The Beggar of Beliefs

The Spirals of Danu

by Martin Adil-Smith

"AREN’T WE ALL ARCHITECTS OF OUR OWN DOWNFALL?"

Freeman Sullivan knows that time is not only against him, but the entire human race.

In the stunning conclusion to ‘A Gathering of Twine’, Freeman tells the story of George Tate, as the disgraced archaeologist races to not only find the truth behind the strange inscriptions at Maiden Castle, but also a means to halt the lengthening of shadows.

Yet there are dark and powerful forces aligning against him. As The Raven Men pour through from Sumerland to orchestrate the fall of Man, The Third Twine must reveal himself in a desperate bid to unlock the secrets of The Lost Citadel and discover the survivors of The Iyrian Empire.

But not everyone is who they claim to be. As our world begins to fail, so disguises will be revealed and masks will fall as the battle for all creation reaches its climax.

Genres: Horror, Fantasy

290 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2014

About the author

Martin Adil-Smith was born to a Persian mother and an English father in London, 1978. He completed a BA (Hons) in Criminology at Middlesex University in 1999, before pursuing a career in commercial Real Estate.

Martin’s literary heroes are Stephen King, HP Lovecraft, and Anne Rice. He is passionate about music, and in particular lesser known acts such as Paradise Lost, Fields of the Nephilim, and Serpico.

He lives in Scotland, with his wife and daughter and when he is not reading or listening to music, he pretends to write.

Reviews

[Brenda Perlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

What if you could become invincible?

The Beggar of Beliefs is an intense story that captured my attention from the Prologue. Very intriguing premise. This is a well written sophisticated story that kept me curious. Definitely not a light read but at the same time mesmerizingly enthralling as I read with great speed and wonder wanting to know more.

This book is filled with well detailed characters that come alive on the pages. There are so many things about this book that caught my attention. I loved the many twists and turns and the creativity that went into writing such a story. It was pretty mind blowing. The author knows how to grab your attention and hold onto it. Such a great story teller that I hard a hard time walking away from this book. I kept stalling even though I knew I was going to be late to dinner.

I would highly recommend this book. It’s a great escape and easy to fall into. This is clever story does not disappoint.

Excerpt~

"Oh yes. I knew they were coming. Not today specifically. But I've been waiting... I've been ready for them. I know what they are," Sam continued, pulling a small pendant from inside the neck of his shirt. It consisted of black metal, finely worked into two concentric circles joined by nine zigzags.
"And, I've got a reasonable idea what you are too."

[Candace Bowser · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know you are in the presence of a master storyteller when you start a book at 8 a.m., before breakfast, and suddenly realize a hundred pages pages later that you have been reading for two hours, you’ve not yet eaten anything, and you are still in your pajamas. Such was my experience. No matter what religious or literary preferences you may hold, I challenge anyone to put this novel down after twenty minutes. The action and characters suck you in so quickly it is almost impossible to stop reading. I read a great many novels at varying levels of literacy and enduring values, and my opinion is Martin Adil-Smith is the hottest new talent in the “weird fiction genre” - he tells the most absorbing stories among modern writers. This is the story of our world; why there is war, death, and disease… and why “God” doesn’t care (It’s ok, don’t get your Fundy Pants in a bunch – it’s not really the Big Bearded One). We see the lead up to major world events, and the darkness that coaches and coaxes the greatest cataclysms . We see the meager forces of humanity that try to hold back that darkness. And yet there are divisions amongst these brave fools, with some holding that one path leads to victory, whilst other factions believe in a different route. And it’s tearing them apart. There are epic battles, betrayals, unlikely alliances… and the unraveling of reality. In less capable hands, this could be only a suspenseful and scary story of good versus evil, but the author makes it so much more. It's about family—loving families, dysfunctional families, brothers formed without regard for blood connection. And it's about inheritance - what comes to us through genes, and the things we pass on to those we love. And it's about lies; it’s about living with those who lie to us. Telling lies to smooth a way. And the lies we tell ourselves – the things we ignore and try to put up with. In addition to this moving and suspenseful story, there numerous little asides which seem to be such true aphorisms that one is tempted to be believe that they have genuinely been said. For example: "Aren’t we all architects of our own downfall?"; and "You don’t just meet someone and confess to having a mental illness"; and "We watch and we wait… for as long as it takes.” An additional plus; the narrative of how terrorists orchestrate their campaigns not just to kill, but to keep a population in fear… is very close the mark in today’s climate If you are a fan of Stephen King or James Herbert, and are looking for your next fix, then you will love this. And you’ll never look at your work-colleagues in the same light again.

