READER REVIEWS
A well known review site has reviewed my new book, Eye of the Idol, and I'm the author of the week.
Here's the review (but you can also read my author interview on her site here)
Our review of 'Eye of the Idol' (Goldencompassreviews)
In Eye of the Idol, Paul Dayton has crafted highly memorable work with three-dimensional characters. Each new character introduced to the reader have their own set of worries, complexities and characteristics so believable it seems as if they could be standing right before you.
Before I was even through the first chapter, I already knew this book was a winner. Immediately attention grabbing and intense, Eye of the Idol seizes the reader’s attention and refuses to let go.
With his excellent use of descriptions, Mr. Dayton pulls you into the setting of the book seamlessly. He has an amazing talent for transporting the reader well into the past and back to the present in one fluid motion. The writer opens a portal to yesterday so intriguing, that one cannot help but step through willingly.
The first character introduced in the book stirred raw emotion within this reviewer. Even through the remainder of the book I carried his burden with me as if it were my own. The reader feels as if he is a long-lost friend.
With a complex, well designed plot and fast paced storyline, this book left me positioned at the edge of my seat in anticipation of what would happen next. A subtle, yet warming amount of humor graces the pages of Mr. Dayton’s book, making it a joy to read.
As the past and the present begin to form ever more solid ties to one another, the plot thickens and the reader is left breathless with suspense, wondering what will happen on the next page.
As multiple scenarios begin to build in the reader’s mind of what the conclusion of this work might bring, Mr. Dayton once again surprises the reader with his fantastic ending. Try as I might, I couldn’t guess what was in store for me; which made me love this book even more.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a fast-paced, quality read. For this reviewer, Paul Dayton’s Eye of the Idol has earned five well-deserved stars. I look forward to reading further works by this remarkable author.
If you'd like to know where you can buy my new book, or my just released non fiction "Dying of the American Dream, a realist's guide to a happy retirement" click here.
Here's the review (but you can also read my author interview on her site here)
Our review of 'Eye of the Idol' (Goldencompassreviews)
In Eye of the Idol, Paul Dayton has crafted highly memorable work with three-dimensional characters. Each new character introduced to the reader have their own set of worries, complexities and characteristics so believable it seems as if they could be standing right before you.
Before I was even through the first chapter, I already knew this book was a winner. Immediately attention grabbing and intense, Eye of the Idol seizes the reader’s attention and refuses to let go.
With his excellent use of descriptions, Mr. Dayton pulls you into the setting of the book seamlessly. He has an amazing talent for transporting the reader well into the past and back to the present in one fluid motion. The writer opens a portal to yesterday so intriguing, that one cannot help but step through willingly.
The first character introduced in the book stirred raw emotion within this reviewer. Even through the remainder of the book I carried his burden with me as if it were my own. The reader feels as if he is a long-lost friend.
With a complex, well designed plot and fast paced storyline, this book left me positioned at the edge of my seat in anticipation of what would happen next. A subtle, yet warming amount of humor graces the pages of Mr. Dayton’s book, making it a joy to read.
As the past and the present begin to form ever more solid ties to one another, the plot thickens and the reader is left breathless with suspense, wondering what will happen on the next page.
As multiple scenarios begin to build in the reader’s mind of what the conclusion of this work might bring, Mr. Dayton once again surprises the reader with his fantastic ending. Try as I might, I couldn’t guess what was in store for me; which made me love this book even more.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a fast-paced, quality read. For this reviewer, Paul Dayton’s Eye of the Idol has earned five well-deserved stars. I look forward to reading further works by this remarkable author.
If you'd like to know where you can buy my new book, or my just released non fiction "Dying of the American Dream, a realist's guide to a happy retirement" click here.
Below is a recent comment from someone who just read The Eye of the Idol.
Paul, I'm finding this fascinating. Your writing style makes me wish you'd been *discovered* long before Dan Brown... and that, perhaps, you'd written the Da Vinci first!! A literary thriller and a half, that would surely have been so. Your Biblical knowledge shines as brightly as the idol's eyes, and you know how to draw readers in, just as the storytellers of old India did. A stunning hook starts this story, and that hook stays in the eyes of the beholder!...
What a terrible feat our Jesuit Priest, Jacob, is tasked with, and how the frailty of humankind is proven. And those eyes - blue diamonds, I am thinking, that have certainly left a trail of destruction in their wake, and probably will forever more...
As for the Koreans.... my God. Very well done, with poor old Lok. You've captured his feelings, and we live through the horror of Yoo's actions with him. His mission, along with the back-stabbing junior Nak, will be a thrill-ride. I'll be very interested, too, to see what a *concrete sub* is... no comms. cable? Something *deeply* sinister, I'll be bound. VERY funny about their learning how to construct the warheads from an American science paper! (And very true - amazing what I found with a little digging - and getting strange looks in the science reading rooms when researching a thriller!! - she said with zipped lip.)
Back to the first part, and this really did draw me in, I have to say. (The maps will be out later...ha.) But the language, the whole feel, mystery and sheer wickedness of what goes on in the Superior's chamber, is delicious. As for Tavernier, he's a man I found myself wishing we could see more of, in a perverse way. Perhaps diamonds have corrupted his soul long ago, but then, perhaps, a mercy for poor Jacob, and what will inevitably be his own merciful end with what he finally sees.
Did I say in a message, I hope there's *Hope* in that box? The eye(s) must be returned... (crossing self.). Hope for mankind, perhaps, to do the right thing.
Backed for this writer's sheer literary style, knowledge and hand of a thriller-writer par excellence.
(Edited - Paul D.)
Here's what another author said about Eye of the Idol
Which book on authonomy should we all be reading?
Without any doubt: Paul Dayton’s The Eye of the Idol; a well knitted, intriguing piece of work, taking you as far back as the 1600’s, only to take you on a journey to the early 1900’s. Even though it isn’t really a genre I’d go out and buy, Paul’s ‘Eye’ would be the great exception to the rule, and would get a place of honour on my book shelf…
What a terrible feat our Jesuit Priest, Jacob, is tasked with, and how the frailty of humankind is proven. And those eyes - blue diamonds, I am thinking, that have certainly left a trail of destruction in their wake, and probably will forever more...
As for the Koreans.... my God. Very well done, with poor old Lok. You've captured his feelings, and we live through the horror of Yoo's actions with him. His mission, along with the back-stabbing junior Nak, will be a thrill-ride. I'll be very interested, too, to see what a *concrete sub* is... no comms. cable? Something *deeply* sinister, I'll be bound. VERY funny about their learning how to construct the warheads from an American science paper! (And very true - amazing what I found with a little digging - and getting strange looks in the science reading rooms when researching a thriller!! - she said with zipped lip.)
Back to the first part, and this really did draw me in, I have to say. (The maps will be out later...ha.) But the language, the whole feel, mystery and sheer wickedness of what goes on in the Superior's chamber, is delicious. As for Tavernier, he's a man I found myself wishing we could see more of, in a perverse way. Perhaps diamonds have corrupted his soul long ago, but then, perhaps, a mercy for poor Jacob, and what will inevitably be his own merciful end with what he finally sees.
Did I say in a message, I hope there's *Hope* in that box? The eye(s) must be returned... (crossing self.). Hope for mankind, perhaps, to do the right thing.
Backed for this writer's sheer literary style, knowledge and hand of a thriller-writer par excellence.
(Edited - Paul D.)
Here's what another author said about Eye of the Idol
Which book on authonomy should we all be reading?
Without any doubt: Paul Dayton’s The Eye of the Idol; a well knitted, intriguing piece of work, taking you as far back as the 1600’s, only to take you on a journey to the early 1900’s. Even though it isn’t really a genre I’d go out and buy, Paul’s ‘Eye’ would be the great exception to the rule, and would get a place of honour on my book shelf…
Below are some comments readers have made after reading "We've Seen the Enemy." Scroll down for reviews for "And You Thought Your Family was Dysfunctional."
What we have is a multi-layered, good ole fashioned space opera, the kind you don’t see anymore, somewhat of the David Brin ilk. Lots of characters with a strong female protagonist – a fearless leader and closet romantic. Apocalyptic events thrust mankind into the stars, with strange and varied consequences. What happens when society falls apart amidst the chaos of alien attack (or was it?), and how does society restructure itself, what are the new tenets, what happens when questions get raised amongst a portion of the now-small populace? Good aliens, bad aliens, and telling the difference is not clear cut by any means. And enough technology to get even the most jaded fanboy arguing, debating and offering suggestions.
We begin with the fable, the cautionary tale, as a lesson, essays required, why, how, with what consequences, priming us for events to unfold. We flip back and forth through and around events, through time, with additional links built into each new chapter. One feels a unified whole with multiple avenues of discovery. And multiple avenues of deceit. Will time win out? Will mankind survive?
Good stuff. SyFy channel, please take note. Might make a nice mini-series.
Diane
###This is sci fi with a multi-layered plot that comes together very well. The characters become established and you feel that you know them. I thought at first it would not be the kind of story I lean toward but was caught up in it very fast and found it hard to put down. I really hated to see it end. I wanted it to just keep on going.
If you like science fiction, "We've Seen The Enemy" will be a book you will enjoy!
Darryl A. Dempsey
###
I read this eagerly as I love my sci fi, and I wasn't disappointed. It has all the right elements - interesting technology, ass-kicking action, post apocalyptic drama, and big mind-expanding questions. But the fantastic characters give it that edge which raise it above the norm.
I could see this being adapted for TV. Maybe the next Firefly / Battlestar Galactica? Paul Dayton is becoming one of my favourite authors.
Shalini Boland
###
Paul:
I only read the first two chapters, but based on those I can tell you this: your book has all the elements of classic SciFi–interesting characters first, plausible futuristic world, and a tension-packed scenario that immediately engages the reader. I’m harkening back to the masters here: Heinlein, Asimov, Clarke, Pohl, etc. as a point of reference. Add to that the superb writing, and I can understand why you’re on the verge of publication. Happy to back We’ve Seen The Enemy (and he is us). The very best of luck.
Rob
###
Nothing better than starting with a bang! ‘At the foot of complete devastation’, you neatly feed us quite a lot of information getting to this point, and continue to do so in a manner few people manage so successfully. Ah, so the ‘home world’ is that of the aliens? ‘Now he was frozen organic space dust’, an unforgiving environment in which to prepare for war. ‘An incredible win in a long string of losses’, so Keenan succeeded … great stuff re the antimatter. Interesting examination of behaviour under pressure too, e.g. Nancy and the missing log. Nice splashes of humour, even in the midst of interstellar dogfights. Hm, why are the aliens picking up Bones?
A first-rate combination of technology and psychology for a book of this genre. The characters are believable and varied, with Jack and the other pilots ‘bouncing’ off each other, while the aliens, gadgetry and science are imaginative and plausible. You handle the fast action scenes with impressive skill and the writing, overall, shows real talent. There are a few suggestions that I’ll message you with. Meanwhile I’m happy to back this.
Love the premise of this book, and I like your writing style (I’m a sucker for good science fiction, been a while since I’ve read any).
Voni
###
I have been hankering for classic SciFi for a long time and did you ever deliver in spades! This wants to be at home on my bookshelf!!
Diane
###
Full on, wide scale SF here – just what I like. The writing and presentation is first class, you take the reader into this world/ scenario with the minimum of fuss – and the story unfolds quickly. I like the level of detail you put in – I didn’t know that about shields and cloaking. Very good! Unusual twist with Jack as a woman – but this is the future!
Draco
###
Paul,
It’s this kind of sci-fi that could definitely convert me to loving the genre. Your imagination is amazing and your premise is at once scary and spell-binding. The action kicks in quickly, with crisp, succinct dialogue that really drives the story forward.
Sheila
###
Paul,
What a great read! I don’t read a lot of scifi, but I have a feeling this has it all, a gripping plot, lots of intrigue and well-drawn characters.
-Libby
###
Paul, I haven’t read much SciFi stuff but I read all your chapters. It can’t be easy to write a novel where you have all or most of the events happening in ships in space but you have handled it well, with original thought. It gripped me, I liked it. To me it reads like a movie. Good luck with it!
Richard Whittle
###
This is the kind of book that could tempt me to read sci-fi (something I have never before done). I was drawn in by your pitch and the emotional element it contained and I started leisurely reading. Before I knew it I was on Chapter 3. There is something very human about your characters that balances the regular sci-fi stuff. Well done.
Dana L.
###
Paul – With a cover and pitch like the ones you gave us, you had already set the bar pretty high. And devouring the first three chapters, I wasn’t disappointed.
Happy to back We’ve Seen the Enemy.
Best of luck, and thanks.
- Jeff Lee
Reviews for "And You Thought Your Family was Dysfunctional"
Hi Paul,
This is a total hoot. This can't be real. Is this real? This is like "Little Miss Sunshine," "Running with Scissors," "Second Hand Lions," and "Everything Is Illuminated" all rolled into one, with a great deal of other stuff that isn't like anything at all. Is this real? I nearly peed I was laughing so hard. My sedate family kept asking me if I was all right. If this is real, you deserve a medal for living through this. And if it's not real, you deserve a medal and a straight-jacket for thinking this up. Backed with pleasure. As my instant-messaging computer savvy kids say , I was ROFL - which sounds like I was barfing, but actually it means "Rolling on the floor laughing!" I wish you the best. You are one warped puppy!
Judy Adams
###
What a family! Paul, you have my deepest sympathy. It must have been cathartic to get it all out of your system. I'm definitely looking forward to the next episode.
Lillian
###
this is such a wonderful distraction :) You had me rooling actually and I really hate to stop reading but my coworkers may get jealous :P I will definitely be back for more! You have a wonderful gift for some serious storytelling.
Brittany
###
Well, I don't know what all your other reviewers are going on about, it all reads like perfectly normal behaviour to me.
Okay, I'm kidding. This stuff is hilarious. I love the story about the cat and the vaseline, and although I'd guessed he'd been smearing Vicks on his Butt, I still laughed my bollocks off at the reveal. Not literally of course, don't worry, there isn't a claim for compensation heading your way. Backed with pleasure.
Patrick
###
Oh my god, your family is insane, and sadly reminds me of my family...only i think yours is slightly worse, well slightly funnier anyway. lol. You’re were right this did make me laugh my butt off.
Franny
The Man with the Deadly Farts... The Diarrhea Chronicles 1 & 2... reading this was a gas, Paul! Backed... with toilet paper!
Teric Darken
###
Paul, I have to ask- are we related?
Seriously, I think there are shared genes here somewhere because when the day comes and I write about my family, you will see why.
Wishing you all the best, and with sympathy for having such a family;)
Manolya
###
I got to my mouthy uncle...thi is priceless.
Thank you...I am jealous because my crazy relatives sound boring next to yours. You will be entertained for the rest of your life
David
###
And I thought my family were strange. Have to say in parts of this I was crying with laughter, and hiding behind my fingers at the squeamish bits. But thoroughly enjoyable. Good Luck
Clair
What we have is a multi-layered, good ole fashioned space opera, the kind you don’t see anymore, somewhat of the David Brin ilk. Lots of characters with a strong female protagonist – a fearless leader and closet romantic. Apocalyptic events thrust mankind into the stars, with strange and varied consequences. What happens when society falls apart amidst the chaos of alien attack (or was it?), and how does society restructure itself, what are the new tenets, what happens when questions get raised amongst a portion of the now-small populace? Good aliens, bad aliens, and telling the difference is not clear cut by any means. And enough technology to get even the most jaded fanboy arguing, debating and offering suggestions.
We begin with the fable, the cautionary tale, as a lesson, essays required, why, how, with what consequences, priming us for events to unfold. We flip back and forth through and around events, through time, with additional links built into each new chapter. One feels a unified whole with multiple avenues of discovery. And multiple avenues of deceit. Will time win out? Will mankind survive?
Good stuff. SyFy channel, please take note. Might make a nice mini-series.
Diane
###This is sci fi with a multi-layered plot that comes together very well. The characters become established and you feel that you know them. I thought at first it would not be the kind of story I lean toward but was caught up in it very fast and found it hard to put down. I really hated to see it end. I wanted it to just keep on going.
If you like science fiction, "We've Seen The Enemy" will be a book you will enjoy!
Darryl A. Dempsey
###
I read this eagerly as I love my sci fi, and I wasn't disappointed. It has all the right elements - interesting technology, ass-kicking action, post apocalyptic drama, and big mind-expanding questions. But the fantastic characters give it that edge which raise it above the norm.
I could see this being adapted for TV. Maybe the next Firefly / Battlestar Galactica? Paul Dayton is becoming one of my favourite authors.
Shalini Boland
###
Paul:
I only read the first two chapters, but based on those I can tell you this: your book has all the elements of classic SciFi–interesting characters first, plausible futuristic world, and a tension-packed scenario that immediately engages the reader. I’m harkening back to the masters here: Heinlein, Asimov, Clarke, Pohl, etc. as a point of reference. Add to that the superb writing, and I can understand why you’re on the verge of publication. Happy to back We’ve Seen The Enemy (and he is us). The very best of luck.
Rob
###
Nothing better than starting with a bang! ‘At the foot of complete devastation’, you neatly feed us quite a lot of information getting to this point, and continue to do so in a manner few people manage so successfully. Ah, so the ‘home world’ is that of the aliens? ‘Now he was frozen organic space dust’, an unforgiving environment in which to prepare for war. ‘An incredible win in a long string of losses’, so Keenan succeeded … great stuff re the antimatter. Interesting examination of behaviour under pressure too, e.g. Nancy and the missing log. Nice splashes of humour, even in the midst of interstellar dogfights. Hm, why are the aliens picking up Bones?
A first-rate combination of technology and psychology for a book of this genre. The characters are believable and varied, with Jack and the other pilots ‘bouncing’ off each other, while the aliens, gadgetry and science are imaginative and plausible. You handle the fast action scenes with impressive skill and the writing, overall, shows real talent. There are a few suggestions that I’ll message you with. Meanwhile I’m happy to back this.
Love the premise of this book, and I like your writing style (I’m a sucker for good science fiction, been a while since I’ve read any).
Voni
###
I have been hankering for classic SciFi for a long time and did you ever deliver in spades! This wants to be at home on my bookshelf!!
Diane
###
Full on, wide scale SF here – just what I like. The writing and presentation is first class, you take the reader into this world/ scenario with the minimum of fuss – and the story unfolds quickly. I like the level of detail you put in – I didn’t know that about shields and cloaking. Very good! Unusual twist with Jack as a woman – but this is the future!
Draco
###
Paul,
It’s this kind of sci-fi that could definitely convert me to loving the genre. Your imagination is amazing and your premise is at once scary and spell-binding. The action kicks in quickly, with crisp, succinct dialogue that really drives the story forward.
Sheila
###
Paul,
What a great read! I don’t read a lot of scifi, but I have a feeling this has it all, a gripping plot, lots of intrigue and well-drawn characters.
-Libby
###
Paul, I haven’t read much SciFi stuff but I read all your chapters. It can’t be easy to write a novel where you have all or most of the events happening in ships in space but you have handled it well, with original thought. It gripped me, I liked it. To me it reads like a movie. Good luck with it!
Richard Whittle
###
This is the kind of book that could tempt me to read sci-fi (something I have never before done). I was drawn in by your pitch and the emotional element it contained and I started leisurely reading. Before I knew it I was on Chapter 3. There is something very human about your characters that balances the regular sci-fi stuff. Well done.
Dana L.
###
Paul – With a cover and pitch like the ones you gave us, you had already set the bar pretty high. And devouring the first three chapters, I wasn’t disappointed.
Happy to back We’ve Seen the Enemy.
Best of luck, and thanks.
- Jeff Lee
Reviews for "And You Thought Your Family was Dysfunctional"
Hi Paul,
This is a total hoot. This can't be real. Is this real? This is like "Little Miss Sunshine," "Running with Scissors," "Second Hand Lions," and "Everything Is Illuminated" all rolled into one, with a great deal of other stuff that isn't like anything at all. Is this real? I nearly peed I was laughing so hard. My sedate family kept asking me if I was all right. If this is real, you deserve a medal for living through this. And if it's not real, you deserve a medal and a straight-jacket for thinking this up. Backed with pleasure. As my instant-messaging computer savvy kids say , I was ROFL - which sounds like I was barfing, but actually it means "Rolling on the floor laughing!" I wish you the best. You are one warped puppy!
Judy Adams
###
What a family! Paul, you have my deepest sympathy. It must have been cathartic to get it all out of your system. I'm definitely looking forward to the next episode.
Lillian
###
this is such a wonderful distraction :) You had me rooling actually and I really hate to stop reading but my coworkers may get jealous :P I will definitely be back for more! You have a wonderful gift for some serious storytelling.
Brittany
###
Well, I don't know what all your other reviewers are going on about, it all reads like perfectly normal behaviour to me.
Okay, I'm kidding. This stuff is hilarious. I love the story about the cat and the vaseline, and although I'd guessed he'd been smearing Vicks on his Butt, I still laughed my bollocks off at the reveal. Not literally of course, don't worry, there isn't a claim for compensation heading your way. Backed with pleasure.
Patrick
###
Oh my god, your family is insane, and sadly reminds me of my family...only i think yours is slightly worse, well slightly funnier anyway. lol. You’re were right this did make me laugh my butt off.
Franny
The Man with the Deadly Farts... The Diarrhea Chronicles 1 & 2... reading this was a gas, Paul! Backed... with toilet paper!
Teric Darken
###
Paul, I have to ask- are we related?
Seriously, I think there are shared genes here somewhere because when the day comes and I write about my family, you will see why.
Wishing you all the best, and with sympathy for having such a family;)
Manolya
###
I got to my mouthy uncle...thi is priceless.
Thank you...I am jealous because my crazy relatives sound boring next to yours. You will be entertained for the rest of your life
David
###
And I thought my family were strange. Have to say in parts of this I was crying with laughter, and hiding behind my fingers at the squeamish bits. But thoroughly enjoyable. Good Luck
Clair
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