The Elixirist: A Novel by Avraham Azrieli

A life-changing journey in search of a magical elixir.

Avraham Azrieli is a graduate of Columbia Law School in New York and an award-winning author. In this incredible tale, he takes his readers back through the centuries into Old Testament times and reveals a story steeped in mystery and intrigue. It stands alone, however, it is the prequel to ‘Deborah Rising,’ the first in the author’s epic historical ‘Deborah’ series, which tells the journey of the biblical prophetess Deborah in her quest to fullfil her destiny.  

Traditionally, in many countries, your career is dictated by your family heritage, and this is the case for the protagonist in this story, Sall, who is an apprentice healer, under the instruction of his father, in Edom. Although highly respected, and essential, his career is not a glamorous one, yet, his father assures him, it is his destiny

Sall, on the day this book begins, falls under the spell of the beautiful but unobtainable daughter of the High Priest, and this fires a desire to be so much more in the heart of the young man, but how can this happen?

Well, the answer lies in the advice of a magical dwarf, Sall must leave his home and take a dangerous journey to find the elixir of love. The elixir will not only enable him to win her heart but also achieve greatness as the savior of his people.

So, fired with determination, Sall sets off with his donkey and dog. Advised by a merchant to talk to the dream reader, the merchant shows him the way, and her wise words and the secrets she reveals, open his mind and strengthen his resolve to continue his journey. It is a journey fraught with danger, he suffers terrible injuries, trickery, and deceit, yet he also makes friends and alliances and discovers a lot about himself. Over time, these events change the boy into a man, giving him morals and the kind of wisdom which can only be gained through experiences. Until ultimately, as the story reaches its climax, Sall discovers his true destiny and self.

Throughout the story, the characters each have their own vital part and weave their way through his life. It is a true coming-of-age story and wonderfully illustrates how, whatever century or time we are in, every element and person in our lives impacts us in varying degrees. Yet, it also illustrates how, with determination we can make our dreams come true. Highly Recommended!

About the Author:

Avraham Azrieli’s novel Deborah Rising (Harper Collins, 2016) won the 2017 Illumination Book Awards – Gold Medal for Fiction. It portrays the dramatic rise of the first woman to lead a nation in recorded human history. A graduate of Columbia Law School in New York City, Azrieli tried many complex court cases before his first novel, The Masada Complex (a political thriller) was published in 2010. A full-time author since then, his other books include the Israeli spy novels The Jerusalem Inception and The Jerusalem Assassin, as well as Christmas for Joshua (a family drama dealing with interfaith conflicts), The Mormon Candidate (a political thriller), Thump (a courtroom drama featuring sexual harassment and racism) and The Bootstrap Ultimatum (a mystery involving the commercialization of Memorial Day). He also authored Your Lawyer on a Short Leash (a guide to dealing with lawyers) and One Step Ahead – A Mother of Seven Escaping Hitler’s Claws (a WWII biography, which inspired the musical By Wheel and by Wing). Azrieli grew up in Israel, where he received extensive Talmudic education, served as an intelligence officer and, after attending law school, clerked for the Israeli Supreme Court in Jerusalem. Residing primarily in the United States since 1990, he currently lives near Washington DC with his wife and children. To learn more, visit www.AzrieliBooks.com

Praise for Avraham Azrieli’s books:

The Jerusalem Inception – “Beautifully and superbly narrated.” The Examiner. “Boldly realistic plotlines and genuine, well-developed characters. Highly recommended!” Yahoo News/Politics. “Protagonist Jerusalem Gerster is the quintessential recruit.” NY Daily News. “Among the likes of the Jason Bourne series and Mission: Impossible franchise, The Jerusalem Inception is a daring piece of literature … airtight research and believability … intriguing … never a boring moment!” Shelf Pickings. “A lover’s triangle, complete with the friction, suspense, and human gratification … Azrieli educates as he entertains … the reader introduced to the secret ways of the Mossad. To those unfamiliar of the living history of Israel, this book is a must. For those knowing the facts surrounding the creation of the Jewish State, this book is an absolute must. Extraordinarily impressive!” Pacific Book Review.

The Jerusalem Assassin – “Action-packed escapade … memorable cast of characters … pages turn as fast as the plot twists and locales shift, taking the reader from Paris to Zurich to Amsterdam to Tel Aviv.” Jewish News. “Reviewing The Jerusalem Inception, I wrote that “Avraham Azrieli’s suspenseful action thriller is an engrossing read and compares favorably with the novels by John Le Carre, Tom Clancy, and Lee Child.” This sequel is far more exiting, and is arguably better than the novels of the aforementioned best-selling authors.” The Jewish Eye. “Keeps readers on the edge of their seats as the author navigates through the twists and turns of religious zeal, political missteps, intense human emotions, and complicated personal relationships … the story of human suffering and redemption shines through as the ultimate theme of the novel.” The Authors Den.

The Masada Complex – “A fast-paced thrill ride. Exciting. The complexity of the characters keeps the reader enticed to see what will eventually become of them. Highly recommended to anyone who loves a good story.” Book Review Bin. “An edge of your seat political thriller from start to finish. A fascinating tale. Filled with surprising twists and turns. Not only entertaining, but also believable. A must read. Literary Fetish. “Brims with gritty authenticity … a genuine treat!” David Liss, author of Conspiracy of Paper, winner of Edgar. “Riveting portrayal of global intrigue!” Stella Pope Duarte, author of If I Die in Juaréz, winner of the 2009 American Book Award.

The Mormon Candidate – “Plotted like a cinematic thriller … a very powerful novel … making his readers as eager as his protagonist in uncovering the truth … sure to keep you up late against your better judgment. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” The Examiner. “A thoroughly entertaining mystery … twists surprise the reader without seeming out of place. A well-written page-turner. San Jose Mercury. “Excellent mystery … will likely draw some Mormons to defensive protestations reminiscent of stormy Catholic reactions to The Da Vinci’s Code. Ben Teller is witty and intractable–you’ll want to stay with him for every flare-up of action and shocking discovery. Timely and provocative novel you don’t want to miss. Dad of Divas Reviews. “New and interesting … unique setting … pushes you forward!” City Book Review. “Tying together church intrigue, electoral politics and Mormon practice. Even-handed, even as [it] deals with the delicate issue of posthumous baptism, anathema to many Jews and a controversial practice in the LDS church. An exciting chase … well-conceived and timely.” The Jewish News. “This thriller gives chilling insight into the lengths that politicians go … fast paced, full of facts, and provides a detailed bibliography. Do you like books like The Bourne Identity or The DaVinci Code? This is a book for you.” Bubblews.com “Part thriller, part mystery, part love story, part religious interrogation … maintains an excellent balance, keeping the reader engaged not only with the current mystery, but the life and progression of the protagonist’s life as well. Never a dull moment!” San Francisco Book Review.

Thump – “A light-hearted romp through sexual proclivities … the characters are lovable … the irreverence is delightful. Thought-provoking. Interesting. Unconventional. Recommended!” U.S. Review of Books. “There is something captivating when we mix spicy sex, lust, greed, and a protagonist that acts with such abandon as long as the end justifies the means. Well-paced plot … a thoughtful and gripping narrative … never a dull moment … highly entertaining.” The Examiner. “Stirring and dramatic…unique look at sexual harassment. Unflinching and unapologetic. Delves into the gritty reality of inner office liaisons. “Thump” is thought provoking and poignant long after the last page turns. I highly recommend it!” Penn Book Review. “Balanced yet thrilling example of racism and sexual harassment in a very realistic work environment. [Not] the classic “young beautiful woman who falls victim,” [but] a young man in his prime. A legal thriller with plot twists that can make your head spinning…this is definitely a book you will enjoy!” Hollywood Book Reviews. “A well-written, attention-grabbing courtroom room drama. Engaging. Realistic. Honest. Provocative. Builds to a climax that rivals other mainstream authors in this genre. A book you cannot put down until you figure out the resolution.” Pacific Book Review. “Thump’s various bold personalities collide over socially fraught questions with stimulating results. A taut courtroom drama that blends issues of race and sexual harassment. Blunt dialogue, a quick pace, and pressing social questions make Thump an engrossing read.” Foreword. “A striking social commentary that will draw readers in. Diverse, timely and thoughtful.” Portland Book Review.

Christmas for Joshua – “In its own gentle way, the book is as much a page-turner as Azrieli’s thrillers – pulling the reader into complex personal and familial conflicts.” The Jewish Journal. Christmas for Joshua is a sensational novel […] filled with religious paradoxes, sure to test any faith. [It is] a wonderful five-star spiritual fiction. Avraham Azrieli proves himself, time and again, to be a popular contemporary writer for our troubled times, as his plots often expose attitudes, beliefs, and actions that contribute to human suffering. Christmas for Joshua is no exception. – Pacific Book Review. “Have you ever been given a gift and unwrapped it, slowly, enjoying the moment, and then discovering yourself deeply touched by what you found inside? Christmas for Joshua is that gift. Through superbly developed characters and a delightfully creative plot, Avraham Azrieli weaves a gentle yet powerful story that closes with yet another gift – the gift of hope. – The Examiner. “This book is the perfect eye-opener. A beautifully written, heartfelt novel.” Bee’s Knees Reviews.

The Bootstrap Ultimatum – “Riveting. It doesn’t get any better than this, folks!!” Sun Francisco Book Review. “The real magic here is Azrieli’s incredible ability to create well-developed characters. The Examiner. “Fast-paced, action thriller … full of heart. An entertaining, thought provoking read … sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats.” Hollywood Book Reviews. “Thought-provoking. Plenty of action make this book difficult to put down. Fans won’t be disappointed. Entertaining.” U.S. Review of Books. “Much more than a fun read. Azrieli’s latest work will appeal to a wide range of readers in its accessibility, fast-paced action, and intelligent storyline.” Pacific Book Review.

Author’s Website: https://azrielibooks.com/

About the Book:

A young man’s dangerous quest for a mythical elixir of love wins him not only a girl’s heart, but also immortal greatness as savior of his people. The Elixirist is an exciting adventure that evokes an unforgettable testament to the priceless rewards bestowed on those who follow their dreams. The novel has been compared with such inspiring books as The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, The Secret by Rhonda Byrne, Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts, The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari by Robin Sharma, The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, Life of Pi by Yann Martel, The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield, Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig, and Wild by Cheryl Strayed.

Available from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Elixirist-Novel-Avraham-Azrieli-ebook/dp/B08...