Revelation: A Forever Man Novel

By Brian W. Matthews

An ancient relic lost to the world ages ago surfaces in Missouri. Miles Knight, a skeptic suddenly threatened by forces he cannot comprehend, scrambles to stay alive. Chased by a murderous hit man, assailed by unspeakable evils, Miles finds unexpected aid in Bartholomew Owens, the Forever Man, and his protégé, Katie Bethel. From the sleepy heartland of America to the corrupt dangers of Africa, from the forgotten ruins beneath the Vatican to the simmering heat of Istanbul — they race to secure the safety of mankind, and to ultimately stop a deranged reverend from unleashing a holocaust that could bring civilization to its knees. Revelation is the follow-up to Matthews’ popular debut novel, Forever Man.

• Language: English
• Publisher: JournalStone
• Release date: Feb 13, 2015
• ISBN: 9781940161976

Book preview

REVELATION

A Forever Man Novel

By

Brian W. Matthews

JournalStone

San Francisco

Copyright © 2015 by Brian W. Matthews

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

JournalStone books may be ordered through booksellers or by contacting:

JournalStone

www.journalstone.com

The views expressed in this work are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

ISBN: 978-1-940161-96-9(sc)

ISBN: 978-1-940161-97-6(ebook)

JournalStone rev. date:  February 13, 2015

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014960075

Printed in the United States of America

Cover Art & Design: Wayne M. Miller

Edited by: Michael R. Collings

To Dana.

You are my favorite, you are my best.

And you make me proud every day.

~Dad

Part I

Prisoners of their Past

The midday sun beat down bright and hot on the massive dromon as it approached the harbor. Her sails had been lowered earlier that morning, and now rows of oarsmen worked with practiced ease at propelling the vessel through the rough waters of the Marmara Sea.

Standing near the prow of the ship, Bartholomew gazed at the ancient city looming before him.

Constantinople, he thought. Byzantium. The heart of the Empire. How I’ve missed seeing it.

He heard footsteps. The captain approached. This close to port, he had discarded his plain brown robe for an embroidered silk chiton, as befitted his station. A sword hung from his hip.

I brought you here as agreed, the captain told him.

Bartholomew nodded, reached into the folds of his tunic, and withdrew a small pouch. He dropped it into the man’s outstretched hand.

The captain hefted the bag. Generous, but not generous enough.

It’s what we agreed upon.

Yes, yes, but the voyage was more difficult than expected. The captain’s hand drifted to his sword. I require more.

You have all you will get from me.

I have seen what you carry. What if I cut your throat and take it?

He turned to face the captain. You can try.

And how will you, a man with no weapon, stop me?

By the time you found out, it would be too late.

Neither man moved. High above, gulls swooped and dove in lazy circles, their cries heralding an end to the ship’s long voyage.

The seconds ticked by.

Bartholomew cocked an eyebrow. Well?

The captain held his glare a moment longer, then looked away. We will be docking soon. I want you off my ship by sunset.

As you wish, Bartholomew said, and returned to his contemplation of the city.

Built on a gently sloping peninsula, Constantinople was considered by many one of the most beautiful cities in the empire. The Great Palace loomed high on a plateau, with its thick granite walls, narrow windows, and formidable bronze gates. Next to it stood the Hippodrome, a vast open-air arena fashioned after Rome’s Coliseum. And to the east, the Sancta Sophia, or Shrine of the Holy Wisdom of God. In all his travels, Bartholomew had not seen a larger church, and he wasn’t sure he approved.

His gaze shifted to the passage of the Golden Horn, which ran the length of the northeast quarter. While most of the city’s populace lived along that shore, the captain wouldn’t dock there; his passengers weren’t affluent enough. No, he would tack west and make for the harbor of Eleutherious and the Jewish Gate, where the military presence was less intrusive, and visitors who wanted to remain anonymous—like Bartholomew—found entry into the city simpler.

A salt-tinged breeze snatched at his tunic, and Bartholomew smiled. After spending years behind a plow, tilling the earth on his family’s farm, he had come to love the sea.

The captain’s voice rang out. The vessel shifted, the prow nudging westward, into the current. Water sprayed over the sides. The grunts of the oarsmen grew louder, more strained.

Movement caught his eye. A burly crewman advanced on him, snarling, yellow teeth barely visible behind a wild growth of beard. He held a long-bladed knife in his fist.

Bartholomew raised his hands. You don’t want to do this.

In response, the crewman closed the distance in two lumbering strides and brought the knife down in an attack that was more brute force than skill or finesse.

Snatching the crewman’s arm near the wrist, Bartholomew twisted. The movement forced the other man to bend at the waist. Then he swung his leg over the man’s arm and jerked up, putting pressure on his attacker’s elbow.

Drop the blade, Bartholomew said.

The crewman grunted, his face pressed close to the deck. He tried to stand but couldn’t break the hold on his arm. A thin cry escaped from somewhere deep in his beard.

Drop it!

The man shook his shaggy head.

Before he could do anything else, the captain shouted an order. Bartholomew staggered as the port oarsmen reversed their rowing and the dromon lurched beneath his feet. The crewman dropped to the deck, rolled, and kicked.

Pain exploded in Bartholomew’s groin, white hot, and he collapsed.

The crewman scrambled from under him. Knife still in his hand, he lashed out. The blade cut into Bartholomew’s shoulder. Blood soaked his tunic.

Kill him! the captain shouted.

The crewman jerked the knife high and lunged.

Bartholomew brought his hands up but not fast enough to block the attack.

The blade sank into his chest.

Locking a scream behind his teeth, he clamped his hands onto the crewman’s forearm, preventing him from withdrawing the blade and stabbing him again. The crewman bellowed in rage and twisted the knife. This time Bartholomew did cry out. He squeezed the crewman’s arm, his brown fingers pressing into the man’s flesh. The crewman stiffened. The blood drained from his face. He tried again to yank the blade free, but Bartholomew kept his grip tight until the crewman screamed and let go. Bartholomew released the man, and the crewman did what Bartholomew had hoped he would—shoved him hard in the chest. Bartholomew made a show of stumbling back on the deck, knife still lodged in his chest, and when he hit the guardrail, he tumbled backward, feet flying as he went over the side of the ship and fell into the sea.

*   *   *

Out of breath and weak from blood loss, Bartholomew struggled against the surf that threatened to pull him back into the sea. He dug his fingers into the sand, hauled his body forward. Waves crashed over him, filling his eyes with grit and the bitter sting of water.

After falling overboard, he had removed the knife and dropped it, then swam as far as he could under water—he had to make sure he cleared the oars or they might have battered him into unconsciousness. When he came up for air, the dromon had traveled far enough to prevent anyone from spotting him.

Another wave, larger this time, pounded into him and shoved his face into the wet earth. Spitting sand, he fought against the undertow, and when it passed, he staggered forward, dizzy, bare feet splashing, arms swinging wide for balance. When he reached shore, his legs folded beneath him. There, under the warmth of the sun, he closed his eyes.

And slept.

*   *   *

When Bartholomew woke, his eyelids had gummed shut, and he had to pry them apart with his fingers.

He lay on the shore, his skin hot, his throat parched, sand wedged into every crevice of his body. He probed his wounds and found the skin had knitted together. Not that he expected anything different.

He tried standing, but a wave of dizziness knocked him down. High above, gulls sailed the currents, swooping and dipping like children at play. The sun hung low in the west, the sky deepening from blue to magenta. He closed his eyes. Maybe if he rested a little longer….

Let me guess, said a voice from behind him. The docks were not to your liking?

Bartholomew’s eyes snapped open. He tilted his head back.

A man stood on a patchy strip of grass along the uneven shoreline, his hands resting on his hips. He had a close-cropped white beard, high cheekbones, and the kind of deep-green eyes that women seemed to find attractive. His wore a tunic of the same cut and cloth as Bartholomew’s, though two years and a long sea voyage cleaner. He smiled broadly.

You found me, Bartholomew said.

Very funny, Philip replied. He walked over and held out a hand. A small, dark, crescent-moon-shaped mark discolored the web of skin between his thumb and forefinger. How did you end up here?

Bartholomew let his friend help him up. The captain and I argued about the price of the voyage. It increased once we arrived.

And you refused to pay, so he threw you overboard. Philip frowned at the stains on Bartholomew’s tunic. Is that blood?

The disagreement became extreme at the end.

You must have healed by now. Have you eaten?

Bartholomew shook his head. Not since early this morning.

All right. Follow me.

