A Prelude to Chaos

by Miguel Angel Hernandez Jr.

If you were a vampire blessed by the sun, would you be good or evil?


Haunted by his past and facing a treacherous future, Leon Striker is a skilled fighter, caught in a never-ending battle against malevolent forces. As chaos and betrayal threaten to consume him, he must navigate a world where shadowy figures and relentless enemies lurk in the darkness. Each confrontation pushes him to the brink, testing his strength and willpower as he fights to protect those he loves. But in a realm where trust is scarce and danger is always looming, Leon must confront his deepest fears and embrace the chaos to save what little light remains in his shattered heart.

Will he triumph in the face of darkness, or will he succumb to the shadows that haunt him?

Fans of epic fantasy and intense action will love this thrilling tale of magic, betrayal, and redemption.


If you enjoyed The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss, you'll love A Prelude to Chaos by Miguel Angel Hernandez Jr. Don't wait. Click Buy Now before the price changes!

Genres: Fantasy

133 pages, ebook

Published October 28, 2024

About the author

Miguel Angel Hernandez Jr. is an Amazon bestselling and award-winning author who specializes in murder and mystery novellas. However, he loves to keep things fresh and interesting by dabbling in thrillers, horror, suspense, humor, action, adventure, and even Sci-Fi.

His bestselling series, Griffin Knight, centers on the adventures of renowned New York City detective Griffin Knight, a lone wolf with a penchant for dangerous situations — even those beyond his jurisdiction.

As a writer, Hernandez aims to please. That is why, as one of his favorite pastimes, he scours the internet for reviews on his books to spin stories that truly resonate with his readers.

His influence goes beyond literature and taps into the world of TV, with favorites such as Perry Mason, James Bond, Jack Reacher, Dirty Harry, Paul Kersey, Solo Leveling, Arcane, and My Hero Academia.

Hernandez earned his bachelor's degree from the University at Buffalo and likes to go to church with family, watch anime, and work out during his downtime. He is the winner of:

Literary Titan December 2022 Silver Book Award Winner
Literary Titan January 2023 Silver Book Award Winner
Literary Titan March 2023 Gold Book Award Winner
Literary Titan May 2023 Gold Book Award Winner
Literary Titan July 2023 Gold Book Award Winner
Literary Titan October 2023 Gold Book Award Winner
Literary Titan February 2024 Gold Book Award Winner
2023 Winter Pencraft Seasonal Book Award Winner
2023 Spring Pencraft Seasonal Book Award Winner
2024 Winter Pencraft Seasonal Book Award Winner
Firebird 4th Quarter 2022 Second-Place Book Award Winner
Firebird 1st Quarter 2023 First-Place Book Award Winner
Firebird 2nd Quarter 2023 First-Place Book Award Winner
Firebird 3rd Quarter 2023 Second-Place Book Award Winner
Feathered Quill 2023 Silver Book Award Winner
Write With Light 2022 Annual Book Award Winner
Awesome Indies 2023 Silver Badge of Approval Award Winner
The BREW 2023 Difference Maker Award Winner
The BREW 2023 Book Excellence Category Award Winner
The BREW 2023 Seal of Excellence Award Winner
Incipere 2022 First-Place Book Award Winner
IPPY 2023 Bronze Book Award Winner
Reader Views 2023 Bronze Book Award Winner
Reader Views 2024 Silver Book Award Winner
Readers' Favorite 2023 Bronze Book Award Winner
2023 Outstanding Creator Award Winner
2024 Reader Ready Awards Top Pick
2023 Best Book Awards Finalist
2023 Best Thriller Book Awards Finalist
2023 American Writing Awards Finalist
BooksShelf 2023 Writing Awards Finalist
Chanticleer International Book Awards 2022 Finalist
Indies Today 2023 Best Novella Winner, Runner-Up, Finalist, and Semi-Finalist
Indies Today 2022 Finalist, Semi-Finalist, and Honorable Mention
Pencraft 2023 1st, 2nd, and Runner-Up Annual Book Award Winner


Sign up to Hernandez's mailing list to receive a free, exclusive book: https://bookhip.com/WKRPMVH

Reviews

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining fantasy listening 🎶

This kindle ebook novella was free from Amazon

A fantasy world 🌐 adventure story with magic, demons, witches, etc. It is a will write adventure story leading to the series.

I would recommend this prequel to readers of fantasy world 🌐 adventure thriller action novels 😏😀 2025 😊😯

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading books, stories, and tales of vampires has a hint of the unknown to enjoy, and we may get a little nervous until we step outside the read and come back to reality as we know it. Then a book comes along that takes another and deeper step into the supernatural world of vampires. This book is that step. When a ruler of one of the strongest vampire houses claims an innocent private investigator, all sorts of evil can be unleashed. A small group of friends come together to find out if there is a way to free Leon and the battle begins. Each page takes you deeper into the struggle. Those pages just won’t turn fast enough for the desire to answer what happens next. Excellent read!

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

[Kamiye · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

I picked this one because I’m in my vampire era - yeah? - Bite me.

It took me a couple of chapters to get hooked by the story and to truly get it. It’s well written and nicely paced. The switch from one POV to another might throw off some people.

I would recommend it if you want to read a short thriller/detective story with some supernaturals in it. There is some serious suspense and it quickly becomes a page-turner.

The book is not part of a series, but - why not - as the ending could lead to another book. Maybe?

Please note: I received an Advance Review Copy from BookSirens, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.

[Trina Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG this was a great book. It was a page turner and the suspense was totally intense of pain. I was on the edge of my seat and I couldn't even put it down. Leon and Anastasia were physical attraction and the chemistry was passion and pain. It was action packed of emotion of drama and danger and their love was forbidden in this moment of chaos but could they relationship overcome the tension .

I highly recommend this book and you won't be disappointed.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Trina Jones

[Jennifer Gonzalez · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Prelude to Chaos: Shadows Beyond the Veil was an action-filled paranormal thrill ride that kept me wondering what was next.
The author describes it as not part of a series, but I am sure there is more to come from Leon, Morrigan, Anastasia, and Omar. From the get-go it is action packed and page turning and the ending leaves it open to sequels.

I would have liked more character and world/plot development. At times I was asking myself "Wait, what just happened? Who is this? Did I miss something?" The reader is thrust into this novel and left to figure out a lot of the connections which made for a little disconnect with the characters. I still had questions at the end of the novel which I hope are answered in a sequel.

The change in character points of view are clearly marked in the book so no confusion there. The plot twists definitely keep you on your toes and the world Miguel created is definitely an exciting one with just about every type of paranormal fantasy character you could want in an urban paranormal thriller.

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

This is my first time reading a book by Miguel Angel Hernandez Jr. and I look forward to reading more of his works

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pawn in a game that nobody understands

This is fast paced and complex, Leon finds himself in the clutches of someone who everyone underestimated. She is so hungry for power that she will stop at nothing and will claim any life needed to get that power. It's dark, dangerous, twisted and has a number of surprises including some of Leon's allies, but it also savage and has nightmares contained within. Although some threads felt a little unfinished...will there be a second book?
I generally love a thriller written from multiple points of view (POV), but this one is intense, there are a huge number of POV, a rotating cast of characters that hop in and out throughout various scenes and a massive amount of information in the world building, scene setting and character descriptions. This is not a book you can pick up and put down, you need to read it when you have uninterrupted time to fully immerse yourself and read it in one sitting.
I was sent a free copy of this book, the opinions here are purely my own.

[ABrahosky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me start with explaining that this story was very creative and interestingly developed, so the book itself is well thought out and put together. If you are into vampire books, you will probably enjoy it. I pushed outside my comfort zone on this one, and remember why I don’t dig the vampire scene, but that is a reflection of personal taste, not a reflection of the quality of the book or story itself.

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

[Eryn Gardner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has the makings of a great story and a fun one too, i had to reread some chapters because I was getting lost. Once I got it though it was great.

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

[Faith Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very action-packed and intriguing read! Very immersive and once i picked it up I couldn't put it down! a definite amazing read and I can't wait to read more!

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

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Dark and Thrilling Fantasy with Some Uneven Pacing but Strong Storytelling

Miguel Angel Hernandez Jr.’s A Prelude to Chaos is an engaging blend of action, fantasy, and suspense, centered around Leon Striker—a skilled fighter and vampire caught in a relentless struggle against both external threats and his own haunted past. In a world where betrayal is inevitable and danger lurks in every shadow, Leon must embrace the chaos if he hopes to protect what remains of the light in his life.

The book’s greatest strengths lie in its compelling character development and rich world-building, both of which make the story feel immersive and lived-in. While it isn’t heavy on horror, it delivers suspense, action, and even some well-placed humour that keeps the tone dynamic. The magic system and supernatural elements are woven seamlessly into the plot, adding depth to the narrative.

However, the pacing is where the novel falters slightly. While not a slow burn, it fluctuates between fast-moving action and slower, more introspective moments. At times, these shifts feel a bit uneven, making the reading experience slightly disjointed. That said, the overall execution is strong, and the moments of slower storytelling still contribute meaningfully to character arcs and world-building.

Despite its pacing inconsistencies, A Prelude to Chaos remains a highly enjoyable read, with enough intrigue, depth, and emotional stakes to keep readers engaged. Fans of supernatural thrillers and dark fantasy will find plenty to love here. A solid 4 out of 5 stars—worth picking up if you enjoy intense action and richly crafted fantasy worlds.

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

[Niki Gardner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

This was a pretty good read. The story is told from multiple view points. The characters are well developed. Some surprising twists. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading books with supernatural beings. I received an advanced copy of this book for free for my honest review.

[Jacqualine Martinez]

This was a fantastic read. It had amazing characters wonderful world building and a terrific storyline. You just get drawn into the story in the book and you just keep reading and then when you reach the end like oh man, it’s over already and you just want more I would definitely recommend this book because it is a definite page turner in monster to read

[KA Vickers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was straight in there, making me question what was real and what wasn't, introducing us to a main character in a way that I felt was a bit different. Something has happened before all this and we're seeing what comes next.

I loved the characters and the bits of history we got about them, there was a really good flashback with the character Omar which I enjoyed and it showed why he acts the way he does. Multiple narrators can also work really well and I think it was done in a way that worked.

My main issue with this was that I felt like I was already supposed to know these characters, there was a history there that made me feel like I'd joined partway through a book series. I was told it wasn't part of a series but it definitely felt that way.

Would I read more? Yes I would. If I'm wrong and there are other books then I'd love to check them out because I liked the characters and the writing style. Yeah it was fast and full on but with it being short I knew it could only do so much in between all the plot bits.

[Sara Shah · Rating 3 out of 5]

◇◇ ARC Review◇◇
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Rating: ☆☆☆
Genre: Fantasy
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A Prelude to Choas by Miguel Angel Hernandez Jr. is a vampiric novella.
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The novella follows the story of a newly turned vampire that has been turned against his will. His friends help rescue him from the clutches of evil. The novella contains all the makings of a good story, namely vampires, witches, werewolves and even ghosts.
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I did find myself lost at a few places and had to reread a few chapters. But overall it was a fun little read.
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If you love vampires, do check this book out  which is perfect for spooky season.
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Thankyou Miguel Angel Hernandez Jr. for reaching out to me and sharing this book with me.
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I received a free copy of this book and am leaving a review voluntarily.

[Julia Cotellon · Rating 3 out of 5]

'A prelude to chaos' presents an intriguing premise with its mix of vampires, ghosts, and other supernatural beings. However, the story struggles with an overload of characters and frequent shifts in perspective, which can make it hard to follow. While Leon's journey to escape Patricia is compelling, the execution feels a bit disjointed. Fans of fantasy might find moments to enjoy, but the narrative could benefit from more focus.

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

[Bee’s Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot/concept seemed like it could be interesting but it felt very rushed/glossed over, so by the end of the book, I still wasn’t really sure where the book was going? I found there wasn’t much character development in this book despite there being 4/5 POVs.

The writing was engaging enough, and it made for a fairly easy and quick read. Just perhaps needed more focus on world-building and character development to make the storyline and pacing more cohesive.

2.5-3 ⭐️

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

[Sanela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Knjiga ima potencijala, radnje je zanimljiva, ali je sve nekako nabrzinu nabacano. Puno POV- ova koje je povremeno tesko pratiti jer ne mozes poloviti odmah tko je tko. Oglasena je kao stand allone knjiga, i ako je tako gradnja svijeta je prilicno losa, vise se cini kao nastavak knjige gdje bi sad vec čitač trebao znati poveznice između likova i biti upoznat sa svijetom u kojem se radnja odvija.

[Miguel Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed creating this book.

It is an official side story for Leon Striker based on the Twilight Nightmares series.

I hope you enjoy this novella. :)

[Soscha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Look at it this way: Witches versus werewolves & vampires.

Or vampires versus werewolves.

Or ghosts versus anyone bad.

Action-packed castle fighting though.