Dark Summoning: An Urban Fantasy Arcanaverse Novel

by James Anderson Foster

When an ancient cult’s dark ritual threatens to unleash a primordial goddess, Special Agent Morgan Thorne and his team must race against time to stop them.

In "Dark Summoning," Morgan Thorne, a battle-hardened investigator for the Department of Anomalous Affairs, is thrust into a deadly game against The Night’s Embrace, a sinister cult intent on bringing the primordial goddess Nyx into the modern world. With his team by his side—brilliant occult analyst Dr. Evelyn Blackwood, rugged cryptid expert Jackson Reynolds, and the enigmatic yet troubled Lucas Reed—Morgan must uncover the cult’s secrets.

As the stakes rise and the lines between ally and enemy blur, Morgan discovers that Lucas’s past with the cult might hold the key to their victory—or their undoing. In the heart of darkness, every choice is a gamble, and every step brings them closer to the brink of chaos.

Can Morgan thwart the ritual before Nyx’s chaos consumes everything? Perfect for fans of Jim Butcher and Benedict Jacka, "Dark Summoning" blends gritty urban fantasy with ancient mythology, delivering a pulse-pounding adventure you won’t be able to put down.

194 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 30, 2024

About the author

A decorated U.S. Army combat veteran of Operation Desert Storm, he served in a rapid-deployment Cavalry unit that helped spearhead the VII Corps invasion of Iraq and engage their elite Republican Guard. Years later, he earned a PhD in Clinical Psychology, which means he now understands exactly why his characters make terrible decisions under pressure.

Under the name J.A. Foster, he writes high-intensity espionage thrillers shaped by his years living in Germany during the final days of the Cold War and the fall of the Berlin Wall — a front-row seat to shifting alliances and collapsing regimes.

As James Anderson Foster, he writes urban fantasy where Egyptian spellcraft, Norse runes, vampires, and modern technology collide in mostly inconvenient ways.

He is also an award-winning audiobook narrator of over 500 titles, including Marvel's Doctor Strange and the entire Firefly franchise, which means if you’ve listened to enough genre fiction, there’s a decent chance you’ve already heard him. He lives with his family, an unimpressed cat, and more fictional governments than strictly necessary.

Reviews

[GheridenTheBookBard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark Summoning is an engaging urban fantasy that kept me hooked with its intriguing plot and well-developed characters. The blend of ancient mythology and modern-day investigation was compelling, though it didn’t quite blow me away. The pacing was solid, and the twists were enjoyable, making it a good read overall. I’m giving it 4 stars for its creativity and immersive world-building.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m always on the lookout for my favorite genre, and this book seemed to fit the bill. I was pleasantly surprised that it did, and in just almost the exact way I love a book. We are dropped completely in the middle of the action, sort of, and while this was a little jarring, the author made it work. I would have liked to have gotten to know the characters better, but I was still drawn into the story. This book is definitely well-written, and the descriptions were great even if the character development was not as there as much. Hope to read more by this author. Recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

[Phthon · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was an exciting book! I quite enjoyed the snarkiness of The Peerage, but preferred the underdog approach of the DAA. I wonder how having the Mark of Nyx will affect Morgan and if it will be able to help in their efforts to keep the world safe. This was a fun book to read and I look forward to reading more!

[Debbie Eyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, we hit the ground running in this action packed urban fantasy read. It’s an intriguing storyline where we meet Special Agent Morgan Thorne and his team from the Dept. of Anomalous Affairs who must take down a dark and sinister cult before they bring the goddess Nyx into the modern day world. It’s one hell of a read brimming with mystery, suspense, danger, twists and turns and our characters are kick ass and well developed. Fantastic world building and a storyline mixed with mythology, it’s a race against time to save the day!

[Anya Smits · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did enjoy the book. It starts of with a roller coaster of action. You don't get the chance of getting tot know the characters but it all comes together nicely. I liked the sometimes snarky dialog very much . The story is a good mix of contemporary investigation work, mythology and urban fantasy.

A good read, recommended.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Christinaraven · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story where a team must deal with a cult bent on bring back a goddess. I enjoyed the story and characters with its mix of investigation and mystery and suspense that had be wondering how it would all play out. A few surprises and twists add to to all the fun. A good story that mixed well urban fantasy and mythology into a cool story.