Usher of the Fallen

by L.M. Kaplin

Years after escaping the grip of a sinister cult, Rachel Miller thought she had left the past behind. But when a strange man with a faded photograph shows up asking questions, old nightmares return—visions of blood-soaked ceremonies, cryptic symbols, and an ancient presence buried deep underground.

A familiar voice whispers in the back of her mind, urging her to return to her brothers and sisters to finish the ritual they began so many years ago. Each day, Rachel’s visions grow stronger, putting her new life in jeopardy and the same question gnaws at is she finally losing her mind, or are these compulsions the work of something far more sinister?

Usher of the Fallen is an occult psychological horror that erodes the boundary between nightmare and reality, where one woman’s attempt to escape her demons leads to disastrous consequences.

Genres: Horror, Occult, Supernatural

256 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 9, 2025

Reviews

[Carl Bluesy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun cult story!

This is the type of story that I always return to. I find it highlights just how awful humans can be, and the deepest Lingui fear of the unknown.

This book covers those points exceptionally well! For not being a very big book, this book has a lot of well crafted characters and plenty of creepy moments. The author written is great, combining the old little crafting story in a modern theme. LM Kaplin is someone who understands her and knows how to write it well!

[Kate Victoria RescueandReading · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Usher of the Fallen” brings readers the tale of Solomon Bernard and his cult of Nephilim worshippers. Determined to herald the return of these ancient cosmic deities, they shed the blood of innocents and prepare to host their masters.

“There is a higher power out there, and I’ve seen it firsthand. The time to stop worshipping false idols is now. It’s not too late to be saved. The second coming is upon us, and tickets are selling fast.”

The first part of the story is tense and disturbing, the second part (years later) is even more wicked. I couldn’t believe some of the things that were done in the name of their groups Fallen Gods. The characters were fantastically well written; from Rachel to Ruthless, they were all intriguing. Jarrod did make me grind my teeth in annoyance, he was a such a pompous prick in my opinion.
I felt that Carol’s story was left a little unfinished.

This was a great mix of mysticism, archaic religion, eldritch monsters, and human killers.

[Paul Preston · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Fallen are rising

Such a captivating and engaging read! Right from the very beginning I was locked in, trying to put the characters together, who were they, and how were they connected.
I found myself thinking about the story a lot when I wasn’t reading and I honestly wasn’t sure how I wanted it to end. Cosmic horror is not usually my cup of tea, but this was different because it was more character driven and relatable. Things being tied back to removed books of the Bible made this especially interesting for me because I find religion fascinating.
As the final ceremony commenced and the apparent climax built to a crescendo I sat captivated, totally enthralled as to what I hoped the outcome would be.

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cult horror is my favorite type of horror and this book did it so well. This book mixed together multiple scary, gory, and creepy things and it worked so well. Not only was this centered around a cult but it also had monsters, human killers, and all the psychological aspects that a cult prides itself on, while also giving it a mystical vibe. I do wish the ending gave me a bit more. But overall, this book was everything I wanted out of a cult, horror book!

[Jordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I don't read much cult horror for some reason, definitely need to seek it out more, so Usher of the Fallen was a bit of a departure from the norm for me. That being said, it was a really fun story to read, and I loved the cosmic elements to it as well. It set the story apart from what I've always considered cult horror to be!

Despite everything that she did, I do actually feel really sorry for Willow. She did her best to do the right thing and get away from a horrible situation, but sometimes our best just isn't enough... especially in the tentacled face of ancient hungry aliens. She never stood a chance, and she felt like one of the real victims of this story to me because of that.

Usher of the Fallen was a surprisingly quick read for me also. Before I knew it, I was reading the epilogue, and the book was done! I do wish I would have gotten to know a little bit more about the other ladies in the cult, though. They were sort of important to the proceedings, but they felt more cardboard cutout to me than actual characters. I'm really curious about them: why did they join the cult, what were their life circumstances, what did they do after everything fell apart?

This story was fascinating, though. I'm glad it went in a different direction than the typical religious zealousness you see in cult fiction in general. That made the story so much more interesting to read and throw myself into!

[Hayley Bernard-Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh man. I just loved every single thing about this book. The writing was skilled and exceptional, each chapter perfectly flowed into the next in a series of events that will have you holding your breath long after the story is finished. The character development was strong, I think my favorite was the reporter Jarrod Briggs but it’s hard to pick a first choice with such a well-written, memorable cast. I do find it more than slightly disconcerting that I share a last (maiden) name with the cult leader, Solomon Bernard. Yikes! After reading “Usher of the Fallen”, I will be reading anything LM Kaplin writes in the future. If you check this book out, it’s highly likely you will be too.

[Tracy Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

interesting…

I have never read a book quite like this before. Solomon is a master manipulator. Rachael has started a new life. Visions of the past (or is it future) keep Rachael from living a happy life. Enjoyed reading this!

[Craig King · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book rocked my socks!

I wasn’t ready for how intense this cult story was. Cannot recommend it enough!

[Trisha Tropiano · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first book of 2025, and I can already say it will be one of my favourites this year! Usher of the Fallen by LM Kaplin releases January 9th, and I’d highly recommend picking it up if you enjoy occult and cosmic horror. It follows Solomon Bernard, the cult leader, as he tries to summon the Nephilim with his fellow cultists. It then jumps to 20 years later and follows one of those cultists, Rachel, as she tries to move on with her life. From the first chapter you dive right into the action, and it doesn’t really let up from there. There were also a few completely unexpected twists - I love it when a book is able to surprise me! Overall, I loved the characters, the mystery, the creepy creatures and the intense ending.

[S. Policar · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I liked this book and its whole premise, it left me a little disappointed. It's a quick read that will catch you from the first page and hold on, but there's really not much that stands out about it to make it memorable or unique. Would I read it again? Probably not, but I AM curious about the author's other works and will be looking into them.

I spotted two minor mispelling errors; one on  page 241 and one on page 245 (Kindle edition). Nothing drastic, but they exist.

I think most who like Lovecraftian Horror will enjoy this book. For me, it just didn't have enough story no matter how engaging and well-written it is.

I give this book 3 of 5 Paws

[Ctgt · Rating 4 out of 5]

7/10

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Book 27/32 for the 2025 indie brawl. This is my last brawl book as I'm out of time now to read the others before voting.

This book mainly centers around Rachel, who has moved on from her shady past in which she was a whistleblower on a cult who was hell went on raising some old gods back to their glory. Many years later, she has a new life but the past comes whispering back.
There's also a reporter named Jarrod who tracks her down looking for the story of a lifetime.

I like the name, the cover, and the general style of writing. This book started out strong. The beginning was dark and a little stressful, but was easily the best part of the book. It's hard to get into much of what happens without spoiling it, but the book had some great ideas that all flew out the window in the end.

Here's a little synopsis of what the story is about that reveals more of the actual plot, straddling the line of being a spoiler: So we have Rachel, who got caught up in a cult in her youth because she was drawn to the charismatic leader, Solomon, and the community he was building. Solomon's goal is to raise the Nephilim back into the world from where they are laying dormant. This involves some pretty dark rituals. Rachel, as a young cult member, realized these rituals were going too far and called the authorities, putting a stop to them, and putting Solomon in jail. Many years later, she has a new life in witness protection and she deeply values her privacy, becoming a bit agoraphobic, as she doesn't want her husband, Chad, or their son, Mason to know about what happened 20 years ago. Anyways, the past comes back when Jarrod, a reporter finds her and is hoping to get an interview as he's working on a major story/documentary on the cult, since Solomon's parole is coming up. All of this awakens a darkness that's been dormant within Rachel and the rest of the cult members.

Sounds like fun, right? Well I don't really know what this story was trying to say. Here's a very spoilery description of what happens:

It's 20 years since the fateful night Rachel's whistleblowing interrupted the ritual to bring the Nephilim back. We know from the beginning that it would be 20 years before the ritual would be completed again from the last attempt, which is pretty much now. All good. Rachel starts blacking out and losing time. She leaves her son in a cart in the grocery store, goes home, and forgets about any of it. During her interview with Jarrod, she blacks out and starts speaking strangely, as if the Nephilim are speaking through her. She has no memory of this. Obviously her husband is shocked and terrified by all this. He is reasonable and wants to take Mason and leave for awhile until she starts being normal again but she protests. She seeks out other former cult members trying to find answers of what's happening and they're all acting weird too. He seems like a good guy. Then the nephilim tell her she needs to cut ties to her old life so she blacks out and stabs Chad and Mason to death. I didn't like this. It was bleak. It was upsetting. Then our perspective switches to Jarrod again, who suddenly takes up the role of main character. He's meant to interview Solomon, as he's told that Solomon's behavior in his incarceration has been that of a model citizen. They go to the area where Solomon was to be having privacy with his wife (who he married in prison), and his young son (who was conceived in prison) and finds the wife disemboweled and the son missing with Solomon, who escaped through the sewers. He steals Solomons annotated copy of the Book of Enoch and alongside a scholarly friend, they give us a big exposition dump about the nephilim. Then Jarrod is able to find where they are doing the new ritual and doesn't call the police immediately for no reason. Solomon had killed his own son to do the ritual and is then annihilated by the Nephilim who decide they want Jarrod as their vessel. No happy ending. No clear moral of the story other than don't join cults and fuck around and find out.

Here's what upset me about the direction the story went in: Rachel was not served well as a main character. A lovely family was established just to be destroyed. I would have loved it if Rachel was able to fight the darkness. Or if Chad was at least smart enough to realize his wife was pretty much possessed and he could have protected his child. When Jarrod became the new main character, I just found myself not caring that much about him. He's established as a guy looking for his big break and valuing that over anything. It ultimately lead to his demise, which is fitting, but I wasn't really rooting for him. If he had created more of a friendship with Rachel and they had been working together to solve the mystery, that would have created more of a connection for me, but alas. This book bothered me because the characters weren't very clever and didn't even seem like they tried to fight back. I would have been more at peace with the unhappy ending if I felt like the characters really gave it their all. But this ending was bleak and powerless. Nothing could be done. Pretty much everyone dies and the world ends, I guess. Wah.

[Savannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Usher of the Fallen, releasing next week, is the latest novel from L.M. Kaplin. It is a marked departure from Kaplin’s first novel, and 2024 Indie Brawl Contender, Mine. While they both share intimate looks at fractured psyches, Usher of the Fallen is firmly rooted in the cosmic. A cult, blood rituals, and a sacred race known as The Nephilim feature in Kaplin’s sophomore novel.

Kaplin was ambitious with this novel, devoting himself to multiple POVs that draw the reader further into this world on the edge of destruction. Instead, I was pulled into the minds of several key players—a mother, a journalist, an imprisoned cult leader, a warden, etc. Different characters each grappled on their own with their secrets and lies, their actions twenty years ago, and their consequences on the here and now.

Kaplin’s remarkable ability to create tension truly makes this an uncomfortable read in all the right ways. A good eighty to ninety percent of the novel is spent on build, as layer after layer unfurls into chaos. By the time you realize what is happening, it's too late. The scenes aren’t overtly loud or bloody, but by no means does that make them less  impactful. Kaplin teases readers with the lead up to violence, only to pivot at the last moment and keep us on edge just a little bit longer. Like with good sex, this makes the long-awaited climax worth the wait. Don’t worry: no spoilers here folks!

The most fascinating part of the story by far, was Kaplin’s choice of creature. I’ve seen Nephilim featured in fantasy before, but not in horror. Biblical monsters, not much is known about the creatures also known as “The Fallen Ones.” Kaplin did his homework, bringing into play a fascinating text known as The Book of Enoch. A real, divisive apocalyptic manuscript, The Book of Enoch is used here in ways that harken to fun, historical fiction; something I commend Kaplin for. He remains detail oriented, without becoming pedantic, a trap I find several authors fall into when introducing aspects of any religion into their work. 

If you enjoy dark rituals and cults like Todd Keilsing’s Devil Creek or Adam Neville’s The Ritual, this might just be the book for you! Usher of the Fallen will also appeal to lovers of cosmic horror, including the works of H.P. Lovecraft and indie horror’s own Andrew Van Wey. Keep your eyes peeled, Usher of the Fallen released January 9, 2025!

