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The Preternatural Chronicles #10
Memento Mori
They had won, but at a cost...
A home destroyed. New graves line the grass like fresh scars. Warm sunlight dries tears from dirt-stained cheeks.
The terrible enemy had been stopped, but now an ally must face the consequences for allowing such destructive evil into our world.
Locke is forced into a position that pits him against powerful members of the council in order to save a friend while Depweg and Meli attempt to piece together a stolen life that should never have been.
Then there’s John…always stuck in the middle, torn between two impossible decisions that will inevitably end up killing someone he cares about.
Does he go to Hell to save the woman he loves more than life itself, and risk a trap to be sprung by Samael to trigger the prophecy? Or is an old adversary’s return demanding enough of his focus?
There’s only one proper emotional response for our vampire protagonist, and it sure as hell isn’t forgiveness…
A home destroyed. New graves line the grass like fresh scars. Warm sunlight dries tears from dirt-stained cheeks.
The terrible enemy had been stopped, but now an ally must face the consequences for allowing such destructive evil into our world.
Locke is forced into a position that pits him against powerful members of the council in order to save a friend while Depweg and Meli attempt to piece together a stolen life that should never have been.
Then there’s John…always stuck in the middle, torn between two impossible decisions that will inevitably end up killing someone he cares about.
Does he go to Hell to save the woman he loves more than life itself, and risk a trap to be sprung by Samael to trigger the prophecy? Or is an old adversary’s return demanding enough of his focus?
There’s only one proper emotional response for our vampire protagonist, and it sure as hell isn’t forgiveness…
321 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 19, 2023
94 people are currently reading
134 people want to read
About the author
Hunter Blain
44 books207 followersMy name is Hunter, and I’m a wordaholic. I’m also about to break the fourth wall…of your mindhole. Because there is a true story behind this…well…story.
It begins with two best friends who grew up together, breaking rules and raising hell as they shaped each other’s personalities into the shameless assholes they are today. Well, at least for one of them, but I’ll get to that in a moment. These two boys—let’s call them Hunter and John—were all but inseparable. John excelled at creating music powerful enough to make angels weep and being the funniest asshole in Texas while Hunter dabbled—poorly, I might add—in his humble writings. Because they were self-declared brothers from other mothers, John respected Hunter’s humble writings as much as I—I mean Hunter (stupid third person perspective)—respected John’s musical magic. John’s tunes could have changed the world, one day…
One fine day, after reading one of Hunter’s horrifically detailed short stories about a serial killer, John asked Hunter to write a story about him.
“Hell yeah, dude! What do you want to be?” Hunter asked, brimming with honor and biting back a very manly squee.
“A vampire,” John responded with a mischievous gleam in his eye. “But not one of those sparkly ones. A true bad ass!”
“Done!” Hunter crowed with a smile and an accompanying high five.
“No, dude. Promise. Promise you’ll write and finish a book about me. You are the most prolific writer of our generation!” John said. (Something like that. I might be paraphrasing a little, but you get the gist of it). “I would consider it an honor to live on for eternity with your words as my life’s blood.”
Hunter agreed, never to realize the weight of that promise until one Sunday morning when John’s mother called, crying incoherently.
John…had died.
Hunter was left in a cold world without his best friend and doppelgänger. Hunter still thinks about that moment to this day. How the morning light crept through the bedroom window while Hunter stared at the ceiling, noticing how the popcorn texture created cruel, jagged shadows. How everything started to blur as his chest was crushed beneath the weight of what he was hearing, each word stacking heavily upon the other until only fitful, ragged gasps of air could escape his throat. Only fiery tears existed, especially after the horrific realization that Hunter now had to make some of the hardest phone calls of his life to the circle of friends who orbited around John’s solar pull.
Their star was no more, leaving their universe a colder and darker place.
John not only left Hunter, but a friend named Valenta as well. There was also Nathanial and Depweg. The friends were each stricken numb with the loss of such a beloved flare of life. But…
When the three found out that Hunter was keeping his promise to write the greatest story ever told—starring their dear friend, John—they demanded to be a part of the adventure. Each of them immediately knew what type of supernatural character they wanted to play in this urban fantasy eulogy. It would be a funeral pyre of words, and their fictional personas would be John’s pallbearers.
So please, as you read the following pages, feel free to laugh. Laugh at the situations John is placed in and his dickish dialogue to those around him, because John is 100% in this story without alteration (albeit he is a vampire). Laugh and let his memory live on inside the theater of your mind. Like he does in ours.
Thank you, sincerely, from the bottom of my beating heart, for giving my best friend the chance to live again. You are part of this magical ritual, and that would make him the happiest man in the…well, wherever the hell he is.
It begins with two best friends who grew up together, breaking rules and raising hell as they shaped each other’s personalities into the shameless assholes they are today. Well, at least for one of them, but I’ll get to that in a moment. These two boys—let’s call them Hunter and John—were all but inseparable. John excelled at creating music powerful enough to make angels weep and being the funniest asshole in Texas while Hunter dabbled—poorly, I might add—in his humble writings. Because they were self-declared brothers from other mothers, John respected Hunter’s humble writings as much as I—I mean Hunter (stupid third person perspective)—respected John’s musical magic. John’s tunes could have changed the world, one day…
One fine day, after reading one of Hunter’s horrifically detailed short stories about a serial killer, John asked Hunter to write a story about him.
“Hell yeah, dude! What do you want to be?” Hunter asked, brimming with honor and biting back a very manly squee.
“A vampire,” John responded with a mischievous gleam in his eye. “But not one of those sparkly ones. A true bad ass!”
“Done!” Hunter crowed with a smile and an accompanying high five.
“No, dude. Promise. Promise you’ll write and finish a book about me. You are the most prolific writer of our generation!” John said. (Something like that. I might be paraphrasing a little, but you get the gist of it). “I would consider it an honor to live on for eternity with your words as my life’s blood.”
Hunter agreed, never to realize the weight of that promise until one Sunday morning when John’s mother called, crying incoherently.
John…had died.
Hunter was left in a cold world without his best friend and doppelgänger. Hunter still thinks about that moment to this day. How the morning light crept through the bedroom window while Hunter stared at the ceiling, noticing how the popcorn texture created cruel, jagged shadows. How everything started to blur as his chest was crushed beneath the weight of what he was hearing, each word stacking heavily upon the other until only fitful, ragged gasps of air could escape his throat. Only fiery tears existed, especially after the horrific realization that Hunter now had to make some of the hardest phone calls of his life to the circle of friends who orbited around John’s solar pull.
Their star was no more, leaving their universe a colder and darker place.
John not only left Hunter, but a friend named Valenta as well. There was also Nathanial and Depweg. The friends were each stricken numb with the loss of such a beloved flare of life. But…
When the three found out that Hunter was keeping his promise to write the greatest story ever told—starring their dear friend, John—they demanded to be a part of the adventure. Each of them immediately knew what type of supernatural character they wanted to play in this urban fantasy eulogy. It would be a funeral pyre of words, and their fictional personas would be John’s pallbearers.
So please, as you read the following pages, feel free to laugh. Laugh at the situations John is placed in and his dickish dialogue to those around him, because John is 100% in this story without alteration (albeit he is a vampire). Laugh and let his memory live on inside the theater of your mind. Like he does in ours.
Thank you, sincerely, from the bottom of my beating heart, for giving my best friend the chance to live again. You are part of this magical ritual, and that would make him the happiest man in the…well, wherever the hell he is.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 12, 2024
WOW
I love this series so much I can't wait to get number 11. Please don't take long to finish this series I'm 71 and if I don't live to finish these books I will haunt you. I am and old female John I use all the same kind of references., I knew them all loved them. I have enjoyed the laughter the tears and so much sorrow, written beautifully. I read 175 book last year and 150 this year so far but I will never forget John Cook. Thank you
I love this series so much I can't wait to get number 11. Please don't take long to finish this series I'm 71 and if I don't live to finish these books I will haunt you. I am and old female John I use all the same kind of references., I knew them all loved them. I have enjoyed the laughter the tears and so much sorrow, written beautifully. I read 175 book last year and 150 this year so far but I will never forget John Cook. Thank you
December 20, 2023
Oh my God! This book is the best yet in the series! I know authors put a piece of themselves into each work. I actually messaged the author to see if he was ok. Lol. The feeling, the story line, characters, and emotions, actually, I was not prepared. Grab a stiff drink (you may need it!) and hang on for the ride! Keep it up Hunter Blain! It was amazing! John On!
December 20, 2023
If you're looking at this, you should already know that John is a complex character with just about the worst possible luck in the entire world - nothing changes here, and that is a GREAT thing. The journey he is on continues with twists, turns, and avenues you won't see coming. Hunter has once again given us joy, pain, laughter, and most of all - intrigue and suspense... you won't regret continuing John's saga. Not. One. Bit!!
July 23, 2025
Wow, just wow!!! I absolutely love this series, and this one left me wanting more. Book 11 cannot come soon enough. Hunter Blain & narrator Luke Daniels have made such a vivid world, that I laugh out loud, cried, been on the edge of my seat, and even yelling at the book. I’m completely enthralled by this series and seriously considering starting from the beginning, just so I’m ready for book 11.
January 19, 2024
Ummmm!
I really don't know what to say! My mind is on overload with this continuing saga. There couldn't be a better testament to John Cook. I am just in awe with all the plots, phenomena, and the continued pursuit that are intertwined throughout. Take another bow! You truly deserve it!
I really don't know what to say! My mind is on overload with this continuing saga. There couldn't be a better testament to John Cook. I am just in awe with all the plots, phenomena, and the continued pursuit that are intertwined throughout. Take another bow! You truly deserve it!
June 8, 2024
NOTHING happens.....
Except... John continues to be an absolute IDIOT even though every single character warns him against it. Over and over, he does the wrong and stupid thing while everyone else is mature and trying their best to fix the situation. The plot moved forward, NOT AT ALL... So done
Except... John continues to be an absolute IDIOT even though every single character warns him against it. Over and over, he does the wrong and stupid thing while everyone else is mature and trying their best to fix the situation. The plot moved forward, NOT AT ALL... So done
September 28, 2025
Finished the series—SPOILER ALERT
This felt like RPG novel—“advance to next level” where the evil gets stronger and meaner, and the good guys make really dumb moves and more of them die. I wanted to stop after book 8, but I’m stubborn and finished all 10. For some reason I could not stay focused on book 10, did not care for the finale.
This felt like RPG novel—“advance to next level” where the evil gets stronger and meaner, and the good guys make really dumb moves and more of them die. I wanted to stop after book 8, but I’m stubborn and finished all 10. For some reason I could not stay focused on book 10, did not care for the finale.
December 20, 2023
John Cook is back, and yay! If you've missed the trademark over-the-top action, low humor, and riveting storyline, take a deep breath and plunge right back into John's world.
And beware: not everything - or everyone - is as they seem.
And beware: not everything - or everyone - is as they seem.
January 8, 2024
Outstanding !
We have waited a while for this and it has not disappointed. John and the gang are back without skipping a beat. The action, humor, edge of your seat anxiety at what was going to happen all here. Absolutely positively cannot wait for the next installment.
We have waited a while for this and it has not disappointed. John and the gang are back without skipping a beat. The action, humor, edge of your seat anxiety at what was going to happen all here. Absolutely positively cannot wait for the next installment.
January 18, 2024
Gripping. Funny. Has it all!
The characters are loveable and relatable. You begin to feel as if you are there side by side with them. Totally entranced in their struggles and you feel a part of the family!
The characters are loveable and relatable. You begin to feel as if you are there side by side with them. Totally entranced in their struggles and you feel a part of the family!
December 2, 2024
Another great read!
And again, just when it seems over, it gets worse, and Murphy's Law prevails. Well... he's our hero anyway!
Great plot, twists, unexpected character developments, mayhem, chaos... it's all here!
And again, just when it seems over, it gets worse, and Murphy's Law prevails. Well... he's our hero anyway!
Great plot, twists, unexpected character developments, mayhem, chaos... it's all here!
April 9, 2025
Neat!!!!!
This book is filled with pure awesomeness. The twists and turns pull at your heart strings. Hunter Blain is a genius author. He just better hurry up and finish the next book.
This book is filled with pure awesomeness. The twists and turns pull at your heart strings. Hunter Blain is a genius author. He just better hurry up and finish the next book.
August 9, 2025
Absolutely entertaining
Thoroughly enjoyed reading all 10 Chronicles and can't wait for the next three. They seriously can't be published fast enough. Thank you for the entertainment..
Thoroughly enjoyed reading all 10 Chronicles and can't wait for the next three. They seriously can't be published fast enough. Thank you for the entertainment..
December 5, 2025
if the next book is the last one in the series, then the final moments in this book has me sooooo ready for things to GET REAL & GRITTY!! It sounds like John is fixing on rolling up his sleeves, straightening his beanie, popping his collar & raining hell on Lulph.
January 19, 2024
Oh John - how I have missed thee!!! Brilliant stuff - Hunter Blain’s writing just gets stronger and stronger !!!
John On - bring on the next one!
John On - bring on the next one!
January 30, 2024
Hunter continues to impress me in this series. As we mourn more friends lost, John gets closer to the final battle.
February 23, 2024
And he's back with a whole load of wtf, and oh no moments- sprinkled with a dusting of my fave brand of dark humour and littered with far too many excellent movie references. Enjoy!
May 29, 2024
Book 10
Looking for2ard to the next edition so I can see John make mincemeat from his mortal enemy.
Author working well to building a final crescendo for the series.
Looking for2ard to the next edition so I can see John make mincemeat from his mortal enemy.
Author working well to building a final crescendo for the series.
October 8, 2024
Oh john
Wow this book was fanfreakingtastick. Alot happened throughout this book no time was wasted. Everyone is on a path idk where it will end but will be a bumpy ride!
Wow this book was fanfreakingtastick. Alot happened throughout this book no time was wasted. Everyone is on a path idk where it will end but will be a bumpy ride!
January 9, 2025
Brilliant books
Great Author
Can't wait for the next books to follow.
Killing it John On
Great Author
Can't wait for the next books to follow.
Killing it John On
February 20, 2025
The Story continues
And so the story continues.
Things aren’t looking so good for John as he returns to hell. How will things turn out.
And so the story continues.
Things aren’t looking so good for John as he returns to hell. How will things turn out.
June 2, 2025
All Hell breaks loose
🤔😳😮😤. This has turned into quit the read. Hunter has quit the imagination ! I have enjoyed all the characters. 😊lLike to see how it ends.
🤔😳😮😤. This has turned into quit the read. Hunter has quit the imagination ! I have enjoyed all the characters. 😊lLike to see how it ends.
March 14, 2024
John On!! Wow, great job, as always. Compelling characters, deep story line, and a "why'd you do that you idiot!!" (the character, not the author) ending. Can't wait for book 11
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews