Ben Neil’s new fantasy action adventure novel, The Initiate, takes readers on a wild ride that includes time travel and exploration of the deepest depths of the human soul.

The novel opens with its main character, John Fullman, recovering after losing his wife and daughter in a car accident a few years earlier. Since then, John’s life has been difficult. Once a financial guru, John was devastated by the loss of his family and has, for a long time, barely been able to function. Seeking a means to remedy his mental condition, John begins to study various subjects, all related to the mind, which is when he stumbles upon the wisdom of the ancient mystery schools.

As John continues to investigate the wisdom of the ancient mystery schools and the methods they used thousands of years ago to develop, he discovers a code within the temples of the past and its connection to the ancient mysteries of Egypt. He believes that the code may be the key to understanding the deepest secrets of the mystery schools. He also believes that the code has a much deeper meaning that will affect him personally, and by cracking it, he may find the healing he so desperately needs.

As John sets out to discover the meaning of the dark mathematical code, he experiences some strange dreams that connect him and his wife to ancient Egypt. Through a series of fortuitous events, the world-renowned King Tut exhibition comes to town. After seeing the exhibit, he is inspired to travel to Egypt, despite the advice of his best friend. John goes because he believes that Egypt is the only place he will discover the answers he seeks.

Once John arrives in Egypt, an inexplicable feeling drives him to visit the Great Pyramid. Once inside, John feels compelled to leave his tour group to climb inside the mysterious red quartz granite sarcophagus that he has already had several dreams of. Suddenly, John finds himself traveling through time, or rather, remembering and reliving a past life, one that really happened as Tutankhamun, and yet he remains aware of his life in the 21st century, a memory reinforced when the wife of Tutankhamun, Ankehesenpaaten, becomes to look like Sara, John’s late wife in the 21st century.

John soon realizes that both he and Sara are reincarnations of the boy pharaoh and his wife, and he is delighted to be reunited with her even if it is in a past life and even if he cannot reveal to her that he has come from the future.

But trying to understand how he could have been reincarnated or traveled through time is not the only task facing John. As Tutankhamun, it is time for him to complete his final exercises and become an expert in the mysteries of ancient Egypt. Members of his court also expect him to act like the pharaoh, and his minister Annubis seems to notice his odd behavior as John tries to cover up his lack of knowledge of royal protocol.

Meanwhile, external enemies threaten Egypt with war. Worse still, an internal enemy is trying to kill him. In his role as pharaoh, John must make difficult decisions for which he is not prepared. Will he be able to protect Egypt from destruction and will he be able to find a way that he and Sarah can stay together in this life?

Ben Neil’s Egyptian time travel novel will have people on the edge of their seats as they delve into ancient mysteries and wonder about the possibilities of reincarnation, soul mates, and the very purposes of our lives. John Fullman’s experiences speak to the deepest desires we all have for love, connection, fulfillment, and living meaningful lives.

Best of all, the ending of The Initiate hints at a sequel that will continue John’s experiences, perhaps in another life.

Readers who love fantasy literature, adventure, and time travel will definitely want to experience The Initiate. Afterward, many will find themselves running to the history books to find out more about King Tut and the mysteries surrounding the creation of the pyramids and the rise of the ancient civilization of Egypt. Each page of this book is a wonderful gift.