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Damaged Souls
Only he can stop the gates of Hell from opening wide.
John Crawford wasn’t able to deal with the pain and took the easy way out. At least he thought he did. Instead, he’s been offered a deal by a nightmarish creature and given a second chance at life. But he’s no longer human. And he’s been assigned an impossible task. He must kill a demon before it opens the gates of Hell and brings about the apocalypse. If John succeeds, the human race will be safe and he can become human again. If he fails, mankind will perish and he will be lost for all eternity.
John Crawford wasn’t able to deal with the pain and took the easy way out. At least he thought he did. Instead, he’s been offered a deal by a nightmarish creature and given a second chance at life. But he’s no longer human. And he’s been assigned an impossible task. He must kill a demon before it opens the gates of Hell and brings about the apocalypse. If John succeeds, the human race will be safe and he can become human again. If he fails, mankind will perish and he will be lost for all eternity.
- GenresHorror
240 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 3, 2013
1 person is currently reading
383 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 14, 2014
More like 4.5 stars!
Damaged Souls is the first novel by David Bernstein that I've read and it was so fantastic, it certainly won't be my last. I heard some of his past titles were excellent, but he has an immense amount of work coming out in 2014 too! Damaged Souls was the perfect novel for me to start with as I love gothic, dark, and sinister tales dealing with demons and well...eerie candlelight. I love candlelight. I mean even the cover alludes to a vintage horror creeping into modern society.
Munyok is a demon being pursued in NYC, but he's quickly sent back to hell. We won't see the last of him though as he vows to fight his way back. Meanwhile, a traffic accident changes the life of John Crawford. His life becomes a living hell and he's offered a deal. You know those ominous life or death deals that happen in all the good vs. evil stories. You'll have to read the book to see if John can stop the gates of hell from opening...and you'll really want to know as your flipping pages faster and faster with a speed you didn't know you could read at. You'll feel the story spinning out of control as John's life spins out of control, but soon Bernstein centers us again and keeps us focused with action.
This novel reminds me of some of Stephen King's short stories, with more length added to it, and a more supernatural like demon(s) that we don't always see in the form of a human. There are some parts that are horrifying, but they always fit in the story line and your gut is already so tore up emotionally that really any real blood shed just whizzes by as the story sucks you in mentally and physically.
I tore through this novel in one whole night. I was really impressed by Bernstein's writing and his grasp on the full gamut of human, and underworld, emotions. Definitely haunting, it also lets you take a long look at the choices made in life and what the outcomes might be from them. Horrible things happen in every day life and Bernstein takes it a step further by demonizing it and creating a phenomenal hero who overcomes the odds and tries to save the world.
I HIGHLY recommend Damaged Souls and I hope that David keeps writing such gut-wrenching, heart-tugging, and largely dimensional characters who are exploring their role in the world and their emotional make-up. This is a great "any time" read, but I certainly recommend for those long Fall and Winter days and nights when you can snuggle under a blanket, light a candle, and read deep into the night.
Damaged Souls is the first novel by David Bernstein that I've read and it was so fantastic, it certainly won't be my last. I heard some of his past titles were excellent, but he has an immense amount of work coming out in 2014 too! Damaged Souls was the perfect novel for me to start with as I love gothic, dark, and sinister tales dealing with demons and well...eerie candlelight. I love candlelight. I mean even the cover alludes to a vintage horror creeping into modern society.
Munyok is a demon being pursued in NYC, but he's quickly sent back to hell. We won't see the last of him though as he vows to fight his way back. Meanwhile, a traffic accident changes the life of John Crawford. His life becomes a living hell and he's offered a deal. You know those ominous life or death deals that happen in all the good vs. evil stories. You'll have to read the book to see if John can stop the gates of hell from opening...and you'll really want to know as your flipping pages faster and faster with a speed you didn't know you could read at. You'll feel the story spinning out of control as John's life spins out of control, but soon Bernstein centers us again and keeps us focused with action.
This novel reminds me of some of Stephen King's short stories, with more length added to it, and a more supernatural like demon(s) that we don't always see in the form of a human. There are some parts that are horrifying, but they always fit in the story line and your gut is already so tore up emotionally that really any real blood shed just whizzes by as the story sucks you in mentally and physically.
I tore through this novel in one whole night. I was really impressed by Bernstein's writing and his grasp on the full gamut of human, and underworld, emotions. Definitely haunting, it also lets you take a long look at the choices made in life and what the outcomes might be from them. Horrible things happen in every day life and Bernstein takes it a step further by demonizing it and creating a phenomenal hero who overcomes the odds and tries to save the world.
I HIGHLY recommend Damaged Souls and I hope that David keeps writing such gut-wrenching, heart-tugging, and largely dimensional characters who are exploring their role in the world and their emotional make-up. This is a great "any time" read, but I certainly recommend for those long Fall and Winter days and nights when you can snuggle under a blanket, light a candle, and read deep into the night.
October 4, 2013
Damaged Souls is about evil. Specifically evil that wants to begin the apocalypse so that the devil can take over the world. Munyok is a demon let loose upon the earth to open a portal allowing hell’s minions to escape into our world to to destroy mankind. To do this he must kill some people (of course) and use an evil book to draw the portal. Standing in his way is our hero John Crawford who is released from Purgatory to battle the demon and stop the apocalypse.
The first 50 pages of this book knocked me for a loop. I don’t want to spoil it for anyone but the well worn path for books like these is not taken here. What I was expecting did not happen which is always a treat with straight up horror. The middle chunk of the book, the second act if you will, is a bit slow. I kept waiting for the battle to begin but instead we hang out with John while he thinks the whole purgatory supernatural mission thing was nothing more than a bad dream. It takes him a while to come around but when he does the book livens up nicely. We are treated to plenty of kills at Munyok’s hands as he is a demon and can’t help himself. Again, Damaged Souls is a solid read and a fun one. It’s got some flab in the middle but at only 232 pages it doesn’t last long. It’s a quick read, perfect for this spooky season. I can see that David is growing as an author, testing the waters of his own mythology and it’s great to see. I think we’ll be seeing more good things from him in the future. I look forward to reading what he has cooking next.
The first 50 pages of this book knocked me for a loop. I don’t want to spoil it for anyone but the well worn path for books like these is not taken here. What I was expecting did not happen which is always a treat with straight up horror. The middle chunk of the book, the second act if you will, is a bit slow. I kept waiting for the battle to begin but instead we hang out with John while he thinks the whole purgatory supernatural mission thing was nothing more than a bad dream. It takes him a while to come around but when he does the book livens up nicely. We are treated to plenty of kills at Munyok’s hands as he is a demon and can’t help himself. Again, Damaged Souls is a solid read and a fun one. It’s got some flab in the middle but at only 232 pages it doesn’t last long. It’s a quick read, perfect for this spooky season. I can see that David is growing as an author, testing the waters of his own mythology and it’s great to see. I think we’ll be seeing more good things from him in the future. I look forward to reading what he has cooking next.
September 28, 2013
Set in New York, “Damaged Souls” starts off with a demon that a town has cornered. The priest is driving him off, and back to Hell. Munyok, the demon, returns to the fiery pit whence he came, but it’s far from over. The story is just beginning. Fast forward to the next part of our tale in which a man, John Crawford, gets rear-ended by an irresponsible, reckless driver who buys John off with the offer of cash so that he won’t involve the police, to which John agrees. Little does he know that he’s made the worst mistake of his life by letting this man drive away.
Having done zombies and vampires, it was nice to see Bernstein tackle demons, and although it’s familiar territory in the sense that we’ve seen plots like this before, it’s still a gripping story that horror fans should gobble up with delight. It makes for perfect Halloween reading. Instead of watching hackneyed TV show specials and movies that come around that time of year, pick up “Damaged Souls” and indulge in a good fright.
Read my full review here
Having done zombies and vampires, it was nice to see Bernstein tackle demons, and although it’s familiar territory in the sense that we’ve seen plots like this before, it’s still a gripping story that horror fans should gobble up with delight. It makes for perfect Halloween reading. Instead of watching hackneyed TV show specials and movies that come around that time of year, pick up “Damaged Souls” and indulge in a good fright.
Read my full review here
September 21, 2013
David Bernstein is back delivering a main course of horror with a side of unforgettable characters in a book that runs the full gamut of emotions. A father unwittingly starts the cascade of events that leads to his daughter’s death. David takes us through this gut-wrenching experience in a way that will move you deeply. A few chapters later, he describes a demon feasting on the living with such intensity that it makes your skin crawl. So when these characters you care for face off against that demon to save mankind from the Apocalypse, you won’t stop reading until you find out who will make it out alive.
If you liked David’s TEARS OF NO RETURN or AMONGST THE DEAD, click immediately on the buy-it-button and get this story into your hands now!
If you liked David’s TEARS OF NO RETURN or AMONGST THE DEAD, click immediately on the buy-it-button and get this story into your hands now!
June 24, 2015
I had a total blast with this book. Bernstein knows how to tell a simple story with unique elements and plenty of scares. Encapsulates what I've come to think of as the perfect horror novel.
December 30, 2013
First, I will say I won this book.
I thought it was a good horror book that I enjoyed reading.
I thought it was a good horror book that I enjoyed reading.
March 26, 2014
Author David Bernstein has quite an imagination, and I enjoy what he digs out of it. His previous book, AMONGST THE DEAD, was a refreshing jolt of originality in a genre filled with rehashes and overused literary tropes. Likewise, his most recent publication, DAMAGED SOULS, also brings something new to the table; and while it does not deal with zombies, this engaging tale of demons and devilry will certainly keep you captivated.
I love stories about demons because there seem to be no boundaries. With zombies, you have specific guidelines to stay within: they have to be dead, they are usually rotting, they don’t have cognizance, etc. Similarly, vampires usually cannot be out in daylight, they drink blood, etc. You see where I’m going. But with demons, all bets are off. Authors can pretty much do what they want and make them as sadistic as they want to be.
With DAMAGED SOULS, Bernstein introduces us to a demon named Munyok, an ambitious soul-sucker who wants to open a portal to Hell…and let his brethren run free on Earth. Munyok is pure evil incarnate and relishes in the gory, brutal killing of humans. Bernstein creates a solid character with Munyok, an enemy truly in need of a righteous comeuppance.
As with his previous novel, Bernstein writes well, and his prose flows fluidly. I particularly like his writing style because he tends to focus more on progressing the story than filling page after page of overly descriptive passages. This obviously allows for a more immersive story and gives a more enjoyable reading experience.
The characters in DAMAGED SOULS are well thought-out and believable. I am a father of a daughter who is nearly Melanie’s age, therefore I can relate very well to how John reacts when he hears of her death. This book is not just horrific because of the demon…it’s also because of the tragedy the main characters have to endure with the loss of their daughter. This touching, humanistic element reaches the reader on several levels and forces each page to be turned with more and more eagerness.
If I were forced to find a flaw with DAMAGED SOULS, I might have to say it could have been a bit longer. The book measures in at 232 pages, which is not necessarily short…but I think a couple of characters could have been fleshed out more (for example, we could learn more about Michael Jacobs, the drunk who killed Melanie). The book is great as-is, but this is simply my personal opinion.
DAMAGED SOULS is a heck of a book, and I highly recommend giving it a read. If you are new to Bernstein’s work, then you’re in for a real treat; and if you’re a returning fan, you’ll get more of the great work that you’ve come to expect. This book is available now in a variety of formats.
I love stories about demons because there seem to be no boundaries. With zombies, you have specific guidelines to stay within: they have to be dead, they are usually rotting, they don’t have cognizance, etc. Similarly, vampires usually cannot be out in daylight, they drink blood, etc. You see where I’m going. But with demons, all bets are off. Authors can pretty much do what they want and make them as sadistic as they want to be.
With DAMAGED SOULS, Bernstein introduces us to a demon named Munyok, an ambitious soul-sucker who wants to open a portal to Hell…and let his brethren run free on Earth. Munyok is pure evil incarnate and relishes in the gory, brutal killing of humans. Bernstein creates a solid character with Munyok, an enemy truly in need of a righteous comeuppance.
As with his previous novel, Bernstein writes well, and his prose flows fluidly. I particularly like his writing style because he tends to focus more on progressing the story than filling page after page of overly descriptive passages. This obviously allows for a more immersive story and gives a more enjoyable reading experience.
The characters in DAMAGED SOULS are well thought-out and believable. I am a father of a daughter who is nearly Melanie’s age, therefore I can relate very well to how John reacts when he hears of her death. This book is not just horrific because of the demon…it’s also because of the tragedy the main characters have to endure with the loss of their daughter. This touching, humanistic element reaches the reader on several levels and forces each page to be turned with more and more eagerness.
If I were forced to find a flaw with DAMAGED SOULS, I might have to say it could have been a bit longer. The book measures in at 232 pages, which is not necessarily short…but I think a couple of characters could have been fleshed out more (for example, we could learn more about Michael Jacobs, the drunk who killed Melanie). The book is great as-is, but this is simply my personal opinion.
DAMAGED SOULS is a heck of a book, and I highly recommend giving it a read. If you are new to Bernstein’s work, then you’re in for a real treat; and if you’re a returning fan, you’ll get more of the great work that you’ve come to expect. This book is available now in a variety of formats.
November 27, 2013
I received a copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.
I was hesitant about starting this book as, from what I could gather, the subject matter was demons. I tend to steer clear of books about the occult and similar themes as I find them quite heavy reading. On reading the first chapter, I realised how wrong I was. This book, although dealing with a demon, is primarily about the tragedies suffered by a family and a struggle to correct a wrong. I loved this book on so many levels. The storyline reminded me of an old James Herbert book, but any similarities were fleeting as I was swept along by the originality of the story.
This book has all classic ingredients of a fantastic horror novel and was perfectly executed, with copious amounts of blood and suspense. The characters were constantly evolving and realistic enough that you could almost step into their roles.
This is my first book by David Bernstein and I'm positive it won't be the last!
I was hesitant about starting this book as, from what I could gather, the subject matter was demons. I tend to steer clear of books about the occult and similar themes as I find them quite heavy reading. On reading the first chapter, I realised how wrong I was. This book, although dealing with a demon, is primarily about the tragedies suffered by a family and a struggle to correct a wrong. I loved this book on so many levels. The storyline reminded me of an old James Herbert book, but any similarities were fleeting as I was swept along by the originality of the story.
This book has all classic ingredients of a fantastic horror novel and was perfectly executed, with copious amounts of blood and suspense. The characters were constantly evolving and realistic enough that you could almost step into their roles.
This is my first book by David Bernstein and I'm positive it won't be the last!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews