Reviewed by: Sooz
Genre: Fantasy/Paranormal
Approximate word count: 130-135,000 words
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Author:
H.W. Taft “lives in Liverpool,
England with her husband, three kids and a one-eyed rescue cat.”
Description:
Michael
Thane is running out of time in Gehenna and he slowly feels humanity slipping
away from him. While in Gehenna he has a second chance at redemption, he feels
there is no hope for him until he meets Elizabeth. The two of them go on the
run and set out to clear Michael’s name in the vicious murders of several
women.
Appraisal:
What if
when you died you didn’t go straight to Hell (if the option wasn’t Heaven just
yet)? What if those that died got a second chance in the after life to make
things right and get a pass through the pearly, white gates?
The
residents of Gehenna (and other parts of purgatory) have that opportunity. It’s
not easy because despair, heartache and ruin run rampant in Gehenna, and most
wind up as feral vampires as the disease slowly takes over their bodies.
Michael
feels the beginning stages of being a vampire after spending centuries in
Gehenna. One fateful night, he finds Elizabeth who wakes up in the wrong part
of town where feral vampires find new humans tasty morsels. Michael saves her,
but sacrifice is not one of his attributes, and it’s something neither one of
them forgets.
Michael becomes
the only suspect in a string of murders. Against her will, Elizabeth helps him
only to learn he didn’t actually do it despite the evidence stacked up.
The concept
of Gehenna was interesting. Redemption is still possible, but so is death – a final
death. H.W. Taft also did a great job of creating a fearful villain in
Michael’s father, Gabriel. His tortures were enough to make the reader feel
uncomfortable – but only in a good way.
One issue I
had – and it may just be an issue with me – is that too many movies and books
have the main characters fall in love very quickly after going through a couple
of stressful situations. What ever happened to just being attracted to someone?
Does it always have to be about love?
So the love
story just felt rushed.
Alas, in
Gehenna love, however, is an important element because the path to redemption
is paved with it.
While
Gehenna was an enjoyable read, it did feel as though it ran a bit too long.
Cutting down on some of the scenes and the circular arguments by the main
characters throughout the first half of the novel could have made for a tidier
read.
There were
certain fun elements to the mystery behind the murders that were pinned on
Michael such as who is actually pulling the strings, and realizing there is a
much bigger world while most of the time it was focused on Gehenna. Taft could
certainly have other stories that take place in this world without it getting
stale.
Format/Typo Issues:
No
significant issues.
Rating: **** Four Stars
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