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Engelstatt
Evil is waking up...
On the surface, the mountain town of Engelstatt, Austria is picture-perfect. It offers guests stunning views, fresh air, and the chance to experience an Alpine village untouched by time. For university student Jacob Liro, a school shooting survivor and aspiring artist, it is the perfect place to spend spring break with his classmates and a chance to hit the reset button on his life. What Jacob and his class don’t know is that beneath its fairy-tale facade, something sinister lies in wait in the salt mines below the town—and horrors from Engelstatt’s Nazi past threaten not only their lives and their sanity, but the entire world.
On the surface, the mountain town of Engelstatt, Austria is picture-perfect. It offers guests stunning views, fresh air, and the chance to experience an Alpine village untouched by time. For university student Jacob Liro, a school shooting survivor and aspiring artist, it is the perfect place to spend spring break with his classmates and a chance to hit the reset button on his life. What Jacob and his class don’t know is that beneath its fairy-tale facade, something sinister lies in wait in the salt mines below the town—and horrors from Engelstatt’s Nazi past threaten not only their lives and their sanity, but the entire world.
274 pages, Hardcover
First published March 28, 2023
87 people are currently reading
332 people want to read
About the author
Samuel Church
5 books14 followersSamuel Church is an award winning author and filmmaker who was born in Bitburg, Germany, and grew up there, in England, and in the USA. He currently resides in New York City and has a fondness for horror and anything strange, a quality that must run in his blood since his family owns and runs an oddities shop in Savannah, Georgia.
After graduating from film school, Samuel found himself bouncing back and forth between working on reality ghost hunting TV shows, feature films, and narrative TV, and he now writes and develops his own creative projects.
After graduating from film school, Samuel found himself bouncing back and forth between working on reality ghost hunting TV shows, feature films, and narrative TV, and he now writes and develops his own creative projects.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
May 3, 2023
An effective horror thriller that gripped me right from the first page.
June 16, 2023
I honestly did not think I would’ve liked this book as much as I did! It was like nothing I’ve ever read. Excellent concept and pacing. The folklore and news experts were a lot of fun.
The audiobook narrator was phenomenal! His German and his different character voices added so much to the story.
The audiobook narrator was phenomenal! His German and his different character voices added so much to the story.
January 28, 2024
I LOVED this book. I was on the edge of my seat guessing what would happen next the entire read. As I kept trying to guess, I was always wrong. I was encaptured by the story, it felt more like I was watching a movie rather than reading a book. Samuel Church is a new author for me, and honestly I can not wait to read more from him. This book was brilliant. It hit angles from historical aspects, PTSD, and horror all in one. You MUST put this on your TBR. I promise you will not regret it.
April 22, 2023
I truly enjoyed this intriguing meld of folk horror with one of the great horrors of modernity. Beautifully written and handled so that it avoid feelings of exploitation while dealing with a boogeyman who could have easily driven it in that direction.
May 3, 2023
If I could give this book 10 stars I absolutely would! I loved everything about this book-
* characters so well developed they seem like people you know and care about
* a truly original story! I haven't read anything like this
* good historical fiction based on sound research
* easy- to- read writing style that is next to impossible to put down
* fabulous slow burn
This book gets you hooked on the first page.
It slowly and very methodically, step by step, builds the background, introduces you to the players, and develops the action.
I found that the police reports spliced into the action really enhance the story, giving you a bit of necessary information or a peek at what's to come, creating delicious suspense!
Fantastic story and I can't wait to see what Samuel Church gives us next!
**I would like to thank the author for providing me a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**
* characters so well developed they seem like people you know and care about
* a truly original story! I haven't read anything like this
* good historical fiction based on sound research
* easy- to- read writing style that is next to impossible to put down
* fabulous slow burn
This book gets you hooked on the first page.
It slowly and very methodically, step by step, builds the background, introduces you to the players, and develops the action.
I found that the police reports spliced into the action really enhance the story, giving you a bit of necessary information or a peek at what's to come, creating delicious suspense!
Fantastic story and I can't wait to see what Samuel Church gives us next!
**I would like to thank the author for providing me a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**
May 4, 2023
Engelstatt by Samuel Church
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
"Blackness: utter, infinite, abyssal. Nothing but an infinite space without end, unyielding, unfeeling. Out of the rushing darkness came the cracking sound again. The sickening crackle of bone breaking, of precious, sacred life ending."
Engelstatt is a gripping debut novel by Samuel Church; blending historical fiction with horror in what I can only describe as refreshing. I really enjoyed the tasteful use of folk lore, interviews, and news clippings interspersed throughout the narrative to add depth and unique transitions.
If you're looking for a fun, fast paced story that explores a compelling "what if" scenario then this one might be for you!
It's a 5 ⭐ read for me. I absolutely loved it and I hope you will too!
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
"Blackness: utter, infinite, abyssal. Nothing but an infinite space without end, unyielding, unfeeling. Out of the rushing darkness came the cracking sound again. The sickening crackle of bone breaking, of precious, sacred life ending."
Engelstatt is a gripping debut novel by Samuel Church; blending historical fiction with horror in what I can only describe as refreshing. I really enjoyed the tasteful use of folk lore, interviews, and news clippings interspersed throughout the narrative to add depth and unique transitions.
If you're looking for a fun, fast paced story that explores a compelling "what if" scenario then this one might be for you!
It's a 5 ⭐ read for me. I absolutely loved it and I hope you will too!
April 17, 2023
This book was so good! It’s really fast-paced and intense. I loved the addition of the excerpts of files from the Special Crimes Unit, it really added to the growing dread even when the book was starting out slow and peaceful. This was a spectacular work of cult horror and I highly recommend it.
(Thank you to Samuel Church for gifting me a free review copy in exchange for my honest review)
(Thank you to Samuel Church for gifting me a free review copy in exchange for my honest review)
May 2, 2023
This was an immersive book. It’s a combination of MidSommar, Grimm Brothers, & Nazi cults. Great character building & horrifying deaths. The ending had good closure but still left a little mystery
May 11, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🤩
This story itself is so original - I've honestly never read much others like it! this is so interesting i could have easily devoured it in one sitting, but I wanted to enjoy it.
Mr. Church, your writing style is so captivating. The metaphors you use to paint the scenes blow me away!
This is a very fast-paced blend of thriller/horror and historical fiction.. I wish I could read it all over again for the first time.
I was given Engelstatt by Samuel Church and just got to finishing it (finally after putting it off for a bit not wanting it to end 😅). Thank you so much for the book!! It was amazing!!!
I cannot wait to read more of your work!
This story itself is so original - I've honestly never read much others like it! this is so interesting i could have easily devoured it in one sitting, but I wanted to enjoy it.
Mr. Church, your writing style is so captivating. The metaphors you use to paint the scenes blow me away!
This is a very fast-paced blend of thriller/horror and historical fiction.. I wish I could read it all over again for the first time.
I was given Engelstatt by Samuel Church and just got to finishing it (finally after putting it off for a bit not wanting it to end 😅). Thank you so much for the book!! It was amazing!!!
I cannot wait to read more of your work!
May 28, 2023
The beautiful cover and the captivating foreward had me prepped for a good time.
We follow Jacob Liro, a school shooting survivor, who's luck had not yet turned. An opportunity to study abroad with his classmates arose. Engelstatt. Charming, tranquil, heavenly?
Jake, while haunted by his past traumas, is transposed in a foreign environment where not only the culture and language are disorienting, but the small town where he is located starts to feel strange. Is he experiencing culture shock, or is there really something going on?
The story is spliced with dated news excerpts hinting or adding information related to the story.
I found the beginning very dialog driven, a bit too purposeful, but after a few pages, the author hits his stride, and the story gains focus. I enjoyed the writing of the descriptive parts, the images used, and how the relationship and feelings were detailed.
Concerning the excerpts, I thought they brought something interesting at the start of the story. At around the midway point, their use was no longer justified as they just continued the narrative. Meaning they matched up with the pace of the story. They became a different means of progress, so they lost value.
Throughout the story, the protagonist struggles with medication withdrawal symptoms. I thought these instances didn't translate very well. I feel it might have been intentional to blur the lines with reality and fantasy, but it felt muddled to me.
I thank the author for generously providing this book to me.
It's a promising, well written first book, and I enjoyed my time with it.
We follow Jacob Liro, a school shooting survivor, who's luck had not yet turned. An opportunity to study abroad with his classmates arose. Engelstatt. Charming, tranquil, heavenly?
Jake, while haunted by his past traumas, is transposed in a foreign environment where not only the culture and language are disorienting, but the small town where he is located starts to feel strange. Is he experiencing culture shock, or is there really something going on?
The story is spliced with dated news excerpts hinting or adding information related to the story.
I found the beginning very dialog driven, a bit too purposeful, but after a few pages, the author hits his stride, and the story gains focus. I enjoyed the writing of the descriptive parts, the images used, and how the relationship and feelings were detailed.
Concerning the excerpts, I thought they brought something interesting at the start of the story. At around the midway point, their use was no longer justified as they just continued the narrative. Meaning they matched up with the pace of the story. They became a different means of progress, so they lost value.
Throughout the story, the protagonist struggles with medication withdrawal symptoms. I thought these instances didn't translate very well. I feel it might have been intentional to blur the lines with reality and fantasy, but it felt muddled to me.
I thank the author for generously providing this book to me.
It's a promising, well written first book, and I enjoyed my time with it.
August 16, 2023
4.5, rounded up. Really enjoyed this one! Midsommar vibes, but completely different and I was here for it!
December 13, 2024
Dark and original! Definitely not what I was expecting based on the short blurb I read about it initially. This book had some truly scary parts for me. The characters were well written and it was easy for me to put myself in their shoes, which sometimes made me pretty uncomfortable. I’m looking forward to see what else this author puts out.
May 3, 2023
Damn!! I give this books ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Mr. Samuel Church was very generous and sent me a copy of ENGELSTATT for a honest review, and I high recommend it! Jacob Liro, a school shooting survivor years later after the incident he moves to New York to become a aspiring artist and photographer. Jacob and his classmates have the opportunity to go on spring break and travel to Engelstatt, Austria 🇦🇹 unfortunately what awaits them is something so menacing that lies very deep the salt mines below.
Engelstatt https://a.co/d/3kIoGlK
Mr. Samuel Church was very generous and sent me a copy of ENGELSTATT for a honest review, and I high recommend it! Jacob Liro, a school shooting survivor years later after the incident he moves to New York to become a aspiring artist and photographer. Jacob and his classmates have the opportunity to go on spring break and travel to Engelstatt, Austria 🇦🇹 unfortunately what awaits them is something so menacing that lies very deep the salt mines below.
Engelstatt https://a.co/d/3kIoGlK
June 7, 2023
I was gifted a review copy of Engelstatt by the author, which I read last month and I’m apparently very terrible at writing down my thoughts in a timely manner so here we go 💀
The plot of Engelstatt follows Jacob Liro and his film class buddies as they travel to Austria — they’re met by this quaint town full of friendly people wanting them to experience the full beauty of Engelstatt. Soon though it becomes clear to Jacob and his classmates that beneath Engelstatt’s beauty there’s a sinister secret waiting to be uncovered.
Engelstatt is definitely one hell of a ride. It lures you in with idyllic landscapes, local Austrian cuisine, and friendly rituals. But it soon takes a turn towards a more hellish nightmare when Jacob and his classmates fight for survival against Nazi idealists. There’s high-stress moments, gory and bloody kills, and a ton of easter eggs for you to try and uncover the various ways that Engelstatt is linked to Germany’s nazi past (imagine the Pepe Silvia meme, that was me whenever there were Moments I felt weren’t coincidences).
The story was interesting and Jacob as a character was compelling to follow as a survivor. But I also really enjoyed how the book was formatted — you have newspaper clippings, psych evaluations and interrogations, all scattered throughout the book to give a deeper sense of what’s going on. Making it that much harder to put down!
I also liked how thoughtful the book was when it came to the depiction of the nazi idealists. They’re obviously painted as the bad guys (duh) but there wasn’t a moment where the victimisation of Jacob and his friends became cruel and uncomfortable to read. I’m not Jewish, so I obviously cannot talk for people who has a painful link to this particular past, but what I read, it didn’t feel viciously evil and is, I think, also a book that isn’t too difficult to read despite the story (I mean, there’s nazi deaths soooo. Enjoy).
Overall, it’s a book I really enjoyed because of the story, how it was written, and because I’ve been to most of the places mentioned in the book — Give me a shirt that says “I Survived the Austrian Salt Mine” now, please, because this book did half go through the places I’ve been to also on a student trip. So it was just like a little treat to go back there in a more horrifying way.
The plot of Engelstatt follows Jacob Liro and his film class buddies as they travel to Austria — they’re met by this quaint town full of friendly people wanting them to experience the full beauty of Engelstatt. Soon though it becomes clear to Jacob and his classmates that beneath Engelstatt’s beauty there’s a sinister secret waiting to be uncovered.
