I just finished reading author P.D. Alleva’s new book The Rose (Vol.1). In less than a day, I journeyed through a post-World War III world manipulated by space vampires and grey witches conducting Nazi-like experiments on humans – and loved it. Alleva’s masterfully woven dystopian science fiction thriller stuck its hooks into me and didn’t let me put the book down until I finished it. I’m willing to bet the same will happen to you.
A masterful, dystopian science fiction thriller of, telepathic evil greys, mysterious rebellion, martial arts, and Alien Vampires. Sandy Cox believed WWIII was over. But for those alien vampires, war has just begun. Forty-eight hours after a World War III treaty is signed, Sandy Cox awakens in an underground compound unable to move. Tied to machines she screams for help but no one answers. At least no one human. And they’ve taken her unborn child.
Phil is a rebel freedom fighter who has had more than his share of Alien Vampires. Armed with THE BLADES, a sacred alien martial art, he enters the compound on a mission to find Sandy. But as he battles through the compound, Phil discovers Sandy has her own agenda. Finding her stolen child is all that matters. But the vampires have their own plan and Sandy’s baby is at the heart of their diabolical plot. Joined by a crew of rogue soldiers, they must navigate the underground compound, battling genetically mutated humans, aliens and monsters. When battling Alien Vampires, one thing is certain…Get Ready To Bleed!
Reception
The Rose currently rates a 4.75 out of 5 stars on Goodreads.com from a total of 20 ratings and 18 reviews. On Amazon.com, the book rates a 4.6 out of 5 stars with 13 ratings. Both ratings align with my take on the book – it’s a great read. I’m a huge fan of sci fi horror and this book doesn’t disappoint. It combines a massive web of characters and scenarios in such a way that, as a reader, I never lost track of what was happening and the excitement of each storyline. Alleva impressively develops each characters’ personality throughout the book while at times mixing in inner conflicts that result in surprise outcomes.
Imagine a world – right here on our own earth – where governments are well aware that other beings exist on this planet. . .where governments willingly work with these other creatures because those entities are more powerful than our greatest scientists or armies. . .even though it is well known that the others do not have human’s best interests at heart. In fact…some of them even consider humanity as nothing more than food!
Review by SD from Goodreads.com
So many characters, all of them with multiple faces. It’s not so easy to decide who is good and who is bad. Each of them is motivated by their own goals which leads to plenty of clashes and action… Everything about this book was so fresh that I couldn’t put it down. I ended up reading it in one day because the world was just so easy to get lost in that I didn’t want to leave it.
Review by KK from Goodreads.com
The Rose is a unique dystopian tale set at the end of a world war. I loved the description of the telepathic abilities. You really get a sense of how these powers function and the logic of how they fit into this universe. You can tell that the author lives in this world and cares about the mechanics of it. The characters are also handled with this level of sophistication and care. They breathe and inhabit this world a way that you could easily imagine yourself inhabiting it. They’re decisions, be they self-serving or altruistic, are relatable.
Review by F from Amazon.com
Mythical Monsters and Symbolism Reimagined
Throughout The Rose, we are introduced to a wide assortment of reimagined mythical monsters and symbols. Below is a list with the associated mythical creatures I can only but assume the author took his inspiration from.
Perseus – a Gogmagog?
In Anglican Folklore, Gogmagogs had a distorted human-like body standing 13 feet – twice the size of an average human with bulging muscles. Gogmagogs, not known for battle savvy, relied on their extreme strength.
The Grey Witches – Ancient Greek ‘The Graeae’
The Graeae, or Grey Witches, of ancient Greek mythology, are three sisters known for their singular shared all-seeing-eye. In The Rose, the sisters’ names are Mintaka, Alnitak, and Alnilam – a clever reference to the three stars that make up Orion’s belt, whereas in Greek mythology, their names are Pemphredo, Enyo, and Deino.
The Drac – Obviously Vampires
Unless you haven’t heard of a little book called Dracula by Bram Stoker, I don’t think I need to elaborate on what vampires are.
Dr. Blum – From Modern Prometheus to Modern Frankenstein?
Prometheus created man from clay then game them the gift of fire, so I propose Dr. Blum is only loosely-based on Prometheus. Dr. Frankenstein is a better source for the character of Dr. Blum, as Frankenstein turns to modern experiments in a laboratory to achieve fantastic results.
Phil – a Modern Perseus or Star Wars’ Luke Skywalker?
Perseus was the son of Zeus and, when he was grown, he killed the Gorgon Medusa using the harpe he received from his father. Phil could also be a representation of Luke Skywalker, as he was raised by a Jedi-like mentor Robyn Winters, yields sword-type weapons, and uses a supernatural force (the rose) emanating from within him.
Baby Adam – Modern Dhampir or Marvel’s Blade?
Dhampirs are similar to vampires, having both the powers of a human and a vampire. They can sense a supernatural creature within a specified distance, have an acute sense of sight and hearing, have regenerating abilities, walk-in sunlight, also eat like a human, dhampirs can also control animals and can be used to destroy vampires.
Mono – Loosely Based On Medusa?
Medusa was one of the three monstrous Gorgon sisters with living venomous snakes in place of hair. She was lovely until she and Poseidon had sex in Athena’s temple. Athena punished Medusa by turning her into a monstrous, stony-glanced creature whose gaze would turn to stone you to stone. Ultimately, Perseus beheaded Medusa. Not much of the previous description relates to Mono, but there are similarities. Mono is a grey witch, but a different kind than the three sisters. Medusa and her two sisters were called the Gorgon and were sisters to the Graeae. Of the three Gorgon, Medusa was the only mortal.
The Blades – a Modern Harpe?
The Titan god Cronus used the harpe sword to castrate and depose his father, Uranus. The harpe was referred to as either a flint or diamond blade and was provided to Cronus by his mother, Gaia. Thus the blade became a symbol of Cronus’s power. Perseus, Zeus’s son, and Cronus’s grandson is regularly depicted armed with a harpe sword in his quest to kill the Gorgon, Medusa, and recover her head to use against Ceto.
Symbolism of the Rose
The rose is often used in alchemy. According to wisdomportal.com, “In Alchemy, the rose is wisdom and the rosarium the Work; it is also the rebirth of the spiritual after the death of the temporal.”
In the Author’s Own Words
Conclusion
You can learn more about author P.D. Alleva and his newest book The Rose on his website, https://pdalleva.com/, on Facebook, or on Twitter. Pick up your own copy of The Rose here on Amazon.
Sources
https://www.mythical-creatures-and-beasts.com/gogmagog.html
