A dead volcano next to Glass Lake in Northern California seems harmless. Is it? This is the fascinating setting of this mesmerizing epic, the second book of the Glass House Trilogy.
Torn between the wish to find her missing sister Samantha and the fear of her demonic ex-lover Morgan Steele, Andromeda Jones agrees to go on a dangerous mission and soon finds herself entangled in a web of professional jealousy, political betrayal and greed. She helps construct Vox Dei, a machine that ostensibly is built to eliminate wars. But what is its true nature? Who is pulling the strings? The experiment gets out of control, dark powers are unleashed and the danger to mankind unfolds relentlessly.
Strange, evil shadows are using the Vox Dei, Sam and Morgan to try to get through to our world and this relentless team of beings, some human, some almost immortal, know the time is near when Earth's final destiny will be decided.
Soon, the team from Australia will come to her aid. James, Max, Amaru, Garagh and the others use the portals to arrive in California. This time, they have aid in the Native Americans and their mythological powers. This fearless team of warriors came to do battle, knowing it may be their last. They know the battle to the save the Earth is not finished. Far from it.
Always versatile, Ariana Overton has led a life that spans continents and countries. Traveling around the U.S., Australia and New Guinea, meeting exciting people, experiencing exotic lands and cultures, gave Ari, a diverse catalog of characters, settings and storylines her writing can't help but reflect. After traveling to Australia to research her trilogy on the Australian mysteries, she met Max Overton, her soulmate, husband, best friend, and writing partner. Ariana passed away in November 2003.
Born in Malaysia to English parents, Max has traveled extensively, living in England, Germany and Jamaica before settling down in New Zealand. Moving to Australia in 1990, Max took up a position teaching at James Cook University. Meeting Ariana, an American author, in 1998, he married and they explored Australia before heading for Illinois, where he took a job unloading trucks for Wal-Mart. Within a year he was an Assistant Manager and finishing his Lion of Scythia trilogy. Following the death of his wife Ariana in 2003, he experienced a Michigan winter before heading back to tropical Australia, where he continues to write.
A Glass Darkly is the second offering in The Glass House Trilogy. The Overton’s manage to construct a thrilling paranormal which will have the reader begging for more. The writing is descriptive, the characters strong, and the plot riveting. The growth of Andi and Marc’s relationship is a pleasure to read. While A Glass Darkly is a quick read, it is not hurried. Check out this vivid tale and experience the remarkable quest for yourself.
Rho of A Romance Review.comFirst off I have to admit that I am still suffering the after shocks of such a compelling read. Never have I encountered such depths of human suffering, triumphs and joy's. I read the book in one sitting. Afraid for one instance to walk away and miss the chance of something amazing and exciting. A Glass Darkly rivets the reader and holds you within its pages of stunning imagery. You can actually see the battles fought and creatures that yearn for a taste of the living. Max and Ariana Overton have outdone themselves with the 2nd installment in The Glass House Trilogy. A Glass Darkly triumphs in its immense ability to capture attention and not let go. I recommend this book to everyone because it has something truly breathtaking for us all. Life. And why we need to be thankful for it before there is nothing left but distant recollections retained by none.
Joann RuffenIn A Glass Darkly, the second book in the Glass trilogy, Max and Ariana turn the heat up. This reviewer did not think they could do justice to another story after the brilliant job they did with Glass House but the authors accepted the challenge and proved me wrong. Let's go back into their world and I'll once again try to capture their excellent story. Excellence is what I would call this book. It's an extremely captivating read from beginning to end. We see some characters from the first story. We learn that one couple gets married and we lose a very dear friend. This reviewer is very saddened that a character I have come to love dies. This story is very evil in some parts, and you can actually feel it through the way the authors write this story. The one person that is beyond redemptions is the one person that seems to help Andi out the most, which this reviewer thought was poetic. All in all this is a great read and this reviewer can't wait to continue with the last story in this trilogy.
Jill of Fallen Angel ReviewsFew writers can invoke the elements of hope and terror in one book. Fewer still can incorporate richness in diverse cultures and beliefs as well as scientific fact discovered via comprehensive research. A Glass Darkly by Ariana Overton achieves that and so much more.
Part II in the Glass House Trilogy, we meet up again with the wonderful people within the pages of Glass House - Sam, James, Spence, Nathan and Ratana. Their quest in part two of this epic journey still brands the elements of aboriginal culture and life's unfathomed outer dimensions.
A Glass Darkly introduces more wonderfully complex and humanly genuine people who to us, relate like we do to new scientific technology, power, intrigue, danger, faith and love. What complex mystery, adventure and suspense-filled novel would be complete without more rich and diverse characters? More limbs on the family tree of life? Leading the way and intertwining them all is Andromeda Jones. Trying to locate her sister, Sam, Andi agrees to investigate a man she use to call her lover but now is somehow connected to her sister's disappearance, an eccentric millionaire, Morgan Steele.
We join them on a mission, a very important one, which finds them transported to a dead volcano in Northern California. Where the goal for some are not peace and harmony.
Suspicious by nature, brilliant by profession, Andromeda not only reveals a new element to her nemesis, but also discovers the very boundaries of her soul.
This read has it all, intrigue, suspense, horror and the double-sided coin of the lust of power over others. We learn and identify the enigma behind science. Just how potent this cloaked element can be when in the wrong hands or used for the wrong reasons.
Overton pushes our comfort zone of awareness - brings familiarity to the layers that power can manifest in. As we read, we wonder and ask just exactly where is this going? She has us not blinking, but turning page after page, absorbed in the danger of situations where brilliant minds discover powerful science. None more so then in the blueprint of the VOX DEI. An electromagnetic channelling machine destined to seep into the border where good meets evil, where life meets death.
The characters in A Glass Darkly soon realise, with abject horror, the line dividing negative and positive forces is very grey indeed and thus cannot stand up against the machine's potent electromagnetic forces, which no longer are powered by code but rather a pungent evil waiting in the shadows.
In our mind we challenge and invoke our hopes, praying that the numbers of good against evil - be still within our favour. But are they? Is faith enough? Or is power to possess all, destroy the weak, the greater successor? These questions enhance the text before our eyes as Overton weaves her magic in ensuring that we visualise all the incredible beauty of life and agony of death.
A Glass Darkly is a truly remarkable sequel to a trilogy that pushes everything to the limits of our hearts and soul.
Midwest Book ReviewsIn A Glass Darkly, the Overtons continue their epic of the 'Glass House Trilogy' and the unforgettable characters of James Hay, Samantha Louis, as well as the memorable cast from book one.
The main character introduced in this episode is Andromeda Jones, physicist and sister of Samantha. Andi is presented with an offer she can't refuse. A proposal that means rekindling an old relationship that could possibly put her life in danger. Morgan Steele, past lover and eccentric millionaire is conducting covert experiments in Glass Mountain, a complex built deep in the bowels of a volcanic island in Northern California. These secretive operations have many questioning Mr. Steele's intentions with a mind-altering laser being built at his facility.
The old adage of good verses evil rings true as this story unfolds. Not all is what it may seem and first impressions fall by the wayside, as true identities and agendas are revealed.
You are literally hanging on to the edge of your seat as Andi, together with the lovable and trustworthy characters from Glass House race against time to save their friends and the world from utter turmoil and destruction. Life is lost, love realized and renewed and relationship dynamics change in this well crafted book. You will not be able to put this book down until you reach the last page. Then you will be wanting more. The massive amounts of research done for this piece of work is evident throughout. Ariana Overton impressively weaves fact with fiction and leaves you wondering which is which. I anticipate the last in this trilogy, Looking Glass. I highly recommend Glass House and A Glass Darkly. I guarantee we haven't heard the last of this talented and versatile author.
Janice Wagner -- Five StarsA laboratory inside a dead volcano next to Glass Lake in northern California is the fascinating setting of this mesmerizing epic, the second book of the Glass House and I had the great pleasure to help Ariana with background information in physics. It was magic to watch how she deftly wove the facts into her fiction.
Torn between the wish to find her missing sister Samantha and the fear of her demonic ex-lover Morgan Steele, Andromeda Jones agrees to go on a dangerous mission and soon finds herself entangled in a web of professional jealousy, betrayal and greed. She helps construct Vox Dei, a machine that ostensibly is built to eliminate wars. But what is its true nature? Who is pulling the strings? The experiment gets out of control, dark powers are unleashed and the danger to mankind unfolds relentlessly.
A Glass Darkly is a quick read, with gripping action and vivid descriptions. Of all the riveting characters, Moon Wolf was my favorite. His strong, stoic presence beautifully balances the breathtaking plot.
This stunning book will please lovers of tight science thrillers and the paranormal genre alike. I wouldn't hesitate to liken the masterful Glass House Trilogy to Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings"
Christine Spindler, German Physicist and author of The Rhythm of RevengeCopyright (c) 2000 by Tracy Eastgate
Andromeda 'Andi' Jones is an out of work Physicist searching for her missing sister Samantha and Sam's husband James. She has no idea of what happened to them except that they disappeared without a trace from their secluded island. Marc, Sam's former photographer and assistant, calls Andi and offers her an investigative job, one in which he is convinced is connected with Sam and James' disappearance and the incident in which the three of them were involved with at Glass House Mountains in Australia.
Even though Andi has very strong reservations about taking the job, she knows she has to. She couldn't pass up any possibility that there may be a connection and also find her sister. She has a feeling that there may be more than a possibility of a connection with this, the job is at a secluded volcanic island in northern California called Glass Mountain.
When Andi arrives at Glass Mountain, she is suddenly plunged into something that is beyond belief. She knows the owner of Glass Mountain, Morgan Steele, and at one time was involved with him. Morgan is an eccentric millionaire who was rumored to be in the area when Sam disappeared. Morgan is heading up a project called VOX DEI. The VOX DEI is a machine being created and built that is suppose to have the capabilities to alter the brain waves and thoughts of people, even those on the other side of the world. Morgan claims it is to be used against people who are considering acts of war, but Andi is sure it is much more than that. And it is.
Author Ariana Overton has yet again produced another book in which you won't be able to put down once you begin to read and when the final page is turned, you are still reaching for another wanting more. She blends multiple elements into a superb story. She gives you suspense and danger, love and hate, humans and spirits and more. Although A Glass Darkly is the second book in the Glass House Trilogy it could also stand-alone. It contains some of the same characters we met in Glass House, but introduces new characters to us in which A Glass Darkly focuses on.
Tracy Eastgate of Tracy's Book ReviewsEvil creepy crawlers are lurking in the dark and crossing into reality in this latest paranormal action/thriller from Ariana Overton. As the veil between the worlds thins, threatening to allow an influx of danger, Overton weaves a deft web of the fantastic and the paranormal to create A Glass Darkly. Although it is part two of a series that began with Glass House, it also a fascinating and vivid tale that can stand alone.
While Glass House was set in the Glass House Mountains of Australia, this second novel is set in the Glass Mountain area of northern California where Morgan Steele has assembled some of the most brilliant minds in engineering and physics. Andi, Andromeda Jones, left the Glass House Mountains once, fleeing Morgan, but with her sister missing, returning seems her only link to find Sam and her husband James.
Vox Dei, which translates as The Voice of God, a machine ostensibly created to end war, actually holds a much more diabolical truth. The military wants it for a weapon, the mysterious group "The Nine" want it for their own brand of power, and others seem to also have likewise dangerous motives for gaining control of this doomsday machine. As Andi brings the machine closer to completion, she ignores the warning signs, finding herself plunged into danger with her own work as the possible means to the end of the world as we know it.
Many favorite characters make a return with A Glass Darkly, including Sam, James, the blues, the greys, and Yowies. New characters will make an equally vivid appearance, particularly Moon Wolf, this reviewer's favorite. With a deft touch, Overton has created a remarkable novel of passion, war, and the quest for power. While reaching a full and satisfying conclusion, A Glass Darkly conversely whets the appetite leaving the reader ready to read more.
Cindy Penn of Wordweaving.com -- Five StarsCopyright © 2000 by J.B. Scott
A Glass Darkly is the second in the trilogy penned by the very talented author Ariana Overton. An incredible amount of research and study has gone into creating this literary masterpiece where truth seeps indiscernibly into exciting fiction.
As a reviewer and avid reader it is hard to discern what was most favourable in this entertaining read. It could be the endearing characters whom from Glass House, I call my friends. Or perhaps it's the passion of anger I felt through Overton's incredible talent to pen the new menacing characters designated to create havoc and mayhem to those fighting for good - on this, their most dangerous quest yet.
Ariana Overton sends us to a dead volcano next to Glass Lake in northern California. Andromeda Jones, after much thought, agrees to go on this most dangerous of missions. Her decision she hopes will lead to the discovery of her missing sister, Samantha. Her hesitation derives from her not wanting to wake up a ghost in the closet of her hearts past - namely the enigmatic Morgan Steele. Steele an eccentric millionaire has his own mission. Is this mission for good? Or is that goal obscured with the lust for power?
Hidden from the world, deep within dark caves, lurk a band of brilliant scientists and engineers with a mission to build a machine aptly named 'the Voice of God' or Vox Dei. Little did these scientists know waiting in the wings was the very powerful force of evil? Not until the Voice of God was ready did they make their presence known? The line between good and evil become blurred and the reader is left hoping against hope that the positive force overrules the cloying dark of evil. But does it?
All I can say is that with volcanic tension, brilliant visual phrases, fast paced action, suspense, human nature, mystery, love and a giant serving of hope - on my part, kept me reading from beginning to end.
J.B. Scott -- Five Stars"I told you that I didn't want you to make direct contact with me while we're inside the complex," the General murmured in a low voice.
The man standing huddled in a dark corner of Spader's room answered in a pettish voice. "You told me to report in every four hours. That's what I'm doing, sir. When I didn't hear from you in the regular way I decided to come looking for you, as you instructed me to. Remember? You said, and I quote, 'if you lose contact with me, for any reason, then the standing order is confirm that I am unable to lead then take the base at all costs.' When I didn't hear from you on time, I had to confirm."
Spader waved the man's words away like annoying flies. "Yes, yes, I remember. But I also told you that it's imperative that nobody knows I have men in place here. When the time is right, all this will be under our control. Until then, nobody must suspect your presence. Is that understood, Captain Hurst?"
"Understood, General. Shall I report in four hours or wait to hear from you?" The man's voice sounded unsure and very young.
"I'll contact you. In the meantime, put the men on alert. The machine works. I plan on insisting to Steele that it have a full field test before accepting it as fully functional. After the test, we will then take the base. Tell the men that, when you give the signal, they are to proceed to their places, secure the personnel and await final orders."
The man in the shadows snapped a crisp salute and replied, "Yes sir." He turned to leave then hesitated and turned back to face the General. "What was it like, General? I mean the test…what happened in there?" Hurst now had the sound of awe in his voice.
Spader almost lost his temper then checked it at the last moment before replying. He began to pace back and forth. "That is not important. Just do your job, captain. Wait for the final test then move quickly."
"Yes sir," was all Hurst could get out before the General's pacing accelerated and he began to rant.
"Damned limey lawyer, trying to make me look the coward. And Steele! Acting like he really cared about what happened to me." The snarl in his voice was accentuated by the feral stance he adopted while pacing frantically back and forth between the silent man and the bar. The General's red pajamas gave the illusion of danger an added element as they rippled and hissed in sync with his movements. "Scared? Me? No way! I knew those creatures weren't real! Oh sure, they were actually touching me and I could smell and hear them but I knew they weren't real, damn it! I knew!"
Then the General seemed to remember that the other man was watching him and he stopped as abruptly as he had started. "Go now, Captain Hurst. Wait for the test then do your duty. Dismissed."
Hurst almost whispered, "Do you have any idea as to when the test might take place, sir?"
"Tomorrow. I've asked Steele for a meeting tomorrow morning. I will demand that the test take place tomorrow afternoon. I'm sure he will comply. I will send you a message when it is confirmed. That will be all, captain." The General opened a new bottle of Scotch and poured himself a tumbler full.
The man slipped out the door as soundlessly as a ghost. In the mirror that hung in front of his face, Spader watched the man leave. Spader leaned closer to his image and said, "You look like shit, old man." He lifted his shaking hand, the glass in it, to his lips and took a deep gulp of the fiery liquid. Spader shut his eyes, savoring the heat as it made its way into his body. He sighed, opened his eyes and stared at his reflection again. "That's better. Now maybe you can sleep and not have nightmares about gray aliens strapping you down onto a table and inserting instruments into your body. Those dull, dead, black eyes. Those cold hands." He shuddered as he remembered what he had experienced in the test room.
Those filthy black demons pressing through the wall. The pain, the fear. Please dear God, let me forget.
He downed the rest of the Scotch and lifted the bottle to refill the glass.
Travis, Niles and Greg Thurman huddled around a dingy table strewn with electronic parts. The lab was dark and silent. The single light they allowed themselves was a shaded flashlight in the middle of the table. Niles was nervous, Greg was quietly calm and Travis felt he was in total control of the pair. "I told you it would work. That bitch is smart. I have to hand her that. But, if she thinks she's gonna take credit for my machine, she's got another thing coming," Travis snapped.
Niles, hunched over and appearing to try to hide his presence, whispered, "Okay, okay, Travis, we get the picture. The Nine we represent want this machine and they're willing to pay handsomely for it. You made a deal to deliver. What we need to know is when can you fulfill your part of the bargain?"
"Anytime I like. I have top clearance here you know," Travis sneered. He leaned forward to shove his face close to Niles's. "But first, I want my money and my men want theirs too. They're just waiting for my signal and then this whole complex will be ours for the taking." He leaned back and began to clean his dirty nails with a toothpick he'd plucked from his mouth. "But, it won't happen until we have money in hand. I don't trust you."
Niles waved his hands in agitation. "I know, I know. You've already told me that many times now." His voice dripped sarcasm and irritation. "You'll have your money just as soon as I contact my superior."
"And how long will that be?" Travis asked eagerly.
Greg answered, "Soon. We know that one of The Nine is here. He's in disguise and even we don't know who he is. But, we have a way to contact him. We'll do that tomorrow and he will arrange for your payment." His voice was soft, soothing and calm. "Now, Mr. Parker, I have a question. How many men do you have in place? How many can we count on to support us when we take the complex?"
Travis tossed the frayed and dirty toothpick away. "There are almost 300 workers here now. Out of that number, at least half belong to me," he bragged.
"Fine. That should be sufficient," Greg said with feigned pleasure. He stood and smoothed his suit jacket. "You will hear from us tomorrow about collecting your payment. Mr. Gardner, we have a long day tomorrow."
Niles stood, tried to flatten the wrinkles in his white shirt with damp hands and soon gave up. He nodded to Greg. The two stood, nodded a farewell to Travis then quickly disappeared into the lab's blackness.
Travis could hear their footsteps receding. When he heard the metal door clang shut, he pulled another toothpick out of his shirt pocket, shoved it between his lips and smiled as he let the images of wealth and power fill his head. "Fools," he whispered into the dark and quiet room.
In Morgan Steele's study a fire was just beginning to die down inside the huge fireplace. No other light shone in the room. The deep red and burgundy of the carpet and ornately carved furniture now appeared black and featureless.
A man paced back and forth in front of the flickering flames, giving his black outline a red glow around the edges. His hands were locked behind his back, his head thrust forward in thought.
We are here. We hear and obey. What is your command? A dry rustling hiss filled the heavy air around him.
He stopped pacing. "It's about time!" he hissed in return. His fingers unlocked and he pulled his hands in front of his body. He grasped a large golden ring, the emblem of the Eye of Ra carved into its golden stone.
He fingered the ring while he talked. "Where have you been? It is time to act. We can wait no longer now that the machine is working."
Long, ebony fingers of shadow crawled across the walls away from the firelight. They quivered with restrained hunger as they tried to reach out to the man. We are here. What is your command? the voices repeated.
"They all must die. The machine must be mine alone. I will keep my promise to you if you do this for me." His voice was flat, dead, cold.
We hear and obey.
He dropped his hands in relief but his voice gained strength. "Good. Tomorrow. I will arrange a full test on many people. You will have many brains to feed upon. You will be able to gain strength when it is done. Make sure you keep your promise or I will destroy the machine. Is that understood? I am in charge here and you would do well to remember it."
We hear and obey.
The man turned and walked from the room without further comment. When the heavy door shut behind him, the shadows began to writhe upon the wall. One word echoed around the room again and again as if repeated by thousands of voices.
Fool.