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Summary: This engrossing book took me one evening to read!
Review: Many moons have passed since a book has so thoroughly entranced me, that I devoted a whole evening of my life to finish it!
Being a hunter and an aboriginal allowed me to vicariously enter this particular milleu without any difficulty whatsoever.
Placing myself into the various scenes described,whilst analyzing, and determining where the antagonists where; provided refreshing and ongoing mental stimulation.
It is my feverent hope that other readers would enjoy this book as much as I did!
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Summary: A 20th Century thriller!
Review: Mark T. Sullivan is a brilliant author!
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Summary: Thriller, survival novel, spiritual journey
Review: Mark T. Sullivan's The Purification Ceremony examines a number of themes, any of which could stand alone: hunting vs. anti-hunting, obsession, ignoring our natures and the natural world, the relationships between families, the disntegration of society's mores in the face of death. Diane Jackman, a Micmac and Penobscot Indian, seeks salvation in the pursuit of white tail deer on the estate of an enigmatic, deceased student of game management. Dealing with the death of her father, a fifteen year deception of her husband, and the recent disintegration of that marriage, the software writer finds herself one of two women (the other is the wife of a computer nerd and obnoxious trophy hunter) on a hunt for record white tail. Though marred by some stereotypical characters, Sullivan deftly portrays the central characters. During the first day's hunt, Diane comes on the body of one of the guides, gutted, scalped, and hung in a tree. The hunting party, cut off from civlization and rescue deep in British Columbia, now are the targets of a different breed of hunter, one who seeks to "purify" their hunt by killing them all. Diane confronts the killer and her own demons. The ending is ambiguous, with many issues unresolved, and in that the book reflects life. Sullivan paints a sparkling picture of the outdoors and the excitement of the hunt. Even those who find themselves on the "anti" side of the issue, or have little in hunting, will find the book to be a great read. It is hard to slip this novel into a specific genre: part thriller, part psychological study, part naturalism, part mystical.
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Summary: Want a thriller? Love suspense? This is for you!
Review: My boyfriend loaned me this book. I am sooo mad at myself for not reading it the instant he placed it in my hands! It was awesome! I am a Stephen King fan (except for the fantasy stuff) and this was right up my alley. From the very beginning I was drawn into the suspense-packed plot, and I could not put it down (hard not to put a book down when you have a baby!) I devoured this book. I admired Diana and was proud of her for showing that heritage, wits, and power are ok for women to possess and display. Good work!
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Summary: good beginning - anticlimatic ending
Review: The first 200 pages of this book had me on the "edge of my seat". The combination of mystery and almost-horror genre was excellent and the pace was just right. Diana's struggles and relationships with both the "hunt" and the others were actually easy to relate to. Unfortunately, the story fell apart in the latter pages with a very weak ending. The reliance on the "power" and the mystical strength of both Diana and the antagonist were just a bit much for me. The book moved from a credible human suspense with believable characters and action to a superhuman or supernatural non-thriller by the end. By the time the climax occurred, I cared little about who won or whether I read the rest of the book. Sullivan also spent very little time on characterization of other players in the book...only the painfully long descriptions of Diana's past. This book reminded much of Congo...great start...poor finish.
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Summary: Lyrical writing; one of the best books I read last year
Review: The first few chapters of this book were utterly flawless -- nail-biting tension and a sense of dread kept me flipping those pages. I am a published novelist myself, and I have the greatest admiration for Mr. Sullivan's artistry. He has the spirit of a poet. I have a few quibbles about the solution to the mystery (I always have quibbles!) but I cannot deny the fact this author's descriptions of snow and isolation are masterful.
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Summary: Fantastic!!!
Review: This book completely blew me away, it was so brilliantly written. The author is a master of suspense, and his method for intertwining the main character's tender past with the murder plot was extremely compelling. I'm a voracious reader and read across all genres -- romance, mystery, suspense, fantasy and science fiction -- and I have to say this is the most remarkable example of the thriller genre that I've read in years. Plus the bonus of Mark's talent for creating vivid imagery is unsurpassed.
It's difficult to find any book worth reading these days, and I usually toss them aside after the first five or six chapters (if I even get that far). But Mark is a step above the average author. He's now one of the few authors on my "must buy!" list. I highly, highly recommend this novel!
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointed
Review: This book started out fast paced and exhilerating,
and I could not put it down. Yet once in the middle, it became cliche and overexaggerated.
Why do authors feel they have to expand on the
impossible to keep a reader interested. Once a
novel loses it's credibility, it loses my attention. I did continue reading though, but would not reccommend this book to a friend.
Rating: 
Summary: The hunters are hunted
Review: This book was suspense, action, and had very good descriptions of the winter landscapes. The hunters get hunted....the tension mounts....the chase is on....survival of the fittest. Great for anyone who enjoys thrillers.
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Summary: More than just suspense.
Review: This is a fast moving, suspenseful novel that explores man's relationship with nature through the eyes of an educated,highly spiritual,part native-american woman.Through his protagonist, the author studies the concept of death as a renewal and something that can have a positive effect upon those left behind. Nature appears to rule and by living in accordance with the laws of nature and in union with it,one will certainly be blessed.This is a most enjoyable story,especially for anyone interested in moving beyond the stereotypical thriller
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