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A Demon Lies Within
The powers of hell that lie within are very real…
Following his murder, Andrew McMurray finds himself transported to the depths of hell. There he is indoctrinated as an apprentice to a demon master, Sonneillon. Exposing Andrew to the dark reaches of his evil powers, Sonneillon demonstrates a demons’ ability to posses, torment and control the thoughts and actions of the living. Andrew’s ultimate goal following his apprenticeship? Revenge on his wife, Katelyn and young son, Joshua, both of whom he holds responsible for his murder.
As Katelyn rebuilds her life, following her husbands’ death, she meets Michael Gordon, a recent escapee from Corporate America, who has his own troubled, tragic past. As their relationship grows, they realize they share something more than their burgeoning love for one another — the powers of hell have deeply impacted their pasts. Evil continues to insinuate itself into the pair's lives, bringing with it haunting and unspeakable horrors.
Andrew's plan of revenge begins to materialize once he inhabits Joshua, having him act out in often violent and disturbing ways. With possession of Joshua’s mind and body complete, will hell's ultimate evil goals come to pass, or can the local priest of a small Maine town exorcize Father from Son? At stake, doom-laden repercussions for all involved…and perhaps the world as a whole.
Following his murder, Andrew McMurray finds himself transported to the depths of hell. There he is indoctrinated as an apprentice to a demon master, Sonneillon. Exposing Andrew to the dark reaches of his evil powers, Sonneillon demonstrates a demons’ ability to posses, torment and control the thoughts and actions of the living. Andrew’s ultimate goal following his apprenticeship? Revenge on his wife, Katelyn and young son, Joshua, both of whom he holds responsible for his murder.
As Katelyn rebuilds her life, following her husbands’ death, she meets Michael Gordon, a recent escapee from Corporate America, who has his own troubled, tragic past. As their relationship grows, they realize they share something more than their burgeoning love for one another — the powers of hell have deeply impacted their pasts. Evil continues to insinuate itself into the pair's lives, bringing with it haunting and unspeakable horrors.
Andrew's plan of revenge begins to materialize once he inhabits Joshua, having him act out in often violent and disturbing ways. With possession of Joshua’s mind and body complete, will hell's ultimate evil goals come to pass, or can the local priest of a small Maine town exorcize Father from Son? At stake, doom-laden repercussions for all involved…and perhaps the world as a whole.
- GenresHorrorUrban Fantasy
403 pages, Paperback
First published November 13, 2012
1 person is currently reading
736 people want to read
About the author
Tony Hubbard
1 book6 followersTony Hubbard grew up like most boys in Massachusetts during the 1980’s, wanting to emulate basketball star Larry Bird and one day play for the Boston Celtics. Quickly realizing that a future as a professional athlete was something he would not achieve, he did the next best thing – became a sportswriter. As a long-time sportswriter, Tony covered high school, collegiate and professional sports, most notably covering the death of Boston Celtics’ star Reggie Lewis for The Patriot Ledger.
Growing up and reading the works of Edgar Allan Poe and Stephen King, he one day aspired to publish a novel in the horror genre as his ‘writing heroes’ were famous for. After many years away from writing, leaving his professional writing career behind to make a move into the production and advertising side of the publishing business, Tony makes a return with his debut novel. Eighteen years in the making, A Demon Lies Within, releases November 2012 from Two Harbors Press.
A follower of Greek Mythology, he sees himself in the same vein as the Greek God Dionysus, the Greek God of wine, parties/festivals, madness and merriment. Dionysus not only represents the intoxicating power of wine, but also its social and beneficial influences. According to Tony, we should strive to be like Dionysus.
Massachusetts born and bred, Tony has lived all across the state throughout his life. Today he is settled in Dracut with his wife and son.
Growing up and reading the works of Edgar Allan Poe and Stephen King, he one day aspired to publish a novel in the horror genre as his ‘writing heroes’ were famous for. After many years away from writing, leaving his professional writing career behind to make a move into the production and advertising side of the publishing business, Tony makes a return with his debut novel. Eighteen years in the making, A Demon Lies Within, releases November 2012 from Two Harbors Press.
A follower of Greek Mythology, he sees himself in the same vein as the Greek God Dionysus, the Greek God of wine, parties/festivals, madness and merriment. Dionysus not only represents the intoxicating power of wine, but also its social and beneficial influences. According to Tony, we should strive to be like Dionysus.
Massachusetts born and bred, Tony has lived all across the state throughout his life. Today he is settled in Dracut with his wife and son.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 9, 2013
Please Note: Read and reviewed in November 2012. I'm fixing some typos I noticed (mostly in the synopsis) and reordering the review to match with my current format.
Book Info: Genre: Dark Urban Fantasy
Reading Level: Adult
Trigger Warnings: Extreme violence to women and children - see "warning" section below for further details.
Recommended for: Can’t recommend
My Thoughts: Andrew is pretty much a psycho to begin with. For instance:
Warning: Extreme violence toward women – if you are sensitive to or triggered by violence toward women, and/or children, go into this book with extreme caution. In fact, if you are sensitive to any sort of violence, you might want to be careful. This book is very violent. I’m going to be honest with you all – after the scene that ended at the 25 percent point, I was almost ready to just quit reading – it was that awful. And I have a really high tolerance for violence.
The story itself is pretty well done-–fast-paced with plenty of excitement, and an interesting premise--but the dialogue is weird and stilted. For example:
I did make it through the whole book, but I just didn’t like it. In addition to the things listed above, there were a number of misspellings, which I will hope were fixed in the final copy. I know there are people who liked this story, including the person from JKS that sent it to me, but I cannot count myself among those people, and I can’t think who I might recommend this to. If it sounds like your thing and you can get by the violence, I hope you enjoy it better than I did.
Disclosure: I received an e-book ARC from JKS Communications, this author’s publicist, in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis (slightly altered to fix apostrophe abuse): The powers of hell that lie within are very real…
Following his murder, Andrew McMurray finds himself transported to the depths of hell. There he is indoctrinated as an apprentice to a demon master, Sonneillon. Exposing Andrew to the dark reaches of his evil powers, Sonneillon demonstrates a demon's ability to posses, torment and control the thoughts and actions of the living. Andrew’s ultimate goal following his apprenticeship? Revenge on his wife, Katelyn and young son, Joshua, both of whom he holds responsible for his murder.
As Katelyn rebuilds her life, following her husband's death, she meets Michael Gordon, a recent escapee from Corporate America, who has his own troubled, tragic past. As their relationship grows, they realize they share something more than their burgeoning love for one another — the powers of hell have deeply impacted their pasts. Evil continues to insinuate itself into the pair's lives, bringing with it haunting and unspeakable horrors.
Andrew's plan of revenge begins to materialize once he inhabits Joshua, having him act out in often violent and disturbing ways. With possession of Joshua’s mind and body complete, will hell's ultimate evil goals come to pass, or can the local priest of a small Maine town exorcize Father from Son? At stake, doom-laden repercussions for all involved… and perhaps the world as a whole.
Book Info: Genre: Dark Urban Fantasy
Reading Level: Adult
Trigger Warnings: Extreme violence to women and children - see "warning" section below for further details.
Recommended for: Can’t recommend
My Thoughts: Andrew is pretty much a psycho to begin with. For instance:
“Andrew had a history of abusive behavior toward women, specifically Katelyn, but never had he displayed the amount of violence and physical force he used this evening. He had always tried to be a stand-up guy and use restraint when hitting women, but tonight that sense of restraint had left him.”To say this is a very dark book is to very much understate the issue. Let me make it more plain.
Warning: Extreme violence toward women – if you are sensitive to or triggered by violence toward women, and/or children, go into this book with extreme caution. In fact, if you are sensitive to any sort of violence, you might want to be careful. This book is very violent. I’m going to be honest with you all – after the scene that ended at the 25 percent point, I was almost ready to just quit reading – it was that awful. And I have a really high tolerance for violence.
The story itself is pretty well done-–fast-paced with plenty of excitement, and an interesting premise--but the dialogue is weird and stilted. For example:
”Elizabeth, I can appreciate the sense of urgency regarding your matter. You have to understand the reason Carla kept telling you that an appointment was required is based on my direction to her. I’ve instructed her that all patient requests to meet with me need to occur through a scheduled appointment. I can’t have patients thinking that they can come rushing in here whenever they please because they have something they want to discuss. It’s not beneficial to me as the person offering treatment or to you as the patient receiving that treatment. This office can’t work that way, it would be chaos.”I mean, who talks that way? That was a complete, single quote, and while I can believe that is the sentiment behind how most doctors work, I can’t believe that any doctor-–let alone a psychiatrist-–would actually say that outright to a patient. The way the police officers responding to Andrew’s killing spoke amongst themselves seemed to be unrealistic, as well-–especially when in front of the people involved with it all. There was another interaction with the police at the very end, but telling much about it would be a spoiler. Suffice it to say, it was very unprofessional and not at all realistic.
I did make it through the whole book, but I just didn’t like it. In addition to the things listed above, there were a number of misspellings, which I will hope were fixed in the final copy. I know there are people who liked this story, including the person from JKS that sent it to me, but I cannot count myself among those people, and I can’t think who I might recommend this to. If it sounds like your thing and you can get by the violence, I hope you enjoy it better than I did.
Disclosure: I received an e-book ARC from JKS Communications, this author’s publicist, in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis (slightly altered to fix apostrophe abuse): The powers of hell that lie within are very real…
Following his murder, Andrew McMurray finds himself transported to the depths of hell. There he is indoctrinated as an apprentice to a demon master, Sonneillon. Exposing Andrew to the dark reaches of his evil powers, Sonneillon demonstrates a demon's ability to posses, torment and control the thoughts and actions of the living. Andrew’s ultimate goal following his apprenticeship? Revenge on his wife, Katelyn and young son, Joshua, both of whom he holds responsible for his murder.
As Katelyn rebuilds her life, following her husband's death, she meets Michael Gordon, a recent escapee from Corporate America, who has his own troubled, tragic past. As their relationship grows, they realize they share something more than their burgeoning love for one another — the powers of hell have deeply impacted their pasts. Evil continues to insinuate itself into the pair's lives, bringing with it haunting and unspeakable horrors.
Andrew's plan of revenge begins to materialize once he inhabits Joshua, having him act out in often violent and disturbing ways. With possession of Joshua’s mind and body complete, will hell's ultimate evil goals come to pass, or can the local priest of a small Maine town exorcize Father from Son? At stake, doom-laden repercussions for all involved… and perhaps the world as a whole.
January 16, 2013
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
A Demon Lies Within is a tale of murder, possession, and faith. It was this last element that intrigued me the most, even though it wasn't prevalent until the latter part of the book. I actually wish it had played a bigger role than it did, as I felt it was by far the most intriguing aspect of the story. The plot as a whole is compelling; the concept of a father who possesses his son from beyond the grave to enact chaos upon his ex-wife and others involved in her life, was well-conceived.
While this book is a tale of horror, I felt as though the author wanted to convey a deeper message. A message of humanity, of faith, of truly bad people versus those with good in their hearts. It presented, in my view, an explanation for the darker nature of some people, those who commit horrific acts that we as rational humans cannot explain.
That aspect was what I enjoyed the most about this book. I also enjoyed the complexity of the character Michael, and his fate at the end was an interesting addition to the story. In fact, as I was reading that part, I had the movie What Dreams May Come flashing in my mind. It was a nice surprise to contrast a tale that was filled up until that point with dark, dark evil.
If you enjoy stories that explore concepts of Heaven and Hell, demons and angels, good and evil...then check out this book. It blends the darker aspects of horror, violence, and death, with the brighter notes of redemption and forgiveness. It's not an easy read, but it is a thought provoking one.
A Demon Lies Within is a tale of murder, possession, and faith. It was this last element that intrigued me the most, even though it wasn't prevalent until the latter part of the book. I actually wish it had played a bigger role than it did, as I felt it was by far the most intriguing aspect of the story. The plot as a whole is compelling; the concept of a father who possesses his son from beyond the grave to enact chaos upon his ex-wife and others involved in her life, was well-conceived.
While this book is a tale of horror, I felt as though the author wanted to convey a deeper message. A message of humanity, of faith, of truly bad people versus those with good in their hearts. It presented, in my view, an explanation for the darker nature of some people, those who commit horrific acts that we as rational humans cannot explain.
That aspect was what I enjoyed the most about this book. I also enjoyed the complexity of the character Michael, and his fate at the end was an interesting addition to the story. In fact, as I was reading that part, I had the movie What Dreams May Come flashing in my mind. It was a nice surprise to contrast a tale that was filled up until that point with dark, dark evil.
If you enjoy stories that explore concepts of Heaven and Hell, demons and angels, good and evil...then check out this book. It blends the darker aspects of horror, violence, and death, with the brighter notes of redemption and forgiveness. It's not an easy read, but it is a thought provoking one.
