Morcant

by Asher Allen

Born into a Stone Age tribe in ancient Wales, there was nothing abnormal about the man Morcant—until a creature of darkness bit him, and he became an undying being, living on through the ages as an insatiable killer. A drinker of blood.

Now nearly two thousand years later, in America, he meets someone who fascinates him more than all the women he has loved throughout history. There is a magnetic otherness about this girl Jael, and Morcant becomes obsessed with her soul, her mind, and her blood. He will have her, or perish in the pursuit.

Genres: Fiction

162 pages, Paperback

Published June 29, 2023

About the author

Asher Allen worked as a journalist in the Navy, deploying to the Middle East and visiting ports around the world as he wrote. While stationed for a year on the remote island of Diego Garcia, he found time to write a novel (when he wasn’t reading Treasure Island on the white-sand beaches or palavering with giant coconut crabs).

Allen now focuses primarily on fiction, ranging from mermaid romance to brutal sci-fi survival. He has worked as a ghostwriter, but he’s alive as he writes this (though talking about himself in the third person, for some reason).

He likes to use em dashes—he was doing so even as a kid—so he won’t be giving them up just because AI started imitating his style.

Reviews

[Philip Tallman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story!
I found Morcant to be a fascinating character. At the heart of the story was an encounter that I have never seen played out in vampire story before. It was such an intriguing story that I was hooked from the start.
This was the first book that I’ve read by Asher Allen, but it certainly not be the last!

[J Endsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read. I personally enjoy the sprinkling of theology in this story. It was fantastic! A great reminder of how we are as humans whether in Christ or apart.

[Aaron Endsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. Asher Allen does a great job at making you think, you begin to like the main character of Morcant, but not in a way where you agree with Him, but because He captures I think the nature of man apart from Christ, and embodies it so well, he believes himself to be free but is so enslaved to His desires, he is not only a monster inwardly but one outwardly, He is not a simple vapid Character, but a reflection of our nature if we were let off the leash so to speak. So very sure of himself. Pride in abundance. The Character of Jael is very well written and the dialog between her and Morcant is outstanding. She is not a simple Character either, she is one that feels like a true to life Christian, someone who is saved by grace and knows it.

My favorite quote from this story was this on page 89 :"It is the way of devils to offer a pale and premature imitation of what God intends."

In many ways while reading I was reminded of the temptation of Christ by the devil in the new testament.


Asher Allen has written a fantastic story, one that I can say I absolutely recommend.

[Levi W. A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book from the legend Asher Allen. It opens like fire. And although it is dark, there's no lack of comic relief or meaningful moments. I laughed, I cried--in short, "it moved me, Bob." And the light shines brighter. I have enjoyed many works by Allen and this one was no exception. This book is both compelling AND hard-hitting. And it's an easy read. Get yourself a copy today!

[Ileana · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 out of 5

This is the second book I’ve read from author Asher Allen, and it did not disappoint. As with the first, it caught my attention immediately, and I couldn’t put it down. Unlike many stories told from a villain’s perspective that glorify the villain, Morcant expertly balances providing insight into the villain’s point of view without justifying his actions.

There was engaging, witty, and humorous dialogue throughout that prompted both laughter and contemplation of themes such as compassion, mercy, and justice. A lot of fantasy fiction tends to lack depth nowadays but not Morcant. It was not just entertaining but also thought-provoking.

[Asher Allen]

This story was largely inspired by two passages from the Scriptures: the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness, and Ecclesiastes 6.

[Zoey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never judge a book by what you THINK it's going to be! This author does not follow the status quo, which is refreshing. I could not have predicted the plot twists in this book! Morcant is a thriller; a riveting read. The dialogue is gripping and compelling, which is a rarity and something I greatly appreciate in a book.

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite of the author's so far. Really liked the choice of POV character, and the philosophical direction the story took. Really short, but it used its length to its advantage.