Plane Walker (The Manus Dei Trilogy #1) by C.P. Dunphey

Plane Walker (The Manus Dei Trilogy #1) Reviews

• 
  Ms. Just One More Book (Kris Miller)

  EXCERPT FROM 'PLANE WALKER'
  
  "Throughout the centuries, many have viewed the idea of Purgatory as a large, dark waiting room filled to the brim with departing souls lingering as their judgment is being prepared to be declared. Through the Manus Dei, we have discovered that Purgatory is far worse than any mortal might ever possibly imagine. Many go mad upon seeing the truth.”
  
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  In a world many, many years into the future where space travel is easily attainable, the old ways have been forgotten. With the scientific advances, science became the way of life, leaving behind religion and theology. That is until one man created the Manus Dei which proved their was a God. The Manus Dei allowed a mortal to temporarily ascend to the next plane of existence in the afterlife, before being pulled back. But, not without consequences. It was these very consequences that led to the destruction of all of the Manus Dei systems. All but one.
  
  After Lazarus' wife dies in childbirth, he becomes a man driven by demons. Neglectful, abusive and fighting addictions, he hardly recognizes himself. When his daughter disappears and the memories of her last whereabouts are lost to him, he turns to the God he equally blames and despises. Using the last Manus Dei in existence, he goes on a journey to recover those lost memories and save his daughter. He soon learns of the consequences that led to its destruction.
  
  This was a book that immediately captures your attention. The initial setup is a highly mesmerizing first chapter that sets the groundwork for the present time, quickly hooking you with its dramatic scene. Then the next chapter flashes back 24 hours, leading you up to that very moment.
  
  While some have said the first half of the book is slow, I say it is an overall necessary setup to the complete storyline. Think of it as a long fuse to dynamite. It keeps a meticulous and steady pace until it detonates. Usually that which requires a longer fuse creates even more of an impact, which is how I would compare this story. An impact so very much worth the wait. 
  
  C.P. Dunphey has a rare talent of completely immersing you into his world via the golden rule of showing not telling. This is something that many, many authors struggle with that seemed to come organically from this author. He possesses a complex writing style that is also almost lyrical. From the vivid world building, to the intricate storyline, to the multidimensional characters, the book flows brilliantly.
  
  Overall, this was a very, very well written  book with an original premise. To be honest, I was a little hesitant to read it as 'horror' is not my usual Forte. Personally I found it to be more of a psychological thriller vs horror. I liken in unto the movie Se7en with Brad Pitt.  There's some gritty scenes in it that border on horror, but to me, it's more of a Psychological Thriller. Add to it lots of Sci-fi, then weave a great deal of suspense, a pinch of a dystopian feel, as well as theological discussions, and it's something that can appeal to lover's of many genres. I am definitely looking forward to reading the rest of the trilogy as well as any additional works by this author!
• 
  G.A. Miller

  C.P. Dunphey creates an extraordinary world and populates it with fully realized, three dimensional characters in this extraordinary work. I'm not usually a reader of Sci Fi work, but this one caught my eye, and I am very glad it did.
• 
  David Turton

  A thoughtful and intriguing story that meshes science fiction and horror. The main character Lazarus is multi dimensional and complex. Well worth a read.
• 
  Grady

  ‘Science fiction is the only genre out there that can predict the future.’
  
  New York born C. P. Dunphey is currently working towards a doctorate in English with a focus on Creative Writing at the University of Southern Mississippi. He is the founder of Gehenna Publishing House. In an extensive Preface he discusses his thoughts about writing strange unique novels and offers pages of gratitude to the people who have supported him in this role as an author. Hi goal? To write something unique, something that will challenge his readers to think along new avenues. With PLANE WALKER he has accomplished that goal.
  
  Getting into this very long novel is a bit trying: definitions are needed and from hidden sources we discover ‘Manus dei’, literally translated means ‘hand of God’, but in Dunphey’s definition, ‘The Manus Dei System is a technology that can bring one into the afterlife and back. Thought to all be destroyed, this technology when first conceived and tested, proved that God and the afterlife existed, forever changing humanity. In the afterlife, everything is omnipresent. Every memory and experience you have ever had is there, even ones forgotten in life.’
  
  To add to this fascinating concept, Dunphey starts his massive novel with a quote from Hugh Zephyr, Inventor f the Manus Dei system: ‘Throughout the centuries, many have viewed the idea of Purgatory as a large, dark waiting room filled to the brim with departing souls lingering as their judgment is being prepared to be declared. Through the Manus Dei, we have discovered that Purgatory is far worse than any mortal might ever possibly imagine. Many go mad upon seeing the truth.’
  
  Opening chapter one, our introduction to the story is as follows; ‘My dead wife greets me. I know she is not real. Her loving words flow freely to my ears. The calm, sweet sound of her reassuring thoughts caress me. I know she is not real because there is no sound in space. Her hair waves back and forth, bouncing atop the skin of her shoulders. The glistening light of stars shine on her naked body. I cannot appreciate her comfort. Blood pours out of my side, censoring parts of her appearance as it forms crimson clouds between us. My aching head throbs as I attempt to focus on her; the totem preventing me from falling into a permanent rest.’
  
  Move into the synopsis provided by the author and we read, ‘The Manus Dei system proved that a deity exists. The universe was changed forever. Mankind desires equal footing with the God. The God seeks to abandon mankind. After his wife dies during childbirth, Lazarus’s life takes a turn for the worst. Addictions and neglect spread across the years as Lazarus focuses on the Deity as the apex of his frustration. During a freak accident, his daughter Elisha disappears. At his weakest point, Lazarus’s last memories of his daughter are erased, leaving him stranded with no clue of her final whereabouts. On a final whim of desperation, Lazarus locates the last Manus Dei system in existence, hoping to use the machine to find the memories he has forgotten in life. But not without harsh repercussions. Will Lazarus find Elisha? Or will he succumb to the terrible consequences of using the Manus Dei? Will Lazarus’s ulterior motives turn his daughter’s rescue mission into a war against the God?’
  
  Dunphey has found ground not yet trodden – characters that reflect biblical names, fantasy, mystery, mythology, and science fiction and weaves all this together in a fascinating (if at time frustrating grammar wise) novel. He appears to be climbing his own mountain: surprisingly he rather successfully takes us along with him. The book is a challenge, but so have been some of the greats of the past. Watching his progress will be a fascinating process.
• 
  Arley Dial

  Well written beginning to what promises to be a terrific Sci/fi series. The story begins with a first person account of a surrealistic nightmare reminiscent of the work of Thomas Ligotti. We then segue into a terrifying recovery segment, and some explanatory exposition that keeps the pace of the story going nicely. The action sequence that follows, and represents the climax of the story, is delivered with clarity while still maintaining the dreamlike quality of the rest of the novel. The resolution ties up some loose ends while leaving the reader eagerly awaiting the continuation of the series. Dunphey is an author that I will definitely be watching in the future.
• 
  R. E.

  What a universe
  
  This author has created a very interesting reality. The main character dwells between life, death and afterlife as he searches for his daughter.
  
  The story is told in the first person. Lazarus, the main character, journeys on the edge of life and death, in a stream of consciousness that is extremely imaginative.
  
  Definitely different and worth your time.