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The Levi Stoltzfus Series #4
Last of the Albatwitches
Brian Keene's popular occult detective Levi Stoltzfus is back in an all-new novella!
There's an old Pennsylvania Dutch legend about the forest surrounding Chickies Rock — how it's the home to a reclusive race of Sasquatch-like creatures known as the Albatwitches. Levi Stoltzfus has long thought these gentle forest-creatures to be extinct, but after investigating a young woman's strange death, he's not so sure.
Now, Levi's racing against both the Cryptid Hunters reality television team and a squad of private security contractors from the mysterious Globe Corporation, to unravel the source of the legend and determine what manner of monster has turned the forest into a killing ground. But even if he solves that riddle, he still has to figure out why his magical abilities have suddenly stopped working... and what that means for the future of those he is sworn to protect — and himself.
Maelstrom Volume 4, Book 2
There's an old Pennsylvania Dutch legend about the forest surrounding Chickies Rock — how it's the home to a reclusive race of Sasquatch-like creatures known as the Albatwitches. Levi Stoltzfus has long thought these gentle forest-creatures to be extinct, but after investigating a young woman's strange death, he's not so sure.
Now, Levi's racing against both the Cryptid Hunters reality television team and a squad of private security contractors from the mysterious Globe Corporation, to unravel the source of the legend and determine what manner of monster has turned the forest into a killing ground. But even if he solves that riddle, he still has to figure out why his magical abilities have suddenly stopped working... and what that means for the future of those he is sworn to protect — and himself.
Maelstrom Volume 4, Book 2
82 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2013
17 people are currently reading
435 people want to read
About the author
Brian Keene
384 books2,988 followersBRIAN KEENE writes novels, comic books, short fiction, and occasional journalism for money. He is the author of over forty books, mostly in the horror, crime, and dark fantasy genres. His 2003 novel, The Rising, is often credited (along with Robert Kirkman’s The Walking Dead comic and Danny Boyle’s 28 Days Later film) with inspiring pop culture’s current interest in zombies. Keene’s novels have been translated into German, Spanish, Polish, Italian, French, Taiwanese, and many more. In addition to his own original work, Keene has written for media properties such as Doctor Who, Hellboy, Masters of the Universe, and Superman.
Several of Keene’s novels have been developed for film, including Ghoul, The Ties That Bind, and Fast Zombies Suck. Several more are in-development or under option. Keene also serves as Executive Producer for the independent film studio Drunken Tentacle Productions.
Keene also oversees Maelstrom, his own small press publishing imprint specializing in collectible limited editions, via Thunderstorm Books.
Keene’s work has been praised in such diverse places as The New York Times, The History Channel, The Howard Stern Show, CNN.com, Publisher’s Weekly, Media Bistro, Fangoria Magazine, and Rue Morgue Magazine. He has won numerous awards and honors, including the World Horror 2014 Grand Master Award, two Bram Stoker Awards, and a recognition from Whiteman A.F.B. (home of the B-2 Stealth Bomber) for his outreach to U.S. troops serving both overseas and abroad. A prolific public speaker, Keene has delivered talks at conventions, college campuses, theaters, and inside Central Intelligence Agency headquarters in Langley, VA.
The father of two sons, Keene lives in rural Pennsylvania.
Several of Keene’s novels have been developed for film, including Ghoul, The Ties That Bind, and Fast Zombies Suck. Several more are in-development or under option. Keene also serves as Executive Producer for the independent film studio Drunken Tentacle Productions.
Keene also oversees Maelstrom, his own small press publishing imprint specializing in collectible limited editions, via Thunderstorm Books.
Keene’s work has been praised in such diverse places as The New York Times, The History Channel, The Howard Stern Show, CNN.com, Publisher’s Weekly, Media Bistro, Fangoria Magazine, and Rue Morgue Magazine. He has won numerous awards and honors, including the World Horror 2014 Grand Master Award, two Bram Stoker Awards, and a recognition from Whiteman A.F.B. (home of the B-2 Stealth Bomber) for his outreach to U.S. troops serving both overseas and abroad. A prolific public speaker, Keene has delivered talks at conventions, college campuses, theaters, and inside Central Intelligence Agency headquarters in Langley, VA.
The father of two sons, Keene lives in rural Pennsylvania.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
October 10, 2014
The best writers put their characters through hell and force them to confront their darkest fears. In LAST OF THE ALBATWITCHES, Brian Keene not only places his iconic character Levi Stoltzfus in mortal danger--he puts Levi's faith in jeopardy. Without giving too much away, I'll tell you that there are two ferocious-yet-incredibly-different physical antagonists in this book, yet (as with many of Keene's novels) there is also the added element of spiritual peril and an evil so insidious that it threatens to destroy the world as we know it.
And I think that's one of the reasons why I enjoy Keene's work so thoroughly. He's adept at creating brisk plots that entertain and thrill, not unlike the novels Richard Laymon used to write. Yet he's also constructing a larger supernatural universe that would have made H.P. Lovecraft shudder. So in a Keene novel you're frightened on two levels--the visceral and the psychological--though the two are blended so seamlessly they never feel shoehorned or forced together.
LAST OF THE ALBATWITCHES represents just another reason why Brian Keene is one of the best in the game and at the top of his game. If you aren't already reading him, pick up this book now.
And I think that's one of the reasons why I enjoy Keene's work so thoroughly. He's adept at creating brisk plots that entertain and thrill, not unlike the novels Richard Laymon used to write. Yet he's also constructing a larger supernatural universe that would have made H.P. Lovecraft shudder. So in a Keene novel you're frightened on two levels--the visceral and the psychological--though the two are blended so seamlessly they never feel shoehorned or forced together.
LAST OF THE ALBATWITCHES represents just another reason why Brian Keene is one of the best in the game and at the top of his game. If you aren't already reading him, pick up this book now.
March 5, 2015
As a long-time Brian Keene fan, there was probably no way I was not going to enjoy his long awaited return to his much-beloved character, Levi Stolzfus. And so it was that I got quite a kick out of reading about the ex-Amish powwow practitioner and spiritual aider being back in action.
In both THE WITCHING TREE and LAST OF THE ALBATWITCHES, Levi is coaxed away from his home to investigate strange and mysterious deaths. The details differ, but the set-up is almost exactly the same, with THE WITCHING TREE offering perhaps the less interesting of the threats, but revealing the first signs of a fairly significant development that stands to effect both Levi and the greater mythos prevailing through all of Keene's works for many books to come. That development (he said, remaining deliberately vague) echoes through the following ALBATWITCHES novella and is further expanded upon by the time that read comes to an end. Along the way, the reader is treated to what becomes a spiritual sequel to one of Keene's popular novels, Castaways. There are also references to his short story Scratch, and the reappearance of a character from Levi's first on-page appearance in Ghost Walk. In other words, this one is fairly essential reading for any fan of the Keenedom.
Technically, Keene writes with a fluidity and economy of expression that should be the envy of many of his contemporaries. I like the fact he kept these stories to short novella length, rather than padding them out to a full novel page count, as many others would have been tempted to do. They both read quickly and effortlessly - aside from the rehash of information in LAST OF THE ALBATWITCHES which was completely unnecessary when both novellas are presented together (as they are here). And on that note, one other minor complaint is why continue to call this book Last of the Albatwitches instead of giving it a different name, since it's comprised of a novella of the same name plus one other. It really does feel like THE WITCHING TREE got the short end of the stick on this one ...
Yeah, yeah. I can hear some of you know. Bitch bitch bitch, why don't you, Soze? As I said, it's a minor complaint, but one which I found myself wondering about each time I picked it up - which wasn't often as I polished this off in three work-interrupted sittings.
Anyway, this was the first of a large number of planned new releases for Keene over the coming year or two. And I have only one thing to say about that: bring them all on!
