Pentagrams by J.D. Allen

Rating: ★★★★★

Genre: Occult Horror

Format: Paperback

Pages: 487

Synopsis:

A young girl named Heaven struggles to survive on the cold, damp streets of foggy San Francisco with her dying mother who was kicked out of her family's home as a pregnant teenager after a miraculous Immaculate Conception.

Now, as a demon-summoning serial killer stalks young homeless girls in the City by the Bay, and a gang of teenaged, devil-worshipping thugs terrorize the denizens of the streets, Heaven and Hell clash in an unholy war over the soul of an angelic child.

With the help of a handsome priest and a dedicated homicide detective, Heaven stands toe to cloven-hoof against the evil entity that desires to possess her immortal soul. From the haunted piers of Fisherman’s Warf to the dark alleys of the skyscraper canyons, evil runs rampant.

Araziel is coming! Heaven help us!

Review:

"Evil feeds on the suffering and despair of the human spirit in torment."

Jango Death, a product of his upbringing, he longs for the acceptance and presence of the evil one. 

Detective Harwood, a good man working relentlessly to try to solve the murders that are occurring. Young, homeless girls with carvings of a Pentagram, showing the work of evil that stalks among them.

Little Heaven, a homeless 10 year old who loves her mama, both trying to survive the streets. When her mama dies, she is left alone, at which time her battle begins against not only the evils of the world, but an evil from the depths of beyond. 

Father Cherato, a man of faith struggling to stay strong in his beliefs. 

As their lives intertwine, they come to know their purpose in life. 

The battle has begun! Will good overcome evil and will faith and balance be restored?

"Help me return to your light."

In the beginning we are introduced to the main antagonist, a glimpse into his past life. We learn how difficult and unpleasant his upbringing was and the darkness that settles within him as he chooses the path of evil.

The character development was very well written as we are given a good understanding of each of their inner struggles, their strengths, and a foundation of things to be revealed as the story unfolds. 

We enter into a world of dark city streets where the homeless dwell and the evil feeds. Where the main protagonist begins her journey of survival. She is a child of angelic qualities, an endearing character, and one whom is easy to want to protect. Her strength and love leads her as she follows the path she has been given. She is "Heaven".

As it states on the cover, this is a novel of demonic possession. It is also religious horror and a battle between good and evil. Not one overshadows the other as there is a well written balance.

I personally enjoy possession horror/religious horror, so I really enjoyed reading this. 

A recommended read, but be prepared to walk beside Heaven because she will capture your heart and you will be rooting for her until the end. 

Goodreads Author Link:

https://www.goodreads.com/

Amazon Author Link:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/J.D.-Allen/author/

About the author

Born after midnight on the evening of Halloween, 1963, Joseph Dean Allen stalked the foggy enclaves of the San Francisco Bay Area, by moonlight, for much of his youth. Currently he haunts the rainy Pacific Northwest with his husband, Kyle, and the two gremlins, disguised as house cats, with whom they live.

Review Links:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/

https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/

Other books by J.D. Allen: