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HUMBABA: A Dark Metaphysical Thriller
An ancient entity. A forbidden ritual. A professor lost to darkness.
In a world where secular reason collides with faith, Dr. Alexander Sterling encounters a force older than humanity Humbaba.
Once a renowned professor of archaeology, Sterling sees his life falling apart. Estranged from his family and rejected by the academic establishment, he spirals into despair. When scholarly inquiry fails him, he turns to the the worship of Humbaba — a Mesopotamian entity who, according to myth and confirmed by archaeological findings, was depicted with a grotesque, intestinal face and was believed to communicate with the human world through extispicy — the reading of sacrificial entrails.
As Sterling performs rituals rooted in ancient necromantic tradition, he opens a gateway to knowledge, power — and terror. The boundary between reality and hallucination dissolves. Logic collapses. Faith distorts. And Humbaba begins to whisper.
This is a captivating metaphysical drama that masterfully weaves together archaeology, mythology, worldview, and the supernatural. Through Alexander Sterling’s story, the reader is invited to explore not only the most hidden depths of the human soul, but also the protagonist’s existential quest for salvation, redemption, and the truth that emerges from the shadows.
For readers who seek a dark, philosophical horror mystery that descends into the abyss of forbidden knowledge. Ideal for those who prefer a medium-paced narrative, charged with atmosphere, inner melancholy, and contemplative tone — a world sparse yet imbued with a constant sense of awe, dread, and existential anguish.
HUMBABA has been honored with a ★★★★★ review by the international organization Readers’ Favorite, recognizing its thrilling narrative, philosophical depth, and haunting originality.
If you enjoyed The Ninth Gate, The Exorcist, or The Name of the Rose, prepare to be drawn into the abyss of HUMBABA.
In a world where secular reason collides with faith, Dr. Alexander Sterling encounters a force older than humanity Humbaba.
Once a renowned professor of archaeology, Sterling sees his life falling apart. Estranged from his family and rejected by the academic establishment, he spirals into despair. When scholarly inquiry fails him, he turns to the the worship of Humbaba — a Mesopotamian entity who, according to myth and confirmed by archaeological findings, was depicted with a grotesque, intestinal face and was believed to communicate with the human world through extispicy — the reading of sacrificial entrails.
As Sterling performs rituals rooted in ancient necromantic tradition, he opens a gateway to knowledge, power — and terror. The boundary between reality and hallucination dissolves. Logic collapses. Faith distorts. And Humbaba begins to whisper.
This is a captivating metaphysical drama that masterfully weaves together archaeology, mythology, worldview, and the supernatural. Through Alexander Sterling’s story, the reader is invited to explore not only the most hidden depths of the human soul, but also the protagonist’s existential quest for salvation, redemption, and the truth that emerges from the shadows.
For readers who seek a dark, philosophical horror mystery that descends into the abyss of forbidden knowledge. Ideal for those who prefer a medium-paced narrative, charged with atmosphere, inner melancholy, and contemplative tone — a world sparse yet imbued with a constant sense of awe, dread, and existential anguish.
HUMBABA has been honored with a ★★★★★ review by the international organization Readers’ Favorite, recognizing its thrilling narrative, philosophical depth, and haunting originality.
If you enjoyed The Ninth Gate, The Exorcist, or The Name of the Rose, prepare to be drawn into the abyss of HUMBABA.
231 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 14, 2025
2 people are currently reading
893 people want to read
About the author
Christos Stavropoulos
2 books7 followersChristos Stavropoulos holds a degree from the Department of Social Theology at the Faculty of Theology of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, as well as from the Department of History and Archaeology at the Faculty of Philosophy of the University of Ioannina, and he works in the Public Sector. Additionally, he has completed postgraduate studies in Public Administration at Neapolis University Pafos in Cyprus. He has also been awarded two gold medals at the 5th World Traditional Wushu – Kung Fu Championship, held in 2010 in Hong Kong, China, and is a certified Wushu – Kung Fu instructor by the Chinese Wushu Association and the General Secretariat of Sports. His academic training, enriched by his personal quest and experiential experiences, adds authenticity and depth to his metaphysical, existential, and theological inquiries, while enabling him to incorporate historical and archaeological references with accuracy and validity. This offers readers a multifaceted, thorough, and profound narrative.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 12, 2025
Wow. Humbaba was an intensely powerful read that hit me like a freight train. After spending so much time in cozy and romantic worlds, this dark metaphysical thriller was exactly the kind of palate cleanser I didn’t know I needed. Stavropoulos doesn’t just tell a story—he invades your mind with one. The atmosphere is heavy, unsettling, and beautifully constructed, pulling you deeper and deeper into the chaos with every page.
What really impressed me was how meticulously the layers of philosophy, morality, and madness intertwine. This isn’t just a thriller—it’s a psychological excavation of the human soul. The prose is sharp and deliberate, the tension almost tactile. Every scene feels like it’s teetering on the edge of revelation or ruin, and I found myself devouring chapter after chapter, desperate to know which it would be.
Stavropoulos deserves serious praise for this one. Humbaba is bold, cerebral, and haunting in all the best ways—a rare gem that dares to ask uncomfortable questions and refuses to let you look away. It’s the kind of book that lingers long after you close it, echoing in the quiet corners of your mind.
What really impressed me was how meticulously the layers of philosophy, morality, and madness intertwine. This isn’t just a thriller—it’s a psychological excavation of the human soul. The prose is sharp and deliberate, the tension almost tactile. Every scene feels like it’s teetering on the edge of revelation or ruin, and I found myself devouring chapter after chapter, desperate to know which it would be.
Stavropoulos deserves serious praise for this one. Humbaba is bold, cerebral, and haunting in all the best ways—a rare gem that dares to ask uncomfortable questions and refuses to let you look away. It’s the kind of book that lingers long after you close it, echoing in the quiet corners of your mind.
September 25, 2025
Reading HUMBABA was an unexpected experience. Instead of rushing into action, the novel takes its time, drawing you step by step into a world that feels both mysterious and unsettling. The tension builds quietly, but relentlessly, leading into a story woven with secrets, betrayals, inner struggles, and a strong sense of the metaphysical.
What impressed me most is how the book combines mythology and history with a deep philosophical-theological core. It doesn’t just entertain; it asks questions about faith, despair, knowledge, and transcendence. The narrative feels rooted in something ancient yet speaks directly to the reader’s own existential concerns.
Dark, reflective, and thought-provoking, HUMBABA is not your typical thriller. It is a novel that invites contemplation as much as it delivers suspense. I would recommend it to readers who enjoy stories with historical resonance, spiritual depth, and a haunting, ritual-like atmosphere.
What impressed me most is how the book combines mythology and history with a deep philosophical-theological core. It doesn’t just entertain; it asks questions about faith, despair, knowledge, and transcendence. The narrative feels rooted in something ancient yet speaks directly to the reader’s own existential concerns.
Dark, reflective, and thought-provoking, HUMBABA is not your typical thriller. It is a novel that invites contemplation as much as it delivers suspense. I would recommend it to readers who enjoy stories with historical resonance, spiritual depth, and a haunting, ritual-like atmosphere.
September 19, 2025
HUMBABA is unlike any other thriller I have ever read. It fuses horror, theology, philosophy, and archaeology in a way that feels ritualistic and magnetic. Each chapter moves with the weight of an ancient ceremony, creating a reading experience that is not only chilling but also spiritually profound.
What makes it truly unique is its authenticity: the use of real Mesopotamian symbols and theological traditions gives the story a historical and spiritual depth rarely found in contemporary literature. Dark, haunting, and thought-provoking — this is not just a novel that entertains, but one that lingers in the mind like a forbidden incantation.
What makes it truly unique is its authenticity: the use of real Mesopotamian symbols and theological traditions gives the story a historical and spiritual depth rarely found in contemporary literature. Dark, haunting, and thought-provoking — this is not just a novel that entertains, but one that lingers in the mind like a forbidden incantation.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews