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Dark demon rising
The myths and folklore from the Malay peninsula is not something the Western World has been much exposed to. Tunku Halim now takes us into that dark, superstitious realm. This is the tale of Shazral who was terrorised by a demon as a boy, growing up in a small village. After his mother dies mysteriously, Shazral leaves for the city and becomes a lawyer, forsaking his father and his home. When he returns to his dying father, he learns his “inheritance” is to follow his father, to become a shaman, to heal the sick and protect the village from the demon. “This new ground in the genre is very refreshing and the author takes great care to educate the reader while still being entertaining. There are also a few good twists that keep you guessing right to the end of the story.” - Craig Lockely, Amazon Review Dark Demon Rising was nominated for the 1999 International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award and was studied by Glennis Byron from the University of Sterling, her article appearing in Asian Gothic (2008). “Monsters”, as she says, “do cultural work”
227 pages, Paperback
First published July 20, 2011
3 people are currently reading
43 people want to read
About the author
Tunku Halim
37 books57 followersTunku Halim has lived in the UK, Australia, the Philippines, Thailand and Malaysia. He worked as Legal Counsel for a global IT company before turning to writing.
Twenty books later, he is dubbed Asia’s Steven King. By delving into Malay myth, legends and folklore, his writing is regarded as ‘World Gothic’.
His novel, Dark Demon Rising, was nominated for the 1999 International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award whilst his second novel, Vermillion Eye, is used as a study text in The National University of Singapore’s Language and Literature course.
His short story has also won first prize in a 1998 Fellowship of Australian Writers competition. In Malaysia, he has had three consecutive wins in Malaysia's Star-Popular Readers’ Choice Awards between 2015 and 2017.
Twenty books later, he is dubbed Asia’s Steven King. By delving into Malay myth, legends and folklore, his writing is regarded as ‘World Gothic’.
His novel, Dark Demon Rising, was nominated for the 1999 International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award whilst his second novel, Vermillion Eye, is used as a study text in The National University of Singapore’s Language and Literature course.
His short story has also won first prize in a 1998 Fellowship of Australian Writers competition. In Malaysia, he has had three consecutive wins in Malaysia's Star-Popular Readers’ Choice Awards between 2015 and 2017.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 16, 2021
Let's get one tiny bit of critique our of the way first. I would have preferred if there was a bigger twist to the ending but it was still a good finale.
Peesonally, Tunku Halim is a craft master when it comes to balancing pace, narration and suspense. None of those were overdone or undercooked 😉.
Aesthetically, I like the choice of font and layout as they sped up my reading pace. And of course, loveee the cover. Simple, artsy and it captures the essence of the story.
Most importantly, the scary scenes were executed well, in my opinion. There were some moments when I felt the chill and for those which I didn't, I still enjoyed the narration.
I recommend this to my fellow Malaysian readers and to my fellow book lovers from over the seas, this book might just be the Pages for you to have a taste of Malaysia horror.
Peesonally, Tunku Halim is a craft master when it comes to balancing pace, narration and suspense. None of those were overdone or undercooked 😉.
Aesthetically, I like the choice of font and layout as they sped up my reading pace. And of course, loveee the cover. Simple, artsy and it captures the essence of the story.
Most importantly, the scary scenes were executed well, in my opinion. There were some moments when I felt the chill and for those which I didn't, I still enjoyed the narration.
I recommend this to my fellow Malaysian readers and to my fellow book lovers from over the seas, this book might just be the Pages for you to have a taste of Malaysia horror.
August 14, 2022
Actually i am a little bit disappointed with the fight scene. There should be a more brutal fight like stabbing or punching instead of shouting and other help from luck. However, the story is still really good. How a man who live in hedonistic life turned out to be a shaman with hantu pusaka and live in kampung. We don't know where our life will lead us. Sometimes, it can be something that we dream about everyday. But most of the times, it will be the thing we hated the most. Life sucks but it still our life.
January 28, 2023
The story is about Shazral a corporate lawyer who was living the good and glamorous live in the city...that was till he received news that his father in the village is dying.
He went back to see him for the last time but was plunge into things of the past and of his "inheritance ".
Am a bit disappointed. The synopsis is good but too bad story is a bit slow and not as exciting as I had expected.
Overall its still worth reading to past time
He went back to see him for the last time but was plunge into things of the past and of his "inheritance ".
Am a bit disappointed. The synopsis is good but too bad story is a bit slow and not as exciting as I had expected.
Overall its still worth reading to past time
November 6, 2024
On one level this is a folklore-based tale of horror, but - on another level - it is a commentary on the distinction between tribal village life and the modern life of the super-tribal metropole.
The lead character, Shazral, comes from a long line of Shaman -- medicine men. However, in the opening chapter we find that he has moved to the big city, Kuala Lumpur, and has become a successful lawyer. He has a nice office, a big salary, and a fashionable sportscar. He thinks he has a perfect life. Then he's called to return to the village to see his dying father. Son and father have not been on speaking terms because the father wanted the Shazral to continue the Shamanic line, but Shazral wanted to escape the village and the strained familial situation that existed since his mother died during his youth. This return sets in motion events that will show his big city professional life wasn't all it appeared to be and draws him back to the family business.
I enjoyed the story and think it was well-crafted and evocative. The backstory provides powerful motive, and the characters are distinctive and worthy of the reader's consideration. There were a number of typos in the edition that I read. They were not detrimental to understanding the story, but could take one out of it, momentarily.
I'd recommend this book for readers interested in tales of horror rooted in folklore (in this case Malaysian folklore) and shamanism.
The lead character, Shazral, comes from a long line of Shaman -- medicine men. However, in the opening chapter we find that he has moved to the big city, Kuala Lumpur, and has become a successful lawyer. He has a nice office, a big salary, and a fashionable sportscar. He thinks he has a perfect life. Then he's called to return to the village to see his dying father. Son and father have not been on speaking terms because the father wanted the Shazral to continue the Shamanic line, but Shazral wanted to escape the village and the strained familial situation that existed since his mother died during his youth. This return sets in motion events that will show his big city professional life wasn't all it appeared to be and draws him back to the family business.
I enjoyed the story and think it was well-crafted and evocative. The backstory provides powerful motive, and the characters are distinctive and worthy of the reader's consideration. There were a number of typos in the edition that I read. They were not detrimental to understanding the story, but could take one out of it, momentarily.
I'd recommend this book for readers interested in tales of horror rooted in folklore (in this case Malaysian folklore) and shamanism.
June 12, 2022
It tells the story of the main character, Shazral Abas, who left his father to further his dream as a lawyer in KL. He came home 9yrs later confused about whether to accept his dying father's 'inheritence' (hantu pusaka). He also had to confront the truth about his 'girlfriend' 😈 and fight the devil that has been haunting him since young.
This book really reminds me of my days living in the hostel. We would be sharing horror stories we have heard or experienced first-hand. I love that one of them is represented in this novel. The story of Hantu Pusaka. It is very close-related to the Malay culture, where the older generation used to seek help or refuge from the Jinn. It would be passed down to the next generation. I've never heard a positive story about having this inheritance, but this novel somehow describes that it's prevalent for bomoh to use it to heal the locals.
As a Muslim, the idea of depending on something other than God is impermissible. Yet, this book is a good way for me to reflect on myself and to acknowledge the reality of the Malay culture.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5
This book really reminds me of my days living in the hostel. We would be sharing horror stories we have heard or experienced first-hand. I love that one of them is represented in this novel. The story of Hantu Pusaka. It is very close-related to the Malay culture, where the older generation used to seek help or refuge from the Jinn. It would be passed down to the next generation. I've never heard a positive story about having this inheritance, but this novel somehow describes that it's prevalent for bomoh to use it to heal the locals.
As a Muslim, the idea of depending on something other than God is impermissible. Yet, this book is a good way for me to reflect on myself and to acknowledge the reality of the Malay culture.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5
August 3, 2021
Last night I needed a bedtime read, so I thought why not stick to the tradition of a good "cerita hantu" at bedtime? Those usually scared kids into bed, right? :)
This was a quick read since I'm malay so the setting was familiar. To people of other background maybe it takes a while to get into this story. However, TH gave enough description of kampung life that sets the story just nicely.
I enjoyed this book for the writing style, good english, chapter breaks and building momentum as each chapter closes. It's not "meleret leret" kind of story as some of malay books tend to be. Reading this in some places (especially when Shazral was out in the club) sorta brought scenes of "Blade" the movie to mind.
A good read for a few hours. Good that it's issued again after the 20th anniversary, otherwise this tale could have been lost out in Malaysiana.
This was a quick read since I'm malay so the setting was familiar. To people of other background maybe it takes a while to get into this story. However, TH gave enough description of kampung life that sets the story just nicely.
I enjoyed this book for the writing style, good english, chapter breaks and building momentum as each chapter closes. It's not "meleret leret" kind of story as some of malay books tend to be. Reading this in some places (especially when Shazral was out in the club) sorta brought scenes of "Blade" the movie to mind.
A good read for a few hours. Good that it's issued again after the 20th anniversary, otherwise this tale could have been lost out in Malaysiana.
February 18, 2023
Great story with the touch of Malay cultures. Love how author describes Kampung lifestyle and area. A bit of mind-blowing plot.
And mampus siot, dia 'buat' dengan Penanggal yang entah dari mana. Yang penting dia tu musuh bapa Shazral.
Aku musykil juga apa jampi serapah dia guna yang dipanggil 'Holy Word'. Is it jampi or from Qur'anic verse? Oohh why the author never says it!
I was happy that Shazral ending up with Roslyah. They're cute couple though.
And mampus siot, dia 'buat' dengan Penanggal yang entah dari mana. Yang penting dia tu musuh bapa Shazral.
Aku musykil juga apa jampi serapah dia guna yang dipanggil 'Holy Word'. Is it jampi or from Qur'anic verse? Oohh why the author never says it!
I was happy that Shazral ending up with Roslyah. They're cute couple though.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 5, 2020
Slow at first but gradually becomes a full-blown thriller. Too much back stories on the boat and drowning events. I want to explore more about the relationships between the main character and his father & families. Typical good-versus-evil story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 13, 2021
A decent horror from the author by basing the book on a Malay local folklore.
I can personally relate with the village backdrop of the story as well as the metropolitan lifestyle outlined by the author as I am a Malaysian and it made it reading this book even more enjoyable.
I can personally relate with the village backdrop of the story as well as the metropolitan lifestyle outlined by the author as I am a Malaysian and it made it reading this book even more enjoyable.
April 2, 2018
A good read if you enjoy paranormal stories.
November 27, 2018
The one of Best novels from malaysia author
February 8, 2019
My first read of the year, was a good mix of Malay horror.
February 2, 2024
love tunku halim and his stories about home xx i miss home so much 🥹 was so engrossed in the story and there was so many life lessons within the story.
August 29, 2024
A story regarding Shazral, who inherited the white tiger and Pendekar from his late father and was destined to be a shaman.
NOTE :
It was a good book to spend time on.
NOTE :
It was a good book to spend time on.
November 28, 2022
My second Fixi Novo
What a decent horror story.
The whole concept of Malay ghost such as Penanggal, Pontianak and Saka Harimau with an english writing is just mesmerizing.
The kampung also added another dimension of creepiness to the story which I really connected to, as me myself have witnessed this inheritance, exorcism, possession and etc during my childhood when my late grandfather decided to pass his 'pusaka' to his youngest children as the next 'Tuan'.
However though, the moment when Shazral accepted Saka Harimau, it's somehow feels like a high fantasy when he went to some kind of otherworldly place which kinda off from the horror concept.
Personally I also would like to know more about Minah and her origin, I mean she can't just showed up and get into Shazral's life. There has to be more rational explaination to it, I believe.
Other than that, applause to every horror stuff about kampung. They are really well written.
( 3⭐ )
What a decent horror story.
The whole concept of Malay ghost such as Penanggal, Pontianak and Saka Harimau with an english writing is just mesmerizing.
The kampung also added another dimension of creepiness to the story which I really connected to, as me myself have witnessed this inheritance, exorcism, possession and etc during my childhood when my late grandfather decided to pass his 'pusaka' to his youngest children as the next 'Tuan'.
However though, the moment when Shazral accepted Saka Harimau, it's somehow feels like a high fantasy when he went to some kind of otherworldly place which kinda off from the horror concept.
Personally I also would like to know more about Minah and her origin, I mean she can't just showed up and get into Shazral's life. There has to be more rational explaination to it, I believe.
Other than that, applause to every horror stuff about kampung. They are really well written.
( 3⭐ )
November 27, 2018
Whoa, what a roller coaster ride this book gave me.
For full review: https://dreammontages.wordpress.com/2...
For full review: https://dreammontages.wordpress.com/2...
June 3, 2011
slow but triller...just nice to sometime scared me..but realistic drama can be senses throughout the chapters
March 28, 2025
first time reading his book and i must say it’s not a bad first impression. i was taken aback by the abruptness of everything but the main character is a well-written character
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews