Robin C. Rickards delivers a paranormal thriller that dives into ritual, belief, and the shadows of human obsession. The Tao of the Thirteenth God follows multiple characters whose paths cross in the wake of strange cult activity, mass suicides, and unsettling visions that blur the line between spiritual yearning and human cruelty. From the first harrowing scene with Amadeus, the troubled seeker, to the storm-battered honeymooners Jack and Alice, and then the grizzled investigator Grantham Savoie with his reluctant partner Dr. Angelica Pali, the story paints a chilling portrait of desperation, mystery, and the cost of pursuing forbidden knowledge.

The opening chapters had this visceral punch, and I found myself hooked by the grit. The style feels unfiltered, raw, almost feverish, and that worked for me because the subject matter itself is so chaotic. At the same time, there were moments where I felt the prose leaned heavily, almost indulgent, and I had to slow myself down. But then a storm or a vision or a horrifying discovery would jolt me back, and I couldn’t look away. I liked that unpredictability. It reminded me of watching lightning: beautiful, frightening, and over before you can process it.

The ideas at the heart of the book resonated deeply with me. The blend of religious myth, Mayan ritual, and modern investigative grit felt daring, and I respect that. I didn’t always know where Rickards was taking me, but that was part of the ride. At times, I felt awe, other times revulsion, and sometimes a little sadness at the broken people caught in the mess. What I liked most was the sense that belief, whether pure or twisted, can drive people to terrifying extremes. The book doesn’t lecture about that. It just lays it bare, and that quiet honesty hit me harder than a long explanation ever could.

The Tao of the Thirteenth God is a gripping read. I’d recommend it to readers who want a thriller that goes beyond surface-level scares and isn’t afraid to weave history, faith, and horror into one unsettling tapestry. If you like your stories strange, stormy, and a little uncomfortable, this one’s for you.

Pages: 290 | ASIN ‏ : ‎ B006QPEAN6