Review by Nyarlathotep -- Raven's Peak by Lincoln Cole
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Nyarlathotep
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- Latest Review: Raven's Peak by Lincoln Cole
Review by Nyarlathotep -- Raven's Peak by Lincoln Cole
[Following is a volunteer review of "Raven's Peak" by Lincoln Cole.]
3 out of 4 stars
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I have a preference for supernatural horror novels, but tend to shy away from modern fantasy horror as it seems to me to dilute the otherworldliness aspect somewhat by, for example, humanising the vampires, werewolves, demons or whatever.
Raven's Peak by Lincoln Cole could fit the above category but although there is a certain humanising aspect there is also a sense that the supernatural threat that the main characters face is overwhelmingly powerful and inhuman in aspect.
The book begins with a prologue that shows us a world where demons walk amoung us, hidden in posessed human bodies. A secret organisation called The Council is dedicated to hunting them down and sending them back to 'hell'.
Arthur, a reverand and council soldier makes the ultimate sacrifice to save his adopted daughter, Abigail Dressler, from the clutches of a powerful demon posessing her. Fast forward in time and we find Abigail has become a demon hunter herself. In the process of putting a stop to a minor demon she runs into a theology student, Haatim Arison, and the pair join forces to investigate the mysterious happenings in a town called Raven's peak.
While it is suggested that the demons are faith agnostic they have a distinctly biblical feel to them. There is also no reason given as such why these beings walk the earth beyond spreading pain and suffering. Mr Cole tries to offset this view somewhat by making Haatim a former Muslim who wrote a paper on the various simularities in all religions. However there is still a sense of religious bias throughout the book.
Abigail is a steryotypical warrior woman trained to fight evil but Haatim is an interesting character. We learn that he has lost his faith following the death of his sister due to cancer and he is skeptical from the outset. He behaves in very human and sometimes humerous ways to the events unfolding around him and comes across as the real hero of the story.
There are a few subplots going on aside from the main plot. There is Haatim's struggle with his faith and the love-hate relationship with his father. There's is Abigail's obsessive search to find out what happened to Arthur's soul and rescue him from hell. There is also the hint that there may be corruption within the Council.
Raven's Peak is book 1 of a series entitiled "World on Fire" and the Afterward definately sets the scene for book 2. Book 1 ends leaving a lot of loose ends so it can't be considered a complete story in it's own right.
I give Raven's Peak 3 out of 4 stars. Its a very good and enjoyable read. It is fast paced and never dull. The characterisation is good and the plot, although a little stereotypical is engaging and well structured.
******
Raven's Peak
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3 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
I have a preference for supernatural horror novels, but tend to shy away from modern fantasy horror as it seems to me to dilute the otherworldliness aspect somewhat by, for example, humanising the vampires, werewolves, demons or whatever.
Raven's Peak by Lincoln Cole could fit the above category but although there is a certain humanising aspect there is also a sense that the supernatural threat that the main characters face is overwhelmingly powerful and inhuman in aspect.
The book begins with a prologue that shows us a world where demons walk amoung us, hidden in posessed human bodies. A secret organisation called The Council is dedicated to hunting them down and sending them back to 'hell'.
Arthur, a reverand and council soldier makes the ultimate sacrifice to save his adopted daughter, Abigail Dressler, from the clutches of a powerful demon posessing her. Fast forward in time and we find Abigail has become a demon hunter herself. In the process of putting a stop to a minor demon she runs into a theology student, Haatim Arison, and the pair join forces to investigate the mysterious happenings in a town called Raven's peak.
While it is suggested that the demons are faith agnostic they have a distinctly biblical feel to them. There is also no reason given as such why these beings walk the earth beyond spreading pain and suffering. Mr Cole tries to offset this view somewhat by making Haatim a former Muslim who wrote a paper on the various simularities in all religions. However there is still a sense of religious bias throughout the book.
Abigail is a steryotypical warrior woman trained to fight evil but Haatim is an interesting character. We learn that he has lost his faith following the death of his sister due to cancer and he is skeptical from the outset. He behaves in very human and sometimes humerous ways to the events unfolding around him and comes across as the real hero of the story.
There are a few subplots going on aside from the main plot. There is Haatim's struggle with his faith and the love-hate relationship with his father. There's is Abigail's obsessive search to find out what happened to Arthur's soul and rescue him from hell. There is also the hint that there may be corruption within the Council.
Raven's Peak is book 1 of a series entitiled "World on Fire" and the Afterward definately sets the scene for book 2. Book 1 ends leaving a lot of loose ends so it can't be considered a complete story in it's own right.
I give Raven's Peak 3 out of 4 stars. Its a very good and enjoyable read. It is fast paced and never dull. The characterisation is good and the plot, although a little stereotypical is engaging and well structured.
******
Raven's Peak
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like Nyarlathotep's review? Post a comment saying so!
Latest Review: Raven's Peak by Lincoln Cole
