​Made to be Broken, novel, by Hugh Fritz, is a 3-D IMAX™ action blockbuster in print. A plausible reality is revealed to us, one that is covertly co-habitated by a race of humans with seemingly supernatural powers; the Jinn. We are briefed into the mechanics of the ' magical ' powers displayed by the Jinn ;their ability to transform matter ,as in the Bedouin folk stories where a sack of dates become a sack bursting with gold coins , Their  habit of popping-in and then vanishing ,  conjuring up terrific storms from clear skies , and flying around taking you along for the ride. Mr Fritz sprinkles the story with bits and pieces of 'how-its-done', allowing me the reader to have fun linking together and assembling these bits into a hyper-realistic physical construction . The Supernatural gives way as it's made clear that the laws of Nature have remained inviolated.
 There's a dramatic juxtaposition of the ancient Middle Eastern mythology with present day Chicago, the part of Chicago that one benefits from absolute avoidance, where you are in some serious danger just being there . But things get dangerouser as we're dropped into the fortress of an armed and semi wasted criminal gang syndicate led by a sociopathic dictater . Dangerouser still is the very well armed secret police death squad commanded over by an even eviler villan.
  The pace of events picks up speed from the start with one action sequence segwaying into the next. I am astonished by Mr Fritz's literary description of scenes of all out mayhem, ultra detailed imagery to a molecular scale , choreographed movements flowing through variable time , a big heavy club in slow motion
   It's difficult for me to not recallect this as a big budget special effects action spectacular. Or not to for-see the universe  built on this framework. Merchandising alone...

By Crystal Otto

Eric Trant does with words what Rembrandt did with paints. I have never been to the depths of hell or within the walls of a sulfur mine, and yet I physically experienced with Alberto and Paolo were experiencing because of Trant’s imagery and mastery of words. My heart rate quickened and I felt anxious. As an example, how can readers read this passage without being moved as if experiencing it themselves?

Alberto and Paolo’s father was a man I instantly disliked. Within the first few pages, I felt the hair the back of my neck prickle every time he was mentioned. Each character plays an integral part in the plot of this thriller and each was depicted expertly by Trant.

Risen is a quick read and is well-paced. I was drawn in from cover to cover and couldn’t wait to turn each page to find out what would happen next. Definitely a book I would recommend (whether the reader is generally drawn to historical supernatural fiction or not). I have read previous works by this author and this book did not disappoint. I look forward to future books by this author.