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Summary: Publishing's Big Gaffe
Review: The agents and publishers who turned this guy down made a huge mistake and did him a complete disservice. This novel was not so much written as crafted and the title as the theme: BRILLIANT! The world he has created is a rich, lush, thriving world of ghosts, aliens and all sorts of supernatural goings-ons. But like another reviewer said, it's filled with the normal stuff which we all wonder about. Is there a God? Does he care? Durchholz writes with a casual easy-to-read elegance that is more accessible than Barker, less flowery than Rice and more imaginative than King. If you are not a sci-fi fan or ghost story fan, don't let the premise turn you off. This book rewards in ways I cannot describe. Not a day goes by that I don't wonder what Gregory, Euchar or Anna are up to. Durchholz is a writer to watch (HE IS THAT GOOD) and if this is a series, then bring the next one on! Thank you Eric for this wonderful experience I will never forget.
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Summary: First novel shows promise in "Eden"
Review: The only reason I read The Promise of Eden was because it's setting is near where I live. I am not a big fan of ghost stories or science fiction. I tend to gravitate towards more historical romances and other such fare. I was in for such a suprise with this book. The description on the cover doesn't even begin to explain all of the goings-on in this novel. I expected a tale much like "The Sixth Sense", but instead I got an interplanetary saga that boggled my mind. It is told from the point of view of an unremarkable teenager named Gregory with remarkable friends. His playmate/nemesis is Anna, a trapped spirit who longs for an escape and she tricks everyone on her quest for revenge. Then there is Joseph, the wise old teacher who may be a hermit or a reincarnation of Jesus, or both. Let's not forget Sylvie, the ghost who wants to be a god. The way Durchholz pits these characters against each other is fascinating. It's the characters who drive the story and that is a rarity in fiction today. It never feels forced. It is a natural prose and at times I was lost in the telling. While it has the unmistakable twitch of a first novel, I look forward to the next in the series. Even though this one is totals only 204 pages, there is so much action, drama, comedy and excitement packed in that the brevity enhances the experience. Long live Sylvie!
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Summary: Thoughts On TPOE
Review: The Promise of Eden is an awesome start to Eric Durchholz's career. For me, it was one of those rare books that can be enjoyed throughout. The characters are intriguing and more three dimensional than those of many contemporary writers that I've read. Although the story has elements of science fiction, he's managed to give his characters a kind of universal humane touch. What was most amazing though was his ability to keep me interested without having to do one action-packed scene after another. Watching Gregory's growth, from his complete virginity as a being to his growth as a kind of savior to his ultimate peace (and salvation) was executed so well, with what seemed to be very little effort at all. It's all I needed to keep turning the pages, anxiously awaiting the next words, sentences, chapters. Sorry to make it sound like an English class book report or something but here's the bottom line: He is gifted. This book was just a starting point for him. It wasn't perfect, no book is or ever will be, but it reveals a lot about him. He didn't just write about Gregory, he was Gregory as he was writing. His style and imagination are unique to him but become very appealing to anyone with a heart. I hope he keeps at it, and keeps going and never gives up, his writing is at the height of contemporary authors and has the potential to surpass them, all he needs to do is keep at it. love, respect, and awe to Eric Durchholz.
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Summary: New Durchholz Fan
Review: This book is one all worldly adventurous' should read. Packed with suspense and action your sure to get reading enjoyment. Don't pass this one up, read it. Can't wait for the sequel.
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Summary: Promise of Eden sequel a must!
Review: This book is one all worldly adventurous' should read. Packed with suspense and action your sure to get reading enjoyment. Don't pass this one up, read it. Can't wait for the sequel.
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Summary: Durchholz a talented new writer!
Review: This book was simply amazing! The author writes in a first person format, and makes the story sound as though he is truly relaying it to a trusted friend. The book explores several different planes of reality, but doesn't get stuck on any one. The story of Ibscaca and its eventual demise and abandoning (not to give away TOO much, and believe me, I'm not!) strikes a chord in our own lives and exposes the flaws of what we wrongly worship on our native Earth. And one aspect of the story ends with the world of Ibscaca's central figure, Helziamon - a god figure for Ibscacans - bringing his gifts to Earth. There is nothing predictable about this book! Just when you think you've got it pegged and can see where its going, BAM, it makes a brilliant change in direction and becomes even more interesting. I would love to see Durchholz write a sequel and explore the complex relationships that develop. I would definitely pre-order an advance copy of that book! Until then, I will definitely reread this amazing book! Order this book, or you will certainly be missing a truly wonderful literary accomplishment.
