Tuesday, September 18, 2012

The Last Degree: Review and Excerpt

From Goodreads:
The Last Degree is a fictionalized account of how Freemasons and other secret societies set up the world for takeover. Ancient writings foretell a 'Shining One' who emerges as the world's prophet. A murder of a Most Worshipful mason resembles a secret oath. A cop gets too close to solving the crime. Paranoid preppers go underground, preparing for war.

Headlines such as the Norway massacre, meltdown of the European Union, unscrupulous media, animal die-offs, Middle Eastern unrest, and U.S. shrinking power make the plot relevant to present day.

My Review
:
So reading this book, it was a little scary. Just the synopsis? The "world for takeover" thing sounds ominous! And yeah, secret societies, as in plural? Doesn't really sound good for the common person! And yeah, it just played out so well!

I have a bit of a beef with the second paragraph of the synopsis, myself. Because news stories, well, most of the time, they're only relevant for a short period of time. The stuff happening in this book, they ranged from mid, to upper, levels of those events, so while up for longer, yeah.

Typically in literature, the Masons are portrayed as the good guys. And in this book, they weren't. And this change, I'm a bit iffy on. It's unique, but it's not a take that I want to think about, you know. Because if they have that much history and people knowing about them, well, yeah.

I enjoyed how it ended, it made sense, and it was really great, bringing everything in, and yeah, it was a pretty good ending! This book wasn't really for me, there were little bits, here and there, and some pretty big bits, that just clashed with me!

I did enjoy this book a lot, it just wasn't the one for me! It will be for others, I know it!

Author: Dina Rae
Read: September 18th, 2012
Source: Full Moon Bites Review Copy
Reason Why: Sounded like a great book!
Published: December 11th 2011
4.5/5 Hearts
3.5/5 Books
3/5 Stars









Excerpt:
Dwight took off his crown, signifying he was no longer playing King Solomon.

“Sacrifice is expected for ones that you love.  Do you love me?” Dwight shouted.  “Then bow down before me and offer praise!”

Everyone knelt and laid their head down to the floor, chanting ‘Most Worshipful,

Most Worshipful’ several times before Dwight commanded them to get up.

In a manic energetic state, Dwight vociferated, “Et vitam impendere vero!”  All repeated, with the three new pledges joining in.  Minutes later, he began to calm down.  “To sacrifice life for truth – that is what we must always do!  You must trust me as your Most Worshipful and sacrifice at my command!  Are you prepared to do this?”  All three pledges nodded.

Dwight pulled the content baby out of Arthur’s arms and threw it high into the air.  As the baby began to descend, Dwight took his sword and hacked through its neck, decapitating it before it hit the floor.  Only the three pledges shrieked in horror.  He sinisterly smiled as he picked up the head and body, revealing it was only a doll.

“Don’t believe with your eyes, but believe with your knowledge.  We are his chosen and will soon be exalted.”

The three men looked down at their hands and tried not to scream.  They were covered in blood.

“Sacrifice, my brothers, sacrifice.  I will teach you well.  You are all Chiefs of the Tabernacle!  Let us go and celebrate!” Dwight gleamed.
Bio:
Dina Rae is a new author that is here to stay. As a teacher, she brings an academic element to her work. Her research on the Yezidi religion and love of art inspired her story telling for Halo of the Damned. Halo of the Nephilim and Halo of the Madonna are new to the angel series.

Her second novel, The Last Degree, is a fictionalized account of the Freemason’s role in the New World Order. Dina's grandfather was the Most Worshipful of his lodge. The subject has always held a personal interest.

Bad Juju, is about an old Haitian bokor who mentors two teens in the dark arts. A unique blend of horror, romance, and literary fiction meant for adults and mature teens.


Dina lives with her husband, two daughters, and two dogs outside of Chicago. She is an avid reader, tennis player, movie buff, and self-proclaimed expert on conspiracy theories. She has appeared in several literary blogs, newspapers, e-zines, and radio shows as a guest.

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1 comment:

  1. Hi Louisa: Thanks so much for posting my book on your site. Look forward to your review. Dina Rae

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