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The Rock: Rites of Betrayal
Silence haunts the desolate world left in the wake of the Fever. The nights are dark, the days a stumbling venture from one horror to the next. In one place, William Hill stands in the center of a town where the scattered remains of the dead lie next to the road like litter tossed from passing cars, where the search for the living fails to turn up even one soul.
Infected by a parasite destined to steal his mind, hunted by the Chosen, and dogged by a beautiful woman who claims to be an elf, he sometimes wonders if life can get any stranger. Then Daniel offers a glimpse of the coming world, a place where cavorting beasts feast upon the dead, where dragons haunt nearby forests, where the hordes crawl from the ground by the millions and sweep across the earth.
The elf says she needs his blood to repair the rift between worlds, to finally put an end to the madness. He doesn't mind donating a little to the cause, but the more he hears, the more he doubts her intentions and the more the ceremony sounds like a full-scale sacrifice.
In the end, William discovers that he can count on nothing, not even his sanity.
Infected by a parasite destined to steal his mind, hunted by the Chosen, and dogged by a beautiful woman who claims to be an elf, he sometimes wonders if life can get any stranger. Then Daniel offers a glimpse of the coming world, a place where cavorting beasts feast upon the dead, where dragons haunt nearby forests, where the hordes crawl from the ground by the millions and sweep across the earth.
The elf says she needs his blood to repair the rift between worlds, to finally put an end to the madness. He doesn't mind donating a little to the cause, but the more he hears, the more he doubts her intentions and the more the ceremony sounds like a full-scale sacrifice.
In the end, William discovers that he can count on nothing, not even his sanity.
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Published December 24, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 10, 2017
And, he's back!!! This book just didn't quit! It seems every chapter, something horrifying is happening! There's no rest for the weary, and William Hill is DEFINITELY not allowed to rest.
Michael Stark's descriptive abilities are of Stephen King-quality. He writes you into a secure, possibly even happy place, and then very slowly removes all security. Before you know it, your heart is pounding, you're biting you lip, and you're afraid of what is waiting on that other side of that dark, dark room... with very good reason.
Read this whole series. It won't take you long, and it's very worth it.
Enjoy!
Michael Stark's descriptive abilities are of Stephen King-quality. He writes you into a secure, possibly even happy place, and then very slowly removes all security. Before you know it, your heart is pounding, you're biting you lip, and you're afraid of what is waiting on that other side of that dark, dark room... with very good reason.
Read this whole series. It won't take you long, and it's very worth it.
Enjoy!
January 24, 2018
It's very rare for me to get the Willies from a novel (hair erect and pinpricks) but I have on a few occasions with this series. It's scary at times but also a great story with characters that have their own personalities. I like how they are written with great visualizations without being long winded, a good balance. It's a good book for me when I miss the characters and story like they were real, morning and evening coffee won't be the same. Lucky for those who have stumbled on this gem of a series, looks like there is more.
I've purchased my copies on smashwords and I'm in for saving money just like anyone else but honestly these are worth more than what I've paid. The guy gotta eat and should eat well : )
I've purchased my copies on smashwords and I'm in for saving money just like anyone else but honestly these are worth more than what I've paid. The guy gotta eat and should eat well : )
September 2, 2018
GREAT BOOK!!!!!
I could not put this book down, I had to know what was going to happen next. I can't wait for the next book to come out.
I could not put this book down, I had to know what was going to happen next. I can't wait for the next book to come out.
November 15, 2018
This book was really long compared to the others and did wander a bit on occasion but a great read. Now just worried that I can't find any trace of book 8!
September 10, 2020
Great read!
It's just a great read.Always waiting to get to the next book.Funny some things in it relate to what we are going through now.
It's just a great read.Always waiting to get to the next book.Funny some things in it relate to what we are going through now.
April 17, 2021
This needs more time
Than I have right now. Will write more later. If you want scary as **** This it! Definitely on par with Sai King
Than I have right now. Will write more later. If you want scary as **** This it! Definitely on par with Sai King
July 9, 2021
Loved this entire series. Very hopeful that there are more to come. I have read these twice and will probably read them again at a later date. Bravo Mr. Stark!!
February 26, 2017
Not your normal story
I've enjoyed this series thoroughly. I tend towards more hard science fiction but found this series interesting enough to keep the pages turning every free moment I got. Look forward to the ending. Hope it doesn't take as long as the last two to come out .
I've enjoyed this series thoroughly. I tend towards more hard science fiction but found this series interesting enough to keep the pages turning every free moment I got. Look forward to the ending. Hope it doesn't take as long as the last two to come out .
April 27, 2018
Finally we are traveling, and William Hill has acquired and reforged an incredible artifact. This story has all the potential to deliver one of the best reads I've ever had and I can't wait for the next book!
February 16, 2017
Stunning
Brilliant as ever thank you michael this series just gets better and better can't wait for the next one awesome storytelling
Brilliant as ever thank you michael this series just gets better and better can't wait for the next one awesome storytelling
February 9, 2017
I have been really impressed with Michael Starks books. Each book has built easily on the last and leaves the reader hungry for the next installment. The quality of writing has increased as well. I never write reviews, so Michael you really impressed me to get me to leave one. Read this series!!
January 4, 2017
This next part of the journey brought more adventures. Unexpected twists and turns. I intentionally forced myself to make this read last instead of reading it all in one sitting. Now I am done, I want more!
July 27, 2022
Awesome
I love these books. I can't wait for the next!!! It's really cool to read and recognize some of the places mentioned in the book.
I love these books. I can't wait for the next!!! It's really cool to read and recognize some of the places mentioned in the book.
January 10, 2017
Absolutely love this whole series. This is book 7 in "The Island" series. Can't wait for the next installment.
April 10, 2017
This is a transitional book. Because of that, there is a lot of filler to explain and set up what needs to happen in the final book. I've enjoyed both The Island series and the first book of this series. This one is good, too, particularly for someone like me--anticipating the final installment, but it didn't read as smoothly as the book before it. I think that is why it took me so long to finally finish it, though I began it in January.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews