On
the outskirts of Jerusalem, a person digs up two ossuaries and finds a strange
yellow crystal the size of a smartphone able to repair itself when scratched,
and turns into a perfect mirror under laser light. Needing money, he sells it
to a local merchant, who puts it on the shadow gems market. Suspecting that it
is not natural, Dr. Morrison, a part-time mineral collector, purchases the
crystal and discovers that he has a quantum computer device that could
revolutionize the information technology industry—if it could be made to work.
A Chinese official, also indulging a hobby in rare minerals,
thwarted that his bid failed, realizing the crystal’s special nature, sends a
Second Bureau operative to get the crystal from Dr. Morrison using whatever
means necessary. A trail of murder leads Israeli authorities to the crystal…and
they send a Mossad agent to retrieve a national treasure. Learning of the
crystal’s existence and its potential, the American government becomes
involved, resulting in a collision of conflicting interests, leaving Dr.
Morrison to pick up the pieces of his shattered life. A political drama so
real, it will make you wonder if it isn’t already happening.
Legitimate
Power (Thriller)
By Stefan
Vucak
Independent
Publishing Platform
ISBN
#978-0987533685
Price
$12.99 (Paperback)
340 Pages
Rating
5-Stars
“International
Thrills & Intrigue!”
Cheber
Shaken was merely digging a garden spot for his wife when he discovered an
underground cavity containing two ossuaries (stone caskets) containing ancient
bones 2,700 years old. There is strange writing not familiar to experts, plus
the bones were also an oddity; not human DNA, and the heads were elongated with
huge eye sockets, indicating an alien species of unknown origin. If this wasn’t
enough, there is a strange gem that appears machined, not natural.
The story
follows the sale of the discovery from Shaken as it goes to higher levels, each
time the value increasing, until the gem finally goes on an open auction to the
highest bidder. This is where things get deadly. The winning bid of four
hundred thousand dollars goes to an American industrialist. Although no one is
sure what the gem is, he believes it is a quantum computer, an alien device
that could revolutionize world technology. Other countries are also aware of
its potential, and Israel wants it back, under its national treasure tag, and their Mossad unit is activated. China
also wants it, and sends their Second Bureau assassins after it.
This was
an exciting and interesting tale of what the discovery of new technology could mean
for the world, as well as the world problems it also creates. From a simple
husband digging a garden to world governments approaching world war over
something no one actually understands, and modern scientists won’t for hundreds
of years or more. A minor gripe with the story involved the American
industrialist, a billionaire most likely; who quietly pays four hundred
thousand dollars for a small gemstone, then hires the worst security to keep
him and his family safe. Gads, they did nothing right. Yes, they were up
against professionals, but they were also supposed to be professionals. The private security aside, this was an
intriguing story, well written with an interesting plot set some time in our
near future (though we’re not sure how far or near). The pace is good, but
could have been tightened. Too much detail is given to each character,
regardless of how small or large their part. This is usually a sign that the
author isn’t sure if the character is going to die on the next page, or become
a major player by the end of the story. The detail is good, as it gets the
reader invested in the characters, but the next page they get their brains
splattered across the wall, and our investment falls flat. It kept me turning
the pages, however, and that’s what matters in the end. Highly recommended for
readers who enjoy intrigue and thrills on an international level.
Tom Johnson
Author of COLD WAR HEROES
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