3 out of 4 stars
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Brace yourself for a world filled with the stuff of nightmares in Raven’s Peak, a dark paranormal tale that brings together the elements of horror and urban fantasy. The book opens on a prison cell where the reclusive Reverend Arthur Vangeest has voluntarily called home for the last five years, but his isolation is about to come to an end as his services as a demon hunter are required once again. A former apprentice of his named Abigail has gone missing, and Arthur winds up following her trail to an abandoned church in the mountains where he finds the young woman possessed by a demon. Sacrificing himself to save Abigail, Arthur willingly allows his soul to be banished to Hell.
Now, months later, Abigail has recovered enough to rejoin the fight against evil, but she has not forgotten how her mentor had saved her life. While on a demon slaying assignment in Arizona, she chances upon some information regarding Arthur’s whereabouts, and in the process also gains a new ally in the form of Haatim Arison, a recent graduate of Theology who has lost his faith. Together, the two of them embark on a cross-country journey full of danger and uncertainty, battling all kinds of demonic threats until their quest leads them to a final showdown in the secluded town called Raven’s Peak.
The highlight of this book for me was the atmosphere. I loved Lincoln Cole’s detailed world-building and his descriptions of the places featured in this story. From Reverend Arthur Vangeest’s jail cell to the flooded tunnels beneath an old mining town, the overall mood was steeped with a sense of foreboding and dread. In some of the book’s darker moments, when faced with tragedy or the macabre, I even found myself shuddering at the chilling imagery.
I also enjoyed the two main characters, Abigail and Haatim. The differences in their backgrounds resulted in a fascinating dynamic. One is an experienced demon hunter who has been exposed to the world of the supernatural ever since she was a little girl, while the other is a student of religion who has been kept in the dark about his family’s role in the war against demons his whole life. And yet, despite their disparate circumstances, Abigail and Haatim have more in common than they realize. Both are feeling lost and a little adrift, trying to find their own way. Having just lost his little sister to cancer, Haatim is angry and feeling betrayed by God, and Abigail is still trying to come to terms with what happened to her during her demonic possession, dealing with the trauma by going rogue. The two of them are reluctant to work with each other at first, but gradually their strained partnership gives way to a stronger bond of trust and cooperation.
However, the one criticism I would level at this novel is the story’s uneven pacing. There were some amazing action sequences in this book, but often, they came at the expense of opportunities to explore the characters on a deeper and more personal level. Haatim and Abigail’s emotional responses to their circumstances felt glossed over on numerous occasions, making the narrative feel rushed at some of the most pivotal moments. I also thought the ending wrapped up a little too easily and quickly, but otherwise the conclusion was well-written with room for future conflicts and adventures in the sequel.
Overall, I would rate Raven’s Peak 3 out of 4 stars. Some pacing issues notwithstanding, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and thought it was a riveting read. If you like paranormal fiction with a heavy dose of horror and heart-pounding action, I highly recommend giving this book your attention.
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Raven's Peak
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