[Jim Goforth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prepare to have your mind blown. If you are looking for a fast, disposable piece of light-hearted entertainment then you are probably in the wrong place.
If, instead, you wish to be drawn into a universe where the story crawls relentlessly into your brain, seizes hold and spreads provoking thoughts throughout, you just might want-no, make that, you need-to check out Martin Adil-Smith’s ‘The Beggar of Beliefs (The Spirit of Danu).
Think King, think Barker, think a little Lovecraft and you might be somewhere in the ballpark with this compelling, captivating tale, which merges creeping gothic horror with stunning concepts and wholly unique approaches, splashing visceral moments against dark broodiness and suspense so palpable you can almost feel it leeching out of the pages.
From the prologue where pivotal characters Freeman Sullivan and Danielle have an interesting exchange, re-establishing a connection generated in this books predecessor A Gathering of Twine we then launch back into the year 1951 to follow the trials of Doctor Claude Hiscock, his sister Annette and the fascinating character of Irene, and after the slow-burn intro it is round about here that ‘The Beggar of Beliefs’ has its hooks in you.
The author weaves a tapestry of story, of characters and events as intricate as it is engrossing, and from the sublime and stupendous it dives into the grotesque and the surreal with deft aplomb. The cast assembled is one of memorable folk, be they good or bad, and plenty of them are going to stick with you long after you’ve finished reading this.
In particular, the protagonists of the piece and fellows such as Professor Samson ‘Sam’ Cotrahens, George Tate, Tate’s mentor Celus Tuther and the mysterious Raven men, these are fascinating creations that stand out for an array of reasons, but it shall be up to you to see how and why.
Martin-Adil Smith has all the essential tools to take his place among the upper echelon of masterful storytellers of the world when those like King are finally supplanted, and books like The Beggar of Beliefs will certainly go a long way toward cementing that position.
Being a heavy metal music fanatic as I am, special mention must go to the auras evoked in here that often draw comparison to epic compositions from some of the greats in that field and more kudos for a nice nod to my perennially favourite line from Milton’s ‘Paradise Lost’ coming near the stunning conclusion of the work.
Original, inventive, wholly thought provoking and an incredibly bold achievement ‘The Beggar of Beliefs’ is one book that won’t be easily forgotten.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Several other reviews outline the synopsis for this compelling novel, so I'm not going to set out the plot or summarize the story again. I’m going assume that anyone reading this is already familiar with authors work, and the previous installment ‘A Gathering of Twine’.
Rather, I hope that these words will provide a few extra ponderings to add to the thought provoking points already made.

Let me begin by asserting that, to me, ‘The Beggar of Beliefs’ is a Yin Yang of a book - a book of deep contrasts, of immense dark and light and the interplay between them. Yet it's not dark and light in the usual sense of creating a good/bad division between hero and enemy. In this book the primary focus of the dark and light polarities exist within a family and the various alliances that they create and break. And, more than that, the book in fact encourages the reader to get in touch with the self-same dark and light polarity within themselves.

After all, if you knew that your country was a gonner, would you collaborate with the enemy in return for a better life? What about if it was not your country, but your world?

But more on that in a moment. First let me say this; for me The Beggar of beliefs was a real page turner. Excuse the pun but, from the moment I opened it I was sucked through to a beautifully described alternate reality... and then dragged helplessly into an adventure of darkness, deceit and betrayal that never let me go until the very end. Rarely does a book hold me captive the way this did. It was an utterly compelling read… and mostly because it was not written in the typical horror style. Very little happens at night or in the dark – rather we are exposed to the idea that there is terror in the light, because they light brings shadows, and the shadows see us.

At least in the dark we can all hide. So, let's look at that theme of darkness, light and the human condition.

In a way I saw A Beggar of Beliefs as an up-to-date version of IT (but instead of aliens, it’s vengeful gods). However, where Pennywise determines his own fate by his need to feed, Freeman (our new hero) is what he is because it is what he is born to do. And he’s going to have to venture into some pretty appalling places to do it, simply by accident of birth.

And yet some see his insight into the lie at the heart of the world as a dark blessing, and this understanding is reinforced by the arcane language that litters this sweeping text, like a forgotten prayer.

And here's where we're brought to our own dark and light. The author is a master of merging age old myths into modern history. Yet he always manages to avoid the modern day tendency to clean up, waterdown or make pretty that we often find in other attempts to re-write the gothic horrors. However, the heroes of this book are as flawed as the villains, making bad choices and errors of judgment, just as we all do every day.

Rather than launching into an all out religious war, they become sentinels for humanity – minding the rift between worlds, and trying to put a stop the insidious Raven Men. But often to protect the greater good, they have to discriminate against their own allies, who in turn are forced to betray them as a result. The chain of cause and effect is just fantastic.

The thing is, even the villains have redeeming qualities. If you invert this story, it is one where a people will do anything to help their god win a celestial war… even if that means feeding Her a lesser species (humanity) who they view as cattle. It may be morally questionable, but it makes sense.

And this is what's so disturbing for the reader. This is what drags us down into our own darkness. The Raven Men are as persuasive as they are brutal. And faced with your own certain death, would you swap it for a life of luxury if that meant selling out the rest of your species? You see the point that is being made.

But make no mistake; these monsters are still monsters in the real sense of the word. The only difference is that they are aware of the moral state of their victims and will only kill those they see as a threat. And before you know it you, the reader, begin to sympathize with both factions. And if you're not extremely careful, by the end of the book you find yourself joining the crowds of cheering characters who celebrate the coming apocalypse with an almost religious passion, because The Raven Men offer a world that is intrinsically better than ours… but it one that we can neither enjoy nor inherit.

And who can blame you? The wrongdoers are punished, the innocent remain unaware of their role in a universe spiraling towards apocalypse. By the end of it, even I wanted to be a Raven Man, knowing full well their role and what they do to our kind.


I have to say that this makes the book extremely uncomfortable reading. And so it should.

Humanity has failed on every level in the 20th and early part of the 21st century, and this book details some of the darkest moments as it blends fact and fantasy in a heady mix. I could not help but wonder if the heroes of this story were on the wrong end of history. Maybe humanity is not worth saving.

For those, like me, who like to see ourselves as liberal, compassionate, forgiving, sane, balanced and moral, this The Twine should be our saviors… but whilst they can save us from The Raven Men, they cannot save us from ourselves.

When my own tradition (Christianity) bangs on about `living in the light,' claiming that God cannot look upon darkness, and that we must abstain, deny and (pushed to an extreme) even punish our own flesh, we only create bigger demons. I've learned from my Pagan friends, that a healthy dose of Yin and Yang, of light and dark, makes for a more grounded and far less destructive personality.

So, finally, that's what I feel the monsters from the author gives us. A metaphor for what lies deep down within us all… and on the boundary of our world. He offers no answers, and how can he? The question is for each of us to ask independently and of ourselves; what /who is this shadow within me?

And what would I give up to preserve it?

A stunning book that fans of the genre will love.

[Evan Bollinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't usually review every purchase otherwise I’d probably be banned for over-use, however when I come across a really bad or a really good book, I like to have my say about it and this book most definitely falls into the latter category.

I should start by explaining that I adore A Gathering of Twine, although it wasn't the first Adil-Smith book I read, but it really stuck with me, so much so, that I make it a point to re-read my battered paperback copy of it last month in preparation for this. So when I heard the news that the concluding part was coming out I awaited its release with much anticipation but also quite a mix of nerves too......what if it was an awful book? What if (god forbid) it completely ruins A Gathering of Twine for me?

It turns out that I needn’t have worried. I remember reading a critics review of the book who said that it was an 'emotional roller-coaster ride' and boy they weren't wrong. The prologue deals with getting us back up to speed with Freeman Sullivan and his publisher, Danielle, and that part of the book was like putting on an old pair of comfy slippers for me, I loved it, one of my favourite parts of A Gathering of Twine is the relationship between Freeman and Danielle and to revisit that was quite lovely.

Shortly after that, we start to read about Irene Tate (before she married George) her part in the poisoning of a village in France. This part was a very difficult read not because it was badly written but just because I enjoyed her character and now shadows were creeping in, that made me reanalyze her motives, and I found it hard to read because I really wanted her to be a creature of purity…. So hard I almost stopped reading the book but I pushed past my emotional connection to Irene as I thought that she should be and continued.

I'm so glad I persevered because that's when the story really kicks into a higher gear, it becomes a very fast paced, exciting, tense and at times incredibly emotional to read, one section in particular had me on the verge of tears. In particular, the chapter that dealt with the airplane crash… it is so realistic, and so moving, that I can only imagine that it is based on fact.

The characters as always are beautifully written so much so that you start to feel as if they are a part of your family, I don't know how he manages it but Martin Adil-Smith reminds me of Stephen King at his best, and always seems to be able to connect you emotionally to his characters.

There are emotional highs and lows throughout the story (again, some parts make for difficult reading if you loved the characters from A Gathering of Twine) and as with a lot of The Spirals of Danu books there are some wonderful tie ins to other stories and other worlds he has created. I loved the villains of the piece, the idea of 'normal' looking people living and working amongst… just watching and waiting for centuries at a time - it somehow made them all the more scary because they didn't look like monsters (I'll never look at my boss in the same way again) and I wonder if maybe the author might re-visit The Call of The Black River one day, there seems to be a whole lot more to their story.

Only one part of the book made me think "oh that's a bit much!" but I guess you will have to make up your own mind about that part, again I don't want to spoil it.

But it's definitely worth a read, like all of his work. This one is really well written so it's great to see that he is still writing incredible books and long may he continue. A real must for any fans of Stephen King and Clive Barker.

Although it doesn't matter too much if you don't do this, I would recommend that you re-read A Gathering of Twine first before starting The Beggar of Beliefs - it makes for a much better read if you read the books together.

[R.L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story is framed by a conversation between a writer and his editor. He is explaining his story to the editor who is skeptical.

Never since Dan Brown’s The DaVinci Code have I read such a page turning mind-bender as The Beggar of Beliefs. My feet were moving I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.

Freeman, the writer in the story, explains that there are actually parallel universes, ours and Hers. The “Her” is a she-god bent on destroying our world. He knows that there are documents or “writings” that will explain how to defeat the she-god. She is slowly consuming our universe, distorting time, and causing mass death.

His first example of what is happening he shares from documents detailing the poisoning of an entire village in France in 1951. The story is gripping and realistic. There are hints at what is to come for the reader of the book. Freeman’s stories jump from past to 2018 to 2030 and back to 1980.

Time is an invention of man and does not exist as a straight line but instead has not boundry. The future affects the past so therefore the future can change the past. This is how Freeman explains it “…we haven’t really happened. Her (the destructive god) time is overwriting ours…”

Some of the characters in the book are attached to real characters in history, such as Jim Jones and the Guyana mass suicide. One character named Celus Tuther, I never could figure out if he was good or bad. The lady he hung out with, Irene, was definitely one of the bad characters.

The novel’s wrap up left me gasping. This is such a great read. What I really liked was the story within a story within a story. I’m still thinking about it. That is a difficult thing for an author to master well and Mr. Martin Adil-Smith does it.

[C.N. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is not just a skillful fantasy horror story, it is a book that makes a person think. What is truth? There are events in this story included that happened in the real world, represented with another slant and so very plausible as to be frightening. Who delivers the truth? The people in power. This is always slanted towards the wishes of the victor of any war. Truth is very much like a Trojan horse, appearing to be one thing in order to mislead the eye from seeing what is really there.

Main character Freeman Sullivan is a writer who has managed to piece together a massive leger de main, covering the existence of one thing with something else. The story opens with his interview with his editor, fighting to get her to understand the concepts of the book and why it should be published. As he takes her through the stages of how he came to be enlightened with scenes from the past, the reader begins to see a sinister picture evolving and overlaying what should be normal and isn’t. Each of the players in the story has an edge to dislodge the world as we know it more from kilter. Some of the ‘truths’ people have believed are shattered. Nephilim existed? A parallel universe is a reality? Religion/Godhead is not what people think?

The plot weaves back and forth in a complex and thrilling way reminiscent of the works of Dan Brown. The politics, religions and world building call to mind Frank Herbert’s masterpiece, Dune. Scenes of fantasy words bring memories of Michael Moorcock. But the voice and the characters, indeed the whole package is Martin Adil-Smith. I can see a time very soon coming when we will be comparing new books to elements of his work.

This story is a compulsive, entertaining read that has a person looking up real events and wondering …

[Christoph Fischer · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Beggar of Beliefs (The Spirals of Danu)” by Martin Adil-Smith is a complex and highly intelligent novel that blends classic dark fantasy with a mythological and biblical theme of genesis and some other worldly aspects. It is an intriguing and very accomplished novel, a wonderful feast of a book that easily stands out from the rest of the genre.
It is mainly set in modern times but its time scale intriguingly reaches from 1908 to 2030.
The prologue starts the story off as the dialogue between Freeman Sullivan, a writer, and his publisher Danielle, and it tells of the research of said author into a revelation that will change not only the view of the world as it is known but also the fate of the entire creation.
The book jumps through various points on time on Earth and also features another sphere, called Sumerland. Professor George Tate, and assistant Celus are faced with some tough mysteries to solve.
“The Beggar of Beliefs” follows on from “A Gathering of Twine” and the “Twine” is a key part of the story and its denouement.
I found the concept of this book very original and the prologue had me instantly intrigued as to where this was going. I recommend reading the first book to get the most enjoyment out of the story, although it is not strictly necessary.
The author makes great use of the dark fantasy elements that keep the reader in a sense of doom and terror while there is still the bigger mystery to solve before time runs out. The story is well plotted with some minor and greater twists and also features some very great and appropriate quotes, poems and song lyrics that introduce each chapter.
A great fantasy story.

[C.L. Heckman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Where to begin… This is a fantasy horror at its finest. “The creator is the destroyer.” That line sent shivers through my bones, and it was only the first chapter! The depth of the authors writing constantly makes you think, “Wow I wonder…” and “Hmm…” it’s amazing. Couple that with the actual historical events he ties in, and you’re left questioning whether what you are reading is real! Don’t worry, take a deep breath, it’s just the work of an amazing imagination, and incredible skill.

As I continued on, I then realized that all the short stories related to one another and tied into the larger main story, almost like a mystery. The author is such an incredible writer, that I picture the time and I can easily feel the emotion in the horrific situations that the characters were in. The coldness of the surrounding areas or the eeriness of the visions all added to the story immensely.

As the story played out, and more things were slowly added in, I felt the author did a fantastic job at opening the readers mind to possibilities, instances and things that we as a whole don’t even think about. It leaves you questioning popular belief systems, and life in general. The writing is creepily fantastic, and I commend him on a fantastic story.

It is not a quick read, because of the sheer intensity of the writing. However, I do feel that it is a book that you will read over and over again, and with each time picking up new things that you may have missed. I look forward to having a chance to read other books by this author, and I would recommend it to many of my friends.

[Jana Petken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Watch out Steven King, you have met your match in this author. Martin Adil-Smith is not only a writer of the highest calibre but is also one of the most innovative authors and original wordsmith I have read in a long time. Fantasy is not my favourite genre, however this is so much more than just a mere fantasy story. The tale is compelling and the compilation of mythic, biblical, and fantastical references pulled me in from the word go when we meet author Sullivan and his...trying to keep up editor, Danielle.

Jumping into different time periods and the menagerie of characters from the 1950's to 2030's was cleverly written and kept me on my toes. This is not a book to skim over but one where every word must be savoured and digested. It is a great horror piece, yet unpredictable. It is enlightening and thought provoking with a reality aspect intertwined, which made me wonder if the incredible revelations and occurrences could be holding certain truths.
Whoever reads this must keep up with the story, go with the flow of ever-changing landscapes involving highly intelligent dialogue, musical and lyrical quotes. This book...this story is more than a read, it is a sublime experience that has left me thinking and, which will leave me wondering for a long time to come... A classic novel in the making.

[Jonny Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picking up exactly where "A Gathering of Twine" left off, this tour de force of psychological horror reminds me of Poe, Lovecraft and Stephen King at their finest.

We rejoin the aging George, the morally ambiguous Celus and the naive Freeman as their tale of battling an impossible god and her raven hoard speeds towards its terrifying conclusion.

Along the way we see not only their crisis and personal struggles, but also how the effect of their actions ripples outwards, effecting everyone they know and love. Into this maelstrom of catastrophe of mayhem, we see the central tenet that underpins these tales:
"We are all architects of our downfall" - this bleak theme is as engrossing as it gives rise to the desire to fight against it.

The action is gritty, and once-again merges historical fact with a sense of magical reality, as the story takes us through the fireball over Tunguska, to the banks of The Dead Sea to quaint English countryside where a darkness lurks.

The subtext to this leaves much to ponder; do we ever really know our family and friends? What is it that we really pray to? And how much would we pay to expose the truth?

Presenting like the best conspiracies of The X-Files with the mystery of The Twilight Zone, this gripping novel will have you turning the pages long into the night.

A must read.

[E.M.G. Wixley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I eagerly bought and read the the concluding part of "A Gathering of Twine". The first book left me on such a cliffhanger, that I almost felt cheated, but the second installment does not disappoint.

The thing is, there was such a huge build up in the first one, could there ever be a satisfactory pay off in the second?


Wellll, if you like Lovecraft, Barker, or Masterton... then yes.


The shadows of the first book, become outright darkness in the second and we see how the villainous Raven Men have manipulated our world history for eon. For me, I particularly enjoyed the more frequent visitations to Sumerland, and the fleshing out that mythology.

The plot continues exactly where "A Gathering..." left off. Celus is not the hero we think he is, but actually a machiavellian traitor with his own agenda. Greine is an entrenched bitter old man, and George Tate is just a pawn being pushed about. There are revelations about his wife, Irene, and the children, and ripple effects from actions in the first book begin to have dire consequences, culminating in mind numbing genocide, chaos, and ultimately madness.


My only exception to this book is the ending. If you want a "good" ending, then you will be disappointed. If you want some dark, gritty, and perhaps a bit more realistic then you will love it.



A good read.

[The Good Fairy Nicci · Rating 5 out of 5]

I only have so many things I can say without being a spoiler of this amazing piece of horror fiction. I read it all and have been a lover of King since I was 8 years old. This masterful, suspenseful novel kept me awake for long hours into the night ever since the first contact with the 'entity' which haunts the story of this novel. An entity is surely the best word I can use to sum up the unnatural occurrences. I was kept on the edge of my for every word of Martin's elegant writing style.

The prose was lovely. So lovely that I found myself taking notes with my kindle at key parts so that I could find certain points again. I was a little confused at some parts of the story, fortunately, context and thorough explanations were later given which made my bewilderment brief.

But my favorite part of it all? Her. People who have read this will know who 'She' is. I love that this author wasn't afraid to use a female presence! One that kicked ass, took names, and left the many characters (there are many, and they each serve a very, very important role in unraveling this mystery) scratching their heads.

Sumerland is a wicked look into the world of horror and I would not want to visit it.

[Jan Raymond · Rating 5 out of 5]

For all fantasy lovers, this is a must read! Sit down with this book when you have the time because once you start it, you won’t be able to put it down. I started in the evening and it kept me up most of the night. It is complicated and clever and for those who like end of days and genesis stories, this is a gripping tale. The author has done a lot of research and used it skillfully to weave a fantasy.

The prologue of Beggar of Beliefs is intriguing, and it instantly seduces you, and pulls you in. From there, you just can’t turn back. The book moves from the present day, back in time and the mysteries pile up as you turn the pages. The author has made his characters captivating, and you get sucked into their journey. And, just when you think you’re getting a measure of the book, Martin Adil-Smith gives it a powerful twist, leaving you groping in the dark again. It was a roller coaster ride, in a time machine. Brilliantly executed, profound at times, exciting throughout.

I am a big fan of this particular horror/fantasy genre and the author has made me sit up and take notice. I expect plenty more from Martin Adil-Smith!

[Kudakwashe Muzira · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third revealed

Dark and twisted, this is the searing conclusion to my favourite book of 2013 – A Gathering of Twine

The story picks up exactly where it left off, and we are instantly sucked back into the murky world of Freeman Sullivan, The Raven Men, and the search for The Third Twine.

The book continues its themes of there being a God who needs to hurt us, but we also now see relationships unraveling as the decisions made in the previous book come back to haunt our coterie of heroes.

And this is really what this books is about – relationships, and how they are affected by obsession and lies… and how those decisions can still be felt many generations later.

The movement between our world and fictional Sumerland is great, and I just loved character of Colin Denoon and his friend Milton.

As others have said, the revelations in the final chapter had me going back to the first book, and sure enough all the clues are there.

A gripping, nerve shredding read from start to finish. I loved it.

[Jennifer Loiske · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started to read this book in one late evening. What a huge mistake! The story grabbed me in from the first page making it impossible to concentrate on anything else. I found myself thinking about the book, the characters, the horrific ‘what if’ doubt that was slowly crawling inside of my mind…yes, the author has taken the ‘what if’ thinking to a completely new level, creating a story inside the story, dropping nuggets of historical events and facts about people and events that really has happened, here and there, making the whole storyline so realistic that in the end I found myself doubting almost everything.

This story is a great mind game, clever, and very different from what I’ve ever read before. A story full of endless possibilities and labyrinth-like plot twists. A love child of Indiana Jones and The DaVinci Code and yes, a masterpiece, that can very well be ‘the next big classic’.

Fantastic read with a hooking horror! Watch out Stephen King, the new star has born!

[Bridgitte Lesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is weird fantasy at its most bizarre and best, in the conclusion to "A Gathering of Twine".

I really enjoyed this book and the historical events 'overlap' with Earth as we know it.

More questions are asked - some are answered and a lot are implied. The quest for The Twine continues, although the ways the "heroes" go about it becomes ever more questionable.

My thought is that you need commitment to read these books, and you should probably read them back-to-back, in order to appreciate the wider universe..

Arguably, this is one of the greatest concepts in modern literature since Sai King's "Dark Tower" series. I loved the idea of The Creator and The Destroyer, and not just a civilization before ours, but also a whole universe.

Ultimately, this moves beyond storytelling, into a realm of painting a whole immersive cosmos.

An engrossing read!

[M. Jet · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like Stephen King, you will love this. An epic battle against supernatural forces of unimaginable power. Lies, betrayal… and some redemption. The murky character of Celus really comes out, and I loved seeing George towards the end of his life as the crippled hero. The tone is both gritty and real, and setting some of the chapters around genuine historical events was a really nice (if creepy) touch. An awesome read that kept me up far at night.

[Vesela Tabakova · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Call of Lovecraft
The mark of a good book is this: "I know what's coming, I know what's coming... ARGH!!! HOLY CRAP!!" And "The Beggar of Belief" has it in spades. Whilst the reader is looking one way, a terrifying tentacles are slithering up behind you, and before you know it... your whole world is gone. So what to do? Die or collaborate? This the question that our heroes must answer, and it is one heck of a ride finding out. I loved it.

[Contel Bradford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bigger than Hellraiser. Better than IT. This tour de force is the most original book I've read in years, and paints a world collapsing through willful blindness of the horror that freely walks. Enter our band of flawed heroes as they struggle unite against The Demon of Many Masks. There are some terrific set pieces, and the characterizations are spot on. My only question is this: Why isn't Stephen King writing this well?