book picked up some pace. Why did Daniel Lamb make Uriel his beneficiary? Who was Monsieur Diabolus and why did he want to know about Uriel? Why was Uriel seeing those dreams? Or were they dreams or reality? I loved Uriel and his uncle Walt’s relationship. Walt treated him like his own son. I really liked the scene when Uriel was growing a plant that, in the future, will represent his personality. What do you think his plant grew out to be like? Uriel himself, as a character, wasn’t very much likable. Wealth and Luxury were his gods, his entire life surrounded by ways to make more money. He was greedy too. But his character was portrayed very realistically. He was a character that can’t be forgotten. The internal fight between what’s right and what’s wrong represents the continuous struggles humans have while choosing right over wrong. My most favorite part was reading about what happened to Uriel after obtaining all the money. It teaches us serious lessons that we may think we are unstoppable, but we are also controlled by someone. And the real wealth is love, family and relations which humans often forget to cherish. Is Money Really The Answer? It also teaches one thing: Money doesn’t bring happiness. Though I disagree with this lesson. Money tends to give a person freedom, choices, and lifestyle upgrades, which ultimately brings happiness. But the money that brings happiness is the one that is hard-earned, not the black money. Also, if you have all the money in the world, and no family or loved ones, that money is useless because it can’t buy you happiness. Now enough for the money rant. Monsieur Diabolus’s character was another unforgettable one. He was the one behind all the things and how he played the devil’s advocate and involved Uriel in that too was remarkably described. His extraordinary display of money and trials through which Uriel went through due to him made him an impressive character. He was one of the central characters in making Uriel what he became. This book was so well-written that once I started reading it, I completed it in 2 sittings. It was so thrilling, an emotional roller-coaster and the writer knew what he was doing. His choice of words to make this book even more visually appealing and descriptive, and the twisting plot was all I needed in a book for so long. In short, this book was and is everything one wants in a book. It was so good and refreshing to read a book that was well-paced, well-handled and delivered the conclusion in the best way possible.

• Literary Titan

  In The Devil’s Hand, author B. F. Hess crafts a narrative that plunges readers into the depths of Uriel’s psyche. As we journey with Uriel, confronting the ghostly remnants of his history and the trials of his present, a supposed ally sends him spiraling into a confrontation with the harrowing truths lurking ‘in the Devil’s hand.’ Hess’s keen attention to detail immerses readers in a realm where the multifaceted intricacies of the human mind take center stage. This exploration of mental constructs and the labyrinthine nature of the human psyche doesn’t just propel the plot forward but also presents a mystery deeply rooted in the emotional conundrums that many of us grapple with daily. One of the standout elements of the tale is how Uriel’s quest to reconcile with his history resonates as a symbolic reflection of the internal conflicts many encounter. The narrative serves as a potent testament to the idea that to liberate ourselves from the binds of yesteryears, we must bravely confront our deepest fears. Hess’s eloquent prose ensures readers remain riveted from the first page to the last. By highlighting the power of confronting one’s history to mold a brighter future, Hess presents a compelling commentary on personal salvation. The Devil’s Hand comes highly recommended, especially for readers of gripping mysteries intertwined with deep psychological insights.

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