[Alison Faichney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great read by Kaplin. I read Mine for the Indie Brawl last year (this year? idk) and thought it to be a solid read. Mine is pretty straightforward psychological horror whereas Usher of the Fallen heads in a completely different direction. Kaplin shows us his versatility with two wildly different books united mostly by his solid writing and compelling storylines.

Usher of the Fallen starts off with a wild opening and honestly doesn’t hold back much from there. We have cults and tentacles and the cosmic horror in this one was well done. Usher of the Fallen revolves around Solomon Bernard and his family who have been worshipping the fallen ones, the Nephilim, for centuries. When a ritual is interrupted it’ll be twenty years till completion is possible.

Honestly, with the exception of maybe Chad I didn’t really love any of the characters. Around the middle mark it became hard to establish the motivations of the characters versus what’s consuming them and influencing their decisions. There were a few conflicting elements of characterization versus how they’re seen by surrounding characters. This made it difficult, at times, to establish if it was some type of supernatural sway or unknown ulterior motives. For example the prisoner is described as disheveled and rough, yet the warden seems to consider him a model prisoner and wants to show him off.

The book spares no punches with the violence. There are some potentially triggering deaths but those are not graphic and happen off stage.

Kaplin’s writing is very accessible making him an easy recommendation to most readers. I did find at times there can be a bit too much explication. I tend to like books needing some self interpretation so this is likely one of those critique quirks of mine and shouldn’t be an issue.

I’ve really enjoyed both reads by Kaplin but Usher of the Fallen is more my speed in terms of content. I really hope Kaplin continues to explorer horror subgenres or even sticks with the cosmic horror. The story telling was superb and I really vibed with this book. Highly recommend especially to my cosmic horror crowd. Please check tw if sensitive to child death, but again, Kaplin keeps the more vulnerable deaths off screen.

[Mark F · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book I’ve read in 2025 is Usher of the Fallen, by LM Kaplin. I may have to revisit my belief that I’m not a fan of horror stories regarding cults because this is the 2nd or 3rd book I’ve read that revolved around cults and I’ve loved them all!

This story involves a woman who was indoctrinated into a cult at a young age, escapes, and is then urged to return to her cult ‘family”, all in an effort to take care of unfinished business, business that can affect the population on a global scale. Will she throw her new life away or stand strong against the urge to return to the cult? And this is not your average run-of-the-mill cult, this one is serious, and powerful.

I should note, this is the first book I’ve read on a Kindle, so it took a little time for me to get into it. Do I like the Kindle? Meh, it’s useful, and less expensive than purchasing physical books. Do I prefer the look and feel of printed books, the feel of the pages, the smell of the paper, the action of flipping pages, viewing the inscriptions of signed copies? Hell, YES! But, with limited space for books, and limited funds, this Kindle is a necessary alternative. Okay, back to the review.

A little hotter than a slow burn, maybe I’d call it a slow burn with a kick, or a slow sizzling burn. You can feel the drama, suspense, and horror building throughout. Helping me get through my first use of a Kindle was the author’s ability to draw me in, often making me wonder where the story would go. There’s great development of the characters, with some you want to hold and protect, and others you’d like to throttle. And with a few “I didn’t see that coming” moments, this book is sure to keep you engaged and feeling an array of emotions. I highly recommend Usher of the Fallen to anyone who likes horror, and even those who don’t. I give this a 5 out of 5.

[fletch · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately, despite being a huge fan of cosmic horror and cult horror, this really fell flat for me. On the positive side I will say that I like that the author doesn’t pull any punches with the violence. The prologue sets up an interesting premise, and that’s pretty much where my praise ends…

Not only does it feel quite amateurish in its writing, but it doesn’t really seem like the author understands the cosmic horror of it all. To me, its a very surface level and generic look at a form of eldritch horror; there’s tentacles, a cult worshipping the being and a vague semblance of lore, but that’s just every story rooted in cosmic horror.

It’s difficult to get invested in any of the characters, particularly when the main character built up just falls back under the spell of the Nephilim with absolutely no fight back and is not heard from again. The character is given a brief descent into madness, but that includes a total of about 2 or 3 things before she falls, and that’s all we really get. Then the perspective shifts to the reporter character and we’re not really given anything to dig into with him either; we understand his motivation but there’s no reason to root for him. There are also other cult members, one of which gets a few pages of vague focus, but then they’re reduced to generic cult fodder again. We don’t get any inkling of their backgrounds, what they’ve done since the prologue or anything like that.

At a very short 250-ish pages, the entire ending comes way too fast. We switch main characters, the cult leader escapes from prison, we get a lore dump and then the final confrontation ends within like 10-15 pages. It’s anti-climactic. It doesn’t seem like the author was trying to say anything with the story, and there’s nothing to dig your teeth into below the surface. Not a book I will think about once I post this.

2/5

[Brandon Reviews Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Usher of the Fallen by LM Kaplin takes a dramatic and unexpected departure from his previous work, Mine, delivering a mind-bending cosmic horror experience that left me thoroughly impressed. If not for the author’s name on the cover, I would have assumed these two books were written by entirely different people.

Where Mine was a chilling psychological horror, Usher of the Fallen dives headfirst into the realm of cosmic horror, weaving a dark and twisted narrative that grips you from the very first page. From the opening chapter, where Solomon and his cult abduct an infant for a ritual to resurrect the Nephilim, to the tension-filled finale, I was utterly captivated. The story’s intensity felt almost like being ensnared by otherworldly tentacles-unrelenting and immersive.

The book spans two timelines: the events of the cult’s ritual, and the aftermath. We follow one cult member’s struggle to rebuild her life twenty years later. The exploration of trauma, mystery, and the lingering dread of the unknown adds depth to the story, making it both compelling and unsettling.

As someone relatively new to cosmic horror, I’ve found myself falling in love with the genre, and Kaplin’s work ranks among the best that I’ve read. With its eerie cults, intricate mystery, and a touch of tentacle-filled terror, Usher of the Fallen has all the hallmarks of a stellar cosmic horror tale.

For fans of the genre or those curious to dive in-this is a must-read. LM Kaplin has once again proven his ability to craft a story that lingers long after the final page.

[Sagnik Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came into the daughters of man and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men who were of old, the men of renown." (Genesis 6:4)

Despite being a non-Christian, the one single thing that always attracted me to Christian theology is its rich myths that originated from the old world folklores, derived from the people who came first and lived before, and then the Christians took their stories, their monsters and guiding spirits to build upon them a vast trove of fantastic legends. These tales of biblical angels and ancient giant races and arcane demons are not just fables, rather a collective memory of mankind and its attempt to understand the things that can't be explained.

I loved how this story used that mythology and entangled the readers in a complex tale of greed, cruelty, grief and power. Right from the first chapter I kept guessing what is going to happen next and mostly ended up getting surprised. I think the book could have been tightened a bit, maybe a 10-15% shorter by making some minor deletes and edits as the pace feels uneven Particularly as we approach the second third of the book, after that in-your-face blast of an opening.

nonetheless, I loved the characters and that ending will stay with me for some time, I Guess. I always love me a good dose of folk horror and cosmic entities. A great read, totally worth my time.

And, last but not the least, thanks to the author himself for providing a free review copy of this wonderful book.

[Josette Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

The action started quickly and remained fast paced throughout the book. One minute the reader is learning about how far people will go to follow a charismatic man and his views on ‘the coming of ancient beings’ and the next is said man trying to finish what he started twenty years previously. I loved how the author described the farmers market in Sacramento. I live in this city and he described the market really well. The subject of this book intrigues me because I believe I was in a cult when I was young. My parents easily followed ‘the leader’ until things began to not add up and we left the town. I can relate to the things the author writes about since the behavior he describes by the members is very in line with what I remember. I felt empathy towards the children because they are the true victims of these people. The children have no idea what is going on nor why outside people do not understand the families beliefs. It is also terrifying to think people will go to such lengths when they follow someone that believes in these theories. It made so much sense for the followers to gather again to help Solomon bring ‘the Fallen’ to fruition. they were hoping for better times. When people are looking to better their lives; it is very easy for someone very calculating, charismatic and delusional to find others to help with this plan. the sad thing is that so much of the time the group does not find the result they so desperate wanted.

[Dustin · Rating 4 out of 5]

As soon as I saw this cover I knew it was for me.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

If you want to bring back the Fallen Gods you’ll have to make a sacrifice. That’s just what Solomon Bernard is going to do. Will he succeed? Or will he be thwarted…for now?

This was a really great Cult/Cosmic Horror story. I really liked the Manson Family meets Lovecraft feel of the main story. I loved the use of ritual magic and occult references. I also liked that it was Cosmic horror without having a lot of the less exciting aspects of major Cosmic horror. In my experience, Cosmic horror is very slow building and has a big explosion of vague, ominous proportions. I love that, too! But here we get all of the aesthetics in a more traditional horror delivery. Great tension and action the whole time.

If you like horror with cults, eldritch entities, a really engaging plot, and very accessible cosmic horror I’d highly recommend this book!

I never felt bored reading this. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and had a blast as the plot built and built to the conclusion. Great gore and violence without being a distraction. I also really loved the ending!!

This was my first from Kaplin and look forward to reading more of his stuff! This was also my first kindle read ever, and despite missing the feel of a paper I have to admit I loved being able to read wherever and whenever. Hello, KU authors!!!

[Charlie Walls · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

Twenty years earlier, Rachel Miller survived a bloody cult. Now her past threatens to destroy the life and family she’s built. This is a cosmic horror cult novel that is mysterious enough early on and strengthens the cosmic elements as the story progresses to an amazing final act. Aside from story, the book is very well written and edited—the typos, grammatical errors, and misspellings that sometimes hamper indie/small press books are absent here.

The characters feel like real people—no one is perfect, cartoonishly evil, or completely stupid. I also think the family aspect was well done. Too often I find modern writers portray families as either laughably dysfunctional or cotton candy sweet, but I found the interactions between Rachel and Chad to ring true to life.

The characters being so well grounded and realized increases the horrific aspects. There are suspenseful scenes, scenes of off-screen horror where my mind filled in the gaps, and scenes of on-the-page gore. Kaplin manages to pull off all three, and there were times while reading I felt angry, sad, and horrified.

Definitely a RECOMMEND for anyone who likes cults, dead gods, dark rituals, and cosmic horror set in modern day.

[Ashley Protus · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Cults Meet Cosmic Horror: A Twisted Descent into Madness

Plot Synopsis
Years after fleeing a sinister cult, Rachel Miller is haunted by her past. A stranger arrives with a faded photograph and questions that awaken suppressed nightmares—visions of ancient ceremonies and an ominous force lurking underground. A voice whispers, drawing Rachel back to the cult to complete a ritual started long ago. But is she succumbing to madness, or is an ancient evil pulling her strings?

Review
Usher of the Fallen is an electrifying blend of cult and cosmic horror. At just 256 pages, it’s a fast-paced read that doesn’t let up. Kaplin’s storytelling plunges you into a world of dread, peeling back layer after layer of the cult’s depravity. There are no true heroes here—just shades of evil vying for control.

The horror feels relentless yet nuanced, with only a few gory scenes that hit hard. Kaplin expertly balances tension and terror, making each chapter impossible to put down. This is my second read from Kaplin, and it won’t be my last. I’d eagerly return to this twisted world to uncover what happens next.

[Sarah Corwin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cults are always a good time in my opinion and this didn’t disappoint when it came to the cult themes (sacrifice, blood rituals, crazy followers)! It was dark, gruesome, and had a very strong start and finish. The Fallen Gods were cool and scenes involving tentacles were nasty and stomach churning.

There were several P.O.Vs which kind of made it confusing on who the main characters were especially after reading the summary and thinking it was going to be all about Rachel/Willow so when it switched to her falling in the background that was kind of disappointing.

Not everything was wrapped by the end, which can be good or bad…for me it wasn’t the best just because I would’ve liked to have seen what happened to all of the members even if it had been more gory endings.

Overall, it was a fun read and I’m glad it was my first one of the year because it was a dark occult/cosmic horror that had quite a few memorable scenes (I’m looking at you Solomon, you sick fuck).

[GoodRevTom · Rating 5 out of 5]

L. M. Kaplin has found (and written about) what Lovecraft never did... the personal side of the cultists.

This book starts strong. A tale of Solomon Bernard and his followers attempting to summon the Fallen Ones. (I don't feel this is a spoiler, but here's the warning)

The Fallen Ones are the Nephilim. The children made from Angels and mankind. God's bloodline mixed with man's, apparently, created Eldritch elder gods. Or did it?

