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The Dark Companions
To honor the ancients’ pact, every kid must live with a creature lurking in the shadows. A dark companion, coming straight from the abyss, that will feed on their fears and nightmares.
It is the rule. It is the law.
For most families, that means avoiding any traumatic experiences. It is the only way to keep their beast starved and ensure that, on their sixteenth birthday, the youths can take control of it and do not get eaten alive.
Sid doesn’t have such a choice anymore. He needs to become a powerful Subduer to save his sister Eyleen from the terrible fate that awaits her. That’s why the young ore digger subjects himself to the worst horrors. That’s why he spends his every waking hour looking for pain and misery. However, when the fateful day arrives and he gets ready for his showdown, something goes awfully wrong. And so begins the race against time.
Sid will have to leave his village and seek help, but it’s a tough and dangerous world out there. With Count Kalderan set on conquering the world and killing every Subduer to assert his power… And his power-mad sons looking to make their mark in this world… Will Sid be able to come back in time to save his sister?
It is the rule. It is the law.
For most families, that means avoiding any traumatic experiences. It is the only way to keep their beast starved and ensure that, on their sixteenth birthday, the youths can take control of it and do not get eaten alive.
Sid doesn’t have such a choice anymore. He needs to become a powerful Subduer to save his sister Eyleen from the terrible fate that awaits her. That’s why the young ore digger subjects himself to the worst horrors. That’s why he spends his every waking hour looking for pain and misery. However, when the fateful day arrives and he gets ready for his showdown, something goes awfully wrong. And so begins the race against time.
Sid will have to leave his village and seek help, but it’s a tough and dangerous world out there. With Count Kalderan set on conquering the world and killing every Subduer to assert his power… And his power-mad sons looking to make their mark in this world… Will Sid be able to come back in time to save his sister?
466 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 11, 2017
44 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 14, 2017
‘There lay the potential of this subtle art. The ability to bring momentary peace and comfort, even to the most afflicted souls.’
M.A. Kassel puts on a leather jacket over his perfectly sculpted body he gained as fitness coach and author Markus A. Kassel and enters the world of fantasy novels featuring superheroes such as those he has coached and horrible monsters. And he succeeds! As a reminder of the other Kassel, the following was this reviewers statement: ‘Fitness of body and mind author Markus A. Kassel earned degrees in Psychology and in Communications and a black belt in Karate, and is a ring-tested kick boxer. This combination of educational and physical training has allowed him to accumulate a vast wealth of knowledge, not only on the quickest means to attain one's physical peak but also on what it takes to toughen up mentally and develop a sharp, indestructible mind.’
Step out of the real world and into the dark fantasy of THE DARK COMPANIONS and we have further evidence of the extent of this man’s gifts. Without warning the author opens his book with ‘The feeling of drowning. Like being force-fed blade after blade of red-hot iron. Tearing your insides. Making you feel like you’re losing your mind. Jeremiah convulsed one last time before the shackles burst open. Clack! Clack! He straightened up, coughing sour water out of his lungs. His entire body was shaking, as much from the cold as from the adrenaline. With his fists still digging into the board, he struggled to balance himself and not topple over. “Breathe in, Jer. Breathe in!” The entire room had become one giant weather vane, spinning and spinning out of control as if under the fury of the wind. Jeremiah shook his head and attempted a deep breath. But he got stopped just as soon, a violent spasm rattling his chest. He slid his fingers under his ribcage, pressed hard against his diaphragm. Next time he tried, he finally managed to draw in some oxygen. “That’s good. Keep calm. You’re in control.” With each new gasp, he saw his skin returning to its golden complexion. He relaxed his muscles, one by one, making sure not to leave any point of tension. Through blurry eyes, he could catch a glimpse of the torture devices spread all around him. In the far-east corner, the wooden rack that served to stretch your limbs until they dislocated and gave in. Next to it: the bone crusher, with its large vises that could smash any part to pulp, from the patella to the pinky finger. Or even the sheath of spikes, which would slowly pierce through your skin and have you confess to any sin. There were dozens of them. Enough variations to break your will and turn your entire world to hurt and pain. And every one of those instruments, he knew all too well. They had been his toys for the last seven years. While most kids his age were playing outside, enjoying their innocence with friends and figurines, he had been spending his time in another type of playground altogether. One where self-control and strength of character were the main keywords.’ It is this sort of conflicting levels of reality that make this book tick.
But on to the plot synopsis – ‘For the children of Ursyca, sleeping with a monster under their bed is no scary fantasy but the harsh reality…To honor the ancients’ pact, every kid must live with a creature lurking in the shadows. A dark companion, coming straight from the abyss, that will feed on their fears and nightmares. It is the rule. It is the law. For most families, that means avoiding any traumatic experiences. It is the only way to keep their beast starved and ensure that, on their sixteenth birthday, the youths can take control of it and do not get eaten alive. Sid doesn’t have such a choice anymore. He needs to become a powerful Subduer to save his sister Eyleen from the terrible fate that awaits her. That’s why the young ore digger subjects himself to the worst horrors. That’s why he spends his every waking hour looking for pain and misery. However, when the fateful day arrives and he gets ready for his showdown, something goes awfully wrong. And so begins the race against time. Sid will have to leave his village and seek help, but it’s a tough and dangerous world out there. With Count Kalderan set on conquering the world and killing every Subduer to assert his power… And his power-mad sons looking to make their mark in this world… Will Sid be able to come back in time to save his sister?’
It is a clever and successful move to involve the children’s roles in this book – Kassel develops that aspect with skill and makes his gothic horror story that much more frightening. Here is a new author of fantasy horror fiction that bodes well for a solid entry into the ranks of successful fiction writers. Recommended.
M.A. Kassel puts on a leather jacket over his perfectly sculpted body he gained as fitness coach and author Markus A. Kassel and enters the world of fantasy novels featuring superheroes such as those he has coached and horrible monsters. And he succeeds! As a reminder of the other Kassel, the following was this reviewers statement: ‘Fitness of body and mind author Markus A. Kassel earned degrees in Psychology and in Communications and a black belt in Karate, and is a ring-tested kick boxer. This combination of educational and physical training has allowed him to accumulate a vast wealth of knowledge, not only on the quickest means to attain one's physical peak but also on what it takes to toughen up mentally and develop a sharp, indestructible mind.’
Step out of the real world and into the dark fantasy of THE DARK COMPANIONS and we have further evidence of the extent of this man’s gifts. Without warning the author opens his book with ‘The feeling of drowning. Like being force-fed blade after blade of red-hot iron. Tearing your insides. Making you feel like you’re losing your mind. Jeremiah convulsed one last time before the shackles burst open. Clack! Clack! He straightened up, coughing sour water out of his lungs. His entire body was shaking, as much from the cold as from the adrenaline. With his fists still digging into the board, he struggled to balance himself and not topple over. “Breathe in, Jer. Breathe in!” The entire room had become one giant weather vane, spinning and spinning out of control as if under the fury of the wind. Jeremiah shook his head and attempted a deep breath. But he got stopped just as soon, a violent spasm rattling his chest. He slid his fingers under his ribcage, pressed hard against his diaphragm. Next time he tried, he finally managed to draw in some oxygen. “That’s good. Keep calm. You’re in control.” With each new gasp, he saw his skin returning to its golden complexion. He relaxed his muscles, one by one, making sure not to leave any point of tension. Through blurry eyes, he could catch a glimpse of the torture devices spread all around him. In the far-east corner, the wooden rack that served to stretch your limbs until they dislocated and gave in. Next to it: the bone crusher, with its large vises that could smash any part to pulp, from the patella to the pinky finger. Or even the sheath of spikes, which would slowly pierce through your skin and have you confess to any sin. There were dozens of them. Enough variations to break your will and turn your entire world to hurt and pain. And every one of those instruments, he knew all too well. They had been his toys for the last seven years. While most kids his age were playing outside, enjoying their innocence with friends and figurines, he had been spending his time in another type of playground altogether. One where self-control and strength of character were the main keywords.’ It is this sort of conflicting levels of reality that make this book tick.
But on to the plot synopsis – ‘For the children of Ursyca, sleeping with a monster under their bed is no scary fantasy but the harsh reality…To honor the ancients’ pact, every kid must live with a creature lurking in the shadows. A dark companion, coming straight from the abyss, that will feed on their fears and nightmares. It is the rule. It is the law. For most families, that means avoiding any traumatic experiences. It is the only way to keep their beast starved and ensure that, on their sixteenth birthday, the youths can take control of it and do not get eaten alive. Sid doesn’t have such a choice anymore. He needs to become a powerful Subduer to save his sister Eyleen from the terrible fate that awaits her. That’s why the young ore digger subjects himself to the worst horrors. That’s why he spends his every waking hour looking for pain and misery. However, when the fateful day arrives and he gets ready for his showdown, something goes awfully wrong. And so begins the race against time. Sid will have to leave his village and seek help, but it’s a tough and dangerous world out there. With Count Kalderan set on conquering the world and killing every Subduer to assert his power… And his power-mad sons looking to make their mark in this world… Will Sid be able to come back in time to save his sister?’
It is a clever and successful move to involve the children’s roles in this book – Kassel develops that aspect with skill and makes his gothic horror story that much more frightening. Here is a new author of fantasy horror fiction that bodes well for a solid entry into the ranks of successful fiction writers. Recommended.
June 4, 2017
Too fast
The book moved way to fast. This book should have been TWO books. The author skips huge details that would have helped to make a better book. That said I like the permise.
The book moved way to fast. This book should have been TWO books. The author skips huge details that would have helped to make a better book. That said I like the permise.
March 8, 2017
It was really good, toward the start I was confused about the changing perspective of the characters though. (I was very tired so it might be chalked up to that)
The dark elements of the fantasy were enough to be exciting without giving me nightmares x.x so don't worry too much about that unless you have certain triggers, especially sexual assault.
I really appreciated the build up and expectation that Jeremiah would get a soul eater or something equally awesome but was forced to comes to terms with and appreciate his limitations and abilities rather than brute force.
I didn't feel any payoff to the whole rather heavy grimoire setup however, which disappointed me.
I really hope I see more of this world :)
The dark elements of the fantasy were enough to be exciting without giving me nightmares x.x so don't worry too much about that unless you have certain triggers, especially sexual assault.
I really appreciated the build up and expectation that Jeremiah would get a soul eater or something equally awesome but was forced to comes to terms with and appreciate his limitations and abilities rather than brute force.
I didn't feel any payoff to the whole rather heavy grimoire setup however, which disappointed me.
I really hope I see more of this world :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 3, 2017
This is an action-packed and adventure-filled dark fantasy novel that will keep you reading. Written in easy to read style, various scenes are carefully and vividly depicted. Chasing, fighting and battle scenes are presented in details and the different types of monsters are described complete with various abilities.
In addition to the great plot is a set of well-developed characters, some exceptionally admirable and endearing while others are totally disgusting and loathsome. Though I particularly like Zee for her adventuresome spirit, I like Sid the most. I admire his determination and strength of character. Moreover, the story is made up of seemingly unending trials and unexpected turn of events faced with the most unlikely allies.
However, I found the description of Eyleen more fitting for a little girl instead of a teenager. Moreover, there are several noticeable errors which include misspelled and missing words. Finally, there are some obscene languages as well as violent and gory details which may not be suitable for young readers.
In addition to the great plot is a set of well-developed characters, some exceptionally admirable and endearing while others are totally disgusting and loathsome. Though I particularly like Zee for her adventuresome spirit, I like Sid the most. I admire his determination and strength of character. Moreover, the story is made up of seemingly unending trials and unexpected turn of events faced with the most unlikely allies.
However, I found the description of Eyleen more fitting for a little girl instead of a teenager. Moreover, there are several noticeable errors which include misspelled and missing words. Finally, there are some obscene languages as well as violent and gory details which may not be suitable for young readers.
March 4, 2017
Just boring
When I read the description I thought that is going to be a good book.
Sadly book.
I couldn't stay awake for that. I tried again and again but I always felt asleep. English might be ok but the story isn't. Don't read it, don't waste your time...
When I read the description I thought that is going to be a good book.
Sadly book.
I couldn't stay awake for that. I tried again and again but I always felt asleep. English might be ok but the story isn't. Don't read it, don't waste your time...
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews