Review by Btowntheatregal -- Raven's Peak by Lincoln Cole
-
Btowntheatregal
- Posts: 30
- Joined: 05 Sep 2017, 13:47
- Currently Reading: Never Let Me Go
- Bookshelf Size: 151
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-btowntheatregal.html
- Latest Review: "Raven's Peak" by Lincoln Cole
Review by Btowntheatregal -- Raven's Peak by Lincoln Cole
[Following is a volunteer review of "Raven's Peak" by Lincoln Cole.]
3 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
Raven’s Peak by Lincoln Cole is a departure from my regular reading and I was unsure whether I would enjoy a book classified under the horror genre. This book is noted as the first book in the World on Fire series. Cole’s world is first introduced through the eyes of Arthur, an exiled reverend and former demon hunter. With his adopted daughter, Abigail, and two other Hunters missing, he is called upon once more to use his skills. While Abigail is ultimately safe, she has no memory of that day when Arthur came to find her. When her path crosses with a man by the name of Haatim, an unlikely partnership is formed; Hunter and non-Hunter finds themselves on a journey for personal truth and the truth behind the odd behaviors observed in the mountain town of Raven’s Peak.
I would rate Raven’s Peak 3 out of 4 stars. After my initial hesitation, I found myself quickly absorbed. What makes this book so absorbing and keeps the reader turning page after page is not just the world that Cole creates, but the time that he took for solid character development and his approach to revealing new bits of information. The one reason that I could not rate this book higher is because of editing issues. There are sentence structure, spelling and grammar errors throughout the book that need to be addressed.
The two main characters, Abigail and Haatim, come from complicated backgrounds and each has faced the harsh realities of life. Abigail, as a child, is saved from an abusive cult and brought up to be a strong, competent, and fierce Hunter. Haatim has just returned to the United States from India, fleeing the memories of the death of his sister and questioning his religious upbringing. While these two characters come from vastly different backgrounds, the chemistry they have as partners is undeniable. There are wonderful moments of wit and sarcasm. For example, Haatim makes it to Abigail right after she subdues a demon, to which she quips, “Glad you could make it.” It is these lighter moments that create balance in the darkness of this horror thriller.
Cole’s second strength is his ability to give the reader just enough information to get him/her by. Readers should be prepared for the hunt and be comfortable without having all of the information that is needed to piece the story together. Instead of a dump of information at the end of the book that explains all of your unanswered questions, bit by bit the reader learns more and more. The picture of the demons being fought becomes slightly clearer. The abilities and limitations of the Hunters come ever more into focus. Finally, what it means to be banished to hell takes on ever greater meaning. However, this is only book #1 and there are still plenty of nagging questions that will leave the reader ready to pick up book #2.
There are some sentence structure, spelling, and grammar issues along the way. While they are easy to forgive once you are immersed in the story, some additional editing is warranted. In one case, an extra word makes for an awkward sentence, “She was going to bring up his sister, which was something he didn’t want to talk about it with her.” In another case, it is the missing word that stands out with, “Like finding out what took him to make a deal with them.” Finally, the word ‘scattered’ at one point is spelled ‘scatted’.
Raven’s Peak is a book that I think will appeal to not only readers of the horror genre, but those who enjoy other science fiction and fantasy novels. I have no doubt that I will pick up Cole’s next book upon its release.
******
Raven's Peak
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like Btowntheatregal's review? Post a comment saying so!
3 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
Raven’s Peak by Lincoln Cole is a departure from my regular reading and I was unsure whether I would enjoy a book classified under the horror genre. This book is noted as the first book in the World on Fire series. Cole’s world is first introduced through the eyes of Arthur, an exiled reverend and former demon hunter. With his adopted daughter, Abigail, and two other Hunters missing, he is called upon once more to use his skills. While Abigail is ultimately safe, she has no memory of that day when Arthur came to find her. When her path crosses with a man by the name of Haatim, an unlikely partnership is formed; Hunter and non-Hunter finds themselves on a journey for personal truth and the truth behind the odd behaviors observed in the mountain town of Raven’s Peak.
I would rate Raven’s Peak 3 out of 4 stars. After my initial hesitation, I found myself quickly absorbed. What makes this book so absorbing and keeps the reader turning page after page is not just the world that Cole creates, but the time that he took for solid character development and his approach to revealing new bits of information. The one reason that I could not rate this book higher is because of editing issues. There are sentence structure, spelling and grammar errors throughout the book that need to be addressed.
The two main characters, Abigail and Haatim, come from complicated backgrounds and each has faced the harsh realities of life. Abigail, as a child, is saved from an abusive cult and brought up to be a strong, competent, and fierce Hunter. Haatim has just returned to the United States from India, fleeing the memories of the death of his sister and questioning his religious upbringing. While these two characters come from vastly different backgrounds, the chemistry they have as partners is undeniable. There are wonderful moments of wit and sarcasm. For example, Haatim makes it to Abigail right after she subdues a demon, to which she quips, “Glad you could make it.” It is these lighter moments that create balance in the darkness of this horror thriller.
Cole’s second strength is his ability to give the reader just enough information to get him/her by. Readers should be prepared for the hunt and be comfortable without having all of the information that is needed to piece the story together. Instead of a dump of information at the end of the book that explains all of your unanswered questions, bit by bit the reader learns more and more. The picture of the demons being fought becomes slightly clearer. The abilities and limitations of the Hunters come ever more into focus. Finally, what it means to be banished to hell takes on ever greater meaning. However, this is only book #1 and there are still plenty of nagging questions that will leave the reader ready to pick up book #2.
There are some sentence structure, spelling, and grammar issues along the way. While they are easy to forgive once you are immersed in the story, some additional editing is warranted. In one case, an extra word makes for an awkward sentence, “She was going to bring up his sister, which was something he didn’t want to talk about it with her.” In another case, it is the missing word that stands out with, “Like finding out what took him to make a deal with them.” Finally, the word ‘scattered’ at one point is spelled ‘scatted’.
Raven’s Peak is a book that I think will appeal to not only readers of the horror genre, but those who enjoy other science fiction and fantasy novels. I have no doubt that I will pick up Cole’s next book upon its release.
******
Raven's Peak
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like Btowntheatregal's review? Post a comment saying so!
Latest Review: "Raven's Peak" by Lincoln Cole
