Fearing that mankind is heading toward nuclear extinction, a group of geneticists unleash a plot to save the world. They’ve discovered that mythological creatures such as werewolves, vampires, witches, and satyrs were once real, and that these monstrous genetic strands are still present in human DNA. These radical scientists unleash the bestial side of human beings that had been dormant for eons, and within months, most people are dead, and bloodthirsty creatures rule the earth. Despite the fact that Dez McClane has no special powers, he is determined to atone for the lives he couldn’t save and to save the woman he loves. But how long can a man survive in a world full of monsters?
Title: The Raven | Author: Jonathon Janz | Publisher: Flame Tree Press| Pub. Date: 8th of September, 2020 | Pages: 256 | ISBN13: 978-1787585287 | Genre: Horror| Language: English | Source: Received from NetGalley for review consideration | Starred Review
The Raven by Jonathon Janz Book Review
As soon as I finished this book, I jumped on my computer to write the review. There’s so much to love about this book, and I couldn’t wait to share! I picked this novel because Janz hasn’t disappointed me in the past, and his record remains in tact. Jonathon Janz creates a post-apocalyptic world where a group of rouge scientists caused the evolution of vampires, werewolves, cannibals and monsters. Society has unraveled. The few humans without supernatural abilities are forced into hiding, but most end up as a cannibal’s lunch.
Enter our hero, Dez. Dez used to be an ordinary suburban dad, but he’s adapted to the new world with the help of a crossbow and the deep seeded desire to avenge his loved ones. This makes him a relatable and formidable protagonists and creates empathy between his situation and the reader. He must battle both the physical demons and the emotional demons that haunt his every move.
There’s tons of gore splattering the pages of this fast-paced horror adventure. Visceral descriptions suck readers into the nightmare of this unforgiving world; however the plot allows for the examination of common social issues such as classism (those with special abilities live better and safer lives then those without) and how fear causes otherwise good people to act immorally.
The ending leaves room for a series, which I hope develops. There are questions unanswered and characters I want to learn more about, but I left feeling entertained. If you’re interested in a unique world of monster villains and don’t mind gore in your horror books, this is the read for you!
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Nico Bell is a horror and science fiction writer. Her work has appeared in The Second Corona Book of Horror Stories, Drabbledark Anthology and Horror Tree’s Trembling with Fear. She joined the Coolthulhu Crew in May 2018.