ARA Review by Donna Sundblad of The 36 Watchers,

[Donna Sundblad]

[Following is an OnlineBookClub.org ARA Review of the book, The 36 Watchers,.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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Dan Bar Hava's The 36 Watchers: Book 1: Fall boldly challenges implicit ontological assumptions with a mind-bending journey to another dimension. The narrative weaves profound philosophical themes, explores human evolution, and dives deep into metaphysics, all centered around the nature of existence.

The story opens with Jenna Berg, a strong female protagonist in New York, characterized by her intelligence, optimism, logic, and hyper-organization—a perfect candidate to become one of the 36 Watchers. The significance of this number ties back to the Lamed Vav, the 36 hidden righteous ones from Talmudic legend. Jenna faces a critical decision: to embrace her role as a Watcher or return to her original timeline.

As the narrative unfolds, the intricacies of the worldbuilding emerge organically. It reveals a dark underbelly where sinister, demonic-type practices coexist with the mysterious other dimension introduced to Jenna through the IceFire Crystal. Her journey oscillates between hallucinogenic nightmarish type visions and moments of profound revelation, skillfully unveiling the secret knowledge of the Watchers.

Bar Hava's descriptive prowess vividly situates readers between realities, effectively conveying the logic of these ethereal places and practices. Jenna’s internal introspection is delivered in a conversational style that enriches the story, offering clear insights into her character development, even during moments of confusion and struggle.

Against the backdrop of the Twin Towers' fall in New York, the narrative subtly intertwines mystical, religious, and historical elements, revealing layers of intrigue and deeper meaning. Initially, I found the introduction of ancient and mid-20th-century historical threads disconnected from Jenna’s storyline, but by the story’s conclusion, they converged to clarify the profound significance of being a Watcher.

While I thoroughly enjoyed The 36 Watchers: Book 1: Fall, the prose could benefit from polishing to rectify typos and passive language. However, I wholeheartedly recommend this book to readers intrigued by metaphysical literature that challenges perceptions of reality, and those who appreciate mythologies exploring the histories of gods, demons, and angels. Dan Bar Hava’s commendable ability to blend these elements into a cohesive narrative and I’m happy to give The 36 Watchers 4 out of 5 stars.

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