Wednesday, June 26, 2024

Blood Covenant by Alan Baxter














Genre: Horror

Format: eBook

Pages: 281

Rating: ★★★★★

Synopsis:

What should have been a breeze of a bank heist for James Glenn and his crew goes violently wrong, forcing them to flee, blood-stained and angry. They stumble onto a remote lodge that doesn’t open for another month—a perfect place to lie low until the heat’s off.
Except it’s occupied.
The Moore family, just arrived to prepare for the season, are taken hostage by the criminals, but not without bloodshed. And when blood gets spilled, something ancient notices. Something malevolent. Something ravenous.
Their only hope is the youngest Moore, teenager Rueben, outside and unseen when James and his gang arrive. It’s up to Rueben to get help and save his family, but the influence of the ancient evil is taking a toll on him as well…

Review:

"The world was black and filled with blood."

When a bank robbery has gone off the rails, the four involved must now make some of the hardest choices of their lives. Decisions are made that not all agree upon, but the driving force of the group has control and will stop at nothing to save his own skin. As one of their lives are hanging in the balance between life and death, the tension rises between them. Seeking refuge, they come upon a remote lodge where they believe they can hide out for a while, but they discover there are people already there which complicates the plan. 

The Moore's have arrived to open the lodge for the season. Excited for family time and preparation, they are ready to get started. But their plans are upended when an unlikely crew arrives, setting in motion a string of events that will change the lives of all present. Everyone is now fighting to survive. 

There is something hidden deep within the darkness. It has been stirred from its deep slumber and it is arising. It hungers and it must feed.

There is a lot that is unpacked in this suspenseful, supernatural, horror story. Multiple characters, an ancient evil, flashbacks, and gifts of sight. Crime, family bonds, death, and grief. Steeped in dark, graphic imagery and non-stop fight for survival, there isn't a moment of letting up on the excitement of wanting to know what was going to occur next. The Moore family is so endearing, I was routing for their survival and felt their heartbreak as lives were lost. Felt the fear that was creeping in as the dreadful darkness was returning from its slumber ready to feed from the victims and rise from the depths of its ancient slumber. 

Action, murder, sacrifice, tension, and lots of bloody moments. I was captivated throughout the whole story. 

This one is a top 10 contender of the year! I loved it! 

*I did receive an advanced reader copy in eBook form from Cemetery Dance, so a very kind thank you, it is always very much appreciated. I am expecting a paperback copy arriving from the Cemetery Dance Trade Paperback Book Club.

Goodreads Author Link:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show

Amazon Author Link:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Alan-Baxter

Author Website Link:

https://alanbaxter.com.au/


About the author

Alan Baxter is a multi-award-winning author of horror, supernatural thrillers and dark fantasy liberally mixed with crime, mystery and noir. This Is Horror podcast calls him “Australia’s master of literary darkness” and the Talking Scared podcast dubbed him “The Lord of Weird Australia.” He’s also a martial artist, a whisky-soaked swear monkey, and dog lover. He creates dark, weird stories among dairy paddocks on the beautiful south coast of NSW, Australia, where he lives with his family and other animals.

Publisher Website:

https://www.cemeterydance.com/








Review Links:

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

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

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