Evil Eternal

by Hunter Shea

Only one priest can battle the ultimate evil!



An evil as ancient as time itself has arisen and taken root in New York City. Father Michael, the mysterious undead defender of the Church, answers the call to action from the Vatican, while Cain, a malevolent wraith that feeds on fear and blood, has taken the life and form of the city's mayor and readies a demonic army to ignite the apocalypse.

With an unlikely ally, Father Michael will prepare for the grim confrontation as he grapples with his sworn duty to God and the shreds of humanity left beating in his immortal heart. The time is ripe for Cain and the fulfillment of dark prophecies. Father Michael must battle Cain and his horde of demons in a final showdown that could very well herald the end of mankind.

Genres: Horror

204 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2012

About the author

Hunter Shea is the author of over 25 books, with a specialization in cryptozoological horror that includes The Jersey Devil, The Dover Demon, Loch Ness Revenge and many others. As part of the new horror line at Flame Tree Press, his novel Creature has gained critical acclaim. His novel, The Montauk Monster, was named one of the best reads of the summer by Publishers Weekly. A trip to the International Cryptozoology Museum will find several of his cryptid books among the fascinating displays. Living in a true haunted house inspired his Jessica Backman: Death in the Afterlife series (Forest of Shadows, Sinister Entity and Island of the Forbidden). In 2011, he was selected to be a part of the launch of Samhain Publishing’s new horror line alongside legendary author Ramsey Campbell. When he’s not writing thrillers and horror, he also spins tall tales for middle grade readers on Amazon’s highly regarded Rapids reading app.
An avid podcaster, he can be seen and heard on Monster Men, one of the longest running video horror podcasts in the world, and Final Guys, focusing on weekly movie and book reviews. His nostalgic column about the magic of 80s horror, Video Visions, is featured monthly at Cemetery Dance Online. You can find his short stories in a number of anthologies, including Chopping Block Party, The Body Horror Book and Fearful Fathoms II.

A lifetime New Yorker, Hunter is supported by his loving wife and two beautiful daughters. When he’s not studying up on cryptozoology, he’s an avid explorer of the unknown, having spent a night alone on the Queen Mary, searching for the Warren’s famous White Lady of the Union Cemetery and other mysterious places.
You can follow his travails at www.huntershea.com.

Reviews

[Trish · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boy this was a chore to get through. And it shouldn't have been!
Shea, by now, has become a name I can't resist. If there's one of his stories, I'm reading it, expecting great thrills and almost mindless fun.
Unfortunately, every once in a while I come across something of his that I just don't like.

The premise of this book is simple: Cain has wandered the earth, spreading hatred and death wherever he goes, working for Satan after having been cast out for his fratricide. However, God has named a champion as well: Liam, a man who lost everything thanks to Cain once upon a time, who is now immortal (undying, rather).
So these two have clashed throughout the centuries.
Now, Cain has returned and the fight turns into a race against the clock since the Church is trying to keep a lid on things while the demons want to make the world aware.

Doesn't sound too bad ... except it wasn't gripping at all. Apart from the damsel-in-distress trope, there were also many stereotypical encounters that reminded me of The Exorcist or Van Helsing or countless other stories in the same vein. Just not in a good way. Usually, Shea is very good at using typical tropes and forming a suspenseful and often downright funny story around unlikeable characters and unspeakable monsters. Not here.

Sadly, after what happened in the small rural town and after we get a wider view in NYC, I couldn't wait for this to be over and I even skipped lots of parts to get to the end faster. *pouts*

[Bradley · Rating 3 out of 5]

An oldschool splatterpunk horror adventure in the old-style.

Not really what I've come to expect from Hunter Shea.

It's not quite the B-Movie horror I like from him, but it does remind me an awful lot of that old 90's Tales from the Crypt Demon Knight with a bit of Hellsing Anime thrown in, sometimes meeting the old standard and sometimes not.

If anyone wants a little short fun in that old realm of immortal priests fighting the eternal fight against Cain and his Cthulhu horrors in the modern world, however, this is easily their ticket to that adventure. :)

But, honestly? It's an average outing. :)

[Dan Corey · Rating 4 out of 5]

You ever read an author’s early work, and, despite being rough around the edges, there are glimpses of the greatness that lies ahead in his/her future books? Well, Evil Eternal is a great example of that.

Full of gore and super over the top (sometimes cartoonishly so), this was a very fun story that appealed to the Castlevania fan in me: a holy warrior locked in an eternal battle with an ancient evil overlord and his minions, fought with the help of religiously-powered weapons. That said, it was definitely rough around the edges, as previously mentioned. And though I loved the badass priest and the vile demon at the center of the story, the character of Shane admittedly did a lot of harm to this book for me. His dialogue was super cheesy and his whole personality was one big cliche.

That aside, this was a good early effort by Hunter Shea, and I’m glad I read it! It was a trip worth taking.

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was pretty good.... think Blatty's The Exorcist meets William W. Johnstone's Michael. It's a very traditional story of good versus evil, not a monster-of-the-week story as most of the previous Shea novels I've read have been, but sometimes the definitions still tend to blur. There are some potentially disturbing scenes of sexual violence, but I believe most horror readers will find it to be a fine seasonal Hallowe'en story.

[Aniko Carmean · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Evil Eternal, by Hunter Shea, the Biblical war between good and evil roars to a depraved crescendo in the post 9/11 world of politics and improbable love. Cain abuses and desecrates in his role as imposter-mayor. Father Micheal is the avenging angel, God's blind, towering, and immortal henchman. The backdrop is modern, but Cain and Father Micheal have been fighting for aeons. The collateral damage of their battles are countless mortals: Cain murders because he's evil incarnate, but Father Micheal murders to cleanse the souls of those those touched by Cain.

Father Micheal is as physically imposing as he is spiritually compelling. In a way, he is more frightening than Cain because he is the good guy, but he seems so inhuman, so cold, and so capable of murdering in the name of Good and Salvation. Over the course of the book, the human truth of Father Michael is revealed; he was not always a Holy soldier, but was once a man named Liam, beloved of Ailis, and father to Kerwynn. The events that took his family set him on the path to becoming an eternal force, but even that is frightening in the sense that it seems as though God has chosen to specially punish Liam, to dispense a special kind of hell-in-half-life to his devoted warrior. With Father Michael on the side of good, it doesn't take much to believe that true evil - the raw, everlasting evil embodied by Cain -must be incaculably horrific. Over and again, Shea gives us lurid and stomach-churning examples of Cain's moral blight. Still, it is the image of Father Micheal killing an entire village of people to free their immortal souls that stays with me. In the mythos of Evil Eternal, good doesn't mean nice. Good doesn't mean beautiful, loving, or even human. Good is simply a refusal to let Evil proceed without opposition.

In some sense, both Father Micheal and Cain are tragic figures because each is unable to love. Cain can't love because he has turned against God, and Father Micheal can't love because it weakens his defenses. Of the two, only Father Micheal's resolve is tested. For reasons he cannot fathom, Father Micheal is presented with the possibility of pulling his own, long-deceased Ailis into the modern times by sacrificing another woman. The pathos of Father Micheal's longing is the heart of the story, the center about which the final battle revolves. Like Shea's debut novel, Forest of Shadows, Evil Eternal is a story about love - eternal love.

[Erin Al-Mehairi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Giveaway of Signed Prints~Until Jan. 31, 2013!!!!

We're giving away a few signed extra large post card print of the awesome cover of Evil Eternal. That's right, they are signed by Shea. Comment below if you'd like one, leaving an e-mail so I can get ahold of you for address. Or e-mail me at hookofabook(at)hotmail(dot)com.

Review~

Horror is one of my favorite all time genres to read....why? Simply, because it thrills me! It's an escape beyond normal and one of the top authors that can write adrenaline pumping prose with pulse pounding scenarios is the author Hunter Shea. In his latest full-length novel, Evil Eternal, Shea pens a story he originally had intended to be a comic book. What that means for us as readers is we get quick-moving, detailed, succinct prose that is so action filled we wouldn't want to miss a word!

When I first was going to read Shea's Evil Eternal he told me he thought it targeted twenty-something male gamers who chomp Doritos. As I've told him after reading it, I wouldn't stereotype his audience (though I could see his point) because I am a thirty-something mother who really loved this book's action and thrills (though I do chomp Doritos like they are going out of business)!!

Being an avid comic book lover, I could totally picture the adventure in my head, even the rich tones of the art as it might appear inked on paper. It was gruesome and blunt and Cain is certainly one demon I'd never want to encounter. Thankfully, in this novel we have the doomed for eternity Father Michael on our side. Shea does a wonderful job developing this character and drawing out his emotions and heart in a way that reminds me of the greatest of superheroes who have that vengeance punch. And I just love how he wields a trident.

I would totally recommend this book for those who like action and adventure, but don't mind the horrible that sometimes comes with tales of good versus evil. Don't get me wrong though, this isn't a usual tale of the sort, it is original and superb storytelling. Demons don't mess around and neither does Shea. He writes raw material with perfection of pen. The pace is nail-biting and the ending makes your muscles lock up after a roller-coaster ride of terror.

[Adriana Noir · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was the equivalent of one wild rollercoaster ride. It was an unending flow of nonstop action and terror, just the way us horror fans like it.
The pace is fast, the visuals bold, and the wording fresh and unique. Though “Evil Eternal” is not weighed down with heavy prose, there are still some real gems in there and stand out phrases for the reader to mull over and savor. The plot is a unique, exciting twist on the age old battle between good and evil, allowing the readers a behind the scenes glimpse into both sides of this bitter war.
What stood out the most to me, though, was the cast. From his very first appearance, Father Michael held my attention. His presence is commanding. He’s a character you want to love. Your heart breaks for him, once you learn of his tragic past—yet at the same time, you are afraid to get too close. Despite his origins, this man oozes a sense of danger from every pore. Shane is a fascinating blend of artistic and quirky, whose zany humor often had me laughing, and Aimee is the typical girl-next-door—until you start to discover her mysterious connection to Father Michael. Cain is in a league all of his own. I loved that wicked wretch!
This book has a little bit of something for everyone. There’s love, laughter, and terror that will deliver nightmares long after the last page is turned. And the best thing is, the ending came quick, but left the door open leaving me hopeful that we have not seen the last of these characters yet.
A must read for horror lovers across the board!

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What an amazing read. I haven't read a good old fashioned horror book like this in many years. It captured my attention right from the first paragraph and held it right to the last sentence. When I read the last sentence and turned the page I couldn't believe the story was over. Just in time for Halloween. I would like to read more books from this author. I Amin the Halloween " spirit" now after reading this one. Good Job! :)

[Erin Al-Mehairi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really fast paced wicked fun that kept my interest. Action packed. Full review soon.

[Lorie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Predictable story, with boring characters. I've seen and read this kind of story to death. Not recommended at all. And expensive for a small novel. Crap.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would make a very gory film. Lol

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Evil Eternal is an old-fashioned tale of Good vs Evil. We have the good represented by Father Michael, an immortal priest. The evil is represented by the demon, Cain (yes, the Cain who murdered his brother in the Bible.) The two warriors have clashed many times throughout human history leaving behind death and destruction every time they fought. After a brief set up, the storyline takes us to the resurfacing of Cain after many dormant years, as he is eagerly beginning a killing spree and setting out on a wider mission of destruction. The Vatican, after finding out about Cain’s return, send Father Michael to track him down and vanquish him once more. Following an excellent brutal first clash in rural Vermont, the action switches to New York City.

The book is light on the religious aspects and is pretty much two super-powered combatants going at it and causing lots of collateral damage. Cain, the demon, has some fascinating powers. The most interesting is the ability to literally wear the skin of other people as a disguise. He is snide, arrogant and has a black sense of humor – an enjoyable character, dripping with evil. Father Michael is the strong, silent type, physically and visually imposing. There is not much charisma or, in fact, dialog from him. The old adage “still waters run deep” applies to Father Michael as he bears the heavy weight of innocents who have perished due to his and Cain’s conflict. The priest has his own powers, such as the ability to heal and super strength, as well as an array of gadgetry. You have to laugh a bit at the crucifix throwing knives and trident. Father Michael’s sidekick, the homeless artist Shane, has an unusual divine gift himself. He provides the color and quick comebacks. Shane’s girlfriend, Aimee, the damsel in distress, plays her part as bait well. The men’s emotional connections to her are manipulated by Cain to draw the protagonists to him.

The plot is straightforward, leading the main characters inexorably to each other for a much anticipated final conflict. When Cain takes over the body of the Mayor of New York things really get interesting. He assembles his twelve demonic apostles and faces off against Father Michael and Shane. What follows is an exciting and blood-soaked finale.

Evil Eternal is good fun and doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s a quick read full of plenty of gore, not likely to keep you up at night, preferring action over scares. It is entertaining if a bit shallow.

[Douglas Castagna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A classic supernatural horror novel. There was an ancient evil presence that has the ability to become corporeal. There is an old and wise force of good, that has been doing battle with the adversary for a long long time. There is an inherent danger. All great ingredients for the kind of supernatural horror that works well. She created a rich back story and mythology created for the horror and action in this book as well as a satisfying creating of a newer mythology should there ever be another entry in this world. The evil is, after all, eternal.

[Anthony]

Sharply written horror novel with great imagery. Its impact is even more intense than the author's previous undertaking "Forest of Shadows". Hunter Shea builds on his previous history with the enigmatic exorcist/demon-hunter Father Michael. The interjection of quirky, bizarre, almost humorous sequences makes the novel more entertaining. The setting is one that New Yorkers will appreciate. I highly recommend.

[Dave Pope · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read, kind of like an Omelet made up from Terminator and some of Edward Lee's work. In parts horror fantasy, in parts superhero comic book and in parts full on splatter fest. Don't expect to take this novel seriously as it doesn't work in that sense - crack it open if you are expecting a breathless ride at a Funfair type read.

[Randy Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok. That's all I have.

[Dana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would give this book a 3 1/2 stars. Father Micheal seems like he needs his own series.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am working my way through all of Sheas' books.
Another awesome story.

[Dallas Kitchens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every generation, along comes an artist, first to me, it was king, then little, now Hunter shea, an author to surpass all others. His books will reach out and tear your throat out, and then eat what's left. His books are Evil...