Warlock

by Ray Garton

The evil is eternal.

Genres: Horror, Witchcraft

228 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1989

About the author

Ray Garton is the author of several books, including horror novels such as LIVE GIRLS (which has a movie in the works), CRUCIFAX, E4 AUTUMN, and THE FOLKS; thrillers like TRADE SECRETS and SHACKLED; and numerous short stories and novellas. He's also written a number of movie and television tie-ins for young readers. He lives with his wife, Dawn, in California.

Reviews

[Livingdeadpunk · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've seen this movie a bunch of times and I do not remember the complete obsession with the Warlock's giant devil dong, nor all the rapey stuff, like, at all. I kind of love that someone at New World Pictures probably had to sign off on this. Someone read this and read that the--yes, r-rated-- but mostly silly horror film about a time traveling warlock was now full of people getting raped to death with a massive Satan pecker and describing where his semen was and sucking the devil's eyeballs out of slits in a woman's nipples and dick stabbings and all that out there crap and was not only like, "Yes, yes, this is fine--perfect even," but then they made sure to put "Now a major motion picture from the Oscar award-winning producer of Platoon," on the cover, because, of course, what an Oscar-winning producer would want to be associated with is a book where someone with jizz in their hair utters their last words and they're about how massive and cold Lucifer's wiener is.

Huh.

Actually, I looked him up and he also produced Porky's and The Devil's Advocate. Okay, ignore that last part then. He probably signed off on the book his-own-damn-self.

[Willow · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the movie, so of course I had to read the book.

I like Ray Garton. He's fun and pulpy and I read Ravenous by him.

The book pretty much follows the movie, except that the Warlock is a lot nastier here. There's also some gratuitous sex and violence, which Ray writes with flourish.

Since I loved the movie so much, I wanted more story, more history, possible romance and more witchy stuff, which I really didn’t get, but it was a fun read.

[Rachel M · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my favourite horror movies growing up so I was always going to love the book! It did not disappoint, while reading it it took me right back to the movie but with more details. I’m not sure what took me so long to read this book, it’s a great quick read!

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

1st Read: July 20, 1992 - July 22, 1992 (**** Rating)

I'd moved to a new town on July 18, 1992 to live with a sister of mine. I met her neighbor Darren, smoked a joint with him and developed a very short-lived friendship with him. I spotted this book on his coffee table and asked him how it was. Throwing it at me, he said, "Read it!" and laughed.

Kicking back later that evening on the couch at home, and I let myself get absorbed into the story. It didn't take long for visualization to kick into high gear. For what I recall of the book, it hadn't strayed one bit from the movie in the least. It was enjoyable, creepy and intense at the same time. I got through it in a day and a half and gave it back to him.

I'd have to read it again to truly know how good it was in '92. I was only twenty-one and still in party and pussy mode, so I was easily distracted then. I've seen the movie since then for the third or fourth time and it is good if you watch for nostalgic purposes, but is really not that great. I would hope the book would be better.

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very much enjoyed this movie novelization of Warlock. Ray's visual writing and snappy dialogue pull the reader in from the very beginning. Interesting characters as always. Now I want to watch the movie again even knowing it won't be as good as the book. I highly recommend this book and all others written by this talented author.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Please don't get too excited about this book being high art. It is not. What it is: a dirty little romp around the campfire with some satanism. Pure porn but fun to ruin your brain with, so don't expect much in the way of prose.

[Jay Rothermel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well worth reading. I'm not a fan of Garton, but he gives us an outstanding supernatural chase thriller here. The Mennonite scenes, my favorite from the film, are deftly and powerfully handled here.

[Egghead · Rating 3 out of 5]

Novelization!
Is there a word more thrilling
to the human soul?

Garton brings sex-gore
But Sands's wonderful warlock
slips through his fingers.

[Scott Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

I watched this film many years ago now and enjoyed it then and the book is just as good

Much the same sometimes word for word with a few added scenes and more violence than in the film