Origins of Evil

At Hell's Gates #2

by Devan Sagliani, Shana Festa, Mark Tufo

Welcome back to Hell’s Gates! The palpable sense of dread may seem familiar, but this time things are a bit…different. Fresher. Newer. As though just recently born… See that squealing baby over there? He could grow up to be a lifesaving doctor (or perhaps the antichrist.) What about that scientist burning the midnight oil? He could be working on a bug zapper (or a doomsday device.) Did you catch that comet out of the corner of your eye? It might bring good luck (or an apocalyptic plague.) Yes, every darkness has a source, every monster has a birthplace, and every evil has an origin. In the second volume of the #1 Bestselling AT HELL’S GATES series, twenty-three of the finest dark fiction authors working today will force you to witness the ORIGINS OF EVIL. Each unique tale of terror traces an unspeakable horror back to its very beginning. All proceeds from this horror anthology series go to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, a charity benefiting military veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury. The authors and editors of this series are pleased to donate their time and effort to a truly worthy cause. So sit back, relax, support a fine charity, and enjoy twenty-three tales of dawning calamity from some of horror fiction’s leading lights.

Genres: Horror

472 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 30, 2015

About the author

Devan Sagliani was born and raised in Southern California and graduated from UCLA. He is the author of the Zombie Attack! series, The Rising Dead, A Thirst For Fire, and the UNDEAD L.A. series. Devan also wrote the original screenplay for the movie HVZ: Humans Versus Zombies. He writes a bimonthly horror column for Escapist Magazine called Dark Dreams.

Devan's fiction has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize and the Million Writers Award. In 2012 his debut novel Zombie Attack! Rise of the Horde won Best Zombie/Horror E-book on Goodreads. He is also an active member of the Horror Writer's Association.

He currently lives in Venice Beach, California with his wife.

Reviews

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pulse by Mark Tufo: A innocent-seeming vignette that starts off with a man trying to build a better mousetrap - or in this case - bug zapper. His design gets away from him though, and things spiral out of control quickly. A mix of sci-fi, thriller, and E.C. Comics style unintended consequences makes this a strong anchor for the book.

Cookies for the Gentleman by C.T. Phipps: This is my idea of a quintessential horror short story. Clever, expertly paced, and stingy with the details until the very end, this story packs a wallop. Easily one of my favorites.

History's End by Frank Tayell: A scientists well-intentioned act quickly goes awry with world-shattering consequences. This story is another one that straddles horror and thriller themes. It's well-written, an enjoyable read, and provides a believable back story to the events of a full-length work.

A Mother's Nightmare by J. Rudolph: A mother tries to shepherd her children across a land overcome by zombies. A connected story to her work in the first anthology, A Mother's Nightmare continues to build the character of Cali Anglin. While not my cup of tea personally, Cali comes across as an authentic character with conflicting emotions and fears as she does her best to protect her children and hold on to her memories of them before the apocalypse.

Patient 63 by Stevie Kopas: A zombie story/love tale with an unusual pairing of love interests. As with my experience reading her story in the first volume of this series, Ms. Kopas excels in character development. Well-written and appealing, this one should resonate with a lot of people.

Tyrannical Ascension: An extension of her Time of Death books, this covers the rise to power of the main villain who appears in Book 2: Asylum. While a good addition to the mythology of the Time of Death world, this story does not play to her strength of creating likeable characters who you want to root for to survive. Not a bad story at all, but seeing things from the villain's eyes did not grip me in the same way as he story in the first volume.

Ink by James Crawford: This story is a deviation from his "Blood Soaked and Contagious" series that covers a very peculiar tattoo artist and the effect his work has on others. It's mysterious and creepy with a story that slowly unfolds over the course. Well worth a read.

The Man with Four Scars by Stephen Kozeniewski: Caveman meets zombies in a one man showdown with a world infected by something far beyond what the main characters primitive mind could grasp. While the story felt a little slow to get going, Kozeniewski has an unquestionable talent for both his character development and giving them living, breathing quirks and affectations that make them feel truly real. A good break from the typical zombie story as well.

Daddy's Girl By Ian McClellan: A drug dealer finds out that he's bitten off more than he can chew when he gets caught up with a local gang leader who is more than he seems. McClellan is a good storyteller, and his writing is top-notch. This story, however, felt a bit too heavy on shock value vs. the kind of creeping horror that I usually enjoy.

Operation Devil Walk by David Mickolas: A British WWII Commando team infiltrates a secret Nazi ritual that uses a disturbing type of magic. This is a great "Weird War" kind of story with plenty of tension, believable action, and no small amount of chills. I'll be looking for more of this guy.

The Infected by S.G. Lee: Grey's Anatomy meets zombies in a hospital when a group of doctors compete for a promotion and bit off more than they can chew. A good young adult/medical drama take on zombies that will satisfy anyone looking for something a little bit different.

Forget Me Never by Sharon Stevenson: An up-and-coming actress reveals the unconventional secret to her success. Like Cookies for the Gentleman, this story hits that precise balance of revelation and secrecy that makes a good short story. Highly recommended.

Mirage by Sean Smith: A sci-fi diversion from his "Wrath" series, this stream of consciousness tale tells the story of a stranded survivor of crashed starship. While a bit too abstract for me, the piece is written to Mr. Smith's usual great standard, and the twist at the end is cool and unexpected.

The Millstone by Lesa Kinney Anders: A vampire tale with a twist that I can't reveal without ruining it. Well written and characterized, the story is another fine addition to the series, especially with its Dusk Til Dawn/Vampires southwestern feel.

Genesis by Kit Power: A prelude to a full-length novel GODBOMB finds the narrator attempting to track down his missing father and exact revenge on an unexpected enemy. While well-written and the author has talent, the story did not quite strike me as horror. There seems to be a subtext that will be explored in the novel that may have a more supernatural bent, but I did not quite see it here. Not bad by any means, but this one did not resonate with me.

Lockdown by TM Caldwell: A school teacher tries her best to protect her students amid a school lockdown that quickly proves to be something far beyond a student with a knife. There's a slight twist on the typical zombie behavior that is novel, and the story's pacing, language, and plot are good. Not quite a standout from other zombie stories, it is still entertaining.

Collection Night by Curran Geist: A truck driver receives an urgent message from his wife and comes home to find out that something very sinister has descended on his home. The story has a cool twist, and it injects an eerie atmosphere into the proceedings, but it takes a bit too long to get where it's going. Despite that quibble, the story is a solid entry.

The Cold by Devan Sagliani: A junkie unexpectedly inherits his sick father's home in isolated Colorado only to find out that the man was experimenting with dark forces to try and avoid death. Creepy and with an authentic voice, the main character feels real. While the ending feels a bit too quick, this is a polished short story.

A Different Cocktail by Claire C. Riley: A man tries to impress a women by going along with a bizarre ritual that lands him in an unexpected and horrifying situation. A story told from a different perspective than normal, Ms. Riley draws the reader into the mind of the narrator and gets to see his slow realization that he's made a big mistake. Well worth a read.

A Song to Sing in Babylon: Matthew Baugh and Bobbie Metevier: In the apocalypse, intelligent monsters work to bring their God back to reign on earth. Of all the stories, I'm sorry to say that this is the one that did not resonate with me. It felt like part of a larger novel and I didn't quite understand some of the references and "lore" that the authors were going for. Not badly written, but it felt too fragmented to follow properly.

The Gouger by Paul Mannering: A sadistic fisherman finds his past coming back to his haunt him. Another tautly written story with a handful interesting characters that pop up. The horror aspects of the story take a little while in coming, but are satisfying when they do.

Ultimately, this collection had a lot of solid stories and a lot of meat for the price. When all the proceeds go to a great charity, it's hard to go wrong with this one.

http://apocalypseyarns.blogspot.com/

[Patrick D'Orazio · Rating 5 out of 5]

At Hell’s Gates: Volume Two focuses on the theme of ‘Origins of Evil’. The first volume was an anthology that served in many ways as an introduction to the world’s the contributing authors had created in their various novel-length horror series. Many of the stories served as add-ons or addendums to those tales-they were short stories with a very large shadow looming behind them. Volume Two has mainly standalone offerings from each contributor.
While I appreciate stories that add to a bigger world, there is something about the stand alone tale, especially in the horror genre, that makes it compelling. Sometimes the smaller slices of hell are the most dark and make you despair the most. That is why this volume has stepped up its game over the first volume. So many of these stories sucked me in, chewed me up, and spit me back out. Brutal like an assault in a back alley, they leave you dazed and curled up in the fetal position, whimpering and shivering in fear.
If purchasing this anthology was nothing more than an excuse to donate to a worthy cause, I’d have been happy to chip in. The cause is an excellent one: The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund. But this anthology is also worth the price of admission because the stories on its pages are worthy of the investment, charity or no charity involved.
Here is a quick synopsis of each tale included in this work.
Pulse by Mark Tufo: A scientist builds a better mousetrap. Well, a better way to kill bugs. Unfortunately, it has an affinity for killing other living beings as well.
Cookies for the Gentleman by C.T. Phillips: A tale madness and desperation that spirals into a very dark, grim place for narrator…a place that threatens to suck the reader in along with him.
By Any Means Necessary by Evin Ager: An army grunt guarding terrorists at a secret military prison discovers the inmates are being used for some very unscrupulous supernatural testing.
History’s End by Frank Tayell: The best intentions to save mankind from itself can have the most drastic, unforeseen consequences.
A Mother’s Nightmare by J. Rudolph: Could you cope with the loss of all you hold dear? What would you do if you were faced with crushing despair that comes with the destruction of all that you love?
Patient 63 by Stevie Kopas: Infection transforms most of the world into subhuman monsters. Humanity fights back, discovering a cure. The question then becomes whether the infection is the villain or humanity itself?
Tyrannical Ascension by Shana Festa: We return to the author’s Time of Death zombie apocalypse series and are introduced to the man who would be king, or at least someone who has designs on such status in a world overrun by the undead.
Ink by James Crawford: The world’s most elite tattoo artist creates his masterpiece on a living canvas. The man blessed with this art is also cursed with an unquenchable desire to find the hidden meaning behind its dark beauty, to the everlasting despair of anyone who crosses his path.
The Man with Four Scars by Stephen Kozeniewski: Assures the reader that the undead have been with us long before Romero introduced them. A caveman discovers a recently crashed meteorite and the strange effects it has on his tribe.
Daddy’s Girl by Ian McClellan: Reiterates the sage advice that it is best not to judge thy neighbor for their sins when you yourself are a sinner…even if your neighbor might be a malevolent supernatural being.
Operation Devil Walk by David Mickolas: That the Nazis sought out supernatural assistance to give them more power to defeat their enemies is well established. Their hatred for Jews is undisputed. The idea of combining those two things is horrific.
The Infected by S.G. Lee: A naïve young doctor falls for the manipulations of an ultra-competitive and ultra-sleazy coworker while working on experimental medical treatments that could extend the viability of organs used in transplants.
Forget Me Never by Sharon Stevenson: Fame is never everlasting. Or is it? Some are willing to kill for it and to even keep killing to maintain it.
Mirage by Sean T. Smith: A twisty, tragic sci-fi tale of giving up and giving in…when your goal is tantalizingly just out of reach…or is that perhaps just a mirage?
The Millstone by Lesa Kinney Anders: We all have our burdens. It’s said that if you save someone’s life, you are responsible for them for them forever. Is the same true if you destroy their life?
Genesis by Kit Power: How far would you be willing to go to show God how cheated you feel when you beg, plead, and pray for intervention, only get ignored time and again?
Lockdown by TM Caldwell: What’s a teacher to do when the dead have risen and are roaming the halls of the school? Especially if you are on lockdown and you have a room full of panicked grade-schoolers to look after?
Collection Night by Curran Geist: How far would you go to protect your wife and child? How dark could the nightmare become before you lost your nerve?
The Cold by Devan Sagliani: Life can suck. Whether by your own doing or if you choose to blame everyone else for your failures, it can always suck just a little bit more…especially if you accidentally dabble with the supernatural.
A Different Cocktail by Claire C. Riley: Sure, I’d be skeptical too about a ritual that promises to bring forth a vampire master, but if you want to get lucky with a goth girl, why not partake in the ‘blood’ you’ve been offered that is supposed to summon him? What’s the worst that could happen?
A Song to Sing in Babylon by Bobbie Metevier & Matthew Baugh: The old world is dying and change is painful…not only for the human race but those who have hidden in the shadows for generations. Humans believe that God is punishing us while the others believe they are being rewarded with a world transformed into something more accommodating. But what if they’re both wrong?
The Gouger by Paul Mannering: Somewhat reminiscent of the Stephen King short story, “The Mangler”, the Gouger is a grinder used to liquefy fish guts and anything else fishermen bring to the Makula Bay Fishing Co-op. It’s also Tommy Malone’s favorite machine. He loves to watch it consume and dreams of it consuming the world.
Overall, horror anthologies tend to be a mixed bag. I tend to rate them on overall experience, though it often takes only one story that leaves me squirming in discomfort to satisfy me. Naturally, not every story resonates with every reader, and for me this anthology was no exception. A few stories just didn’t hit the mark for me. With that said, the majority did, and I’m happy (or perhaps disconcerted?) to say that several left me squirming. So this book is a double whammy: the proceeds are going to a very worthy charity and the book itself is a worthy read.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked up this horror anthology. I was initially drawn to its cause to raise money for the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, a cause near and dear to me and my family. At first, I was planning on just skimming through the short stories but I soon found myself to be totally engrossed, and read it cover to cover! I was seriously impressed with the caliber of the stories! I read a lot of horror/sci-fi books and this collection is freakin' scary. They range from quirky to seriously disturbing. There's also some zombie action throughout which always gets me excited. In particular I found Cookies for the Gentleman to be funny/creepy. I also really enjoyed Collection Night, a goosebumps-inducing alien story, to be one of the best. It paid close attention to character development which made the suspenseful, twist of an ending that much more horrifying...and enjoyable :-). All horror/sci-fi/fantasy fans should definitely pick up this anthology!

[Jessica Austin Gudmundson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good, scary read. Great cause.

[Meghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a die hard horror junkie, I was really excited to get my hands on this anthology! And the fact that it's in support of a good cause (Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund) was just icing on the cake. I mainly consume horror through the movies, so the natural comparison I drew right away was to the film series "The ABC's of Death." You get the scares in small, easily digestible bites which is a nice change of pace. Plus, if you're not loving one story, you're quickly on to the next!

Like all anthologies, there's always hits and misses. Some stories left me wanting more while others fell short. But you really can't fault a horror anthology for that when everyone has such a personal perception of fear and what's scary. Three stories that particularly stood out for me were-- "Forget Me Never" by Sharon Stevenson, "Collection Night" by Curran Geist and "Tyrannical Ascension" by Shana Festa.

"Forget Me Never" is short and sweet and quite shocking which is what I liked best about it-- zero filler or fluff! It's unapologetically gruesome but not in an over-the-top gross-you-out-just-for-the sake-of-it-way. The plot itself seems, depressingly enough, plausible in real life which always boosts the scare factor for me.

"Collection Night" was my favorite story in the anthology! Admittedly, I have a soft spot for sci-fi horror and this story doesn't disappoint. Without giving too much away, this one really plays with your emotions. If you think you know where the story's going, you're wrong! This is one you'll want to read all the way through, but not because it has some ridiculous M Night Shyamalan twist. The characters are well developed and the imagery is especially vivid, particularly during the climax. Make sure you don't skip over this spooky slow burner!!!

"Tyrannical Ascension" is a good one for all those zombie fans out there. If you like "World War Z" or "The Walking Dead" then this won't let you down. You may be thinking zombies are so 2013, but you're wrong. There's still plenty of scares left in the genre as proven by this story. Especially since the politics of a zombie apocalypse is a topic that isn't usually explored!

I gave this anthology 4 out of 5 stars just because it has some weak spots. The three stories I mentioned above, particularly "Collection Night," pick up the slack and make this read well worth it for horror and science fiction fans alike! Can't wait for Volume 3!

[Matthew Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first read the blurb about AT HELL’S GATES: ORIGINS OF EVIL, I thought to myself, “What a perfect title for an anthology!” Hell is always an interesting backdrop for horror stories, and the gates of hell make for a more specific setting for terror to unfurl. I am excited to promote this anthology, but not just because of the title. The tales within this collection are all excellent for various reasons, and the authors who wrote them are all talented. But this book is also being used to promote a worthy cause. Thus, this anthology is a win-win, all the way around.

I am a huge supporter of our armed forces and any cause that works to support them. As such, organizations like The Wounded Warrior Project and The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund are certainly to be commended in my eyes. One of the coolest aspects of this book is that proceeds from the sales of this anthology are donated to The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund. So not only is it entertaining, but it is being used to do some good.

As I mentioned, every story in AT HELL’S GATES: ORIGINS OF EVIL is written well and flows smoothly. A couple take a bit to get going, but this is a minor detraction and takes nothing away from the collection as a whole. The authors showcased here are very talented, and I would wager many (if not all) will have long, successful careers in the industry.

I particularly like how broad the usage of the subject matter is. Some stories utilize the concept of the book’s title literally, while others use it metaphorically. This diversity is nice and works well to satisfy the collection’s overall theme.

One of my favorite stories in AT HELL’S GATES: ORIGINS OF EVIL is “Operation Devil Walk” by David Mickolas. This tale is set in World War II and chronicles a British Commando Team who is sent to infiltrate a secret Nazi sect. In addition to great fight scenes, the story combines a heightened sense of tension with some truly horrific imagery. This might be my favorite story in the whole book.

AT HELL’S GATES: ORIGINS OF EVIL is a major win for me, and I highly recommend it. Fans of horror will want to eat this up, and those interested in quirky literature will want to give this a look as well. But if you’re wanting a unique way to support our troops and their families, this will satisfy that as well. The book is available now in a variety of formats.

[Christoph Fischer · Rating 5 out of 5]

"At Hell's Gates 2: Origins of Evil" is one hell of a rollercoaster ride. Not a solid fan of horror I purchased the anthology because of some very talented writers who contributed to the second edition and because the proceeds go to The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund. Knowing that there was a humanitarian cuase behind the book made it certainly easier to connect with the terror within.
23 stories, all different yet powerful and showcasing diverse talent: The sujects range from a mousetrap to a starship, from personal to universal terrors, with heroes that include scientists, truck drivers, actresses, junkies and drug dealers. Some stories are more supernatural, others sci-fi, thriller and some plain horror.
If horror is your thing, or you want to support a good cause, this anthology is for you. Highly recommended.

[Laronza Wiley-moore]

the first was good and the second one was better!!!!

[Book lover · Rating 4 out of 5]

A step in the right direction

An anthology of diverse tales for horror, thriller and supernatural fans. Its a much better compilation than the first book in this series. Am glad I gave it a try.

[S. Nash · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't really rate this: conflict of interest ;)

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this collection that focuses on the origins of evil. I ended up purchasing the other 2 books in the series. For anyone that loves horror this is a must read collection.

[Nina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanking Sharon Stevenson (contributing author) for giving me the opportunity to read and review At Hell's Gates 2: Origins of Evil.

I wasn't sure what to expect from this horror anthology. For a start, I didn’t know it was published to support the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund. Then I panicked, cos I usually don’t enjoy reading any sort of stories involving armed forces. No offence, it is just not my cup of tea. Having finished this almost 500 pages long piece of evil and terror, I might have to revise that!
Hitting of with Pulse by Mark Tufo, the trend was set and you got a clear image of what to expect. With anthologies, there will always be stories you won’t like as much as others or are not what you think they should be like. You win a little, lose a little. In this work, it’s more than perfectly balanced out.
If some wouldn’t have left me scared shitless, I would have read it cover to cover! Great read!

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book for a (beyond) amazing cause! I love horror, and I love Zs. If you do as well, pick up a copy of this fabulous collection that will not disappoint! Anthos are my thing, my go-to place for a horror fix in a crazy, busy world. I can read one short at a time, skip around, or read them all straight through - which is what I did with this collection. Of course, I have a favorite (or two), but they are all slam dunk stories from talented writers. You will be screaming scared much of the time, and I guarantee at least one sly smile will cross your face. Happy Reading!

[†Reviews of a FearStreetZombie†]

I received this book in return for an honest review.

Will write proper review when I have finished the book.

[Janiera A · Rating 5 out of 5]

review coming soon.

[Ava Michelle]

A Haunting, Gritty, and Unflinching Descent into Dystopian Horror

Curran Geist doesn’t just write horror, he dissects it. His work in The Sity series and At Hell’s Gates is a bold, blood-stained mirror held up to society, reflecting not just our fears, but our failures.

This is horror with purpose. Every page bleeds with dread, but beneath the surface, there’s always a deeper message. Themes like the exploitation of children, animal cruelty, and systemic oppression are woven into narratives that feel disturbingly close to home and that’s exactly what makes them so powerful.

Geist creates worlds that are bleak and brutal, but never hollow. His characters have depth, his villains have nuance, and his atmosphere? It's thick enough to suffocate. You don’t read his stories you experience them. You feel the grime under your nails, the weight of despair, the flicker of hope in a place that’s long forgotten light.

It’s rare to find a horror author who not only scares you but makes you think. Curran Geist does both and then some. If you like your horror unflinching, intelligent, and socially aware, this is the author to watch.