September 22, 2021
The Initiate
Ben Neil
Waterside Productions (2021)
ISBN-13: 978-1-954968-51-6
Tutankhamen Reincarnates in New Novel
Ben Neil’s new fantasy/action adventure novel The Initiate takes readers on a wild ride that includes time travel and exploring the deepest depths of the human soul.
The novel opens with its main character, John Fullman, recovering after having lost his wife and daughter in a car accident a few years previously. Since then, John’s life has been difficult. Once a financial guru, John was devastated by the loss of his family, and for a long time, he has been barely able to function. Searching for a means to remedy his mental condition, John begins to study various subjects all pertaining to the mind, which is when he stumbles upon the wisdom of the ancient mystery schools.
As John continues to research the wisdom of the ancient mystery schools and the methods they used thousands of years ago to develop themselves, he discovers a code within the temples of the past, and its connection to Egypt’s ancient mysteries. He believes the code may be the key to understanding the most profound secrets of the mystery schools. He also believes the code has a much deeper meaning that will affect him personally, and by deciphering the code, he may find the healing he’s desperately been needing.
As John sets out to discover the meaning of the obscure mathematical code, he experiences some strange dreams connecting him and his wife to ancient Egypt. Through a series of chance occurrences, the world-renowned King Tut exhibit comes to town. After seeing the exhibit, he finds himself inspired to travel to Egypt, despite the advice of his best friend. John goes because he believes Egypt is the only place he will uncover the answers he is seeking.
Once John arrives in Egypt, an inexplicable feeling compels him to visit the Great Pyramid. Once inside, John feels compelled to leave his tour group to climb inside the mysterious red quartz granite sarcophagus that he’s already had several dreams about. Suddenly, John finds himself time-traveling or rather remembering and reliving a past life—one he actually spent as Tutankhamen—and yet he remains consciously aware of his life in the twenty-first century, a memory reinforced when Tutankhamen’s wife, Ankehesenpaaten, turns out to look just like John’s deceased twenty-first century wife Sara.
John soon realizes both he and Sara are reincarnations of the boy pharaoh and his wife, and he is overjoyed to be reunited with her even if in a past life and even if he cannot reveal to her that he has come from the future.
But trying to understand how he could have reincarnated or time traveled is not the only task before John. As Tutankhamen, it is time for him to complete his final exercises and to become an adept in the ancient Egyptian mysteries. The members of his court also expect him to act like the pharaoh, and his minister Annubis appears to be noticing his strange behavior when John tries to cover up his lack of knowledge about royal protocol.
Meanwhile, external enemies are threatening war with Egypt. Worse, an internal enemy is seeking to have him killed. In his role as pharaoh, John must make difficult decisions he is not at all prepared to make. Will he be able to protect Egypt from destruction, and will he be able to find a way that he and Sara can remain together in this life?
Ben Neil’s Egyptian time-travel novel will have people on the edge of their seats as they delve into ancient mysteries and wonder about the possibilities of reincarnation, soulmates, and the very purposes of our lives. John Fullman’s experiences speak to the deepest desires we all have for love, connection, fulfillment, and living meaningful lives.
Best of all, The Initiate’s ending hints at a sequel that will continue John’s experiences, perhaps in yet another lifetime.
Readers who love fantasy, adventure, and time travel literature will definitely want to experience The Initiate. Afterwards, many will find themselves running to history books to find out more about King Tut and the mysteries that surround the creation of the pyramids and the rise of Egypt’s ancient civilization. Every page of this book is a wonderful treat.
For more information about Ben Neil and The Initiate, visit www.TheInitiate.net.
— Tyler R. Tichelaar, PhD and award-winning author of Arthur’s Legacy and Melusine’s Gift
