The Gateway

by Z. Martin

Jonas has always been a wanderer, roaming from one corner of the world to the next in search of a purpose that has eluded him for a lifetime. But everything changes when he crosses paths with Eli, a stranger with a chilling secret.Drawn into a world shrouded in fear and horror, Jonas is confronted with a mysterious book that holds the key to a destiny he never asked for. As the shadows close in around him, he must make a choice that will alter the course of his life, even though he doesn't fully understand the task at hand.

Genres: Fantasy

88 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 3, 2023

About the author

Z martin. Where do you even begin to explain the entity that is this author. He has been known to haunt random bookstores, occasionally purchasing the odd book or two. Some say he writes horror stories while others say he reviews books he has read. Legends say if you speak his name thrice in a mirror he will appear (please do not attempt this he has been known to startle easy).

Reviews

[Roz Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook. The narration was creepy and set the tone for the story. It is a bleak novella, with a good pace. It's claustrophobic in a sense that for the main character, there is no escape from the horrors that await him. It gives the book a sense of hopelessness and futility, which, dare I say, I enjoyed. I liked the concept, and the character development was done in a clever way, by one character passing over their own life story to the next.

Overall, it was a really enjoyable listen. I recommend for those who like horror with depictions of demons, hell, possessions, and curses.

With thanks to the author, Z. Martin for a free copy of the audiobook. This is my honest opinion, which I'm leaving voluntarily.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had a captivating story from the first chapter. The novella kept my interest to the point I stayed up wayyyy to late to finish it! Definitely worth a read, especially if you have Kindle Unlimited! The epilogue was perfection. I love stories that end the way this one did!

[DA · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a story!

What a great story. The characters and plot of this book were amazing. I loved the section with Eli and I even enjoyed the character of Astaroth. This isn't your typical demon story.
A story with a steady pace, it's very entertaining, just the right amount of gore and characters you can feel. Highly recommend this, especially if you're newer to the horror genre.

[The Yeti Reads and Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stranger named Eli. A strange book.

When Jonas, a loner, encounters Eli, he is unaware that their chance meeting wasn't a coincidence. Jonas must make a decision that will forever alter his life.

This was a fantastic read that will leave you wanting more.Great characters and superb storytelling I just couldn't get enough. I highly recommend checking this one out. I certainly hope there is more to come with this tale. Check it out!

5 severed fingers out of 5

[Paige Ray · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Razor-sharp teeth gnashing down upon brittle bones. Claws dripping vibrant red liquid from their tips. Monstrosities and ghouls flooded a desolate plain filled with writhing bodies. Blood coated every inch of the ground, running in steady streams from bodies barely held together. When the screaming slowed, fresh waves of bodies were pushed in from a gate outside of my vision."

The Gateway is a horror thriller that will scare you and shock you. Z. Martin weaved a story that was compelling and filled with some pretty graphic imagery throughout that truly left a haunting impression over myself. Jonas is a wanderer, an outcast if you will. His life choices led him down a dark path and he only has himself... that is until he stumbles upon a mysterious man named Eli.

Since this encounter, Jonas is plagued with memories of his bad choices and consequences even more so than before. This story is perfect for those wanting to wade themselves into horror for the first time and an equally enjoyable read for us seasoned horror readers.

Check this one out!

[Claire-Louise Armstrong-Brealey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blooming loved this. It most certainly isn't a comfy horror.

Imagine what you would do if confronted by a demon who says you will bring hell to earth. Would you fight or give in?

Now that is the hell-fire burning question!

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining

Love the story and the gory. A little boring in spots, but I got through. The writing was pretty good.

[Chelsea McCrady · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Gateway is a story about Jonas who is a drifter, he meets an older man named Eli who tells him a story and then hands him a book… this book isn’t what it seems and Jonas ends up on a crazy ride! I loved the concept of this story and Jonas was a very likable character! I would definitely recommend reading this to anyone who likes occult style horror!

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

How do you dodge destiny?

Jonas, wracked with guilt over the death of soldiers under his command he has abandoned civilisation to live in the wild with only his thoughts and whiskey for company. Meeting Eli catapults him into facing down his destiny; does Jonas embrace the power bequeathed to him or fight for the sake of others?

A fast paced novella, full of suspense and with well crafted characters. You will be left screaming at the end for more. I am on tenterhooks for a sequel!

[Haley Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first horror read, and I didn't know a book could creep me out. But let me tell you, a handful of scenes were CREEPY. Although I did feel more of a thriller vibe than a horror one, I still enjoyed the atmosphere.

[Chiara Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never has the phrase "You can't run from your destiny" been more real than for Jonas after one fatal night meets Eli. Fuelled by cheap booze, Eli gives Jonas a book and a story through which Jonas' life is forever changed.
 
What if fate has a role for you that you never asked for and don't really want? Would you stand your ground or would you succumb to the mighty power holding you like a puppet?
 
The book soon reveals to be a very potent and dark artifact more alive than Jonas thought, which prompts him to go on the run, trying to avoid his supposed destiny. He soon realises that once again he's resorted to running, a grim summary of his life. Would he finally stop and start taking responsibility for his life's actions?
 
What a story, short but mighty! This is one of those times when a story is immensely enhanced by the narrator's performance and acting! The sound effects of the different voices by Cameron DelGrosso and their ability to change the depth of their tone were amazing!
 
I hope there's a sequel because that cliffhanger needs some resolution!
 
Thanks to the author for a code and this is my honest opinion.

[J.B. Arnold · Rating 4 out of 5]

What would you do if your destiny called? What if you knew sinister forces were involved? Would you run, or face the inevitable?

The Gateway is a fun, lightning fast trek straight into hell. Our MC, Jonas, is ridden with a task he doesn't fathom; he must deliver the remnants of an ancient text to a sacred site in order to halt the eternal damnation of the Earth. Will he succeed, or is this right of passage, this curse, just a ploy to summon the hounds and demons?

Clever Mr. Martin, clever.

Highly recommend you take a look yourself. It's a quick one, an hour tops, but the pacing and story deliver emotional thuds of anguish, hope, and terror. A solid four stars.

[ScarlettAnomalyReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

This veered into fantasy for me, which used to be a favorite past time of mine .
I had listened to Tales from Chesterfield recently, and if you haven’t, check that one out, it was my favorite of these two, but this wasn’t a slouch by any means.

We have a super evil, super creepy, book of basically chaos. What else do i need to know? Sold

Kidding i am a really really pick person when it comes to narration, but this hit those boxes for me as well.

This was a free code from the author, but in reality all this did was make me want to go out and buy his stuff, 2 out of 2 for absolutely great stories.

[Indie Horror Reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read! In the beginning, the setting and mystery were just enough to pique my curiosity, and then I was quickly propelled down a wild ride with the main character. The gore, action, and backstory are deftly woven together, and I felt a sense of dread and urgency as I rooted for the main character despite his moral flaws. If you are looking for a story that blends a magical book, demons, and the desperation of trying to outrun fate, this is for you!

[Stephen Blumberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

a fun, quick, horror

I enjoy Z’s books. They are short and sweet. This book had thriller vibes and legit weird/creepy moments. If you are looking for some quick horror to consume, look no further. Z drops you right into the plot and we see it through the wild ride of the 1st POV to the bitter inevitable conclusion. I highly recommend for general horror fans and anyone who’s a fan of demon horror.

[Savannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jonas is a wanderer, until he meets Eli and stumbles into a a world of terror. After being told of a fate that he never could have dreamed of, Eli has some daunting choices to make. In a book not for the faint of heart, the author pulls the reader into a world of evil, demons, and death. The tension was intense, and I devoured the whole thing as quickly as possible. I need a sequel!

[Ali O · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very exciting & creepy horror story! Who doesn’t love an evil devil book?! The author does a great job with the writing of the story and imagery. This is a very fast paced and exciting short story. No dull lags!

Thank you Z. Martin for a copy of the audio of this story!! It was great to listen to!!

[Rebecca Boldyga · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story line. It was interesting and fast paced. I liked the character development.

My only complaint is that I wanted more of all of it. The story was over too quickly!

I hope Martin considers a little series.

I received a free audible code to read and review this short story.

[Desiree L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story! Martin creates an ominous feel that steadily grows through out the book. The dialogue is great, and main character feels very real and authentic. Looking forward to more from this author!

[Janelle Halstead · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun audiobook about Jonas and a demon that’s fights to lure Jonas to his destiny. As Jonas fights his way out of the predicament he’s in you’ll come across his past grievances with himself. It’s just short of three hours.

[Megan Russ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick horror tale

A curse, a book, and a door that should remain closed. Jonas was just trying to escape his sins but destiny has other plans. Will he join the army of hell or will he fight?
Find out for yourself.

[Crystal DeBoard · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read. Well-written and original story. Enjoyed the writing style and couldn't wait to see how it ended.

[Legacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

*The Gateway* packs a punch. It’s a dark, eerie tale with horror elements that really stuck with me. The writing is immersive, and I found it easy to picture the unsettling atmosphere, the strange creatures, and the chilling moments throughout the book. I was particularly impressed by the ending, which left me wanting more.

Overall, I’m giving *The Gateway* a well-deserved 5 stars. If you're a fan of horror and enjoy dark, gory scenes, I highly recommend this one. I’ll definitely be exploring more of Z. Martin’s work in the future.