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Occult Assassin #1
Damnation Code
Driven by vengeance, one man declares war against the forces of darkness.
After a decade spent fighting the enemy abroad and keeping his country safe, Delta Force Operator Mark Talon is ready to put his military career behind him and settle down with the love of his life. But Talon's world crumbles when his fiancée becomes the victim of a murderous cult. The military man now has a new foe in his crosshairs, and this promises to be a very different war.
The person responsible for his beloved's death is a Silicon Valley tycoon allied with the forces of darkness. Fusing cutting-edge computer technology with an ancient evil, the enemy here cannot be stopped by bullets alone. If Talon is to be victorious in his mission of vengeance, he will need to master a new method of warfare -- the arcane arts! He must become... the Occult Assassin.
"Occult Assassin moves like a bullet exploding from Talon's 9mm Glock. " -- Nicholas Sansbury Smith, best-selling author of EXTINCTION HORIZON/ORBS.
"Reads like the Punisher versus the forces of darkness." -- Amazon Reviewer
"Recommended for readers of military horror." -- G. N. Braun, editor of the best-selling SNAFU series.
"Good mix of the supernatural and action/thriller." -- Mark Lukens, best-selling author of ANCIENT ENEMY.
After a decade spent fighting the enemy abroad and keeping his country safe, Delta Force Operator Mark Talon is ready to put his military career behind him and settle down with the love of his life. But Talon's world crumbles when his fiancée becomes the victim of a murderous cult. The military man now has a new foe in his crosshairs, and this promises to be a very different war.
The person responsible for his beloved's death is a Silicon Valley tycoon allied with the forces of darkness. Fusing cutting-edge computer technology with an ancient evil, the enemy here cannot be stopped by bullets alone. If Talon is to be victorious in his mission of vengeance, he will need to master a new method of warfare -- the arcane arts! He must become... the Occult Assassin.
"Occult Assassin moves like a bullet exploding from Talon's 9mm Glock. " -- Nicholas Sansbury Smith, best-selling author of EXTINCTION HORIZON/ORBS.
"Reads like the Punisher versus the forces of darkness." -- Amazon Reviewer
"Recommended for readers of military horror." -- G. N. Braun, editor of the best-selling SNAFU series.
"Good mix of the supernatural and action/thriller." -- Mark Lukens, best-selling author of ANCIENT ENEMY.
210 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 31, 2015
508 people are currently reading
1740 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
September 5, 2023
Loved this book the second time around!
Small backstory:
Mark Talon is with the Delta Force and he decides to come home to be with his girlfriend (Michelle) as he is wanting to ask her to marry him. Michelle is a reporter with a newspaper and she is in the middle of a breaking story. Mark and Michelle don't get a chance to be together long as things turn sour real quick when Michelle is brutally murdered.
Mark then goes into vengeance mode as he wants to track down and kill the murderers. In steps Simon Casca, a billionaire that seems to know details of not only Mark's life but Michelle's life as well. Simon knows who might be behind the murder and there have been more murders as well that have been happening and he wants to see justice done. Mark finds out from Simon that the murders are somehow connected to a cult that deals in the occult and to take out the cult then Mark has to learn the dark arts as physical power will not work at all against the cultists.
That is about all I can give out on a small backstory so if you are intrigued then go read this book and start of this series!
Thoughts:
This story kicks off with a bang and the story stays full throttle throughout the book. This was my second time reading this book as I remember loving this series, so it is time for a reread as it has been awhile.
Lots of action abounds within these pages and through the whole book it was just one thing right after another! The visual aspects of the story itself just comes alive on the pages and I love the character Mark Talon as he is like The Punisher on steroids! This is one bad ass guy! You cannot knock down Mark Talon as he will just keep on coming till he gets what he wants!
Once again this book kept my insomnia fueled a few days and nights as I just could not seem to put the book down! Giving this book five "Action Packed" stars!
Small backstory:
Mark Talon is with the Delta Force and he decides to come home to be with his girlfriend (Michelle) as he is wanting to ask her to marry him. Michelle is a reporter with a newspaper and she is in the middle of a breaking story. Mark and Michelle don't get a chance to be together long as things turn sour real quick when Michelle is brutally murdered.
Mark then goes into vengeance mode as he wants to track down and kill the murderers. In steps Simon Casca, a billionaire that seems to know details of not only Mark's life but Michelle's life as well. Simon knows who might be behind the murder and there have been more murders as well that have been happening and he wants to see justice done. Mark finds out from Simon that the murders are somehow connected to a cult that deals in the occult and to take out the cult then Mark has to learn the dark arts as physical power will not work at all against the cultists.
That is about all I can give out on a small backstory so if you are intrigued then go read this book and start of this series!
Thoughts:
This story kicks off with a bang and the story stays full throttle throughout the book. This was my second time reading this book as I remember loving this series, so it is time for a reread as it has been awhile.
Lots of action abounds within these pages and through the whole book it was just one thing right after another! The visual aspects of the story itself just comes alive on the pages and I love the character Mark Talon as he is like The Punisher on steroids! This is one bad ass guy! You cannot knock down Mark Talon as he will just keep on coming till he gets what he wants!
Once again this book kept my insomnia fueled a few days and nights as I just could not seem to put the book down! Giving this book five "Action Packed" stars!
February 6, 2022
Noire & tech.
Now, this is a boilerplate thriller-y thingy with an extra take on the occult and the tech simultaneously. Not much on terms of tech-y stuff which is more than overcorrected by all the 'roboboy' vibe, a technothriller cult, murder cult, suicide pacts, binariezed Devil-y stuff, the apocalyptic setting and boatloads of angst.
Q:
Did the cult gather at Apple Stores to spread its wacky gospel and recruit new members? (c) Sure they do! I knew it all along!
Now, this is a boilerplate thriller-y thingy with an extra take on the occult and the tech simultaneously. Not much on terms of tech-y stuff which is more than overcorrected by all the 'roboboy' vibe, a technothriller cult, murder cult, suicide pacts, binariezed Devil-y stuff, the apocalyptic setting and boatloads of angst.
Q:
Did the cult gather at Apple Stores to spread its wacky gospel and recruit new members? (c) Sure they do! I knew it all along!
November 19, 2020
It's been a while since I reviewed a book. Therefore I have a fairly "good" number of books languishing on my "currently reading" shelf that I have finished. So...back to reviewing.
This is a book I'd place firmly between really good and not bad. I'm obviously going closer to "really good" as I rate it 4 stars. I can endorse it for action fans, urban fantasy fans and even horror fans as a good "light" read.
And by light I mean pretty much feather weight. There isn't a deep story here nor are there nuances of plot and/or character development. It's simply a good straight forward story. The good story telling saves it from becoming blah. You do get to know the main participants pretty well and the story is plausible "within the world of the book" (I mean it's a fantasy book). No rules are set up and then dismissed for convenience. The plot rolls along makes a good story.
There were even a couple of places where i expected a twist and it never materialized...still a good read.
I enjoyed this brain candy and as I've been having trouble getting into any book at all it may be just what I needed at this time. I think that unless you're hoping for a convoluted story with multiple subtle plot points you'll enjoy this one at least a little. It's a sort of vacation. As I said "brain candy". Something to melt on your mental tongue before the next serious meal.
Enjoy.
This is a book I'd place firmly between really good and not bad. I'm obviously going closer to "really good" as I rate it 4 stars. I can endorse it for action fans, urban fantasy fans and even horror fans as a good "light" read.
And by light I mean pretty much feather weight. There isn't a deep story here nor are there nuances of plot and/or character development. It's simply a good straight forward story. The good story telling saves it from becoming blah. You do get to know the main participants pretty well and the story is plausible "within the world of the book" (I mean it's a fantasy book). No rules are set up and then dismissed for convenience. The plot rolls along makes a good story.
There were even a couple of places where i expected a twist and it never materialized...still a good read.
I enjoyed this brain candy and as I've been having trouble getting into any book at all it may be just what I needed at this time. I think that unless you're hoping for a convoluted story with multiple subtle plot points you'll enjoy this one at least a little. It's a sort of vacation. As I said "brain candy". Something to melt on your mental tongue before the next serious meal.
Enjoy.
September 23, 2023
Whoa! Once the story got started, it didn't stop!
The concept is compelling, and the possibilities expansive, but are all the characters interesting enough?
I fear the main character being one-dimensional (hard-ass ex-Delta Force). I wonder if the author has left anything for us to learn about him. Will he grow?
I like Serrone, but after this experience, I would be shocked if she stayed on the force due to her obligations. Will she join Team Talon? (Not that that would be any safer).
And what about Casca? Is he like Batman and Iron Man? Does he have any talents or just a lot of money?
What I do know is that this entry into the series has produced enough questions for me to want to seek answers, so I will definitely read Apocalypse Soldier.
The concept is compelling, and the possibilities expansive, but are all the characters interesting enough?
I fear the main character being one-dimensional (hard-ass ex-Delta Force). I wonder if the author has left anything for us to learn about him. Will he grow?
I like Serrone, but after this experience, I would be shocked if she stayed on the force due to her obligations. Will she join Team Talon? (Not that that would be any safer).
And what about Casca? Is he like Batman and Iron Man? Does he have any talents or just a lot of money?
What I do know is that this entry into the series has produced enough questions for me to want to seek answers, so I will definitely read Apocalypse Soldier.
September 25, 2023
Bad Guy Imbroglio! Terminator or just Terminated! "Well, there I was, filled with demonic glory, ready to spawn all over the world, but ... (lifts and shakes fists) ... the good guy had a magic trinket! Those things should be outlawed!" - Zagan - The Omicron Obituary
Started slowly ... nah, just kidding ... an excellent story here. And yes, the characters are a bit thin, but just good rollicking fun, easy to read, and I'll read on to see the main characters flesh out a little with more time to play with.
Recommended, 5 'Battle Worn,' stars.
Read this with the fine folk over at Nightmares and Dreamscapes in Aug/Sept 2023.
Started slowly ... nah, just kidding ... an excellent story here. And yes, the characters are a bit thin, but just good rollicking fun, easy to read, and I'll read on to see the main characters flesh out a little with more time to play with.
Recommended, 5 'Battle Worn,' stars.
Read this with the fine folk over at Nightmares and Dreamscapes in Aug/Sept 2023.
September 13, 2023
This deserves a 3.5 star rating, but I lack the know-how to insert fractional ratings on Goodreads.
An easy, fun read with plenty of hooks and gripping scenes to keep me engaged. Very intense in many scenes. I see how Massa is cleverly foreshadowing a continuing series. The set-up is impressive.
To be fair, this is a page-turner that I took 10+ days to finish due to other commitments and a vacation at a very remote cabin with no internet connections. Even though I read this casually, the novel filled a need for some straight-forward, action-adventure reading that I had been craving. Every once in awhile I search out books that for one reason or another don't require a deeper involvement in the story or characters. I just want something that I can read quickly while it entertains me. This satisfied, and I'll eventually read more in the Occult Assassin series.
Main character Mark Talon reminds me of both Jack Reacher and the Marc Bolan of the late 1970's Executioner paperback series (also an inspiration for Marvel's The Punisher). What makes Damnation Code more appealing to me compared to the latest Reacher novel is that it's even faster-paced and also deals with supernatural themes and demonology. The mix of cyber-tech and satanic rituals here was a real pleaser for me.
An easy, fun read with plenty of hooks and gripping scenes to keep me engaged. Very intense in many scenes. I see how Massa is cleverly foreshadowing a continuing series. The set-up is impressive.
To be fair, this is a page-turner that I took 10+ days to finish due to other commitments and a vacation at a very remote cabin with no internet connections. Even though I read this casually, the novel filled a need for some straight-forward, action-adventure reading that I had been craving. Every once in awhile I search out books that for one reason or another don't require a deeper involvement in the story or characters. I just want something that I can read quickly while it entertains me. This satisfied, and I'll eventually read more in the Occult Assassin series.
Main character Mark Talon reminds me of both Jack Reacher and the Marc Bolan of the late 1970's Executioner paperback series (also an inspiration for Marvel's The Punisher). What makes Damnation Code more appealing to me compared to the latest Reacher novel is that it's even faster-paced and also deals with supernatural themes and demonology. The mix of cyber-tech and satanic rituals here was a real pleaser for me.
February 4, 2015
Apocalyptic cult. Delta Force soldier on a mission of revenge. True demons in the machine. If any of this sounds interesting to you, then Occult Assassin: Damnation Code is a book you will enjoy.
Occult Assassin clocks in at a little over 200 action packed, lightning quick pages and although this book spends a good bit of it's time involving the reader in Talon's motivations, it definitely doesn't slack in the action department. I could see Hollywood banging on Mr. Massa's door begging to make this into a great action movie (starring Jason Statham as Talon in my mind).
Enter Talon, an experienced member of Delta Force. An amazing character who the author spends some real time fleshing out for the reader. His motivations are genuine and devastating. His mission is revenge served messy, and he won't stop until his revenge is delivered to every last guilty party.
The villainous apocalyptic cult has its origins in Silicon Valley. Zagan (which ironically my tablet just auto corrected into Satan) is a bottom of the rung programmer with ambition. He discovers the occult by accident and realizes that there is real power in ritual. Over the years, Zagan has set about perfecting the ritual to take over the world. He cultivates a cult to aid in writing the ultimate program. One that will take over the world, but there is a "ghost in the machine". A REAL ghost in the machine and it's end game is world domination. Maybe this is why I don't auto update apps. And I thought Apple was the devil!!!
If you like your action spiced up with a little paranormal, give Occult Assassin: Damnation Code a read. This short novel gets a great grade from me.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Occult Assassin clocks in at a little over 200 action packed, lightning quick pages and although this book spends a good bit of it's time involving the reader in Talon's motivations, it definitely doesn't slack in the action department. I could see Hollywood banging on Mr. Massa's door begging to make this into a great action movie (starring Jason Statham as Talon in my mind).
Enter Talon, an experienced member of Delta Force. An amazing character who the author spends some real time fleshing out for the reader. His motivations are genuine and devastating. His mission is revenge served messy, and he won't stop until his revenge is delivered to every last guilty party.
The villainous apocalyptic cult has its origins in Silicon Valley. Zagan (which ironically my tablet just auto corrected into Satan) is a bottom of the rung programmer with ambition. He discovers the occult by accident and realizes that there is real power in ritual. Over the years, Zagan has set about perfecting the ritual to take over the world. He cultivates a cult to aid in writing the ultimate program. One that will take over the world, but there is a "ghost in the machine". A REAL ghost in the machine and it's end game is world domination. Maybe this is why I don't auto update apps. And I thought Apple was the devil!!!
If you like your action spiced up with a little paranormal, give Occult Assassin: Damnation Code a read. This short novel gets a great grade from me.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 12, 2021
What do you get when you combine demonology with computer code? You get a fast paced, action packed, fun little novel called The Damnation Code by William Massa. A Silicon Valley billionaire has found a way to take over people through computer code turning them into fanatical little cultists who will kill for him—even killing themselves. Each death feeds the demon behind the billionaire’s rise to power bringing the world closer to the apocalypse. Fortunately, the mad billionaire makes a tiny little error—sacrificing the girlfriend of a special forces soldier who takes extraordinary exception to the murder. The result is a lot of fun.
If you liked this review, you can find more at www.gilbertstack.com/reviews.
If you liked this review, you can find more at www.gilbertstack.com/reviews.
August 4, 2015
This was such a speedy and entertaining read. I hadn't heard of it before prior to seeing it come up for review, so didn't really know what to expect when I started! I didn't expect to absolutely devour the book in a matter of hours!
Talon returns from Afghanistan with the intention of spending time with his girlfriend, whom he hopes will become his wife! She accepts his proposal but Talon gets a call that an old army buddy is in need so he goes to help. When he returns, it's to see the love of his life dead in an apparent cult kill. He goes off the rails for a while but swears vengeance on her killers. What starts out as vengeance though, quickly becomes his way of life when he sees exactly what the cult is capable of. Thus the Occult Assassin is born.
What can I say that will do this story justice other than it's simply amazing?? Let's start with the characters first! I loved Talon. He is in peak condition, so of course is bad ass. He adores his girlfriend and wants to marry her, so when he finds her dead, it broke my heart. He deserved some HEA but it wasn't to be! But out of this tragedy, a warrior is born. He has always fought for people but this fight is something he never experience. He has to learn about the supernatural and put aside everything he thinks he knows, in order to survive. He is a character that you just can't help but love.
The plot of this was so fast paced and intense that I listened to it in one sitting because I couldn't put it down. I loved how the author brought together technology and the supernatural. It was well done and easily believable, and heck, most of us think that the big corporations are evil ;)
In all this was an unputdownable read and one I can't recommend enough. I can not wait to dive into the next one to see where Talons' story brings us, good thing I have it queued on my kindle!!!
James Foster was amazing in this. He really brought this story to life. He had the pacing perfectly and ramped up the tension with his voice when needed. I was on the edge of my seat thanks to his performance!!
*I received a copy of this in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
Talon returns from Afghanistan with the intention of spending time with his girlfriend, whom he hopes will become his wife! She accepts his proposal but Talon gets a call that an old army buddy is in need so he goes to help. When he returns, it's to see the love of his life dead in an apparent cult kill. He goes off the rails for a while but swears vengeance on her killers. What starts out as vengeance though, quickly becomes his way of life when he sees exactly what the cult is capable of. Thus the Occult Assassin is born.
What can I say that will do this story justice other than it's simply amazing?? Let's start with the characters first! I loved Talon. He is in peak condition, so of course is bad ass. He adores his girlfriend and wants to marry her, so when he finds her dead, it broke my heart. He deserved some HEA but it wasn't to be! But out of this tragedy, a warrior is born. He has always fought for people but this fight is something he never experience. He has to learn about the supernatural and put aside everything he thinks he knows, in order to survive. He is a character that you just can't help but love.
The plot of this was so fast paced and intense that I listened to it in one sitting because I couldn't put it down. I loved how the author brought together technology and the supernatural. It was well done and easily believable, and heck, most of us think that the big corporations are evil ;)
In all this was an unputdownable read and one I can't recommend enough. I can not wait to dive into the next one to see where Talons' story brings us, good thing I have it queued on my kindle!!!
James Foster was amazing in this. He really brought this story to life. He had the pacing perfectly and ramped up the tension with his voice when needed. I was on the edge of my seat thanks to his performance!!
*I received a copy of this in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
March 1, 2015
I agree with a few other reviewers in that Mark Talon reminds me a lot of Mack Bolan, the Executioner. The Executioner books were VERY popular in the 70's and led to the development of characters like the Punisher and the Death Wish movies. In an odd coincidence, I recently reread the 1st Executioner book
, on my Kindle and loved it all over again. I first read that book back in March of 73 and every Bolan thereafter for the next 10 years or so.
But this series has a twist, with the forces of evil/demons being the main villains. I liked it and will be moving on to his novella:
. The 3 stars does not mean I did not like this book, I liked it a lot, but to me this is not a 5 star book, maybe a 4, but I am being honest. It is pretty basic in plot and character development. I like Massa's writing, and I really liked his
(and would love to read a sequel to that one).
This is a nice action thriller that brought back some good memories from the 70's. I will continue to read this series to see where William takes his hero Mark Talon to. I read this book via the Kindle Unlimited program.
, on my Kindle and loved it all over again. I first read that book back in March of 73 and every Bolan thereafter for the next 10 years or so.But this series has a twist, with the forces of evil/demons being the main villains. I liked it and will be moving on to his novella:
. The 3 stars does not mean I did not like this book, I liked it a lot, but to me this is not a 5 star book, maybe a 4, but I am being honest. It is pretty basic in plot and character development. I like Massa's writing, and I really liked his
(and would love to read a sequel to that one).This is a nice action thriller that brought back some good memories from the 70's. I will continue to read this series to see where William takes his hero Mark Talon to. I read this book via the Kindle Unlimited program.
December 24, 2015
Damnation Code was a very fast paced military thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat. I thoroughly enjoyed this book as it reminded me of the TV show 'The Following', dealing with the whole cult/mass killing scenario powered by one man. Our hero, Talon, is definitely one to root for and the idea of a large technology corporation being the source of these cult members is definitely a fun and interesting twist. I'm very much looking forward reading more from Massa and will definitely read all of the books in this series!
As for the narration, I thought James Foster did a fine job. I'm not too keen on his character voices, but his narration otherwise is superb.
As for the narration, I thought James Foster did a fine job. I'm not too keen on his character voices, but his narration otherwise is superb.
July 20, 2015
ABR's original Damnation Code audiobook review and many others can be found at Audiobook Reviewer.
This audiobook is one of the reasons I love that, years ago, I started this humble little audiobook review blog. Because people bring me audiobooks that I may have passed over for whatever reason. It is really hard to keep up with all of the happenings in the audiobook community.
Ok, on to Damnation Code. From the very first scene introducing us to some occult happenings. Enter the protagonist, Talon, just returning home from a tour in Afghanistan. Quickly he finds that his fiancée has been murdered by members of a cult (This is not a spoiler because it is in the summary). Before this happened I thought the whole audiobook moved a bit slowly, however, after this point it moved along at a frenzied pace. Then we find that the cult is a super evil corporation, injecting ancient occult ceremonial magic into the source code of many of it’s devices.
I love that Massa took the time to make a giant technology corporation as the bad guy in this story. It will fit in with many people’s existing thoughts and feelings about such entities. Along with the super evil and powerful CEO. I am also very pleased with the introduction to one of my new favorite heroes, Talon, I see the potential for so many more great adventures for this quick thinking military bad ass.
Damnation Code is a nice mix of paranormal horrors and military action to create a fun fast paced urban fantasy concoction. Interesting characters, great action, gripping storyline, fast paced and a very quick listen. I will be listening to more of this great new series.
Every performance that I have listened to by James Foster has been absolutely stellar. His performance here is no exception. Just read my reviews of Foster’s other work and you will see what I mean. If you don’t want to read those. Foster’s two greatest strengths are. 1. Sounding like an unpolished everyman and 2. pacing fluctuation. These two things are enough to draw me into just about anything.
Audiobook provided for review by the narrator.
This audiobook is one of the reasons I love that, years ago, I started this humble little audiobook review blog. Because people bring me audiobooks that I may have passed over for whatever reason. It is really hard to keep up with all of the happenings in the audiobook community.
Ok, on to Damnation Code. From the very first scene introducing us to some occult happenings. Enter the protagonist, Talon, just returning home from a tour in Afghanistan. Quickly he finds that his fiancée has been murdered by members of a cult (This is not a spoiler because it is in the summary). Before this happened I thought the whole audiobook moved a bit slowly, however, after this point it moved along at a frenzied pace. Then we find that the cult is a super evil corporation, injecting ancient occult ceremonial magic into the source code of many of it’s devices.
I love that Massa took the time to make a giant technology corporation as the bad guy in this story. It will fit in with many people’s existing thoughts and feelings about such entities. Along with the super evil and powerful CEO. I am also very pleased with the introduction to one of my new favorite heroes, Talon, I see the potential for so many more great adventures for this quick thinking military bad ass.
Damnation Code is a nice mix of paranormal horrors and military action to create a fun fast paced urban fantasy concoction. Interesting characters, great action, gripping storyline, fast paced and a very quick listen. I will be listening to more of this great new series.
Every performance that I have listened to by James Foster has been absolutely stellar. His performance here is no exception. Just read my reviews of Foster’s other work and you will see what I mean. If you don’t want to read those. Foster’s two greatest strengths are. 1. Sounding like an unpolished everyman and 2. pacing fluctuation. These two things are enough to draw me into just about anything.
Audiobook provided for review by the narrator.
February 11, 2015
"Occult Assassin: Damnation Code (Book 1)" by William Massa opens with a powerful scene that introduces the horrors to come and the well paced action in this excellent thriller. As the title implies, we're into dark territory here with a plot that kicks off with kidnappings and murders that involve the filming of the victim's suffering.
A battle between the evil cult and the good guys begins that will continue for a few books to come. While trained in the military and technologically astute, our hero Tallon still struggles to save his fiance who has fallen in the hands of the cult. The dark horror of satanic forces are a world he has yet to conquer.
This is well written with realistic dialogue and well set up scenes, powerful action and strong suspense. The story ends with some denouement but hints at where the next book will be going.
A great read.
A battle between the evil cult and the good guys begins that will continue for a few books to come. While trained in the military and technologically astute, our hero Tallon still struggles to save his fiance who has fallen in the hands of the cult. The dark horror of satanic forces are a world he has yet to conquer.
This is well written with realistic dialogue and well set up scenes, powerful action and strong suspense. The story ends with some denouement but hints at where the next book will be going.
A great read.
December 21, 2015
Another book which managed to pleasantly surprise me. This is definitely a thriller with a twist. The main character, Mark Talon, decides that while on leave from the military he would propose to his girlfriend. All goes well until she ends up brutally murdered by members of an apocalyptic cult, and Talon sets out for revenge.
Plenty of time is spent on Talon's motivation and thoughts, but there is still time for plenty of action sequences. In parts it reminded me of a screenplay, as there was always something happening, even if it might have been off to one side, but everything made sense and nothing was really wasted. The book was well written, with good characterisation (even for the minor characters) and I couldn't help but wish Talon well in his endeavours.
Plenty of time is spent on Talon's motivation and thoughts, but there is still time for plenty of action sequences. In parts it reminded me of a screenplay, as there was always something happening, even if it might have been off to one side, but everything made sense and nothing was really wasted. The book was well written, with good characterisation (even for the minor characters) and I couldn't help but wish Talon well in his endeavours.
March 8, 2015
Im a huge fan of Mr Massa's books each one so different to the next; a sign of a brilliant writer that has so many great ideas. So I couldn't wait to read Occult Assassin the start of a fab new series when it appeared in my inbox.
I have to say Mr Massa's books are unique to anything I have read; I love the powerful combination of science fiction, horror and murder mystery; especially with this new Occult Assassin series.
I'm loving the main character and hero Delta Force operator Mark Talon who is immediately likable and very realistic. We see him ready to settle down and planning a future with his beautiful fiance, but that was never going to happen was it....as she is sadistically murdered for what secrets she had uncovered as a journalist. I'm so disappointed she was killed off as I really liked her...sigh!
Of course Talon goes on a revenge mission to uncover why and who and we are all right behind him in yet another brilliant, unputdownable fast paced read. Mr Massa has cleverly combined technology and the occult; so the only way to fight these murderous cult members is to become an occult assassin himself. Its James Bond meets futuristic dark arts technology.
I hate spoilers so you really NEED to read the book to find out more. These edge of seat action scenes are horrific and gruesomely realistic as William's powerful text puts you right there next to Talon; where you can feel his grief and deep loss and you know he's not going to stop till he's delivered his own justified revenge. Its so different to anything else you may have read just go buy it...honestly.
Yet another excellent, well written, brilliant idea for a book and I cant wait to read book 2 Occult Assassin Apocalypse Soldier. I would highly recommend too; reading the prequel to this new series Occult Assassin Ice God for a brief introduction to Mark Talon.
But Damnation Code is a complete read in itself and I cant wait to see what Talon is upto in book 2 Apocalypse soldier.
*I was kindly sent a copy for this review.
I have to say Mr Massa's books are unique to anything I have read; I love the powerful combination of science fiction, horror and murder mystery; especially with this new Occult Assassin series.
I'm loving the main character and hero Delta Force operator Mark Talon who is immediately likable and very realistic. We see him ready to settle down and planning a future with his beautiful fiance, but that was never going to happen was it....as she is sadistically murdered for what secrets she had uncovered as a journalist. I'm so disappointed she was killed off as I really liked her...sigh!
Of course Talon goes on a revenge mission to uncover why and who and we are all right behind him in yet another brilliant, unputdownable fast paced read. Mr Massa has cleverly combined technology and the occult; so the only way to fight these murderous cult members is to become an occult assassin himself. Its James Bond meets futuristic dark arts technology.
I hate spoilers so you really NEED to read the book to find out more. These edge of seat action scenes are horrific and gruesomely realistic as William's powerful text puts you right there next to Talon; where you can feel his grief and deep loss and you know he's not going to stop till he's delivered his own justified revenge. Its so different to anything else you may have read just go buy it...honestly.
Yet another excellent, well written, brilliant idea for a book and I cant wait to read book 2 Occult Assassin Apocalypse Soldier. I would highly recommend too; reading the prequel to this new series Occult Assassin Ice God for a brief introduction to Mark Talon.
But Damnation Code is a complete read in itself and I cant wait to see what Talon is upto in book 2 Apocalypse soldier.
*I was kindly sent a copy for this review.
January 30, 2015
Awesome book! Well written and action packed, very entertaining. There is so much going on in this story that you won't be bored for one second. I loved the characters, Mark Talon is such a great character and if you have read his other book (Ice God) you have already fallen in love.
There was a sad part in the story, I knew it was coming but I was still sad. It was also full of details and a bit scary for me but I really love the storyline and I am looking forward to more.
I was scared for a second when Mark got "bad" for a bit and was thinking how is the author going to fix this??? But of course he didn't disappoint and knew just what to do.
I have to say that there is even a little bit of romance in this one and I really enjoyed it. I liked getting to know his fiancée and his best friend Erik.
Recommended if you like your stories with a little mystery and action packed.
There was a sad part in the story, I knew it was coming but I was still sad. It was also full of details and a bit scary for me but I really love the storyline and I am looking forward to more.
I was scared for a second when Mark got "bad" for a bit and was thinking how is the author going to fix this??? But of course he didn't disappoint and knew just what to do.
I have to say that there is even a little bit of romance in this one and I really enjoyed it. I liked getting to know his fiancée and his best friend Erik.
Recommended if you like your stories with a little mystery and action packed.
March 9, 2015
Great book! It's a fast paced action packed thriller. It's a story of the battle between good and evil. The main character (Mark Talon) embarks on a journey of revenge utilizing his skills that he earned as a member of the Delta Force. He faces dark forces that push him to his limits. I could not put the book down. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
January 13, 2021
Really enjoyed this book, will definitely continue to read more of this series.
June 17, 2018
A clever spin puts this occult tale in the heart Silicon Valley and mixes arcane rights with modern tech. The book is on the short side but it could prove to be an interesting series.
April 10, 2020
RECOMMENDED
"Damnation Code" is a great beginning to the Occult
Assassin series. Mark Talon, on leave from Delta,
is confronted with the murder of his fiancee by an
Occult cult.
"Damnation Code" is a great beginning to the Occult
Assassin series. Mark Talon, on leave from Delta,
is confronted with the murder of his fiancee by an
Occult cult.
April 29, 2020
With it's Shadow Detective series William Massa became one of my go-to for great reads. So when I was in a funk, I when to another of his series for my next reads. I was not disappointed. Damnation Code is full of action, as a strong main character, an interesting villain and is well written, well paced and not to long (the 150 to 200 pages format is perfect for me). The idea of demon possession and occult spell through a computer code was brilliant and made the story fresh and modern. Thank you M. Massa for another great read.
September 4, 2015
What a roller coaster ride. This book is non-stop action from the first page to the last. Mr. Massa knows how to ramp up the action in no uncertain terms.
The story begins with the murder of Steve Delaney, a UBER driver. The murderer’s IPhone telecast Delaney’s murder to a mysterious man wearing a robotic death mask and to two other phones. Strange sing-song chanting by the masked man is heard and the 3 others then committed suicide on the Golden Gate Bridge.
Flash forward and Mark Talon, Delta Force Soldier and most decorated soldier in all the military branches, is on his way home to pop the question to his investigative reporter girlfriend, Michelle. After accepting his proposal, all hell breaks loose in her apartment after Talon goes to the aid of an old military friend; Michelle is murdered in a horrible way within a pentagram by a Satanic Cult before he returns. What was she investigating that could have led to her death? The villains do not realize the can of worms they have opened by killing Talon’s fiancée and he has the backing of Simon Casca, owner of a technology company, billionaire and occult expert. Casca has personal knowledge of the evil of this cult.
Enter the villain of this story, Robert Zagan, CEO Of Omicron Technologies and Satanic Cult Leader. His first satanic kill was a cat, whose blood he used to computer program the death of his boss in his shiny Lexus. Zagan continued implanting satanic code to his games. The ultimate evil has been born in the computer world. He has a hold over his employees; they are killing for him and they wear a wrist tattoo of a binary code, which reads as 666. He has created an occult algorithm. But even Zagan doesn’t realize what he has created; there are unexpected implications. A few more blood sacrifices, the world will his oyster, his to control and manipulate; total control. What a story follows!
The action does not stop; as you are led piece-by-piece, clue-by-clue to the conclusion of this book, but not the conclusion of this story. This is just the beginning. It will make your hair stand on end. Technology today is very advanced and it is frightening to think what a truly evil person could do with enough money and power. Whether you believe in Satan, demons, and spells or not, this is a great read.
Mr. Massa paints a picture that is very scary and does it very well. The plotting is excellent, the pacing of the story is great; it will keep you on the edge of your seat. You can almost feel the evil coming off the pages. You will not lose interest in this story. I could not stop reading; I had to know what was happening next.
This book is for the person that likes fast paced action that is well written. I look forward to reading book two. Great job Mr. Massa.
This book was a free read on Amazon at time of my download or can purchased at a store or site of your choice.
The story begins with the murder of Steve Delaney, a UBER driver. The murderer’s IPhone telecast Delaney’s murder to a mysterious man wearing a robotic death mask and to two other phones. Strange sing-song chanting by the masked man is heard and the 3 others then committed suicide on the Golden Gate Bridge.
Flash forward and Mark Talon, Delta Force Soldier and most decorated soldier in all the military branches, is on his way home to pop the question to his investigative reporter girlfriend, Michelle. After accepting his proposal, all hell breaks loose in her apartment after Talon goes to the aid of an old military friend; Michelle is murdered in a horrible way within a pentagram by a Satanic Cult before he returns. What was she investigating that could have led to her death? The villains do not realize the can of worms they have opened by killing Talon’s fiancée and he has the backing of Simon Casca, owner of a technology company, billionaire and occult expert. Casca has personal knowledge of the evil of this cult.
Enter the villain of this story, Robert Zagan, CEO Of Omicron Technologies and Satanic Cult Leader. His first satanic kill was a cat, whose blood he used to computer program the death of his boss in his shiny Lexus. Zagan continued implanting satanic code to his games. The ultimate evil has been born in the computer world. He has a hold over his employees; they are killing for him and they wear a wrist tattoo of a binary code, which reads as 666. He has created an occult algorithm. But even Zagan doesn’t realize what he has created; there are unexpected implications. A few more blood sacrifices, the world will his oyster, his to control and manipulate; total control. What a story follows!
The action does not stop; as you are led piece-by-piece, clue-by-clue to the conclusion of this book, but not the conclusion of this story. This is just the beginning. It will make your hair stand on end. Technology today is very advanced and it is frightening to think what a truly evil person could do with enough money and power. Whether you believe in Satan, demons, and spells or not, this is a great read.
Mr. Massa paints a picture that is very scary and does it very well. The plotting is excellent, the pacing of the story is great; it will keep you on the edge of your seat. You can almost feel the evil coming off the pages. You will not lose interest in this story. I could not stop reading; I had to know what was happening next.
This book is for the person that likes fast paced action that is well written. I look forward to reading book two. Great job Mr. Massa.
This book was a free read on Amazon at time of my download or can purchased at a store or site of your choice.
November 4, 2020
Damnation Code is a 2015 supernatural thriller by screenwriter William Massa and produced by the intensely-successful small press publishing platform Critical Mass Publishing. It stars Mark Talon, a Delta Force Operator who has spent nearly a decade as a career soldier fighting America's enemies abroad becoming entangled in the fight against a techno-savvy supernatural death cult after his reporter girlfriend is ritualistically murdered for getting too close to their operations. This book is the first in the Occult Assassin series, of which there are currently six titles (4 main entries and 2 side-books).
This novel is the perfect blend of genre and off-genre elements that proves Massa is a gifted, intelligent author. He knows exactly how to manipulate the reader -- in a good way -- using the tropes and recognizable storytelling elements of familiar genres. That's what nobody ever tells young writers: tropes aren't a bad thing. Tropes are just elements that recur over and over again in a particular type of literature. As humans we're very good at noticing these patterns, and using them to predict what will happen next. A smart author -- like Massa -- will use these tropes to subconsciously set up expectations in the reader's mind, only to subvert them at a critical moment. And without digging too deep into spoilers, that's what happens here.
Part of what I think makes the independent market so great is that it much quicker adapting to -- and subverting -- the problems with genre. Because of turnaround time getting sales numbers back and quarterly market research, traditionally published books can take a long to pivot if the whims of readers change. They also tend to like things "in their box": romance is romance, thrillers are thrillers, occult is occult, and never-shall-they-mix. Massa subverts all that in a way I often respect and have tried to emulate, taking a intensely supernatural story and first framing it in a natural, grounded world. And in doing so, he takes the groundedness of a contemporary war novel and mixes it with the thrills of a psychological and supernatural thriller, set in the three-act story structure of a classic superhero tale. It is these intricate, inter-woven mesh that makes Messa's script unpredictable and exhilarating to read.
By 'superhero' I don't mean capes and cowls either. I don't mean the aesthetic, I mean the formulae. Formulae, like trope, isn't a bad thing if used creatively, and Massa's mastery of structure undoubtedly comes from his his history as a screenwriter. Throughout the novel the well-versed eye can see the elements of graphic-novel style at play: the prose starts methodical and aggressively normal in the first chapter, hammering in the "realness" of the world so the reader is unprepared for the insanity that follows. We're then introduced to a far-too-storybook romance with a perfect female lead, Michelle. After she's taken, Talon slowly -- over the course of this first adventure --accumulates his supporting cast: there's his billionaire benefactor Casa, his tech-expert / Microchip / Moneypenny Becky, and his link to the police force, Serrone. All these elements are great. they are worked in organically. You can recognize them for what they are only after they are in place, never before, giving the reader multiple "oh I figured it out" moments as they go through the prose.
In a lot of ways, Mark Talon owes a lot to The Punisher, and the mention of "Microchip" above was intentional in that regard. This book can be summed up -- if need be -- as "what if the Punisher's family had been killed by Cultists, not by criminals?" The story they progresses from there as you would expect. In boiling it down to a simple analogy I feel as though I'm not giving Massa or Mark Talon their credit: this book is a thrilling read with an interesting -- if not unfamiliar -- premise. And let's not forget, both Christopher Golden and Rick Remender have tried the 'mystical Punisher' trick before to lackluster results, so it's to great credit that I say Massa has made this book one of my favorites I've read in 2016.
I love taking the Freudian method of dream analysis and applying it to literature. Quick/Dirty rundown: you take the part of the book that bothered you the most, then spin the analysis so that that is what the book is about. At least, what it’s about for you.
A few things early on competed -- or at least, I thought they would compete -- for the role of "what bothered me most" about Damnation Code, but what finally stood out is that one of the big action set-pieces of the novel took place in a heavily recognizable -- and named -- Apple Store.
Now it's not that there was a real-world product prominently featured that bothered me: longtime readers will know I'm a huge fan of K-Mart Realism. The choice to use the real Apple Store -- and to call it the Apple Store, is a decidedly bold one. Most authors would have gone for those annoying slight alterations, calling it The Pear Store or something like that. Although the brand-name-recognition, and its repetition, is what made it stand out for me, I think what bothered me is what it must represent: in the novel, The Apple Store was used as the meeting place for the new-age techno death-cultists and their leader, Zagan. In picking that place -- such a prominent, real-world location -- for the meeting of a group of fanatically-obsessed followers paints a picture of what this novel is about: not one man versus the occult, but the old guard versus new-generation hipsters.
There's evidence to support this as well. On page 30, Talon experiences PTSD-like symptoms after the death of Michelle, while Zagan's cultists are able to commit atrocious acts without such drawbacks: a metaphor for a more violently-jaded current generation, possibly. On page 68, Talon sees what he describes as his 'worst fear' come to bear: not that Michelle died, but that she died because of her job and he couldn't protect her, pointing to a previous-generation family dynamic with the man as the protector, as well as hinting at a deep-seeded fear of women entering the workplace. And, perhaps most blatantly, on page 73 when Talon is told his coffee is $4.00 he thinks to himself: "What is happening to this country?"
Evidence for the opposition regarding Zagan's cult exists in plenty as well. There is the aforementioned Apple Store connection, but also the presence of tech-savvy elements from social media, binary tattoos, and Matrix references. All this adds up to a book that is, for me, about a morally-upright 'Greatest Generation' coming to odds (and to terms) with the rise of a new generation whose differences unsettle and scare him. Will his ideals survive? Well, that would be telling.
Everyone needs to pick up Damnation Code. It is an amazingly well-written masterpiece of modern fiction, combining elements of everything that is hot in the market right now in a way that will make it still fresh and exciting twenty years from now. I'll be picking up its sequel, Apocalypse Soldier, soon as well.
Occult Assassin 1: Damnation Code is available now in print and eBook formats.
This novel is the perfect blend of genre and off-genre elements that proves Massa is a gifted, intelligent author. He knows exactly how to manipulate the reader -- in a good way -- using the tropes and recognizable storytelling elements of familiar genres. That's what nobody ever tells young writers: tropes aren't a bad thing. Tropes are just elements that recur over and over again in a particular type of literature. As humans we're very good at noticing these patterns, and using them to predict what will happen next. A smart author -- like Massa -- will use these tropes to subconsciously set up expectations in the reader's mind, only to subvert them at a critical moment. And without digging too deep into spoilers, that's what happens here.
Part of what I think makes the independent market so great is that it much quicker adapting to -- and subverting -- the problems with genre. Because of turnaround time getting sales numbers back and quarterly market research, traditionally published books can take a long to pivot if the whims of readers change. They also tend to like things "in their box": romance is romance, thrillers are thrillers, occult is occult, and never-shall-they-mix. Massa subverts all that in a way I often respect and have tried to emulate, taking a intensely supernatural story and first framing it in a natural, grounded world. And in doing so, he takes the groundedness of a contemporary war novel and mixes it with the thrills of a psychological and supernatural thriller, set in the three-act story structure of a classic superhero tale. It is these intricate, inter-woven mesh that makes Messa's script unpredictable and exhilarating to read.
By 'superhero' I don't mean capes and cowls either. I don't mean the aesthetic, I mean the formulae. Formulae, like trope, isn't a bad thing if used creatively, and Massa's mastery of structure undoubtedly comes from his his history as a screenwriter. Throughout the novel the well-versed eye can see the elements of graphic-novel style at play: the prose starts methodical and aggressively normal in the first chapter, hammering in the "realness" of the world so the reader is unprepared for the insanity that follows. We're then introduced to a far-too-storybook romance with a perfect female lead, Michelle. After she's taken, Talon slowly -- over the course of this first adventure --accumulates his supporting cast: there's his billionaire benefactor Casa, his tech-expert / Microchip / Moneypenny Becky, and his link to the police force, Serrone. All these elements are great. they are worked in organically. You can recognize them for what they are only after they are in place, never before, giving the reader multiple "oh I figured it out" moments as they go through the prose.
In a lot of ways, Mark Talon owes a lot to The Punisher, and the mention of "Microchip" above was intentional in that regard. This book can be summed up -- if need be -- as "what if the Punisher's family had been killed by Cultists, not by criminals?" The story they progresses from there as you would expect. In boiling it down to a simple analogy I feel as though I'm not giving Massa or Mark Talon their credit: this book is a thrilling read with an interesting -- if not unfamiliar -- premise. And let's not forget, both Christopher Golden and Rick Remender have tried the 'mystical Punisher' trick before to lackluster results, so it's to great credit that I say Massa has made this book one of my favorites I've read in 2016.
I love taking the Freudian method of dream analysis and applying it to literature. Quick/Dirty rundown: you take the part of the book that bothered you the most, then spin the analysis so that that is what the book is about. At least, what it’s about for you.
A few things early on competed -- or at least, I thought they would compete -- for the role of "what bothered me most" about Damnation Code, but what finally stood out is that one of the big action set-pieces of the novel took place in a heavily recognizable -- and named -- Apple Store.
Now it's not that there was a real-world product prominently featured that bothered me: longtime readers will know I'm a huge fan of K-Mart Realism. The choice to use the real Apple Store -- and to call it the Apple Store, is a decidedly bold one. Most authors would have gone for those annoying slight alterations, calling it The Pear Store or something like that. Although the brand-name-recognition, and its repetition, is what made it stand out for me, I think what bothered me is what it must represent: in the novel, The Apple Store was used as the meeting place for the new-age techno death-cultists and their leader, Zagan. In picking that place -- such a prominent, real-world location -- for the meeting of a group of fanatically-obsessed followers paints a picture of what this novel is about: not one man versus the occult, but the old guard versus new-generation hipsters.
There's evidence to support this as well. On page 30, Talon experiences PTSD-like symptoms after the death of Michelle, while Zagan's cultists are able to commit atrocious acts without such drawbacks: a metaphor for a more violently-jaded current generation, possibly. On page 68, Talon sees what he describes as his 'worst fear' come to bear: not that Michelle died, but that she died because of her job and he couldn't protect her, pointing to a previous-generation family dynamic with the man as the protector, as well as hinting at a deep-seeded fear of women entering the workplace. And, perhaps most blatantly, on page 73 when Talon is told his coffee is $4.00 he thinks to himself: "What is happening to this country?"
Evidence for the opposition regarding Zagan's cult exists in plenty as well. There is the aforementioned Apple Store connection, but also the presence of tech-savvy elements from social media, binary tattoos, and Matrix references. All this adds up to a book that is, for me, about a morally-upright 'Greatest Generation' coming to odds (and to terms) with the rise of a new generation whose differences unsettle and scare him. Will his ideals survive? Well, that would be telling.
Everyone needs to pick up Damnation Code. It is an amazingly well-written masterpiece of modern fiction, combining elements of everything that is hot in the market right now in a way that will make it still fresh and exciting twenty years from now. I'll be picking up its sequel, Apocalypse Soldier, soon as well.
Occult Assassin 1: Damnation Code is available now in print and eBook formats.
February 8, 2015
Bill Massa writes thrilling action fiction that's every bit as compelling as anything you'll find on network television, and Occult Assassin is no exception. You can see his screenwriting background in every scene
Bill has done his homework, and everything in his books from the weapons down to the locations has a nice clear "ring of truth" about them. Sure, there are a few mistakes that only the locals will notice (there are no hills between downtown San Francisco, and the Mission, for example), he creates a compelling world, catching the nuances of the Bay Area tech culture and using them to build an exciting story.
Occult Assassin isn't a book that's going to change your life, but if you're looking for interesting characters, non-stop action, and an "I can't put this book down" story, this is the book for you.
It will keep you turning pages as you follow the trail of Talon as he blazes a bloody path of revenge and discovers that the demons are all too real.
I can't wait to read the next installment.
Bill has done his homework, and everything in his books from the weapons down to the locations has a nice clear "ring of truth" about them. Sure, there are a few mistakes that only the locals will notice (there are no hills between downtown San Francisco, and the Mission, for example), he creates a compelling world, catching the nuances of the Bay Area tech culture and using them to build an exciting story.
Occult Assassin isn't a book that's going to change your life, but if you're looking for interesting characters, non-stop action, and an "I can't put this book down" story, this is the book for you.
It will keep you turning pages as you follow the trail of Talon as he blazes a bloody path of revenge and discovers that the demons are all too real.
I can't wait to read the next installment.
July 22, 2015
As a fan of William Massa's books, this one did not disappoint! The hero, Mark Talon is a Delta Force military officer who, upon losing his fiance to a group of occult worshipers, sets out on a journey of revenge. Talon is a tough guy, but has very human weaknesses that make him an endearing character.
I was so thrilled to read this full length novel after enjoying some of Massa's novellas. Massa has taken my imagination to places it has never been. The plot, good vs evil, is not new, but this take on evil is an area I have not read before. I very much enjoyed his use of simile, it gave a chuckle and lightened the mood. Massa can paint a picture with words.
It is a fast paced action novel that kept me on the edge of my seat. This novel contained some great fight scenes, believable gore, a plot twist and more. Some characters were not there for long, but with Massa's great knack of character development, I felt I knew them and felt a sense of loss when they were gone.
Can't wait to read Occult Assassin, Apocalypse Soldier.
I was so thrilled to read this full length novel after enjoying some of Massa's novellas. Massa has taken my imagination to places it has never been. The plot, good vs evil, is not new, but this take on evil is an area I have not read before. I very much enjoyed his use of simile, it gave a chuckle and lightened the mood. Massa can paint a picture with words.
It is a fast paced action novel that kept me on the edge of my seat. This novel contained some great fight scenes, believable gore, a plot twist and more. Some characters were not there for long, but with Massa's great knack of character development, I felt I knew them and felt a sense of loss when they were gone.
Can't wait to read Occult Assassin, Apocalypse Soldier.
February 8, 2015
When Talon surprises his sweetheart, he never expects the deadly turn that comes his way.
What I liked: There is always well-written action, interesting descriptions, and a high-powered story when you crack open a William Massa book. And this one filled in all of that! I really liked Talon and felt for the guy as he followed this insane mission into the heart of darkness that awaited him. I like how the author has a very movie-like feel to it—with going to a few different points of views to make sure you see the whole “picture.”
What I didn’t like: Not that much really. There is some gore that made me cringe a few times, so this book isn’t for you if you are squeamish with “brain matter” splattering and stuff like that.
I hope you check out William Massa’s books, I always look forward to reading them!
What I liked: There is always well-written action, interesting descriptions, and a high-powered story when you crack open a William Massa book. And this one filled in all of that! I really liked Talon and felt for the guy as he followed this insane mission into the heart of darkness that awaited him. I like how the author has a very movie-like feel to it—with going to a few different points of views to make sure you see the whole “picture.”
What I didn’t like: Not that much really. There is some gore that made me cringe a few times, so this book isn’t for you if you are squeamish with “brain matter” splattering and stuff like that.
I hope you check out William Massa’s books, I always look forward to reading them!
October 23, 2015
This book was awesome. The action and excitement got a little dull and boring toward the end but other than that it was filled with adventure and action. I would rate this book a 4 out of 5, the only reason I wouldn't give it a 5 is because it got boring like I said earlier. The main reason I decided to read this book was because on the cover there is an marine and I thought it would be about a war. If you like a lot of detail about scenes in a book this one is for you. The main character, mark talon, is a soldier who just got back from 2 tours in Iraq. The first thing he did when he got back was he proposed to who girlfriend, who a couple hours later got stabbed to death by a crazy cyber cult. Then mark goes from a civilian to a soldier again to get revenge on who killed his girlfriend.
September 9, 2015
Occult Assassin: Damnation Code is a calculated and precise mix of Tactical Action and Paranormal Horror, with the paranormal element given a very human face and ideals, making events all the more tense, grounded and harrowing.
I was immediately a attracted to our hero Mark Talon, a Delta Force soldier as his world is destroyed and he's introduced to a new breed of evil. While Mr. Massa brings a unique spin and ushers the classic cult, a fascinating world as it is, into a new horizon.
Occult Assassin: Damnation Code is a hell of a read, and I am excited to see where Mark Talon's future leads him.
*I received and read a review copy, these are my honest thoughts.
The Mouths of Madness Podcast
www.facebook.com/themouthsofmadness
I was immediately a attracted to our hero Mark Talon, a Delta Force soldier as his world is destroyed and he's introduced to a new breed of evil. While Mr. Massa brings a unique spin and ushers the classic cult, a fascinating world as it is, into a new horizon.
Occult Assassin: Damnation Code is a hell of a read, and I am excited to see where Mark Talon's future leads him.
*I received and read a review copy, these are my honest thoughts.
The Mouths of Madness Podcast
www.facebook.com/themouthsofmadness
March 23, 2016
A fast paced suspense/thriller with a unique twist. I don't think I've experienced this plot before. An evil cult into kidnapping and murder. Filming of the murder supplies the cult leader with some form of black magic power that he controls with programming, yes programming, which allows him to manipulate physical reality. Phew! Now that's a loaded plot and quite unique I'm thinking. Since I was a systems analyst the programming aspect gave me a chuckle. The story is well written with plenty of action. Good background info and development with our main character Mark Talon; SF Sergeant home on leave to propose to his girl. The situation goes horribly wrong and our hero is immersed in a new revenge-filled mission. This is the first book of a new series by Massa.
June 22, 2015
Paranormal and thriller genres collide in Occult Assassin. Fast paced and entertaining. I was drawn into the story in the first chapter. I couldn't believe how the story started with such a bang. But what I really didn't see coming was the inciting incident that sent Talon on his vengeful mission. I was hooked! Thriller is my favorite genre, paranormal is my second favorite and this book combines both. What an original premise to bring black magic into the 21st century. I look forward to reading the rest of the series!
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