Spyder Bones

Spyder Bones — Oliver Phipps

May 25, 2020 victoriareads21 

Quick Facts

• Release Date: September 16, 2018

• Page Count: 254

• Publisher: Grey Door Ltd.

• Kindle Unlimited? Yes

This was a thought-provoking and creative book, I thoroughly enjoyed the storyline, action scenes, and creative take on the overlap between the spiritual realm and the human world. 

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Spyder Bones: Synopsis

Aaron Prescott, a seasoned soldier and combat medic, is known by fellow soldiers as Spyder Bones a nickname born from his fearless service as a tunnel rat and battlefield medic in Vietnam. During a fearsome battle and medical evacuation attempt, Aaron suffers a near-fatal accident that leaves him in a coma, suspended between life and death. In this extraordinary state, he discovers that humanity is caught in an ancient and ongoing war between the forces of good and evil.

Guided by celestial beings, Aaron learns that supernatural creatures such as vampires and werewolves are far more than myths. Hidden from ordinary society, these beings are part of a larger spiritual conflict that has shaped human history for centuries. Recognized as a Soldier of Light, Aaron undergoes training to become a mystic warrior entrusted with defending humanity against dark forces.

When he awakens from the coma and returns to the physical world, Aaron struggles to reconcile his extraordinary experiences with everyday life. However, he soon realizes that his visions were real when he encounters evidence of the hidden supernatural world operating within modern society. Determined to fulfill his calling, he embarks on a dangerous mission to hunt down The Defiler, an ancient and powerful vampire responsible for spreading suffering and corruption.

As Aaron confronts vampires, werewolves, and other sinister entities, he forms alliances with those who understand the unseen war surrounding them. Yet his greatest challenge lies in balancing his sacred duty with his personal life.

The battle becomes deeply perilous when Aaron discovers that The Defiler’s plans threaten not only innocent lives but also his own family. Forced to confront both external evil and his internal fears, Aaron must rely on his faith, courage, and spiritual gifts to face an enemy who has evaded justice for centuries. 

Blending historical fiction with supernatural suspense, Spyder Bones explores timeless themes of good versus evil, redemption, sacrifice, and faith. Aaron Prescott’s journey from war-torn soldier to mystic warrior reveals that the greatest battles are often fought in the shadows, where the strength of one’s character and the power of hope determine the fate of those they seek to protect.

Review

Spyder Bones, by Oliver Phipps, is a metaphysical fiction novel best suited to a mature audience able to conceptualize religious and mystical themes. Although I did not feel the back-of-book description provided a sufficient overview of the plotline, I was pleasantly surprised by Phipps’ creation of a seamlessly overlapping boundary between spirits and humans. 

One of the key pieces of advice Aaron received at the beginning of his mission was to accept any and all invitations or offers of help. By doing this throughout the story, he ended up exactly where he was supposed to. I found Aaron’s unwavering faith in this advice to be refreshing, and believe it helped to make the story exciting and unpredictable. 

I also enjoyed Phipps’ portrayal of Aaron as a protagonist.  While the reader isn’t always aware of Aaron’s innermost thoughts, his actions speak louder than words as he continually puts his mission first. His role as a soldier proves to be his primary motivator as he moves from one war to another. 

Readers should be aware that there are strong religious themes throughout the book. This book is potentially unsuitable for readers who are not comfortable with religious content, such as angels and devils; heaven, hell and purgatory; and biblical references including Gabriel and Michael. While I was not personally bothered by these themes, it is something readers should keep in mind. 

Additionally, the book is fast-paced, focusing mostly on dialogue and action as opposed to emotions and character development. While I wasn’t bothered by this since the plotline and action scenes comfortably supported the book, readers looking for a more emotional story may be disappointed. 

Summary

I am giving this book 4 out of 5 stars as I thoroughly enjoyed the storyline, action scenes, and creative take on the overlap between the spiritual realm and the human world. Along with a creative plotline, there were several thought-provoking passages that enhanced my enjoyment of the story. I don’t feel that a 5-star rating is warranted, as there is a potentially large population of readers that may feel uncomfortable with many of the central themes and references. Additionally, I felt the book could have slowed to a more reasonable pace if strategic breaks were incorporated between scenes.

Readers should be aware that there is mild sexual content as well as drug references that potentially make this book unsuitable for a younger audience.

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