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Colony of the Lost
A DEMON'S REVENGE ... AN ADDICT'S STRUGGLE ... THE BATTLE FOR THE SOUL OF A TOWN
When the children of Glenwood begin vanishing one by one, baffling local and federal authorities alike, the idyllic New England suburb becomes anything but a utopia.
Built upon the ruins of a lost colony, Glenwood is home to a long-forgotten secret, and when three strangers are lured into the midnight woods by the phantom of a Puritan boy, they discover the truth of the town's dark past and must face a vision of its bloody future.
Together, this unlikely trio--Jay, an alcoholic school teacher, Tim, a wise-cracking new kid in town, and Sarah, a nine-year-old with a handful of imaginary friends--must find a way to rescue the town from a terrifying supernatural force to prevent history from repeating itself.
Silver Falchion Award Finalist for Best Horror (2016)
When the children of Glenwood begin vanishing one by one, baffling local and federal authorities alike, the idyllic New England suburb becomes anything but a utopia.
Built upon the ruins of a lost colony, Glenwood is home to a long-forgotten secret, and when three strangers are lured into the midnight woods by the phantom of a Puritan boy, they discover the truth of the town's dark past and must face a vision of its bloody future.
Together, this unlikely trio--Jay, an alcoholic school teacher, Tim, a wise-cracking new kid in town, and Sarah, a nine-year-old with a handful of imaginary friends--must find a way to rescue the town from a terrifying supernatural force to prevent history from repeating itself.
Silver Falchion Award Finalist for Best Horror (2016)
314 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2002
973 people are currently reading
2698 people want to read
About the author
Derik Cavignano
7 books148 followersDerik Cavignano is an award-winning author who writes character-driven stories in a variety of genres, including horror and dark crime thrillers. A native of Boston, Derik now resides in Florida with his wife, two children, and an angry cat who won't stop biting him.
Awards for his novels include the National Indie Excellence Awards, the Best Book Awards, the American Fiction Awards, the BestThrillers Book Awards, and the Silver Falchion Award (details below). Derik is an active member of the Horror Writers Association (HWA) and the Florida chapter of the HWA. Publishers Weekly calls him clever, but his wife begs to differ.
Derik has also written screenplays of his novels, THE ART OF DYING and COLONY OF THE LOST. A film based on Derik's novel, THE ART OF DYING, is currently in early-stage development.
A 40-minute audio drama based on the screenplay of THE ART OF DYING is available for free on various listening platforms, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify (the 10/24/22 episode of Fever Dreams: A Pulp Collection).
Derik has also written articles appearing in CrimeReads and Mystery & Suspense Magazine.
Awards for THE BURYING POINT:
• 18th Annual National Indie Excellence Awards (Finalist: Horror)
• 2024 BestThrillers Book Awards (Finalist)
Awards for THE ART OF DYING:
• 14th Annual National Indie Excellence Awards (Winner: Thrillers)
• 2019 Best Book Awards (Winner: Horror)
• 2019 American Fiction Awards (Winner: General Horror)
• 14th Annual National Indie Excellence Awards (Finalist: Horror)
• 2019 American Fiction Awards (Finalist: Crime Thrillers)
Awards for COLONY OF THE LOST:
• 2016 Silver Falchion Award (Finalist: Best Horror)
Awards for his novels include the National Indie Excellence Awards, the Best Book Awards, the American Fiction Awards, the BestThrillers Book Awards, and the Silver Falchion Award (details below). Derik is an active member of the Horror Writers Association (HWA) and the Florida chapter of the HWA. Publishers Weekly calls him clever, but his wife begs to differ.
Derik has also written screenplays of his novels, THE ART OF DYING and COLONY OF THE LOST. A film based on Derik's novel, THE ART OF DYING, is currently in early-stage development.
A 40-minute audio drama based on the screenplay of THE ART OF DYING is available for free on various listening platforms, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify (the 10/24/22 episode of Fever Dreams: A Pulp Collection).
Derik has also written articles appearing in CrimeReads and Mystery & Suspense Magazine.
Awards for THE BURYING POINT:
• 18th Annual National Indie Excellence Awards (Finalist: Horror)
• 2024 BestThrillers Book Awards (Finalist)
Awards for THE ART OF DYING:
• 14th Annual National Indie Excellence Awards (Winner: Thrillers)
• 2019 Best Book Awards (Winner: Horror)
• 2019 American Fiction Awards (Winner: General Horror)
• 14th Annual National Indie Excellence Awards (Finalist: Horror)
• 2019 American Fiction Awards (Finalist: Crime Thrillers)
Awards for COLONY OF THE LOST:
• 2016 Silver Falchion Award (Finalist: Best Horror)
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 207 reviews
January 28, 2020
I really liked this old school horror novel with something incredibly evil lurking in the dark woods. An American small town faces the problem of missing children. Is a serial killer on the loose or is it something different that's hunting them down? In the course of the story also adults begin to change and murder their fellow citizens. Jay, an alcoholic ex-teacher and two children (Tim and Sarah) have visions of a ghostly boy named Samuel. He reveals the dark secret of the town that reaches back many centuries. Of course there is also a romantic story involved with Jay and his separated girlfriend. The story was told in a fast paced convincing manner. You had many eerie moments and the evil entity is built upon an interesting legend. Really a haunting and very compelling novel I can only recommend!
May 10, 2016
For a random kindle freebie this turned out to be a pleasant surprise. The author takes on the often trotted premise of an ancient demon awakening in a small town and proceeding to slaughter, maim and wreck havoc and turned it into a perfectly entertaining creature feature. Mind you, this is strictly B movie sort of fun, but still...the writing is solid, the pacing is great, the characters are perfectly decent and fairly reasonable and the kid characters are notably not annoying. Cavignano makes up for the dearth of originality with quality and subsequently the book makes for a diverting quick read that should be a treat to horror fans. Gore, guts and action included.
January 17, 2016
The small town of Glenwood, Massachusetts is a place that holds a deep dark secret from long ago. Jay, an alcoholic, a teacher who lost his job because of his drinking, Tim, is bullied in school but has a sharp tongue and Sarah, a nine year old who has an imaginary friend. The trio has one thing in common, they can all see the Puritan boy Samuel. Samuel is a boy who was killed by the creature of the woods, over two hundred years ago. Children in the town of Glenwood begin to disappear and then some adults. Samuel, tells the unlikely trio that they must find away to destroy the creature who is abducting the children. Jay, must first conquer his own demons that haunt him. Can the trio save the town and send this creature back to hell, where it came from? The characters are well developed and even likeable. This is a supernatural thriller, with a hint of Science Fiction.. This is the first book they I have read by this author. I am going to check out other titles by Derik Cavignano. I recommend this book!
July 26, 2017
2.5 stars.
If horror novels were salsa, I would call this (very) mild salsa. I might even question some of the ingredients.
If horror novels were salsa, I would call this (very) mild salsa. I might even question some of the ingredients.
May 14, 2015
An immensely satisfying paranormal thriller that manages to be playful, haunting and engrossing all at once. The plot delivers heavy doses of suspense, but it never feels particularly dark or heavy. Consider putting this one on your shortlist of possible beach reads. Check out my full review at BestThrillers.com.
November 30, 2023
This cover utterly belies the fact that this is a gory, horror, demon possession, little bit sci-fi, little bit cheesy novel that I devoured in a few days. So surprised by this kindle freebie!!
February 3, 2025
Šis bija patīkams pārsteigums. Es parasti nelieku lielas cerības uz grāmatām, kuras dabūju pa velti Stuff your Kindle akciju ietvaros, bet man ir liels prieks, ka šī tomēr mani atrada un es to beidzot izlasīju.
Nezināju, ko gaidīt. Kā parasti, anotāciju nelasīju un, še ku, re ku, izbaudīju kārtīgu šausmu romānu.
