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Incantations
She called for her sister...
Someone else answered.
Someone else answered.
Sisters Angela and Lillian Tremblay return to Summerhaven, New Hampshire, after sixteen years away, ready to face the secrets and half-forgotten memories from their childhood.
One winter's day, Angela finds Lillian dead in the basement of their family home. The police are convinced it’s a suicide, but the town’s residents know better. The house once belonged to an ancient woman who killed children and bathed in their blood. A woman known as the Summerhaven Witch.
When a local woman with psychic abilities connects Angela’s past to her present, the truth threatens to push Angela over the edge.
Memories can scar. Secrets can kill.
The only thing left is for Angela to speak the words that will allow her to talk with the dead.
She must speak the incantations.
Incantations is a fast-paced horror novel full of haunted houses, supernatural creatures, and malevolent spirits. Get your copy of INCANTATIONS now.188 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 28, 2016
72 people are currently reading
110 people want to read
About the author
Erik Straker
2 books41 followersErik Straker was born in South Carolina in 1977. A rich Southern history full of ghosts and haunts has served as inspiration ever since.
He is the author of the dark poetry collection Fairy Tale Destruction as well as the novel Incantations. He writes mostly in the horror and dark fantasy genres, aiming to be the bastard lovechild of Stephen King and Chuck Palahniuk. But not in a creepy way.
Erik went to film school for a number of years and applies what he learned about film to his writing, using a predominantly visual style. Coming from a background of film and art, Erik has other projects in the works besides just his future novels. Graphic novels, short films, music albums and other artistic endeavors are completely up for grabs.
His dismal world views are ever-present throughout his art and writing. Despite this, he is a fairly normal guy who loves comedy as much as horror and is not at all "Goth" or "Emo."
Writing is his full-time love, and he works to perfect his craft every day. When not writing, he enjoys comic books, movies, music, and family time.
Erik lives in the Western Maryland area.
You can contact Erik and keep up with him at the following;
ErikStraker.com
twitter.com/erikstraker
facebook.com/HorrorAuthorErikStraker/
erikstraker@live.com
He is the author of the dark poetry collection Fairy Tale Destruction as well as the novel Incantations. He writes mostly in the horror and dark fantasy genres, aiming to be the bastard lovechild of Stephen King and Chuck Palahniuk. But not in a creepy way.
Erik went to film school for a number of years and applies what he learned about film to his writing, using a predominantly visual style. Coming from a background of film and art, Erik has other projects in the works besides just his future novels. Graphic novels, short films, music albums and other artistic endeavors are completely up for grabs.
His dismal world views are ever-present throughout his art and writing. Despite this, he is a fairly normal guy who loves comedy as much as horror and is not at all "Goth" or "Emo."
Writing is his full-time love, and he works to perfect his craft every day. When not writing, he enjoys comic books, movies, music, and family time.
Erik lives in the Western Maryland area.
You can contact Erik and keep up with him at the following;
ErikStraker.com
twitter.com/erikstraker
facebook.com/HorrorAuthorErikStraker/
erikstraker@live.com
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 16, 2019
This one I had trouble with it being overly graphic with rape scenes.
June 28, 2016
The synopsis
After being gone for 16 years, sisters Angela and Lillian Tremblay return to Summerhaven, New Hampshire. Upon arrival they are forced to face long forgotten secrets, and childhood memories. One fateful winter day, Angela comes home to find Lillian hanging dead in the basement. The police chalk it up to a suicide but Angela thinks its something else. The home they came back to has always been a topic of gossip. The home used to belong to a witch that killed children and bathed in their blood. Lillian goes to a psychic to find out if the witch's spirit has returned. is Lillian ready to contact the spirits and find out what really happened? Will she uncover long buried family secrets? Read this debut novel by Erik Straker to find out.
The review
This story gave me so many chills and goosebumps! I was up till late at night reading this book and unable to put it down. The cover for this book was a wonderful choice and ignited sparks of fear before ever opening it. The main character Angela is brilliant! She is strong and smart and ready to do what it takes to solve the mystery surrounding her sister death. The prologue to this book was haunting and had me excited to delve right in. The writing style for this book was a bit different in its format but it was brilliant and i adored it. This book was as amazing as it was haunting. I hope to see more from this author. 5 stars from me. Thank you Erik Straker and LibraryThing for this book in exchange for my honest review.
After being gone for 16 years, sisters Angela and Lillian Tremblay return to Summerhaven, New Hampshire. Upon arrival they are forced to face long forgotten secrets, and childhood memories. One fateful winter day, Angela comes home to find Lillian hanging dead in the basement. The police chalk it up to a suicide but Angela thinks its something else. The home they came back to has always been a topic of gossip. The home used to belong to a witch that killed children and bathed in their blood. Lillian goes to a psychic to find out if the witch's spirit has returned. is Lillian ready to contact the spirits and find out what really happened? Will she uncover long buried family secrets? Read this debut novel by Erik Straker to find out.
The review
This story gave me so many chills and goosebumps! I was up till late at night reading this book and unable to put it down. The cover for this book was a wonderful choice and ignited sparks of fear before ever opening it. The main character Angela is brilliant! She is strong and smart and ready to do what it takes to solve the mystery surrounding her sister death. The prologue to this book was haunting and had me excited to delve right in. The writing style for this book was a bit different in its format but it was brilliant and i adored it. This book was as amazing as it was haunting. I hope to see more from this author. 5 stars from me. Thank you Erik Straker and LibraryThing for this book in exchange for my honest review.
March 28, 2017
Fast paced book you will want to read in one setting
I really enjoyed the complex web of characters. The story seemed a little rushed, but only because I wanted to read more.
I really enjoyed the complex web of characters. The story seemed a little rushed, but only because I wanted to read more.
Read
February 6, 2017This book kept me in total suspense, and quite surprised at how well it turned out.
It is about a house that sits in a small town. The house has been full of ghostly activity, suicides and down right murder. Legend has it that a witch is responsible, but one girl thinks it is hogwash. Until she meets a psychic that moves next door to a store where the woman works at. she starts confiding in the psychic after her sister is found dead, and search's for answers. But what if the answers she is seeking is not what she expects them to be? During her search she starts piecing together things that happened when her whole family lived in the house and why the house is the way it seems to be.
Can she set the house free from the haunting? You will have to read the book to find out.
It is about a house that sits in a small town. The house has been full of ghostly activity, suicides and down right murder. Legend has it that a witch is responsible, but one girl thinks it is hogwash. Until she meets a psychic that moves next door to a store where the woman works at. she starts confiding in the psychic after her sister is found dead, and search's for answers. But what if the answers she is seeking is not what she expects them to be? During her search she starts piecing together things that happened when her whole family lived in the house and why the house is the way it seems to be.
Can she set the house free from the haunting? You will have to read the book to find out.
July 6, 2016
Incantations has enough ghosts, scary stuff, and horror to keep you up late. I pulled this off the to read shelf and read it in one reading session. The novel is presented a series of blog posts, each one describing a generation level that will eventually meet their ultimate fate at 129 Walsh Street in Summerhaven. Many of the characters in the story have existed before in a different generation. At least one exists twice side-by-side as a Jekyll and Hyde type. I won’t say which one, that is part of the fun of discovery. Straker begins in the present day with character descriptions and plot hints. Successive chapters will move one generation back, then towards the end of the book, we return to the present. Some actors change names as they emerge in different generations; readers might want to use a highlight function to keep track.
All types of deviance from societal norms are portrayed. There is standard infidelity as someone does the babysitter. There is pedophilia and incest as Dad molests his daughters. Most of the time, sisters love each other; only sometimes does one murder another. People commit suicide, but forget why they are doing it. Spells are cast, except when the persons casting their spells literally lose their tongues. All of this contributes to a novel my teenager will probably pass on, unless he finds it on my Kindle.
A very fast read, I won’t go through all the characters. I might present the reading as too challenging in terms of keeping up. Readers who like the horror genre will love this one. Characters are well developed, but in stages. Just watch out for the matriarch, Miss Esme Delapaz, a very creepy and vengeful central character in her own generation, the present generation and a few in between.
I received this book as part of the Library Thing Member Giveaway program in return for a review.
All types of deviance from societal norms are portrayed. There is standard infidelity as someone does the babysitter. There is pedophilia and incest as Dad molests his daughters. Most of the time, sisters love each other; only sometimes does one murder another. People commit suicide, but forget why they are doing it. Spells are cast, except when the persons casting their spells literally lose their tongues. All of this contributes to a novel my teenager will probably pass on, unless he finds it on my Kindle.
A very fast read, I won’t go through all the characters. I might present the reading as too challenging in terms of keeping up. Readers who like the horror genre will love this one. Characters are well developed, but in stages. Just watch out for the matriarch, Miss Esme Delapaz, a very creepy and vengeful central character in her own generation, the present generation and a few in between.
I received this book as part of the Library Thing Member Giveaway program in return for a review.
May 26, 2016
Author`s exclusive interview:
http://sukriti810.blogspot.com/2016/0...
STAR RATING: 3.5/5
DESCRIPTION IN ONE LINE: Stay away from the basement.
Title: To be really honest, first time I read the word incantations I had to look it up in my dictionary (Yes, I still have one of those). I was intrigued with the title and it made me start the book quicker that I usually do.
Title Rating: 4/5
Cover: The cover is a strong representation of the story as it creates the spooky effect the writer is attempting to create.
Cover Rating: 4/5
Characters: Angela: The character of Angela is a strong representation of an independent woman who doesn't shy away from responsibilities, hard work and for that matter witches. She is determined to do everything it takes to solve the mystery of the basement of their family home.
Characters Rating: 3.5/5
Read the full review here:
http://sukriti810.blogspot.com/2016/0...
http://sukriti810.blogspot.com/2016/0...
STAR RATING: 3.5/5
DESCRIPTION IN ONE LINE: Stay away from the basement.
Title: To be really honest, first time I read the word incantations I had to look it up in my dictionary (Yes, I still have one of those). I was intrigued with the title and it made me start the book quicker that I usually do.
Title Rating: 4/5
Cover: The cover is a strong representation of the story as it creates the spooky effect the writer is attempting to create.
Cover Rating: 4/5
Characters: Angela: The character of Angela is a strong representation of an independent woman who doesn't shy away from responsibilities, hard work and for that matter witches. She is determined to do everything it takes to solve the mystery of the basement of their family home.
Characters Rating: 3.5/5
Read the full review here:
http://sukriti810.blogspot.com/2016/0...
June 7, 2016
Received free in exchange for a review.
If you like horror, and witch craft, and things that go bump... this is for you. While well written with few errors it was well planned and executed.
At times a little over the top with cross and double cross, but a quick read.
If you like horror, and witch craft, and things that go bump... this is for you. While well written with few errors it was well planned and executed.
At times a little over the top with cross and double cross, but a quick read.
April 17, 2016
Boy this was one scary book.
May 27, 2016
Wow! What a creepy, spooky story. I hate evil things in the basement ...... especially witches. Ripper of a read - would love to read more of his work.
June 25, 2016
Amazing story. Loved it. going to go looking for more by this author. Do yourself a favor and read this book
September 10, 2016
Wow
So many twists and turns, it kept me glued to the story so I could find out what was going on. Great read, I read in two nights.
So many twists and turns, it kept me glued to the story so I could find out what was going on. Great read, I read in two nights.
October 12, 2016
Blood magic and evil spirits!! Great October read!!
August 12, 2017
I received this eBook from the author in exchange for an honest review.
All I can say is wow. Wow, this was totally worth the sleepless night. It wasn’t really a book that I could put down if I wanted to. It begged me to finish it.
Every character, even minor characters, were incredibly well developed and complex. Each character had its own story and reason for being in the main story itself. But for me, it was the psychic Viviana, Angela and the Summerhaven Witch that stood out the most.
You know those stories and movies where the house is the culprit, this was very similar although it was the ghost of the witch who was causing it. The house just seemed to suck up the bad energy and hold it within its walls.
When I think of the witch, I think of “The Conjuring” and the witch in that. Both were equally terrifying and their living energy and dead energy they left in the two houses.
But the Summerhaven Witch was terrifying in her ability to make people do things they normally wouldn’t like Lillian committing suicide.
“The sound of footsteps came to her, sharp and clear, from upstairs. She moved to the left enough to see up the stairs and through the rungs of the banister. It was dark, but not too dark to see dirty jeans and work boots walk out of the shadows and come into view.
Angela’s heart jumped to her throat and lodged there, choking off any chance of a scream or a cry of surprise. Those jeans. Those work boots. They didn’t belong to just any guy. They belonged to a man who had been dead for sixteen years.
Father? Angela thought incoherently. Oh no, is it Father?” (page 77)
Angela was definitely the star of the show. She was tough and she didn’t let the witch or house win. She called for her sister and faced down what answered instead. Also, creepy basements. *Shudder*.
My only problem was the ending was strange. It didn’t really fit with the rest of the story itself. It did conclude that the story was written in a blog post format and a tale being told, but it just didn’t fit in with the energy of the story.
But either way, I am looking forward to reading more by Erik Straker in the future!
Stop by Shh, I am Reading for reviews, book tours, giveaways and more!
All I can say is wow. Wow, this was totally worth the sleepless night. It wasn’t really a book that I could put down if I wanted to. It begged me to finish it.
Every character, even minor characters, were incredibly well developed and complex. Each character had its own story and reason for being in the main story itself. But for me, it was the psychic Viviana, Angela and the Summerhaven Witch that stood out the most.
You know those stories and movies where the house is the culprit, this was very similar although it was the ghost of the witch who was causing it. The house just seemed to suck up the bad energy and hold it within its walls.
When I think of the witch, I think of “The Conjuring” and the witch in that. Both were equally terrifying and their living energy and dead energy they left in the two houses.
But the Summerhaven Witch was terrifying in her ability to make people do things they normally wouldn’t like Lillian committing suicide.
“The sound of footsteps came to her, sharp and clear, from upstairs. She moved to the left enough to see up the stairs and through the rungs of the banister. It was dark, but not too dark to see dirty jeans and work boots walk out of the shadows and come into view.
Angela’s heart jumped to her throat and lodged there, choking off any chance of a scream or a cry of surprise. Those jeans. Those work boots. They didn’t belong to just any guy. They belonged to a man who had been dead for sixteen years.
Father? Angela thought incoherently. Oh no, is it Father?” (page 77)
Angela was definitely the star of the show. She was tough and she didn’t let the witch or house win. She called for her sister and faced down what answered instead. Also, creepy basements. *Shudder*.
My only problem was the ending was strange. It didn’t really fit with the rest of the story itself. It did conclude that the story was written in a blog post format and a tale being told, but it just didn’t fit in with the energy of the story.
But either way, I am looking forward to reading more by Erik Straker in the future!
Stop by Shh, I am Reading for reviews, book tours, giveaways and more!
October 22, 2017
This book accomplished something monumental: it's officially the worst thing I've ever read.
I've slogged through some really horrible messes with errors and plot holes at every turn, but while those were all present, they weren't overwhelming.
I'm not going to get into this whole tragic mess, but the primary problem was that the author can't successfully tell a story with female characters. When the main character and the vast majority of other characters are women, that's a really big problem. I've never read anything where it was so clear that the author had no idea how to use the female voice, and also no idea how utterly the mark was being missed. I'm pretty sure he thought he was writing something with a strong and brash female lead.
Fail. Super-total-faceplant-forever-failure in that area.
I got this for free, but I can't get the time I wasted reading it back, so I'm trying to save someone else from making the mistake that I did.
I've slogged through some really horrible messes with errors and plot holes at every turn, but while those were all present, they weren't overwhelming.
I'm not going to get into this whole tragic mess, but the primary problem was that the author can't successfully tell a story with female characters. When the main character and the vast majority of other characters are women, that's a really big problem. I've never read anything where it was so clear that the author had no idea how to use the female voice, and also no idea how utterly the mark was being missed. I'm pretty sure he thought he was writing something with a strong and brash female lead.
Fail. Super-total-faceplant-forever-failure in that area.
I got this for free, but I can't get the time I wasted reading it back, so I'm trying to save someone else from making the mistake that I did.
July 5, 2017
The writer for this book has talent but the subject material is very disturbing. I finished this book and feel like the author has potential but the content of this book seems to be graphic just to be graphic.
December 4, 2018
Really good book about the power of witches. The house held many secrets and each person to come in contact with the house met a tragic end. The reader is led to believe the line is done. Read to the end to find out what really happened. Excellent storyline and strong characters.
July 16, 2017
2.5 stars. Unnecessary foul language. Confusing at times. Overly graphic.
September 23, 2017
Wow
What a awesome read this will keep your interest right up to the end which the end is unexpected enjoy I did
What a awesome read this will keep your interest right up to the end which the end is unexpected enjoy I did
September 29, 2017
very good, if you like horror stories this is a good one.
November 9, 2017
Great story telling.
January 10, 2018
Loved it
Definitely one of those books you can't seem to put down. Very good read with twists and spooks around every corner.
Definitely one of those books you can't seem to put down. Very good read with twists and spooks around every corner.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews