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Taboo & Transcending Tales

From the dystopian to the devotional, from the politically incendiary to the spiritually transcendent, and from the realm of reality to the frontiers of time travel, each tale operates as both entertainment and as a spark of profound philosophical thought.

Review by Paul Zietsman for Readers' Favorite

Taboo & Transcending Tales by Rich Disilvio comprises five highly entertaining, deeply meaningful stories that explore themes and motifs of a philosophical and spiritual nature. From the problem of faith and art to arrogance and discoveries in science, the main characters face their histories and myths, asking whether it is still possible to find hope for salvation, truth, or progress when the world exists on a thin line between life and death. It comes at a time when, once more, the world is facing extreme volatility and uncertainty.

Thematically, Taboo & Transcending Tales touches upon important problems of belief, pride, and the consequences of power, no matter if it belongs to God or scientists. Thus, "The Aura of St. Francis" and "The Untold Story of St. George" are interesting from the perspective of challenging the traditional view on what faith is: either inner peace or the source of political revolution.

"Adam's Atom" is extremely fascinating in its idea because it shows how religion, evolution, and history may be used to experiment with the point of view of science. This story is simultaneously a dystopian one and something more global. As for "Conquests, Coups & Collapse," it gives the reader an understanding of the cyclicality of the destruction of empires, regardless of the period of time we live in. "Paine and the Grandest Illusion" can be viewed as a philosophical journey between skepticism and faith, showing how dangerous superstitious ideas might turn out to be.

Overall, this is a brilliant, albeit dark and provocative, collection by Rich DiSilvio.

Review by Essien Asian for Readers Favorite

Religion has always had a contentious place in the mindset of the masses. Some accept the scriptures as gospel truth, never stopping for once to analyze the various anomalies that categorize every Christian miracle, Islamic conquest, or any of the other religions that the majority of the citizens of this big planet partake in.

Then there are the skeptics, individuals whose every word and thought are products of the twin pillars of unassailable logic and cold, hard facts. This group believes the signs are there to dispel any conversations of an omnipotent power guiding the acts of men. Rich DiSilvio reawakens this debate using five thought-provoking short stories. Read along and be entertained as you take a side in this unending debate in Taboo & Transcending Tales.

Rich DiSilvio takes on a topic few attempt in Taboo & Transcending Tales. He combines expansive origin stories with breathtaking mid-air battles and very believable otherworldly creatures, using a narrative style that emphasizes attention to detail and strategically placed clues. The dialogue focuses on the myriad reasons why logic should reign over faith, with DiSilvio cleverly presenting each argument in an organized sequence, each punctuated by poignant examples.

One instance that stands out is when Alidore and his colleagues attempt to re-educate Sadam and Evelyn in Adam's Atom. The masterstroke of this collection is the seamless infusion of popular historical figures, offering their take on this subject, alongside masterfully crafted works of the author's imagination. These elements come together in a riveting, fast-paced narrative that will immerse perceptive readers as they appreciate an anthology in a class of its own.