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Cthulhu Armageddon #2
The Tower of Zhaal
It has been a year since John Henry Booth's exile from New America and the fall of the Black Cathedral. Cursed with a slow transformation into a monster, he has begun a doomed relationship with fellow escapee Mercury Halsey as they seek some way to arrest his transformation.
Dubious hope arrives in the form of the University, the deranged scientists and cultists descended from the staff of Miskatonic University. Except, their offer of help comes at a price. Having sold themselves to ancient aliens called the Yith, they wish John and Mercury to join a group of rogues in hunting down a wayward member of their faculty: a man who intends to release the last of the sleeping Great Old Ones on an already ravaged planet. If they're telling the truth, John and Mercury will be heroes. If.
The Tower of Zhaal is the second novel of the Cthulhu Armageddon series, a post-apocalypse continuation of H.P. Lovecraft's popular Cthulhu Mythos.
Dubious hope arrives in the form of the University, the deranged scientists and cultists descended from the staff of Miskatonic University. Except, their offer of help comes at a price. Having sold themselves to ancient aliens called the Yith, they wish John and Mercury to join a group of rogues in hunting down a wayward member of their faculty: a man who intends to release the last of the sleeping Great Old Ones on an already ravaged planet. If they're telling the truth, John and Mercury will be heroes. If.
The Tower of Zhaal is the second novel of the Cthulhu Armageddon series, a post-apocalypse continuation of H.P. Lovecraft's popular Cthulhu Mythos.
278 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 22, 2017
20 people are currently reading
181 people want to read
About the author
C.T. Phipps
93 books671 followersC.T Phipps is a lifelong student of horror, science fiction, and fantasy. An avid tabletop gamer, he discovered this passion led him to write and turned him into a lifelong geek. He is a regular reviewer on Booknest.EU and for Grimdark Magazine.
He's written the Agent G series, Cthulhu Armageddon, the Red Room Trilogy, I Was A Teenaged Weredeer, Lucifer's Star, Psycho Killers in Love, Straight Outta Fangton, The Supervillainy Saga, and Wraith Knight.
Blog: http://unitedfederationofcharles.blog...
Website: https://ctphipps.com/
C.T. Fanclub: https://www.facebook.com/groups/14917...
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ctphipps
He's written the Agent G series, Cthulhu Armageddon, the Red Room Trilogy, I Was A Teenaged Weredeer, Lucifer's Star, Psycho Killers in Love, Straight Outta Fangton, The Supervillainy Saga, and Wraith Knight.
Blog: http://unitedfederationofcharles.blog...
Website: https://ctphipps.com/
C.T. Fanclub: https://www.facebook.com/groups/14917...
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ctphipps
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
June 28, 2017
This is a fun post apocalyptic sci-fantasy series. The cause of the apocalypse in this series was the return of the Great Cthulhu and other Lovecraftian creatures to the earth!
After the events of the first book John Henry Booth and his lover Mercury are keeping a low profile and working as caravan guards to provide for themselves and their adopted daughter. The quiet life comes to an end when they are abducted by cultists who want them to help in saving the world. The world needs saving as some fools plan to release a captured (world destroying) Great One from its prison in the Tower of Zhaal.
The world is a fun one with its mix of magic and technology and all the Lovecraftian creatures. The story was also quite enjoyable and John and his companions are easy enough character to root for despite the fact that they are sometimes a little morally grey. The fact that most of the characters are more than human is also a lot of fun!
All in all I felt like this sequel matched or perhaps even bettered the quality of the first book in the series.
Rating: 3.5 stars.
Audio Note: This was narrated by Jeffrey Kafer. He is well suited to voicing C.T.Phipps books as he gets the droll and sarcastic humour but is also quite good at injecting the right emotion into his voice during the more dramatic and serious moments of the story.
After the events of the first book John Henry Booth and his lover Mercury are keeping a low profile and working as caravan guards to provide for themselves and their adopted daughter. The quiet life comes to an end when they are abducted by cultists who want them to help in saving the world. The world needs saving as some fools plan to release a captured (world destroying) Great One from its prison in the Tower of Zhaal.
The world is a fun one with its mix of magic and technology and all the Lovecraftian creatures. The story was also quite enjoyable and John and his companions are easy enough character to root for despite the fact that they are sometimes a little morally grey. The fact that most of the characters are more than human is also a lot of fun!
All in all I felt like this sequel matched or perhaps even bettered the quality of the first book in the series.
Rating: 3.5 stars.
Audio Note: This was narrated by Jeffrey Kafer. He is well suited to voicing C.T.Phipps books as he gets the droll and sarcastic humour but is also quite good at injecting the right emotion into his voice during the more dramatic and serious moments of the story.
June 2, 2020
A Review of
The Tower of Zhaal
By C.T. Phipps
I couldn’t resist diving straight into this one. This is the sequel to Cthulhu Armageddon and in the preface Phipps promises us an appearance for the greatest of the great old ones, mighty Cthulhu himself (or is it herself… itself?). Well, that got me excited.
The story picks up about a year after the events of Cthulhu Armageddon. John Henry Booth is undergoing a worsening transformation into something unknown and inhuman, which is putting a strain on his relationship with Mercury. Booth and Mercury are currently working protection for a caravan of traders when it all kicks off and they are attacked. Action from the offset, which is a good start. At first glance the attackers appear to be just another band of wasteland cultists, but all is not what it appears to be. Armed with formidable weaponry it turns out the attackers are scientists of the Miskatonic University who force Booth and Mercury to accompany them back to the University to enlist their services. It was nice to see further use of Lovecraft references here and again the Lovecraftian canon is cleverly worked into the story.
Anyway, at the University the duo are thrown in with motley team of the wastelands most infamous characters. This has quite a cool western feel to it. The Magnificent Seven or even The Dirty Dozen type sort of set up sprang to mind. Either way it opens up scope for some creative characterization, we get a gunslinger, a wizard, a Deep-One half-breed, to name a few and Jessica.
It appears one of the beloved heroes from Cthulhu Armageddon, Jessica, has become estranged from her former squad-mate and lifelong friend, Booth. This makes for some interesting plot lines and character arcs, but it was great to see this particular character back in action. Anyway Booth’s team of wasteland scoundrels are hired by the Miskatonic University, each with their own specific price, for a job. What job? Well, an assassination.
And this all happens in the opening chapters. So it’s an intriguing start.
Like the first book we have an excellent interweaving of post-apocalyptic sci-fi/western with Lovecraftian canon. I think it stands up pretty well as a stand-alone book but I would very much recommend reading the first one. Jackie is still around but she doesn’t play a very big part in this one at all. We get to see more of the Deep-Ones and certainly more of the Ghoul civilization, a new race called the Faceless Ones, there are more cool monsters and other new races of sinister creatures too, which sometimes turn out to be cosmos and reality spanning. Phipps really turned up the cosmic horror and theological/philosophical quantum mechanics type stuff in Tower of Zhaal, which I think Lovecraft probably would have approved of. The sometimes grotesque transformation affecting Booth is also a central plot point which proves quite interesting which gives him some cool abilities and perspectives on time and space.
Action wise, well there’s plenty of it, in fact we get death on an unprecedented scale at some points as the team hunt their elusive quarry and struggle to save the world as they know it. And of course there is the climatic ending. Phipps promised Cthulhu and he delivers and we get the payoff, Cthulhu is amazing. I won’t say anymore, but damn Cthulhu is cool. Booth is amazing in this too. The characters are generally great. There’s plenty to care about, and as in the last book a lot of people die – but what do you expect in a post-apocalyptic wasteland filled with Lovecraftian inspired horrors.
I really enjoyed The Tower of Zhaal, and Cthulhu Armageddon before it. This book twists and turns from one dilemma to the next. I actually read it in a day and found it really quick and easy read, even though it wasn’t particularly short. It just kept my attention engaged. C.T. Phipps has done a great job taking Lovecraft’s established canon and bending it to his creative will. I really liked what he’s done with it all.
As I wrote in the last review, Phipps has taken Lovecraftian canon and made it his own. The cosmic sense of horror has been incorporated well. The story is original and well written, there’s plenty of humour and action. It’s certainly not a Lovecraft rip off and at times definitely has the feel of a western and has post-apocalyptic sci-fi elements. I would recommend both this book and the first one for fans of Lovecraft (obviously) but also fans of weird westerns, sci-fi, dystopian fantasy and post-apocalyptic settings. Great set of books.
Thanks for reading.
Lee C. Conley
The Tower of Zhaal
By C.T. Phipps
I couldn’t resist diving straight into this one. This is the sequel to Cthulhu Armageddon and in the preface Phipps promises us an appearance for the greatest of the great old ones, mighty Cthulhu himself (or is it herself… itself?). Well, that got me excited.
The story picks up about a year after the events of Cthulhu Armageddon. John Henry Booth is undergoing a worsening transformation into something unknown and inhuman, which is putting a strain on his relationship with Mercury. Booth and Mercury are currently working protection for a caravan of traders when it all kicks off and they are attacked. Action from the offset, which is a good start. At first glance the attackers appear to be just another band of wasteland cultists, but all is not what it appears to be. Armed with formidable weaponry it turns out the attackers are scientists of the Miskatonic University who force Booth and Mercury to accompany them back to the University to enlist their services. It was nice to see further use of Lovecraft references here and again the Lovecraftian canon is cleverly worked into the story.
Anyway, at the University the duo are thrown in with motley team of the wastelands most infamous characters. This has quite a cool western feel to it. The Magnificent Seven or even The Dirty Dozen type sort of set up sprang to mind. Either way it opens up scope for some creative characterization, we get a gunslinger, a wizard, a Deep-One half-breed, to name a few and Jessica.
It appears one of the beloved heroes from Cthulhu Armageddon, Jessica, has become estranged from her former squad-mate and lifelong friend, Booth. This makes for some interesting plot lines and character arcs, but it was great to see this particular character back in action. Anyway Booth’s team of wasteland scoundrels are hired by the Miskatonic University, each with their own specific price, for a job. What job? Well, an assassination.
And this all happens in the opening chapters. So it’s an intriguing start.
Like the first book we have an excellent interweaving of post-apocalyptic sci-fi/western with Lovecraftian canon. I think it stands up pretty well as a stand-alone book but I would very much recommend reading the first one. Jackie is still around but she doesn’t play a very big part in this one at all. We get to see more of the Deep-Ones and certainly more of the Ghoul civilization, a new race called the Faceless Ones, there are more cool monsters and other new races of sinister creatures too, which sometimes turn out to be cosmos and reality spanning. Phipps really turned up the cosmic horror and theological/philosophical quantum mechanics type stuff in Tower of Zhaal, which I think Lovecraft probably would have approved of. The sometimes grotesque transformation affecting Booth is also a central plot point which proves quite interesting which gives him some cool abilities and perspectives on time and space.
Action wise, well there’s plenty of it, in fact we get death on an unprecedented scale at some points as the team hunt their elusive quarry and struggle to save the world as they know it. And of course there is the climatic ending. Phipps promised Cthulhu and he delivers and we get the payoff, Cthulhu is amazing. I won’t say anymore, but damn Cthulhu is cool. Booth is amazing in this too. The characters are generally great. There’s plenty to care about, and as in the last book a lot of people die – but what do you expect in a post-apocalyptic wasteland filled with Lovecraftian inspired horrors.
I really enjoyed The Tower of Zhaal, and Cthulhu Armageddon before it. This book twists and turns from one dilemma to the next. I actually read it in a day and found it really quick and easy read, even though it wasn’t particularly short. It just kept my attention engaged. C.T. Phipps has done a great job taking Lovecraft’s established canon and bending it to his creative will. I really liked what he’s done with it all.
As I wrote in the last review, Phipps has taken Lovecraftian canon and made it his own. The cosmic sense of horror has been incorporated well. The story is original and well written, there’s plenty of humour and action. It’s certainly not a Lovecraft rip off and at times definitely has the feel of a western and has post-apocalyptic sci-fi elements. I would recommend both this book and the first one for fans of Lovecraft (obviously) but also fans of weird westerns, sci-fi, dystopian fantasy and post-apocalyptic settings. Great set of books.
Thanks for reading.
Lee C. Conley
July 5, 2017
The superb sequel to Cthulhu Armageddon, The Towel Of Zhaal, finds our John Henry Booth battling to save the world against alien gods. Appearances by a Hound of Tindalos, The Unimaginable Horror, Ghouls, Nyarlathotep, and of course Cthulhu himself.
I listened to the audiobook, which is narrated by the utterly superb Jeffrey Kafer.
C. T. Phipps shows himself to be a master story teller, with an absolute wicked sense of humour. Jeffrey Kafer brings this story to life.
If you love your Cthulhu Mythos, then this is for you.
I listened to the audiobook, which is narrated by the utterly superb Jeffrey Kafer.
C. T. Phipps shows himself to be a master story teller, with an absolute wicked sense of humour. Jeffrey Kafer brings this story to life.
If you love your Cthulhu Mythos, then this is for you.
June 27, 2017
The Tower of Zhaal (Cthulhu Armageddon #2) by C.T. Phipps continues the saga of John Henry Booth. It is pretty exciting for different reasons in this book because not only are they fighting monsters, John is turning into a monster. This book is full of lots of creatures, action, crazy imagination, fantasy/sci-fi that is fresh and fun, and lots of deranged weirdos trying to stop our hero. All he wants to do is save the world, or at least a small section. Lots of fun, adventure, action, god-like creatures, and mind-stretching fantasy highs. Great fun. Used my trial KU! Yippee!
January 15, 2023
I really enjoyed the first book in the series and the sequel didn't disappoint either!
The Tower of Zhaal is a fun trip through an apocalyptic wasteland filled with all kinds of Lovecraftian creatures and monsters.
Again, our hero is John Booth, a former soldier of the only remaining human civilization formed after the Great Old Ones conquered Earth a hundred years ago.
This time he's sent on a mission to stop the Unimaginable Horror, a creature so horrible that even the Great Old Ones fear it.
Accompanied by a team of misfits John sets out to save the world once again...
I don't want to risk spoilers which is why I won't go deeper into the story here.
I'm familiar with Lovecraft's work and have read a couple of his books, but I'm no super fan such as many are. Still, I recognized most of the creatures and monsters mentioned in the book.
The author does a good job of taking Lovecraft's ideas and giving them his own, more modern twist.
And who doesn't love Cthulhu?
I recommend this series to all lovers of Lovecraft's work and fans of post-apocalyptic monster action.
Contrary to most of the author's books, this is not a comedy but serious, pretty bloody business.
I'm looking forward to the next book in the series!
The Tower of Zhaal is a fun trip through an apocalyptic wasteland filled with all kinds of Lovecraftian creatures and monsters.
Again, our hero is John Booth, a former soldier of the only remaining human civilization formed after the Great Old Ones conquered Earth a hundred years ago.
This time he's sent on a mission to stop the Unimaginable Horror, a creature so horrible that even the Great Old Ones fear it.
Accompanied by a team of misfits John sets out to save the world once again...
I don't want to risk spoilers which is why I won't go deeper into the story here.
I'm familiar with Lovecraft's work and have read a couple of his books, but I'm no super fan such as many are. Still, I recognized most of the creatures and monsters mentioned in the book.
The author does a good job of taking Lovecraft's ideas and giving them his own, more modern twist.
And who doesn't love Cthulhu?
I recommend this series to all lovers of Lovecraft's work and fans of post-apocalyptic monster action.
Contrary to most of the author's books, this is not a comedy but serious, pretty bloody business.
I'm looking forward to the next book in the series!
April 25, 2017
My original The Tower of Zhaal audiobook review and many others can be found at Audiobook Reviewer.
In an apocalyptic world where humans are nearly extinct, John Henry Booth finds himself knee-deep in monsters, black magic, and choices – none of them good. He is hired, along with Mercury (his girlfriend and fellow survivor) to hunt down a member of the faculty from Miskatonic University who wants to release a sleeping and the most powerful Great Old One. Time travel and dimensional skipping enables Booth to do his worst but will it be enough? It’s bad enough he’s turning into a monster himself but to have Cthulhu recognize him???
Once again C. T. Phipps gives his listeners a frightening roller coaster ride deep into the darkness and evil world inspired by H.P. Lovecraft's Cthulhu Mythos. Combined with horror and science fiction, Phipps entertains as well as scares.
As usual, Phipps does not disappoint. He raises the bar in this second installment of John Henry Booth’s world and delivers an entertaining story. There are moments where clarity is not present, but when dealing with time and dimensional jumping, confusion is a by-product. Overall, Phipps does an excellent job of moving the story along and keeping things clear.
Jeffrey Kafer narrates the tale with a deep resonating voice that captures the essence of Booth well. He keeps the story flowing with a steady voice and gives a calming presence even in the most terrifying scenes. I enjoy listening to Kafer narrate; his performances are always top-notch.
This series is perfect for horror and science fiction fans alike.
There were no issues in the audible part or quality of this audiobook.
Audiobook was provided for review by the author.
In an apocalyptic world where humans are nearly extinct, John Henry Booth finds himself knee-deep in monsters, black magic, and choices – none of them good. He is hired, along with Mercury (his girlfriend and fellow survivor) to hunt down a member of the faculty from Miskatonic University who wants to release a sleeping and the most powerful Great Old One. Time travel and dimensional skipping enables Booth to do his worst but will it be enough? It’s bad enough he’s turning into a monster himself but to have Cthulhu recognize him???
Once again C. T. Phipps gives his listeners a frightening roller coaster ride deep into the darkness and evil world inspired by H.P. Lovecraft's Cthulhu Mythos. Combined with horror and science fiction, Phipps entertains as well as scares.
As usual, Phipps does not disappoint. He raises the bar in this second installment of John Henry Booth’s world and delivers an entertaining story. There are moments where clarity is not present, but when dealing with time and dimensional jumping, confusion is a by-product. Overall, Phipps does an excellent job of moving the story along and keeping things clear.
Jeffrey Kafer narrates the tale with a deep resonating voice that captures the essence of Booth well. He keeps the story flowing with a steady voice and gives a calming presence even in the most terrifying scenes. I enjoy listening to Kafer narrate; his performances are always top-notch.
This series is perfect for horror and science fiction fans alike.
There were no issues in the audible part or quality of this audiobook.
Audiobook was provided for review by the author.
February 23, 2017
Cthulhu books are always strange. You are dealing with concepts like madness caused by the inability to comprehend multi-dimension based beings and a hierarchy of characters so well known, they are almost a religion of their own.
The Tower of Zhaal deals with everything in a different manner. Instead of not being able to comprehend the gods of the cosmos; the protagonist is given the ability to see different points of view due to his increasingly inhuman nature. In a wasteland where humanity is dying off and changing, he is a necessary hero. Dealing with monsters, aliens, and people who are trying to bring about the end of the Universe; Booth teams up with his girlfriend, ex-best friend, and a team of the most wanted beings of the wasteland. It really does take monsters to stop other monsters.
No one is the villain of their own story. Everyone has reasons for what they do, even the god-like monsters and their supplicants. In the end, you are left with a concept of an alien philosophy based on pragmatism and the desire to see where the hero will go from here.
A fantastic read! Now I want someone to add Cthulhu to the wasteland of Fallout.
The Tower of Zhaal deals with everything in a different manner. Instead of not being able to comprehend the gods of the cosmos; the protagonist is given the ability to see different points of view due to his increasingly inhuman nature. In a wasteland where humanity is dying off and changing, he is a necessary hero. Dealing with monsters, aliens, and people who are trying to bring about the end of the Universe; Booth teams up with his girlfriend, ex-best friend, and a team of the most wanted beings of the wasteland. It really does take monsters to stop other monsters.
No one is the villain of their own story. Everyone has reasons for what they do, even the god-like monsters and their supplicants. In the end, you are left with a concept of an alien philosophy based on pragmatism and the desire to see where the hero will go from here.
A fantastic read! Now I want someone to add Cthulhu to the wasteland of Fallout.
October 30, 2017
Post-Apocalyptic fiction is fun, but Post-Apocalyptic Lovecraft fiction is even better.
That kind of fun led me to C.T. Phipps’ “The Tower of Zhaal.”
The Tower of Zhaal is the sequel to Phipps’ first successful foray into Lovecraftian fiction, Cthulhu Armageddon. In that first book, the world has been ravaged by the long ago (but still in our current future) rise of the Great Old Ones. The hero of the first book, John Henry Booth is back, and the taint of the world has eeked it’s way into his own flesh. With Nyarlahotep whispering in his ear, and the threat of the end of the human race on the brink of happening, John has to risk everything with a team that he can’t trust in order to save the few parts of the hellish world that mean something to him.
While traveling to and with some very Mythos specific names, as well as some that are a treat for readers of contemporary Mythos fiction (ie: the Ghoul priest being named Hoade as an obvious reference to fellow contemporary Mythos writer, Sean Hoade). The explanations of Magic, the Science of the Mind, and the different Alien races make it an epic adventure on par with Lord of the Rings or Star Wars, but within the Mythos elements that bring us back.
The world has ended, Alien Gods are everywhere, and the question of humanities survival is a complex one. Can Humanity survive? Should Humanity survive? Would the Humanity that survives even be recognizable as Human?
Phipps weaves a great tale, that makes for an exciting read.
5 out of 5 Stars!
Minor Potential Spoiler: There’s a scene in this book that made me laugh out loud, but not because it was funny. The moment I read it, I wanted to shout, “Ah! He’s been Rick and Morty’d!!!”
That kind of fun led me to C.T. Phipps’ “The Tower of Zhaal.”
The Tower of Zhaal is the sequel to Phipps’ first successful foray into Lovecraftian fiction, Cthulhu Armageddon. In that first book, the world has been ravaged by the long ago (but still in our current future) rise of the Great Old Ones. The hero of the first book, John Henry Booth is back, and the taint of the world has eeked it’s way into his own flesh. With Nyarlahotep whispering in his ear, and the threat of the end of the human race on the brink of happening, John has to risk everything with a team that he can’t trust in order to save the few parts of the hellish world that mean something to him.
While traveling to and with some very Mythos specific names, as well as some that are a treat for readers of contemporary Mythos fiction (ie: the Ghoul priest being named Hoade as an obvious reference to fellow contemporary Mythos writer, Sean Hoade). The explanations of Magic, the Science of the Mind, and the different Alien races make it an epic adventure on par with Lord of the Rings or Star Wars, but within the Mythos elements that bring us back.
The world has ended, Alien Gods are everywhere, and the question of humanities survival is a complex one. Can Humanity survive? Should Humanity survive? Would the Humanity that survives even be recognizable as Human?
Phipps weaves a great tale, that makes for an exciting read.
5 out of 5 Stars!
Minor Potential Spoiler: There’s a scene in this book that made me laugh out loud, but not because it was funny. The moment I read it, I wanted to shout, “Ah! He’s been Rick and Morty’d!!!”
April 26, 2017
I think that for any Cthulhu Mythos fan this will definitely be an entertaining ride.
If I may compare it to the first book I`ll say that here the ideea has a more Cosmic aproach to it, but still we will visit a lot of interesting places in the same way the previous book had delivered.
Three and a half stars, but because I wasn`t bored any minute of it, I`ll go with four.
If I may compare it to the first book I`ll say that here the ideea has a more Cosmic aproach to it, but still we will visit a lot of interesting places in the same way the previous book had delivered.
Three and a half stars, but because I wasn`t bored any minute of it, I`ll go with four.
April 25, 2017
Buckle Your Seatbelts, This Is Action Packed
4.5 out of 5 stars
I don't know why I didn't see a sequel coming from the first book, but I'm really glad that Phipps wrote one. The benefit of a sequel is that you've already had time to explain out certain characters and their characteristics, but it also allows you to explain the world a little bit allowing you to jump right into the continuation of a story.
Well, Phipps did that for sure. I thought that Cthulhu Armageddon was non-stop action. I would be wrong compared to Tower of Zhaal. Holy cow, I need to catch my breath from this one. Another thing that I really enjoyed was the addition of new characters. Phipps was able to weave new people into the story without them feeling like complete outsiders.
The story itself from the first book wasn't normally my cup of tea, but darn it did I still enjoy it. The Tower of Zhaal was the same way. I went into it with an open mind and having read the first book. I wasn't sure what was going to happen in this book, but I was bucked up for the ride. I'm glad that I was buckled up though because this one too me for a ride.
Anytime you can get the amazing Jeffrey Kafer to narrator your books, you already have an edge up on the competition. But when you combine Kafer's great narration of this book with Phipps great writing you have a winner.
The Tower of Zhaal was even more enjoyable than Cthulhu Armageddon and took me on a roller coaster ride that I wasn't sure I was coming back from. a
4.5 out of 5 stars
I don't know why I didn't see a sequel coming from the first book, but I'm really glad that Phipps wrote one. The benefit of a sequel is that you've already had time to explain out certain characters and their characteristics, but it also allows you to explain the world a little bit allowing you to jump right into the continuation of a story.
Well, Phipps did that for sure. I thought that Cthulhu Armageddon was non-stop action. I would be wrong compared to Tower of Zhaal. Holy cow, I need to catch my breath from this one. Another thing that I really enjoyed was the addition of new characters. Phipps was able to weave new people into the story without them feeling like complete outsiders.
The story itself from the first book wasn't normally my cup of tea, but darn it did I still enjoy it. The Tower of Zhaal was the same way. I went into it with an open mind and having read the first book. I wasn't sure what was going to happen in this book, but I was bucked up for the ride. I'm glad that I was buckled up though because this one too me for a ride.
Anytime you can get the amazing Jeffrey Kafer to narrator your books, you already have an edge up on the competition. But when you combine Kafer's great narration of this book with Phipps great writing you have a winner.
The Tower of Zhaal was even more enjoyable than Cthulhu Armageddon and took me on a roller coaster ride that I wasn't sure I was coming back from. a
April 27, 2017
If you're a fan of Lovecraft, you'll love the Cthulhu Armageddon series. C. T. Phipps brings new life to Lovecraft's Old Gods. Great post-apocalyptic series! Jeffrey Kafer gives another great performance! Keeping my fingers crossed and hoping for a book 3!
May 6, 2017
Up front, I was given an audiobook copy by CT Phipps for an honest review
The follow-up novel to Cthulhu Armageddon, Tower of Zhaal, greatly expands on an already impressive world building. John Henry Booth (JHB), the protagonist from book one, is continuing his adventures thought the apocalyptic cosmic-horror hellscape roughly a year later, following the events of book one.
JHB and Mercury have been kidnapped by a secretive society who represent a surviving academy of mind and science. Led by a Yithian being, the academy tasks JHB and Mercury to team up with a rag-tag band of badasses to go in search for an academy outcast who is seeking to find the titular Tower of Zhaal and release a cosmic horror. Along the way, JHB comes to grips with the monstrous presence growing inside him while simultaneously dealing with the elder god Nyerlathotep whispering in his ear the whole time.
Still with me so far? If you’ve read book one, then all of this should be making sense. If not, I highly recommend picking up book one first and giving it a read.
Naturally the team does as teams do in these types of stories and suffers through attacks, murderous hordes, ghouls, genocide and pain to accomplish their mission.
Now, I did have an issue or two with the story and its structure. We are introduced to several supporting characters who are very surface level and despite CT’s hard work, some of them are nothing more than filler. As well, the forward momentum of the story sometimes slows, or halts, for world building. As well, events of the missing year between book 1 and 2 play heavily, and you as the reader must march onward. Lastly, the final conflict I felt was a touch too short.
Now, if you’re a fan of the Cthulhu mythos, or just a rough and tumble type who enjoys horror and/or films like Seven Samurai, Magnificent Seven, the Dirty Dozen, or the recent Rogue One, then you’ll have no problem with this story.
In summation, I like it. Sadly, I didn’t like it as much as I did the first novel, but Tower of Zhaal IS a strong follow-up to Cthulhu Armageddon and I recommend it to anyone who is a fan of CT’s writing.
The follow-up novel to Cthulhu Armageddon, Tower of Zhaal, greatly expands on an already impressive world building. John Henry Booth (JHB), the protagonist from book one, is continuing his adventures thought the apocalyptic cosmic-horror hellscape roughly a year later, following the events of book one.
JHB and Mercury have been kidnapped by a secretive society who represent a surviving academy of mind and science. Led by a Yithian being, the academy tasks JHB and Mercury to team up with a rag-tag band of badasses to go in search for an academy outcast who is seeking to find the titular Tower of Zhaal and release a cosmic horror. Along the way, JHB comes to grips with the monstrous presence growing inside him while simultaneously dealing with the elder god Nyerlathotep whispering in his ear the whole time.
Still with me so far? If you’ve read book one, then all of this should be making sense. If not, I highly recommend picking up book one first and giving it a read.
Naturally the team does as teams do in these types of stories and suffers through attacks, murderous hordes, ghouls, genocide and pain to accomplish their mission.
Now, I did have an issue or two with the story and its structure. We are introduced to several supporting characters who are very surface level and despite CT’s hard work, some of them are nothing more than filler. As well, the forward momentum of the story sometimes slows, or halts, for world building. As well, events of the missing year between book 1 and 2 play heavily, and you as the reader must march onward. Lastly, the final conflict I felt was a touch too short.
Now, if you’re a fan of the Cthulhu mythos, or just a rough and tumble type who enjoys horror and/or films like Seven Samurai, Magnificent Seven, the Dirty Dozen, or the recent Rogue One, then you’ll have no problem with this story.
In summation, I like it. Sadly, I didn’t like it as much as I did the first novel, but Tower of Zhaal IS a strong follow-up to Cthulhu Armageddon and I recommend it to anyone who is a fan of CT’s writing.
March 12, 2017
A bit disjointed at times, but a worthy sequel
The first book, for all its cosmic trappings, was essentially still a pretty standard Western in a lot of ways. This book ups the stakes considerably. Booth isn't just fighting a megalomaniac, but actually battling cosmic horrors. I'm not certain how to say more without spoiling the plot, but not only is humanity at stake, but so is Booth's. And, well, it just might be a doomed battle on both counts.
The disjointedness is in part a consequence of these higher stakes. Characters who would be the main hero of their own stories, legends of their time, are introduced and die just as easily. Journeys are compressed as time and space are warped. It's a bit disorienting, but I think it fits the genre.
The first book, for all its cosmic trappings, was essentially still a pretty standard Western in a lot of ways. This book ups the stakes considerably. Booth isn't just fighting a megalomaniac, but actually battling cosmic horrors. I'm not certain how to say more without spoiling the plot, but not only is humanity at stake, but so is Booth's. And, well, it just might be a doomed battle on both counts.
The disjointedness is in part a consequence of these higher stakes. Characters who would be the main hero of their own stories, legends of their time, are introduced and die just as easily. Journeys are compressed as time and space are warped. It's a bit disorienting, but I think it fits the genre.
May 31, 2017
Note: This is Book 2 and works OK as a stand alone. It would definitely be enhanced by having previously read Book 1.
Set in and around a post-apocalyptic Massachusetts, John Henry Booth and Mercury Halsey now work as security for merchant caravans. The world was reformed some decades back when the Old Ones and aliens took up residence on Earth, nearly wiping out humans. Unfortunately, most of these new arrivals found humans useful in some way or another, such as interbreeding or as a food source. John is undergoing a transformation into an unknown something he fears and perhaps the University can cure him. However, their assistance comes at a price. They must hunt down and kill a powerful sorcerer (wizard? magician?) Marcus Whatley, who is determined to released the last of the Old Ones, potentially dooming both humanity and Earth.
Yeah. John and Mercury have their work cut out for them.
The end of Book 1, Cthulhu Armageddon, saw the death of much of the cast. Here, we get several fresh faces and, yes, many of them perish in interesting ways before the end of the book. In fact, several folks from the merchant train John & Mercury are guarding die right away when the cultists of Yith show up unexpectedly. Professor Harvey Armitage of the Miskatonic University wanted a word with John & Mercury and this was his douchey way to getting their attention. Right off the bat, I didn’t care for Armitage and I hoped that John & Mercury found an interesting way to kill him off. And yet…. yet Armitage does has a wealth of knowledge and some healing powers. Perhaps this messed up world needs him… for now.
Mercury used to be a professional torturer and she’s an expert on EBEs, these extra biological entities. So she’s a pretty interesting character that has had an intense career path. In this book, she continues to grow with some training in the magical arts. She’s done all she can for John as a doctor (of sorts) short of killing him (if that’s possible). Perhaps the magical arts are the only way to assist John in controlling or containing his mutation.
I’m interested in seeing how things turn out for the side character Jackie Howard. She’s the teen-aged adopted daughter of John and Mercury and she’s half ghoul. Yes, ghoul. Like Richard Jameson from Book 1, she likes human flesh. But she’s cool. Don’t worry. Donated meat only. There’s this great scene between her and John where John is explaining why they are leaving her behind instead of taking her on this insanely dangerous mission. Lots of great lines in that scene where Jackie acknowledges that John & Mercury care while also calling them on their BS.
Jessica O’Reilly, John’s previous girlfriend, shows up later in the book, as well as his ex-wife. As if that doesn’t make his life complicated enough, his ex-wife is a psychic and she can tell that John is hiding his true nature from all but his closest companions. John also has a bit of a crisis of conscious when he and his team end up in a kind of paradise that relies on slave labor. John was a slave for about a year previously, so he has some strong feelings on the subject. Yet this labor pool is made up of these squid faced entities that could happily slaughter all humans planet wide if they were inclined to… and weren’t being held in slavery. So he’s got 99 problems along with his love life.
The ending was complete with great imagery and phrases like, ‘We must summon Cthulhu!’. There’s plenty of drama and yet things work out. I hope we get another book in this series because there’s plenty more for John to explore even as he goes through his own evolution.
I received a free copy of this book.
The Narration: Jeffrey Kafer really shows off his skills with this book. This story is full of lots of nearly unpronounceable names such as Nyarlathotep and Shak’ta’hadron and Kafer has to pronounce them all with consistency and accuracy throughout the book. There’s also plenty of crazy cult ramblings in a nearly unpronounceable language, which Kafer makes the characters sound fluent in. I was impressed by the dexterity of this tongue multiple times throughout this book. He’s great at keeping the characters distinct and also imbuing the text with emotion as needed.
Set in and around a post-apocalyptic Massachusetts, John Henry Booth and Mercury Halsey now work as security for merchant caravans. The world was reformed some decades back when the Old Ones and aliens took up residence on Earth, nearly wiping out humans. Unfortunately, most of these new arrivals found humans useful in some way or another, such as interbreeding or as a food source. John is undergoing a transformation into an unknown something he fears and perhaps the University can cure him. However, their assistance comes at a price. They must hunt down and kill a powerful sorcerer (wizard? magician?) Marcus Whatley, who is determined to released the last of the Old Ones, potentially dooming both humanity and Earth.
Yeah. John and Mercury have their work cut out for them.
The end of Book 1, Cthulhu Armageddon, saw the death of much of the cast. Here, we get several fresh faces and, yes, many of them perish in interesting ways before the end of the book. In fact, several folks from the merchant train John & Mercury are guarding die right away when the cultists of Yith show up unexpectedly. Professor Harvey Armitage of the Miskatonic University wanted a word with John & Mercury and this was his douchey way to getting their attention. Right off the bat, I didn’t care for Armitage and I hoped that John & Mercury found an interesting way to kill him off. And yet…. yet Armitage does has a wealth of knowledge and some healing powers. Perhaps this messed up world needs him… for now.
Mercury used to be a professional torturer and she’s an expert on EBEs, these extra biological entities. So she’s a pretty interesting character that has had an intense career path. In this book, she continues to grow with some training in the magical arts. She’s done all she can for John as a doctor (of sorts) short of killing him (if that’s possible). Perhaps the magical arts are the only way to assist John in controlling or containing his mutation.
I’m interested in seeing how things turn out for the side character Jackie Howard. She’s the teen-aged adopted daughter of John and Mercury and she’s half ghoul. Yes, ghoul. Like Richard Jameson from Book 1, she likes human flesh. But she’s cool. Don’t worry. Donated meat only. There’s this great scene between her and John where John is explaining why they are leaving her behind instead of taking her on this insanely dangerous mission. Lots of great lines in that scene where Jackie acknowledges that John & Mercury care while also calling them on their BS.
Jessica O’Reilly, John’s previous girlfriend, shows up later in the book, as well as his ex-wife. As if that doesn’t make his life complicated enough, his ex-wife is a psychic and she can tell that John is hiding his true nature from all but his closest companions. John also has a bit of a crisis of conscious when he and his team end up in a kind of paradise that relies on slave labor. John was a slave for about a year previously, so he has some strong feelings on the subject. Yet this labor pool is made up of these squid faced entities that could happily slaughter all humans planet wide if they were inclined to… and weren’t being held in slavery. So he’s got 99 problems along with his love life.
The ending was complete with great imagery and phrases like, ‘We must summon Cthulhu!’. There’s plenty of drama and yet things work out. I hope we get another book in this series because there’s plenty more for John to explore even as he goes through his own evolution.
I received a free copy of this book.
The Narration: Jeffrey Kafer really shows off his skills with this book. This story is full of lots of nearly unpronounceable names such as Nyarlathotep and Shak’ta’hadron and Kafer has to pronounce them all with consistency and accuracy throughout the book. There’s also plenty of crazy cult ramblings in a nearly unpronounceable language, which Kafer makes the characters sound fluent in. I was impressed by the dexterity of this tongue multiple times throughout this book. He’s great at keeping the characters distinct and also imbuing the text with emotion as needed.
March 9, 2020
C.T. has created a whole world that I feel I'm falling down the rabbit hole as I learn more and more about it. Cthulhu world and rules exist here and it just grows as I listen to Booth's mission and circumstances surrounding it and them.
***FULL REVIEW TO FOLLOW****
***FULL REVIEW TO FOLLOW****
January 25, 2021
I've been on a bit of a Lovecraft kick the last two weeks and remembered that I had this book in my library. It didn't disappoint. I enjoyed it more than the 1st in the series.
September 3, 2022
Whereas Cthulhu Armageddon was comprised of equal parts horror, science fiction, and weird western, The Tower of Zhaal pushes the first two to the margins, thrusting us head-first into the depths of Lovecraftian horror.
I thought the first book was dark, but C.T. Phipps may as well have stamped "Abandon all hope, ye who enter here" on the cover here and left it that. I mean, this is a book that starts with Booth and Mercury discussing when to kill him (before he turns into a monster); quickly has the party they're guarding slaughtered by cultists (for the sole purpose of getting Booth's attention); and then proceeds to have one of the Old Ones themselves reveal they've already witnessed humanity's end (but, if we're good, we might earn a false paradise in dreamland). At that point, most heroes would say, "Fuck it," throw their arms up in the air, and walk off the nearest cliff. Fortunately, Booth is too stubborn, too angry, and too rebellious to simply accept the fate that the Old One's decree.
If he can't prevent the end of the world, he'll at least ensure we face it on our own terms.
The twist here, compared to the first book, is that it's not just an insanely powerful madman standing in his way, but a heap of Cosmic Horrors as well. The stakes are raised, right from the start, and the sense of doom weighs heavily upon the story. In fact, Phipps introduces a whole new cast of supporting characters here, some of whom are just as memorable as Richard (my favorite supporting character from the first book), and most of whom die just as quickly and unceremoniously a death. He also broadens the world, taking us farther and faster than was previously possible, thanks to time/space warping "technology of the mind" developed under the oversight of the Old Ones at Miskatonic University.
Not surprisingly, this is a story that delves as deep into ethics as it does magic, often questioning whether the end justifies the means, whether the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, and at what cost is survival no longer worth it? Nowhere, though, do those questions weigh more heavily than when Booth and crew pass from the ruins of Insmaw into the subterranean paradise of Shak’ta’hadron . . . and come across Booth's ex-wife. It's not necessarily the most important or exciting part of the story, but it's very much at the heart of what makes such a doom-laden story, fronted by such a gloomy protagonist, still so utterly compelling.
The climax at The Tower of Zhaal is not necessarily bigger than that of the first book, but it is certainly more significant, especially when it involves the words, "We have to summon Cthulhu." I will say no more on that front, but rest assured Phipps isn't merely content to play with the fringes of the Lovecraftian mythos, he's plunging right into its heart.
Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins
I thought the first book was dark, but C.T. Phipps may as well have stamped "Abandon all hope, ye who enter here" on the cover here and left it that. I mean, this is a book that starts with Booth and Mercury discussing when to kill him (before he turns into a monster); quickly has the party they're guarding slaughtered by cultists (for the sole purpose of getting Booth's attention); and then proceeds to have one of the Old Ones themselves reveal they've already witnessed humanity's end (but, if we're good, we might earn a false paradise in dreamland). At that point, most heroes would say, "Fuck it," throw their arms up in the air, and walk off the nearest cliff. Fortunately, Booth is too stubborn, too angry, and too rebellious to simply accept the fate that the Old One's decree.
If he can't prevent the end of the world, he'll at least ensure we face it on our own terms.
The twist here, compared to the first book, is that it's not just an insanely powerful madman standing in his way, but a heap of Cosmic Horrors as well. The stakes are raised, right from the start, and the sense of doom weighs heavily upon the story. In fact, Phipps introduces a whole new cast of supporting characters here, some of whom are just as memorable as Richard (my favorite supporting character from the first book), and most of whom die just as quickly and unceremoniously a death. He also broadens the world, taking us farther and faster than was previously possible, thanks to time/space warping "technology of the mind" developed under the oversight of the Old Ones at Miskatonic University.
Not surprisingly, this is a story that delves as deep into ethics as it does magic, often questioning whether the end justifies the means, whether the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, and at what cost is survival no longer worth it? Nowhere, though, do those questions weigh more heavily than when Booth and crew pass from the ruins of Insmaw into the subterranean paradise of Shak’ta’hadron . . . and come across Booth's ex-wife. It's not necessarily the most important or exciting part of the story, but it's very much at the heart of what makes such a doom-laden story, fronted by such a gloomy protagonist, still so utterly compelling.
The climax at The Tower of Zhaal is not necessarily bigger than that of the first book, but it is certainly more significant, especially when it involves the words, "We have to summon Cthulhu." I will say no more on that front, but rest assured Phipps isn't merely content to play with the fringes of the Lovecraftian mythos, he's plunging right into its heart.
Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary ARC of this title from the publisher in exchange for review consideration. This does not in any way affect the honesty or sincerity of my review.
January 16, 2019
A gritty funhouse of Cthulhu Mythos horror and adventure.
The Tower of Zhaal by C.T. Phipps is an undeniably fun mixture of sci-fi anime + a romping indie horror video game + 1981’s Heavy Metal. I don’t make the reference to Heavy Metal lightly – if there was a cartoon adaptation of this novel, it’d be a wrecking ball.
The Tower of Zhaal is the second installment in C.T. Phipps Cthulhu Armageddon series. It follows a band of unlikely anti-heroes across a desolate future-earth ravaged by the Rising of the Great Old Ones. But there are worse fates than living in the ruins of a world destroyed by cosmic horrors – and a final devouring terror yet to be unleashed. Phipps’s ragged renegades, assembled together like the Seven Samurai meeting the end of the world, are all that stand between what’s left of mankind and the awakening of the last sleeping Great Old One – an act that promises the final oblivion for a dying world.
The Tower of Zhaal is fast-paced, witty, and darkly comedic, swinging snark like a hatchet. So when it comes in with the occasional backswing and takes the apocalyptic subject matter with sudden sincerity, it catches you off guard. There are surprising islands of seriousness throughout, reachable via stepping stones of black humor. Very reminiscent of the tone of Zombieland that way.
The book is steeped in enough crunchy Mythos lore that you might find yourself piecing together a red-string conspiracy wall to keep track of it all and going back for other colors of string. In a good way. Crazy things happen at the intersection of the red, green, and pink strings.
Which also makes me think Phipp’s Cthulhu Armageddon saga would make an excellent graphic novel or comic adaptation. The otherworldly, alien, perception-bending (and sometimes grotesque) imagery would be one hell of a thing to lay on a guy with a head full of acid. If ever there were pages of a book (or comic) that might start whispering and wiggling noodling appendages at you while you stare at them, this could definitely be the one.
I admit I had difficulty getting into the first book in this series. It had problems settling on tone and theme that I found off-putting. But The Tower of Zhaal definitely outgrew those wobbly legs. If Phipp’s Cthulhu Armageddon series has a “growing the beard” moment – The Tower of Zhaal is it.
Oh, and if you’ve been following this series and wondering when or if Cthulhu himself was ever going to make an appearance… Well… you’ll see. 😉
I’ll be looking forward to the third installment in this series – Azathoth’s Tree – when it lands.
Great popcorn fun – dark, witty, and a Biblical manifesto of Cthulhoid horror. 4-Stars.
The Tower of Zhaal by C.T. Phipps is an undeniably fun mixture of sci-fi anime + a romping indie horror video game + 1981’s Heavy Metal. I don’t make the reference to Heavy Metal lightly – if there was a cartoon adaptation of this novel, it’d be a wrecking ball.
The Tower of Zhaal is the second installment in C.T. Phipps Cthulhu Armageddon series. It follows a band of unlikely anti-heroes across a desolate future-earth ravaged by the Rising of the Great Old Ones. But there are worse fates than living in the ruins of a world destroyed by cosmic horrors – and a final devouring terror yet to be unleashed. Phipps’s ragged renegades, assembled together like the Seven Samurai meeting the end of the world, are all that stand between what’s left of mankind and the awakening of the last sleeping Great Old One – an act that promises the final oblivion for a dying world.
The Tower of Zhaal is fast-paced, witty, and darkly comedic, swinging snark like a hatchet. So when it comes in with the occasional backswing and takes the apocalyptic subject matter with sudden sincerity, it catches you off guard. There are surprising islands of seriousness throughout, reachable via stepping stones of black humor. Very reminiscent of the tone of Zombieland that way.
The book is steeped in enough crunchy Mythos lore that you might find yourself piecing together a red-string conspiracy wall to keep track of it all and going back for other colors of string. In a good way. Crazy things happen at the intersection of the red, green, and pink strings.
Which also makes me think Phipp’s Cthulhu Armageddon saga would make an excellent graphic novel or comic adaptation. The otherworldly, alien, perception-bending (and sometimes grotesque) imagery would be one hell of a thing to lay on a guy with a head full of acid. If ever there were pages of a book (or comic) that might start whispering and wiggling noodling appendages at you while you stare at them, this could definitely be the one.
I admit I had difficulty getting into the first book in this series. It had problems settling on tone and theme that I found off-putting. But The Tower of Zhaal definitely outgrew those wobbly legs. If Phipp’s Cthulhu Armageddon series has a “growing the beard” moment – The Tower of Zhaal is it.
Oh, and if you’ve been following this series and wondering when or if Cthulhu himself was ever going to make an appearance… Well… you’ll see. 😉
I’ll be looking forward to the third installment in this series – Azathoth’s Tree – when it lands.
Great popcorn fun – dark, witty, and a Biblical manifesto of Cthulhoid horror. 4-Stars.
March 12, 2023
A year later John Booth and Mercury Halsey have a new life as caravan guards. John has been touched by the hand Nyarlathotep. It is slowly transforming him into an alien creature. They are trying to arrest the progress when they are kidnapped by cultist yielding crystal rods.
The cultist leader turns out to be Professor Harvey Armitage from Miskatonic University. The university has seen better days. It has fallen in a state of disrepair. There they meet a Yithian, a member of the Great Race. The Yithian has a mission for them, to save the world by stopping the release of the Unimaginable Horror fro the tower of Zhaal.
The person they must stop is Markus Whately, student at the university from the Dunwych royal lineage. Their payment for this is save humanity.
The team that has been gathered to do this consist of Thom Braddock, gunslinger, Bobbie Merriweather, a Deep One Hybrid, August Bierce, The Dreadful Summoner, Jessica O’Reilly, former R&E Ranger and team member of John’s, Matthew Blake, amateur archaeologist, along with Booth and Mercury. Each has been promised a reward upon completing the mission.
Author C. T. Phipps draws the reader deep into the lineage of H. G. Lovecraft’s university of all kinds of assorted gods and demigods as Booth tries to complete his mission without losing his humanity. He must weigh his humanity against what he must do to accomplish his mission. Booth doubts he has the strength as he has a hand in destroying several cities in the wake of the mission. The story plot twists several times keeping the reader guessing where Author Phipps will take them next.
I give the novel a 4-star review rating. An H. R. Lovecraft fan would make it a 5-star review.
The cultist leader turns out to be Professor Harvey Armitage from Miskatonic University. The university has seen better days. It has fallen in a state of disrepair. There they meet a Yithian, a member of the Great Race. The Yithian has a mission for them, to save the world by stopping the release of the Unimaginable Horror fro the tower of Zhaal.
The person they must stop is Markus Whately, student at the university from the Dunwych royal lineage. Their payment for this is save humanity.
The team that has been gathered to do this consist of Thom Braddock, gunslinger, Bobbie Merriweather, a Deep One Hybrid, August Bierce, The Dreadful Summoner, Jessica O’Reilly, former R&E Ranger and team member of John’s, Matthew Blake, amateur archaeologist, along with Booth and Mercury. Each has been promised a reward upon completing the mission.
Author C. T. Phipps draws the reader deep into the lineage of H. G. Lovecraft’s university of all kinds of assorted gods and demigods as Booth tries to complete his mission without losing his humanity. He must weigh his humanity against what he must do to accomplish his mission. Booth doubts he has the strength as he has a hand in destroying several cities in the wake of the mission. The story plot twists several times keeping the reader guessing where Author Phipps will take them next.
I give the novel a 4-star review rating. An H. R. Lovecraft fan would make it a 5-star review.
May 17, 2017
In the interest of transparency, I'll be discussing a review copy I was given for my honest opinion. I've done my best to avoid letting a free copy influence my opinion of the work in question.
That said ... I'm amazed not only at Charles' workrate, but how many genres he has his hand in. I've read his grimdark stories, his urban fantasy, and in Cthulhu Armageddon, a post-apocalyptic Weird West horror tale using the famous alien beasts of HP Lovecraft (hooray for public domain!), he showed just how well he can blend together different genres into an unholy combination that somehow, against all protestations of nature, still works. And Tower of Zhaal is more of the same.
Things are much the same as they were in Book 1, except where they've gotten worse. Our hero is worried that his transformation into something ... other is going to turn him mentally into a monster as well as physically. This book seems to ask the question ... how much does being physically human matter, as long as the mind retains its attachments? The question reminds me of certain stories in the transhumanist genre ... is what we become at all related to what we were? And should we even wish it to be, if our goal is to become something greater?
All of this and a ton of monster-slaying action that calls to mind a post-apocalyptic RPG. The term 'LitRPG' has been tossed around a lot lately, and Phipps definitely has that sort of style, as do other favorites of mine like Sanderson and Tchaikovsky. The action continues to ramp up until the characters finally arrive at the eponymous Tower, and end up looking to a most surprising savior in the 11th hour.
That said ... I'm amazed not only at Charles' workrate, but how many genres he has his hand in. I've read his grimdark stories, his urban fantasy, and in Cthulhu Armageddon, a post-apocalyptic Weird West horror tale using the famous alien beasts of HP Lovecraft (hooray for public domain!), he showed just how well he can blend together different genres into an unholy combination that somehow, against all protestations of nature, still works. And Tower of Zhaal is more of the same.
Things are much the same as they were in Book 1, except where they've gotten worse. Our hero is worried that his transformation into something ... other is going to turn him mentally into a monster as well as physically. This book seems to ask the question ... how much does being physically human matter, as long as the mind retains its attachments? The question reminds me of certain stories in the transhumanist genre ... is what we become at all related to what we were? And should we even wish it to be, if our goal is to become something greater?
All of this and a ton of monster-slaying action that calls to mind a post-apocalyptic RPG. The term 'LitRPG' has been tossed around a lot lately, and Phipps definitely has that sort of style, as do other favorites of mine like Sanderson and Tchaikovsky. The action continues to ramp up until the characters finally arrive at the eponymous Tower, and end up looking to a most surprising savior in the 11th hour.
February 1, 2018
After I first read book one of the Cthulhu Armageddon series I was super excited to hear there was going to be a sequel out shortly! C.T. Phipps has built an awesome and unique apocalypse out of the works of H.P. Lovecraft and I really wanted to see it explored further. It is safe to say that The Tower of Zhaal does not disappoint. Our hero John Henry Booth's slow transformation both in body and, even more interestingly, in mind into a Lovecraftian terror is fascinating. The story is a classic, a group of clashing individuals all with different, indispensable talents brought together to take on a threat that's too big for any one of them on their own, all motivated more by personal profit than the greater good.
But what really sold it for me were the characters and new settings that are fleshed out following on from Cthulhu Armageddon. A mysterious, ageless gunslinger, a rebelling Deep One priestess and an arrogant but well-meaning spell caster. A university full of macabre horrors, an alien world and an underground city of corpse-eating ghouls. Phipps' brings it all alive with a deft touch amongst the nonstop action. Given this is inspired by Lovecraft I was especially impressed how he writes his way around some truly alien geometries and perspectives.
There's a few twists towards the end and its tricky to explain just how incredibly epic the story eventually becomes without giving away too many key plot points, but it is a considerable escalation from the first book. I would maintain this series is a must-read for fans of Lovecraft, post-apocalyptic literature or even just lovers of great action-horror!
But what really sold it for me were the characters and new settings that are fleshed out following on from Cthulhu Armageddon. A mysterious, ageless gunslinger, a rebelling Deep One priestess and an arrogant but well-meaning spell caster. A university full of macabre horrors, an alien world and an underground city of corpse-eating ghouls. Phipps' brings it all alive with a deft touch amongst the nonstop action. Given this is inspired by Lovecraft I was especially impressed how he writes his way around some truly alien geometries and perspectives.
There's a few twists towards the end and its tricky to explain just how incredibly epic the story eventually becomes without giving away too many key plot points, but it is a considerable escalation from the first book. I would maintain this series is a must-read for fans of Lovecraft, post-apocalyptic literature or even just lovers of great action-horror!
August 1, 2018
The second volume of this series happens some time after the end of the first book. It builds on the Cthulhu Armageddon world adding more action and higher stakes to the mix.
This book also takes us to some of the most iconic locales in Lovecraft's work: Arkham (including the Miskatonic University) and Insmouth. The world building is very solid and it was very interesting to see how Mr. Phipps imagined life in these places after the Old Ones took over.
I also enjoyed the new characters that were introduced in the story and how they interacted with the survivors from the events in the Black Cathedral. And of course I am a big fan of the West Boys!
One of my favorite things from this book is how Booth reacts to what is happening to him and around him. Listening to his thoughts is very enlightening and makes you think about how his morals work in that world that is doomed.
The book is full of struggles and when you thought things could not get worse... something else happens that takes to even higher stakes up to the epic final confrontation. Trust me, you don't want to miss it.
I liked this book more than the first one on the series and I am eager to enjoy the last one.
This book also takes us to some of the most iconic locales in Lovecraft's work: Arkham (including the Miskatonic University) and Insmouth. The world building is very solid and it was very interesting to see how Mr. Phipps imagined life in these places after the Old Ones took over.
I also enjoyed the new characters that were introduced in the story and how they interacted with the survivors from the events in the Black Cathedral. And of course I am a big fan of the West Boys!
One of my favorite things from this book is how Booth reacts to what is happening to him and around him. Listening to his thoughts is very enlightening and makes you think about how his morals work in that world that is doomed.
The book is full of struggles and when you thought things could not get worse... something else happens that takes to even higher stakes up to the epic final confrontation. Trust me, you don't want to miss it.
I liked this book more than the first one on the series and I am eager to enjoy the last one.
July 29, 2019
Mad Max meets Lovecraft to embalk on Fallout quests. Little not to like with that and never mind any Magnificent Seven comparisons as that concept lasts five minutes. It is easy to bandy comparisons about to entertain those interested in marketing but the key component here is entertainment.
It is lively, fast paced, darkly amusing and has more twists than a Curly-Wurly in a heat-wave. Abandon all hope is almost appropriate as a pretty fair culling of characters occurs by a cornucopia of beasts and nastiness with many nods and a hearty handshake to Lovecraft. I found the story reminiscent to the Jerusalem Man Trilogy. Every time the pace pauses for five minutes you can guarantee it will take a leftfield turn and go wahoonie shaped... ...and over all to soon, which speaks for itself.
While it contains zombies and an apocalypse, it has a far different feel to the usual churnout on screen and book and I feel works all the better for it. Humour, history and the occult. Booth is an interesting and enigmatic with plenty of curiosity to inspire with his past and future. I look forward to seeing where that ends up. Or maybe hearing, as the audiobook is tempting for a re-read.
It is lively, fast paced, darkly amusing and has more twists than a Curly-Wurly in a heat-wave. Abandon all hope is almost appropriate as a pretty fair culling of characters occurs by a cornucopia of beasts and nastiness with many nods and a hearty handshake to Lovecraft. I found the story reminiscent to the Jerusalem Man Trilogy. Every time the pace pauses for five minutes you can guarantee it will take a leftfield turn and go wahoonie shaped... ...and over all to soon, which speaks for itself.
While it contains zombies and an apocalypse, it has a far different feel to the usual churnout on screen and book and I feel works all the better for it. Humour, history and the occult. Booth is an interesting and enigmatic with plenty of curiosity to inspire with his past and future. I look forward to seeing where that ends up. Or maybe hearing, as the audiobook is tempting for a re-read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 16, 2021
Damn I thought the first book was very dark, but author C.T. Phipps was only easing us in and getting us ready for this horrorfest sequel, wow and what a superb sequel it was to Cthulhu Armageddon. The Towel Of Zhaal, finds our John Henry Booth (science fiction and fantasy's Clint Eastwood) his girlfriend Mercury and gang of misfits battling to save the world against alien gods. Appearances by a Hound of Tindalos, The Unimaginable Horror of Animated Ghouls and the legend that is the Cthulhu finally makes an appearance. John Henry Booth and Mercury's quest is to rid the planet of a destructive force that has been imprisoned for millennia and, if released, could destroy all life on the planet. But will they and their band survive the horrors they face in getting there. Absolutely brilliantly fast paced, action packed, gore ridden and just a good oul fantastic read, I really hope there is a third book. The narration by Jeffrey Kafer is excellent and I couldn't imagine anyone else narrating, I highly recommend...😁🐙🔥
March 5, 2022
Once again the breath of CT Phipps genres impressed me. In the majority of his other books there is a strong comedic slant but this series is a dark. It’s post apocalyptic western with ancient space gods, and while that sounds preposterous it works well.
This book follows on from the original Cthulhu Armageddon. John Henry Booth gets dragged into a new confrontation that could lead to the end of humanity. However, humans aren’t the only race on earth, and they weren’t there first either. There’s a constant interplay between the different species and in my opinion humans aren’t a shining example. Humans, even on the precipice of extinction exhibit a frustrating amount of jingoism against their fellow man. While this is a fantasy story, this underlying attitude in the characters around Booth makes it feel real (and a little sad about the nature of humanity).
This book follows on from the original Cthulhu Armageddon. John Henry Booth gets dragged into a new confrontation that could lead to the end of humanity. However, humans aren’t the only race on earth, and they weren’t there first either. There’s a constant interplay between the different species and in my opinion humans aren’t a shining example. Humans, even on the precipice of extinction exhibit a frustrating amount of jingoism against their fellow man. While this is a fantasy story, this underlying attitude in the characters around Booth makes it feel real (and a little sad about the nature of humanity).
April 28, 2022
Insane Sequel
John Booth is back and crazier then ever. The Miskatonic University has a job for the agent of Nyarlohotep and wishes him stop the extinction of the human race that has been prophecied to happen within three generations. At first it seems simple...track down a rogue wizard named Marcus. However , Marcus is bent on unleashing the Unimaginable Horror...which would end the world quicker. John may not be human anymore but he can still die. Will he conquer his quest or will all of existence finally be done?
Great characters, great Lovecraftian world and great unique story! Highly recommend!!
John Booth is back and crazier then ever. The Miskatonic University has a job for the agent of Nyarlohotep and wishes him stop the extinction of the human race that has been prophecied to happen within three generations. At first it seems simple...track down a rogue wizard named Marcus. However , Marcus is bent on unleashing the Unimaginable Horror...which would end the world quicker. John may not be human anymore but he can still die. Will he conquer his quest or will all of existence finally be done?
Great characters, great Lovecraftian world and great unique story! Highly recommend!!
July 19, 2023
If you have read the first part of the trilogy, then you know what to expect by now. Look at the book as a summer blockbuster meant just to entertain you and you will have a great time. The plot moves quickly and there is never a dull moment. It is quite pulpy so be warned but the world it paints is quite bleak. However, if you expect it to strictly stick to lovecraftian conventions you will be sorely disappointed. .
September 7, 2021
A veces, es posible pasarse y dar demasiado de algo que, a priori es bueno. En este caso, parece que el autor se ve obligado a superar en todo el libro anterior, que ya era bastante pulp, y la verdad es que acaba siendo bastante absurdo en su grandeza.
No está mal, es entretenido, pero es bastante más Dragon Ball Z que los Mitos. Quédate con el libro anterior.
No está mal, es entretenido, pero es bastante más Dragon Ball Z que los Mitos. Quédate con el libro anterior.
July 10, 2024
If it's even possible, I enjoyed this sequel more than its predecessor. Here, Booth is challenged to save the future with a rag-tag team of epic misfits, a sort of post-apocalyptic Magnificent Seven, some of whom are former enemies. As usual, Phipps engineers numerous surprises and twists, so the story never lags for an instant.
December 27, 2017
As delightful and dark as the first book in the series. Also, I just wanted to give poor Cthulhu a hug at the end. Phipps' description of the elder god and the protagonists' reaction to him is peerless.
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