4 Tests of Faith for Last of the Albatwitches.
In both THE WITCHING TREE and LAST OF THE ALBATWITCHES, Levi is coaxed away from his home to investigate strange and mysterious deaths. The details differ, but the set-up is almost exactly the same, with THE WITCHING TREE offering perhaps the less interesting of the threats, but revealing the first signs of a fairly significant development that stands to effect both Levi and the greater mythos prevailing through all of Keene's works for many books to come. That development (he said, remaining deliberately vague) echoes through the following ALBATWITCHES novella and is further expanded upon by the time that read comes to an end. Along the way, the reader is treated to what becomes a spiritual sequel to one of Keene's popular novels, Castaways. There are also references to his short story Scratch, and the reappearance of a character from Levi's first on-page appearance in Ghost Walk. In other words, this one is fairly essential reading for any fan of the Keenedom.
Technically, Keene writes with a fluidity and economy of expression that should be the envy of many of his contemporaries. I like the fact he kept these stories to short novella length, rather than padding them out to a full novel page count, as many others would have been tempted to do. They both read quickly and effortlessly - aside from the rehash of information in LAST OF THE ALBATWITCHES which was completely unnecessary when both novellas are presented together (as they are here). And on that note, one other minor complaint is why continue to call this book Last of the Albatwitches instead of giving it a different name, since it's comprised of a novella of the same name plus one other. It really does feel like THE WITCHING TREE got the short end of the stick on this one ...
Yeah, yeah. I can hear some of you know. Bitch bitch bitch, why don't you, Soze? As I said, it's a minor complaint, but one which I found myself wondering about each time I picked it up - which wasn't often as I polished this off in three work-interrupted sittings.
Anyway, this was the first of a large number of planned new releases for Keene over the coming year or two. And I have only one thing to say about that: bring them all on!
4 Tests of Faith for Last of the Albatwitches.
October 14, 2014
Brian Keene is one of my favorite writers. I don’t like calling a writer a “horror” writer, a “mystery” writer, or even worse, a “literary” writer. A story or novel can be horror, a mystery, or literary, but the same quality makes all of these types of novels/stories worth reading and that is just plain old good writing. Do I care about the characters? Is the protagonist a compelling figure? Does the plot move along so that I want to know what happens? Is there more going on than just a recitation of events? Does the writer write with a skill that takes me out of the book, beyond the written words, and into the world that he/she is creating? If the answer to those is yes, then that person is a good writer. Period.
Brian Keene is definitely a good writer. The fact that I enjoy the genre in which he writes is irrelevant.
I really like Levi Stofus as a main character and am looking forward to reading more of his adventures. The latest installment does not disappoint. The only complaint that I have, and it is a mild one, is that these two stories are obviously stand alone stories but I wish they had been melded a bit better in this collection. Since the action is sequential and reads like one really long story in two acts, we didn’t need some of the repetitive parts. That sounds a bit nit-picky I know. Oh well.
Anyone who reads and enjoys Brian Keene needs to add this one to their collection.
Brian Keene is definitely a good writer. The fact that I enjoy the genre in which he writes is irrelevant.
I really like Levi Stofus as a main character and am looking forward to reading more of his adventures. The latest installment does not disappoint. The only complaint that I have, and it is a mild one, is that these two stories are obviously stand alone stories but I wish they had been melded a bit better in this collection. Since the action is sequential and reads like one really long story in two acts, we didn’t need some of the repetitive parts. That sounds a bit nit-picky I know. Oh well.
Anyone who reads and enjoys Brian Keene needs to add this one to their collection.
June 9, 2016
I didn't know an Albatwitch was a type of Bigfoot. Sold! Both novellas are quick, excellent reads.
March 5, 2015
Last of the Albatwitches is the fourth book in the intriguing Levi Stoltzfus series by author Brian Keene. This haunting series is about a exiled paranormal detective named Levi Stoltzfus, who finds himself saving humanity from a pantheon of thirteen entities who existed before our universe was created. The Thirteen want revenge for having their universe destroyed, the main target for their vengeance is everything in our universe that God created. Levi is a jack of all trades when it comes to dealing with the occult and supernatural, so he had been able to fend of the Thirteen on more then one occasion in the past. Though Levi's allegiance is to God the creator of our universe, Levi finds himself isolated from that faith and questioning his place in the battle to save mankind from extinction.
The first story in this collection is The Witching Tree.
This is the beginning of the fall from grace for our hero Levi Stoltzfus, the events in this novella take place after the events in A Gathering of Crows. In this story Levi comes face to face with a demon that was originally a part of biblical Legion. Levi draws help and support from a familiar face that we haven't seen since Ghost Walk which was nice for fans who have been reading from the beginning. However his primary "ace in the hole" is his pow-wow magic that has never failed him before until now.... I won't ruin the ultimate fall out from this story here, but I will say that these events were a game changer for our main protagonist. I really enjoyed how Levi was forced to think outside of the box when he was cut off from his main source of power, the climax story was very different from anything we've seen Levi face before. This particular novella was around seventy five pages and made for a really quick read.
The second story in this collection is Last of the Albatwitches.
The events in this story take place after the events in The Witching Tree. In this story we see Levi face off against one of the creatures from the novel Castaways. We are also introduced to the Globe Corporation who are essentially Brian Keene's version of the Illuminati. The Globe Corporation happens to lose control of a cryptid, which ends up murdering several innocent people. Once again it is Levi to the rescue as he tries to figure out the plans of the Globe Corporation. In this novella we discover more back story behind Levi, which helps flesh out the character even further. Of the two stories presented in this collection, Last of the Albatwitches was definitely my favorite of the two. There were several instances where I was left on the edge of my seat. Both of the stories were great reads however, so it makes giving this back to back double feature a easy five out of five stars!
With this review this brings my Levi Stoltzfus reviews to a close for now. This is not the end of Levi Stoltzfus' story, we will see him return in Invisible Monsters which is suppose to come out later this year. In that novel we will see Levi confront the Globe Corporation and the mysterious member of the Thirteen named Kat. This time around Levi will have the odds stacked against him since he still doesn't have access to his Pow-Wow magic which as assisted him so greatly in the past. With his faith shaken I wonder how he will survive another battle with a member of the Thirteen! I'm definitely beyond excited to see this story continue, so you will definitely find my review posted here shortly after Invisible Monsters is released!
Thanks again for reading my reviews! A big thanks to Brian Keene for writing such amazing novels and for always interacting with his fans. I would also like this thank my friend Mehmet, Eden, and the other members of the Levi Stoltzfus buddy read! I definitely had a lot more fun reading these books because of the awesome interaction I've had with my buddy read friends.
The first story in this collection is The Witching Tree.
This is the beginning of the fall from grace for our hero Levi Stoltzfus, the events in this novella take place after the events in A Gathering of Crows. In this story Levi comes face to face with a demon that was originally a part of biblical Legion. Levi draws help and support from a familiar face that we haven't seen since Ghost Walk which was nice for fans who have been reading from the beginning. However his primary "ace in the hole" is his pow-wow magic that has never failed him before until now.... I won't ruin the ultimate fall out from this story here, but I will say that these events were a game changer for our main protagonist. I really enjoyed how Levi was forced to think outside of the box when he was cut off from his main source of power, the climax story was very different from anything we've seen Levi face before. This particular novella was around seventy five pages and made for a really quick read.
The second story in this collection is Last of the Albatwitches.
The events in this story take place after the events in The Witching Tree. In this story we see Levi face off against one of the creatures from the novel Castaways. We are also introduced to the Globe Corporation who are essentially Brian Keene's version of the Illuminati. The Globe Corporation happens to lose control of a cryptid, which ends up murdering several innocent people. Once again it is Levi to the rescue as he tries to figure out the plans of the Globe Corporation. In this novella we discover more back story behind Levi, which helps flesh out the character even further. Of the two stories presented in this collection, Last of the Albatwitches was definitely my favorite of the two. There were several instances where I was left on the edge of my seat. Both of the stories were great reads however, so it makes giving this back to back double feature a easy five out of five stars!
With this review this brings my Levi Stoltzfus reviews to a close for now. This is not the end of Levi Stoltzfus' story, we will see him return in Invisible Monsters which is suppose to come out later this year. In that novel we will see Levi confront the Globe Corporation and the mysterious member of the Thirteen named Kat. This time around Levi will have the odds stacked against him since he still doesn't have access to his Pow-Wow magic which as assisted him so greatly in the past. With his faith shaken I wonder how he will survive another battle with a member of the Thirteen! I'm definitely beyond excited to see this story continue, so you will definitely find my review posted here shortly after Invisible Monsters is released!
Thanks again for reading my reviews! A big thanks to Brian Keene for writing such amazing novels and for always interacting with his fans. I would also like this thank my friend Mehmet, Eden, and the other members of the Levi Stoltzfus buddy read! I definitely had a lot more fun reading these books because of the awesome interaction I've had with my buddy read friends.
October 29, 2014
Occult detective, and former Amish, Levi Stoltzfus is back in the Deadite Press edition (not listed in GR yet), which features two novellas, The Witching Tree, and Last of the Albatwitches.
In the first novella, Levi is summoned to a farmer's field, site to a bizarre and bloody scene with a lone but ominous tree at its center. And what Levi is forced to do will have unforeseen consequences.
The second novella opens with the brutal death of a young woman in a state park, and mysterious "men in black" types, but that is just the tip of the proverbial deadly iceberg, as Levi and his trusty dog, Crowley, attempt to find the reason for this and stop it. But the horrifying answer they ultimately find may be too much for even Levi to deal with.
Arguably, Levi Stoltzfus is one of Brian Keene's finest creations, and at this book's subtly stunning conclusion, and teaser hint of what's to come, this reviewer and Keene fan cannot wait for the next book!
In the first novella, Levi is summoned to a farmer's field, site to a bizarre and bloody scene with a lone but ominous tree at its center. And what Levi is forced to do will have unforeseen consequences.
The second novella opens with the brutal death of a young woman in a state park, and mysterious "men in black" types, but that is just the tip of the proverbial deadly iceberg, as Levi and his trusty dog, Crowley, attempt to find the reason for this and stop it. But the horrifying answer they ultimately find may be too much for even Levi to deal with.
Arguably, Levi Stoltzfus is one of Brian Keene's finest creations, and at this book's subtly stunning conclusion, and teaser hint of what's to come, this reviewer and Keene fan cannot wait for the next book!
July 8, 2014
This novella is another Levi Stoltzfus story. It starts out a girl named April gets into a argument with her boyfriend in the car on the way home. He stops the car kicks her out and then takes off. To get home she decides to take a hiking trail thru the woods near Chickies Rock. She hears a noise and tries to hide. Then later on these security people from Globe Corporation block off the area around the woods so people can't get in or something can't get out. This is where Levi is asked by a friend to go in take care of this monster they think might be a Albatwitches. So Levi and his dog Crowley head into the woods to find this thing. This was a very good quick read, I gave it 4 stars.
Want to read
July 2, 2015This is copy 51 of 333 signed numbered copies.
This is book 2 of 3 of Brian Keene's Maelstrom IV 3-book set.
This is book 2 of 3 of Brian Keene's Maelstrom IV 3-book set.
December 25, 2019
Levi Stolzfus is back in action fighting some pretty nasty beasties (as usual) in two novella length tales. I like me some Levi.
I love Chet Williamson’s narration. I know he’s narrated a bunch of stuff but I think he’s particularly suited to voicing Keenes work and the two go together very well.
I love Chet Williamson’s narration. I know he’s narrated a bunch of stuff but I think he’s particularly suited to voicing Keenes work and the two go together very well.
July 28, 2022
Please note, this review is for the book titles Last of the Albatwitches which was published in ebook for in September 2014. It contains two novellas, The Witching Tree and Last of the Albatwitches, which were previously published separately.
The Witching Tree
This was my introduction to Levi Stoltzfus and it was great! If you're not familiar with him, he's an ex-Amish (still dresses like it and drives a horse-drawn buggy) occult detective that fits in with society by selling crafts made in his woodworking shop. Aided by his trusty canine companion, Crowley, he aids others with healing abilities and deals with supernatural entities that threaten to harm people.
In The Witching Tree, Levi's help is requested to deal with a tree that is intent on harming anyone who comes near it. If that sounds boring, I promise you that it really isn't (read Evans Light's novella Arboreatum and you'll see how dangerous trees can be)! I really liked the entire novella and hope that Keene will pick up where this one left off in a future book.
Last of the Albatwitches
Having read and liked Keene's book Castaways before, I was delighted to find that a "character" from that book is now mixing it up with Levi. Magus vs creature. Good vs evil. It doesn't get any better than that! While I did really like this story, the ending felt rushed and left me with the big question of why. I can't elaborate without giving away some plot so you'll have to read it and see how you feel about it.
Overall, both stories are definitely worth a read. If you're an old fan of Levi, you won't be disappointed! If you're new to him or have disliked some of Keene's other works in the past, I urge you to give this one a try; both stories flow smoothly, captivate your attention and have a great protagonist. Highly recommended!
The Witching Tree
This was my introduction to Levi Stoltzfus and it was great! If you're not familiar with him, he's an ex-Amish (still dresses like it and drives a horse-drawn buggy) occult detective that fits in with society by selling crafts made in his woodworking shop. Aided by his trusty canine companion, Crowley, he aids others with healing abilities and deals with supernatural entities that threaten to harm people.
In The Witching Tree, Levi's help is requested to deal with a tree that is intent on harming anyone who comes near it. If that sounds boring, I promise you that it really isn't (read Evans Light's novella Arboreatum and you'll see how dangerous trees can be)! I really liked the entire novella and hope that Keene will pick up where this one left off in a future book.
Last of the Albatwitches
Having read and liked Keene's book Castaways before, I was delighted to find that a "character" from that book is now mixing it up with Levi. Magus vs creature. Good vs evil. It doesn't get any better than that! While I did really like this story, the ending felt rushed and left me with the big question of why. I can't elaborate without giving away some plot so you'll have to read it and see how you feel about it.
Overall, both stories are definitely worth a read. If you're an old fan of Levi, you won't be disappointed! If you're new to him or have disliked some of Keene's other works in the past, I urge you to give this one a try; both stories flow smoothly, captivate your attention and have a great protagonist. Highly recommended!
September 27, 2015
This book contains two novellas featuring the character Levi Stolzfus.
In The Witching Tree Levi is brought in to aid the police after a father and son are found dead under very bizarre circumstances.
In Last of the Albatwitches, a girl is found dead and its ruled as a suicide. But, some people notice strange footprints and think something else may have caused her death. Levi is asked to investigate.
I really enjoyed these two stories and think they further developed the character Levi. He faces two strong foes and during these encounters, Levi's powwow magic doesn't seem to work as it normally does. And so, Levi begins to doubt his faith a little. But, he continues his work despite his doubts.
I think Levi is a great character and I enjoy stories featuring him. I am looking forward to reading more stories with him in it.
In The Witching Tree Levi is brought in to aid the police after a father and son are found dead under very bizarre circumstances.
In Last of the Albatwitches, a girl is found dead and its ruled as a suicide. But, some people notice strange footprints and think something else may have caused her death. Levi is asked to investigate.
I really enjoyed these two stories and think they further developed the character Levi. He faces two strong foes and during these encounters, Levi's powwow magic doesn't seem to work as it normally does. And so, Levi begins to doubt his faith a little. But, he continues his work despite his doubts.
I think Levi is a great character and I enjoy stories featuring him. I am looking forward to reading more stories with him in it.
September 4, 2021
Две новели с така любимия на феновете на Кийн Леви Щолцфус и неговите сблъсаци с паранормалното.
За разлика от останалите книги за бившия амиш, настоящ окултен детектив, тази няма как да достави пълно удоволствие като самостоятелно четиво. Просто в образа на Леви вече се натрупаха прекалено много пластове из предишните му приключения, така че без дуалогията за Падината на Лехорн и Сборище на Гарвани, читателят ще увисне леко.
Леви се сблъсква подред с обладано от демон дърво и един от гадовете от Castaways. Ще използва всичките си окултни познания, за да победи в тези нови предизвикателства, но вярата му вече е сериозно разклатена, а някой от методите доста проблематични. Границите на личния му морал, започнали да се смиват още в предишните произведения, тук съвсем се сливат.
Кийн, нетипично, бавно и напоително изгражда един тежък и трагичен герой с голямо бреме на раменете и личностна криза, която е изключително реалистична, въпреки фона на произведенията. Няма как да не харесаш брадатия чудак.
Чакам с нетърпение Invisible Monsters. Пет години вече - бая време си е, но съм сигурен, че ще си заслужава.
А, щях да забравя. Този път усетих доста сериозно влиянието на Уелман в писането на точно тези истории, но може би защото прочетох няколко негови книги (по препоръка на самия Кийн) между тази и предишната от серията за Леви.
За разлика от останалите книги за бившия амиш, настоящ окултен детектив, тази няма как да достави пълно удоволствие като самостоятелно четиво. Просто в образа на Леви вече се натрупаха прекалено много пластове из предишните му приключения, така че без дуалогията за Падината на Лехорн и Сборище на Гарвани, читателят ще увисне леко.
Леви се сблъсква подред с обладано от демон дърво и един от гадовете от Castaways. Ще използва всичките си окултни познания, за да победи в тези нови предизвикателства, но вярата му вече е сериозно разклатена, а някой от методите доста проблематични. Границите на личния му морал, започнали да се смиват още в предишните произведения, тук съвсем се сливат.
Кийн, нетипично, бавно и напоително изгражда един тежък и трагичен герой с голямо бреме на раменете и личностна криза, която е изключително реалистична, въпреки фона на произведенията. Няма как да не харесаш брадатия чудак.
Чакам с нетърпение Invisible Monsters. Пет години вече - бая време си е, но съм сигурен, че ще си заслужава.
А, щях да забравя. Този път усетих доста сериозно влиянието на Уелман в писането на точно тези истории, но може би защото прочетох няколко негови книги (по препоръка на самия Кийн) между тази и предишната от серията за Леви.
December 17, 2019
This book contains two novellas featuring Levi Stoltzfus on two very different adventures. Levi’s story is continued and Brian’s multiverse is fleshed out a bit more, both stories also have consequences that indicate the direction of future stories. I hope to see more books in this series soon as the journey so far has been a blast!
September 3, 2016
To thoroughly enjoy any Brian Keene book I think it is important to have an overview of just what the heck constitutes the Brian Keene Universe.
God, dissatisfied with the Universe, destroys it, using the matter and energy to create our Universe. There is a realm (dimensional freeway? proto universe?) just outside of the original Universe called the Labyrinth.
The Labyrinth is housed by The Thirteen (Elder God type beings outside of God's influence) and their minions (usually mystical creatures...mermaids, Pan,etc.)
Destroying the original Universe really ticked off The Thirteen.
Our current Universe is an infinite Earth's scenario. To get to an alternate Earth you just enter the Labyrinth, follow the "roads" and you're on a new Earth.
The Thirteen, in retaliation to God's Plan, destroy each Earth by various means.
The characters you love or hate inevitably show up along various tales, sometimes alternate versions of themselves or of alternate worlds. It is all interconnected storytelling.
This books protaginist is Levi Stoltzfus. An ex Amish wizard of many magical disciplines. Here he deals with the Globe Corporation (evil corporate empire) and finds out that God may have abdicated his throne. Hell is getting ready to make a move. So is The Thirteen.
God, dissatisfied with the Universe, destroys it, using the matter and energy to create our Universe. There is a realm (dimensional freeway? proto universe?) just outside of the original Universe called the Labyrinth.
The Labyrinth is housed by The Thirteen (Elder God type beings outside of God's influence) and their minions (usually mystical creatures...mermaids, Pan,etc.)
Destroying the original Universe really ticked off The Thirteen.
Our current Universe is an infinite Earth's scenario. To get to an alternate Earth you just enter the Labyrinth, follow the "roads" and you're on a new Earth.
The Thirteen, in retaliation to God's Plan, destroy each Earth by various means.
The characters you love or hate inevitably show up along various tales, sometimes alternate versions of themselves or of alternate worlds. It is all interconnected storytelling.
This books protaginist is Levi Stoltzfus. An ex Amish wizard of many magical disciplines. Here he deals with the Globe Corporation (evil corporate empire) and finds out that God may have abdicated his throne. Hell is getting ready to make a move. So is The Thirteen.
December 31, 2014
I read the ebook edition that included the witching tree and there was a lot of repetition in the beginning bitten the two story's but that is expected considering that they where originally published separately in two different collections. The second story was my favorite but both where great, can't wait for Levi's next full length novel that both of these are leading up to.
September 8, 2022
Not the authors best, despite a return to a classic character and themes from his days at Casual Horror. This really feels like the combination of two short stories into a novella that really could have used a few rounds of revisions. It rehashed the same elements and introductions, as you would expect from two separate pieces of writing, which could have been made more succinct in this new combined form. The plots are very similar, and are very by the numbers with no real room to develop a deeper story. Lackluster.
October 24, 2021
What a fun fast read. I found this book to be a real page turner. I imagined Alfred Molina playing the role of the main character. He is an ex Amish individual who knows the way of the old ways. One who specializes in the supernatural as well as cryptos. Brian Keene continues to impress me with his story telling abilities. This was great and I can’t wait to start my next book by him.
March 25, 2023
review to come
October 26, 2014
Another amazing tale from Brian Keene. Levi Stoltzfus takes on another case of evil in these two novellas. Non stop nerve shattering tale of good and evil. Brian does it so well. Great character in Levi. A man of peace pushed to the limits of his beliefs. The last of which has him questioning his own heart. Highly recommended. Also grab a copy of A Gathering of Crows.
April 19, 2014
Enjoyed it. Creepy and nice tie-in to The equally enjoyable Castaways. Highly recommended.
April 3, 2015
A snappy fast paced little book.
Keene's mix of action and supernatural skullfuckery is sexy and me likey.
Keene's mix of action and supernatural skullfuckery is sexy and me likey.
July 20, 2025
This was a relatively short but still very enjoyable read, and Brian Keene is quite adept at packing a lot of punch into just a few pages! While one could certainly dive right into these two novellas involving Brian Keene's extraordinary recurring character Levi Stoltzfus and have a decent grasp of the story, I'd still recommend reading Lehorn's Hollow, Ghost Walk, and A Gathering of Crows first, as the established familiarity will only further enhance the experience. The fact that they are all phenomenal reads themselves is simply icing on the cake. As for me, I can't wait to see what Levi Stoltzfus gets mixed up in next!
March 4, 2020
Brian Keene can't write a bad story if it involves Levi Stoltzfus! ( not that he does otherwise. But come on! You know what I mean 😫🙄) Levi is the most humble badass in any book I've ever read. And of course the two short stories in this book, that he stars in, are pretty damn good as well. I highly recommend this book, for a fun, quick read
August 12, 2020
This was a really good book!A boy goes off to find his dog and does not return.No one returns.There is only one ex Amish man that can deal with the creature killing people in the woods. Chet Williamson was a great narrator. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.'
January 28, 2020
Two short Novels set in the same world
From possessed trees to skunk apes this was an entertaining listen
Well narrated and recommended to horror fans
I received a free review audiobook and voluntarily left this review
From possessed trees to skunk apes this was an entertaining listen
Well narrated and recommended to horror fans
I received a free review audiobook and voluntarily left this review
February 12, 2020
What a blast these two novellas are! I love this character. This is the first time I've been introduced to Levi Stoltzfus and I definitely need to read the rest of his mythology. Highly recommend for a quick, entertaining read.
August 26, 2020
Как же все это убого и примитивно. Два бессвязных рассказа, сюжет на уровне девятиклассника, бесконечные реминисценции на собственное творчество, трэш, трэш, трэш. Мастер хоррора, однако, зал славы, все дела.
August 6, 2021
Brian Keene is the master of horror!
This book is great, both stories are short and to the point. I love the Levi series. If you are a fan of Keene and a fan of Levi then you will love this book.
This book is great, both stories are short and to the point. I love the Levi series. If you are a fan of Keene and a fan of Levi then you will love this book.
June 30, 2025
A return to form for the series and Keene in general after a so-so installment in “A Gathering of Crows.” These two stories race from beat to beat along interconnected plot lines that spare no time in getting to the good stuff. Crowley for MVP.
November 23, 2017
I need more Levi Stoltzfus!
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