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The Map of Chaos

Review

The Map of Chaos

The finale to Félix J. Palma's fantastical trilogy is a veritable treat for the mind and senses alike. It features an amped-up mix of real and historical characters thrown into an absurd scenario that will have readers’ heads spinning with each passing chapter.

This exciting and puzzling book opens with a warning to readers to essentially enter at your own risk. At the heart of this warning is the main focus of the novel: a mysterious book called The Map of Chaos that literally may contain the only way to save this world --- and several others --- from total annihilation. The lengthy Prologue features H.G. Wells, author of THE WAR OF THE WORLDS, among others. He has figured in all the volumes of Palma’s trilogy and once again is at the center of the action here. A good part of the earlier section of this lengthy novel deals with mediums, the occult, life after death, and mourning lost loved ones.

"The finale to Félix J. Palma's fantastical trilogy is a veritable treat for the mind and senses alike. It features an amped-up mix of real and historical characters thrown into an absurd scenario that will have readers’ heads spinning with each passing chapter."

Tying in perfectly with this plot line is the story involving the dual protagonist of the novel, Inspector Cornelius Clayton. Not only is he investigating a series of bizarre and grisly murders, he shortly comes into possession of the title novel, The Map of Chaos. This makes him the target of some very evil entities and eventually will cross his storyline with that of Wells and company. Clayton quickly learns that chasing around what appears to be a werewolf in London is the least of his worries.

Clayton finds himself getting immersed in the bizarre craze of séances and mediums, most of whom are frauds. He ends up attending a séance that conjures up an evil presence that resoundingly threatens with the statement: “This time you'll give me what's mine!” This reference is to the much-sought-after book that Clayton now possesses.

Meanwhile, Wells finds himself in the company of friend and fellow author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The two seek out a man going under the assumed name “Montgomery Gilmore.” His actual identity, once revealed, is far more interesting, and he becomes a character who has incredible impact on the remainder of the novel. Once all are united, they find themselves squaring off with the same evil entity that Clayton encountered. The only difference is that their version is taking on the persona of a character straight out of the pages of one of Wells' own books: THE INVISIBLE MAN.

Most of THE MAP OF CHAOS is difficult to describe and simply needs to be experienced. You will encounter multiple storylines and dimensions, one of which even contains a meet-up with Charles Dodgson, better known as Lewis Carroll. There are so many ideas, thoughts and revelations that it literally will blow your mind. There are characters and circumstances that should not work together, but amazingly, Palma and his unbridled imagination tie it all up in a neat package. Pick up THE MAP OF CHAOS and prepare to leave behind this world, and a few others, for several days!

Reviewed by Ray Palen on July 10, 2015

The Map of Chaos
by Felix J. Palma