The Chronicles of Zusalem
A Review by Richard Kanzer
This duet of novels is a very different approach to story telling from William Alan Rieser's Kaska Trilogy. The Chronicles are pure action adventure involving a diverse group of people seeking to determine some of the world's oldest secrets and lost knowledge. Throw in elements fantastic, mythological characters, a few early gods, vast portions of chaos and violence with a dash of horror amidst an unexpected romance and we have this highly entertaining result.
Mythology, malleable by its very nature, lies open to unlimited interpretation. Rieser takes advantage of that plasticity to suggest a possible cohesiveness between many elements, such as those from the Graeco-Roman, Persian and South American pantheons. Further, some very dimly illuminated mysteries and controversial biblical events are woven into the mix with fresh outlooks and conclusions.
The Find-The 1st Chronicle of Zusalem, draws us into the obsessive pursuit to discover one of the ancient, buried chambers supposedly filled with devices, knowledge and secrets of long deceased societies throughout early history. A group of archeological experts, guided by a Hindu mystic, are charged with the task in a location beneath the ruins at Tiahuanaco, Bolivia. Harry Klein leads the expedition, accompanied by Janice Bradshaw, whom he initially despises, a Mexican priest and his friend/chess partner. They are hired by Robert Egan, an
erudite if eccentric millionaire determined to fulfill his life's desire. They appear to succeed and discover a technology that explains why science cannot intrude upon the unempirical. Chronus, a heretofore mythological demon, interferes and stops at nothing to trick them into yielding up the magical chamber secrets as he materializes with his slaves. Succinctly put, all hell breaks loose. The battles themselves are unearthly, intense and hair raising throughout. At book's end,
Chronus is essentially stifled, not destroyed, in part by the love and bonding found by the team. They form an alliance for the future calling themselves the Zusalem.
Pathandu-The 2nd Chronicle of Zusalem, takes our original characters, enhanced with personal additions, on an epic journey of death, disaster and relentless opposition from America to their final destination, Tibet, for the ultimate, final battle with Chronus. They traverse much of the world, France, Egypt, Iceland and Pakistan, suffering setbacks every step of the way. In Tibet, the chief guardian of the chamber is Abbot Lob Tan, the head man of Pathandu, a monastery hidden deep inside a mountain cavern. Tremendous adventures and breathtaking action scenes abound wherever the Zusalem roam. They are ably aided by the most
secret society on earth, the Cephilim, fresh from the Chang Tang Highlands where they have been recruited. Not to give it away, but you will recognize these allies by a far different name with which you are familiar. They are fascinating and fleshed out by the author in an amazing and original manner. Chronus and his most trustworthy minions are compelled to stand in a final and surprising confrontation with the Zusalem in a worthy determination of evil vs. good prevalent with
a few hundred twists.
Perplexing mysteries associated with ancient civilizations find new expression in The Chronicles. Analysis of the need for dominant personalities to wreak havoc and sustain themselves at the expense of others is at the core of the message here. Both books are quite well done. The writing is highly descriptive and the action is exciting. There is much historical knowledge apparent and much to incite curiosity in the reader. Overall, a furious and satisfying joy ride with a
dynamic conclusion.