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Summary: Refreshing!
Review: This book was simply refreshing to read. Eric Durchholz breaks through the boundaries of any specific genre and creates a story that is simply wonderful. In only 204 pages, we watch as a young Gregory Coleman grows into adulthood while being drawn into a web of half truths spun by Anna, a being not quite of this world or the next, and Sylvie, a poltergeist, each with her own agenda. At face value, The Promise of Eden is simply a wonderful story. What makes this book special is the lessons learned as we follow Gregory on his journey. Through the power of fiction, Mr. Durchholz causes us to ask questions that are usually reserved for the minds of children. Questions of faith. Questions of beliefs. Questions of a higher power, yet never once causing us to disbelieve what we have grown to accept as true. It reminds us that life is short and we need to make the most out of it. I'm looking forward to more from this talented young author!
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Summary: Unexpectedly riveting
Review: Though this is not the usual type of book I would go looking for, based on the reccomendations of a couple of friends I bought it. Truly a surprising and riveting story that pulls you into it's web and holds you there right to the last word written. Though it is fiction, it is so easy to believe simply because so much of what is written there is made up of the stuff of life. From questioning our beliefs, our faith and our lives in general to the typical carrying on of an otherwise normal young man. Ana, who really no longer belongs in this life but has not been able to move across the divide to the next plane, Sylvie who is a true poltergist who over time tranforms from a meek fairly powerless and harmless ghost into a well, read the book. It is truly a fascinating read.
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Summary: Packed!
Review: Two phrases from the description jumped out at me: "half-human, half-spirit" and "aspirations of godhood". Okay, what exactly is that? I got my answer. The author has created a spirit world just as rich and complex as Rice's vampires. No, I am not kidding. Anna, Sylvie, Joseph and Gregory are four wildly different creatures but bound together by fate, circumstance or plan. The ghosts in this world are living, breathing, thinking beings with goals, aspirations, and bad days. But it's not only ghosts. It's aliens, too. And God and Jesus and witches and werewolves. Here we have the interplanetary vision of Eric Durchholz. It is a universe populated with an alien race that is simply trying to find its runaway god. In doing so, they are causing their own destruction and perhaps annhilating other planets. What strikes me as unique is that the author chose Gregory, a lonely young boy, to tell this tale when he could have chosen a thousand different angles. It adds to the sense of isolation and disparaging nature of making sense out of things. We see these events through Gregory's naive eyes and not through an omniscient narrator. Through a narrator something like trying to find one's mother could come off as saccharine and insincere. Through Gregory, it seems to be the biggest quest in the world. His relationship with Anna is compelling. Likewise, the strange appearance and disappearance of Sylvie lends more to a sequel than anything else. And I do hope there is a sequel. I need to find out if Gregory finds his mother and if Sylvie really...aw heck, I shouldn't spoil it for you. This book is a gem.
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Summary: Not just for Adults
Review: WOW! I was one of the first to order this book directly from the author before it was published. I originally thought I was just helping out an unpublished author realize a dream. Instead I found my dreams brought to life. When I recieved my signed first edition copy I started to read the first chapter and almost immedeately put it away (wanting to preserve it's pristine state for posterity), and came here to Amazon to order 5 more copies. One for myself and the others for gifts to friends. Everyone has loved it and thanked me for turning them on to a wonderful new writer. I gave one copy to my 14 year old niece, who is now a confirmed Durcholz fan, and that copy is now making the rounds of all the teenie boppers in a small New Hampshire High School. My only complaint is that Eric should never have listened to the Publishers and Publicists he talked to and made it a much longer book. Who says a first book should be between 200 and 250 pages? I want more! I'm also an avid Anne Rice and Clive Barker fan and Eric shows in his intial book the potential to surpass them both. My niece and I are avidly awaiting his next installment in this wonderful world.
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