The Devil Pulls the Strings, described as The Librarians meet The Magicians is a 76,000-word epic fantasy adventure set in modern-day Wentzville, MO, New York City, and 1813 Genoa, Italy, weaves bromance, Slavic mythology, secret societies, Paganini's music and time travel.
Boone Daniels (22) has problems, debilitating panic attack, gut-wrenching guilt, a wendigo haunting him since age six, and now he almost killed his best friend in a joust. But when he fills in for his injured friend at a New York gig, he goes to meet the gig's contact at his NYC brownstone and a body falls from the brownstone balcony and the place explodes with gun fire.
Boone barely escapes but uncovers a sinister plot to perform a rare Paganini piece that summons the Devil to trap Baba Yaga and destroy modern-day New York City. Then finds himself on a race through time to capture the cursed melody. Along the way, a Romani immortal, steampunk vampires and Baba Yaga set the stage for war, and Boone shall have to risk death for redemption. Because all Boone wants is to keep a promise to a friend. The same friend, he almost killed last Sunday during a joust.
Can a small-town Missouri musician outplay the supernatural and save NYC's soul?
The Devil Pulls the Strings is the pulse-pounding first tale in the Archivists series. If you like when tortured heroes, epic battles, time travel, twisted history and secret societies collide, then you'll love J. W. Zarek's spectacular page-turner.
About the Author :
J.W. helps catch naughty folk for the Government. He's taught English Conversation in Japan and can analyze anyone's handwriting. He's sailed through the Suez Canal twice and hunted pirates in the Persian Gulf. He's climbed to the top of Mount Fuji, been kicked off Mount Rainier, and he's successfully run in the Walt Disney World Marathon as a woman. When he worked at the FBI, his thesis on Red Flag Behaviors Found in Relationships, earned him an invitation to present a paper at the First Annual Forensics Congress in China, which led him to write his award-winning book Naughty or Nice - Whose List Are You On? available as a handout during lectures. He co-authored the bestselling book, The Happiness Code with Ray Brehm, and other authors, who all share their personal happiness hacks you can use too. And His latest book, The Devil Pulls the Strings received the Literary Titan Award, and 5-Star Book Reviews from Book Viral, Chanticleer Reviews, Literary Titan, and Readers on GoodReads.com and Amazon.com. A writer and artist transplanted from Canada to the often unnoticed, and sometimes forgotten coast of the Florida Panhandle. Wedged up against Alabama and Georgia, the Deep South oozes into this corner of Florida, and once you visit you won't want to leave. That's what happened to Suzanne. Hard to resist the sweet tea, sweeter accents, the sugar white beaches, and turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Suzanne writes fiction of the long, short, and flash variety for both children and adults, usually with a touch of humor. And she's garnered a few awards including first place in the University of Toronto, Trinity College Short Fiction Contest, first place in RWA Launch a Star Contest, first place the Bethlehem Writer's Roundtable, and third place in Women Who Write Short Fiction Contest. Peter Johnston creates a wonderfully diverse range of concept art and illustration for individuals and companies around the world. His work can be found in many games and books ranging in style and flavor and always full of character and intensity. A slice of his delicious creative cake can be found on www.petejohnstonart.com.In his spare time Peter is a keen geologist. Rocks telling the history of the earth as they do, he is often found daydreaming about the time hippos would swim up the Thames alongside its palm tree clustered banks (only around 130,000 years ago).
Review :
Al the Brit
5.0 out of 5 stars Folklore/mythology, good versus evil
Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 2021
If you enjoy folklore/mythology inter-twined with present day, and good versus evil, you will love The Devil Pulls the Strings. This book explores many interesting subjects that leave the reader wanting to know and learn more. The events unravel within a short time frame, yet extend over centuries, being carefully inter-woven into the story. The book is a fast read, which will leave you wanting more, but don't fear, it left me with the impression more books will follow
Don S and TeamGolfwell
5.0 out of 5 stars I enjoyed this book very much.
Reviewed in the United States on September 16, 2021
"I enjoyed reading "The Devil Pulls the Strings" by J. W. Zarek, who in my opinion is an exceptionally creative writer and has written a very enjoyable five-act epic fantasy adventure that is entertaining to read. I felt the author was highly innovative in writing this imaginative, and entertaining tale. I liked the way the story continued to take me on an amazing adventure filled with humorous, clever, surprising, and ingeniously unexpected events. I also liked the organization of the story and the excellent Glossary provided by the writer.
Jazzy112
5.0 out of 5 stars Deep
Reviewed in the United States on September 15, 2021
Deep story. Captivating and a little scary. Well written!
