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Child of the Dawn
Child of the Dawn is a fast-paced almost cinematic tale of occult conspiracy and adventure with Aleister Crowley, his followers and The Stelé of Revealing very much at the centre of a wild and entertaining yarn. Ron’s life-long interest in the Occult combined with his undisputed literary talent ensure a thrilling and immersive read. Readers who have already had the pleasure of an early preview, like our friend Mark Valentine and Rosemary Pardoe (of Ghosts and Scholars), agree that Ron’s novel has all the hallmarks of deep learning, vivid prose and an enthralling plotting. There are very few modern, intelligent novels written on occult themes authored by a master of the genre.
In Child of The Dawn we have a heady combination of a fast-paced adventure narrative, a tale of ritual magic and a chilling glimpse into the horrifying fantasy world evoked by the opium dreams of Poe and De Quincey.
The inspiration for the novel is Aleister Crowley’s account of receiving a trance message from a demonic spirit, which led him to write “The Book of The Law”. One of the instructions given to Crowley was that he should steal a certain magical plaque, the Stelé of Revealing, from Cairo Museum, and set it up in its ‘proper place’ in an act which would promote the advent of ‘A New Age’.
In Child of The Dawn we have a heady combination of a fast-paced adventure narrative, a tale of ritual magic and a chilling glimpse into the horrifying fantasy world evoked by the opium dreams of Poe and De Quincey.
The inspiration for the novel is Aleister Crowley’s account of receiving a trance message from a demonic spirit, which led him to write “The Book of The Law”. One of the instructions given to Crowley was that he should steal a certain magical plaque, the Stelé of Revealing, from Cairo Museum, and set it up in its ‘proper place’ in an act which would promote the advent of ‘A New Age’.
285 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 2024
2 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
About the author
Ron Weighell
37 books12 followersRon Weighell (1950 - 2020) was a British writer of fiction in the supernatural, fantasy and horror genre, whose work was published in the United Kingdom, the U.S.A., Canada, Germany, Ireland, Romania, Finland, Belgium and Mexico.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
September 6, 2024
Weighell, Ron - Child Of The Dawn
A grief stricken husband takes the plunge and embarks into the netherworld, seeking his wife.
Leighton is no adept, nor a master; he is a mere dabbler. A wealthy tourist, perhaps he assumes his earthly skills will serve in the chaotic afterlife.
Things go terribly wrong. Fortunately, an adept is at hand, Malcroft, as well as his disciple. Along with Leighton’s two adult children, both of whom possess gifts.
Once this story gets going, the energy is propulsive.
Three narratives, Leighton in the void, his artistic son and the disciple beside his near-lifeless body, while his spiritualist daughter and adept Malcroft race to Egypt, enlisting the ferocious Mona.
To attempt a summoning that Aleister Crowley shirked, and regretted to his dying day.
The Egyptian track is the meat of the book, and is a thumping, pulpy adventure.
Much of this echoes “Entombed With The Pharaohs” (HPL / HH), and is claustrophobic, dangerous, laced with exploits.
This can be read as a page-turner, in which case this is a lot of fun.
Weighell has jammed this with references, however. Readers with an interest in Egyptology will seize with delight. Me, I know major deities, I know Bast (living with felines means awareness of Bastet is de rigueur). The ruins of Bubastis? Never heard of it. Weighell makes it unforgettable.
Other references dance around. Aleister Crowley, to a lesser degree Austin Osman Spare.
Again, these are backgrounded. You can enjoy this book, knowing nothing of either.
Down the line, if curious, there are plenty of avenues to explore.
The novel is an erudite cliffhanger from a master storyteller, with a fond afterword from Ron’s widow, Fran.
A grief stricken husband takes the plunge and embarks into the netherworld, seeking his wife.
Leighton is no adept, nor a master; he is a mere dabbler. A wealthy tourist, perhaps he assumes his earthly skills will serve in the chaotic afterlife.
Things go terribly wrong. Fortunately, an adept is at hand, Malcroft, as well as his disciple. Along with Leighton’s two adult children, both of whom possess gifts.
Once this story gets going, the energy is propulsive.
Three narratives, Leighton in the void, his artistic son and the disciple beside his near-lifeless body, while his spiritualist daughter and adept Malcroft race to Egypt, enlisting the ferocious Mona.
To attempt a summoning that Aleister Crowley shirked, and regretted to his dying day.
The Egyptian track is the meat of the book, and is a thumping, pulpy adventure.
Much of this echoes “Entombed With The Pharaohs” (HPL / HH), and is claustrophobic, dangerous, laced with exploits.
This can be read as a page-turner, in which case this is a lot of fun.
Weighell has jammed this with references, however. Readers with an interest in Egyptology will seize with delight. Me, I know major deities, I know Bast (living with felines means awareness of Bastet is de rigueur). The ruins of Bubastis? Never heard of it. Weighell makes it unforgettable.
Other references dance around. Aleister Crowley, to a lesser degree Austin Osman Spare.
Again, these are backgrounded. You can enjoy this book, knowing nothing of either.
Down the line, if curious, there are plenty of avenues to explore.
The novel is an erudite cliffhanger from a master storyteller, with a fond afterword from Ron’s widow, Fran.
Displaying 1 of 1 review