Engelstatt is definitely one hell of a ride. It lures you in with idyllic landscapes, local Austrian cuisine, and friendly rituals. But it soon takes a turn towards a more hellish nightmare when Jacob and his classmates fight for survival against Nazi idealists. There’s high-stress moments, gory and bloody kills, and a ton of easter eggs for you to try and uncover the various ways that Engelstatt is linked to Germany’s nazi past (imagine the Pepe Silvia meme, that was me whenever there were Moments I felt weren’t coincidences).
The story was interesting and Jacob as a character was compelling to follow as a survivor. But I also really enjoyed how the book was formatted — you have newspaper clippings, psych evaluations and interrogations, all scattered throughout the book to give a deeper sense of what’s going on. Making it that much harder to put down!
I also liked how thoughtful the book was when it came to the depiction of the nazi idealists. They’re obviously painted as the bad guys (duh) but there wasn’t a moment where the victimisation of Jacob and his friends became cruel and uncomfortable to read. I’m not Jewish, so I obviously cannot talk for people who has a painful link to this particular past, but what I read, it didn’t feel viciously evil and is, I think, also a book that isn’t too difficult to read despite the story (I mean, there’s nazi deaths soooo. Enjoy).
Overall, it’s a book I really enjoyed because of the story, how it was written, and because I’ve been to most of the places mentioned in the book — Give me a shirt that says “I Survived the Austrian Salt Mine” now, please, because this book did half go through the places I’ve been to also on a student trip. So it was just like a little treat to go back there in a more horrifying way.
April 22, 2023
A fast paced thriller with characters pulled out of your worst Nazi nightmare.
April 26, 2023
Engelstatt by Samuel Church follows a group of university students on a trip to Austria, which turns into a harrowing struggle for survival in a neo-Nazi camp. The story's protagonist, Jacob Liro, is an aspiring artist from New York who feels suffocated by the city's busy atmosphere. Despite his mother's disapproval, Jacob joins his friends on the trip to Austria to explore the country's beautiful landscapes and monuments.
Engelstatt offers readers an immersive and imaginative experience with its stunning descriptions of Austria's aesthetic regions and accurate representation of New York's frenzied environment. The characters in the novel are depicted authentically and face issues that are relatable to young Americans today. For instance, Jacob seeks therapy to cope with the traumatic memories of a school shooting. The book also includes reflective moments that delve into its major themes. The novel exposes the depravity of humanity when people blindly follow the crowd and ignore their self-awareness.
I felt that the interactions between characters appear to overshadow their internal monologues. It can be overwhelming to see the characters express their thoughts in groups rather than individually, making it challenging to connect with them. Nevertheless, Engelstatt delivers an exhilarating, heart-pounding historical thriller filled with explosive action, shootings, deadly games, and risky escape schemes. I was on the edge of my seat, never knowing what to expect but trusting in Samuel's ability to keep adding captivating twists to keep me engrossed in the story.
I highly recommend the gripping novel, Engelstatt to readers of horror and historical fiction. Readers will be inspired by its protagonists' unwavering energy and determination to fight for their lives even when the odds are against them.
Engelstatt offers readers an immersive and imaginative experience with its stunning descriptions of Austria's aesthetic regions and accurate representation of New York's frenzied environment. The characters in the novel are depicted authentically and face issues that are relatable to young Americans today. For instance, Jacob seeks therapy to cope with the traumatic memories of a school shooting. The book also includes reflective moments that delve into its major themes. The novel exposes the depravity of humanity when people blindly follow the crowd and ignore their self-awareness.
I felt that the interactions between characters appear to overshadow their internal monologues. It can be overwhelming to see the characters express their thoughts in groups rather than individually, making it challenging to connect with them. Nevertheless, Engelstatt delivers an exhilarating, heart-pounding historical thriller filled with explosive action, shootings, deadly games, and risky escape schemes. I was on the edge of my seat, never knowing what to expect but trusting in Samuel's ability to keep adding captivating twists to keep me engrossed in the story.
I highly recommend the gripping novel, Engelstatt to readers of horror and historical fiction. Readers will be inspired by its protagonists' unwavering energy and determination to fight for their lives even when the odds are against them.
May 10, 2023
I received a copy of Engelstatt from Samuel Church in exchange for an honest review. Here are my thoughts.
The book was very creatively written. Church has a unique writing style and I enjoyed it very much. The way the story bounces from the King’s tale, to present day, to the past where the majority of the story takes place was a neat take on the book. I also felt that the author’s personal background has really shown through with all the history and German dialogue inserts. It made the story more interesting, and the vivid descriptions made my viewing as a reader more detailed.
When our characters first enter the mines, I truly felt the dread they were experiencing. Also I questioned myself, as did the characters, about if Josiah was acting, or truly hurt. Having a writing style that makes the reader second guess themselves tells you you’re doing your job really well. These characters are taken on a rollercoaster of a ride and I was happy to be alongside them the whole way.
I did feel the build up was pretty intense, and then when the action came into play it felt a bit rushed. But the way things played out and ended, I felt very satisfied. There was a lot of victory revenge, but also some open ended “what happens next?” themes and I felt it was ended perfectly.
Thank you so much Samuel Church for allowing me to read your story, and I’m glad your grandfather appeared to you to finish it or else we might not have this great novel. 😊
The book was very creatively written. Church has a unique writing style and I enjoyed it very much. The way the story bounces from the King’s tale, to present day, to the past where the majority of the story takes place was a neat take on the book. I also felt that the author’s personal background has really shown through with all the history and German dialogue inserts. It made the story more interesting, and the vivid descriptions made my viewing as a reader more detailed.
When our characters first enter the mines, I truly felt the dread they were experiencing. Also I questioned myself, as did the characters, about if Josiah was acting, or truly hurt. Having a writing style that makes the reader second guess themselves tells you you’re doing your job really well. These characters are taken on a rollercoaster of a ride and I was happy to be alongside them the whole way.
I did feel the build up was pretty intense, and then when the action came into play it felt a bit rushed. But the way things played out and ended, I felt very satisfied. There was a lot of victory revenge, but also some open ended “what happens next?” themes and I felt it was ended perfectly.
Thank you so much Samuel Church for allowing me to read your story, and I’m glad your grandfather appeared to you to finish it or else we might not have this great novel. 😊
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2023
3.5 rounded up. I received this book in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.
First off, the cover art is fantastic. I enjoyed the book overall and the plot was interesting, and I really liked the mix of articles and interviews scattered throughout the book. There were just a few things that I didn't really vibe with. I thought the characters could have been a bit more developed, especially Avery. Her character was so annoying and just a 2-D stereotype of an Instagram influencer. Everything she said annoyed me and took me out of the story because no real person (I hope) talks like that. Josiah was super cheesy too and talked like a child, like I know he's Mormon but it was a little over the top. I also felt like the book could've benefited from an editor. There were a lot of run on sentences and I don't know if that was a style the author was going for but if it was, it didn't work for me. Still, the author clearly has writing chops and I'd check out whatever he comes up with next. After reading the book I read his bio and saw that he went to film school, which made total sense because the book is written in a very cinematic way. If this ever gets turned into a movie (and they make Avery less annoying) I'll definitely go see it.
Overall, I'm glad I read this book and it was a fun read. Check it out if you like reading about spooky, murderous cults.
First off, the cover art is fantastic. I enjoyed the book overall and the plot was interesting, and I really liked the mix of articles and interviews scattered throughout the book. There were just a few things that I didn't really vibe with. I thought the characters could have been a bit more developed, especially Avery. Her character was so annoying and just a 2-D stereotype of an Instagram influencer. Everything she said annoyed me and took me out of the story because no real person (I hope) talks like that. Josiah was super cheesy too and talked like a child, like I know he's Mormon but it was a little over the top. I also felt like the book could've benefited from an editor. There were a lot of run on sentences and I don't know if that was a style the author was going for but if it was, it didn't work for me. Still, the author clearly has writing chops and I'd check out whatever he comes up with next. After reading the book I read his bio and saw that he went to film school, which made total sense because the book is written in a very cinematic way. If this ever gets turned into a movie (and they make Avery less annoying) I'll definitely go see it.
Overall, I'm glad I read this book and it was a fun read. Check it out if you like reading about spooky, murderous cults.
June 7, 2023
I was drawn to this book because I lived in Germany for two years and have since been fascinated with stories from that culture. This book was a well-written tale of Neo-Nazi fanaticism and was horrifying and disturbing.
Jacob Liro is a survivor of a school shooting and this book is told from his viewpoint. He and his classmates from a college in NYC get a chance to travel to a small town in Austria named Englestatt. Each of the students has their own reason for wanting to take the trip. For Jacob, he looks at it as a way to reset his life, living with PTSD due to the horrors of the school shooting.
The possibilities brought up by this book are truly horrifying (and unfortunately, very realistic). The author has created a great cast of characters and I was very invested in their outcomes. I am not usually a fan of books that include news clippings/interviews to tell a large portion of the story, but in this case, it worked.
I listened to the audiobook version of the book and the narrator did an outstanding job. His pacing, voices, and German pronunciations were perfect and really brought the book to life. Thanks to the author for providing me with this book and giving me a chance to enjoy his work.
Jacob Liro is a survivor of a school shooting and this book is told from his viewpoint. He and his classmates from a college in NYC get a chance to travel to a small town in Austria named Englestatt. Each of the students has their own reason for wanting to take the trip. For Jacob, he looks at it as a way to reset his life, living with PTSD due to the horrors of the school shooting.
The possibilities brought up by this book are truly horrifying (and unfortunately, very realistic). The author has created a great cast of characters and I was very invested in their outcomes. I am not usually a fan of books that include news clippings/interviews to tell a large portion of the story, but in this case, it worked.
I listened to the audiobook version of the book and the narrator did an outstanding job. His pacing, voices, and German pronunciations were perfect and really brought the book to life. Thanks to the author for providing me with this book and giving me a chance to enjoy his work.
March 28, 2024
A group of American students visit a beautiful town, Engelstatt, that has been untouched by tourism in Austria. It has promises of quaint adventures, cultural exposure, and potential artifact discovery. But what starts out as a pleasant adventure soon becomes an inescapable nightmare.
This immediately started giving Midsommar vibes when they showed up at the village. I was reading lines out loud to my family and though they're not horror readers, they agreed with my assessment. Don't trust the friendly locals. Don't trust the unfriendly locals. Let's just face it, the locals want to do bad things to you.
The story was well written, the development of the characters nicely done, and the idea solid. My complaint is that this written from present looking back at past situations. It takes away from the intensity because you know at least one survives as well as it drops the puzzle pieces into your lap instead of letting you pick them up from the story. I prefer to try to solve the story on my own instead of being given everything.
It was overall good and I'm glad I have it in my library. It was a unique take on the brutal potential of a new future and makes you question how many pockets of these folks are actually snuggled around the world.
This immediately started giving Midsommar vibes when they showed up at the village. I was reading lines out loud to my family and though they're not horror readers, they agreed with my assessment. Don't trust the friendly locals. Don't trust the unfriendly locals. Let's just face it, the locals want to do bad things to you.
The story was well written, the development of the characters nicely done, and the idea solid. My complaint is that this written from present looking back at past situations. It takes away from the intensity because you know at least one survives as well as it drops the puzzle pieces into your lap instead of letting you pick them up from the story. I prefer to try to solve the story on my own instead of being given everything.
It was overall good and I'm glad I have it in my library. It was a unique take on the brutal potential of a new future and makes you question how many pockets of these folks are actually snuggled around the world.
July 20, 2023
A group of New York film students get more than they bargained for out of a trip to a small, isolated Austrian town.
The scenario is established realistically, and the author does a great job of setting up the fictional little community which turns out to be too good to be true. Unfortunately, the secret horror is revealed rather awkwardly, and I never found the situation very credible. The primary villains are somewhat cartoonish and not as frightening as they think they are. Once the bad things start to happen, they spiral downwards very quickly and take some highly unlikely turns. There are several subplots that are never effectively followed up on and a couple of major questions remain irritatingly unaddressed after the last page is turned. Characterization is handled well, and the cast comes across as believable individuals, though sadly none of them are easy to like. Having at least once character to really pull for would have made a big difference. Overall, ENGELSTATT is a fairly good read with a nice premise that might have been fleshed out better. Worth a look if you like folk horror or historical thrillers and can forgive the aforementioned issues.
The scenario is established realistically, and the author does a great job of setting up the fictional little community which turns out to be too good to be true. Unfortunately, the secret horror is revealed rather awkwardly, and I never found the situation very credible. The primary villains are somewhat cartoonish and not as frightening as they think they are. Once the bad things start to happen, they spiral downwards very quickly and take some highly unlikely turns. There are several subplots that are never effectively followed up on and a couple of major questions remain irritatingly unaddressed after the last page is turned. Characterization is handled well, and the cast comes across as believable individuals, though sadly none of them are easy to like. Having at least once character to really pull for would have made a big difference. Overall, ENGELSTATT is a fairly good read with a nice premise that might have been fleshed out better. Worth a look if you like folk horror or historical thrillers and can forgive the aforementioned issues.
May 22, 2023
Samuel Church weaves a tale of nightmares in his Austrian set novel. Jacob Liro, who survived a school shooting, is attending film school in NYC. He is given the chance for a study abroad trip with others in his class hosted by Curt, their professor who is the "cool" teacher. They head on their trip to Engelstatt, a picturesque town untouched by time in the Austrian countryside. Just a short time later they discover they are in a Nazi Hell on earth. The action is fast paced, you never know who will be spared and who will be killed. The story is told from the point of view of Jacob interspersed with police reports, interviews, and doctor's notes about the situation. I really enjoyed the writing style and it kept me up until 5am without realizing it, I just had to finish it then.
June 7, 2023
What a great story. Honestly I would recommend going into this without knowing anything about it. The author draws you in and develops the characters to where you feel for them and they seem like real people. Like you’re going on a trip with some friends. I really couldn’t stop reading this. I told my wife I had yard work to do and spent the entire evening trimming my trees and listening to this book. It’s so original and well paced. I’m trying not to tell anything at all about the story. Please don’t sleep on this one. If it’s in your TBR stack, move it to the top. If you’ve never heard of it, now you have. I can’t wait to see what else comes from this author. This needs to be a movie!!
August 6, 2023
Samuel Church brings readers a unique story of extremism and survival.
The idyllic town of Engelstatt hides horrors behind its beautiful facade. A class trip there turns into a nightmare and the students fight to survive.
I enjoyed the idea of this story, but found the beginning a bit slow, and the ending a bit rushed. The characters were ok, but I would’ve enjoyed knowing more about them. Maia’s and Efe’s POVs of the situation would’ve been an interesting take, as the main narrator, Jake, was separated from them at times during their ordeal.
The idyllic town of Engelstatt hides horrors behind its beautiful facade. A class trip there turns into a nightmare and the students fight to survive.
I enjoyed the idea of this story, but found the beginning a bit slow, and the ending a bit rushed. The characters were ok, but I would’ve enjoyed knowing more about them. Maia’s and Efe’s POVs of the situation would’ve been an interesting take, as the main narrator, Jake, was separated from them at times during their ordeal.
June 5, 2023
While the general idea behind the book is not new (a group goes on vacation and finds more than they bargained for) the actual subject matter is unlike anything I’ve read before.
The author does a wonderful job of setting the scene whether we find ourselves in New York or in Austria and the cast of characters are both endearing and reprehensible.
Mr. Church has spun a wild and depraved tale that I truly hope is just the beginning of long, long career.
The author does a wonderful job of setting the scene whether we find ourselves in New York or in Austria and the cast of characters are both endearing and reprehensible.
Mr. Church has spun a wild and depraved tale that I truly hope is just the beginning of long, long career.
September 30, 2023
This isn't the book I thought it would be... it is something more. It starts off like any other novel blah blah yeah teens yeah holiday blah blah. But then the things which makes you go OH! Are the snippets of interviews and newspaper articles. It is so cleverly written and so could be true. Having I've in Austria for 8.5 years I can see that this kind of thing could happen. It's like a cross between October fest and hostel. I really enjoyed it. A true horror!
May 31, 2023
Samuel Church is a new writer. In his groundbreaking novel, Engelstatt, I was amazed at how good the writing is! It had a good storyline, hit the marks for horror. The only reason it wasn't 5 ⭐️ for me is I struggle reading about Hitler, Nazis, and Neo Nazis. It's just a subject I struggle with but wanted to read this.
August 20, 2023
Don't go anywhere with Jacob Liro, he's a picture of bad luck and should have listened to his mother. The story location and characters fit well together, a dysfunctional community of psychopaths trying to bring back old times or Armageddon whichever comes first if the machine they are seeking actually works. It actually sounds like a plan Hitler might have come up with, keep an eye on the news.
August 20, 2023
Fun and quick read, at least for most of it. Pretty common trope - struck me as a good idea for a video game, movie of the week. There were some creepy bits but nothing too surprising The end is weird almost like the writer had to finish with a limited number of words, it finished everything ip quickly but without passion.
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