Hand of God

by Stevie Hostetter

A voice promised Elias purpose.
It gave him followers.
It gave him miracles.
It gave him blood.

Now, as reality unravels, Elias must face the salvation was never the goal.

111 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 13, 2025

Reviews

[APK]

This one really got under my skin in a way I wasn’t expecting. It starts quietly, almost gently, and then before I realized it, I was completely wrapped up in Elias’ world—his isolation, his obedience, that unsettling sense that something isn’t quite right but you can’t look away.

What stayed with me most was how personal it felt. I didn’t just read Elias, I worried about him. I kept wanting him to question things, to push back just once, and that tension—between faith, trust, and something far more manipulative—just kept tightening. It’s the kind of story where you feel the dread building in small, suffocating layers rather than big dramatic shocks.

Also, the atmosphere? Honestly incredible. Everything feels close and airless, like you’re sitting in that little house with him, watching the candles burn down one by one and knowing it means more than it should. And the sensory details—certain smells especially—really lingered with me after I finished.

The twist didn’t just land, it shifted everything I thought I understood. Looking back, the clues were there, but I still didn’t fully brace myself for it.

Only reason it’s not a full 5 stars is because I finished it wanting just a little more—either more time with Elias or a deeper dive into what comes after. But maybe that lingering feeling is part of the point.

Dark, unsettling, and strangely intimate. Definitely one I won’t forget anytime soon.

[Katherine Black]

Atmospheric, building horror with a lovely twist ending. This is a dark story that explores faith. This book got me from the first page. The writing is fast and brilliant. The hypnotic quality suits the subject matter and reveals layers of tension as people heal…and then don’t. Elias is told what to do, and he does it with little questioning. Reality blurs, and the consequences of devotion surface. For each candle he burns in his little house, another person has been touched.

The psychological depth in a fairly short book is well-crafted and maintained. The description is beautiful, and often dusty and stifling. We see every setting as it’s laid out in visible written images. Elias is a complex character, and we question why he’s been chosen and who is doing the commanding. It feels too good to be true…and then it is. The novel questions the fragile line between faith and manipulation. Dark, thought-provoking, and well-written, with a big twist ending that’ll hit you right in the wows. A cracking delve into the dark corner of human nature.

[Jessica]

This book was akin to surrealistic painting- its beautiful, but you cant quite tell what it is; it is then up to the viewer/the reader, to make their own opinion.

The story of a tragedy; death; the loss of the family. The murder and arsen? The psychotic mind? A tale of redemption and a satire on religion- for someone who claims to be a deity might actually be its darkest counterpart.

The confused adult man unable to cope with family responsibilities, and trying to work out what the world, and his own purpose is all about?

Possibly, all of the above.

Its written beautifully, is a bit eerie; possible triggers- mental health, abuse, violence. If you are a religious person, you might find some authors deliberations triggering.

Bold and unique book that combines a number of genres.

[Jane Wood]

The Hand Of God, by Stevie Lynn Hostetter.

A horror story in the true sense of the word.

So, if you love psychological horror stories with a sense of religion at its core, then you won’t be disappointed with this gripping, intriguing dark tale full of evil and death.

I have read loads of horror stories over the years but never a book quite like this one before.
The narration was compelling with its short, sharp sentences. Each carried a punch making the story completely absorbing, shocking, and hugely scary.
Strangely, towards the end I felt a tad sorry for Elias, the main character, though he was no angel as you will find out!

The ending had an unexpected twist that left me wondering if more was in-store for Elias.
Atmospheric, descriptive, and well written.
Recommended.

[L.D. McRae]

Admittedly, this is only the second supernatural horror book I’ve read. That being said, for me, it had all the hallmarks a supernatural horror book requires. The MMC was relatable, and I kept hoping he would somehow prevail over the evil surrounding him. It kept me engaged when his circumstances continued to worsen. The story filled me with dread and fear. I was out of my comfort zone for a good portion of the book, which one would expect out of supernatural horror. For me, this atmosphere enhanced the overall suspense and terror. The author leaves hints about what the outcome of the story may be throughout the book. All I’ll say is that the scent of lavender, ashes, and, ultimately, fresh lemon will always remind me of this story.

[Lucas W Mayberry]

A demonic radio starts talking to Elias and promises to give him powers. At first it seems to be virtuous by allowing Elias to heal other people from the brink of death. But from there it makes demands of Elias that slowly become more and more evil and Elias’s life descends into a hellish nightmare. And those people that Elias brought to life? May not actually be…alive. In the traditional sense anyway. This is a genuinely chilling horror that gave me proper goosebumps. And like any good horror it was very unsettling. If you have read the author’s previous work, especially her poetry then you will appreciate her writing style as the writing is quite often poetic. There was a neat little twist at the end and a hint that there could possible be more.

[Rachel Strojny]

I am quickly becoming a fan of Stevie Hostetter's written word. I was curious where the voice was coming from and why Elias was living in a state of disrepair and loniness. I longed to comfort him and find out what path lay before him as he listened to the voice. I wanted to see him confide in Clara, to tell her what he was feeling and what was happening to him, to seek her help and support. Then, came the turning point, where I began to have a gut feeling something more was happening than what was written on the page. Now, I sit here left on the precipice of longing and needing to know more. I feel there is more to Elias' story. It was a pleasure to be an ARC reader for this tale.