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AXUM, from Tyler Jones, author of MIDAS, BURN THE PLANS, and HEAVY OCEANS, is an horror adventure novelette that digs into the past and discovers some legends are true, and some stories only scratch the surface of how history is shaped by violence.
Stockton, employed by a ruthless gangster, is sent on a mission to Ethiopia to acquire an ancient weapon.
A weapon surrounded by myths and legends, Stockton must uncover its secrets and find a way to steal it.
But there's a reason this weapon has remained hidden and protected for hundreds of years, and Stockton is about to find out why.
Featuring cover art and interior illustrations by Chris Panatier, plus a bonus "post-credits scene" by Philip Fracassi.
A limited edition chapbook from Rapture Publishing, published as a double-feature with Philip Fracassi's THE SERVITOR, which includes a "post-credits scene" written by Tyler Jones.
Stockton, employed by a ruthless gangster, is sent on a mission to Ethiopia to acquire an ancient weapon.
A weapon surrounded by myths and legends, Stockton must uncover its secrets and find a way to steal it.
But there's a reason this weapon has remained hidden and protected for hundreds of years, and Stockton is about to find out why.
Featuring cover art and interior illustrations by Chris Panatier, plus a bonus "post-credits scene" by Philip Fracassi.
A limited edition chapbook from Rapture Publishing, published as a double-feature with Philip Fracassi's THE SERVITOR, which includes a "post-credits scene" written by Tyler Jones.
Paperback
Published January 12, 2026
3 people want to read
About the author
Tyler Jones
24 books196 followersTyler Jones is the author of CRITERIUM, THE DARK SIDE OF THE ROOM, ALMOST RUTH, BURN THE PLANS, TURN UP THE SUN, HEAVY OCEANS, MIDAS, and LONGSIGHT M40.
His upcoming books include:
DEPTH CHARGE (Shortwave Publishing)
NIGHT OF THE GLASS KNIVES (Shortwave Publishing)
GO (Clash Books)
His work has appeared in the anthologies BURNT TONGUES (edited by Chuck Palahniuk), ONE THING WAS CERTAIN, 101 PROOF HORROR, CAMPFIRE MACABRE, PARANORMAL CONTACT and in Dark Moon Digest, Coffin Bell, Aphotic Realm, Cemetery Dance, LitReactor, and The NoSleep Podcast.
He lives in Portland, Oregon.
He is represented by Elizabeth Copps at Copps Literary Agency and Alec Frankel at IAG for Film/TV.
His upcoming books include:
DEPTH CHARGE (Shortwave Publishing)
NIGHT OF THE GLASS KNIVES (Shortwave Publishing)
GO (Clash Books)
His work has appeared in the anthologies BURNT TONGUES (edited by Chuck Palahniuk), ONE THING WAS CERTAIN, 101 PROOF HORROR, CAMPFIRE MACABRE, PARANORMAL CONTACT and in Dark Moon Digest, Coffin Bell, Aphotic Realm, Cemetery Dance, LitReactor, and The NoSleep Podcast.
He lives in Portland, Oregon.
He is represented by Elizabeth Copps at Copps Literary Agency and Alec Frankel at IAG for Film/TV.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 28, 2026
Surprise it's another Rapture review and another Tyler Jones review, clearly I have a book type.
I loved the historical fiction vibe with just a bit of religious horror, one I'd my favorite things but make it a heist!
Our MC, Stockton, is hired to get a weapon and of course the worst of the worst is his employer. And it's not as simple as just breaking in and grabbing it, this weapon is the stuff myths seem to be made of and not just because it's powerful, because this isn't the first time someone has tried to steal it, taking it might cost a little but more then some sweat.
The deeper Stockton got the more I was like, my guy turn back, to be fair that would probably mean hiding the rest of his life from the gangster that hired him to do this job, but is it worth it??
You ever wondered what would happen if you ran into the Ark of the Covenant, but like make it horror?
This was fantastically tense, I hope we get more like this in the future.
Oh and anotjet cool part of this.
At the end of the book is a little short story by Philip Fracassi and you meet some characters you might remember, it's such a cool bonus.
I loved the historical fiction vibe with just a bit of religious horror, one I'd my favorite things but make it a heist!
Our MC, Stockton, is hired to get a weapon and of course the worst of the worst is his employer. And it's not as simple as just breaking in and grabbing it, this weapon is the stuff myths seem to be made of and not just because it's powerful, because this isn't the first time someone has tried to steal it, taking it might cost a little but more then some sweat.
The deeper Stockton got the more I was like, my guy turn back, to be fair that would probably mean hiding the rest of his life from the gangster that hired him to do this job, but is it worth it??
You ever wondered what would happen if you ran into the Ark of the Covenant, but like make it horror?
This was fantastically tense, I hope we get more like this in the future.
Oh and anotjet cool part of this.
At the end of the book is a little short story by Philip Fracassi and you meet some characters you might remember, it's such a cool bonus.
February 3, 2026
*review to come
February 5, 2026
This is the story I have been wanting to read ever since watching Graham Norton’s series on ancient history. What Tyler has done with Axum is put on a brilliant clinic of historical-based storytelling laced with the superNOIRtural. It’s as if he took a bit of Indian Jones, a bit of Tomb Raider, any Dan Brown villain, and tossed them in a Vitamix set to 10. The result is this syrupy-smooth chapbook just waiting to be gulped down.
Stockton, not his real name, is the right-hand for his Boss Damian, an infamous “collector” from the West Coast. Upon learning that the Ark of the Covenant exists in the ancient catacombs under a Church in Axum, Ethiopia (a premise that is based on a real-life theory) he sends Stockton on a mission to obtain the treasure. Stockton meets Peter, a local with connections to the monks who belong to an ancient order and guard site, and arranges for a tour of the underground temple. This is a recon mission, data gathering, so he can return later to finish his primary goal. What Stockton learns during his visit is that he is FAR from the first to attempt a heist, and the fate of would-be thieves is more horrific than he can comprehend.
Included in this edition is the add-on story “Sunset” by Philip Fracassi and is also a must read. It spins-off the Axum story with new characters who are related to originals in Axum, some time after the original story. A very fitting follow-up with an unexpected twist.
Both AXUM and SUNSET leave a strong taste and will have you wanting more from this universe.
Stockton, not his real name, is the right-hand for his Boss Damian, an infamous “collector” from the West Coast. Upon learning that the Ark of the Covenant exists in the ancient catacombs under a Church in Axum, Ethiopia (a premise that is based on a real-life theory) he sends Stockton on a mission to obtain the treasure. Stockton meets Peter, a local with connections to the monks who belong to an ancient order and guard site, and arranges for a tour of the underground temple. This is a recon mission, data gathering, so he can return later to finish his primary goal. What Stockton learns during his visit is that he is FAR from the first to attempt a heist, and the fate of would-be thieves is more horrific than he can comprehend.
Included in this edition is the add-on story “Sunset” by Philip Fracassi and is also a must read. It spins-off the Axum story with new characters who are related to originals in Axum, some time after the original story. A very fitting follow-up with an unexpected twist.
Both AXUM and SUNSET leave a strong taste and will have you wanting more from this universe.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews