Sophia von X


Fiction - Thriller - General
232 Pages
Reviewed on 05/04/2020
Buy on Amazon

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.

Author Biography

Victoria Ray lives in a small town 62 miles west of Stockholm. She has garnered much acclaim for her So Absurd It Must Be True series and her Sophia von X thriller.

Victoria is a finalist for the prestigious Readers Favorite Contest and has been nominated for a Book Excellence Award for original writing. When she is not writing, Victoria spends most of her time reading, cooking, traveling the world, walking with her dogs, and catching her favorite Gota Lejon shows. An admitted sweets fanatic, she feeds her addiction by visiting the local bakery April on Sunday afternoons.

Keep in touch with Victoria via www.raynotbradbury.blog

    Book Review

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Sophia Von X is a work of fiction in the suspense, mystery, and parody sub-genres, and was penned by author Victoria Ray. Written for mature audiences due to the inclusion of some explicit language and mild violent scenes, this highly amusing tale lightly mocks the action thriller genre whilst taking readers on its own wild and suspenseful ride. Our central characters are Sabina and Thomas, who find themselves brought together in a visit to a newly discovered tomb of Jesus Christ. Neither is willing to be upfront about the truth of themselves, and Sabina soon finds herself embroiled in a sudden murderous plot involving biblical artifacts, and powerful people who seem to know her potential better than she does herself.

There was something very James-Bond-meets-Dogma about the reading experience delivered by author Victoria Ray, who injects intelligent, wry humor into every moment of this genuinely suspenseful mystery novel. One of the elements which most impressed me was the dialogue, which serves to introduce us to characters and deepen them immediately due to the variety of distinctive voices used. Sabina is an excellent foil for the mishaps and bizarre plot twists, for she reacts in an intrinsically human way to which we can all relate. The plot itself is also extremely well-crafted, with a non-stop succession of typically exciting action novel events that come together to form an excellent and engaging parody of themselves. Overall, I would certainly recommend Sophia Von X to readers who enjoy an indulgent, funny, and totally thrilling action/adventure mystery.

Maria Victoria Beltran

Sophia von X by Victoria Ray is a mystery thriller novel that revolves around the adventures of Sabina Ferrara, a teacher of philosophy and a proud Catholic. Having filed for divorce from her husband to leave behind a painful marriage, she decides to go on a road trip to a fascinating new burial site believed to be holy and begins a most interesting journey from Palermo, Sicily to Bingerbuck, Germany. The supposed vacation turns out to be a string of adventures that includes meeting a con man disguised as a famous archaeologist, the stealing of biblical artifacts, and catching the attention of the infamous Papa Zen, and consequently, the eye of the FBI, the Interpol, and the police.

Victoria Ray's Sophia von X is one book that is truly hard to leave gathering dust on your bookshelf or ignored in your laptop, as the case may be. The story unravels in the most intriguing way when we get to know Sabina Ferrara, her family, and her circumstance. And as we go with Sabina on her road trip from Italy to Germany, we won't be disappointed because author Victoria Ray writes with almost microscopic attention to detail that sucks us into the story like going inside a black hole. And as we go from one scene to another, we can't help but really get to know the main protagonists of the story. Sophia von X is a story that has it all; obsessive love, dangerous secrets, painful tragedy, and betrayal. What more does one look for in a mystery thriller novel?

Madalor

The author of this book gave me a copy to read, and can I just say I’m so glad she did! It’s a great read and I had such a thrill.

The book opens with a haunting quote from Tao Te Ching that only hints at the thrilling ride “Sophia Von X” is about to take the reader on.

From the very first chapters of the book, I found myself relating to the main character, Sabina— from her caution and fear when walking alone as a woman, to her relationship with Jesus. I could see myself in her shoes and that helped suck me into the story. I found myself noticing things that made Sabina nervous— namely bearded men. When a bearded man would appear, I would become anxious about her safety. On the contrary, when, for example, she met Tom, and described him as clean-shaven and handsome, I felt at ease and as though she was safe in his company. (I won’t spoil whether or not I was right!”

The descriptions of Sabina’s delicious food and drink throughout her travels left my mouth watering.

The horrifying, graphic scenes containing violence and gore were excellently written and gave me a proper scare, sending shivers down my spine.

The descriptions of the many countries Sabina navigates, though occasionally quick, transported me to these exquisite locations I have never seen. As I am an American, currently in a lockdown due to COVID-19, who has been just itching to travel, that was a refreshing element of the book. I truly got the sense that the author had been to all of these places— especially Istanbul!

The story is occasionally tragic and always surprising. There is something unexpected around every corner! Victoria makes bold decisions in her writing that will be sure to shock the reader! I read the whole book in just a few days— definitely a page-turner. Halfway through the book, you’ll think you know where things are going, but you have no idea! You just have to read to discover all the exciting twists!

Overall, I got Indiana Jones, James Bond, Mission: Impossible vibes— with a female protagonist! I loved the use of several strong, female characters. A must-read!