Maza pilsētiņa meža ielokā, noslēpumainas bērnu pazušanas, mistisks briesmonis un maģiska ala, zombiji, prāta kontrole un spoki - tas viss nepilnu 300lpp garumā mani izklaidēja. Un 4000 līķu vēlāk es šo iesaku arī citiem šausmu romānu cienītājiem, it īpaši, ja meklē īsas nodaļas un ātrus notikumus.
Nezināju, ko gaidīt. Kā parasti, anotāciju nelasīju un, še ku, re ku, izbaudīju kārtīgu šausmu romānu.
Maza pilsētiņa meža ielokā, noslēpumainas bērnu pazušanas, mistisks briesmonis un maģiska ala, zombiji, prāta kontrole un spoki - tas viss nepilnu 300lpp garumā mani izklaidēja. Un 4000 līķu vēlāk es šo iesaku arī citiem šausmu romānu cienītājiem, it īpaši, ja meklē īsas nodaļas un ātrus notikumus.
August 21, 2015
Excellent read
Colony of the Lost, By Derik Cavignano, was surprisingly an excellent story. Taking the Roanoke colony disappearance to a modern update of what might have happened. The tale begins with broken people seeing an apparition telling the three they are the only ones to stop the evil that has been unleashed.
All unlikely heroes, they discover clues to the mass disappearance of children, then adults. The characters are identifiable, if not likeable. Highly recommended to Sci-fi fans of all ages. I will be looking forward to reading more by this author. He spins a marvelous tale.
Colony of the Lost, By Derik Cavignano, was surprisingly an excellent story. Taking the Roanoke colony disappearance to a modern update of what might have happened. The tale begins with broken people seeing an apparition telling the three they are the only ones to stop the evil that has been unleashed.
All unlikely heroes, they discover clues to the mass disappearance of children, then adults. The characters are identifiable, if not likeable. Highly recommended to Sci-fi fans of all ages. I will be looking forward to reading more by this author. He spins a marvelous tale.
July 4, 2016
On par with King
This was so on par with King I had to remind myself that I have discovered a great writer!!! I am so impressed with this volume I can hardly wait to read more of his work.
This was so on par with King I had to remind myself that I have discovered a great writer!!! I am so impressed with this volume I can hardly wait to read more of his work.
May 26, 2015
Well worth the read. I had to read it in one sitting since I couldn't put it down.
October 22, 2020
A good read
I give this book 5 Stars simply because of how much this book keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire time. I never knew how the ending was going to go about.
I give this book 5 Stars simply because of how much this book keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire time. I never knew how the ending was going to go about.
July 13, 2017
Well done, July 12, 2017
Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Colony of the Lost (Kindle Edition)
This is a well written, entertaining horror story with a touch of science fiction. The main protagonist is an alcoholic whose life is in a downward spiral, nearing the bottom. He plaintively asks himself, or perhaps God or the universe, "Why couldn’t he stop? Why couldn’t he go through an entire day without picturing the beer in the refrigerator? Other people could have one drink, two drinks, and then stop cold." A question which puts the alcoholic problem in a nutshell. Then he sees a ghost and a monster. He just thought he had problems before. He and two children who can also see and hear the ghost messenger are all who stand between their community and destruction just as befell a lost colony built on the same site about three centuries earlier. At that time, a local Indian tribe defeated the monster. Now the chief of the tribe refuses to admit that there is a problem. I felt that this portion of the book was a little weak as the chief is essentially useless. He could have been left out without affecting the story at all.
There is extreme violence, bullying, alcoholism and other strong themes which may bother some people.
Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Colony of the Lost (Kindle Edition)
This is a well written, entertaining horror story with a touch of science fiction. The main protagonist is an alcoholic whose life is in a downward spiral, nearing the bottom. He plaintively asks himself, or perhaps God or the universe, "Why couldn’t he stop? Why couldn’t he go through an entire day without picturing the beer in the refrigerator? Other people could have one drink, two drinks, and then stop cold." A question which puts the alcoholic problem in a nutshell. Then he sees a ghost and a monster. He just thought he had problems before. He and two children who can also see and hear the ghost messenger are all who stand between their community and destruction just as befell a lost colony built on the same site about three centuries earlier. At that time, a local Indian tribe defeated the monster. Now the chief of the tribe refuses to admit that there is a problem. I felt that this portion of the book was a little weak as the chief is essentially useless. He could have been left out without affecting the story at all.
There is extreme violence, bullying, alcoholism and other strong themes which may bother some people.
July 23, 2016
2.5
I really liked some of the characters (Jay being the standout) in this and the story had potential, but all in all, I didn't much care for this. Maybe it just wasn't my taste when it comes to horror. But I did have a problem with how easily people seemed to just believe. They took all these paranormal happenings very easily. Ghost kid? Sure, no problem. Demon killer thing. Ok. Like, I'm sorry, I would be freaking out, not shrugging it off. But that it a minor bugaboo, really.
This story actually reminded me a bit of a book I read earlier this year, Charnel House by Graham Masterton. The writing style felt very similar. I think if you like Masterton's writing, give this one a try.
**I received this copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
I really liked some of the characters (Jay being the standout) in this and the story had potential, but all in all, I didn't much care for this. Maybe it just wasn't my taste when it comes to horror. But I did have a problem with how easily people seemed to just believe. They took all these paranormal happenings very easily. Ghost kid? Sure, no problem. Demon killer thing. Ok. Like, I'm sorry, I would be freaking out, not shrugging it off. But that it a minor bugaboo, really.
This story actually reminded me a bit of a book I read earlier this year, Charnel House by Graham Masterton. The writing style felt very similar. I think if you like Masterton's writing, give this one a try.
**I received this copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
February 7, 2016
I really enjoyed this book! It was a 1st for me by the author but it shouldn't be my last. It surrounds the story of a small town that has a dark history that suddenly resurfaces 300 years later in the form of an entity that is determined to wipe out the town and everyone in it. The people who discovered the lost secrets couldn't be more different from one another than night and day. Jay, the drunk honors geometry teacher, Tim, the bullied new kid, and Sarah, the 9 year old friendless girl who talks to and understands her cat. These 3 met under creepy circumstances and had to depend on, and work together against a powerful force to stop their town and all the unsuspecting people in it from being destroyed. I would suggest this book to anyone who loves a good ghost story that also has a creepy cave dwelling blood thirsty creature!!
September 3, 2016
Loved This Book
Jay, Crystal, Tim, Margaret, & Sarah against Trell. An evil older than time itself. Awesome read from beginning to end. Read in one sitting. Couldn't put it down. If you like horror, splashed with a little gore, mixed with the Supernatural, then this is a book for you. Will definitely recommend to friends and fellow readers. Looking forward to more from Derik Cavignano.
Jay, Crystal, Tim, Margaret, & Sarah against Trell. An evil older than time itself. Awesome read from beginning to end. Read in one sitting. Couldn't put it down. If you like horror, splashed with a little gore, mixed with the Supernatural, then this is a book for you. Will definitely recommend to friends and fellow readers. Looking forward to more from Derik Cavignano.
July 9, 2016
Wow
What an amazing story! I really enjoyed this book. The characters were so vivid. Tim was my favorite, but I found all 3 protagonists to be very well fleshed out. The author did an amazing job of capturing the struggle of an active addict and the turmoil as he begins recovery.
What an amazing story! I really enjoyed this book. The characters were so vivid. Tim was my favorite, but I found all 3 protagonists to be very well fleshed out. The author did an amazing job of capturing the struggle of an active addict and the turmoil as he begins recovery.
March 21, 2015
A great read!! This book was a real page-turner. It had great character development and plenty of good scares!
June 5, 2015
Excellent! I enjoy Stephen King's books and this reminds me of something he would write.
August 25, 2015
A must read
What a great book. Couldn't put it down till I finished the whole thing in one night. Non stop action the time
What a great book. Couldn't put it down till I finished the whole thing in one night. Non stop action the time
May 30, 2015
Great book. Stephen King, step aside!
January 1, 2022
What a way to cure alcoholism! Jay steps up to the mark with his unlikely army of friends and a 300 year old ghost boy to fight Trell, the being from another dimension who seems unstoppable, can take over minds and has a pool between worlds which heals him every time they get a hit on him. He is back to finish what he started but was thwarted by warriors in the past and is up for revenge. They manage to save the important few despite thousands perishing and the threat that is Trell is finally ended, not put back into hibernation for another 300 years. Good story with lots of descriptive writing and not too serious.
June 17, 2017
What an adventure! I'm so surprised the FBI didn't makeup a total different story opposite of anything that actually occurred in Glenwood. It was disturbing how this creature pillaged towns for centuries, and slaughtered hundreds of thousands of people! I didn't think anybody in the town of Glenwood would've survived, let alone Sarah's mother. That was alot of people Trell murdered in that town. The story was creepy and thrilling, so well written! I was captured by the Prologue!
August 19, 2019
This book was so descriptive. I really enjoyed the story and the characters, but the writing is what impressed me. When people began to tell stories, it’s for explanations like this. You really get a feel for what the character is going through and it made me feel invested in their experience. After I finished this one, I looked for more by the writer. I was sad I couldn’t find anything. I’m excited to read the next story.
February 13, 2020
Excellent suspenseful horror book
I could not put this book down. I loved the characters, the pace, suspense, horror, and ending. Since I mainly read at night I was extremely terrified to sleep. It chilled me to the bone. If you’re looking for a good spook this is the book for you!
I could not put this book down. I loved the characters, the pace, suspense, horror, and ending. Since I mainly read at night I was extremely terrified to sleep. It chilled me to the bone. If you’re looking for a good spook this is the book for you!
October 15, 2017
I received this book free from Goodreads Giveaway.
I could not 'get into' the book. I had to force myself to finish it. I used to read horror books years ago and thought this might be a good start again, but it just wasn't for me.
I could not 'get into' the book. I had to force myself to finish it. I used to read horror books years ago and thought this might be a good start again, but it just wasn't for me.
January 31, 2021
A well written horror story that I devoured in a single sitting.
Definitely worth a read, but beware of you are triggered by addiction issues, this book would not be for you.
I rate COLONY OF THE LIST as 4 out of 5 Stars
Definitely worth a read, but beware of you are triggered by addiction issues, this book would not be for you.
I rate COLONY OF THE LIST as 4 out of 5 Stars
April 6, 2023
Cavignano succeeds in writing an eerie creature feature, one steeped in history and allusion. At times, his writing feels reminiscent of early King, particularly Salem's Lot. His characters prove highly likeable and relatable, even when Cavignano reveals their very human flaws. By the time the novel came to a close, I felt invested in their fate, proving Cavignano's mettle as a writer. This is a writer to watch!
February 11, 2019
Nail Biter!
I had a hard time putting this book down! I enjoyed the story and look forward to more from this author.
I had a hard time putting this book down! I enjoyed the story and look forward to more from this author.
August 19, 2019
This book was absolutely horrifyingly fantastic. Beautifully grotesque with a streak of dark humor that really balanced the terror and gore. I will be going back for seconds on this author for sure!
March 31, 2020
Colony of the Lost
In a small town children are starting to disappear and now a drunk, and two children must solve the mystery. Can Jay, Tim and Sarah save their home town and will Jay stop drinking long enough to help them. If you like ",It" you love this one.
In a small town children are starting to disappear and now a drunk, and two children must solve the mystery. Can Jay, Tim and Sarah save their home town and will Jay stop drinking long enough to help them. If you like ",It" you love this one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 207 reviews