Review by Akach -- Raven's Peak by Lincoln Cole
Posted: 01 Oct 2017, 08:01
[Following is a volunteer review of "Raven's Peak" by Lincoln Cole.]
3 out of 4 stars
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Telekinesis, demons, resilient demon hunters and highspeed action. If this kind of stuff catches your fancy then you will not be able to put down Raven’s Peak, a work of fiction by Lincoln Cole.
The book is divided into three major sections: a prologue, the main story, and an epilogue. Uniquely, it has an interlude in the middle of the story which acts as comic relief and tones down the tension built in the previous chapters.
The epilogue, though I found it rather long, is a story by itself. It introduces us to Arthur, the archdemon hunter who for undisclosed reasons is incarcerated in an unknown destination built in the bowels of the earth.
He gets to see the world for the last time, when Frieda, his handler and a member of the council that battles with demon threats, feels that he is the only person who can deal with a demon that has held three girls hostage. He develops the theme of self-sacrifice, which runs through the entire novel, when he sacrifices his life to banish the demon and free the girls.
The main story introduces us to Abigail, Arthur’s foster daughter, also a demon hunter, and her desire to find answers about the demon that took her father. Besides we are introduced to Haatim. He holds a Masters in Religion but is jobless. George, who works for demons and wishes one to occupy Haatim’s body, draws him into the world of demons, and he later becomes Abigail’s sidekick in the fight against demons.
The title of the novel, Raven’s Peak derives from a town which is the scene of an epic battle between man and the demon Belphegor.
Abigail who is trained for her part comes across as a realistic character. Haatim, who is completely unprepared for his part, constantly leaves the audience with a feeling that he is a victim of circumstances. However, both of them clearly develop the theme of self-sacrifice beautifully.
The language of the novel is good but a few grammar errors if corrected would gift us with a perfect novel. On page 107 we have this sentence: “With social media things like this should be impossible keep hidden.” The omission of the word ‘to’ before the verb 'keep' ruins the sentence. Further, on page 117 the conversation between Abigail and Sara, one of the little girls Arthur had saved from the demon that took him:
“It’s a special crystal. Would you mind looking at it for a while longer?”
“Sure. What does it do?”
The answer sure is the same as yes, yet she goes ahead to look at the crystal. The right answer to would you mind should have been no if she was interested in the action required of her.
On page 197, I took issue with the grammar of this sentence: “He placed a hand on the boy’s forehead and starting chanting in Latin”. The verb place and start should be in the same tense so it should read “and started to chant”.
I rate the book 3 out of 4 stars. It is a good story powerfully told. I did not give it 4 stars because of the few grammar slips in it. It is however very entertaining and I would encourage you to read it even if you do not like demon stories because the self-sacrifice theme that runs through the novel is a virtue that everyone should embrace.
******
Raven's Peak
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like Akach's review? Post a comment saying so!
3 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
Telekinesis, demons, resilient demon hunters and highspeed action. If this kind of stuff catches your fancy then you will not be able to put down Raven’s Peak, a work of fiction by Lincoln Cole.
The book is divided into three major sections: a prologue, the main story, and an epilogue. Uniquely, it has an interlude in the middle of the story which acts as comic relief and tones down the tension built in the previous chapters.
The epilogue, though I found it rather long, is a story by itself. It introduces us to Arthur, the archdemon hunter who for undisclosed reasons is incarcerated in an unknown destination built in the bowels of the earth.
He gets to see the world for the last time, when Frieda, his handler and a member of the council that battles with demon threats, feels that he is the only person who can deal with a demon that has held three girls hostage. He develops the theme of self-sacrifice, which runs through the entire novel, when he sacrifices his life to banish the demon and free the girls.
The main story introduces us to Abigail, Arthur’s foster daughter, also a demon hunter, and her desire to find answers about the demon that took her father. Besides we are introduced to Haatim. He holds a Masters in Religion but is jobless. George, who works for demons and wishes one to occupy Haatim’s body, draws him into the world of demons, and he later becomes Abigail’s sidekick in the fight against demons.
The title of the novel, Raven’s Peak derives from a town which is the scene of an epic battle between man and the demon Belphegor.
Abigail who is trained for her part comes across as a realistic character. Haatim, who is completely unprepared for his part, constantly leaves the audience with a feeling that he is a victim of circumstances. However, both of them clearly develop the theme of self-sacrifice beautifully.
The language of the novel is good but a few grammar errors if corrected would gift us with a perfect novel. On page 107 we have this sentence: “With social media things like this should be impossible keep hidden.” The omission of the word ‘to’ before the verb 'keep' ruins the sentence. Further, on page 117 the conversation between Abigail and Sara, one of the little girls Arthur had saved from the demon that took him:
“It’s a special crystal. Would you mind looking at it for a while longer?”
“Sure. What does it do?”
The answer sure is the same as yes, yet she goes ahead to look at the crystal. The right answer to would you mind should have been no if she was interested in the action required of her.
On page 197, I took issue with the grammar of this sentence: “He placed a hand on the boy’s forehead and starting chanting in Latin”. The verb place and start should be in the same tense so it should read “and started to chant”.
I rate the book 3 out of 4 stars. It is a good story powerfully told. I did not give it 4 stars because of the few grammar slips in it. It is however very entertaining and I would encourage you to read it even if you do not like demon stories because the self-sacrifice theme that runs through the novel is a virtue that everyone should embrace.
******
Raven's Peak
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like Akach's review? Post a comment saying so!