What do you think?
Rate this book
My Babylon #1-5
My Babylon: Complete
My Story
An obsessed magician will do anything it takes to satisfy his perverse needs.
My Myth
He turns to forbidden arts to manifest his will.
My Revelation
In doing so, he will bring about the end of everything.
My Babylon
A serial novel about the paranormal and dark desires. The story of a cursed young man who has an intimate view of the Apocalypse. My Babylon weaves elements of urban fantasy, erotic horror, and real-world occult practices to form a unique personal tale that thrills, terrifies, and even enlightens.
In My Babylon, the magus, consumed with longing, seeks to create a replacement for his lost love using a grisly ritual that requires the theft of a body. Through her creation, he learns that he has a much bigger role to play, and that she may be a form of salvation not only for him but for others.
The Complete edition contains all five books of the My Babylon story.
Reviews* for My Babylon:
"Captivating, interesting, dark, and at times even funny."
"Darkly horrific, Lovecraftian work. Parts of it make you squeamish, parts send chills down your spine. A deft illustration of the black side of the human soul."
"What I really loved about this work was what was left unsaid--telling a story with details rather than stating the obvious is becoming a lost art. What surprised me about this work was how much it drew me in despite my merely mild interest in the occult."
"James has put together a great story with great characters who feel authentic, even as they go about tasks that you'd be horrified to find out your neighbors were up to. And even though Mike, the magician who narrates this story, is involved in really heinous activities, I still like the guy. And that is an impressive feat."
"Not for the timid this book, but well worth it."
"An intriguing look at what drives us ..."
"It's the struggle to remain sane, keep discrete, and keep the emotional compulsions in control that structures the suspense of this thriller."
"In the end, you're left with the sense of a masterfully conceived protagonist who gives credence to the idea of the unsympathetic character. It also maintains an orbiting cluster of supporting characters who are interesting in their own right but also necessary to the development of the protagonist."
Find more great indie authors at Midworldarts.com.
*Reviews originate from those left for the individual novellas included in this book.
An obsessed magician will do anything it takes to satisfy his perverse needs.
My Myth
He turns to forbidden arts to manifest his will.
My Revelation
In doing so, he will bring about the end of everything.
My Babylon
A serial novel about the paranormal and dark desires. The story of a cursed young man who has an intimate view of the Apocalypse. My Babylon weaves elements of urban fantasy, erotic horror, and real-world occult practices to form a unique personal tale that thrills, terrifies, and even enlightens.
In My Babylon, the magus, consumed with longing, seeks to create a replacement for his lost love using a grisly ritual that requires the theft of a body. Through her creation, he learns that he has a much bigger role to play, and that she may be a form of salvation not only for him but for others.
The Complete edition contains all five books of the My Babylon story.
Reviews* for My Babylon:
"Captivating, interesting, dark, and at times even funny."
"Darkly horrific, Lovecraftian work. Parts of it make you squeamish, parts send chills down your spine. A deft illustration of the black side of the human soul."
"What I really loved about this work was what was left unsaid--telling a story with details rather than stating the obvious is becoming a lost art. What surprised me about this work was how much it drew me in despite my merely mild interest in the occult."
"James has put together a great story with great characters who feel authentic, even as they go about tasks that you'd be horrified to find out your neighbors were up to. And even though Mike, the magician who narrates this story, is involved in really heinous activities, I still like the guy. And that is an impressive feat."
"Not for the timid this book, but well worth it."
"An intriguing look at what drives us ..."
"It's the struggle to remain sane, keep discrete, and keep the emotional compulsions in control that structures the suspense of this thriller."
"In the end, you're left with the sense of a masterfully conceived protagonist who gives credence to the idea of the unsympathetic character. It also maintains an orbiting cluster of supporting characters who are interesting in their own right but also necessary to the development of the protagonist."
Find more great indie authors at Midworldarts.com.
*Reviews originate from those left for the individual novellas included in this book.
295 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 14, 2013
1 person is currently reading
2 people want to read
About the author
James L. Wilber
16 books6 followersJames L. Wilber describes himself as Anne Rice and Chuck Palahniuk's bastard love child. He's a pretentious prick who claims to pen, "literary genre fiction." Which means he writes smarmy stories about wizards and vampires doing a poor job at hiding his symbolism and metaphor. He's turned to self-publishing on the correct assumption his stories are just too weird for mass consumption.
He has contributed to numerous books for roleplaying games from companies such as: Wizards of the Coast, Paizo Publishing, White Wolf Studios, Bastion Press, and Atlas Games. He was also a writer on the Origins Award nominated, Buffy the Vampire Slayer Roleplaying Game by Eden Studios.
Along with Stephan Loy, James is a member of Mid-World Arts, a collective of indie writers dedicated to helping each other produce quality works. Check them out at midworldarts.com.
