Author and Finisher Volume I

"Author and Finisher Volume I" by Ray Dacolias is an ambitious family saga set against the serene yet unforgiving backdrop of the American Southwest. At its heart lies the Means family, a close-knit household of parents raising four children with the dual goals of survival and moral fortitude in a changing world. Dacolias weaves themes of faith, resilience, and personal growth into a narrative that feels both intimate and expansive.

The novel's strength lies in its rich character development and vivid descriptions of the lush countryside, which serve as more than mere setting—they mirror the characters' inner struggles and triumphs. Readers will appreciate the authentic dialogue and the subtle exploration of how ordinary lives show more intersect with profound questions of purpose and legacy. The title, evoking biblical undertones ("author and finisher of our faith"), hints at deeper spiritual layers that unfold gradually without feeling preachy.

This is a heartfelt novel in what promises to be a compelling series for fans of character-driven literary fiction with a moral core. show less

This is genuinely awful writing. Not “AI-generated” awful, necessarily—more “someone fundamentally misunderstands how dialogue and narrative function” awful. The prose is clunky, the dialogue reads like a moral sermon rather than actual conversation, and the entire passage is about as subtle as striking someone repeatedly with a theological pamphlet.

I found this book interesting and easy to get into. It gives a calm but slightly tense feeling as the story builds. I liked how the family and their way of life are described. It feels thoughtful and a bit mysterious. It made me curious about what might happen next without giving too much away.

This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers in exchange for my honest opinion.

At 600 plus pages, this self-published book is not a casual read, nor is it a book intended for a broad, secular audience. It is a deeply conservative, traditional text that approaches morality, science, and society through a strict theological lens.
For the right reader—one who is looking for a long, faith-affirming narrative that challenges modern secularism and champions absolute spiritual truths—Dacolias’s passion will resonate deeply.

I would recommend working with an editor to eliminate redundancies which could take this down to a much more approachable reading commitment.

Once I stopped mentally ticking off the number of periods per paragraph (usually only one or two for very long paragraphs), I enjoyed the story. The imagery was very descriptive from the beginning, and I felt like I could see the children as they moved through their days.

I really enjoyed the plot of this book it was well written and extremely interesting. I can't wait to read the next one.

Great