October 10, 2012
I almost put this book down very early in reading it. I found the opening scene almost too horrific – a mother getting bashed by her abusive husband, but described in such graphic detail that I was repulsed by it. In fact, this was one of the best written, utterly horrific scenes I’ve read. And here I thought Shuan Hutson was violently graphic.
But I stuck with it and I am glad I did. This is a horror novel – and a very, very good one.
The husband soon learns that downstairs has plans for him. From there on, you’ll have to read for yourself. Really, you need the impact from the start and really appreciate this, and I do not want to spoil it.
This will be considered one of the better horror books of this year, as it rightly deserves to be. It is graphic, horrific, and downright scary. If you like your horror, then do not miss this one. Tony Hubbard has written something that will see him catapult into the best sellers lists, I reckon.
But I stuck with it and I am glad I did. This is a horror novel – and a very, very good one.
The husband soon learns that downstairs has plans for him. From there on, you’ll have to read for yourself. Really, you need the impact from the start and really appreciate this, and I do not want to spoil it.
This will be considered one of the better horror books of this year, as it rightly deserves to be. It is graphic, horrific, and downright scary. If you like your horror, then do not miss this one. Tony Hubbard has written something that will see him catapult into the best sellers lists, I reckon.
December 5, 2012
From Goodreads.com:
The powers of hell that lie within are very real… Following his murder, Andrew McMurray finds himself transported to the depths of hell. There he is indoctrinated as an apprentice to a demon master, Sonneillon. Exposing Andrew to the dark reaches of his evil powers, Sonneillon demonstrates a demons’ ability to posses, torment and control the thoughts and actions of the living.
Andrew’s ultimate goal following his apprenticeship? Revenge on his wife, Katelyn and young son, Joshua, both of whom he holds responsible for his murder. As Katelyn rebuilds her life, following her husbands’ death, she meets Michael Gordon, a recent escapee from Corporate America, who has his own troubled, tragic past. As their relationship grows, they realize they share something more than their burgeoning love for one another — the powers of hell have deeply impacted their pasts.
Evil continues to insinuate itself into the pair’s lives, bringing with it haunting and unspeakable horrors. Andrew’s plan of revenge begins to materialize once he inhabits Joshua, having him act out in often violent and disturbing ways. With possession of Joshua’s mind and body complete, will hell’s ultimate evil goals come to pass, or can the local priest of a small Maine town Father from Son? At stake, doom-laden repercussions for all involved…and perhaps the world as a whole.
My Thoughts:
When I agreed to read this book, I had in mind that it was going to be around Halloween and who doesn’t love a great scary story, even if the cover alone gives you nightmares? And as I got closer and closer to reading this, it started to freak me out, just even thinking about it. Check out how scary that cover is! When I started reading it, I thought it was exactly what I was afraid of. The opening scene is an intense and very graphic and brutal fight scene between a woman, her husband, his mistress and a child. I’m not one for blood and guts, as much as I like to watch Walking Dead. But the more I read this book, the more I really liked it. It turned into more of, exactly what the title says, the demons that live inside of you, compared to the scary red-eyed demons that you see… or think you see. These demons were actually worse. They were people you knew as humans, who have turned to demons, and have now come back to haunt you.
I actually liked this book much more than I thought. It dealt a lot more with the psychological and religious aspect of fighting these demons. These are both topics that always intrigue me when reading. I’m always interested to see how religion is interpreted in fiction and psychology is one of those topics I wish I would have spent a little more time on in college. This is one of those books that makes you kind of scared to go to sleep if you have a guilty conscience. Did you make someone mad enough that they will come haunt you? As if I didn’t have enough to worry about!
When it comes to the characters, it’s hard not to love some of them, including Joshua, a little boy who is possessed by his father. It’s not the little boy’s fault that he turns into a holy terror and inflicts violence on several people in his life and you can’t help but home the demon that is his father is exorcised.
This was one of those books that I just couldn’t get a grasp on. I wasn’t sure where it would go next and who would be the next to die… or survive for that matter. Don’t get me wrong, that is never a bad thing. I love twists and turns around every corner and when I can’t figure them out ahead of time.
I give A Demon Lies Within 5 out of 5 bookmarks.
December 4, 2012
Original post here: http://offbeatvagabond.blogspot.com/2012/11/indie-book-review-demon-lies-within-by.html
Thank you so much Samantha from JKS Communications for introducing me to this book. I told you I love Horror reads and boy did you give me a good one. This is a read that had me on edge from the very first sentence. I knew I was getting a horror read, but I wasn't sure how in depth this would be. This book gave me everything I could ask for and more. A Demon Lies Within is definitely one of the best books I have read this year and I dare anyone not to agree.
I love how Hubbard gives us all these great intertwining stories. You don't know how they will connect and he does a great job keeping you fully enveloped in the characters' lives. The story follows a little boy named Joshua who is trying to stand up to his father. Joshua's father, Andrew, is a drunk, abusive man who takes out his anger on his wife Katelyn. One night where Andrew is cheating on his wife with another woman and Katelyn catches him, things turn out for the worst for Andrew. He is sent to Hell (where he belongs), but that isn't the end of the torment for Joshua and Katelyn. Little do they know, their torment has yet to begin when Andrew formulates a plan beyond the grave that will rip their lives apart. No one is safe.
This will be a difficult review for me because any little thing I say could spoil this book. You have no idea how far this book goes. The plot is superb. It is an amazing showcase of what someone can do when they can't seem to erase their hate and anger. As I have said, there are multiples stories to follow and they connect in a wonderful way. We have Joshua and his mother. They are dealing with the aftermath of what they did to Andrew. We also have a cop named Michael and his fiancee Elizabeth who have their own hurdles they must leap over. Then Andrew with his demon mentor, Sonneillon, who is showing him the ropes. Andrew wants revenge on who killed him I can't say more because the way this plays out is so amazing. If this was a Horror film (done correctly), it would be worthy of an Oscar.
Now I must warn you now, this is a very tough read. There are parts I had to take a break from a few times because they were just so morbid. My goodness, if Horror isn't your thing, but you want to know the story, I suggest you read this book with caution. There are scenes that are very intense, disgusting, and just pure evil. Even with all of that, you are very invested into this story. You want to know what Andrew plans to do and how everyone will play a role in his deception. The catastrophic actions that take place are overwhelming Goodness, I wish I could tell you guys more, but trust me, it is epic.
A Demon Lies Within is a journey you have to have some guts to read. It is dark, vile, scary as hell, and I enjoyed every minute of it. Fans of Stephen King and The Exorcist will be drooling over this. It is that good. It is Horror, Paranormal, Thriller, and a Drama all mixed in a beautiful package. If you are looking for an unforgettable gruesome journey, look no further.
Thank you so much Samantha from JKS Communications for introducing me to this book. I told you I love Horror reads and boy did you give me a good one. This is a read that had me on edge from the very first sentence. I knew I was getting a horror read, but I wasn't sure how in depth this would be. This book gave me everything I could ask for and more. A Demon Lies Within is definitely one of the best books I have read this year and I dare anyone not to agree.
I love how Hubbard gives us all these great intertwining stories. You don't know how they will connect and he does a great job keeping you fully enveloped in the characters' lives. The story follows a little boy named Joshua who is trying to stand up to his father. Joshua's father, Andrew, is a drunk, abusive man who takes out his anger on his wife Katelyn. One night where Andrew is cheating on his wife with another woman and Katelyn catches him, things turn out for the worst for Andrew. He is sent to Hell (where he belongs), but that isn't the end of the torment for Joshua and Katelyn. Little do they know, their torment has yet to begin when Andrew formulates a plan beyond the grave that will rip their lives apart. No one is safe.
This will be a difficult review for me because any little thing I say could spoil this book. You have no idea how far this book goes. The plot is superb. It is an amazing showcase of what someone can do when they can't seem to erase their hate and anger. As I have said, there are multiples stories to follow and they connect in a wonderful way. We have Joshua and his mother. They are dealing with the aftermath of what they did to Andrew. We also have a cop named Michael and his fiancee Elizabeth who have their own hurdles they must leap over. Then Andrew with his demon mentor, Sonneillon, who is showing him the ropes. Andrew wants revenge on who killed him I can't say more because the way this plays out is so amazing. If this was a Horror film (done correctly), it would be worthy of an Oscar.
Now I must warn you now, this is a very tough read. There are parts I had to take a break from a few times because they were just so morbid. My goodness, if Horror isn't your thing, but you want to know the story, I suggest you read this book with caution. There are scenes that are very intense, disgusting, and just pure evil. Even with all of that, you are very invested into this story. You want to know what Andrew plans to do and how everyone will play a role in his deception. The catastrophic actions that take place are overwhelming Goodness, I wish I could tell you guys more, but trust me, it is epic.
A Demon Lies Within is a journey you have to have some guts to read. It is dark, vile, scary as hell, and I enjoyed every minute of it. Fans of Stephen King and The Exorcist will be drooling over this. It is that good. It is Horror, Paranormal, Thriller, and a Drama all mixed in a beautiful package. If you are looking for an unforgettable gruesome journey, look no further.
November 13, 2012
Tony Hubbard's A Demon Lies Within is a difficult book to classify. Horror? Paranormal? Thriller? Drama? Religious? Yes on all counts, and then some.
Trying to formulate a review is just as taxing, simply because I don't want to say something that will spoil the unbelievably riveting story for others. It is a glimpse not just into the darkest recesses of the human heart and soul, but reaches far into spiritual realms. Mr. Hubbard explores the concept of `the devil made me do it' to such a tragic, heartbreaking and morbid degree that you won't easily forget this story once it concludes.
Several sections of this book turned my stomach due to their graphic nature. My God, but humans can be the most evil creatures on earth. This is not a book for someone that cannot handle gore, for parts of it are vile and despicable. The writing style of Mr. Hubbard is mesmerizing and even during the most vicious sections, you can't help but continue. You are drawn into the world of the characters as they struggle to survive the mental pain and anguish that their actions have caused, as well as the catastrophic actions of others.
The deeply religious overtones and subject matter in this book reminded me of The Exorcist. Only better, in terms of the depth of the characters portrayed and the emotional attachment I felt for them, especially the mother, Kaitlyn.
A dark journey for sure--one you won't want to traverse alone.
This book was passed on to me by the author for an honest review for which I am grateful, otherwise, I might have missed out on one of the most frightening books I have ever read.
Trying to formulate a review is just as taxing, simply because I don't want to say something that will spoil the unbelievably riveting story for others. It is a glimpse not just into the darkest recesses of the human heart and soul, but reaches far into spiritual realms. Mr. Hubbard explores the concept of `the devil made me do it' to such a tragic, heartbreaking and morbid degree that you won't easily forget this story once it concludes.
Several sections of this book turned my stomach due to their graphic nature. My God, but humans can be the most evil creatures on earth. This is not a book for someone that cannot handle gore, for parts of it are vile and despicable. The writing style of Mr. Hubbard is mesmerizing and even during the most vicious sections, you can't help but continue. You are drawn into the world of the characters as they struggle to survive the mental pain and anguish that their actions have caused, as well as the catastrophic actions of others.
The deeply religious overtones and subject matter in this book reminded me of The Exorcist. Only better, in terms of the depth of the characters portrayed and the emotional attachment I felt for them, especially the mother, Kaitlyn.
A dark journey for sure--one you won't want to traverse alone.
This book was passed on to me by the author for an honest review for which I am grateful, otherwise, I might have missed out on one of the most frightening books I have ever read.
October 14, 2012
I was surprised by this book, but not at all in a good way. This was one of the more creative concepts I've heard about in a while, and as someone who likes all things dark and twisty, I was sure I was in for a treat. But I wasn't.
This book is all tell, no show. It's just a stream of events, with no description whatsoever. Even when someone is scared or angry, it reads more like "Katelyn was angry" instead of showing you through how she acted that she was angry. It almost read as an outline, not in terms of completeness, but because neither the characters nor the action was developed. From the very beginning, there's domestic abuse, drug use, murder/self-defense, a man grappling with hating his job, an unwanted pregnancy... and yet, I couldn't connect with any of it. It was written completely devoid of any emotion, there was no chance to connect with the characters, or even with the action. Which was disappointing. It could have been great. It should have been great. But it fell apart before it ever really began.
This book is all tell, no show. It's just a stream of events, with no description whatsoever. Even when someone is scared or angry, it reads more like "Katelyn was angry" instead of showing you through how she acted that she was angry. It almost read as an outline, not in terms of completeness, but because neither the characters nor the action was developed. From the very beginning, there's domestic abuse, drug use, murder/self-defense, a man grappling with hating his job, an unwanted pregnancy... and yet, I couldn't connect with any of it. It was written completely devoid of any emotion, there was no chance to connect with the characters, or even with the action. Which was disappointing. It could have been great. It should have been great. But it fell apart before it ever really began.
November 29, 2012
Soon after being murdered, Andrew finds himself in hell. There the demon master Sonneillon takes him under his wing and shows him the depths of his evil powers. With his newly acquired abilities, Andrew is determined to seek revenge on his wife and any others that dare get in his way.
Mr. Hubbard's debut novel is grotesque, chilling, and enjoyable with the perfect blend of suspense, action, and horror. A few chapters during the middle dragged on and some of Joshua's actions left me befuddled but by the end of the book all was forgiving.
Is "A Demon Lies Within" perfect? No, but it is enjoyable and well worth the purchase if you love horror and or tales dealing with demon or possession.
Mr. Hubbard's debut novel is grotesque, chilling, and enjoyable with the perfect blend of suspense, action, and horror. A few chapters during the middle dragged on and some of Joshua's actions left me befuddled but by the end of the book all was forgiving.
Is "A Demon Lies Within" perfect? No, but it is enjoyable and well worth the purchase if you love horror and or tales dealing with demon or possession.
November 16, 2012
When Andrew is killed, he goes straight to Sonnilon, a demon who works for Satan. Andrew, there learns to torment and control his son Joshua. Andrew is determined to make his family pay for his untimely demise. Whether you believe in the power of good & evil, heaven or hell or can explain it as a mental break down. This is the book for you. There are several graphic and horrid scenes. Once you start you won't be able to put it down.
September 26, 2012
From page one I was hooked. Way different what I usually read. But I couldn't put this one down. Perfect any time you want a good read - but here around Halloween, it's especially eerily wonderful!
February 14, 2013
Any time I turn on the news or read and article about some wife-beating, child-abusing jackass, I wish there was such a thing as Hell, so the miserable piece of garbage could burn for all eternity. Well, that's precisely where one such wife-beating, child-abusing jackass--with a cheating heart no less--winds up when Andrew McMurray is shot and killed by his wife. It feels like the ending to a novel, rather than a beginning, but Andrew's path of torment and hate is far from over.
After Andrew meets his demise, he meets a demon named Sonneillon once in Hell. Sonneillon recruits him as an apprentice of sorts, promising Andrew revenge against his wife and son, which Andrew readily accepts. From there, his gruesome training begins. All the while, Katelyn and her son, Joshua, pick up the pieces of their lives, with Katelyn eventually falling in love with another man and Joshua growing up and making friends. Then Andrew's return comes in the form of possession and all hell breaks loose.
Despite a strong premise with a very interesting twist on possession stories, I had a difficult time staying engaged with this book. The opening chapters are certainly built for instant shock and to establish a grim tone for the subject matter, but I found description and dialogue to be lacking more often than not. With regards to dialogue, there were times when it felt like the kind of back-and-forth you'd expect from a daytime soap, including drawn out sentences and tirades. Then there were times when the description of scenes was so sparse, I had a difficult time picturing anything at all. Plus, the ease and willfulness that Andrew accepts that he's in Hell, propositioned by a demon, and bears witness to horrendous atrocities felt incredulous.
The tension mounts later in the book, as Andrew makes his presence felt on Katelyn, Joshua, and those close to them, but I didn't have any emotional engagement with the characters by that time to really care. And for those of you with an aversion to extreme violence, you'll find out early on in the book just where your cut-off limit is, because this novel comes at you hard and fast.
A Demon Lies Within was ultimately a disappointing venture for me, but not so much that I didn't follow it through to the end. Had it lacked any redeeming qualities or disinterested me anymore, I would have discarded it within the first few chapters. If you slug it out, you may enjoy the payoff at the end, but then again ...
After Andrew meets his demise, he meets a demon named Sonneillon once in Hell. Sonneillon recruits him as an apprentice of sorts, promising Andrew revenge against his wife and son, which Andrew readily accepts. From there, his gruesome training begins. All the while, Katelyn and her son, Joshua, pick up the pieces of their lives, with Katelyn eventually falling in love with another man and Joshua growing up and making friends. Then Andrew's return comes in the form of possession and all hell breaks loose.
Despite a strong premise with a very interesting twist on possession stories, I had a difficult time staying engaged with this book. The opening chapters are certainly built for instant shock and to establish a grim tone for the subject matter, but I found description and dialogue to be lacking more often than not. With regards to dialogue, there were times when it felt like the kind of back-and-forth you'd expect from a daytime soap, including drawn out sentences and tirades. Then there were times when the description of scenes was so sparse, I had a difficult time picturing anything at all. Plus, the ease and willfulness that Andrew accepts that he's in Hell, propositioned by a demon, and bears witness to horrendous atrocities felt incredulous.
The tension mounts later in the book, as Andrew makes his presence felt on Katelyn, Joshua, and those close to them, but I didn't have any emotional engagement with the characters by that time to really care. And for those of you with an aversion to extreme violence, you'll find out early on in the book just where your cut-off limit is, because this novel comes at you hard and fast.
A Demon Lies Within was ultimately a disappointing venture for me, but not so much that I didn't follow it through to the end. Had it lacked any redeeming qualities or disinterested me anymore, I would have discarded it within the first few chapters. If you slug it out, you may enjoy the payoff at the end, but then again ...
Want to read
January 19, 2013I met this author today! So excited to read his book... even if I'm not a fan of demons. He promises the story outweighs the horror.
May 31, 2013
A horrifying glimpse into the human mind, written utilizing all of the tools at hand to make the scenarios just that much more terrifying.
-Full review to come
-Full review to come
June 14, 2013
Here's a peek at what our readers had to say...
Michal "I so wanted to like this book. I really did. I thought the story was fascinating- an unique twist on an exorcism, especially Hubbard also gives you the point of view of the father possessing the son and his lessons in hell. But the way the story was written was abysmal." Grade: D-
Kristina "The opening scene is so horrific that it took me a long time just to get through that. As I proceeded through the first five chapters, Andrew’s character revealed himself to be so evil and I was so disturbed by the image of demons with the power to affect us here on earth, that I began to feel … uncomfortable." Grade: D
MJ "I was addicted to the fight of good and evil and who would triumph in the end. Its not a book I would reread but it is a book that made a lasting imprint and still bothers my dreams." Grade: B-
Rochelle "The title implied so much more than the book delivered. This seems like a rushed first draft that could have potential, but only after starting over with a very detailed plot outline, before returning to the text and using a lot of red pen ." Grade: F
Read their full reviews here.
Michal "I so wanted to like this book. I really did. I thought the story was fascinating- an unique twist on an exorcism, especially Hubbard also gives you the point of view of the father possessing the son and his lessons in hell. But the way the story was written was abysmal." Grade: D-
Kristina "The opening scene is so horrific that it took me a long time just to get through that. As I proceeded through the first five chapters, Andrew’s character revealed himself to be so evil and I was so disturbed by the image of demons with the power to affect us here on earth, that I began to feel … uncomfortable." Grade: D
MJ "I was addicted to the fight of good and evil and who would triumph in the end. Its not a book I would reread but it is a book that made a lasting imprint and still bothers my dreams." Grade: B-
Rochelle "The title implied so much more than the book delivered. This seems like a rushed first draft that could have potential, but only after starting over with a very detailed plot outline, before returning to the text and using a lot of red pen ." Grade: F
Read their full reviews here.
February 20, 2013
A Demon Lies Within by Tony Hubbard was an interesting book. It was a bit darker than my normal selection of book, but it kept me interested and turning the pages. The journey of a man who is an abusive, cheating husband to the ward of a demon who is teaching him how to torment humanity.
The characters in this book are well done, the evil is pronounced and leaves no doubt while the good people aren't perfect, they are just trying to resist the will of the evil ones. The relationships that develop seem realistic and really help drive the plot.
While this book isn't for the faint of heart, it is great for anyone who enjoys horror stories. The great thing about this book is, it's not a gore fest. There is a psychological aspect to the horror that really helps drive the reader to keep turning the pages. That is not to say there is no violence, just some terrible mind games taking place driving things forward.
I received a copy of this book from a literary publicity agent in exchange for an honest review.
The characters in this book are well done, the evil is pronounced and leaves no doubt while the good people aren't perfect, they are just trying to resist the will of the evil ones. The relationships that develop seem realistic and really help drive the plot.
While this book isn't for the faint of heart, it is great for anyone who enjoys horror stories. The great thing about this book is, it's not a gore fest. There is a psychological aspect to the horror that really helps drive the reader to keep turning the pages. That is not to say there is no violence, just some terrible mind games taking place driving things forward.
I received a copy of this book from a literary publicity agent in exchange for an honest review.
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