They walked up the sloping ground toward the city, skirting thickets of fragrant laurel and yellow dogwood and broad-leafed medlar with its tiny white flowers like miniature stars. The brutal summer heat fled before the approaching dusk, but the cooler temperatures also meant a return of the region’s insects. Swarms of mites buzzed around their heads, while larger flies bit at their exposed arms and legs.

Before long, the scrub gave way to the cobbled streets and squat stone buildings of Constantinople. Crowds hurried past, weary expressions on their tanned faces. A dark-haired woman carrying a sack squeezed her way past an elderly couple, only to collide with a short, thick man coming from the other direction. The woman fell, her sack slipping from her hand. The man stomped over her, his sandaled feet trampling the sack. The bitter tang of lemons filled the air.

Bartholomew looked back the way they had come. Why not build all the way to the shoreline? That would give them more room for homes.

His most holy Emperor Justinian has forbidden it, said Philip, picking up the sack and handing it to the woman. He decreed that the land between here and the shore shall remain ‘unadulterated by the touch of man.’

I take it you don’t approve.

There are nearly half a million people living here, Bartholomew. The city is getting crowded.

The number shocked Bartholomew. Where does he put them all?

Do you remember the rocky slopes north of the city?

You can’t build houses up there!

Tents, Philip said. Most find it better than sleeping in the weather. Come, the vendors are this way.

They crossed through a gate in the Wall of Byzantium and entered the Venetian Quarter. Cramped stalls lined the street. The cries of vendors blended with the aromas of olives, lemons, oranges, cooked meats, and wine.

What would you like? Philip asked.

Lamb and figs would be nice.

Philip led him down a narrow alley to another street and past several stalls. Vendors yelled and gestured to get their attention. Philip ignored them until he reached a man wearing a scarf tied over his head to protect him from the sun. He had a pock-marked face, bad teeth, and was missing an ear. His dour expression brightened when he saw Philip.

My friend! the vendor cried. It is good to see you! Where have you been?

Hiding in the dark places of the world, Basir. The very dark places. But tell me, how are you? And how is that wonderful family of yours?

Basir gave an exaggerated roll of his eyes. Do not speak of them. I work all day in the blistering heat, barely able to scrape together enough money to feed them, and at night I am expected to attend to their every need. I tell you, they will put me into an early grave.

You would have it no other way. Philip turned to Bartholomew. Basir’s wife is most devoted. She brings inventory up from the docks, keeps an account of their sales, makes sure no one cheats them, and still manages to raise their thirteen children. He returned his attention to Basir. My friend here would like some food.

Of course, of course. Basir gathered hunks of roasted lamb from a small clay oven, placed them on a battered metal plate, and added figs and dates and a hunk of brown bread. Smiling, he handed the meal to Bartholomew. For the friend of a friend.

Bartholomew withdrew a few coins from his pouch and held them out.

No need, Basir said. You owe nothing. I have yet to repay Philip fully for his great kindness.

Oh? Bartholomew said, looking quizzically at his friend.

His youngest son wandered from their home, Philip explained. Basir and his wife searched for hours, along with the neighbors. When I heard about the boy, I offered to help. We were fortunate. I found him in a water cistern near Fifth Hill. The child had fallen in. He turned to Basir. That was three summers ago. I believe you have shown your gratitude to its fullest.

Basir’s grin faded. You are mistaken, my friend. There is no price too great for the life of my son. I will never be done repaying you.

An elderly woman hurried by with six children in tow. Philip waited for them to pass before he spoke.

Do you have water to spare?

Basir went to a wood barrel, filled a hollowed-out gourd, and handed it to Philip. What else, my friend?

Nothing. You have been most helpful.

Thank you again for the food, Bartholomew said. Your generosity is most kind.

We’ll rest for the night, Philip said to Bartholomew. Tomorrow you can visit the Hippodrome.

Bartholomew felt someone tug on his tunic. He turned. A young woman, dark-skinned and beautiful, with wide, fearful eyes and blood running down the side of her head, stood there.

Help me, please! she cried, glancing back at a knot of soldiers marching toward them. They’re going to kill me!

Prologue

Someone knocked on the door. Reverend Destiny placed the notes on his desk.

Come in.

The door opened and his aide, Charles Korzenkowski, entered. He was dressed in a navy-blue button-down with a yellow tie that made it look as if he’d spilled mustard down the front his shirt. His crinkly ginger hair was combed straight back and held it in place with styling gel. His thick lips twitched into a smile.

Are you ready, Reverend?

Ready as I’ll ever be. How about the hall? Is everything set?

Yes, sir. Everyone’s seated and waiting for you.

Are we at capacity?

You even have believers lining the back wall. A few reporters, too.

Excellent work, Charles. Excellent.

Four minutes until we start, Charles said. Shall we pray, sir?

Of course. Destiny bowed his head. Dear Lord, God and Father, please give this humble servant the strength to lead Your flock into salvation. Many have wandered from the path that You have set for them. They have become lost, mired amid the sinful influences of these times, evils which now surpass those most unholy of cities, Sodom and Gomorrah. I am the beacon and the light. Let them follow me into Your Heavenly grace. Amen.

Amen, whispered Charles.

This is our big night. Go double check on the preparations. Make sure everything’s perfect.

"I’m sure tonight will go well, sir. But…do you think now is the right time for this kind of sermon?"

Reverend Destiny frowned. Charles always agreed with him. Even this mildest of reproaches was shocking.

Go on, he said. Tell me your concern.

I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything. Charles hurried to the door. I’ll go make sure everything is ready.

Charles, please stop.

No, really. I need to—

Charles!

His aide jerked to a halt. Yes, sir?

This is no time for secrets, my son. Tell me what’s bothering you.

Truly, it’s not my place—

I’m running out patience. You have twenty seconds to explain yourself.

Please, sir. Don’t make me—

Destiny folded his arms across his chest. Fifteen seconds. If I reach zero and you still haven’t told me what’s wrong, you’ll be looking for another job.

Charles whirled, the color draining from his face. No, sir! You can’t mean that!

Ten seconds.

I—well, it’s just—what about the repercussions, sir? Charles mopped his sweaty forehead with the sleeve of his shirt, leaving behind a tattoo of dark stains on the fabric. With everything going on overseas, aren’t you worried what this sermon could do?

What do you mean?

You know what I mean, sir. Retribution. Riots. That part of the world is already close to the boiling point. What you’re doing is adding fuel to the fire. Shoulders slumping, Charles whispered, You have a large following. They listen to you. They will speak out. I’m worried about a loss of life.

Did Jesus back down because his words angered the Romans? Or the Jews? No, his faith was so strong that he kept preaching, planting seeds until they grew into God’s forest. What I am doing is no different.

I know, sir. But Jesus took that risk on himself and paid the price. Charles lifted his head. We’ve been together a long time, Reverend. I don’t understand this new direction you’ve taken. I’m…uncomfortable with it.

I understand your concern, and I appreciate your candor. But our world is imperiled. Heathen religions erode the foundation of our existence. If we do nothing to stop them, where will it end? He spread his hands. Who would be the guilty party, a reverend armed only with soft words, or the barbarians who threaten us?

I know it makes sense on one level. But—

A man wearing a headset and carrying a clipboard rushed into the room. "There you are. Fifteen seconds, Reverend. I need you out here now!"

Destiny headed for the door. Trust me, Charles. What we’re doing is a calling.

*   *   *

Reverend Destiny reached for the pitcher of ice water and a glass. He had spent two hours on a stage extolling the dangers of heathen religions and imploring his audience to join in his crusade. The effort left him spiritually exhilarated but physically drained. All he wanted now was food and sleep.

Charles stepped in the room. In his hand he carried a white paper bag printed with In-and-Out burger’s famous yellow arrow. During the sermon, he had stood, hidden from the audience behind a curtain at one end of the stage, and watched. Destiny barely glanced at him, but when he did, Charles had looked away.

Destiny sighed. He had expected so much more from his aide.

Shuffling across the room, eyes downcast, Charles dropped the bag on the desk. Double cheeseburger and onion rings. Plenty of ketchup this time. Anything else, sir?

Destiny removed an onion ring, consumed it in two large bites, and washed it down with another drink of water. He hated any kind of soda. The carbonation gave him heartburn.

Tell me, Destiny said, opening the box containing his burger. The smell of seared meat made his mouth water. What did you think about the sermon? How did I do?

You were inspiring, sir. Passionate. I couldn’t help but get caught up in your words. And given the reaction of the audience, they felt the same way.

Destiny opened a packet and squeezed ketchup onto the empty side of the burger box. And yet you can’t look at me while you lie.

Charles’s head snapped up. Lie?

You still harbor misgivings. I can see it on your face.

I don’t think my opinion matters, sir. This is your calling and not— Charles closed his mouth with an audible click.

And not…what? asked Destiny.

I’m sorry, sir. Charles backed across the room. I should never have said anything. The equipment—I’ll go made sure it gets loaded onto the truck.

Destiny held up a hand, forestalling his aide’s exit. Do you mean this isn’t your calling? That you don’t feel the same passion I do?

"No—I mean, yes—but— Charles’s hands opened and closed as he seemed to grope for the right words. Yes, I do feel a passion for our work. But to the same extent as you? No, I couldn’t. Not with the same fire, the same drive. It takes someone special to do what you do. I don’t have that in me. He set his jaw. Stood a little straighter. That doesn’t mean I don’t care."

Destiny ate quietly, not looking at Charles. Care was not passion, despite his aide’s assertions. Care meant interest—or in Charles’s case, concern. The reverend was a passionate man, full of passionate goals, and he needed others around him that shared the same passion. Sadly, it looked as if Charles no longer qualified.

Stuffing the empty burger box back into the bag, Destiny opened his mouth, intent on firing his aide, but the words never made it out. A new voice—a female one—cut in.

I’m sorry. Were you two having a discussion?

Charles let out a startled cry and jumped aside. The woman in the doorway wore a tailored pantsuit, heels, and a matching leather purse. Black hair hung in strict lines across her brow and down to her shoulders.

Standing in front of the woman, Charles said, I’m sorry, miss. The reverend isn’t taking visitors at the moment. If you could—

Destiny held up a hand. It’s all right, Charles. Show the young lady in. I have a few minutes to spare.

Charles hesitated, then nodded and stepped aside.

Smiling, the woman approached Destiny. The spidery whisper of her pant legs rubbing together filled the room. As she drew near, the air around Destiny thickened like spoiled pudding, making it hard to breathe. His heart cramped. His hand crept up, loosened his tie, and undid the top button of his shirt. A spasm shook his body. Hot copper flooded his mouth. He’d bitten his tongue.

Dear Lord, he thought. Am I having a heart attack?

The woman halted in front of the desk. Wearing a cherubic smile she set her purse down, and when it came into contact with the desk, the world snapped back to normal so abruptly that Destiny swore he could hear a pop, like a soul dying in the distance.

The air cleared. The pressure in his chest eased. Destiny sat up and looked around the room. Nothing seemed out of place. It was as if the last minute hadn’t happened. He had only his drenched shirt and the bullet of blood in his mouth as proof that it had.

Charles must have seen the change in Destiny’s appearance. Stepping forward, he said, Reverend Destiny? Are you all—?

It didn’t take much for the woman to stop Charles: a glance over her shoulder, an arched eyebrow, and Charles froze. He stood there, motionless except for small tremors that rolled like waves under his skin. Drool slid from the corner of his mouth. A dark stain spread along the front of his slacks.

I’ll deal with you in a minute. The woman turned back to Destiny, her smile curdling at the edges. We don’t want any interruptions, do we?

Destiny wanted to reach for the phone, wanted to dial 911, but the heavy feeling had returned. He couldn’t move.

Who are you? he asked, his voice barely audible over the din of his beating heart.

My name is Marbæs. You would do well to remember it, and hold it closer to your heart than your own mother’s.

Destiny nodded weakly. What do you want? Why are you here?

We have work to do, Marbæs said. Important work. Work that will change the world.

Chapter 1

Miles Knight shuffled into the kitchen, bleary-eyed and half asleep. Bright sunlight streamed in from the window, glinting off the white cabinets and making him squint. At the far end of the room, a coffee grinder squatted like a little troll on the black granite countertop. He lurched in that direction, mindful of the pub chair sitting just past the doorway, yet still stubbing his big toe on its thick leg.

Son-of-a-bitch! Wide awake now, he hobbled to the counter and thumbed the button on the grinder.

Reviews for Revelation

[keng_38 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I have to say that I did not read the first installment of this series. I am not sure it was a huge detriment but perhaps some of the backstory might have helped. I enjoyed this book. I liked the main character and the premise of the story of him being an atheist given a religious artifact that he couldn't open. I felt Mr. Mathews told a good story that kept me captivated until the end even though, again, I didn't know about Bart Owens and his story. I will go and read the first book now.

[mcdenis-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a gritty fast action novel with supernatural overtones guaranteed to keep you in suspense. Miles Night buys a mysterious artifact in a satin bag and all manner of persons good and bad are after it. The bad ones are absolutely evil and the good ones have a certain holiness about them and historicity. The author cleverly conceals their identity until you are well into the plot so I am not going to give it away here. The elements in the satin bag need to be matched to two others all with mystical powers. The struggles to do this lead to a potential world catastrophe.. The final ending is however very abrupt and doesn’t seem to fit with all the cast of characters. None the less this is a good read and takes you on a wild ride. I was given an electronic copy in return for an honest review.

[whoizme8 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book by Brian Matthews is a book you should read. It is a mystery because it contains those elements within it, but it also has some other human elements within it such as romance. This is a work that is well forth the reading and enjoyable.J. Robert Ewbank author "Wesley's Wars" and "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the Isms" "Wesley's Wars" " To Whom It May Concern" and "Tell Me About the United Methodist Church"

[hredwards · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I was disappointed in Revelation: A Forever Man Novel by Brian W. Matthews. I won this in the Early Reviewers giveaway. It deals with the story of Miles Knight who buys religious relics to debunk them on his blog. He meets up with Bartholomew Owens who is the Forever Man of the title, one of the disciples of Christ who have been left alive on earth down through the centuries to fight evil and win souls. There's an misguided minister who is led by demons, middle eastern intrigue, end times prophecy, ancient archeology and super hero types fighting it out. A hodge podge of a book that can't seem to make up it's mind where it's going. Oh, and a smattering of sex and bad language. I couldn't decide if this was a religious thriller or a satire of religion.Apparently this is the second in a series and the end is left open for more, but I'm not sure who the intended audience is.

[al9g · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is seriously outstanding. "Forever Man" was very well done, but I think "Revelation" is even better and, based on the ending which seems to promise another installment, I am looking forward to the next. Matthews has created some interesting characters in Bartholomew and Philip and he builds the support characters with care to evoke reader empathy. Even Miles, the doubter, pulls you into his corner as he struggles to embrace as real what he has always believed to be fantasy. But while the story will stand alone, the reader will get much more out of it if he/she has read "Forever Man" first. Matthews writing moves this story along beckoning the reader deeper into his characterizations, which are very good, and his story is imaginative, well developed and well written.

[command3r · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I tried to finish the book but just couldn't. It wasn't terrible, just unremarkable and boring. The characters were unrealistic and unrelatable. The main character skeptic trope just fell flat.

[davidvoz · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This was a fair read. Held my interest enough to finish the book. It was well written but I never really engaged with the story.

[lehack · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The book opens with Bartholomew Owens on board a ship, in possession of a precious parcel. The sea captain, aware of what he has, steals it. Fast forward to present day, the parcel resurfaces in the possession of Miles Knight, a religious skeptic. Evil forces want the item, which turns out to be a previous relic, for their own purposes. Miles cannot comprehend who these people are, nor why they are after him. Bartholomew Owens and his partner, Katie Bethel, intervene to save the relic and Miles. The action travels from the coast of Constantinople to the US, Africa, ruins beneath the Vatican and Istanbul. Recommend. Now to find the first book in the series.

[jarratt_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Brian W. Matthews seems to be a writer whose read Stephen King and Dan Brown and thought, "I can do that." But he can't. "Revelation" is a disjointed tale about a faithless man who ends up in a supernatural chase to keep the end of the world from happening. The character of Bartholomew Owens, the Forever Man, had potential and was the most interesting of the group. But he alone couldn't keep the story together or really help it make too much sense.This is one of those books that, when I finished, I wondered why I did. Should've stopped reading 200 pages earlier.

[bgknighton · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

So, what if the Apostles still walked among us, unknown, unrecognized, with powers, quietly going about trying to make the world a better place. Evil is still about with more open powers and less restraint. Those who help good do so from the shadows. The crown of thorns still exists. Miles lost his faith when he lost his family, but regains it in the fight against evil. A good enough book that I had to go get the first book to read next.

[jenn.s · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Matthews delivers a fast paced thrilling read with well developed characters and a plot that weaves through various locations. I like the main character and how he keeps his head through everything he goes through. The descriptions of each location bring them to life. This is a page-turning adventure that is difficult to put down once you start reading. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. This in no way influenced my opinion.

[vickifortin · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is my first Early Reviewers book. To start let me say that I did not read the first book (The Forever Man) but in reading the second I did not feel like I was missing a lot by reading out of order, It did however make me want to find the first and read it to see if it would enhance the second story. It had quite a bit of religion in it which might throw some off, but I do like learning new thought process and thought they worked enough story in with the religion to make it do-able for most readers. If you don't read the epilogue it would be a good stand alone book, but the epilogue makes another addition to the series almost mandatory. I found bits of it far fetched, but I suppose that is the nature of fiction sometimes, as well if some of the "lesser" characters were developed a bit more perhaps some of the scenes would have played a bit better for me. The notions of religious intolerance from all sides and how even the best intentions can be mislead and/or misread are entwined throughout and even at the end you can't be sure that the "good guys" won.

[thicks-4 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Well I received this book as an early review from LibraryThing. I really almost put it down but thought let me push through to the end. I am so glad I did. Once I understood there was background being given while the story was developing I was hooked. I loved the power and energy and loved the characters. Watching Miles fighting through and understanding what he had walked into the middle of. Seeing how the past of Owens and Phillip was explained. Man an awesome read. Then I realize the book is ending and dang it now I have to find the other books in the series to find out what happens next. I am hooked.

[carl_alves_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Revelation is the sequel to Brian Matthews’s debut novel Forever Man, although it is not a direct continuation of the events in the first novel. This story starts with a firmly convinced atheist, Myles Knight, who runs a blog and tries to debunk any kind of religious relic or artefact. Knight receives a box with a religious artefact that he can’t open, one that people are willing to kill for. On opposite sides of the fence are Bart Owens, an immortal being who is a defender of humanity, and Marbaes, a demon bent on the destruction of humanity. When Myles goes on the run with Bart and his sidekick Katie, they go on a journey that takes them to Africa, Rome, and Turkey. Meanwhile, Reverend Destiny, a radical right-wing preacher, is trying to ignite a fire against Muslims by preaching a very anti-Muslim sentiment. This all culminates at a rally in Dearborn, Michigan where Destiny plans on burning the Quran, and Bart and company must stop him.I really enjoyed the buildup in this novel. Having read the first novel, I was immediately absorbed into this story. The novel starts off with a bang and is loaded with intrigue. As the story unfolds, more of the backstory that was missing in the first novel is slowly unveiled. The writing is strong and professional. It does what it is supposed to do—keep the reader into the story at all times.I set the bar pretty high with this novel since Forever Man was one of the better novels I’ve read in recent times. The characters and mythology of this world are intricate and well designed. In comparison to the first novel, I thought the plot wasn’t as tight. On the plus side, I really enjoyed the evolution and revelation (no pun intended) of Bart’s character. I found that aspect of this novel to be fascinating and enriching. One area where I think this novel suffers is some aspects of believability in terms of character motivation and action. What stood out, in particular, was the notion that Reverend Destiny’s denouncement of Islam would start a catastrophic war. People like Destiny exist in our world, and no such war has been started. Otherwise, the novel was moving and gripping and enjoyable to the end.Carl Alves - author of Two For Eternity

[labdaddy4 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

This is the second book from the Early Reviewers list that I have recently received. Once again I feel that this is just a poor effort. Probably the subject material is just not my "cup of tea". I think the character development was just about non-existent and the plot was weak. Other than the obvious struggle between good & evil I simply did not see the point. The sexual aspects seemed to be simply thrown in more for effect rather than as a plot device - they did nothing to further the story. Bottom line - unless someone is a real fan of this type of literature, I would steer clear of this book.

[artlib14 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The concept of the story and the references to Christian artifacts and characters is interesting. The story weaves historical people and occurrences with modern issues. The problem this presented for me was the change in characters and locations throughout the book were difficult to follow at times. I did not read the previous book by this author, so may that may be why I had a tough time in Part 1, but I don't give up on books easily, and was glad to have more context provided in Part 2. I think much of the information held back in Part 1 but provided in Part 2 made the story more engaging and would have been better if provided earlier. Specifically the information on the item Miles purchased and the background on the characters. At times throughout the book I found myself flipping back to previous pages to refresh myself on characters and their relevance. I did not find the book suspenseful, but did think it had adventure. At times it felt as if the story lines were disconnected, it came tougher for the most part in the end but smoother transitions would have helped me stay engaged in the story for longer periods of time.

[pixiedark · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Revelation: A Forever Man Novel is about Miles Knight, a skeptic suddenly threatened by forces he cannot comprehend,scrambles to stay alive. He came into the possession of an ancient relic. Evil forces are after it -and him. Miles finds unexpected aid in Bartholomew Owens, the Forever Man, and his protégé, Katie Bethel. From the sleepy heartland of America to the corrupt dangers of Africa, from the forgotten ruins beneath the Vatican to the simmering heat of Istanbul — they race to secure the safety of mankind, and to ultimately stop a deranged reverend from unleashing a holocaust that could bring civilization to its knees.I loved Forever Man. I always wondered about Bartholomew Owens. What he is and his the powers. I wondered about why he was the "Forever Man" The questions are answered in Revelation. This book was full of action and suspense. It brings into focus the problem of religious mania. Also the problem of religious prejudice.

[drds-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

'Revelation: a Forever Man Novel,' was the first I had read by Brian W. Matthews. This latest novel focused on the quest of Miles Knight, a skeptic of the supernatural, who comes into possession of an item of religious significance. Not knowing what he possesses, Miles must survive the journey of discovery, along with his friends (who themselves are not who they seem to be), until he finally realizes what could be considered his purpose on Earth. The novel is certainly fast paced, and a few unique twists give the reader a moment to think, "Hmmm...I wasn't expecting that!" Switching between time jumps (roughly 2000 years apart), the author skillfully takes the reader on an adventure across eras, which leads to an ending that will leave you wanting more.Overall, I would give the book 3/5 stars, which I consider a 'good' rating. The plot is a novel one, though not too imaginative, and Matthews did an excellent job of quickly hooking my interest in the story. My largest concerns with the novel were that, while the plot, characters, and story were well-considered, I did not feel as though they were fully expounded upon. For instance, the characters travel frequently-- between cities, countries, and various locales. While we know they have traveled, the descriptions of place are so basic that it is difficult to form a mental picture of the situation. Likewise for some of the characters. The reader is well introduced to 'Miles,' but not to others to the same degree. However, these issues notwithstanding, Matthews has crafted a work of fiction that certainly can captivate an audience-- I had difficulty putting the book down, resulting in several hours of lost sleep. The ending was left wide open, and I can only hope a sequel is on the way!

[frankerrington · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Review copyI can't believe it's been 2 years and four days since I reviewed the original Forever Man novel, a work I liked so much I gave it 5 stars. As far as the sequel goes, Revelation is even better than the original.A fascinating mix of religion and adventure thrown into a blender with Brian W. Matthews' wild imagination. The result is a brilliant story that in some ways seems all too plausible.Because what I read was an Advance Readers Copy, I'm not permitted to quote from the text (in case changes are made), so I'll have to restrain myself and just say there are some wickedly cool scenes in Revelation.Filled with terrific characters, Miles Knight stands out as a milquetoast non-believer and the most unlikely of heroes.Even if you haven't read the original book, which I suggest you do, Revelation works well as a stand alone novel.Revelation is available now in paperback and a variety of electronic formats from the JournalStone website.This one comes with my highest recommendation.

[lillian9maddocks9389 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I received a copy of ARC for an exchange of a honest review. All I can say is that Miles can't get a break.He has two people to help him Bart & Katie as they try to stop the end of the world. I really enjoyed the book as there was so many twists and turns

[mindi25 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I am a great fan of authors who weave historical artifacts and myths into modern works of fiction. I was excited to have the chance to review Brian Mathews "Revelation". But I must say I was disappointed. The story is full of non essential detail that had me skimming pages looking for next progression. I found myself forced to continue. The story line had some merit. The book needs a rigorous editing and more work to hit the mark. The characters really need developed. Great potential.

[amy1825-1 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I was fascinated by the cover but really couldn't get past the first few pages.

[seaside1reader · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I am a great fan of Steve Berry, Dan Brown and other authors who weave historical artifacts and myths into modern works of fiction. As such, I was pleased to be given the opportunity to review Brian Mathews "Revelation". I was disappointed. The story is burdened by non essential detail that had me flipping pages looking for next progression. The characters lacked the development necessary to create the emotional attachment in the reader that makes you want to cheer the hero, no matter how flawed, and hate the villian. The story line had some merit. The book needs a rigorous editing and more work to hit the mark.