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Martuk #2.2
The Elder
In 'The Elder', the latest installment of The Martuk Series, Jonathan Winn, author of Martuk… The Holy, digs deeper into the world of ancient Uruk. A world of power and absolute rule. Of magic and superstition. Of Dark Gods and mysterious Ancients, magical Immortals and unseen Seers. Of powerful Priests cloaked in robes of red and gold and a Man from the Mountains who has yet to arrive.
From the innocence and depravity and blood-drenched chaos of The Wounded King, we now follow The Elder, a Priest desperate to rule, blinded by power, afraid to die. A man who climbs deep into caves beneath sun-scorched mountains and sacrifices anonymous flesh in a blood-stained Temple. A desperate soul driven by words whispered from the lips of a doomed Child and haunted by the warnings of an Immortal buried in ash. One who makes an impossible choice for the promise of Life Everlasting and, riddled by doubt, chooses again, this final act of violent desperation opening the way for an ancient curse from a Darkness older than Time.
From the whispered pleas to the Darkest of Gods to the anguished screams of the stolen innocent, this is … The Elder.
'The Elder' is the second book in The Martuk Series, an ongoing collection of Short Fiction inspired by the full-length novel Martuk… The Holy.
From the innocence and depravity and blood-drenched chaos of The Wounded King, we now follow The Elder, a Priest desperate to rule, blinded by power, afraid to die. A man who climbs deep into caves beneath sun-scorched mountains and sacrifices anonymous flesh in a blood-stained Temple. A desperate soul driven by words whispered from the lips of a doomed Child and haunted by the warnings of an Immortal buried in ash. One who makes an impossible choice for the promise of Life Everlasting and, riddled by doubt, chooses again, this final act of violent desperation opening the way for an ancient curse from a Darkness older than Time.
From the whispered pleas to the Darkest of Gods to the anguished screams of the stolen innocent, this is … The Elder.
'The Elder' is the second book in The Martuk Series, an ongoing collection of Short Fiction inspired by the full-length novel Martuk… The Holy.
50 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 15, 2012
8 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Winn
19 books48 followersJonathan Winn is a screenwriter as well as the author of Eidolon Avenue: The First Feast (“a great read…powerful and jarring,” Cemetery Dance), the full-length novels Martuk…the Holy (A Highlight of the Year, 2012 Papyrus Independent Fiction Awards), Martuk…the Holy: Proseuche (Top Twenty Horror Novels of 2014, Preditors & Editors Readers Poll), the upcoming Eidolon Avenue: The Second Feast and Martuk…the Holy: Shayateen as well as The Martuk Series, an ongoing collection of short fiction inspired by Martuk…
His work can also be found in Horror 201: The Silver Scream, Writers on Writing, Vol. 2 and in Tales from the Lake, Vol. 2 with his award-winning short story Forever Dark, all from Crystal Lake Publishing.
His work can also be found in Horror 201: The Silver Scream, Writers on Writing, Vol. 2 and in Tales from the Lake, Vol. 2 with his award-winning short story Forever Dark, all from Crystal Lake Publishing.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 29, 2012
*SPOILERS*
This darkly disturbing, complex story is a masterpiece of spinechilling, bloodcurdling inspired writing!
Having read a previous work by Jonathan Winn I was naturally extremely keen to read more, and delighted to be given the opportunity of continuing the story from where it left off in ‘The Wounded King’ (Martuk series, book 1).
Martuk series, book 2: The Elder answers many questions that were left lingering within your mind after reading book one, such as for example that the silver haired old woman who killed the Queen was an ancient. The Elder is on a mission to achieve his ambition and satisfy his greed, by seeking out the ‘man from the mountains’ who is able to aid him in becoming an ancient being that is gifted with everlasting life. He witnesses a most brutal act so that a Seer can speak to him words with such meaning, as he learns of the horrendous truth about how one must pay the price from Shamisé. There are great consequences for his actions, as an innocent soldier is sacrificed to the Gods – for the Elder knows that once the Wounded King is beyond the Veil then, and only then, can he make the choice between power & eternal life versus the one being whom he loves; his beloved. This is a fight between good and evil, between Aztec Gods who require blood sacrifices and those whose mind is unhinged so that self-seeking thoughts rule.
This remarkable series is like nothing I have ever encountered before, with the inhumane acts and graphic, gory descriptions sending chills down my spine. Twisted, dark and disturbing this is a tale that is extraordinary, masterful and intoxicating – as you find yourself unable to avert your gaze from the pages. The short, choppy sentences help to build-up the drama, tension and suspense that leads to the most exciting, astonishing climax and cliffhanger ending…leaving you guessing once more! This is a character-study of evil, corrupted beings who seek out desires for their own whilst not heeding caution. Sat on the edge of my seat with white knuckles gripping the pages tightly, I was shocked at how the innocence of such characters could be overwhelmed by such duplicity. The complex, cleverly crafted plot is commendable and which draws the reader in so that you are compelled to read on.
Another exceptional, absorbing book by a noteworthy author, whose ‘The Martuk series’ is truly outstanding and which has once again left me tingling and breathless. Shocking, bloodthirsty and explicit this detailed narrative is atmospheric and so ‘real’ the words seem to come to life off the page. I cannot fault this whatsoever, and so I highly recommend and urge you to read this.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book (on Kindle) from the author himself. I would like to thank Jonathan Winn for his generosity and for having the opportunity and privilege to read this.*
This darkly disturbing, complex story is a masterpiece of spinechilling, bloodcurdling inspired writing!
Having read a previous work by Jonathan Winn I was naturally extremely keen to read more, and delighted to be given the opportunity of continuing the story from where it left off in ‘The Wounded King’ (Martuk series, book 1).
Martuk series, book 2: The Elder answers many questions that were left lingering within your mind after reading book one, such as for example that the silver haired old woman who killed the Queen was an ancient. The Elder is on a mission to achieve his ambition and satisfy his greed, by seeking out the ‘man from the mountains’ who is able to aid him in becoming an ancient being that is gifted with everlasting life. He witnesses a most brutal act so that a Seer can speak to him words with such meaning, as he learns of the horrendous truth about how one must pay the price from Shamisé. There are great consequences for his actions, as an innocent soldier is sacrificed to the Gods – for the Elder knows that once the Wounded King is beyond the Veil then, and only then, can he make the choice between power & eternal life versus the one being whom he loves; his beloved. This is a fight between good and evil, between Aztec Gods who require blood sacrifices and those whose mind is unhinged so that self-seeking thoughts rule.
This remarkable series is like nothing I have ever encountered before, with the inhumane acts and graphic, gory descriptions sending chills down my spine. Twisted, dark and disturbing this is a tale that is extraordinary, masterful and intoxicating – as you find yourself unable to avert your gaze from the pages. The short, choppy sentences help to build-up the drama, tension and suspense that leads to the most exciting, astonishing climax and cliffhanger ending…leaving you guessing once more! This is a character-study of evil, corrupted beings who seek out desires for their own whilst not heeding caution. Sat on the edge of my seat with white knuckles gripping the pages tightly, I was shocked at how the innocence of such characters could be overwhelmed by such duplicity. The complex, cleverly crafted plot is commendable and which draws the reader in so that you are compelled to read on.
Another exceptional, absorbing book by a noteworthy author, whose ‘The Martuk series’ is truly outstanding and which has once again left me tingling and breathless. Shocking, bloodthirsty and explicit this detailed narrative is atmospheric and so ‘real’ the words seem to come to life off the page. I cannot fault this whatsoever, and so I highly recommend and urge you to read this.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book (on Kindle) from the author himself. I would like to thank Jonathan Winn for his generosity and for having the opportunity and privilege to read this.*
September 14, 2014
"The Matuk Series" of novellas tells the tale of an order of Priests attempting to eliminate the bloodline of the King and usher forth a powerful darkness. They are set in the same universe as, but take place before (I believe) the events of "Martuk... The Holy". It's a continuing tale with each chapter told for the perspective of a different character.
These reads really captivated me. The prose is beautiful, with an amplified sense of brutality and pain, there's dark stuff here kids, all the way around. And I am on pins and needles for the next entry in "The Martuk Series", "The Tall Priest".
Not only will this push the envelope, it will guild that envelope in gold, hone it to a razors edge and use it in a beautiful & brutal ceremony. It so heavy and beautiful and I loved every moment of it, Martuk is going to strike nerves.
I'd highly recommended this to readers with strong stomachs, comfortable in their sense of faith, and the ability to work through strong metaphor. Check it out.
The Mouths of Madness Podcast.
www.facebook.com/themouthsofmadness
These reads really captivated me. The prose is beautiful, with an amplified sense of brutality and pain, there's dark stuff here kids, all the way around. And I am on pins and needles for the next entry in "The Martuk Series", "The Tall Priest".
Not only will this push the envelope, it will guild that envelope in gold, hone it to a razors edge and use it in a beautiful & brutal ceremony. It so heavy and beautiful and I loved every moment of it, Martuk is going to strike nerves.
I'd highly recommended this to readers with strong stomachs, comfortable in their sense of faith, and the ability to work through strong metaphor. Check it out.
The Mouths of Madness Podcast.
www.facebook.com/themouthsofmadness
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews