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West of Hell #3
Sheol
Sheol is the third and final book in the West of Hell trilogy.
After escaping the decimated town of Gehenna and the mighty Tartarus river, Karen finds herself trapped in a prison in the city of Sheol. Knowing that an army of the dead is marching across the desert behind her, Karen must find a way to escape the sadistic Evans, and rally the citizens of Sheol for one last stand against an enemy of biblical proportions.
After escaping the decimated town of Gehenna and the mighty Tartarus river, Karen finds herself trapped in a prison in the city of Sheol. Knowing that an army of the dead is marching across the desert behind her, Karen must find a way to escape the sadistic Evans, and rally the citizens of Sheol for one last stand against an enemy of biblical proportions.
Kindle Edition
First published November 23, 2012
3 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
About the author
Jason Brant
35 books280 followers"JASON BRANT" is an anagram for Bas Trojann, a former Bigfoot hunter who, after being abducted (and subsequently returned) by aliens, decided to hang up his ghillie suit and enter the world of professional arm wrestling. Despite back-to-back first place finishes in the South Dakota World International Championship League, Bas receded from athletics to invent cheese and give Al Gore the initiative to create the internet.
Nearly a decade after writing the bestselling self-help series, Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese (Cut into Four Pieces) for the Soul, Bas has left his life of notoriety and critical acclaim behind him to write existential, erotic poetry.
His wife washes their clothing on his abs.
Nearly a decade after writing the bestselling self-help series, Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese (Cut into Four Pieces) for the Soul, Bas has left his life of notoriety and critical acclaim behind him to write existential, erotic poetry.
His wife washes their clothing on his abs.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
March 13, 2014
An army of moaners a thousand strong converges on Sheol and Karen is the only one who can stop them. Too bad she's standing on a gallows and the last time she saw McCall, the moaners were upon him...
Sheol brings the West of Hell trilogy to a conclusion. Loose ends are tied up and the end was part awesome, part WTF? I half-suspected what was coming but it was still a surprise.
The amazing thing about the West of Hell trilogy is how far Karen and McCall end up from where they started, both location-wise and as characters. The murderous outlaw and the feisty prostitute go through one hell of a journey, pun intended.
As with the earlier volumes, the gore level is high. Moaners and regular people alike get shot, stabbed, and torn apart with frightening regularity. If possible, Sheol had even more tense moments than the previous two volumes. When an undead army is heading for your town, you can only gun down so many of them.
I can't stress enough how this series should be held up as an example of self publishing done right. It's tightly edited, well-written, and feels like a labor of love.
The West of Hell trilogy now occupies a place of honor high in my Weird Western hierarchy, right up there with the Dark Tower and The Merkabah Rider series. Four out of five stars.
Sheol brings the West of Hell trilogy to a conclusion. Loose ends are tied up and the end was part awesome, part WTF? I half-suspected what was coming but it was still a surprise.
The amazing thing about the West of Hell trilogy is how far Karen and McCall end up from where they started, both location-wise and as characters. The murderous outlaw and the feisty prostitute go through one hell of a journey, pun intended.
As with the earlier volumes, the gore level is high. Moaners and regular people alike get shot, stabbed, and torn apart with frightening regularity. If possible, Sheol had even more tense moments than the previous two volumes. When an undead army is heading for your town, you can only gun down so many of them.
I can't stress enough how this series should be held up as an example of self publishing done right. It's tightly edited, well-written, and feels like a labor of love.
The West of Hell trilogy now occupies a place of honor high in my Weird Western hierarchy, right up there with the Dark Tower and The Merkabah Rider series. Four out of five stars.
October 8, 2014
Sheol wraps up the story of McCall, Karen and the mysterious zombie apocalypse. I have to confess that just as I was growing a bit tired of more of the same the author really surprised me with an unexpected and very cool little twist.
It turns out that there is much more going on in the story than your run of the mill cowboys versus zombies thing. I like stories that surprise me. Sheol did a great job of doing just that. In this book it dawned on me that no one had any memories of more than a few days prior - just at the out break of the zombie apocalypse. Why is that? That is the first hint that something is up. There are more hints baked into the story, but I don't want to reveal them. It'e more fun to draw the connections yourself.
I really recommend this little trilogy. The stories are quick, intelligent, funny and action packed. You won't be disappointed. My only real knock on the whole thing is that it did start to drag at points and that the actions of McCall and Karen were a tad unrealistic. Four stars.
It turns out that there is much more going on in the story than your run of the mill cowboys versus zombies thing. I like stories that surprise me. Sheol did a great job of doing just that. In this book it dawned on me that no one had any memories of more than a few days prior - just at the out break of the zombie apocalypse. Why is that? That is the first hint that something is up. There are more hints baked into the story, but I don't want to reveal them. It'e more fun to draw the connections yourself.
I really recommend this little trilogy. The stories are quick, intelligent, funny and action packed. You won't be disappointed. My only real knock on the whole thing is that it did start to drag at points and that the actions of McCall and Karen were a tad unrealistic. Four stars.
November 26, 2012
Once again Jason Brant knocks it out of the park. We pick up right where Tartarus left off... or do we? Oh, yeah~ I'm not telling. I am convinced that no one writes action and fight scenes more adeptly and descriptively as this mullet-fanatic, Jason Brant. An amazing conclusion to an EXCELLENT trilogy. I eagerly await his next work. 5 reapers for Sheol, and 5 reapers to the West of Hell Trilogy.
December 13, 2012
Sheol is the third and last book in the West of Hell series. It was the perfect conclusion to a completely different and wild ride. Zombies, prostitutes, and the Wild West ended up being the perfect combination.
I do not even know how to start because I do not want to post any spoilers. The second book left off with McCall sending Karen and Stephen to safety, at the detriment to his own. The third book begins with a shock that makes you glad that the hero is still in the story.
Karen is in jail, with someone in a position of authority that she never would have imagined. Stephen has been taken from her and she is accused of heinous crimes. The town of Sheol has no idea what is coming and Karen is determined to tell them. The "moaners" are coming and this is going to be the fight of the town's life. No one is safe and nothing is what it seems.
I really do not want to get into any more detail besides saying that this book blew my mind. McCall and Karen reach new depths in this book. It makes them come even more alive and it makes you connect with them in new ways. Jason Brant even brought a few awwww moments into the story. The biblical undertones leave you nervous and second-guessing everything you have thought about the previous books. There are so many clues and hints if you just open yourself up to them. The ending wowed me and I feel privileged to have gotten to read this series.
Quotes from the Book:
"Don't you know? I'm nothin' but a hooker. Keeping my mouth open is how I make money."
"All your anger, all your hate, all your shame at the things you've ignored in this town... turn it into wrath and unleash it at the army knocking on your door. This is your chance at redemption - take it."
"I walked across that fucking desert for you. I'm here, fighting for these people because of you. If you give up on me now, then you're telling me that everything I've done has been for nothing. You were worth it, no matter what happens."
I do not even know how to start because I do not want to post any spoilers. The second book left off with McCall sending Karen and Stephen to safety, at the detriment to his own. The third book begins with a shock that makes you glad that the hero is still in the story.
Karen is in jail, with someone in a position of authority that she never would have imagined. Stephen has been taken from her and she is accused of heinous crimes. The town of Sheol has no idea what is coming and Karen is determined to tell them. The "moaners" are coming and this is going to be the fight of the town's life. No one is safe and nothing is what it seems.
I really do not want to get into any more detail besides saying that this book blew my mind. McCall and Karen reach new depths in this book. It makes them come even more alive and it makes you connect with them in new ways. Jason Brant even brought a few awwww moments into the story. The biblical undertones leave you nervous and second-guessing everything you have thought about the previous books. There are so many clues and hints if you just open yourself up to them. The ending wowed me and I feel privileged to have gotten to read this series.
Quotes from the Book:
"Don't you know? I'm nothin' but a hooker. Keeping my mouth open is how I make money."
"All your anger, all your hate, all your shame at the things you've ignored in this town... turn it into wrath and unleash it at the army knocking on your door. This is your chance at redemption - take it."
"I walked across that fucking desert for you. I'm here, fighting for these people because of you. If you give up on me now, then you're telling me that everything I've done has been for nothing. You were worth it, no matter what happens."
December 7, 2012
Holy crapola! Jason Brant has done it again. Sheol was impossible to put down. It's horror, zombies, gore and action at their finest. The imagery is disturbing and frighteningly, makes you feel as if you're in the thick of it.
I really like that there is a strong female lead that doesn't need constant saving either. Matter of fact, Karen is a heroine in her own right. I think in this genre and especially the time frame in which this series is set, it would be an easy pit fall to trip into. Luckily, the author avoids it with, what appears to be, relative ease.
The suspense in this installment of the series was fantastic. This book had me on the edge of my seat the entire way. I was constantly wondering if the characters would survive from one page to the next. Don't be looking for me to answer that here, not gonna happen. You are just going to have to read it yourself. Besides, the end is a bit of a surprise that needs not be spoiled.
I really like that there is a strong female lead that doesn't need constant saving either. Matter of fact, Karen is a heroine in her own right. I think in this genre and especially the time frame in which this series is set, it would be an easy pit fall to trip into. Luckily, the author avoids it with, what appears to be, relative ease.
The suspense in this installment of the series was fantastic. This book had me on the edge of my seat the entire way. I was constantly wondering if the characters would survive from one page to the next. Don't be looking for me to answer that here, not gonna happen. You are just going to have to read it yourself. Besides, the end is a bit of a surprise that needs not be spoiled.
April 25, 2019
The ending? What was that?
Highly disappointed in the ending of this trilogy. Surely this is not the end? Where did this come from? The blog no longer works. Can someone explain the ending to me? Did the author paint himself into a corner and could not figure out a proper ending? Bah!
Highly disappointed in the ending of this trilogy. Surely this is not the end? Where did this come from? The blog no longer works. Can someone explain the ending to me? Did the author paint himself into a corner and could not figure out a proper ending? Bah!
November 24, 2012
This is the third and final installment of the West Of Hell series. When I read the first two books, Gehenna and Tartarus, I loved them. This final book made me love them more. So much more that I have to go and read the entire series over again! This is not just your typical zombie series…
When I sat down to do this review, I had a hard time trying to figure out how to describe this book without giving away the surprise. It took until I finished this incredible story to realize exactly what the story was about. There is so much more to the story than what you immediately see!
The second book ended with Karen arriving in Sheol, and McCall facing death outside a house by the desert. Karen finds that an evil outlaw from the train that she had assumed to be dead, was actually the sheriff of Sheol, who locked her up in jail, intending to hang her. In the third book, McCall, who has an uncanny ability to cheat certain death, came to her rescue. With the zombies advancing on the town, Karen and McCall try to rally the citizens to fight back until all they could do was escape.
The action in this book is nonstop, the dialogue was wonderful and the imagery that Jason Brant portrays is amazing. While reading, I felt that I could see, hear, and even smell what was going on. There was a time or two that I swore I could taste the gunpowder residue in my mouth… it is that vivid! Karen and McCall made an excellent team, and the evolution of these characters was wonderful. Karen started out a independent-minded prostitute and ended up needing to care for an orphaned child. I love what a strong character she is, and was happy to see her take a leadership role in this book. McCall was at first, a self-centered unemotional man, but by the end of the series, sacrificed so much for those he grew to care about… and even those he didn’t.
The ending of this book made me stop and give pause. Was everything I read really everything there was? Absolutely not! What on the surface was an excellently-written, action packed zombie book actually turned out to be something much deeper! I was literally blown away by this “revelation”! This is a must-read book in a must-read series!
When I sat down to do this review, I had a hard time trying to figure out how to describe this book without giving away the surprise. It took until I finished this incredible story to realize exactly what the story was about. There is so much more to the story than what you immediately see!
The second book ended with Karen arriving in Sheol, and McCall facing death outside a house by the desert. Karen finds that an evil outlaw from the train that she had assumed to be dead, was actually the sheriff of Sheol, who locked her up in jail, intending to hang her. In the third book, McCall, who has an uncanny ability to cheat certain death, came to her rescue. With the zombies advancing on the town, Karen and McCall try to rally the citizens to fight back until all they could do was escape.
The action in this book is nonstop, the dialogue was wonderful and the imagery that Jason Brant portrays is amazing. While reading, I felt that I could see, hear, and even smell what was going on. There was a time or two that I swore I could taste the gunpowder residue in my mouth… it is that vivid! Karen and McCall made an excellent team, and the evolution of these characters was wonderful. Karen started out a independent-minded prostitute and ended up needing to care for an orphaned child. I love what a strong character she is, and was happy to see her take a leadership role in this book. McCall was at first, a self-centered unemotional man, but by the end of the series, sacrificed so much for those he grew to care about… and even those he didn’t.
The ending of this book made me stop and give pause. Was everything I read really everything there was? Absolutely not! What on the surface was an excellently-written, action packed zombie book actually turned out to be something much deeper! I was literally blown away by this “revelation”! This is a must-read book in a must-read series!
November 28, 2012
Jason Brant takes you on a journey back to the Wild West. Everyone is living life as usual until zombies, or moaners enter the scene. Karen and Mad Dog McCall are fleeing from one hell to another to escape these creatures. In this last book of the trilogy Karen is in prison, and about to hang for crimes she did not commit. McCall is crossing the desert to meet her in Sheol. They want to warn the people of the death that is coming toward them.
This is a book where I could see what was happening as I read the words. It keep me turning the pages to find out what would happen next. As always humor is thrown in with all the gore, and a ending that has a double meaning. This is a great ending to the West of Hell trilogy.
This is a book where I could see what was happening as I read the words. It keep me turning the pages to find out what would happen next. As always humor is thrown in with all the gore, and a ending that has a double meaning. This is a great ending to the West of Hell trilogy.
June 11, 2019
4 Stars
That was a fun zombie trilogy. Good grief, I love the whole zombie thing.
If interested, the first book is FREE on Amazon; always, per the author. :)
That was a fun zombie trilogy. Good grief, I love the whole zombie thing.
If interested, the first book is FREE on Amazon; always, per the author. :)
October 28, 2018
It was great to finally get my hands on this final book of the West of Hell Series. Just as fast-paced as the first two. My only issue was the end. Sorry, Mr. Brant - I don't get it. I mean, I think maybe I do - but I'm not sure. If the end is what I think it is, then that's pretty cool. :) Can I get any more vague so as not to spoil it for future readers? Seriously, though. A great Wild West Zombie trilogy. Great fun.
April 16, 2021
I really enjoyed this book in the series. I love these characters and care about what happens to them. I’m not sure if there is a next book, but I guess it’s next on my list to get.
June 29, 2021
Third book in the West of Hell series and a really enjoyable read. Like the previous two books in the series, lots of action and suspense in fighting/escaping the undead.
August 15, 2014
Sheol is the third and final book in the West of Hell series by author Jason Brant, concluding the Ol’ West’s fight against the mass horde of the undead.
I can’t go into the plot of this book, for it’ll contain way too many spoilers. All I can say is: Holy SH**!
Sheol is a fitting ending to the series, and I sincerely feel Jason Brant did a great job with the entire thing. There were a few questions I had with this book, but thankfully they were all answered at the end and I can say with the utmost belief that this is one of my favorite series of all time. My only regret with this series is that I didn’t read it sooner!
My review here will be short, but just know that this is definitely worth the read. Author Jason Brant brings the pain with this series, stuffing it full of horror, action, thrills, adventure, romance, and zombie gore galore. Should the zombie apocalypse ever occur, I know who I want in my group of survivors: Jason Brant!
A major salute to you, Mr. Brant, for creating such a unique and intriguing story. I look forward to reading more of your work very soon!
I can’t go into the plot of this book, for it’ll contain way too many spoilers. All I can say is: Holy SH**!
Sheol is a fitting ending to the series, and I sincerely feel Jason Brant did a great job with the entire thing. There were a few questions I had with this book, but thankfully they were all answered at the end and I can say with the utmost belief that this is one of my favorite series of all time. My only regret with this series is that I didn’t read it sooner!
My review here will be short, but just know that this is definitely worth the read. Author Jason Brant brings the pain with this series, stuffing it full of horror, action, thrills, adventure, romance, and zombie gore galore. Should the zombie apocalypse ever occur, I know who I want in my group of survivors: Jason Brant!
A major salute to you, Mr. Brant, for creating such a unique and intriguing story. I look forward to reading more of your work very soon!
February 11, 2013
Sheol was my favorite book in the West of Hell Trilogy, by far. The end of Tartarus left me hanging by a fingernail, causing me to start reading Sheol immediately without passing go or collecting $200. I kept thinking, there’s no way these two people are still alive, no matter how strong they seem to be. McCall and Karen were constantly surrounded by pain, fire, and endless moans of death. And what place is described as a painful lake of fire with sounds of wailing and gnashing of teeth? So, realizing that they may already be dead, doomed to fight the torment of hell, I almost started giving up hope for the characters I’ve now become so attached to.
In an attempt to avoid spoilers, I will leave you with this... Jason draws subtle parallels between the physical zombie/western story that is playing out within the pages of his book, to hell and the end of days. But it doesn’t end there...
The West of Hell Trilogy is definitely not your average zombie/western, forcing you to look deeper at the true meaning behind the story.
In an attempt to avoid spoilers, I will leave you with this... Jason draws subtle parallels between the physical zombie/western story that is playing out within the pages of his book, to hell and the end of days. But it doesn’t end there...
The West of Hell Trilogy is definitely not your average zombie/western, forcing you to look deeper at the true meaning behind the story.
October 23, 2022
TL;DR: An epic conclusion to a wild trilogy where the twist took me by complete surprise. My pulse raced, my jaw dropped, and I thoroughly enjoyed it!
.
.
REVIEW:
I'll try to keep this as spoiler free as possible. I also am going to be up front about the fact that the author (Jason Brant) is my cousin...although he doesn't know I've been reading this series.
Overall, if you enjoy fast-paced books, especially with zombies, then I think you would love this series. It kept me turning pages and wanting to immediately consume the next one in the series. Honestly, I was itching with anticipation to see how the trilogy was going to end.
There were multiple twists in this installment's plot, and the biggest one is one I never even saw coming. I'm tempted to give the series a reread to see if I can find the breadcrumbs that were left along the way!
Regardless of me knowing the author, I think anyone that enjoys supernatural/horror books that are fast paced and twisty would enjoy this series!
.
.
REVIEW:
I'll try to keep this as spoiler free as possible. I also am going to be up front about the fact that the author (Jason Brant) is my cousin...although he doesn't know I've been reading this series.
Overall, if you enjoy fast-paced books, especially with zombies, then I think you would love this series. It kept me turning pages and wanting to immediately consume the next one in the series. Honestly, I was itching with anticipation to see how the trilogy was going to end.
There were multiple twists in this installment's plot, and the biggest one is one I never even saw coming. I'm tempted to give the series a reread to see if I can find the breadcrumbs that were left along the way!
Regardless of me knowing the author, I think anyone that enjoys supernatural/horror books that are fast paced and twisty would enjoy this series!
May 22, 2013
After McCall was seemingly overrun by the zombies on their way to Sheol, Karen and the child she and McCall rescued from the train, made their way to Sheol on their own.
On arriving in town she was arrested by the sheriff of the town and thrown into jail. I won’t go into detail, but McCall, who Karen though was dead, arrived to save her from the gallows, and they, together with some of the town’s citizens tried to take a stand against the approaching zombie hoards.
They eventually had to flee, once again, and try and make their way into the mountains.
Throughout the series something nagged at me – it felt as if I was missing something. That something came together at the end of Sheol when the clues left throughout the three books made sense.
This was a great conclusion the West of Hell trilogy.
As can be expected – expect the unexpected from Jason Brant – he delivers A truly great read ….. makes think.
On arriving in town she was arrested by the sheriff of the town and thrown into jail. I won’t go into detail, but McCall, who Karen though was dead, arrived to save her from the gallows, and they, together with some of the town’s citizens tried to take a stand against the approaching zombie hoards.
They eventually had to flee, once again, and try and make their way into the mountains.
Throughout the series something nagged at me – it felt as if I was missing something. That something came together at the end of Sheol when the clues left throughout the three books made sense.
This was a great conclusion the West of Hell trilogy.
As can be expected – expect the unexpected from Jason Brant – he delivers A truly great read ….. makes think.
August 15, 2013
Phew thank you, Mad Dog. That’s all I’ll say about that. Here again Brant wrote a fantastic story and a fitting end to the zombie apocalypse. There are layers to this series and I truly enjoyed all of them, for me this wasn’t just a story about flesh eating monsters in a western setting, nor was it just a horror story. The characters were enjoyable and I loved the connection Karen and McCall found with one another. This final installment had me questioning things in the series and when the ending came I found myself smiling as some of the pieces of the series began to fall into place for me. It was a great book and a fantastic series and I will definitely be grabbing up more of Brant’s work.
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November 15, 2015More than meets the eye.
Sheol is the final volume in Jason Brant's West of Hell series, and it wraps up the mysteries of the zombie horde's attack on three towns on the edge of the desert.
There is more to Karen, McCall, Sheol and the West of Hell trilogy then meets the eye and the book brings the series to a satisfying conclusion on more than one level.
Like the two books before it Sheol is a blazing fast read that's all action. There is a ton of gore and a lot of laughs. If I ever have to face a zombie horde I hop I have people like Karen and McCall.
Sheol is the final volume in Jason Brant's West of Hell series, and it wraps up the mysteries of the zombie horde's attack on three towns on the edge of the desert.
There is more to Karen, McCall, Sheol and the West of Hell trilogy then meets the eye and the book brings the series to a satisfying conclusion on more than one level.
Like the two books before it Sheol is a blazing fast read that's all action. There is a ton of gore and a lot of laughs. If I ever have to face a zombie horde I hop I have people like Karen and McCall.
April 9, 2013
I absolutely loved Sheol. It took me some time to finally read it after the events in Tatarus, but I'm glad I finally forgave Jason, and read it. He is an absolute genus in how he wrote both Tatarus, and Sheol. I am hoping that Jason will revisit the series and add another book that explains the gate, and what is beyond it.
The ending makes you look back and reevaluate the entire series.
This is definitely a must read series.
The ending makes you look back and reevaluate the entire series.
This is definitely a must read series.
December 19, 2012
A good conclusion to the West of Hell series.
The entire West of Hell series has been chock full of Western Zombie fun, and this conclusion ramps up the excitement and gore for a thrilling end. I was a bit disappointed that some of the questions raised did were not answered, but overall a very good book.
The entire West of Hell series has been chock full of Western Zombie fun, and this conclusion ramps up the excitement and gore for a thrilling end. I was a bit disappointed that some of the questions raised did were not answered, but overall a very good book.
December 8, 2015
Longer (slightly) and better than the first two books, this chapter leads our main characters to a conclusion of sorts. The story right at the end introduces a concept out of left field which makes me wonder if there is another book. Or two in this yet?
August 22, 2016
It's been quite a while since I binge read a series let alone two separate ones by an author I was previously unaware of. I am now a committed Jason Brant fan and look forward to and will keep a watchful eye out for his future work. The wild west and zombies! Nuff said eh.
March 23, 2014
Loved this series a really interesting zombie series with a little extra, lots of fun.
February 16, 2015
The third book and the final, and it doesn't let up. A great twist at the end which certainly made me think
September 2, 2016
Reviewed against wrong book, Sorry.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews