Review by Amber Nichole -- Raven's Peak by Lincoln Cole

[Amber Nichole]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Raven's Peak" by Lincoln Cole.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Raven’s Peak, written by Lincoln Cole, is the first book in a suspenseful dark urban-fantasy series where demons roam the earth and Hunters, under the instruction of the Council, are sent to exterminate them. Abigail, rescued by a man named Arthur at a young age from a cult known as the Ninth Circle, finds herself possessed. Arthur takes leave of his self-imprisonment to save her once again but is abducted by the demon in the process. Several months later, Abigail continues her work as a Hunter while also using her skills to locate her missing mentor, against the orders of the Council. It is during this mission she meets Haatim, a college graduate struggling with his faith, his family, and the death of his sister. Given an assignment by a strange man to follow Abigail, Haatim discovers a world he struggles to accept and in which he is involved in ways he could never have imagined. Together, Abigail and Haatim venture to Raven’s Peak in search of the answers to all their questions. They just have to make it there alive.

Raven’s Peak is a fast-paced adventure. Relationships are quickly established and the troubles faced by Abigail and Haatim are resolved only immediately before the onset of new challenges arrives. Author Lincoln Cole manages to handle these transitions almost seamlessly. Readers aren’t left displaced through the constant shift of situations but are instead allowed to follow the journey as it occurs in an appreciatively organic manner. While the world of Raven’s Peak establishes a reality partially different from our own, the world itself is designed in such a way that it creates a genuine and immersive experience.

The characters are well-rounded, though they initially may appear to fall within specific stereotypes. Frieda, Abigail’s superior, is a typical done-by-the-book, strict operative of the Council. Yet while she maintains some reservations about Abigail, Frieda still expresses sincere respect for her and a willingness to defy Council regulation, though always with hesitation. As one of the primary characters of the novel, Abigail at first takes on the role of the all-powerful but emotionally distant heroine. Lincoln Cole has created in her, however, a refreshing take on the archetype. Unlike many heroines, Abigail does not emotionally collapse under the fatigue of her battle and thus does not elect Haatim as her savior, though she does require his help throughout their mission. Instead, she is able to hold her own physically and emotionally, forging a genuine relationship with her companion and confronting her own ideas of right and wrong in the process. Haatim, meanwhile, is originally thrust into the position of being Abigail’s ignorant sidekick at the solidification of his role in the tale. Though understandably he requires time to adjust to the new reality with which he has been confronted, Haatim adjusts appropriately and becomes a beneficial member of the operation.o

The theme religious faith, especially frequent Christian references, is heavily present in Raven’s Peak, but that should not dissuade readers of different religious beliefs or who are atheist from enjoying this riveting literary experience. The lore of Raven’s Peak is more complex than it may initially appear. Abigail clarifies to Haatim in one instance that while she refers to the creatures which they hunt as demons, that is merely her interpretation of them -- shaped by her time spent with Arthur, a practicing Catholic -- and many other supernatural creatures exist alongside these demons, though far fewer in numbers. In fact, Raven’s Peak seems to work to redefine the concept of faith, demonstrating that belief of all kinds can be powerful. Haatim utilizes his knowledge of various religious faiths to assist Abigail, including the faith of his and his family’s religion: Hindu. Ultimately, the message Lincole Cole appears to be delivering through his telling of Raven’s Peak is that it is our faith in ourselves and in morality that give us strength.

I give Raven’s Peak a rating of 4 out of 4 stars. While my initial perception of the novel was that the story was too fast-paced for my interests and that some of the characters were one-dimensional, I began to feel differently as I read further. The events of the story flow smoothly. The characters become more distinct. The lore of the book is one that is relatable to readers, whether we currently believe in a higher power or whether we once believed as children in the monsters that hid under our beds and in our closets. Less literally, the demons written by Lincoln Cole depict the darkest sides of humanity, and it is through Abigail and Haatim that we are reminded the importance of facing these dark sides and conquering them, even when the costs of doing so are fierce. Raven’s Peak is definitely a book for those who are interested in supernatural thrillers, but I would also recommend this to readers who enjoy dissecting the psychological processes of individuals and institutions. It is very much a think-piece that will leave you not only wondering what will happen in the next installation but also contemplating the events that already occurred.

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Raven's Peak
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