A secret agent working undercover in Argentina makes himself an enemy of men and angels
Synopsis
Alex, a
British intelligence operative with the inconvenient ability to transform into
When a detective is murdered in his hotel, and a pair of drunken fallen angels
Casually admitting to guarding a mysterious bunker in the mountains, Alex realizes
He has stepped into a conspiracy far beyond earthly espionage.
Inside the
bunker, he discovers the unthinkable: the long‑lost Tablets of the Covenant, stolen centuries ago and smuggled to South
America by Nazi occultists. Now, both earthly assassins and the Archangel
Michael’s celestial operatives are hunting
him.
With only a
flash drive containing a 3D model of the Tablets, a semi‑automatic pistol gifted by angels, and the reluctant help of Miriam — a sharp, disciplined Mossad agent — Alex must outwit divine politics, eliminate a
resurrected Ahnenerbe operative, and destroy the relic before Heaven unleashes
chaos on Earth.
Darkly
comic, philosophical, and irresistibly noir, The Ninth Life of a Spy blends
espionage, mysticism, and satire into a story where nothing is sacred — except
survival.
Valery Rubin’s novel, Paradise, is about a British Intelligence operative on a mission and more. There are angels here, and they’re hunting. There are assassins, too, who aren’t far behind. Following Alex, who goes to Argentina to perform another intelligence work, this book is nearly everything else expected of a spy novel.
Paradise isn't like any spy story I’ve ever read. It’s rare that an operative is caught between Heaven and Earth wars, where he’s made himself an enemy of celestial beings, and where he stumbles upon a rare relic, the Tablets of the Covenant of all things. What’s more, Alex’s conversation with angels intrigues. They behave like old acquaintances, like men who’ve been in their trade for a long time and have since mastered how to handle each other.
Also, I like Alex’s relationship with Miriam. It’s professional and friendly.
Still, there were moments when I’d get lost, with no idea of what was going on. Moments when I find the story convoluted and trying to be many things. Whereas the story’s premise engages, my problem is with Alex. Much as he has flaws and strengths, I find him knowledgeable on almost everything on the earth’s surface. This isn’t bad, except Alex talks about nearly everything his eyes see and his mind processes. Money, happiness, war, places, and people. This is what he has to say about Bogota: ‘In Bogotá, they say, the authorities close the streets to cars on Sundays — pedestrians become the rightful masters of the city. Walking improves mood and brings peace and confidence. ‘ Then he switches to paranoia, then reminds the reader of what Warren Buffett once said.’ As such, I spent much of my time stranded in Alex’s head.
Overall, this book didn’t resonate with me. At least not as I had hoped when I saw the cover and read its synopsis. I find myself lagging behind throughout, and moments that I enjoyed less than those that confused me.
Reviewed by
kennedy odindo
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