Mr. Wilber also assumes the roles of husband, ceremonial magician, podcast host, and owner of a 100-lb Alaskan Malamute.
He lives in Indianapolis, a dreary place built by masons obsessed with circles.
You can read his thoughts on politics, culture, and what he calls pagan chaos magick at scrollofthoth.com.
He only uses social media that he enjoys, which means tumblr. Get to know him at scrollofthoth.tumblr.com, jameslwilber.tumblr.com, and geeksoutafterdark.tumblr.com.
You can hear him on the podcasts Scroll of Thoth, and Geeks Out After Dark.
Get more of his writing at scrollofthoth.com and jameslwilber.com.
Check where James will be at the James L. Wilber Meetup.
He has contributed to numerous books for roleplaying games from companies such as: Wizards of the Coast, Paizo Publishing, White Wolf Studios, Bastion Press, and Atlas Games. He was also a writer on the Origins Award nominated, Buffy the Vampire Slayer Roleplaying Game by Eden Studios.
Along with Stephan Loy, James is a member of Mid-World Arts, a collective of indie writers dedicated to helping each other produce quality works. Check them out at midworldarts.com.
Mr. Wilber also assumes the roles of husband, ceremonial magician, podcast host, and owner of a 100-lb Alaskan Malamute.
He lives in Indianapolis, a dreary place built by masons obsessed with circles.
You can read his thoughts on politics, culture, and what he calls pagan chaos magick at scrollofthoth.com.
He only uses social media that he enjoys, which means tumblr. Get to know him at scrollofthoth.tumblr.com, jameslwilber.tumblr.com, and geeksoutafterdark.tumblr.com.
You can hear him on the podcasts Scroll of Thoth, and Geeks Out After Dark.
Get more of his writing at scrollofthoth.com and jameslwilber.com.
Check where James will be at the James L. Wilber Meetup.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 8, 2013
I have been following the serialized version of this story since the beginning, and below is a summation of my reviews.
What I enjoyed most about this series was the mixing of a precursory overview of Western Esoteric ideas into a fictional story that unravels the suspense at a perfect pace. While the story itself might be fantastical, the principles behind the magic are illustrated well in a fashion that keeps the interest of the novice without boring the experienced. While this series discusses Thelemic ideas in particular, the protagonist (and author's) eclectic backgrounds adds just the right touch of variety and skepticism that prevents a blindly dogmatic glorification of Crowley's religion.
What makes this series engaging is that it's true to the life the tensions between the personalities one finds in occult culture, as well as the conflicts a magus would have with mainstream culture. The protagonist, Mike, remains the most likable, as he embodies the ideals necessary to walk this path successfully (initiative, ego discipline and knowledge), though those ideals are tested by fire. It's the struggle to remain sane, keep discrete, and keep the emotional compulsions in control that structures the suspense of this thriller. While it reaches fantastical heights that may only be achievable in fiction, the conflict itself maps out the psychological landmines of the magickal that are indeed real and should be heeded.
One of the underlying themes of the book, the concept of apocalypse from the Esoteric perspective and how it differs from mainstream understanding, is unraveled in the ending chapters. The book explores the idea that the fire, drama and spectacle is merely an allegorical description of the terror experienced by the dominant, controlling forces during a paradigm shift. The central conflict of the story is the battle between the dying demiurge of the old aeon against the reclamation of divinity and liberation attained through Thelema and other magickal systems. While the story is heavily critical of Christianity, the author is careful not to get lost in reactive rebellion and acknowledges that there is some value inherent in this theology. There is a deeper meaning and order beyond the conflict of sectarianism.
I especially liked the character representing Babalon (the whore of Babylon personified as a goddess in Thelema) , depicted as a Bodhisattva who uses tantric sex in a liberating fashion and whose motivation is pure compassion. Like Crowley's writings, there's a provocative crust of potentially offensive metaphor to penetrate in order to get to the heart of the teachings. But the things you fear and find offense to may only be the conditioning passed on to you by your unappointed and obsolete masters.
What I enjoyed most about this series was the mixing of a precursory overview of Western Esoteric ideas into a fictional story that unravels the suspense at a perfect pace. While the story itself might be fantastical, the principles behind the magic are illustrated well in a fashion that keeps the interest of the novice without boring the experienced. While this series discusses Thelemic ideas in particular, the protagonist (and author's) eclectic backgrounds adds just the right touch of variety and skepticism that prevents a blindly dogmatic glorification of Crowley's religion.
What makes this series engaging is that it's true to the life the tensions between the personalities one finds in occult culture, as well as the conflicts a magus would have with mainstream culture. The protagonist, Mike, remains the most likable, as he embodies the ideals necessary to walk this path successfully (initiative, ego discipline and knowledge), though those ideals are tested by fire. It's the struggle to remain sane, keep discrete, and keep the emotional compulsions in control that structures the suspense of this thriller. While it reaches fantastical heights that may only be achievable in fiction, the conflict itself maps out the psychological landmines of the magickal that are indeed real and should be heeded.
One of the underlying themes of the book, the concept of apocalypse from the Esoteric perspective and how it differs from mainstream understanding, is unraveled in the ending chapters. The book explores the idea that the fire, drama and spectacle is merely an allegorical description of the terror experienced by the dominant, controlling forces during a paradigm shift. The central conflict of the story is the battle between the dying demiurge of the old aeon against the reclamation of divinity and liberation attained through Thelema and other magickal systems. While the story is heavily critical of Christianity, the author is careful not to get lost in reactive rebellion and acknowledges that there is some value inherent in this theology. There is a deeper meaning and order beyond the conflict of sectarianism.
I especially liked the character representing Babalon (the whore of Babylon personified as a goddess in Thelema) , depicted as a Bodhisattva who uses tantric sex in a liberating fashion and whose motivation is pure compassion. Like Crowley's writings, there's a provocative crust of potentially offensive metaphor to penetrate in order to get to the heart of the teachings. But the things you fear and find offense to may only be the conditioning passed on to you by your unappointed and obsolete masters.
October 15, 2013
This is a book outside my normal reading interest which kept me unable to put it down because I Had. To. Know. What. Happened. I liked all the characters, even the ones I didn't want to like, and I ended up siding with the protagonist's friends in not believing he was as evil as he believed he was. Perhaps I'm just too easy.
If it weren't for all the sex and demonology, this would be a great tv series.
Now I can't wait for the next book.
If it weren't for all the sex and demonology, this would be a great tv series.
Now I can't wait for the next book.
January 22, 2018
This is an incredibly successful urban fantasy novel. It reads like a mix of Burrough's and Sacher-Masoch with a strong sense of Christian guilt as well as plenty of anti-Christian magickal rituals throughout. As you can tell from the last sentence, the main character's perspective and motives are convoluted, which I thoroughly enjoy. If your into the occult and freaky romance, this book hits all the sweet spots. Overall, a really easy ready for me, I look forward to reading more from Wilber.
August 10, 2013
***Book provided by Author in exchange for an honest review***
This book is both gripping and deeply disturbing. There are no rose-tinted glasses here except those worn by our protagonist to justify his actions to himself. I liked the author’s voice and found the novel easy to read despite a sudden departure from my comfort zone of PNR and UF. While there was much linking the serial to the paranormal, there was also much binding it to the horror genre which is not typically my cup of tea. That being said, this was still a well written serial in that genre with much to recommend it, and I do enjoy straying from the norm sometimes to broaden my tastes.
The psychological aspects of this work are a little beyond my scope (and beyond what I do want to understand about the psyche of many disturbed individuals) but completely understandable to a “layman”. At no point was I unable to understand what was happening, as well as understanding the characters motivations.
In addition to that previously mentioned, some of the sexual encounters were linked to the psychological examinations of abuse cycles and so a little beyond my scope to offer a comprehensive review for.
The magical practices and actions of the main protagonist, Mike, were detailed and interesting. I found he had very little understanding of himself and how his actions would affect himself and others. The most interesting character for me was Aiden. I still wonder what happened to her in the end. She was truly an enigma and I wish that we could have known more about what was going on in her head.
Overall, this was a well written/edited serial with a no holds barred approach.
This book is both gripping and deeply disturbing. There are no rose-tinted glasses here except those worn by our protagonist to justify his actions to himself. I liked the author’s voice and found the novel easy to read despite a sudden departure from my comfort zone of PNR and UF. While there was much linking the serial to the paranormal, there was also much binding it to the horror genre which is not typically my cup of tea. That being said, this was still a well written serial in that genre with much to recommend it, and I do enjoy straying from the norm sometimes to broaden my tastes.
The psychological aspects of this work are a little beyond my scope (and beyond what I do want to understand about the psyche of many disturbed individuals) but completely understandable to a “layman”. At no point was I unable to understand what was happening, as well as understanding the characters motivations.
In addition to that previously mentioned, some of the sexual encounters were linked to the psychological examinations of abuse cycles and so a little beyond my scope to offer a comprehensive review for.
The magical practices and actions of the main protagonist, Mike, were detailed and interesting. I found he had very little understanding of himself and how his actions would affect himself and others. The most interesting character for me was Aiden. I still wonder what happened to her in the end. She was truly an enigma and I wish that we could have known more about what was going on in her head.
Overall, this was a well written/edited serial with a no holds barred approach.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews