Rating: ★★★★★
Genre: Horror
Format: Paperback
Pages: 382
Read: 02/26/22
Amazon Synopsis:
EXTREME CONTENT WARNING!
This book contains scenes of extreme violence and sexual content. Do not purchase this book if you are easily offended or require trigger warnings!
Beginning in October, 2019, Steve Stred released three of the darkest, most depraved novellas – Ritual, COMMUNION, and Sacrament (**Nominated for a 2022 Splatterpunk Award for Best Novella!**).
These three novellas completed the ‘Father of Lies’ trilogy, telling the story of a disturbed man trying to open the cosmic gates and enter the Black Heavens to live forever. Inspired by Steve Stred’s research acquired while joining a real cult, the stories from the trilogy have already become favorites within the horror world.
Now, here for the first time, is the complete and definitive ‘The Complete Father of Lies Series.’
Featuring;
- All three novellas
- An exclusive foreword by Sonora Taylor
- An exclusive essay by cover artist Mason McDonald
- A bonus fourth story ‘Eucharist.’
- ‘The Battle Raged On and On’ essay from the author, answering reader questions about the trilogy
Review:
"I've come, it is your time. We must meld together. The time of ascension is upon us. The blood of necessity flows through one of you. Let us open the black heavens, let us corrupt each other and bring forth the tortured. You've been chosen."
Ritual: This is where the darkness begins. We are introduced to Brad, seemingly a somewhat normal person living a typical life. He is devoted to his religious beliefs and the Father. He believes by completing what is asked of him, he will be the chosen one. Father believes he will open the gates to Black Heaven and ascend into immortality.
(The darkness and depravity in the first installment is utterly disturbing. Not only the story that was crafted, but the vivid imagery and the graphic content. When a story has me commenting into the abyss with such statements as: Holy sh*t, Oh, that's disgusting, Wow, etc. I know that I am completely immersed and invested in what I am reading. I honestly had to take a couple of days before starting the second story. It was so chilling and creepy!)
Communion: Detective McKay is investigating the aftermath of the commune. As he is working to solve the mystery and uncover all the secrets of the cult, he becomes the newest chosen. Delving deeper into the back story of Father and his ambitions of reaching the Black Heavens.
(Darkness and depravity ensue as the acts upon humanity are doled out upon the followers of Father. He is merciless. The overall experience had the dread creeping in as the dark shadows from the blackness enter and the inclusion of gruesome imagery once again had me looking around corners, and shivering with anticipation.)
Sacrament: Fathers sordid ambitions are coming to its fruition.
"I stand before you, your Father, the chosen. I stand as the true vision of chaos and energy, of cosmic connection and hope. Come my children, return to our land."
Father has no remorse and he will stop at nothing to fulfill his vision of reaching the Black heavens and immortality. The acts he performs on himself and his flock are depravity personified.
"Before there was light, before there was dark, there was only chaos! Energy unharnessed, awaiting a destination. When the dust settled and the scorned have been eradicated, man, woman, and child shall stand shoulder-to-shoulder with hoof and horns."
(Religious beliefs, demons, and dark gods. Whispers from the dark and shadows creeping in are chilling. The unimaginable acts upon the followers filled my heart and soul with sorrow as the story unfolded and the ending came reaching up from the depths of dreadful darkness. It has been completed and there is no happiness, only darkness and ash!)
"Outside, beasts bellowed, creatures roared and the wayward souls screamed in terror."
This also includes a bonus novelette, "Eucharist" and the "Book of Lies".
All the afterwards included, added an enrichment and understanding of why Steve wrote this. It would not have been the same without them. He also answers readers most asked questions.
Just knowing the background of how and why this was written makes this even creepier!
An absolute gem!!
Goodreads Author Page:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/
Amazon Author Page:
https://www.amazon.com/Steve-Stred/e/
Review Links:
https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/
https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/
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