The Raven (The Raven, #1)

by Jonathan Janz

“If you’re searching the horror horizon for a dark star, your next must-read, the silhouette you see coming your way is Jonathan Janz." - Josh Malerman, New York Times best selling author of Bird Box and Malorie

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?

FLAME TREE PRESS is the new fiction imprint of Flame Tree Publishing. Launched in 2018 the list brings together brilliant new authors and the more established; the award winners, and exciting, original voices.

• ISBN10: 178758528X
• ISBN13: 9781787585287
• Publish Date: 8 September 2020
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Imprint: Flame Tree Press
• Edition: New edition
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 256
• Language: English

Reviews

[zooloo1983]

This may be a ranting review because Mr Janz what are you doing to me!!! I really bloody hope there is another book and you know maybe a third or a fourth! I was enjoying the book, it was intense there at the end and then…then…bam…Acknowledgements. Now I checked my kindle just in case I was missing something, check my book to see if I was missing pages or anything had come loose. I text Kate (Portable Magic) to ask if it was the same for her. I can’t repeat what I said to her afterwards, it’s too spoiler territory but she did laugh at me. I howled at the moon in despair, wait what?! But no bottom line is, I had the complete book and ebook, I’m not missing anything. My other conclusion is that Mr Janz has finished the book and maybe it cut off at the printers? Or he forgot to send that bit to the publishers? I can come up with many theories here but none of this detracts what a wild ride this book is!

Now everyone who is anyone in my little bubble knows that this author, the legend that he is, is my go-to for all things spooky and gory. This is most definitely the gory side of things, I did also make the mistake of starting this book on my lunch break. Now nothing normally puts me off my food, ever, but this book well I might have felt slightly queasy, so that is an accomplishment there! I mean if flayed penises are your thing at lunchtime come on over and join the crew.

The worrying thing about The Raven is I have always a small fear about books and films about a chemical that can make people into zombies, carry the virus which makes them crazy, you know the everyday world we are living in now!! So when this book pops up, I don’t read the blurb, don’t need to, but man this book could be just as real as any other romance or thriller we read. This is a lab-based virus which wipes people out, and then others with “junk” DNA can turn in to a whole array of mystical creatures it’s astounding. Something I think could happen now! I mean hello Resident Evil, Covid?

I have so many theories with this book but I can’t share them here for the fear of spoiling but if you read it and want to discuss feel free to message me! I have theories behind why he is called The Raven. I have theories about the Edgar Allen Poe poem mentioned in the book. I have a theory about the entire book! But these are theories, let’s talk about the book!

This book is one heck of a gruesome, Walking Dead kinda vibe. Think Neagan and you have Keaton, only not as hot. You have to have a bad guy, and this guy is as bad as they come, remember the penis comment, well thank him! I found it fascinating the combination of the supernatural creatures in a community. We have everything you can think of and then you have the Latents, the no supernatural abilities whatsoever which add an extra spice to the book. It is a tale of man, Dez, seeking revenge, best kind and well things don’t always work out how you expect them. So much blood, guts and gore you will be sliding all over the place, just how it’s meant to be in Shadeland. Yes, we are back there again and I love it! This place is like Maine in a King book, just don’t ever go there!!

I haven’t even spoken about the main characters or any characters really. I don’t think I will, I think you should meet them yourself. They all have their own story for you to hear plus they tell it better than me. Just make sure you listen closely.

I feel like I had some sort of weird trippy drug trip with this book. There is so much going on in such few pages. Still, with its homage to a Richard Laymon book, it packs quite a few punches. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Even though my mojo has gone on holiday, I know that a Janz book is one that will pick me up straight away. I mean how long is this review!!

Bottom line, I want more of the Raven and I want more of Janz’ stories! Win-win really! Janz has all the magic of a horror book, the tension, the backstory, the girl, enough to keep you on hanging on the hook demanding more (have I done that enough!?). He powers through you with all of this and he leaves you with the taste of blood in your mouth and a need for more.

[Inkslinger]

ARC provided by Flame Tree Press and Jonathan Janz via Random Things Tours. All opinions are mine and freely given.

 

09-09: 'The Raven' by Jonathan Janz is a gritty, post-apocalyptic story that follows the path of Dez McClane.  

Considered a Latent, in the days after the event some call The Shift, he's a man with no special abilities trying to survive in a world full of mythological monsters.  

 

Having believed mankind to be barreling toward the ultimate nuclear stand-off which would result in human extinction, a group of geneticists discover that werewolves, vampires, witches, satyrs, and many other creatures of legend.. really were once real. Additionally, they realize the genetic strands for these creatures are still present in human DNA, lying dormant.. and hatch a plan to trigger their re-emergence into the world.

 

Picking up about 2 years after the scientists make their move, the opening pages explain that the event has resulted in the deaths of most humans anyway and the transformation of others into nightmarish monsters of lore.  

 

Janz has written a well-paced horror novel with plenty of page-turning action. From the get go, Dez's situation is dire and it really never lets up. He's survived, but lost a lot along the way. Not just those he loves, but also any real sense of self-worth due to the guilt he carries and the notion their deaths were his failures.

 

Despite the every human for themselves circumstance, he manages to be pragmatic.. while not really giving up hope. Constantly on the move, both to avoid predators and in search of someone he's determined to help, he runs across some of the nastiest antagonists you can imagine. Not all of whom are what one might expect.

 

Though the journey is mostly that of a lone wolf type character and the monsters far more varied, both genetically and psychologically, the story feels heavily inspired by The Walking Dead. Likely, if you enjoyed either the comics or the tv series, you'll also enjoy this.  

 

It boasts a broad base of supporting characters strewn throughout the story.. some I liked and some I didn't. The author did a fantastic job of picking and choosing those for me, as some of the worst felt absolutely unredeemable, and some of the best.. still gave me conflict in many cases. Enough so, that I.. like the protagonist.. found myself scrutinizing even those who seemed to have good intentions.

 

All in all, it's a very fun read. The world is a brutal one, so if you're bothered by gore or references to intimate violence, you might steer clear. Otherwise, it's worth a read.

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