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Deacon: An Assemblage of Nightmares
A dark collection of short stories and novelettes from Daemon Manx, the author of The Ojanox series.
Fact and Fiction collide in the title story as an author struggles to write a tale that has been eating him alive for the past decade. From a ravaged landscape where the dead walk the Earth to the tortured mind of the author, nothing is what it seems in this page-turner. Deacon , the title story will leave you breathless, wondering "What TF did I just read?"
In Golden Years a convalescing woman has a dark secret to share with her granddaughter. What is the key to Bea's unspeakable longevity? Wendy will soon find out, whether she wants to or not.
After doing ten years in the prison system, John finds himself a bit behind the curve where technology is concerned. Especially when it comes to cellphones and a strange new app called Encounter . John soon discovers the dark side of the Play Store and the shadows lurking within.
When three friends decide to explore Jungle Habitat , a forgotten safari park that has been abandoned for decades, they discover more than they ever bargained for and learn that some secrets are best left to rest.
Imagine a world without color, where only the rarest, most valuable items are Hued. The Golden Scarab explores such a possibility in a very Tomb Raideresque way. What lies in the antechamber below the great pyramid? Unearth the secrets and travel back in time to ancient Egypt where Queen Hatshepsut ruled the land.
It's Christmastime in Angel City. But times are tough for Travis. He's broke, has no job, and to make things worse, everywhere he looks there's holiday cheer. It all reminds him of when he was five, and the terrible things that happened that day in the department store ... the day he met Santa. But an unlikely encounter might just give Travis the second chance he needs, Tis the Season after all.
In Dead Fall Edgar Walsh has lost his edge. Living alone in New Hampshire, he has lived off the land since returning home from the war in Vietnam. But the demons he brought back are eating him alive. Consumed by the bottle, as well as his darkest secrets, Edgar finds himself in a most desperate situation.
The stories in this collection are all-out Horror, through and through. Tales of desperation of both the human and supernatural variety. Many of the demons wedged between the pages are a few of my own. I thought I'd take them out and share them with you. Enjoy.
Fact and Fiction collide in the title story as an author struggles to write a tale that has been eating him alive for the past decade. From a ravaged landscape where the dead walk the Earth to the tortured mind of the author, nothing is what it seems in this page-turner. Deacon , the title story will leave you breathless, wondering "What TF did I just read?"
In Golden Years a convalescing woman has a dark secret to share with her granddaughter. What is the key to Bea's unspeakable longevity? Wendy will soon find out, whether she wants to or not.
After doing ten years in the prison system, John finds himself a bit behind the curve where technology is concerned. Especially when it comes to cellphones and a strange new app called Encounter . John soon discovers the dark side of the Play Store and the shadows lurking within.
When three friends decide to explore Jungle Habitat , a forgotten safari park that has been abandoned for decades, they discover more than they ever bargained for and learn that some secrets are best left to rest.
Imagine a world without color, where only the rarest, most valuable items are Hued. The Golden Scarab explores such a possibility in a very Tomb Raideresque way. What lies in the antechamber below the great pyramid? Unearth the secrets and travel back in time to ancient Egypt where Queen Hatshepsut ruled the land.
It's Christmastime in Angel City. But times are tough for Travis. He's broke, has no job, and to make things worse, everywhere he looks there's holiday cheer. It all reminds him of when he was five, and the terrible things that happened that day in the department store ... the day he met Santa. But an unlikely encounter might just give Travis the second chance he needs, Tis the Season after all.
In Dead Fall Edgar Walsh has lost his edge. Living alone in New Hampshire, he has lived off the land since returning home from the war in Vietnam. But the demons he brought back are eating him alive. Consumed by the bottle, as well as his darkest secrets, Edgar finds himself in a most desperate situation.
The stories in this collection are all-out Horror, through and through. Tales of desperation of both the human and supernatural variety. Many of the demons wedged between the pages are a few of my own. I thought I'd take them out and share them with you. Enjoy.
- GenresHorror
199 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 6, 2025
8 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
About the author
Daemon Manx
38 books239 followersDaemon Manx is an author with a backstory. He is a recovering addict who spent nearly a decade in the prison system, where he focused on recovery and learned to perfect his horror writing craft. He has been featured in magazines in the US, the UK, and Germany and, in 2021, was nominated for a Splatterpunk award for his book Abigail. Daemon is the author of the Ojanox series, endorsed by Scream Queen actress, Felissa Rose (Sleepaway Camp). He was a bonus round winner on the gameshow Wheel of Fortune in 1999 and is infamously known for a motor vehicle accident involving President Ronald Reagan’s limousine. After struggling with addiction and incarceration, Daemon now uses his story to illustrate the positive outcome of sobriety and offer a glimpse at what life can be like when one receives a second chance.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
March 27, 2025
Book 19 of 2025
This book comes out on 5/6/25, and I was fortunate/lucky enough to be on the ARC team, so thanks Daemon for that!
I think I have read most if not all of Daemon Manx’s books. This may be my second favorite of his (Book 3 of The Ojanox series was pretty f’n awesome!)
So does Daemon = Deacon or does Deacon = Daemon?
Either way this book is filled with dark, disturbing, messed up short stories… that being said, GIVE ME MORE!
I’m not going to break down each story, but my favorites were the first, third, and the last.
My one note to Manx is (and I’m pretty sure everyone will agree) The readers need a full Deacon book!
Read this book, you won’t be disappointed, and if you ever get a chance to meet Daemon Manx, DO IT, the only thing better than his book is the man himself!
This book comes out on 5/6/25, and I was fortunate/lucky enough to be on the ARC team, so thanks Daemon for that!
I think I have read most if not all of Daemon Manx’s books. This may be my second favorite of his (Book 3 of The Ojanox series was pretty f’n awesome!)
So does Daemon = Deacon or does Deacon = Daemon?
Either way this book is filled with dark, disturbing, messed up short stories… that being said, GIVE ME MORE!
I’m not going to break down each story, but my favorites were the first, third, and the last.
My one note to Manx is (and I’m pretty sure everyone will agree) The readers need a full Deacon book!
Read this book, you won’t be disappointed, and if you ever get a chance to meet Daemon Manx, DO IT, the only thing better than his book is the man himself!
April 3, 2025
This was an ARC for me, so thank you for that!
I am in such a short story run, they are just so perfect to read a few here and there between whatever else I'm doing, or sit down and read them all, no rules here lol .
I really really enjoyed Golden Years, so much so, it was hands down my top pick, no contest.
When your grandma has a dark secret, is she telling you to bring you into the secret or something more sinister??
Sometimes spending time with family costs more than just time.
Second top pick had to have been Encounter, internet horror aways grabs my interest, probably because of how into the internet most people I know are, but this also had some fucked up ghosts and a look at what being locked away from the world can do to you when it comes to judging situations, being worldly in some ways, and being naive in others, could be the downfall of John.
There are more stories, and I'm trying not to give away anything, but they are so freaking good, its a good look at the darkness of humanity those things that really make you tick when backed against the wall, in crazy and desperate scenarios.
I am in such a short story run, they are just so perfect to read a few here and there between whatever else I'm doing, or sit down and read them all, no rules here lol .
I really really enjoyed Golden Years, so much so, it was hands down my top pick, no contest.
When your grandma has a dark secret, is she telling you to bring you into the secret or something more sinister??
Sometimes spending time with family costs more than just time.
Second top pick had to have been Encounter, internet horror aways grabs my interest, probably because of how into the internet most people I know are, but this also had some fucked up ghosts and a look at what being locked away from the world can do to you when it comes to judging situations, being worldly in some ways, and being naive in others, could be the downfall of John.
There are more stories, and I'm trying not to give away anything, but they are so freaking good, its a good look at the darkness of humanity those things that really make you tick when backed against the wall, in crazy and desperate scenarios.
May 1, 2025
I've been a fan of Manx since I read Abigail years ago and his writing just keeps getting better and better.
I loved this collection, each story is amazing but the titular story Deacon is mind-blowing. It's more extreme than Manx usually writes, but not over the top extreme. I think of this story as kind of a written version of Matryoshka dolls, a story inside a story inside a story. It's wild.
Other favorites I have from this collection are
Tis The Season because now I'm obsessed with reading anything I can find about Pere Fouettard, or the whip wielding butcher who is St Nick's sidekick.
Jungle Habitat is a creepy urbex horror that gives me strong cosmic horror vibes.
The Golden Scarab takes place in Egypt and I love horror that features archaeology. Not a typical find the mummy pharoh in the tomb trope, but a mystical object in a world devoid of color.
A great collection of stories with something for every horror fan.
I loved this collection, each story is amazing but the titular story Deacon is mind-blowing. It's more extreme than Manx usually writes, but not over the top extreme. I think of this story as kind of a written version of Matryoshka dolls, a story inside a story inside a story. It's wild.
Other favorites I have from this collection are
Tis The Season because now I'm obsessed with reading anything I can find about Pere Fouettard, or the whip wielding butcher who is St Nick's sidekick.
Jungle Habitat is a creepy urbex horror that gives me strong cosmic horror vibes.
The Golden Scarab takes place in Egypt and I love horror that features archaeology. Not a typical find the mummy pharoh in the tomb trope, but a mystical object in a world devoid of color.
A great collection of stories with something for every horror fan.
April 29, 2025
Deacon: An Assemblage of Nightmares
by Daemon Manx
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
A very entertaining and well written book of short psychological horror stories!!
There are a total of 7 short stories and each one is extremely unique, deep, dark and intense! This book is a fantastic and excitingly chilling read!!
Daemon Manx really knows how to write stories!!
I was floored by all of them, but my top standouts are:
•Deacon - this is wild!! (Longer story at 65 pages)
•Jungle Habitat
•Encounter
•Dead Fall
I was lucky to get an arc of this amazing book!! Thank you Daemon Manx!
*It comes out May 6th and I would definitely recommend reading this!!*
by Daemon Manx
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
A very entertaining and well written book of short psychological horror stories!!
There are a total of 7 short stories and each one is extremely unique, deep, dark and intense! This book is a fantastic and excitingly chilling read!!
Daemon Manx really knows how to write stories!!
I was floored by all of them, but my top standouts are:
•Deacon - this is wild!! (Longer story at 65 pages)
•Jungle Habitat
•Encounter
•Dead Fall
I was lucky to get an arc of this amazing book!! Thank you Daemon Manx!
*It comes out May 6th and I would definitely recommend reading this!!*
May 6, 2025
Happy Pub day to Deacon. This horror short story anthology is both dark and deep. Old school horror at its finest, but wholly terrifying psychologically (Deacon) too.
I’m a huge fan of horror short stories so I jumped at the chance for an arc from this author as I have enjoyed Manx’s previous books so much.
Daemon has had what I would call an interesting life. He def blurs the line between real life and fiction here (my opinion anyway), with the Deacon story that weaves itself through the book between other short nightmares. Part of the charm of Deacon is not knowing what’s real and what’s not. Chocked with gore, zombies and a parallel universe of sorts, while still being so profound and deep, Deacon is my favorite storyline here for sure. Please Daemon, just do an entire book on Deacon’s world. 😵😵💫
I also loved Golden Years, Encounter and ‘Tis the Season (other short stories here). I really enjoyed all of them honestly. Not a bad or boring one in the bunch. The best kind of anthology.
If you enjoy some ‘real’ horror, you need to check this author out. I don’t think I wanna know how the ideas come into Daemon’s brain. He seems like such a nice dude. 😂
So glad I read this one and will keep reading whatever he writes.
I’m a huge fan of horror short stories so I jumped at the chance for an arc from this author as I have enjoyed Manx’s previous books so much.
Daemon has had what I would call an interesting life. He def blurs the line between real life and fiction here (my opinion anyway), with the Deacon story that weaves itself through the book between other short nightmares. Part of the charm of Deacon is not knowing what’s real and what’s not. Chocked with gore, zombies and a parallel universe of sorts, while still being so profound and deep, Deacon is my favorite storyline here for sure. Please Daemon, just do an entire book on Deacon’s world. 😵😵💫
I also loved Golden Years, Encounter and ‘Tis the Season (other short stories here). I really enjoyed all of them honestly. Not a bad or boring one in the bunch. The best kind of anthology.
If you enjoy some ‘real’ horror, you need to check this author out. I don’t think I wanna know how the ideas come into Daemon’s brain. He seems like such a nice dude. 😂
So glad I read this one and will keep reading whatever he writes.
March 30, 2025
I'm not ashamed to say that since reading Arcanium, I'm a big fan of Daemon. However, his newest book, Deacon, might be one of his best works. I don't say that lightly, either, considering that The Ojanox exists.
Deacon was an awesome story, so good that it needs to get its own novel in the future. I can't spoil it, but all I can say is, in my opinion, Deacon = Daemon. When you get to read the story, you'll be the judge of that hehe.
After Deacon, there is a set of short stories that were just as good. While all of the stories were great, there were two that struck me as my favorites.
Tis' The Season
Dead Fall
If you enjoy horror that messes with your mind, you need to check out Deacon. You'll thank me later!
Deacon was an awesome story, so good that it needs to get its own novel in the future. I can't spoil it, but all I can say is, in my opinion, Deacon = Daemon. When you get to read the story, you'll be the judge of that hehe.
After Deacon, there is a set of short stories that were just as good. While all of the stories were great, there were two that struck me as my favorites.
Tis' The Season
Dead Fall
If you enjoy horror that messes with your mind, you need to check out Deacon. You'll thank me later!
April 25, 2025
Everything I’ve read by Daemon Manx has been amazing, and his new collection, Deacon: An Assemblage of Nightmares is no exception. It’s evident he put his heart and soul into these stories. Each story is very different, but they are all dark and disturbing and pure horror. I loved the Deacon/Daemon stories and how they converged in the end - I definitely need more! Golden Years and Encounter were also favourites, but there was not a story in this collection that I didn’t enjoy. Releases May 6 - highly recommend!
March 27, 2025
WOW! Such an incredible collection of dark stories! Such grit, so much raw emotion, yet also chock-full of lush and rich descriptions of the many different characters' internal and external journeys through living hell. There's some SERIOUSLY dark stuff happening here; a variety of situations not so much triggering as simply grisly and lurid, aiming directly for the heart - well-placed chest shots rather than immediately lethal headshots.
The first story was my favorite: the titular "Deakon," of novelette length, is an original experiment in metafiction, providing an uncanny reading experience I for one found extremely unsettling: "Inception" meets "The Walking Dead"! A story within a story, a dialectic with some sort of absurd synthesis, taking a compelling zombie horror story and turning it inside out into a weird mashup of psychological horror and metaphysical dread. Several WTF moments make up this dive into the tortured mind of an author, Daemon dreaming Deakon (or Deakon dreaming Daemon?). This story alone is worth the price of admission! But - c'mon Mr. Manx, now you owe me a proper Deakon story - you just whetted my appetite for more!
"Golden Years" is one of those stories which begin quietly and at some point blow up right in your face; granddaughter bonding with grandma, but grandma throws a monkey wrench into the works by deciding to reveal her true nature. "Jungle Habitat" is the quintessential urban exploration horror story, though the nature of the supernatural threat was shockingly inventive, and could sustain a while book. "The Marbled Scarab" is about ancient Egyptian artifacts, Nazis, archaelogy, and rare magical finds - and once again, the story's central idea of "Hues" is a brilliant concept with lots of potential. "Encounter," my second favorite story, is a tale of life in prison, friendships, ghosts, and some internet horror as a bonus. It reads like a morality tale for today's app-obsessed generation; yet it's much more than that, as the story's mostly character-driven, allowing us an invaluable glimpse into the protagonist's mind and his persective on life, freedom, and trust. "'Tis The Season" is Christmas horror as its best; better go into this blind, and enjoy both the dark humor and the build-up till the rather sad ending. "Dead Fall," my third favorite story of the collection, takes the familiar theme of a Vietnam vet burdened by bad memories, and turns into an uncomfortable story of murder, guilt, regret, and retribution. The supernatural elements in this story are handled in an exemplary manner, never outshining the human aspects of the story.
In sum, "Deacon" is simply breathtaking; a tour de force of contemporary horror, drawing equally on both fear-provoking anxieties and common joys of everyday life, especially those of the latter which are seldom appreciated for what they are. Highly recommend this one!
The first story was my favorite: the titular "Deakon," of novelette length, is an original experiment in metafiction, providing an uncanny reading experience I for one found extremely unsettling: "Inception" meets "The Walking Dead"! A story within a story, a dialectic with some sort of absurd synthesis, taking a compelling zombie horror story and turning it inside out into a weird mashup of psychological horror and metaphysical dread. Several WTF moments make up this dive into the tortured mind of an author, Daemon dreaming Deakon (or Deakon dreaming Daemon?). This story alone is worth the price of admission! But - c'mon Mr. Manx, now you owe me a proper Deakon story - you just whetted my appetite for more!
"Golden Years" is one of those stories which begin quietly and at some point blow up right in your face; granddaughter bonding with grandma, but grandma throws a monkey wrench into the works by deciding to reveal her true nature. "Jungle Habitat" is the quintessential urban exploration horror story, though the nature of the supernatural threat was shockingly inventive, and could sustain a while book. "The Marbled Scarab" is about ancient Egyptian artifacts, Nazis, archaelogy, and rare magical finds - and once again, the story's central idea of "Hues" is a brilliant concept with lots of potential. "Encounter," my second favorite story, is a tale of life in prison, friendships, ghosts, and some internet horror as a bonus. It reads like a morality tale for today's app-obsessed generation; yet it's much more than that, as the story's mostly character-driven, allowing us an invaluable glimpse into the protagonist's mind and his persective on life, freedom, and trust. "'Tis The Season" is Christmas horror as its best; better go into this blind, and enjoy both the dark humor and the build-up till the rather sad ending. "Dead Fall," my third favorite story of the collection, takes the familiar theme of a Vietnam vet burdened by bad memories, and turns into an uncomfortable story of murder, guilt, regret, and retribution. The supernatural elements in this story are handled in an exemplary manner, never outshining the human aspects of the story.
In sum, "Deacon" is simply breathtaking; a tour de force of contemporary horror, drawing equally on both fear-provoking anxieties and common joys of everyday life, especially those of the latter which are seldom appreciated for what they are. Highly recommend this one!
April 20, 2025
Deacon: An Assemblage of Nightmares
By: Daemon Manx
Publisher: Last Waltz Publishing
Release Date: May 6, 2025
Length: 191 pages
Triggers: ⚠️ Violence, death, addiction, trauma, war PTSD, disturbing imagery, supernatural horror, isolation, murder, grief, implied abuse
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Dread Rating: 💀💀💀💀💀
I Hate to Be Cliché But… WTF Did I Just Read?!
Mr. Daemon Manx, sir, you are deeply messed up—and I mean that in the best possible way.
This is horror that doesn’t hold your hand. It yanks you into the shadows, makes you sit in your own discomfort, and then casually whispers, “Want another?” And yes. Yes, I do.
The opening story Deacon is a metafictional fever dream that had me questioning reality, identity, and whether I was still holding the book or trapped inside it. It’s unnerving, surreal, and seriously gutsy storytelling that sticks to your ribs like regret.
From there, this collection spirals into every flavor of nightmare you can think of. Family secrets in Golden Years? Yeah, Grandma’s not knitting sweaters—she’s crafting eternal damnation. Encounter? Internet ghost story meets prison paranoia. Jungle Habitat is straight-up urban exploration gone full cursed safari. And Tis the Season? That’s not Santa. That’s trauma in a red suit, wrapped in razor wire.
Manx doesn’t just write horror. He bleeds it onto the page—raw, emotional, and disturbingly human. The way he mixes grief, guilt, supernatural dread, and personal demons makes every story hit harder than you'd expect from a short format.
This isn’t your average campfire collection. This is a straight shot of nightmare fuel, served with a side of “what the actual hell, Mr. Manx?”
Perfect For:
📖 Fans of psychological horror with teeth
📖 Readers who like their short stories dark, smart, and emotionally devastating
📖 Anyone who thinks trauma, metaphysical dread, and zombie nightmares sound like a fun time
By: Daemon Manx
Publisher: Last Waltz Publishing
Release Date: May 6, 2025
Length: 191 pages
Triggers: ⚠️ Violence, death, addiction, trauma, war PTSD, disturbing imagery, supernatural horror, isolation, murder, grief, implied abuse
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Dread Rating: 💀💀💀💀💀
I Hate to Be Cliché But… WTF Did I Just Read?!
Mr. Daemon Manx, sir, you are deeply messed up—and I mean that in the best possible way.
This is horror that doesn’t hold your hand. It yanks you into the shadows, makes you sit in your own discomfort, and then casually whispers, “Want another?” And yes. Yes, I do.
The opening story Deacon is a metafictional fever dream that had me questioning reality, identity, and whether I was still holding the book or trapped inside it. It’s unnerving, surreal, and seriously gutsy storytelling that sticks to your ribs like regret.
From there, this collection spirals into every flavor of nightmare you can think of. Family secrets in Golden Years? Yeah, Grandma’s not knitting sweaters—she’s crafting eternal damnation. Encounter? Internet ghost story meets prison paranoia. Jungle Habitat is straight-up urban exploration gone full cursed safari. And Tis the Season? That’s not Santa. That’s trauma in a red suit, wrapped in razor wire.
Manx doesn’t just write horror. He bleeds it onto the page—raw, emotional, and disturbingly human. The way he mixes grief, guilt, supernatural dread, and personal demons makes every story hit harder than you'd expect from a short format.
This isn’t your average campfire collection. This is a straight shot of nightmare fuel, served with a side of “what the actual hell, Mr. Manx?”
Perfect For:
📖 Fans of psychological horror with teeth
📖 Readers who like their short stories dark, smart, and emotionally devastating
📖 Anyone who thinks trauma, metaphysical dread, and zombie nightmares sound like a fun time
May 7, 2025
Review of Deacon: An Assemblage of Nightmares by Daemon Manx:
I don’t usually prefer to read anthologies, but this was SO good that I will be reading more in hopes of finding another with stories that sneak into my head like this one did. Each story had their own flavor of horror, but they also had an element of humanity and cold reality that gave them depth. I think I felt sorry for a character in each story, despite their faults and weaknesses. I thoroughly enjoyed EVERY story, but my favorite was ‘Deacon’. It was dark and very raw at times (clearly drawn from Manx’s own experience), gross and twisty, and in my opinion, just genius. This one required a second reading for further contemplation, and it will sit prominently on the table of the cozy reading nook in my head for quite some time. ‘Jungle Habitat’ was a fun kind of horror and would make a great movie or full-length novel that sparks a whole series. ‘The Marbled Scarab’ would also make a great movie or series (because I have so many questions I need answered and would love to see how this concept could play out). ‘Golden Years’ gave me chuckles (I have been told a have a weird sense of humor), and ‘Encounter ‘ was unique in so many ways. ‘‘Tis the Season’ was a fun mash up of several well-known holiday movies with an evil twist, and ‘Dead Fall’ was dark and raw. I could go on and on about how much I loved each story, but I’m afraid of giving spoilers and I don’t want to rob anyone of their own first experience with this great anthology.
If you love Manx’s books, read this one!
If you are/are not fan of anthologies, read this one!
Just make ‘An Assemblage of Nightmares’ your next read – you can thank me when you’re done! (actually, I guess you should thank Manx, so please do!)
I don’t usually prefer to read anthologies, but this was SO good that I will be reading more in hopes of finding another with stories that sneak into my head like this one did. Each story had their own flavor of horror, but they also had an element of humanity and cold reality that gave them depth. I think I felt sorry for a character in each story, despite their faults and weaknesses. I thoroughly enjoyed EVERY story, but my favorite was ‘Deacon’. It was dark and very raw at times (clearly drawn from Manx’s own experience), gross and twisty, and in my opinion, just genius. This one required a second reading for further contemplation, and it will sit prominently on the table of the cozy reading nook in my head for quite some time. ‘Jungle Habitat’ was a fun kind of horror and would make a great movie or full-length novel that sparks a whole series. ‘The Marbled Scarab’ would also make a great movie or series (because I have so many questions I need answered and would love to see how this concept could play out). ‘Golden Years’ gave me chuckles (I have been told a have a weird sense of humor), and ‘Encounter ‘ was unique in so many ways. ‘‘Tis the Season’ was a fun mash up of several well-known holiday movies with an evil twist, and ‘Dead Fall’ was dark and raw. I could go on and on about how much I loved each story, but I’m afraid of giving spoilers and I don’t want to rob anyone of their own first experience with this great anthology.
If you love Manx’s books, read this one!
If you are/are not fan of anthologies, read this one!
Just make ‘An Assemblage of Nightmares’ your next read – you can thank me when you’re done! (actually, I guess you should thank Manx, so please do!)
April 14, 2025
I received Deacon: An Assemblage of Nightmares as an ARC and am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you tremendously for this opportunity, Daemon.
Rather than give a short synopsis of each story I’d rather give a collective review of the entire book as a whole. Each story in this collection of 7 provided an adventure that was nothing short of a psychological thrill ride to hell. Mind bending, intense, very dark, and some very horrific situations.
Manx is an incredible author and pulls his real life background into his creations. His stories make you think and imagine, pulling your deepest fears and regrets to the surface without you even realizing it. He puts onto paper realistic situations that have fogged up people’s lives and minds, transcending the imagination of what some believe is truly happening in their world. The first and last stories are two really good examples of this. The characters in both stories are psychologically inept at maintaining reality in the normal sense and have created their own living nightmares that they ineffectively struggle through each day.
You won’t be disappointed if you choose to read this book. Manx will have you riveted to the pages and you won’t want to put this one down until you’ve turned every one. Even the cover on the book is a bit scary. Deacon: An Assemblage of Nightmares is just that and it’s well worth the read….. if you dare.
Rather than give a short synopsis of each story I’d rather give a collective review of the entire book as a whole. Each story in this collection of 7 provided an adventure that was nothing short of a psychological thrill ride to hell. Mind bending, intense, very dark, and some very horrific situations.
Manx is an incredible author and pulls his real life background into his creations. His stories make you think and imagine, pulling your deepest fears and regrets to the surface without you even realizing it. He puts onto paper realistic situations that have fogged up people’s lives and minds, transcending the imagination of what some believe is truly happening in their world. The first and last stories are two really good examples of this. The characters in both stories are psychologically inept at maintaining reality in the normal sense and have created their own living nightmares that they ineffectively struggle through each day.
You won’t be disappointed if you choose to read this book. Manx will have you riveted to the pages and you won’t want to put this one down until you’ve turned every one. Even the cover on the book is a bit scary. Deacon: An Assemblage of Nightmares is just that and it’s well worth the read….. if you dare.
May 5, 2025
My new favorite work from Manx! I DEVOUR everything from him the minute it gets released. The title story, Deacon, has just become my new favorite due to its sheer brilliance. Fellow horror fans will enjoy this as it delivers on all levels.
An intensely unique work that will deliciously haunt you long after you've read it for the twentieth time. I had to obsessively read it over and over, as you get something new out of it each time. JUST OBSESSED with this deadly labyrinth of a masterpiece. Main character Daemon, who might just have a couple of alter egos in the Deacon and Dillon characters, jumps off the page and lives rent free now in my mind. FASCINATING "double fugue" of a horror story, alternating between two settings makes this the best read of the year.
GRIPPING-UNPUTDOWNABLE. A MUST READ.
