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The Unmaking #1
Hearts of Hellfire
Blending the supernatural grit of Between Two Fires with the existential dread of Annihilation, Hearts of Hellfire kicks off a nightmarish epic that will satisfy readers hungry for horror and adventure both.
Seven hundred years after the apocalyptic event known as The Unmaking, humanity clings to faith and a desperate mission to repopulate the Earth. But when Alma’s husband suddenly succumbs to a mysterious illness, she begins receiving strange messages from beyond their city’s walls, with an impossible promise:
Nothing truly dies. Come find me in the north.
In the forbidden Deadlands, a young woman named Zola does the unthinkable—resurrecting the dead. But the soul that awakens inside Alma’s husband isn’t the man she loved. It belongs to Gunnar, a man who died centuries ago during the apocalypse… and knows the horrifying truth behind what really caused it.
Seven hundred years after the apocalyptic event known as The Unmaking, humanity clings to faith and a desperate mission to repopulate the Earth. But when Alma’s husband suddenly succumbs to a mysterious illness, she begins receiving strange messages from beyond their city’s walls, with an impossible promise:
Nothing truly dies. Come find me in the north.
In the forbidden Deadlands, a young woman named Zola does the unthinkable—resurrecting the dead. But the soul that awakens inside Alma’s husband isn’t the man she loved. It belongs to Gunnar, a man who died centuries ago during the apocalypse… and knows the horrifying truth behind what really caused it.
- GenresHorror
400 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 16, 2026
About the author
Abe Moss
30 books518 followersAbe Moss has been writing horror stories for as long as he can remember, and hopes to never stop. He loves creature-features, psychological horror, supernatural horror, cosmic horror, you name it. With each book he writes, he hopes to try something a little different. The possibilities are endless and that's what he really loves about storytelling. He hopes you'll enjoy his stories, too!
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
July 8, 2026
Audiobook Review 🎧
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
I had such a good time with Hearts of Hellfire. Do yourself a favor and go in blind because discovering this dark, gothic world for yourself is part of the experience. Abe Moss created such a bleak, gloomy atmosphere, and I loved how each character had their own distinct personality, motivations, and role in the story. I do wish there had been a little more payoff in some of the action and fight scenes, but I'm already excited to see where the next book takes these characters.
The audiobook was so well done. Eric Fox and Leslie Howard were perfect choices to narrate this story, especially Leslie as Alma. They completely brought this story to life and made it so easy to get lost in the world. I was hooked from start to finish.
Thank you @SimonMaverick and @Libro.fm for the gifted audio.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
I had such a good time with Hearts of Hellfire. Do yourself a favor and go in blind because discovering this dark, gothic world for yourself is part of the experience. Abe Moss created such a bleak, gloomy atmosphere, and I loved how each character had their own distinct personality, motivations, and role in the story. I do wish there had been a little more payoff in some of the action and fight scenes, but I'm already excited to see where the next book takes these characters.
The audiobook was so well done. Eric Fox and Leslie Howard were perfect choices to narrate this story, especially Leslie as Alma. They completely brought this story to life and made it so easy to get lost in the world. I was hooked from start to finish.
Thank you @SimonMaverick and @Libro.fm for the gifted audio.
July 6, 2026
Such a unique story. I was shocked and never quite knew what was coming. I love a book that has me engaged in the story and when I can’t guess what is going to happen next. I recommend the audiobook
June 28, 2026
Thanks to Simon Maverick for the gifted audio - all opinions are my own.
Set in a nightmare post-apocalyptic wasteland, Hearts of Hellfire is a grim, fantastical story filled with no shortage of terrors.
*** I’ll be skipping a synopsis here because the less you know of the plot, the better I think this experience will be.
I really enjoyed the vividly bleak world Abe Moss has painted. The grey, post-apocalyptic township of Gloam serves as a satisfying counterpart to the red, fiery, hell-adjacent afterlife. Gloam is tightly controlled by religion and fear and I found the culture and hierarchy to be utterly captivating. The hellish landscape was absolutely metal and one of the better depictions of eternal damnation that I’ve seen.
The characters were really interesting though I wish their actions had more nuance. Their motives would often just be plainly stated and it lost some immersion. That being said, the cast all had distinctive traits and respective captivations. The morals were often questionable and that grayness is enjoyable and believable, in context.
I was initially wary that this was a planned trilogy but I’m fully invested and will be continuing onward. I’m hopeful that we will spend more time in the underworld and Deadlands.
The audiobook is narrated by Eric Fox and Leslie Howard and I enjoyed their voices and dictation. This was an engaging listen and hours flew by while I was invested in the story.
Overall, if you enjoy your horror fantastical or your fantasy horrific, this is a good time.
I recommend for fans of Daytide, damnation, and dystopias.
Set in a nightmare post-apocalyptic wasteland, Hearts of Hellfire is a grim, fantastical story filled with no shortage of terrors.
*** I’ll be skipping a synopsis here because the less you know of the plot, the better I think this experience will be.
I really enjoyed the vividly bleak world Abe Moss has painted. The grey, post-apocalyptic township of Gloam serves as a satisfying counterpart to the red, fiery, hell-adjacent afterlife. Gloam is tightly controlled by religion and fear and I found the culture and hierarchy to be utterly captivating. The hellish landscape was absolutely metal and one of the better depictions of eternal damnation that I’ve seen.
The characters were really interesting though I wish their actions had more nuance. Their motives would often just be plainly stated and it lost some immersion. That being said, the cast all had distinctive traits and respective captivations. The morals were often questionable and that grayness is enjoyable and believable, in context.
I was initially wary that this was a planned trilogy but I’m fully invested and will be continuing onward. I’m hopeful that we will spend more time in the underworld and Deadlands.
The audiobook is narrated by Eric Fox and Leslie Howard and I enjoyed their voices and dictation. This was an engaging listen and hours flew by while I was invested in the story.
Overall, if you enjoy your horror fantastical or your fantasy horrific, this is a good time.
I recommend for fans of Daytide, damnation, and dystopias.
June 17, 2026
Gloam is a safe haven for its inhabitants who strictly adhere to the rules set by the Elders. Alma is devastated by her husband, Calum's untimely death but has a dream where she has to go to the north to meet a mysterious woman who can bring him back to life. Alma is willing to do whatever it takes to bring her husband back to life even if it means breaking the rules. Meanwhile, Calum is suffering torment in a hellish place where he meets Gunnar who has been there for seven centuries. Alma meets the woman, Zola who is only a teenager but has the wisdom and skill to bring people back to life. Only the person she brings back is Gunnar and not Calum as Gunnar happens to be near Calum at that time and fights Calum to get out of the hellscape. When they are forced to return to Gloam, they are treated as heretics and shunned. Gunnar senses something evil about the Elders who are on a mission to find Zola. Then all hell breaks loose in Gloam. This riveting page turner has very good world building with a graphic description of the hellscape and its horrors as well as Gloam and its inhabitants and their mysterious church and Elders. My favourite characters are Alma, Zola and Gunnar.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I loved this book!! I had previously read Morsels by Abe Moss and loved that one as well. When he announced that he was going to be sending out an ARC of his new book, I jumped on it. I loved this book even more than I loved Morsels!
This was so interesting and gripping! I love the characters and this unique world that Abe Moss has created. So much happens in this book and it’s gory and unsettling and so much fun! I have theories already about Calum and his future and I can’t wait to read the second book so I can see if I’m right.
I don’t want to spoil anything because it’s best if you just dive into this story. I highly recommend picking this up as well as Abe Moss’s other books! He has some really fascinating stories in his head. He’s quickly become an author from which I’ll buy any book he writes!
This was so interesting and gripping! I love the characters and this unique world that Abe Moss has created. So much happens in this book and it’s gory and unsettling and so much fun! I have theories already about Calum and his future and I can’t wait to read the second book so I can see if I’m right.
I don’t want to spoil anything because it’s best if you just dive into this story. I highly recommend picking this up as well as Abe Moss’s other books! He has some really fascinating stories in his head. He’s quickly become an author from which I’ll buy any book he writes!
July 25, 2026
I enjoyed this book so much the world that the author created was very interesting what I love the most was the glimpse we got to “hell” it was a very disturbing image so well crafted. The plot was also interesting not sure what I was expecting but I love all the twists and turns the story took.
There was this particular scene that was pretty crude and gory 😟 I wanted to cover my eyes 😂 even though I was listening and not watching the story but besties I have a very vivid imagination my brain conjured such vivid images.
Anyways this was like a horror, dystopian, paranormal mixed kind of book I definitely recommend it for all who loves horror. This was a perfect read for summerween or for the upcoming fall season.
Thanks Simon Maverick books for thed ALC
There was this particular scene that was pretty crude and gory 😟 I wanted to cover my eyes 😂 even though I was listening and not watching the story but besties I have a very vivid imagination my brain conjured such vivid images.
Anyways this was like a horror, dystopian, paranormal mixed kind of book I definitely recommend it for all who loves horror. This was a perfect read for summerween or for the upcoming fall season.
Thanks Simon Maverick books for thed ALC
May 10, 2026
This is an ARC review, courtesy of the author.
Hearts of Hellfire was quite an adventure! I appreciated that it didn’t dally around with introductions, it started strong and took off running. I loved the fast pacing and the multiple viewpoints from different characters, whom each had their own strength to bring to the story.
The post-apocalyptic setting was very intriguing and the concept behind it all was unique. I am very eager for the next two books in this series to unravel these mysteries.
Overall, Hearts of Hellfire offered an engaging balance of action and adventure, with a delightful touch of body horror and grotesque imagery.
Hearts of Hellfire was quite an adventure! I appreciated that it didn’t dally around with introductions, it started strong and took off running. I loved the fast pacing and the multiple viewpoints from different characters, whom each had their own strength to bring to the story.
The post-apocalyptic setting was very intriguing and the concept behind it all was unique. I am very eager for the next two books in this series to unravel these mysteries.
Overall, Hearts of Hellfire offered an engaging balance of action and adventure, with a delightful touch of body horror and grotesque imagery.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is the second novel I’ve read of Abe Moss and was so grateful for receiving and ARC.
this book was amazing.
Hearts of Hellfire is set in a post apocalyptic world after a cataclysm event that wiped out a large majority of humanity. It mixed dystopian, post-apocalyptic, fantasy and horror genre to create an almost perfect atmosphere.
We follow an event where a girl finds a local witch to reanimate her boyfriends corpse after he passed, they live in a secluded part of the community and so to find this witch she travels outside of her ‘assigned zone’.
I highly recommend and honestly CANNOT wait for the next instalments.
this book was amazing.
Hearts of Hellfire is set in a post apocalyptic world after a cataclysm event that wiped out a large majority of humanity. It mixed dystopian, post-apocalyptic, fantasy and horror genre to create an almost perfect atmosphere.
We follow an event where a girl finds a local witch to reanimate her boyfriends corpse after he passed, they live in a secluded part of the community and so to find this witch she travels outside of her ‘assigned zone’.
I highly recommend and honestly CANNOT wait for the next instalments.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is an ARC review, courtesy of the author. All opinions are my own.
This book is unrelenting once it's got its fangs in you, and I loved every second!
Abe Moss has so far been a hit for me every time, and as soon as I saw he was publishing a trilogy, I knew I needed it. This book has a little something for every horror fan. If you're into cosmic horror its in there. You like bug horror, that's also in here. If you're into hellish landscapes and post-apocalyptic settings, it is in here!
I loved Alma and her journey throughout the book, still unsure about Gunnar, but I will absolutely be picking up the sequel to see where we go from here.
This book is unrelenting once it's got its fangs in you, and I loved every second!
Abe Moss has so far been a hit for me every time, and as soon as I saw he was publishing a trilogy, I knew I needed it. This book has a little something for every horror fan. If you're into cosmic horror its in there. You like bug horror, that's also in here. If you're into hellish landscapes and post-apocalyptic settings, it is in here!
I loved Alma and her journey throughout the book, still unsure about Gunnar, but I will absolutely be picking up the sequel to see where we go from here.
June 16, 2026
How many obstacles can a Widow face before finding her husband?
A woman Alma who has lost her husband Collum, who died in his sleep. Her dream before she awoke was he told her to meet him in the north. So she felt she should take his body and travel to the North. A journey along the way is hard for her, she met many obstacles and many frightening things. In the fight to survive and to get to the north where she felt Collum would wake up and be with her again.
Little did she know she would be meeting him in the afterlife. Is it hell or heaven?
Abe Moss as an Author has always been a favorite Author of mine.
A woman Alma who has lost her husband Collum, who died in his sleep. Her dream before she awoke was he told her to meet him in the north. So she felt she should take his body and travel to the North. A journey along the way is hard for her, she met many obstacles and many frightening things. In the fight to survive and to get to the north where she felt Collum would wake up and be with her again.
Little did she know she would be meeting him in the afterlife. Is it hell or heaven?
Abe Moss as an Author has always been a favorite Author of mine.
August 4, 2026
Thank you for the gifted audiobook,Libro.fm!
I couldn’t stop listening to this atmospheric nightmare. The story follows a freshly widowed Alma as she seeks to find a way to reunite with her husband. Her town is ruled by a cult like religious sect who claims they have been tasked with protecting what is left of the human race. Through different POVs, we learn things are not what you think in Hearts of Hellfire. Moss paints a visceral picture of a hellscape which is brought to life by the audio actors and production.
Perfect for fans of The Pines trilogy & the TV show From.
I will absolutely be finishing this trilogy via audio!
I couldn’t stop listening to this atmospheric nightmare. The story follows a freshly widowed Alma as she seeks to find a way to reunite with her husband. Her town is ruled by a cult like religious sect who claims they have been tasked with protecting what is left of the human race. Through different POVs, we learn things are not what you think in Hearts of Hellfire. Moss paints a visceral picture of a hellscape which is brought to life by the audio actors and production.
Perfect for fans of The Pines trilogy & the TV show From.
I will absolutely be finishing this trilogy via audio!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was such a compelling read, and the storyline has a little something for fans of a variety of horror and sci-fi genres - post-apocolyptic, supernatural, cosmic, creature, body horror, all with a healthy dose of suspense. Written from the point of view of multiple characters, the first two chapters set the stage, the third ramps up, and the fourth introduces a wild turn that completely hooked me in for the rest of the story. The action winds down in a satisfying way that provides a good set-up for part 2. Looking forward to the next book in the trilogy!
July 31, 2026
I..was not expecting it to be the kind of book it was and that's on me not the book. It came up on an ad in the midst of my thriller phase. The whole time I was thinking the story's alright but I just want to get it done and get back to my regularly scheduled programs. And then I finished it... and I think I am gonna go ahead and read book #2 at some point. 🤷♀️ Not bad just wasn't in the mindset at the time.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Wildly imaginative! Great, multi-faceted characters. Very unique plot. Vivid descriptions. This was a fast-paced, interesting read, that I found I did not want to put down! Kept me glued to the pages from the first page to the last.
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
Review of advance copy received from Author
If you love anything set in a post apocalyptic world, then this book is for you. There was such great world and characters as well. The world building had me sucked in right from the start and never once did I feel overwhelmed in the story. I am so glad this is going to be a trilogy, I cant not wait to continue the journey with these characters.
May 4, 2026
I loved this! It’s dark, so if that’s not your thing, I’d be wary, but it was great. The story was original and bingeable. I finished this book in a day, I didn’t want to put it down. Definitely interested to see how the story continues and evolves. Must read if this is your genre of book!!
June 16, 2026
An excellent start to the series, and the more I read, the more it drew me in. It certainly captures the mind and fills you with images of the horrors that unfold. Very highly recommended. I received a complimentary copy from the author and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 16, 2026
Alma has lost the thing she loves most in the world her husband. But she thinks she can bring him back. After they return to their community isn't happy. Others are getting I'll. Will things ever be the same? Haunting.
June 18, 2026
A terrifying journey like many, that starts with grief. Alma's loss rocks her to the core but then the messages start and soon her journey begins but she won't like where it ends. Abe Moss is a pro at building horror and Hearts of Hellfire is proves it. It will freak you out!
May 12, 2026
I absolutely loved this book. It was so dark and gripping. I just couldn’t put it down. If you love apocalyptic books with monsters then you will love this one. I so can’t wait for the next book.
July 7, 2026
Loved this one from Abe. Always such a unique premise, I'm so glad this is a trilogy
July 15, 2026
3.5 ⭐️ rounded up.
I love Abe Moss, I just need more horror than what this one offered. I’m in a MOOD 🔪 🩸
I love Abe Moss, I just need more horror than what this one offered. I’m in a MOOD 🔪 🩸
July 25, 2026
RTC 🔥
July 26, 2026
Engrossing audiobook I loved every minute of it. The story was fabulous the characters fleshed out the world was horrifying everything I want in a horror book
July 29, 2026
3.5 stars…I am not sure what to think. I mostly liked this dystopian fantasy, and the characters. I think I will stew over this before I read the other 2 books
July 31, 2026
Very original. Great page turner. I want to learn more about the formative past!
August 3, 2026
impatiently awaiting the next installment
Review of advance copy received from Author
A wonderful twist on a dystopian world. Told from multiple point of views the characters are ever changing leaving the reader questioning who is good and who is evil. I can't wait to read the next in the series!
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews