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Ambrosia
“A riveting blend of horror and suspense”—Kirkus Reviews
When Travis Barnes returns home following the unexpected death of his mother, leaving his career with the Seventh Naval Fleet, he hopes to begin a new chapter in life. Unbeknownst to him, a series of impossible coincidences soon draws the attention of the Bureau, a fringe government agency formed from the rubble of Projects Monarch and Stargate.
But when Lola Agnew, the Bureau’s genetically-altered ringleader—along with her erudite headhunter, Drexl Samson—confront him with a clandestine force with powers beyond this world, Travis must face a forgotten secret from his past. His partner Tara Reilly, meanwhile, has secrets of her own, and when the couple are pushed to their limits, they must join together to overcome the darkness...
In the tradition of the classic speculative fiction of Richard Matheson, Ira Levin, and Ray Bradbury, Hamelin Bird’s AMBROSIA is a genre-defying deep dive into the mysterious and uncanny.
When Travis Barnes returns home following the unexpected death of his mother, leaving his career with the Seventh Naval Fleet, he hopes to begin a new chapter in life. Unbeknownst to him, a series of impossible coincidences soon draws the attention of the Bureau, a fringe government agency formed from the rubble of Projects Monarch and Stargate.
But when Lola Agnew, the Bureau’s genetically-altered ringleader—along with her erudite headhunter, Drexl Samson—confront him with a clandestine force with powers beyond this world, Travis must face a forgotten secret from his past. His partner Tara Reilly, meanwhile, has secrets of her own, and when the couple are pushed to their limits, they must join together to overcome the darkness...
In the tradition of the classic speculative fiction of Richard Matheson, Ira Levin, and Ray Bradbury, Hamelin Bird’s AMBROSIA is a genre-defying deep dive into the mysterious and uncanny.
243 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 16, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 28, 2024
Thank you so much to @hamelinbird for my copy and the inside flap artwork! Speaking of art work-I love the cover. It’s giving vintage and all the green with pops of red are fabulous!
This is a blend of speculative fiction, horror and suspense reminiscent of Richard Matheson. It starts off as a slow burn and really lets you get to know the characters. Plus there is an adorable dog! Favorite character and won my heart! The dialogue is witty, crisp and fresh. It’s detailed but not over the top and the pages are beautiful inside. Who doesn’t love artwork within a book? Horror lovers you need this!
4.5 rounded up**
This is a blend of speculative fiction, horror and suspense reminiscent of Richard Matheson. It starts off as a slow burn and really lets you get to know the characters. Plus there is an adorable dog! Favorite character and won my heart! The dialogue is witty, crisp and fresh. It’s detailed but not over the top and the pages are beautiful inside. Who doesn’t love artwork within a book? Horror lovers you need this!
4.5 rounded up**
February 4, 2024
This is a good story with some great characters, and while the first half is a slow burn, the second half is just astonishing. The beginning felt almost serene, it held a peaceful magical tone that had splashes of intrigue. It was fun just hanging with the characters while the story developed. Then...well hold on tight sailor, these waters get turbulent and there are some sharp turns that you better be holding on for. I read the last half of the book in one day because there was no way I could put it down.
An ordinary life for Travis will do just fine. After serving 8 years in the navy, he is content to move back to his childhood home. His parents have both passed on and time is on Travis' side in this small town. It has been good seeing old friends and making a very special new one, Tara.
But life likes to kick us when things seem to be going too well, and life can kick hard. Sometimes that foot is attached to the U.S. Government and they are interested in something that happened to you in the service.
I try to be fairly vague with any plot descriptions. I don't like to read book summaries because I want the story to unroll naturally without me trying to steer it on its preconceived course. Ambrosia kind of fooled me though. The cover gave me a Southern Gothic Noir vibe with either a zombie or a swamp monster and it isn't any of those things, actually it is pretty much just the opposite.
An ordinary life for Travis will do just fine. After serving 8 years in the navy, he is content to move back to his childhood home. His parents have both passed on and time is on Travis' side in this small town. It has been good seeing old friends and making a very special new one, Tara.
But life likes to kick us when things seem to be going too well, and life can kick hard. Sometimes that foot is attached to the U.S. Government and they are interested in something that happened to you in the service.
I try to be fairly vague with any plot descriptions. I don't like to read book summaries because I want the story to unroll naturally without me trying to steer it on its preconceived course. Ambrosia kind of fooled me though. The cover gave me a Southern Gothic Noir vibe with either a zombie or a swamp monster and it isn't any of those things, actually it is pretty much just the opposite.
February 5, 2024
“If a nation does not know its own history, it is destined to repeat it.”
📚
After losing his mother, former Navy seaman Travis Barnes returns home to settle affairs and start fresh. Alone, grieving, and unsure of his life direction, he soon encounters a series of strange coincidences that entangle him with a covert organization known as the Bureau, a fringe government agency that forces him to unearth buried secrets, face shocking realities, and fight for his future.
A unique blend of suspense, horror, and speculative fiction packed with creative plot points and original characters, Ambrosia takes the reader on a bizarre, immersive, and mysterious ride through time, place, and history. At times cozy and sweet, at others brutal and gruesome, it’s a story of true love and real monsters, lost parents and found families, and suppressed memories and portentous visions. It’s also an exploration of scandal and prosperity, truth and deception, right and wrong, myth and reality, entitlement and greed, violence and cruelty, chance and orchestration, and human folly and weakness.
Bright spots include a brave and lovable dog, nostalgia-fueled background scenes, gorgeous chapter headers, unexpected twists, crisp dialogue, and a distinctive mix of humor and gore coupled with exquisite prose that smoothly moves the narrative along — a heady and compelling fusion that produces an immersive and riveting page-turner sure to satisfy a wide range of readers.
A huge thank you to Hamelin Bird for sending me a copy of this incredible recent release. I couldn’t put it down and devoured it in just a few sittings!
*Rating: 4.5 stars, rounded down for Goodreads
📚
After losing his mother, former Navy seaman Travis Barnes returns home to settle affairs and start fresh. Alone, grieving, and unsure of his life direction, he soon encounters a series of strange coincidences that entangle him with a covert organization known as the Bureau, a fringe government agency that forces him to unearth buried secrets, face shocking realities, and fight for his future.
A unique blend of suspense, horror, and speculative fiction packed with creative plot points and original characters, Ambrosia takes the reader on a bizarre, immersive, and mysterious ride through time, place, and history. At times cozy and sweet, at others brutal and gruesome, it’s a story of true love and real monsters, lost parents and found families, and suppressed memories and portentous visions. It’s also an exploration of scandal and prosperity, truth and deception, right and wrong, myth and reality, entitlement and greed, violence and cruelty, chance and orchestration, and human folly and weakness.
Bright spots include a brave and lovable dog, nostalgia-fueled background scenes, gorgeous chapter headers, unexpected twists, crisp dialogue, and a distinctive mix of humor and gore coupled with exquisite prose that smoothly moves the narrative along — a heady and compelling fusion that produces an immersive and riveting page-turner sure to satisfy a wide range of readers.
A huge thank you to Hamelin Bird for sending me a copy of this incredible recent release. I couldn’t put it down and devoured it in just a few sittings!
*Rating: 4.5 stars, rounded down for Goodreads
June 13, 2025
Great writing and loved the juxtaposition of reading about everyday life mixed in with the supernatural! Bird is able to keep the tension at just the right level throughout the story to keep me turning the pages all the way to the conclusion!! 5⭐️
February 5, 2024
Huge thanks to Hamelin for sending me a digital copy of this one. And huger thanks to our mutual IG friend who put us in touch. I’m not 100% sure if they want me to mention who it was, so for now, I’ll keep it at that!
When I was dm’d about the prospect of potentially reviewing this one, I jumped to GR and all I had to read was this line in the synopsis – ‘…draws the attention of the Bureau, a fringe government agency formed from the rubble of Projects Monarch and Stargate,’ to know I was 100% onboard. Seriously! Secret fringe agency? The Bureau? Sign me up!
What I liked: Ok, so, the first half of this novel is pretty saccharine, but in the best way possible. I actually loved the attention to detail Bird laid out and the story that got us to what I’ll call ‘the tipping point.
The story follows Travis, a former Navy member, who, much to his chagrin, returns to his mother’s home after she’s passed. They weren’t on the best of terms and from all accounts, she was a hard lady to be around. But, he knows that things need to be done and loose ends tied off. Soon, he finds that the familiar is nice. He reconnects with old friends, cleans up the house some and begins to believe this might be just where he needs to be.
Things begin to subtly shift when he remembers he had an old coin collection that just might be up in the attic. Sure enough, it is, but now it seems to have significantly grown. He doesn’t question it, just begins selling off singular coins and uses some to buy things. Which all leads to a huge moment – he buys a lotto ticket and wins big. Like big big.
It’s from here that Bird really swings for the fences with a massive shift. Throughout, we’ve been getting glimpses of a strange assassin, Drexl, who has a singular job and begrudgingly does it.
Bird sets things up well and when the Bureau arrives and makes itself known, we get a time-spanning story that all leads to Travis having to make a massive decision.
The writing is crisp, propulsive and the characters – no matter where they lay in the story – are all intriguing. Which works well to bring us up to the very end… and push us over the edge.
It was a great ‘cap’ to the story, whether this is a one-off is always up for debate when a plot point is involving a secret elite, but we’ll see.
What I didn’t like: Now, I don’t fully know how much I accepted the ‘tipping point.’ It is VERY hard to say anything about it without full spoiling anything, but I will say, it works, but for this reader, I don’t know how much I bought into the various mechanism of the ‘why.’
Why you should buy this: Is this cosmic horror? Not really, but kind of. Is this portal horror? Not really but kind of? The closest I can think of to compare this would be like The X-Files mixed with Agents of Dreamland but not? Haha! It is a wholly unique approach and storyline which had me captivated and I think will really intrigue and excite a lot of readers.
When I was dm’d about the prospect of potentially reviewing this one, I jumped to GR and all I had to read was this line in the synopsis – ‘…draws the attention of the Bureau, a fringe government agency formed from the rubble of Projects Monarch and Stargate,’ to know I was 100% onboard. Seriously! Secret fringe agency? The Bureau? Sign me up!
What I liked: Ok, so, the first half of this novel is pretty saccharine, but in the best way possible. I actually loved the attention to detail Bird laid out and the story that got us to what I’ll call ‘the tipping point.
The story follows Travis, a former Navy member, who, much to his chagrin, returns to his mother’s home after she’s passed. They weren’t on the best of terms and from all accounts, she was a hard lady to be around. But, he knows that things need to be done and loose ends tied off. Soon, he finds that the familiar is nice. He reconnects with old friends, cleans up the house some and begins to believe this might be just where he needs to be.
Things begin to subtly shift when he remembers he had an old coin collection that just might be up in the attic. Sure enough, it is, but now it seems to have significantly grown. He doesn’t question it, just begins selling off singular coins and uses some to buy things. Which all leads to a huge moment – he buys a lotto ticket and wins big. Like big big.
It’s from here that Bird really swings for the fences with a massive shift. Throughout, we’ve been getting glimpses of a strange assassin, Drexl, who has a singular job and begrudgingly does it.
Bird sets things up well and when the Bureau arrives and makes itself known, we get a time-spanning story that all leads to Travis having to make a massive decision.
The writing is crisp, propulsive and the characters – no matter where they lay in the story – are all intriguing. Which works well to bring us up to the very end… and push us over the edge.
It was a great ‘cap’ to the story, whether this is a one-off is always up for debate when a plot point is involving a secret elite, but we’ll see.
What I didn’t like: Now, I don’t fully know how much I accepted the ‘tipping point.’ It is VERY hard to say anything about it without full spoiling anything, but I will say, it works, but for this reader, I don’t know how much I bought into the various mechanism of the ‘why.’
Why you should buy this: Is this cosmic horror? Not really, but kind of. Is this portal horror? Not really but kind of? The closest I can think of to compare this would be like The X-Files mixed with Agents of Dreamland but not? Haha! It is a wholly unique approach and storyline which had me captivated and I think will really intrigue and excite a lot of readers.
March 15, 2024
I never know what to expect with this author because he’s constantly throwing curveballs that I never see coming! In Birds latest novel is a tale of lottery fortune, and shadow government agencies hunting down mysterious creatures…for what reason? Just wait till you find out what “Ambrosia” really is and why they want it.
This is a slow-burn at the beginning that admittedly took me quite a bit to get into but once I reached the second half of the book, things took an unexpected turn that had me compulsively turning pages to see how it all played out. At the center of this story is Travis who served eight years in the navy and is settling back home after both his parents passed. He lives an ordinary life of visiting old friends, meeting a new love interest and experiences a high streak of good luck, but is his luck just coincidence? Well, The Bureau doesn’t think so, they think Travis came across a creature that gave him all his good fortune and they intend to find it at all costs. We also alternate POVs to the headhunter of the shadow government agency named Drexel who has no problem playing the role of a violent grim reaper. Content warning: His chapters are brutal and gory! The building of suspense was well done because you see the body count rise on Drexel’s end and you start to worry for Travis knowing their paths will eventually cross. I don’t want to reveal any more details but it’s a very unique and compelling story, I just love the way Bird writes!
Overall, it’s an enjoyable read that’s worth devouring despite the slow pacing. Let me also point out that the paperback is absolutely stunning! It has gorgeous interior design and artwork that looks and feels good while reading. Should you decide to read this, I highly recommend a physical copy.
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 3.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 - rounded up to 4 stars.
Many thanks to the author for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is a slow-burn at the beginning that admittedly took me quite a bit to get into but once I reached the second half of the book, things took an unexpected turn that had me compulsively turning pages to see how it all played out. At the center of this story is Travis who served eight years in the navy and is settling back home after both his parents passed. He lives an ordinary life of visiting old friends, meeting a new love interest and experiences a high streak of good luck, but is his luck just coincidence? Well, The Bureau doesn’t think so, they think Travis came across a creature that gave him all his good fortune and they intend to find it at all costs. We also alternate POVs to the headhunter of the shadow government agency named Drexel who has no problem playing the role of a violent grim reaper. Content warning: His chapters are brutal and gory! The building of suspense was well done because you see the body count rise on Drexel’s end and you start to worry for Travis knowing their paths will eventually cross. I don’t want to reveal any more details but it’s a very unique and compelling story, I just love the way Bird writes!
Overall, it’s an enjoyable read that’s worth devouring despite the slow pacing. Let me also point out that the paperback is absolutely stunning! It has gorgeous interior design and artwork that looks and feels good while reading. Should you decide to read this, I highly recommend a physical copy.
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 3.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 - rounded up to 4 stars.
Many thanks to the author for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 14, 2024
AMBROSIA, by Hamelin Bird, is a fast, propulsive and compelling read. Bird has a knack for genre-bending novels [as seen in WAYWARD SUNS and DOUBLE VISION], and AMBROSIA is no different. The story effortlessly blends four genres together: supernatural, crime, thriller, and horror. Similar to Donald Ray Pollock, there are multiple storylines that converge toward the end and more than a few violent scenes that are hard to turn away from. No big surprise that my favorite chapter in the book is a dinner scene, though you've been warned. A unique and twisty read!
**p.s. don't forget to read the afterword**
**p.s. don't forget to read the afterword**
March 23, 2024
review coming soon
May 8, 2025
Possibly my new favorite Hamelin Bird - review to come
April 4, 2024
While not quite bizarro, Hamelin Bird’s Ambrosia draws on elements I associate with it, including peculiar celebrity appearances and a genre-bending storyline. The cover suggests pulp horror, crime, romance, and even gives me slight Mandy vibes. The book delivers on this genre-mix, though without the psychedelic aspects of that film or the absurdity of bizarro. The back cover cites influence from authors Richard Matheson, Ira Levin, and Ray Bradbury. Among these writers, Levin's work, novels like Rosemary’s Baby and The Stepford Wives, particularly resonate, as Ambrosia offers readers a page-turning plunge into conspiracy and romance reminiscent of '70s-style paranoid thrillers.
You can read Stephen McClurg's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
You can read Stephen McClurg's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
April 19, 2024
All of my favourite recent novels are books that do a little bit of genre-hopping. I feel like often in genre circles speculative fiction is considered the snooty older sibling, the title that large houses put on the “weirder” books their “serious” authors put out. But is there a better classification for these novels that transverse the threads of noir and horror and SSF?
If you’ve been keeping up with Hamelin Bird’s output, you can see a growing confidence in his prose and a steady push at the boundaries of rigid genre definition in Ambrosia.
Our main protagonist is Travis, a recent Navy vet who is moving back to his hometown after the death of his mother. Which seems to be the lynchpin to a successive roll of boundless good luck and fortune. But no amount of good luck goes unnoticed, and Travis finds himself face to face with The Bureau. A super secretive government agency that knows that these series of coincidences are tied to a repressed memory in Travis’ Navy past.
Full of southern charm and nasty violence, Ambrosia is an unpredictable maelstrom of conspiracy theory weirdness. It’s a bit of a slow burn, but once you get to the twist it’s pretty hard to put this book down.
Thank you to Hamelin Bird for sending me a copy of your book. And thank you to Morgan @spookybookbitch for organizing a buddy read of this one.
If you’ve been keeping up with Hamelin Bird’s output, you can see a growing confidence in his prose and a steady push at the boundaries of rigid genre definition in Ambrosia.
Our main protagonist is Travis, a recent Navy vet who is moving back to his hometown after the death of his mother. Which seems to be the lynchpin to a successive roll of boundless good luck and fortune. But no amount of good luck goes unnoticed, and Travis finds himself face to face with The Bureau. A super secretive government agency that knows that these series of coincidences are tied to a repressed memory in Travis’ Navy past.
Full of southern charm and nasty violence, Ambrosia is an unpredictable maelstrom of conspiracy theory weirdness. It’s a bit of a slow burn, but once you get to the twist it’s pretty hard to put this book down.
Thank you to Hamelin Bird for sending me a copy of your book. And thank you to Morgan @spookybookbitch for organizing a buddy read of this one.
November 4, 2024
Hamelin Bird's writing style makes me wish I'd discovered him sooner. His confident, quick-witted prose and lush descriptions give Ambrosia a smooth, pulpy feel that makes the more speculative elements go down easy.
It's the type of book that I don't see published anymore or at least doesn't get as wide an audience as it used to. It's a sprawling narrative that switches between many perspectives and has a patient, character-driven rhythm to it. Once the pieces come together, though, we're given a wildly fascinating storyline with world-ending (or world-saving) implications. I love books that swing for the fences, and man, does this book swing!
I wish I could spoil the cameos, but part of the delight of this book's last half is seeing familiar faces from history pop up. The way the plot develops and the way these characters are integrated is something you won't expect, but it'll make you glad you tagged along for the ride.
It's the type of book that I don't see published anymore or at least doesn't get as wide an audience as it used to. It's a sprawling narrative that switches between many perspectives and has a patient, character-driven rhythm to it. Once the pieces come together, though, we're given a wildly fascinating storyline with world-ending (or world-saving) implications. I love books that swing for the fences, and man, does this book swing!
I wish I could spoil the cameos, but part of the delight of this book's last half is seeing familiar faces from history pop up. The way the plot develops and the way these characters are integrated is something you won't expect, but it'll make you glad you tagged along for the ride.
March 17, 2024
This is a story about greed, corruption, loss of humanity, and slaughter. For me, this book revolves around two extremely compelling characters. Drexl, who is ruthless, focused, and apathetic, and whose unraveling is a thing of beauty and rage. And Lola, the vain, heartless, megalomaniacal bitch who will stop at nothing to get what she wants. The writing is excellent, and is perfectly paced. This is my favourite Hamelin Bird book. So far...
February 15, 2024
This starts out as a slow burn for sure, but it really picks up midway through.
I don’t really know where to stick this book in terms of genre. I suppose it has a little of everything? Crime, horror, suspense. It’s definitely action-packed, that’s for sure.
I don’t really know where to stick this book in terms of genre. I suppose it has a little of everything? Crime, horror, suspense. It’s definitely action-packed, that’s for sure.
April 4, 2024
Review to come
April 9, 2024
This was a fun and original read! I still think about some of these vivid descriptions even months after finishing it. Would easily recommend to any horror fan!
June 27, 2024
Ambrosia by Hamelin Bird was a mind trip that left me with much to chew on and found me squealing with delight throughout the entire ride.
Excellent in every way: a strong plot, killer setting, well-developed characters, and nods to familiar legends & lore, this book has it all. Hamelin’s brilliant prose left my jaw anchored to the floor.
Just when I thought he couldn’t possibly impress me more, he proved me wrong and blew my flipping mind.
Elements of horror, conspiracy, and relatability will resonate with readers of all kinds. Give this book a shot. I believe you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Excellent in every way: a strong plot, killer setting, well-developed characters, and nods to familiar legends & lore, this book has it all. Hamelin’s brilliant prose left my jaw anchored to the floor.
Just when I thought he couldn’t possibly impress me more, he proved me wrong and blew my flipping mind.
Elements of horror, conspiracy, and relatability will resonate with readers of all kinds. Give this book a shot. I believe you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
February 19, 2024
"You'd be surprised, the things you can do to a person with a little pain. Make them shed their pride, forget their humanity. Break them until they've disavowed who they are and you can build them back up again in your own image, a slave for all time."
After the death of his mother, Travis leaves the navy to start a new chapter of his life. However, a series of coincidences occur, drawing the attention of a government agency called the Bureau. Travis is faced with a secret from his past as he is confronted with forces beyond his control.
This was an original story blending horror and speculative fiction. One of those books where I had no idea what direction it was going, but I was fully invested. The plot was unique and full of mystery. I really liked the characters as they were funny and loveable, and the villains were brutal and egotistical. There was also a surprising amount of gore, which of course I loved.
I wish the Bureau and their secrets were explored more, however, it didn't take away from my overall enjoyment. This was a suspenseful, captivating horror tale.
After the death of his mother, Travis leaves the navy to start a new chapter of his life. However, a series of coincidences occur, drawing the attention of a government agency called the Bureau. Travis is faced with a secret from his past as he is confronted with forces beyond his control.
This was an original story blending horror and speculative fiction. One of those books where I had no idea what direction it was going, but I was fully invested. The plot was unique and full of mystery. I really liked the characters as they were funny and loveable, and the villains were brutal and egotistical. There was also a surprising amount of gore, which of course I loved.
I wish the Bureau and their secrets were explored more, however, it didn't take away from my overall enjoyment. This was a suspenseful, captivating horror tale.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews