The Seven Sins: The Tyrant Ascending

Publishers Weekly

This breathless, violent first in a new thriller series from Land (The Last Prophecy) introduces Michael "The Tyrant" Tiranno, who's modeled on real-life Italian entrepreneur Fabrizio Boccardi. Raised by one of the last Sicilian Mafia dons after the murder of the immediate members of his family, Michael grows up to become a real estate mogul, who builds the Seven Sins, a Las Vegas casino catering to its customers' wildest fantasies. When suicide bombers explode their cars at the Seven Sins and three other Las Vegas casinos, people blame Islamic terrorists, but Michael suspects he's been personally targeted. With the help of Naomi Burns, his lawyer and confidante, Michael pursues the diabolical mastermind who threatens future attacks. During his investigation, Michael discovers the secret of his father's treasured antique gold medallion. Nonstop action and a dizzying array of exotic locales make this great fun to read, despite lack of subtlety, cartoonish characters, preposterous plot twists and coincidences. (June)

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Library Journal

After his parents' death, Sicilian-born Michele Nunziato was raised by the boss of all bosses, Don Luciano Scaglione. Having grown wealthy with the Don's help and his own ruthless intellect, he now decides to go legit (or as legit as a man who doesn't mind killing for personal gain can go). Inspired by the inscription on an ancient medallion once belonging to King Midas-"To Dream, To Dare, To Win"-Michele takes the name Michael Tiranno (the "tyrant") and builds the magnificent Seven Sins casino in Las Vegas. When terrorists attack the strip, Michael and his strongman, the redoubtable Alexander, go into action. They soon learn that someone (beyond the obvious Muslim extremists) wants to destroy not only Michael and his casino but all of Sin City. Interspersing episodes from the 1970s, the 1990s, and the present day and combining high finance with ancient lore, Land (Blood Diamonds) presents a larger-than-life hero with a dark past, a risk taker accompanied by a sidekick so skilled in killing as to seem infallible. Their spectacular ride, global in its dimensions, will enthrall all thrill seekers. Highly recommended for popular fiction collections. [This is the first of a series of books starring Michael Tiranno, inspired by Italian real-estate and media mogul Fabrizio Boccardi.-Ed.]
—Ron Terpening

Kirkus Reviews

From prolific Land (The Blue Widows, 2003, etc.), an all-action-every-minute scramble through the fabulosity of Las Vegas, the romance of Puzo-esque Sicily and the fatal extremes of Afghan border territory. Sicilian orphan Michael Tiranno has acquired power and gambling glory through the strength of his vision; the power of his keen intelligence; a few dirty tricks learned from the tough but loving Cosa Nostra capo who raised him; and perhaps a little magic from a medal that once belonged to King Midas. Yes, that King Midas. The medal is a bauble that Michael's father recovered from the sea floor and treasured until his death in the mob attack that left his son an orphan. Now Michael's world is in grave danger. The Seven Sins, his superglitzy, ultra-successful casino, has barely survived an Islamist attack, and the terrorists have let it be known that this is just an opening strike against the depravity of the Las Vegas strip. It couldn't come at a worse time for Michael, who's just about to bet the bank on opening an even huger and more fabulous Seven Sins in Macao. With no time to wait for the feeble maneuvers of international diplomacy, he takes the battle directly to the terrorists' home territory, bringing along his beautiful, savvy house lawyer Naomi and his ex-Foreign Legion bodyguard Alexander. They ice the world's No. 2 terrorist, but fail to discover the exact target of the next attack. Solving everything means clearing up some old mysteries in Sicily and returning to the panicked city of Las Vegas, where Michael's great white shark Assassino swims restlessly, waiting for the return of the high rollers. Cartoonish and silly. Agent: Rosie Buckman/The Buckman Agency

From the Publisher

"[This] spectacular ride, global in its dimensions, will enthrall all thrill seekers. Highly recommended." —-Library Journal