An engaging novel with a fascinating premise: a talking parrot tells of the coming messiah! Highly original and very enjoyable.

It´s not often I´m surprised by a novel. And I read A LOT! But, in the case of Holy Parrot, I thought, “Yes, that´s a remarkably original plot.” It´s the story of a pregnant sixteen year old girl (Maria) living in a small fishing village. But who´s the father? Well, according to the girl, she´s a virgin and her parrot told her the baby was the coming messiah! Soon, word spreads, and tens of thousands of ´worshipers´ flock to the village to see the girl and, of course, her all-knowing bird.

I must say, this is a compelling novel, helped along by an accessible, well-paced writing style, and a small number of unforgettable characters. I particularly enjoyed getting to know Leo, an Australian scientist who´s working for a pharmaceutical company and who´s trying to discover the secret behind the longevity of the local residents. Although his interest in a sixteen year old was a little bit concerning!

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. I liked the mystery element of the story, trying to work out if girl is innocent - or not so innocent. And I thought the author did a superb job of interlocking philosophy, science, and even religious hysteria.

So, yes, I´m very happy to recommend this skilfully plotted book. I think most readers who enjoy novels rich in setting and in depth of character will find this compulsive reading. And, let´s face it, you´ll not find a lot of books with prophesising parrots in it!

What an intriguing story! As I usually read in a somewhat different genre, it took me a while to get into the author’s cadence, but once I did, the story flowed smoothly.

As with any good book, Holy Parrot contains multiple layers. If you are interested in world religion, world peace, and the conflict between religious and scientific thought, you’re in the right place! Trained as a cultural anthropologist, I felt on familiar turf, but some readers may get a little lost in the longer religious passages. That said, they are worth a read and a reread. And, of course, even if you just keep reading to find out who the father of Maria’s baby is and what she is going to do with her newfound fame, it’s worth sticking with it.

It was refreshing to follow the development of the relationship between Maria and Leo. It is not cookie-cutter romance, that’s for sure.

The mystery of who the father of Maria’s baby remains a mystery, depending on how you look at it. And that is one of the points of the book-the world is as we view it.

As an avid reader, I appreciated Angel’s way with words and insights into human nature. Here are just a few phrases I enjoyed:

‘. . .from the prison of your own mind, it’s difficult to admit who it is that’s guarding the gate. . .’
‘. . .life catches up with every escape plan. . .’
. . .Her aunt smiled at me the way people do when they don’t understand a conversation but wish to appear supportive. . .’

Last, but not least, the ending is satisfying and original. For all of these reasons and more, I recommend Holy Parrot!

"A Great Read

What a grand story in Holy Parrot by Angel A. I am honored to read another story from Angel A. This story is a unique and intriguing read. The story takes place in Buritaca, Colombia, and the reader meets Mary. Mary swears that this Parrot whose name is, Gabriel, said she would have a child, the new Christ. It's an interesting story that brings in religious beliefs, and faith, and maybe a bit of deception. Not everyone believes Mary, especially when the self-proclaimed virgin is pregnant. The characters had a lot of depth and were very realistic. The story brings in the believable, even if almost impossible. This journey was very unpredictable. This is a totally inspirational title. This author is a great storyteller. Definitely an unpredictable story, my favorite kind! A wonderous trail of words. Holy Parrot is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I read this book to give my unbiased and honest review. Amy's Bookshelf Reviews recommends that anyone who reads this book, to also write a review."

Holy Parrot by Angel A is a captivating journey of faith and self-discovery. Set in Buritaca, Colombia, readers follow Maria on her unexpected path through doubt and temptation when Gabriel – an enigmatic parrot that speaks with divine power – tells her she will bear the new Christ.

In this fascinating cross-cultural novel, we meet Leo Lumière, a science student from Australia who ventures to the Caribbean village of Buritaca, expecting an ordinary assignment. However, what awaits him is nothing short of a series of phenomenal events. While Leo is working in a small Colombian village, he finds himself embroiled in the complicated life of Maria and her family. Maria is purportedly a virginal teenager, but she claims to be pregnant with the next great religious leader. Her family goes along with the idea, but other people rumor that a young man named Pablo is actually the father. What results is a fascinating examination of science, faith, belief, and human emotion.

Author Angel A knows how to deliver a superb range of dramatic highs and lows that come from some surprising and eye-opening clashes of opinion and belief. The literary style of the work gives us a critical and highly amusing attitude with which to approach the story. The often hapless Leo slowly watches the family boil over and wonders wholeheartedly what he can do to help. He also begins to have romantic feelings for Maria. This is paired nicely with the family and Maria herself, sticking firmly to their convictions and unable to be swayed. Maria's parrot  promises she will be "the mother of a saviour." Before long, Leo is caught up in mysterious circumstances between revealing a crime and protecting Maria. At the same time, tens of thousands converge on the Magdalena region with only one phrase resonating throughout: 'Loro Santo' - Holy Parrot.

Leo is officially on a mission to discover what contributes to the long and healthy lives of the inhabitants of Maria's village. But, while performing scientific tests and experiments with his lab equipment to unravel the secret behind their unusually long life expectancies, Leo also finds himself immersed in the magical tales about his extraordinary surroundings. No matter how hard he works for this impossible assignment given by a pharmaceutical company. It is clear there will always be more than meets the eye when seeking true enlightenment. Holy Parrot explores human behavior and the powerful dynamics at play when we encounter the mysterious. In its center is Gabriel, the enigmatic parrot whose words spark chaos and inspire intense admiration. This novel is captivating and thought-provoking for those eager to discover something new through skillful storytelling! Holy Parrot is an unpredictable read that celebrates the human spirit over conventional skepticism. We recommend it for readers wanting something distinctively crafted by a gifted author.

What an absolutely compelling read! The author was so descriptive and detailed in their storytelling that I felt transported to Columbia and was actually living the story with the characters. I got caught up in Mary's world and developed a deep admiration for her inner beauty, courage, and naivety. The suspense that was created had me racing to the end, which was both satisfying and yet left you wondering. So many genres were very cleverly entwined in this entertaining and captivating read.
I highly recommend getting hold of a copy, but make sure you can put a few days aside because you won't be able to put it down.

Angel A has created a mystifying story with a viewpoint character similar to that of The Great Gatsby. While not in the same class of writing talent as F. Scott Fitzgerald (who is?), this story of a girl who claims to be carrying a Christ child, is told via an undergraduate student from Australia who is studying genetics in the Columbia village of Buritaca. Leo Lumiere is fascinated by Maria. My sense is that Leo sees her almost as another species, something/one so different from him.

So science vs. faith, clearly, but Angel A has introduced many ambiguous details that propel the story -- Maria supposedly had a boyfriend, could she still be a virgin? Maria’s virginal pregnancy is announced by her pet parrot, who repeats “every day is a good day.” Maria’s father, enraged when learning of Maria’s pregnancy is easily persuaded by Maria’s explanation that the parrot told her of her virginal pregnancy in a dream (a parrot named, fittingly, Gabriel). Leo himself watches with growing consternation, and possibly desire to believe, the throngs of people of various denominations and from around the world who come to bask in Maria’s presence.

Leo’s scientific investigations, funded by a huge pharmacy company seeking the source of the villagers’ longevity, revolve around a single goal: “discover something special in the region.” Is that actually Maria, rather than some enzyme? Told in simple language, the novel resonates with truths that may be lies, secrets potentially never revealed, and the young Maria’s unaffected simplicity and unquestioning embrace of everything she has been given.

Leonard is a student of science who lives in Buritaca in order to find out why the people there live so long. Then one day, he meets Maria, who is expecting to have a baby that will be a future leader. There is nothing like this masterclass to keep your attention from beginning to end. There are a lot of life lessons worth reflecting upon. It's a book that should be read again and again. I personally would recommend it to everyone without any hesitation. Thanks to the author and Voracious Readers.

When Australian college student Leonard Lumiére goes to a small fishing village in Columbia to research what is enabling the natives to live so long, he gets involved with Maria, a young woman who claims to be pregnant with the new Christ child. The author of “Holy Parrot” does an admirable job writing this book in first-person peripheral POV where the narrator (Leonard) is not the protagonist (Maria). This method of storytelling can be tricky, but the author pulls it off beautifully. Vivid descriptions of the Columbian terrain and culture are used to pull readers into the story. People, places, and events are consistently portrayed in a manner that is easy to visualize. The Leonard and Maria characters are unique, well-developed, believable, and memorable. Layers of personality and complexities define who they are and how they feel, making them relatable and worthy of empathy. While the plot is intricate and compelling, it is these two characters who draw readers into the depth of the story. The author weaves together many story elements in an organized manner, with a rich vocabulary and a good balance of description, dialogue, action, and back story. The pace is quick and appropriate to the narrative. The chapter beginnings are enticing. The chapter endings will make readers want to turn the page to see what happens next. “Holy Parrot” is a well-written, well-structured novel that is engaging, entertaining, and educational of the Columbian culture.

When a pharmaceutical firm engages Leonard to go to a small fishing village in Columbia to research native longevity, he doesn’t expect to get tangled up with a young woman who claims to be pregnant with the new Christ child.

Australian college student Leonard Lumiére sets up a small, makeshift lab in a remote Columbian fishing village to work on a research project for Pravus, a pharmaceutical company interested in developing a life-lengthening elixir based on what it is that allows these particular Columbians to live so long. It is here where he meets Maria who shares with Leonard that she is pregnant–although she claims to be a virgin–and that her father is furious about it. She looks to Leonard for comfort and protection. When she explains to him that she has made a spiritual connection with a macaw parrot, a messenger from God, who tells her she is carrying the new Christ child, Leonard tries to keep an open mind but in his heart knows it can’t be possible. Once the word gets out in the village about Maria’s Divine pregnancy, they bring her gifts and worship her. Leonard continues to help and support her but doesn’t know what to think. And when a Cardinal priest from the Vatican arrives to meet Maria, he is dumbfounded.

Author Angel A has written HOLY PARROT in first-person peripheral POV (point of view), i.e., the narrator (Leonard) is not the protagonist (Maria). Leonard witnesses, and in some cases experiences, Maria’s story and conveys it through his POV. This style of storytelling is risky—it can be very effective if done properly, or it can be disastrous if not. Angel A does an exemplary job using this concept in the HOLY PARROT narrative. Vivid descriptions will pull readers into the Columbian terrain and culture. Leonard’s reactions to the bizarre things that go on around him are described in expressive detail that copiously illustrate the array of emotions he is feeling at the time. People, places, and events are consistently portrayed in a manner that is easy to visualize. The Leonard and Maria characters are unique, well-developed, believable, and memorable–and while the plot in HOLY PARROT is intricate and compelling, it is these two characters who draw readers into the depth of the story. Layers of personality and complexities define who they are and how they feel, making them relatable and worthy of empathy. The author weaves together many story elements in an organized manner, with a rich vocabulary and a good balance of description, dialogue, action, and back story. The pace is quick and appropriate to the narrative, the chapter beginnings are enticing and the chapter endings will make readers want to turn the page to see what happens next.

Angel A’s HOLY PARROT is a well-written, compelling novel with an engaging story line and characters with depth, interesting motivations, and lots of personality.

~Florence Osmund for IndieReader

Through their Australian protagonist’s eyes, Angel A takes readers on a wonderful journey into Latin American magical realism with HOLY PARROT. The Colombian setting, with its jungles and beaches, forms a perfectly lush backdrop to all the bold and vibrant characters populating the book. The meshing of Indigenous traditions with Catholic – and Gnostic – mysticism is perfectly primed to stick in the reader’s mind for days afterwards.

Buritaca, Columbia, is home to one of the few recognized blue zones in the world. It is here that Leo Lumière, an undergrad science student, works to figure out just what it is that contributes to the longevity of the locals. But rather than uncovering some protected regional herb or a soil sample that promises health and long life, Leo discovers Maria Angelica Santos. Maria is unremarkable in her own right, a sixteen-year-old Catholic girl growing up in a small seaside town known for little more than fresh fish and plump coffee beans. But when a wild parrot comes to Maria proclaiming a modern-day immaculate conception, she slowly becomes a symbol of hope. People travel from near and far to catch a glimpse of or to bestow a gift upon this soon-to-be mother of the new Christ. And it isn’t just Christian believers who are inspired by Maria’s seemingly divine pregnancy. Devotees, congregants, acolytes and worshipers of many religions are moved by Maria’s joyful tidings. But not everyone is convinced, and there are elements bent on her demise. Despite his own misgivings, Leo stands by her side through it all. Leo’s involvement shifts from cautious observer to staunch defender, and even his scientific research can’t account for his epiphanic shift in perspective. Whether the pregnancy is of divine origin or is an elaborate ruse, small-town Maria never imagined herself becoming the spark of fervor that sets the world ablaze.

If you’re looking for a novel featuring a fantastically unique premise, a lush, tropical landscape, and a glimmer of mystery, then look no further than Holy Parrot. An interesting intersection of religion and secularism, faith and science, Holy Parrot doesn’t tread carefully, so much as pleasantly on a road that is often rutted with fanatical disagreements. It might seem that Maria and her divinely inspired bird ought to occupy center stage in this thought-provoking story, but the author assigns the job of narration to rational Leo. Delivered from his first-person perspective, the divinity of Maria’s claims is explored from Leo’s scientific vantage, adding balance and a sense of stability to the novel. Marginal character development prevents readers from fully connecting on a deep level, however, the intriguing plot is more than enough to keep one’s attention. True, audiences may not be moved by the spirit, but Maria’s light-hearted story will certainly have readers reevaluating their humble place in the grand scheme of things after experiencing the phenomenon that is Holy Parrot.

Leonard is, by his own description, a “twenty-one-year-old nerd” in Columbia on a research grant from Australia. Maria is a sixteen-year-old local claiming to be a pregnant virgin, set to give birth to a new Christ, as prophesied by her pet parrot. Despite having exactly nothing in common, a chance meeting brings the two together to form an instant, unexplainable bond that neither could have imagined. Over the course of their friendship, Leonard is forced to question everything he has ever believed about the conflicting ideologies of religion and science. Maria also must confront new ideas and experiences as she faces an ordeal far beyond her years.

Holy Parrot, by Angel A, is a beautiful and thought-provoking novel set in the lush, idyllic landscape of Buritaca, Columbia. The friendship between Leonard and Maria is established almost immediately while treated in a delicate tone that never comes across as either inappropriate or predatory, despite their age difference. It’s easy to understand how Leonard is so quickly spellbound by both Maria and his surroundings, as both are written in such a way that creates a heady atmosphere. Soon Robin is introduced, and he fills out the trilogy of main characters with a group of people who are so incredibly different yet complement each other wonderfully. There are actually few books where each and every character brings the perfect amount of support to a story, but this one manages that feat quite well. Every character, no matter how minor, is a necessary addition to this miraculous tale.

Holy Parrot covers many ideas and themes throughout its pages, including love, loss, religion, faith, and family. At its core, it could be argued to be a story about destiny, setting your own path while finding your true self amid past pain and present conflict. Leonard positively shines as the story’s narrator, slowly revealing himself to be a character with an incredible amount of depth, stepping outside his comfort zone time and time again in the unexpected role of protector. Even as he struggles to justify his own actions, Leonard never fails to stand up for Maria or stand beside Robin, all the time traveling toward a better understanding of what it truly means to live a fulfilled life.

This book gets an easy 5 out of 5 stars from me. It was extremely hard to put down, and the characters became as familiar as old friends. Even though I would love to know more about their lives after these events, I think the book ended in the most perfect way it could have. In addition, the ideas presented in regard to faith left plenty to consider far beyond the pages of the book without weighing it down with a glut of religious dogma. It was a perfect balance in every way!

BOOK TITLE: Holy Parrot

PLOT: The story is original, engaging and well-paced. The book follows a clear and logical narrative arc. The writing includes information to make a reader want to continue reading and stretch their imagination.

SCORE: 16 / 20

CHARACTER: The characters are memorable and believable and their goals and motivations have been well established. The characters’ strengths, weaknesses, backstory and conflicts evoke a strong emotional response in the reader.

SCORE: 16 / 20

THEME: The book has a strong, unifying theme. The book presents new and original ideas. The book appeals to the reader in an emotional or logical manner. The theme is relevant to the author’s genre of writing.

SCORE: 18 / 20

STYLE: The author’s word choice, sentence fluency, voice and tone have been well established. The author uses descriptive imagery where appropriate. The author’s use of language enhances the overall reading experience.

SCORE: 16 / 20

APPEAL TO TARGET AUDIENCE: The target audience of the book is clear and the contents of the book is in line with other highly regarded books in its genre. The book has a professional interior layout and typeface. The book includes relevant front and back matter to explain key elements of the plot, characters and setting to enhance a reader’s overall experience. The book is free from grammatical, spelling and punctuation errors.

SCORE: 16 / 20

With a score of 82 out of 100, this book has been selected for a Maincrest Media Book Award in the Multicultural Fiction category.

In Holy Parrot, Maria is a pregnant teen virgin and the possible future mother of a saviour. Angel A sweeps readers into this multifaceted story with a plethora of insights that reveal just how special Maria is, opening with Maria's pregnancy and thwarted attempt to marry in order to preserve her reputation and name. As events unfold in Buritaca, a small fishing village in Columbia, they are narrated from the point of view of Leonard Lumière, an undergrad science student who meets Maria and comes to adore her. Leo's job is to "to discover something special in the region," but he had no clue that this special discovery would involve both genetic research and a possible second coming. Leo's charge is clear: he's to find out why the people of this particular village live so long. The answer is not the science-based reality he's come to embrace, but offers powerful insights into life, death, and spirituality as Leo probes this "blue zone" for its secrets (blue zones are defined here as "regions where the resident population appeared to live long, healthy lives beyond the normal expectations of other world territories."). As Leo's involvement with Maria challenges his science, his perceptions of God, and his other relationships, Holy Parrot embraces a myriad of thought-provoking themes that weave an intense story of closely-held secrets, truths and lies, social and cultural changes, and one young girl's world-changing mystery. Maria's evolving mystique captivates a growing, wide audience as Leo learns from her, supports her, and takes bigger risks than he's ever made before in his life. Angel A creates a compelling story replete with life-changing moments and revelations: "A distinct chill rippled down my spine. I looked across to Robin, who clearly knew exactly what was going on. He had mentioned the air baptism, “to know thyself.” Was this what he was referring to? Was Maria about to share revelations with each one of us about our personal identities that we may have never contemplated previously?" The tension is well-developed, as is the captivating aura surrounding Leo and Maria and the paths they forge that change belief systems and values alike. Spiritual readers who enjoy stories of beacons of hope, paradigm-changing experiences, and social and personal transformation will find Holy Parrot vivid and involving. While libraries strong in spiritual novels will be the ideal audience for Holy Parrot, it ideally will assume an active role in any book club or reader group interested in the intersection between science and faith, the resulting drive for a better life, and the miracles that can power such convictions.

Holy Parrot is a work of fiction in a literary style in the interpersonal drama sub-genre. It is best suited to the general adult reading audience and was penned by author Angel A. In this fascinating cross-cultural novel, we meet Leo, an Australian student working in a small Colombian village, who finds himself embroiled in the complicated life of Maria and her family. When the purportedly virginal teenage Maria claims to be pregnant with the next great religious leader, her family keenly goes along with the idea, but other people are not so sure, believing that the runaway Pablo is actually the father. What results is a fascinating examination of science, faith, belief, and human emotion.Author Angel A knows how to keep readers in the palm of his hand, delivering a superb range of dramatic highs and lows that come from some really surprising and eye-opening clashes of opinion and belief. The literary style of the work gives us a critical and highly amusing attitude with which to approach the story, with the often hapless Leo slowly watching the family boil over and wondering wholeheartedly what he can do to help. This is paired nicely with the family and Maria herself, sticking firmly to their convictions and unable to be swayed. At the center is Gabriel, the enigmatic parrot causing trouble whenever he opens his beak. The subsequent fallout, causing mass worship, was so fascinating. The reader is left to unpick and understand why it’s in our nature as people to behave this way. Overall, I would recommend Holy Parrot for readers seeking something totally unique to explore from the fresh perspective of an engaging author.

“Overall, Holy Parrot is a flawless book with a lot to offer. I highly recommend Angel A’s Holy Parrot to anyone and everyone. People who love reading about culture, history, religion, science, and nature will love this captivating novel.”

Kajori Sheryl Paul at The Chrysalis BREW Project