The others in this collection are a horror reader's dream buffet of writing delicacies. The Golden Scarab was thought-provoking and extremely entertaining. I love this author's creativity and imagination.
Dead Fall is the last story and one that will pierce through all your defenses. Do we feel compassion or contempt for main character Edgar? Perhaps a bit of both. And make sure you spot the tiny homage to Edgar Allan Poe's The Tell-Tale Heart embedded in the dramatic buildup to the ending.
MANX AT HIS MOST POWERFUL-A MUST READ FOR EVERY HORROR FAN!
An intensely unique work that will deliciously haunt you long after you've read it for the twentieth time. I had to obsessively read it over and over, as you get something new out of it each time. JUST OBSESSED with this deadly labyrinth of a masterpiece. Main character Daemon, who might just have a couple of alter egos in the Deacon and Dillon characters, jumps off the page and lives rent free now in my mind. FASCINATING "double fugue" of a horror story, alternating between two settings makes this the best read of the year.
GRIPPING-UNPUTDOWNABLE. A MUST READ.
The others in this collection are a horror reader's dream buffet of writing delicacies. The Golden Scarab was thought-provoking and extremely entertaining. I love this author's creativity and imagination.
Dead Fall is the last story and one that will pierce through all your defenses. Do we feel compassion or contempt for main character Edgar? Perhaps a bit of both. And make sure you spot the tiny homage to Edgar Allan Poe's The Tell-Tale Heart embedded in the dramatic buildup to the ending.
MANX AT HIS MOST POWERFUL-A MUST READ FOR EVERY HORROR FAN!
May 3, 2025
Deacon is the newest collection from Daemon Manx, featuring seven stories that are each wholly unique, dark, and twisted.
The titular story weaves a tale of an author struggling with sobriety and the characters he’s created. In Golden Years, a woman learns the secret to her grandmother’s incredibly long life, while Jungle Habitat shows the horrors of an abandoned, decaying safari theme park. Travel back in time to Egypt in The Marbled Scarab, as an intrepid archaeologist searches for the greatest treasure of any pharaoh to ever rule. Encounter will have you questioning whether you should really download that app, and ‘Tis the Season will make you reconsider sitting on that Santa’s lap. The final story, Dead Fall, looks at the questionable choices of an aging Vietnam War vet that come back to haunt him.
Manx’s writing is on point in each of these stories, and felt very different (in a good way) than other works I’ve read by him. These stories are an eclectic mix of genres and fantastically creative. While I enjoyed all of them, Dead Fall was my favorite, followed by Deacon (I wish this one was an entire book!).
The titular story weaves a tale of an author struggling with sobriety and the characters he’s created. In Golden Years, a woman learns the secret to her grandmother’s incredibly long life, while Jungle Habitat shows the horrors of an abandoned, decaying safari theme park. Travel back in time to Egypt in The Marbled Scarab, as an intrepid archaeologist searches for the greatest treasure of any pharaoh to ever rule. Encounter will have you questioning whether you should really download that app, and ‘Tis the Season will make you reconsider sitting on that Santa’s lap. The final story, Dead Fall, looks at the questionable choices of an aging Vietnam War vet that come back to haunt him.
Manx’s writing is on point in each of these stories, and felt very different (in a good way) than other works I’ve read by him. These stories are an eclectic mix of genres and fantastically creative. While I enjoyed all of them, Dead Fall was my favorite, followed by Deacon (I wish this one was an entire book!).
May 5, 2025
Deacon is a dark, dark, collection of stories that are expertly told by Manx. The title story "Deacon" is going to mess with your mind in such a way, that you may have to question your own sanity. The author blurs the lines between fiction and reality in this one. Each of the other nightmares in this book strike a chord in my soul in a different way. Golden Years speaks to the silent nightmares of the tireless caregivers out there. Jungle Habitat will make you wonder why it is so alluring to venture into places you should absolutely not enter. The Marbled Scarab will take you on an ancient journey that may or may not spill ancient secrets. Encounter is another nightmare that makes you question your own sanity and sit with your grief. Manx keeps you off balance in every story. Tis the Season will make you question ever going to see Santa again. Finally, Dead Fall is the perfect tale to wrap up this collection of nightmares. Manx puts his heart and soul into this one. It's got all the dark feels.
May 6, 2025
Deacon is a collection of short stories by Daemon Manx that digs deep into trauma, psychological fears, the supernatural, and the darker corners of human nature. One thing that really makes this collection work is how different each story feels, yet they all carry the same dark, introspective tone. Manx doesn’t rely on jump scares or gore alone. Instead, he leans into mood, atmosphere, and the kind of fear that builds as you realize something isn’t quite right—and might never be again.
The titular story, Deacon, is the real standout. It’s about a writer who’s working on a post-apocalyptic story—but the more he writes, the more his reality starts to resemble the terrifying world he’s creating. It’s a trippy, layered story that makes you question what's real and what’s fiction, not just for the character but maybe even a little for yourself. It’s clever, a little (lot) unsettling, and definitely sticks with you.
The rest of the stories are just as engrossing, each with its own creepy vibe. In Golden Years, we meet an old woman who doesn’t age like she should—and let’s just say the reason why isn’t exactly heartwarming. Jungle Habitat features a group of friends exploring an abandoned safari park (spoiler: a real misadventure!), and The Marbled Scarab drops readers into a world without color that feels like a strange, dark fairy tale. Encounter is about a man, fresh out of prison, who downloads a mysterious app that sends his life into a downward spiral. ‘Tis The Season is everything you could want in a Christmas horror story (go into this one blind, trust me!) Dead Fall is a supernatural tale of vengeance centered around a Vietnam vet burdened by his memories and guilt.
What I love about Manx’s writing is how vivid and cinematic it is. He’s got a knack for description that pulls you right into each scene, whether it’s a decaying city, a creepy basement, or a surreal dreamscape. His characters feel real, too—flawed, curious, and often dealing with heavy emotional baggage, which adds depth to the stories.
That said, Deacon isn’t exactly light reading. Some of the themes can get pretty dark, and a few stories might leave you feeling a little shaken. But that’s kind of the point. Manx doesn’t just want to scare you—he wants you to think. He wants you to feel and squirm a little while you’re reading. This collection goes beyond the usual tropes and digs into something deeper and more disturbing.
Deacon: An Assemblage of Nightmares is part memoir, all horror. A smart, eerie, and highly entertaining read for anyone who loves horror with brains and heart.
The titular story, Deacon, is the real standout. It’s about a writer who’s working on a post-apocalyptic story—but the more he writes, the more his reality starts to resemble the terrifying world he’s creating. It’s a trippy, layered story that makes you question what's real and what’s fiction, not just for the character but maybe even a little for yourself. It’s clever, a little (lot) unsettling, and definitely sticks with you.
The rest of the stories are just as engrossing, each with its own creepy vibe. In Golden Years, we meet an old woman who doesn’t age like she should—and let’s just say the reason why isn’t exactly heartwarming. Jungle Habitat features a group of friends exploring an abandoned safari park (spoiler: a real misadventure!), and The Marbled Scarab drops readers into a world without color that feels like a strange, dark fairy tale. Encounter is about a man, fresh out of prison, who downloads a mysterious app that sends his life into a downward spiral. ‘Tis The Season is everything you could want in a Christmas horror story (go into this one blind, trust me!) Dead Fall is a supernatural tale of vengeance centered around a Vietnam vet burdened by his memories and guilt.
What I love about Manx’s writing is how vivid and cinematic it is. He’s got a knack for description that pulls you right into each scene, whether it’s a decaying city, a creepy basement, or a surreal dreamscape. His characters feel real, too—flawed, curious, and often dealing with heavy emotional baggage, which adds depth to the stories.
That said, Deacon isn’t exactly light reading. Some of the themes can get pretty dark, and a few stories might leave you feeling a little shaken. But that’s kind of the point. Manx doesn’t just want to scare you—he wants you to think. He wants you to feel and squirm a little while you’re reading. This collection goes beyond the usual tropes and digs into something deeper and more disturbing.
Deacon: An Assemblage of Nightmares is part memoir, all horror. A smart, eerie, and highly entertaining read for anyone who loves horror with brains and heart.
April 2, 2025
Daemon Manx has collected an assemblage of nightmares for the reader in his short story collection in this novella of epic adventure. The first story deals with Deacon the avenger of the evil doer.He goes after the sick Harlan brothers who prey on the innocent.The interludes seem to be interviews with the author himself.
Subsequent stories delve into the nightmares of life everlasting or does it really, and why. The older you get the ways of sustaining your youth and how one does it. The jungle eating more than just the animal it raises. A relic hunt in the tale of a curse of a marble hued scarab
This treasure trove of scary tales is of Lovecraftian proportions. Daemon has hit the nail on the head with this novella.
Subsequent stories delve into the nightmares of life everlasting or does it really, and why. The older you get the ways of sustaining your youth and how one does it. The jungle eating more than just the animal it raises. A relic hunt in the tale of a curse of a marble hued scarab
This treasure trove of scary tales is of Lovecraftian proportions. Daemon has hit the nail on the head with this novella.
May 16, 2025
Deacon by Daemon Manx
A new anthology by the author of “The Ojanox” series. I am fortunate to be on Daemon’s ARC team and I fully appreciate it!
Daemon knows how to write horror that has building fear and tension which makes for such a great read. He creates an atmosphere in which you feel surrounded by the horror itself. Makes you a part of the story.
I enjoyed this anthology very much. Such a great collection of stories. I have to say, though, that the title story “Deacon” was my favorite. I INSIST on a full “Deacon” book in the near future, Mr. Manx! What a story!
I fully recommend picking up this book and giving it a read. You will NOT be disappointed!
A new anthology by the author of “The Ojanox” series. I am fortunate to be on Daemon’s ARC team and I fully appreciate it!
Daemon knows how to write horror that has building fear and tension which makes for such a great read. He creates an atmosphere in which you feel surrounded by the horror itself. Makes you a part of the story.
I enjoyed this anthology very much. Such a great collection of stories. I have to say, though, that the title story “Deacon” was my favorite. I INSIST on a full “Deacon” book in the near future, Mr. Manx! What a story!
I fully recommend picking up this book and giving it a read. You will NOT be disappointed!
April 23, 2025
I absolutely love this collection of stories. I was lucky enough to be on the ARC team.
The first being by far my favourite, it’s not often the writer writes himself into a book, and we so need this story as a novel.
I will definitely reread these stories and I haven’t been able to say that for a while.
I have already asked friends and family to add this to their TBR file 🙂
What are you waiting for? This is a must read for 2025.
Pre-order here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DYK9RFH...
The first being by far my favourite, it’s not often the writer writes himself into a book, and we so need this story as a novel.
I will definitely reread these stories and I haven’t been able to say that for a while.
I have already asked friends and family to add this to their TBR file 🙂
What are you waiting for? This is a must read for 2025.
Pre-order here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DYK9RFH...
May 6, 2025
I have read several books from this author and have not been disappointed yet. His writings just seem to get better and better.
This book is a great collection of short stories. The first part of the book is about Deacon/Daemon. I was so invested in that story that when the book moved to the rest of the short stories, I was confused until I remembered that it's a collection book.
All of the stories are really good. My favorite is The Marbled Scarab. I also noticed a little hint in that story. The absence of color. A nod to another great author Jack Wells. There is not a bad story in the bunch. The Golden Years is another great story where grandma is not at all what she seems. I also liked Jungle Habitat. A supernatural kind of hiking story.
Manx is a fantastic writer. You can feel his emotions as the come to life within the book. I love that he pulls from his real-life experiences. If you love a collection of great horror short stories, then this is the book for you. I received this book free from the author for an honest review.
This book is a great collection of short stories. The first part of the book is about Deacon/Daemon. I was so invested in that story that when the book moved to the rest of the short stories, I was confused until I remembered that it's a collection book.
All of the stories are really good. My favorite is The Marbled Scarab. I also noticed a little hint in that story. The absence of color. A nod to another great author Jack Wells. There is not a bad story in the bunch. The Golden Years is another great story where grandma is not at all what she seems. I also liked Jungle Habitat. A supernatural kind of hiking story.
Manx is a fantastic writer. You can feel his emotions as the come to life within the book. I love that he pulls from his real-life experiences. If you love a collection of great horror short stories, then this is the book for you. I received this book free from the author for an honest review.
May 6, 2025
This is a collection of stories by Daemon Manx, with Deacon being the longest. I enjoyed all of them, but liked Deacon the best. I don't want to give too much away, because it’s a story that is surprising and clever how it is told. When you think it's going in one direction, it goes into something totally different. It does this many times. Everything is unexpected. It’s meta and Manx brings a lot of personal details into this story. It brings up a few philosophical questions about reality and fiction too. All of the stories are great and there's a variety of horror.
May 5, 2025
As someone who enjoys reading anthologies, I'm pleased to find that this one is just as good as I had hoped. The stories are arranged in such a way that they become increasingly terrifying, dark, and creepy, with each one being more disturbing than the last. My favorite story was Deacon it was the longest story in the anthology. This was my first book by Daemon Manx but I do have two of his other books on my tbr list to read.
May 8, 2025
I was eagerly anticipating reading this book, and upon obtaining it, I couldn't wait to dive in. This book surpassed my expectations, proving to be exceptionally engaging and captivating, making it impossible to put down. Daemon Manx demonstrates a remarkable ability to maintain readers' interest, and this book serves as a testament to that skill. If presented with the opportunity, I highly recommend reading it, as you will not be disappointed.
June 4, 2025
This collection is absolutely phenomenal! 👏
Daemon poured his entire soul into these pages. His creativity and range on full display. Real life demons to supernatural aspects.... every story was just incredible!!!! Well written characters, scenes you can feel & scenarios that seem all too real.
If you haven't read Daemon Manx what are you waiting for?! I am forever waiting for his next release & he is one of my top- insta buy authors!!!!
Daemon poured his entire soul into these pages. His creativity and range on full display. Real life demons to supernatural aspects.... every story was just incredible!!!! Well written characters, scenes you can feel & scenarios that seem all too real.
If you haven't read Daemon Manx what are you waiting for?! I am forever waiting for his next release & he is one of my top- insta buy authors!!!!
September 25, 2025
Over the past few years I've become a big fan of Daemon Manx. I really enjoy his storytelling, and Deacon is no different. The title story really sucked me in. I really enjoyed the alter-ego feel it gave. I enjoyed all of the stories, but Deacon was by far my favorite. Manx is really open about his past, and little bits of his past are evident in his stories. It makes the characters and scenarios more believable to have that experience behind them.
March 26, 2025
This is a collection of short stories that are horror through and through. The author does a great job of mixing real-life demons with the supernatural. This is different from the other books I have read by this author, but he hit it out of the park. You can tell he poured a lot of himself into these stories. This is probably my favorite Manx book so far.
April 6, 2025
Deacon - An Assemblage of Nightmares is a collection of terror fueled short stories written by Daemon Manx. These stories really showcase Manx’s creativity and talent of writing reality and fiction. Each story is a slippery slope into the darkest corners of your mind. I will definitely be read more from Manx.
April 10, 2025
Definitely an assemblage of nightmares!
Really good mix of stories.
I know you shouldn’t pick favourites but…mine were the first one, Deacon, what a wild ride that was & Encounter. Not saying the rest weren’t good reads but these two just hung on a bit longer.
A great jump into Daemon Manx & his mind. If you dare
Really good mix of stories.
I know you shouldn’t pick favourites but…mine were the first one, Deacon, what a wild ride that was & Encounter. Not saying the rest weren’t good reads but these two just hung on a bit longer.
A great jump into Daemon Manx & his mind. If you dare
April 22, 2025
I was lucky to be able to get this book as an ARC read and I enjoyed it. Some of my favorites were Golden Years and Encounter. Both of these got me a little bit haha, read them a little close to bed time and my dreams were not fun. I like the Deacon chapters as well and could see that being a full novel. This book is set to be released 5/6/2025 and I highly recommend adding to your TBR.
March 27, 2025
This is a collection of horror short stories that does not disappoint. Each tale is more disturbing than the next. I love this author’s creativity and how he immersed his past into his work. The unease you feel while reading is palpable. Well done!
April 22, 2025
In the tale of Deacon, a man realizes history is not completely written. An archeologist finds the discovery of a lifetime at what cost.
These and other tales to make your heart pounding or bring a tear to your eyes and make you wonder what if.
These and other tales to make your heart pounding or bring a tear to your eyes and make you wonder what if.
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