The story tells it from the ground level. The Leader, the "cultists", and the people surrounding them. It has good atmosphere, but the personal experience and terror that Lovecraft always lacked is on full display here. Very much an enjoyable read. If you want cosmic horror with all it's fever dreams... this will be worth your while (and cash).


Also, Jarrod truly hates calamari. But, now I want some.

[Christopher Dahman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cult enthusiasts will love this!

LM Kaplin is two-for-two with me! I read his novel ‘Mine’ last year and it ended up in the final bracket of the BoH Indie Author Brawl. Well folks, he’s done it again!

If you enjoy books about cults then I highly recommend you picking up this one. Oh, and aliens…yeah, I’m not going to spoil it too much.

We meet several characters throughout the book through different POVs. Kaplin hit the mark with introducing the characters and making me form a connection with them. When you think you may know a character, Kaplin throws a curve ball that you won’t anticipate.

Perfect ending to an intense cult novel that I read in two sittings. It probably would’ve been one sitting, but I was already way past my bedtime.

Check it out on Kindle Unlimited! I’d be shocked if you didn’t enjoy this book.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Usher of the Fallen is cosmic horror surrounding cult leader Solomon and his belief in a race of elder gods he’s trying desperately to bring back. Thwarted 20 years ago, he now bides his time for a second chance, while most of his followers await his return. For Rachel, she managed to escape Solomon’s clutches and has started a new life for herself. But lately she’s been hearing a familiar voice in her mind. One that urges her to return to her family and finish what was started decades ago.

This had some interesting lore and I liked the premise behind the story. It took a couple of unexpected turns and I liked the way it ended. For me personally, I would have liked to see a bit more of the story focus on a particular aspect toward the end (I can’t say without spoilers) but this a solid read overall.

[Simon Dower · Rating 5 out of 5]

BOOK REVIEW!!!
Usher Of The Fallen by LM Kaplin

I've been reading horror for over 40 years, and although my very first books were from Herbert and Masterton, the great H. P. Lovecraft was there right from the get-go. As much as I love Splatterpunk and extreme horror, there's something about "cosmic horror" that really sings to me. Great "old ones", "fallen ones"; ye olde dieties from millennia ago that are trying to crawl their way back into existence via modern day cults and those susceptible, is such great fodder for horror literature. Kaplin handles the whole thing so damn well, with great character development, lots of twists and turns, and just enough crimson spillage to keep the gorehounds interested. An absolutely fantastic tale that I highly recommend!
5/5

[Angel Medina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Mine by the same author. This book is a much more different tone than that one. It's a mixture of cosmic and occult horror. I can tell LM did his research taking a creature based on the Bible.

This is one disturbing story that takes you on quite roller-coaster when Solomon attempts to bring back Nephilim after failing many years ago. My favorite story ARC was Rachel as turned on the cult years ago. However, as she learns, it's impossible to run from your past.

The characters were really fun and all had their distinct personalities. While there are some calm parts in the story, it doesn't drag on.

Overall, despite the big shift in tone, Usher of the Fallen is a great read. See if Nephilim comes back...

[Alysha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping and intense!

Holy shit this book was incredible!!!!

I swear I blinked and was half way through 😅 made some snacks and finished up! Read this bad boy in what felt like just a few short hours. 😳

I don't even know what to say man. If you love a good cult story- this is the book for you! Grips you from the first page and flies through your mind like a reel. This doesn't happen for me with many books and I should know LM Kaplin ability to write a damn good story but HOLY SHIT!

I feel like I'm now in a fever dream chanting unknown languages and carving symbols in my kitchen table 😅

[Alysha Yuhas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy shit this book was incredible!!!!

I swear I blinked and was half way through 😅 made some snacks and finished up! Read this bad boy in what felt like just a few short hours. 😳

I don't even know what to say man. If you love a good cult story- this is the book for you! Grips you from the first page and flies through your mind like a reel. This doesn't happen for me with many books and I should know LM Kaplin ability to write a damn good story but HOLY SHIT!

I feel like I'm now in a fever dream chanting unknown languages and carving symbols in my kitchen table 😅