Terovolas

by Edward M. Erdelac

The personal papers of the enigmatic Professor Abraham Van Helsing are collected and presented for the first time by his longtime colleague and defender, Dr. John Seward.

Texas, 1891 Following the defeat of Count Dracula, Abraham Van Helsing – suffering from violent recurring fantasies – checks himself into Jack Seward's Purfleet Asylum. Once discharged, he volunteers to return the ashes and personal effects of the late Quincey P. Morris (the American adventurer who died in battle with the nefarious Count) home to the Morris family ranch in Sorefoot, Texas.

Van Helsing arrives to find Quincey's brother, Cole Morris, embroiled in an escalating land dispute with a group of neighboring Norwegian ranchers led by the enigmatic Sig Skoll.

When cattle and men start turning up slaughtered, the locals suspect a wild animal, but Van Helsing thinks a preternatural culprit is afoot. Is a shapeshifter stalking the Texas plains, or are the phantasms of his previously disordered mind returning?

The intrepid professor must decide soon, for the life of Skoll's beautiful new bride may hang in the balance.

Genres: Horror, Weird West, Vampires

240 pages, Paperback

First published November 9, 2012

About the author

Edward M. Erdelac is the author of thirteen novels including the acclaimed Judeocentric/Lovecraftian weird western series Merkabah Rider, Rainbringer: Zora Neale Hurston Against The Lovecraftian Mythos, Conquer, Monstrumfuhrer from Comet Press, Terovolas from JournalStone Publishing, and Andersonville from Random House/Hydra.

Born in Indiana, educated in Chicago, he lives in the Los Angeles area with his wife and a bona fide slew of kids and cats.

Reviews

[Christopher Payne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Following the defeat of Count Dracula, Abraham Van Helsing volunteers to return the ashes and personal effects of the late Quincey P. Morris (the American adventurer who died in battle with the nefarious Count) home to the Morris family ranch in Sorefoot, Texas.

Van Helsing arrives to find Quincey's brother, Cole Morris, embroiled in an escalating land dispute with a group of neighboring Norwegian ranchers led by the enigmatic Sig Skoll. When cattle and men start turning up slaughtered, the locals suspect a wild animal, but Van Helsing thinks a preternatural culprit is afoot. Is a shapeshifter stalking the Texas plains? Is a cult of wolf worshipers responsible? Or, are the phantasms of his previously disordered mind returning?

The intrepid professor must decide soon, for the life of Skoll's beautiful new bride may hang in the balance.

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Info: Genre: Dark Supernatural Thriller
Reading Level: Adult
Recommended for: Fans of Bram Stoker's Dracula, those who enjoy supernatural thrillers with a Wild West flavor
Trigger Warnings: mauling, murder, violence, shooting

My Thoughts: One part Western (complete with attempted land grab and cattle rustlin'), one part horror novel, one part supernatural thriller, this book is a lot of different thing that nevertheless manage to come together in a complete whole that is wholly satisfying. It continues the story of Professor Van Helsing, after his adventures as related by Bram Stoker, as he attempts to bring the remains of Quincey Morris back to his hometown in Texas, only to become embroiled in mysterious happenings that seem to involve some large predator killing both livestock and people. An afterword by the author hints that this manuscript was discovered in a dusty basement, along with evidence that the story behind Dracula is absolutely true, and that we can look forward to new adventures with Van Helsing. I, for one, can not wait.

Dracula is one of the great loves of my literary life. The first (and one of only three) book to ever give me nightmares, it is one I have read and enjoyed several times. This book is written in the same way, consisting of journal entries, newspaper articles, telegrams and such like to tell the story. While it is a bit more readable for a modern audience, I absolutely loved that it kept to the tradition that Stoker set for his masterpiece. If you enjoyed Dracula, then you absolutely must not miss this story. Same if you enjoy this author's other works. Highly recommended.

Disclosure: I received an ARC copy of this e-book through the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis: The personal papers of the enigmatic Professor Abraham Van Helsing are collected and presented for the first time by his longtime colleague and defender, Dr. John Seward. Texas, 1891: Following the defeat of Count Dracula, Abraham Van Helsing—suffering from violent recurring fantasies—checks himself into Jack Seward's Purfleet Asylum. Once discharged, he volunteers to return the ashes and personal effects of the late Quincey P. Morris (the American adventurer who died in battle with the nefarious Count) home to the Morris family ranch in Sorefoot, Texas. Van Helsing arrives to find Quincey's brother, Cole Morris, embroiled in an escalating land dispute with a group of neighboring Norwegian ranchers led by the enigmatic Sig Skoll. When cattle and men start turning up slaughtered, the locals suspect a wild animal, but Van Helsing thinks a preternatural culprit is afoot. Is a shapeshifter stalking the Texas plains, or are the phantasms of his previously disordered mind returning? The intrepid professor must decide soon, for the life of Skoll's beautiful new bride may hang in the balance.

[Joe Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantasy account of the travels of Professor Van Helsing after his and Quincy Morris' encounter with Count Dracula. The Professor agreed to return Quincy Morris' remains to his ancestral lands near Sorefoot, Texas. While traveling by train from St. Louis, he met an attractive Greek woman, Madame Callisto Terovolas, who he recognized as coming from the Arcadian area. He also felt a strange attraction to her. The engaging story is told trough the writings and journals of a variety of major and minor players, all having a part in the story from professor Van Helsing, Madame Terovolas, Coleman Morris, an old range Warrior, Alkali (Aurelius Firebaugh) horse Trader, Crenshaw Brothers (rough guys), Sigmund Skolls and his group of large blonde Norgie ranch hands. Once they arrive in Sorefoot, Texas, home of Quincey and Coleman Morris and now Sigmund and Madame Callisto Terovolas, the sherrif and his deputy are early casualties. Language barriers between the large blonde Norwegians and the western Texan ranch hands lead to strained relationships. It didn't help that the Norwegian ranch hands seemed to ignore ranch boundaries and moved cattle across them without any regards to brands or ownership. There also were killings attributed to large wolves or lions that were not readily identified. Ranch hands with hounds were sent out to try to hunt the lions and put an end to their damages. The strangeness of the characters and their links to a variety of legendary historical variances of sub human activities lent credence to the large fires, totems and ritual activities apparently occurring on nights of a full moon in the barren lands. An local Indian shaman had dreams of death and fighting as a wolf against other equally strong wolves. The western ranchers encouraged by Professor Van Helsing, believed Madame Callisto Terovolas was being held by the large Norwegians against her will so made plans to rescue her and save her from a terrible fate. As the story evolves, more background is provided for the characters and justification for their interactions is provided. The action is constant with danger always at the edge and all characters threatened by overwhelming forces. This is an edge of chair story that compels close attention to the end. The strange twists and unsuspected connections between characters and their individual philosophical bent lend additional interest to the story. A worth while read for Fantasy Lovers who like a different approach to standard mythical characters.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Van Helsing visits … Texas?

‘ “Why must I consistently be the instrument through which evil is confronted and purged from the moral world?” ‘ Such is Abraham Van Helsing’s lament when faced with yet another (possibly) supernatural threat. Recovering from violent fantasies and a nervous breakdown after the events of ‘Dracula’, Van Helsing offers to bring the remains of Quincey Morris, who lost his life in that fight, back to his family in Texas. He meets a beautiful Greek woman on last leg of his journey and learns that she is to be married to a ranch owner near his own destination. Van Helsing is quite taken with Callisto, perhaps in no small measure because his own wife, institutionalized for many years since the death of their young son, is also Greek.

Van Helsing arrives in Sorefoot to find tales of slaughtered cattle and men, but is it merely a rabid lion, as the local ranchers believe, or is a more sinister creature stalking the men and beasts of Sorefoot? And does it involve Callisto’s new husband, the Norwegian ranch owner Sig Skoll, and his men? Van Helsing finds Quincey’s brother, Coleman Morris, in the thick of the danger and together with an old-timer, the local newspaperman, and a medicine man, they must confront a crooked lawman, an armed posse and an even greater danger that may well be beyond human.

Presented as a collection of journal/diary entries and newspaper accounts, ‘Terovolas’ is an atmospheric and well written tale very much in the style of ‘Dracula’ by Bram Stoker. The action and atmosphere build slowly, with lots of clues and foreshadowing along the way. The characters were well-drawn. Each voice from the different accounts felt authentic and distinct. Also appreciated was the respect that the author clearly accords his reader: letting one draw one’s own conclusions about these people without feeling the need to force-feed lots of internal soliloquy. I received this book as an ‘early reviewer’ and never expected how very much I would enjoy it. It was hard to put down! The first third or so of the book builds the characters and the suspense skillfully; I never found it slow going. I loved collecting the clues, speculating and getting to know the various actors. Then the battle begins and it is one wild ride. I’m eagerly anticipating the next volume of Dr. Van Helsing’s adventures! Let it be soon!!

[Warren Thurston · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a work of fiction this book flows quite well. The style of writing is good and the presentation, in the form of characters diary entries a different approach. I found both the characters in the book and the situations they got into believable.

Pagan Rites and the pursuit of a Werewolf through the wilds of Texas provided plenty of action. Professor Van Helsing was relentless in his beliefs and won over Cole Morris, a strong believer in self-reliance, to the fact that the supernatural was indeed real. Murder, lust, betrayal, distrust and mythology all combine for a thrilling tale.

I enjoyed the story and would recommend it to fans of the adventures of Van Helsing.

[Brett Talley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I admit that when I first opened Terovolas, I was somewhat skeptical. The story of Professor Abraham Van Helsing after his fateful encounter with Dracula? In Texas!?!?! But the power of the story and the skill with which Ed Erdelac tells it had me hooked from the beginning. Here’s the synopsis.

--The personal papers of the enigmatic Professor Abraham Van Helsing are collected and presented for the first time by his longtime colleague and defender, Dr. John Seward.

--Texas, 1891 Following the defeat of Count Dracula, Abraham Van Helsing – suffering from violent recurring fantasies – checks himself into Jack Seward's Purfleet Asylum. Once discharged, he volunteers to return the ashes and personal effects of the late Quincey P. Morris (the American adventurer who died in battle with the nefarious Count) home to the Morris family ranch in Sorefoot, Texas.

--Van Helsing arrives to find Quincey's brother, Cole Morris, embroiled in an escalating land dispute with a group of neighboring Norwegian ranchers led by the enigmatic Sig Skoll. When cattle and men start turning up slaughtered, the locals suspect a wild animal, but Van Helsing thinks a preternatural culprit is afoot. Is a shapeshifter stalking the Texas plains, or are the phantasms of his previously disordered mind returning?

--The intrepid professor must decide soon, for the life of Skoll's beautiful new bride may hang in the balance.

Terovolas is obviously aimed at fans of Dracula, and it hits the mark without question. Told through primary sources in the same way as the classic horror novel, Erdelac manages to recreate the style of Stoker without lacking originality as one might expect. By staying true to the tradition laid down by Dracula while simultaneously putting his own spin on the story, Erdelac breathes new life into an old tale. The action scenes are crisp, the characters well developed, the plot filled with surprises.

I recommend Terovolas highly, particularly to anyone who loved the original. You will not be disappointed.

4.5 Stars

[Donna Bonzagni · Rating 4 out of 5]

The concept of this book is good. Using Van Helsing as a hook is also good. The story of Van Helsing in the old West, told via his diary, accounts of a local newspaperman, the Sheriff, and other local characters is a great way to tell the story with overlaps to reinforce details while not seeming repetitive. I did find the dialects a bit overdone at times and some colloquialisms incorrect, but that's just me. I'm an editor at heart.
Van Helsing arrives in the West (specifically Texas) to deliver to his brother the ashes of a man killed in a fight with Dracula. Said brother (who initially doesn't seem interested in either the death of his brother or receiving his ashes) lives on a large cattle ranch coincidentally next to a ranch owned by a strange and surly Norwegian - and staffed exclusively by (strange, surly, and very large) Norwegians. The two owners definitely do not get along. During his train ride west, Van Helsing meets a woman who is traveling to the same place. She is to be the wife of the Norwegian who owns the spread next to Van Helsing's destination.
Soon Van Helsing finds himself involved in local issues and, while trying to deliver his friend's ashes and make sure his lady aquaintance is safe in her new home, discovers something rotten in the state of Denmark, or rather, Texas. Cattle are disappearing, people are being killed under strange circumstances and wild animals are initially blamed, violent jailbreaks are happening, and the whole town is in an uproar.
It's an interestingly told tale, full of action and events both natural and semi-supernatural. I enjoyed it!

[Pam K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book through Librarything's Early Reviewer Program.

Terovolas takes you to Sorefoot, Texas in the year 1891 & brings back the great paranormal hunter Abraham Van Helsing. A simple quest to return a dear friends ashes to his homeland turns into something much more frightening (and intriguing to Van Helsing).

The story had me enthralled. I am a lover of Dracula and Van Helsing stories, so I knew I would enjoy this. There was plenty of action with very descriptive passages. Even though I knew who/what was responsible for the attacks, it came in a sort of twist I didn't see coming.

I gave the book 4 stars instead of 5 only because it was taken from somebody else's idea. It's a great addition to the Van Helsing story. But original characters and storyline would have received 5 stars from me. I do recommend that anyone who enjoys paranormal stories should read this one.

[Georgiann Hennelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the story, fast paced and interesting. Terovoles tells the story of the adventures of Van Helsing after his and Quincy Morris , encounter with Dracula. Quincy lost his life in that encounter. And Van Helsing is returning his ashes to his family in Texas. Traveling by train he meets a beautiful Greek women Madame Callisto Terovolas. He feels a strange attraction to her. When he arrives he finds tales of slaughtered men and cattle , is it a rabid lion as the ranchers believe or something more sinister. Does it involve Callisto's new husband the Norwegian ranch owner Sig Sko;; and his men? If you love stories about Dracula or just love Vampires.I highly recommend you read this book

[Sumiko · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Terovolas. It's kind of a continuation of the story of Prof. Van Helsing from Bram Stoker's Dracula. A "what if Van Helsing went to Texas and encountered something uncanny there.

Told in epistolary style like Dracula.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable story! Fast-paced, interesting and character driven. Loved the fact that this story included both Norse and (a little) Native American mythology. I would definitely read another book about Van Helsing if this author wrote it!

[Loren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a chosen winner of the book give away for this book and so it came in the mail two days ago and I have already finished it! This is a fantastic read and even though this is not the type of book I would typically pick up, I really enjoyed it!

[Christopher Gadomski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based on the title I really had no idea what to expect with this novel but as a long time fan of Mr. Erdelac's work I'll read anything he puts out. This novel serves as another entry into the chronicles of the adventures of Abraham Van Helsing. If you're a fan of either Van Helsing mythos, weird westerns, or Viking culture and lore then you'll want to give this novel a try.

[Chandni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Texas and werewolves and Norse gods, oh my. This was a really strange books. The character of Abraham Van Helsing is already well-known from Dracula. When he goes to return the ashes of Quincey Morris, he becomes part of another paranormal adventure.

This book is a collection of journal entries and newspaper articles. I'm a fan of epistolary fiction, and I liked how it was used in this novel. It was a great way to know the inner workings of all the characters and honestly, I found myself sympathizing with nearly all of them. The mythology is presented in a really unique way, and I was really glad that it didn't overwhelm the plot or bore the reader with details.

I would classify this as another successful book from Journalstone Publishing. If you were a fan of Dracula, then the continuation of Van Helsing's adventures will be a good read.

I received this book through the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program.

[Mario · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set directly after the events in Dracula, Ed Erdelac takes the long lost archive of Professor Van Helsing and unlike Bram Stoker, who thought of it as fiction, goes to narrate a violent and unforgiving tale of supernatural terror set in Texas. Dark powers from the old continent seek to establish themselves in the open fields of the USA, but a fateful visit from Abe Van Helsing will challenge their plans.
Extremely recommended, because it's such an enthralling story that manages to keep the pace and set the story while using the same format as Dracula, where we read letters or recounts from the protagonists of the story. The ending will surely take you unaware.

[Monique · Rating 2 out of 5]

This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
I've been a fan of Bram Stoker's Dracula for a bit more than thirty years, so the idea of following Van Helsing to the United States was intriguing. The author was obviously trying to follow in Mr. Stoker's footsteps with journal excerpts, letters, and newspaper clippings, but I never got quite the same sense of urgency from Mr. Erdelac's work as from Mr. Stoker's.

[Jeff Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Van Helsing vs Werewolves

That alone should be enough to compel you to pick up this book. Not only does it deliver all the pulpy thrills and chills you'd hope for, it also comes packed full of authentic Western flavor and a thoughtful portrait of Van Helsing the man, haunted by the terrible things he witnessed and performed during the events of 'Dracula'.

Buy it!

[Mihir · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall rating = 3 & 1/2 stars

While this book had a very fascinating concept and managed to combine a lot of things under one roof. I can't say I enjoyed Mr. Erdelac's most recent effort as much as his other work. More to come in FBC review...

[Jean Hontz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whatever happened to Van Helsing? He went to Texas, met a mysterious woman on a train, then a bunch of Norse giants, and then got mixed up with newspaper men, cattlemen, Red Indians, and oh, yeah, werewolves.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book a little. It is not one of my normal readings but I thought I would give it a try because I was grateful for winning the book. I think I might read it again and then maybe I will love it.

[Rena]

I won this book from First Reads Giveaway. Waiting to read it when I receive it. Thanks.

[David Vinther · Rating 5 out of 5]

Won this one on Firstreads, looking forward to giving it a read. Sounds like a fun read.