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World on Fire #.5

The Ninth Circle

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Arthur Vangeest has been hunting a cult known as the Ninth Circle for months and finally located their base of operations, but something goes terribly wrong before he can strike at them. Someone he trusts betrays him and his wife and young daughter are murdered. Now he isn’t sure if there is anything left to live for. But, when he exacts his revenge on the people that hurt him, he finds a new reason to stay alive.

50 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 6, 2016

141 people are currently reading
1302 people want to read

About the author

Lincoln Cole

31 books501 followers
Lincoln Cole

Lincoln Cole is a Columbus based author who enjoys traveling and has visited many different parts of the world, including Australia and Cambodia, but always returns home to his pugamonster puppy, Luther, and family. His love for writing was kindled at an early age through the works of Isaac Asimov and Stephen King and he enjoys telling stories to anyone who will listen.

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5 stars
62 (34%)
4 stars
50 (27%)
3 stars
50 (27%)
2 stars
16 (8%)
1 star
4 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
Profile Image for Cheryl .
2,397 reviews80 followers
February 5, 2020
This is a 3.5 star read.

This long short story, or novelette, was a real adrenaline rush with all the shooting, slicing and dicing that occurred!
But silly me thought this was a prequel of sorts to the author's World of Shadows series rather than the "Ravens" - World on Fire one that it is. Still, it was exceedingly enjoyable and did include the character Arthur Vangeest who was mentioned in The Everitt Exorcism. I'll definitely be adding the World on Fire series to my TBR mountain. 😊
Profile Image for catherine ♡.
1,707 reviews172 followers
April 21, 2017
The writing was great but I felt like most of the book was a little lost on me. I still am super curious about this world though and this novella provides valuable insight into the characters in the main series.
Profile Image for Mandy Walkden-Brown.
619 reviews31 followers
September 7, 2016
A really good read, but because the story deals with demons and cultists, it's also rather violent. Which I thoroughly enjoyed! Arthur Vangeest is not one to take a passive stance against such abominations. He's also mighty handy with guns and edged weapons.

This was a very useful, intriguing, and action-packed insight into the first meeting of Arthur and, in this early story, the young child that is Abigail Dressler, from the riveting book featuring the same characters, Raven's Peak.

I received a free copy via the author's mailing list. A welcome addition to the World on Fire chronicles.

Definitely worth adding to your to-be-read list.
Profile Image for E.A. Turley.
Author 14 books20 followers
September 11, 2016
The Ninth Circle by Lincoln Cole.
3 out of 5 stars.
This is the prequel to Raven's Peak and Raven's Fall (the latter of which is out on pre-order) and covers the time after Arthur Vangeest had his wife and child murdered by the very monsters that he hunts. It is how Abigail entered his life and the significance he placed on her being his reason for living now.
There is also a short preview of Ravens Peak at the end for those that would like to read further into the series. I would personally recommend that you do! I voted for Ravens Peak on Kindle Scout and was sent a free copy of it when it was picked up by Kindle Publishing, so you know that this is a quality series to read!
I would recommend this book to all to read, it is mainly for light information to the main series but it helps you to understand the characters a little better. Who they were, where they came from and what happened to them etc. I would recommend the main series, even more, it's one not to miss!
Profile Image for Eustacia Tan.
Author 15 books292 followers
September 9, 2016
This review is going to be short because the book is short: It's good!

(Ok, I'll say a bit more)

The Ninth's Circle is a short prequel about the time when Arthur met Abigail. It's not about their life together, as he trains her. This stops just after meets her. But what the book does is to show us just why Arthur decided to protect a possibly dangerous but definitely very vulnerable girl, and it's easy to see how Abigail would have reciprocated that with the loyalty to him that drives her actions in Raven's Peak. I won't say more, because I don't want to spoil it for you.

If you enjoyed Raven's Peak and need something to read while waiting for Raven's Fall (the sequel) to come out, you'll definitely enjoy this, so go ahead and pick it up!

Disclaimer: I know Lincoln Cole, as I said previously, and I've enjoyed all of his other works. I'm not lying about how much I enjoyed this because I really did devour it in one sitting.

This review was first posted at Inside the mind of a Bibliophile
12.6k reviews189 followers
November 7, 2017
Arthur has been hunting a cult but something goes wrong. His wife and daughter get killed. He’s out for revenge now. Has you gripped until you finish the book to find out what happens. Too bad it’s a short read, superb author.
Profile Image for Monique.
626 reviews43 followers
April 13, 2017
This was a strange read for me, as the 'book' consisted of a short introductory story, followed by the prologue of 'Raven's Peak'. For me, they didn't mesh well at all. I actually felt as if I were reading from two totally different writers. The first part was informative in a gung-ho GI Joe kinda' way, and it seemed to drag on, while the writing in the second part - the prologue - was fantastic, and peaked my interest in the World of Fire series. A weak 3 stars.
Profile Image for Sharon.
Author 4 books7 followers
January 22, 2018
I received this book from a contest and had never read any of Lincoln Cole's books before, I am now a huge fan. I am an adventure junky and this book kept me on my toes. It is not a book that you can predict exactly what is going to happen and that is a wonderful thing. The Ninth Circle will charge all of your emotions and keep you on your toes.
3 reviews
January 19, 2018
Great book! Looking forward to reading the sequels.
Profile Image for Rosemary.
3,865 reviews69 followers
September 27, 2017
The Ninth Circle - a review by Rosemary Kenny

Councillor Arthur Vangeest is a veteran monster hunter for the Church and his protege Frieda is now Leader of the monster-hunters, in this near-future world novel where demons and humans battle for survival.
When his wife and daughter are killed by demons while he's out on a mission, Arthur feels his life has lost its purpose and he retires to a monastic-type cell trying to purge his guilt in meditation and prayer.
Hope of redemption comes when Frieda seeks his help to raid a cell of Ninth Circle demons - the very ones who wreaked such havoc on Arthur's family, after three of her Hunters are killed on another raid. Believing he owes his life for his 'sins' Arthur embraces the quest and leaving Frieda to wait for backup enters the demons' lair in a remote Manor.
What he encounters there will both shock and invigorate his thirst for vengeance - but will it be enough? Will Arthur's sacrifice himself for Frieda and the others or has his bravado let down yet another victim?
The plot of this clever, dark [free], book by prolific writer Lincoln Cole, will make you think of how much you would sacrifice for the safety and happiness of your own family and lifestyle...definitely not to be missed!

Profile Image for Alice.
43 reviews2 followers
November 12, 2017
This is a great short story full of dynamic which gives us the main knowledge of what is going on and whom our hero fights against, - or the system he’s in fights against, - and drowns us in an atmosphere that is unalienable part of the all following books.

The Ninth Circle is a prequel to two main storylines.

Who did say demons don’t exist? They are here integrated and dangerous and Arthur knows how to fight against them. If it sounds familiar as Supernatural, The Exorcist, and hundreds of other things don’t turn away! This book bribes you not by detail descriptions how integrations go on or by opening horrible plans to seize the world, no. It takes you by your soul and make you care about everything in this world, drowns you in through Arthur’s pain and feelings. Lincoln Cole knows how to underline the main character and how to show he suffers using more terrifying things. And you get it all in a high dynamic book like a game cinematic with very good humor in situations.

I want to say a good word about narration by Stephanie Dillard. All is clear, beautiful and emotionally full! Her voice doesn’t make you bored, and you are in with Stephanie for the very last word of the book.
Profile Image for J.B. Trepagnier.
Author 121 books812 followers
August 27, 2017
This was an action packed short read that predates the first books in the World on Fire series by several years. Here, we see Arthur, right after his family is slaughtered by the Ninth Circle and the events that lead up to him rescuing Abigail and the bond that forms there. We hear about it in later books, but here, we actually see how it starts.

It's a short read and I almost hope there are more prequels with Arthur in them. Mainly, the events leading up to him being jailed before Raven's Peak. It would be interesting to see things from his point of view and to be honest, even though he's mentioned a lot in previous books, he's one of my favorite characters out of the series. I will not spoil the later books in the series, but I really had a squeal moment with the character of Arthur in later books and I was happy to read this prequel with him as the main character
372 reviews
September 16, 2017
I received a free copy of this book from the author for my honest review.

Arthur Vangeest is an experienced demon hunter. He knows what to expect, he knows how to prepare and he knows how to kill. In this book Arthur saves Abigail from becoming a sacrifice. He promised to keep her safe.

This short story is the prequel to the Ninth Circle series of books. Lincoln Cole is a marvelous writer and pulls you right into his tale. I look forward to reading more of Lincoln Cole’s tales.
Profile Image for Pippa P..
Author 2 books1 follower
February 21, 2022
This is a prequel to a three-part paranormal thriller series. It’s a very short read, but is punchy and gives a good introduction to the characters and themes that the author addresses in further novels.

Arthur Vangeest is a man with only one purpose in life: to avenge the death of his family at the hands of a demonic cult. Arthur had been working for a clandestine group called ‘The Council’ for years, removing threats to humanity and the Church, when somehow his identity was blown and his wife and daughter targeted and brutally murdered. When the book introduces him, he and Frieda Gottlieb, a fellow Hunter, are preparing to take on members of the same cult that killed his family. Frieda and Arthur have run through the plan and the procedure countless times, but Arthur is not there to do things by the book… not this time. He does not intend to come out alive.

The story is well put together and well told. The information the reader needs is given bit by bit, building the tension as the main character makes his decisions and begins to follow his course of action. The fight scenes are well thought through, although for some reason (it may just be me), I found that they lacked pace a little, feeling a bit like I was watching stuntmen rehearse their moves for a fight, rather than seeing the fight itself.

However, it creates the scenario (or explains it, depending on your viewpoint) which leads into the first book of Mr Cole’s series, World on Fire. The three books in that series are Raven's Peak , Raven's Fall , and Raven's Rise , which tell of the events which befall the town of Raven’s Peak when a demonic cult decides to take up residence there.
Profile Image for Heidi.
520 reviews50 followers
May 4, 2017
In this extremely short read, we learn a bit more about Arthur who begins the story, Raven’s Peak. He is a tormented man, almost unable to deal with the fact that his loved ones are no longer with him. The author captured some of this torment in The Ninth Circle. The story, in general, gives a snapshot of Arthur’s life leading up to Raven’s Peak.

Though, I very much looked forward to this read, I must admit I was disappointed. The writing was clear and concise, but left little room for both character and plot development. The book is split into two parts. For me, Part One involved too much fighting. It almost seemed never ending. Then, Part Two gave a bit more substance, but was much too quick.

Read my full review here:
https://bookloverblogs.com/2017/05/04...
Profile Image for Kathy Floyd.
581 reviews1 follower
August 12, 2019
Great short story!

This was one of the biggest cult cells the Council had ever tracked down, and removing it from play would severely cripple and diminish The Ninth Circle. Arthur's family had been slaughtered two weeks earlier by this same cult while he was hunting demons in another state so he knew someone in the Council had sold him out! Now, he knew, there was nothing left to live for. Nothing except justice. Nothing except revenge.

Arthur went into that deserted manor alone, not waiting for backup, fighting and killing every man, woman and demon he crossed paths with until he found an innocent little girl named, "Abigail," whom he had to save from being sacrificed to some unknown deity.

Arthur fought until he could fight no more, killing the last demon between him and the girl. The piece of himself he’d tapped into was completely expended and he had nothing left. He knew he was going to die, but the girl was safe.
Profile Image for Annemarie .
951 reviews22 followers
July 29, 2019
This is a prequel to the World on Fire series and explains a little of why Arthur was locked away and his relationship with Freda and Abigail.
As I had read both the World of Shadows and World on Fire series before reading The Ninth Circle it answered some of the questions I had regarding Arthur. Happy reading. Annemarie
I received a free copy of this book through Prolific Works and have chosen to leave a review.
49 reviews
June 30, 2017
This book consists of the back story to The Ninth Circle series. It also has teasers for Raven's Peak and Raven's Fall. Then it has samples of a couple of other books by Lincoln Cole. Really great quick read.
Profile Image for Lisa.
1,397 reviews8 followers
August 28, 2017
Good writing but I felt as if I was late to a movie that has already started. Cultists, possessed demons and a Death Wish avenger did not entice me to learn more about this world and what was going on in it.
Profile Image for Paranormal Books R Us.
461 reviews31 followers
September 29, 2017
The Ninth Circle Review

Interesting read but extremely short. It might have only taken up half of the actual download. I know it ties in to a full series but I would have liked at least a little more to it.
Profile Image for Gea.
668 reviews
October 4, 2017
This is like a great action movie, pure bravery and unfortunately nothing left to lose.
But when the invasion of the cultist place is done, the fight is not over yet. Just different enemies.

It’s too intense for me, but I couldn’t help finishing it.
Profile Image for Roger.
5,608 reviews28 followers
October 25, 2017
My second read from author Lincoln Cole was even better than the first one I'm going to read another of his books next, and since I own several that's easy enough to do and I just went out and bought the rest of the books in this series they're so good!
Profile Image for Claudia.
2,986 reviews38 followers
October 5, 2017
Short prequel to North Circle series, this is an interesting, action-packed reading that gives you a welcomed backstory into Arthur and Abigail. A really good choice to sample Lincoln Cole's reading.
Profile Image for Stephanie.
1,349 reviews15 followers
March 14, 2018
Great but sad

What a sad, action packed story. Although this is my first Lincoln Cole book, it will not be my last.
23 reviews
October 9, 2019
Short storys

Good for what they were Short stories ,not exactly my type of reading material, but I could see it making a great book
275 reviews1 follower
January 25, 2022
Violent

Loved the book but more violence than
expected and less story .ends abruptly. Might have to read next part to understand better.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews

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