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Maniac Gods
One rainy night in Penbrook, Albie Samways’ family disappeared along with the rest of the village’s population, spirited away by unknown forces. In those abandoned streets and houses he encountered hellish creatures, madness and death, ending in a confrontation with the sadistic Doctor Ridings and his cultists. He barely made it out alive. Five years later, he lives in a squalid bedsit, miserable and heartbroken, suffering from nightmares and visions of monstrous things. He mourns. He mourns for his daughter, Milly, most of all. Then one day she returns. However she is not the same girl he once knew, and tells him about terrible places, thin places , where gods and monsters reside in the darkness, waiting to enter our world. But there is worse to come. Doctor Ridings and his followers are back, and they have plans for her. Horrific plans of black magic and sacrifice. With no other option, Albie and Milly are forced to go on the run, beginning an epic chase across the country. He is all that stands between the monsters and his little girl.
202 pages, Paperback
First published June 14, 2018
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74 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 3, 2018
This is a horror story of the first degree! It has that deep, down in your soul, gut-wrenching shock factor! This is a good one folks.....Evil enters our world and one Father fights for his daughter amidst gruesome, grotesque creatures, I’m not saying anymore cause I don’t want to spoil it.....
June 24, 2019
As with Hawkins's Black Star, Black Sun, Maniac Gods is a dark tale of Lovecraftian gods, slimy things, despair, tentacles, violence and balls to the wall action horror. Again as with the previous book, there are shades of Campbell and McMahon at their best.
Great stuff.
Great stuff.
July 15, 2018
Hellish and bleak, this survival tale of a father desperate to save his daughter from the clutches of an otherwordly force and its fiendish acolytes glories in fleshy details. Hawkins, per usual, delivers the unsavory in an elegant package.
July 23, 2019
3.5 - rounded up to 4.
I was really enjoying this. Part 1 is great. The pace is quick, and the story compelling. Some of the writing is excellent, and the description of some of the horrors is vivid.
Things slow down a little at the start of the second part, and this was well handled. We could see how far our protagonist had fallen after the events of part one.
But then we find something out about two thirds of the way through, and it took a turn that was unexpected and made me feel rather uncomfortable. I liked the introduction of the grandparents and where the story was going at that point, and it again seemed to build towards a satisfying conclusion, but in the end, that wasn't really what I got, and I was left feeling a little frustrated. I think I'm left with too many questions, left with an ill-feeling, left wondering how any of these remaining characters can possibly recover from this, so a touch unsatisfied.
Overall, lots to admire, but not quite to my taste.
I was really enjoying this. Part 1 is great. The pace is quick, and the story compelling. Some of the writing is excellent, and the description of some of the horrors is vivid.
Things slow down a little at the start of the second part, and this was well handled. We could see how far our protagonist had fallen after the events of part one.
But then we find something out about two thirds of the way through, and it took a turn that was unexpected and made me feel rather uncomfortable. I liked the introduction of the grandparents and where the story was going at that point, and it again seemed to build towards a satisfying conclusion, but in the end, that wasn't really what I got, and I was left feeling a little frustrated. I think I'm left with too many questions, left with an ill-feeling, left wondering how any of these remaining characters can possibly recover from this, so a touch unsatisfied.
Overall, lots to admire, but not quite to my taste.
July 23, 2018
Maniac Gods is the new novella from Rich Hawkins and is published by the Sinister Horror Company. I’ve been a fan of Rich’s writing since his novella Black Star, Black Sun which I read back in 2015. Since then, his output has been nothing less than impressive, including the post-apocalyptic Last Plague trilogy of novels and his bloody and visceral take on vampire lore King Carrion.
Apocalyptic themes have been a constant in Rich’s writing and such is the case with this new novella. It tells the story of Albie Samways – a typical everyman Hawkins protagonist – whose daughter Millie disappears, along with the inhabitants of the village in which she lives, victims of a bizarre cult intent on bringing about their own version of the end days. The bond between father and child is another recurring motif in Rich’s books and here, as in all the other books, it provides a profound and moving emotional core to the story, a shining light amidst the darkness which engulfs everything around it.
It takes real skill to present such tender moments and not make them saccharine and this is most certainly the case here. Throughout, the writing is of such a high standard that I honestly think this is the best thing Rich has written. Just as these moments of hope and light pluck the appropriate emotional strings, so do the moments of horror. Where some would revel in the opportunity to layer on the descriptive prose, the approach here is the polar opposite. Indeed, many of the most horrific passages read almost like lists, basic descriptions of the nightmarish scenes and characters Albie encounters. Sparse and yet poetic at the same time it’s a devastatingly effective technique. The lean, stripped prose put me in mind of Adam Nevill, the creatures here presented akin to those of that author’s imagination but also to the very best of Clive Barker in his heyday.
And what horrors… Rich has created here a memorable set of creatures, most notably the Flayed – a group whose very name leaves nothing (yet somehow everything) to the imagination – acolytes to the mysterious leader of the cult Dr Ridings, himself a wonderful creation, his features hidden behind a bronze mask.
Religion is not so much a subtext of the novella than an integral part of it. It’s notable that Ridings calls those who oppose him “infidel” –a term perhaps more closely linked to certain faiths nowadays but which is a generic term for any non-believer. A key scene plays out in the wonderfully named Red Cathedral. It’s the gods worshipped by Ridings and his followers which provide the Lovecraftian overtones to the book, ancient deities lurking in other dimensions, awaiting their chance to break through the thin places.
Maniac Gods is a story brimming with so many great ideas that it might have worked better as a novel. That said, the shorter word count brings with it a sense of frantic urgency to the narrative, resulting in a thrilling ride towards a conclusion which is as good, and effective, as everything which has gone before.
This could be the quintessential Rich Hawkins book. For those who have yet to experience his writing there could be no better starting place. For those already familiar with his work, Maniac Gods will bring a warm tingle of recognition, and a new appreciation of his talent. At the very least, it should cement his reputation as one of the best writers currently working in the horror genre.
Apocalyptic themes have been a constant in Rich’s writing and such is the case with this new novella. It tells the story of Albie Samways – a typical everyman Hawkins protagonist – whose daughter Millie disappears, along with the inhabitants of the village in which she lives, victims of a bizarre cult intent on bringing about their own version of the end days. The bond between father and child is another recurring motif in Rich’s books and here, as in all the other books, it provides a profound and moving emotional core to the story, a shining light amidst the darkness which engulfs everything around it.
It takes real skill to present such tender moments and not make them saccharine and this is most certainly the case here. Throughout, the writing is of such a high standard that I honestly think this is the best thing Rich has written. Just as these moments of hope and light pluck the appropriate emotional strings, so do the moments of horror. Where some would revel in the opportunity to layer on the descriptive prose, the approach here is the polar opposite. Indeed, many of the most horrific passages read almost like lists, basic descriptions of the nightmarish scenes and characters Albie encounters. Sparse and yet poetic at the same time it’s a devastatingly effective technique. The lean, stripped prose put me in mind of Adam Nevill, the creatures here presented akin to those of that author’s imagination but also to the very best of Clive Barker in his heyday.
And what horrors… Rich has created here a memorable set of creatures, most notably the Flayed – a group whose very name leaves nothing (yet somehow everything) to the imagination – acolytes to the mysterious leader of the cult Dr Ridings, himself a wonderful creation, his features hidden behind a bronze mask.
Religion is not so much a subtext of the novella than an integral part of it. It’s notable that Ridings calls those who oppose him “infidel” –a term perhaps more closely linked to certain faiths nowadays but which is a generic term for any non-believer. A key scene plays out in the wonderfully named Red Cathedral. It’s the gods worshipped by Ridings and his followers which provide the Lovecraftian overtones to the book, ancient deities lurking in other dimensions, awaiting their chance to break through the thin places.
Maniac Gods is a story brimming with so many great ideas that it might have worked better as a novel. That said, the shorter word count brings with it a sense of frantic urgency to the narrative, resulting in a thrilling ride towards a conclusion which is as good, and effective, as everything which has gone before.
This could be the quintessential Rich Hawkins book. For those who have yet to experience his writing there could be no better starting place. For those already familiar with his work, Maniac Gods will bring a warm tingle of recognition, and a new appreciation of his talent. At the very least, it should cement his reputation as one of the best writers currently working in the horror genre.
August 24, 2020
Read the full review at reelhorrorshow.co.uk
The opening of Maniac Gods starts with a nice, creepy intro that introduces us to a young girl named Milly, who spots a strange figure standing outside her house one night. Despite the pouring rain, Milly feels a strange compulsion to venture outside to meet this man who waits outside, a bronze mask hiding his features.
Milly’s father Albie (now living elsewhere having separated from his wife Kathleen) awakens in the middle of the night to find that Kathleen has been trying to call him. He receives no reply to his return calls. A bizarre, garbled voicemail being his only real hint of anything. Concerned for his daughter’s wellbeing, he heads out in the rain-soaked night to the village of Penbrook, Hampshire, to get to his ex-wife’s house and find out what is going on.
From there, the story quickly moves into a nightmarish scene that plays out as if someone has opened their box of assorted Lovecraftian nightmares, and poured them all out in a big, writhing pile of tendrils and teeth. Albie finds the town overrun by all manner of foul creatures as he stumbles from one scene of carnage to the next, desperate to reach his family.
Yet again I’ve stumbled across the work of an author who I was previously unfamiliar with, to find a well-written and compelling story that I found hard to put down. Albie works well as the lead character as, rather than being the action hero, defeating all of the evil in his wake, he’s just an ordinary guy.
An ordinary guy, who doesn’t stand a chance against the gods and monsters that he now faces.
July 14, 2018
What I love about Rich Hawkins is how he somehow manages to, with each new book, to take all the best aspects of everything he has done before and somehow makes it even better.
In all, I think this is one of the tightest, best constructed stories I have read of his. As a parent, it hit me on an emotional level. As a reader, it was disturbing and scary to watch unfold. He manages to take abstract ideas of reality and inner-dimensionality and make it concrete and legitimate.
This is a beautifully written book. It's moody and atmospheric. It's fast paced and exciting. It's intriguing and offers just the right amount of payoff to the more cosmic elements. The characters have depth and texture and the ending is satisfying and honest, two notes that are difficult to hit.
Buy this one. It's criminal that this author doesn't get more attention for his work. Do your part and rectify that.
In all, I think this is one of the tightest, best constructed stories I have read of his. As a parent, it hit me on an emotional level. As a reader, it was disturbing and scary to watch unfold. He manages to take abstract ideas of reality and inner-dimensionality and make it concrete and legitimate.
This is a beautifully written book. It's moody and atmospheric. It's fast paced and exciting. It's intriguing and offers just the right amount of payoff to the more cosmic elements. The characters have depth and texture and the ending is satisfying and honest, two notes that are difficult to hit.
Buy this one. It's criminal that this author doesn't get more attention for his work. Do your part and rectify that.
February 1, 2024
3.5 stars. A gorey, fast paced and visceral indie horror novella. The prose wasn't quite as strong as Hawkins' fantastic King Carrion; mostly at the beginning where we're thrown into the deep end with the eldritch horrors, adding to the insanity of the opening scenes. Many of the threats and creatures, especially as the Wraith, are absolutely fantastic. Some of the plot points and the general atmosphere reminded me of various moments throughout the Silent Hill series. Like Adam Nevill, Hawkins does a great job of depicting some of the grimness of the seamy underbelly of British life and the atmosphere here feels distinctly British.
July 26, 2018
I think "Maniac Gods" is probably one of my favourite books of this year (I'm not sure if it was published this year, but I read it this year, so it still counts!). This book is bleak and horrific, but at times also emotional and even delicate. Hawkins dangles hope in front of our noses at numerous points throughout the novella, only to throw another obstacle in Albie and Milly's way. The love between Albie and Milly is beautiful, and Hawkins' use of language is mesmerising.
Devastatingly harrowing and brutal, I loved every second of it. I will definitely be reading more from this author.
Devastatingly harrowing and brutal, I loved every second of it. I will definitely be reading more from this author.
July 25, 2019
Despite how much I enjoyed this book, I couldn't help but feel some of the writing in it felt slightly...amateurish? Especially in the first few chapters, the methods the author used to portray the environments and Albie's surroundings always seemed a bit off, like they were trying hard to paint a vivid picture in your mind but in the end just made you feel like you was reading a teenager's fan novel.
However, it was a very good short novel and I definitely don't regret reading it. Recommended for any love-crafting / reality bending / gore fest readers out there.
However, it was a very good short novel and I definitely don't regret reading it. Recommended for any love-crafting / reality bending / gore fest readers out there.
August 7, 2019
Top Notch Horror
I don't think this book could have been any better,it was everything that I expect good horror book, from the first chapter to the last chapter, I was captivated and wanted to know what was going to happen to the main character and his daughter,this book shows the lengths a father will go through for their daughter.I loved every page of it and it's not for the faint of heart either it's definitely a gory horror book. Any lover of horror fiction it's going to love this book short and horrifying and to the point
I don't think this book could have been any better,it was everything that I expect good horror book, from the first chapter to the last chapter, I was captivated and wanted to know what was going to happen to the main character and his daughter,this book shows the lengths a father will go through for their daughter.I loved every page of it and it's not for the faint of heart either it's definitely a gory horror book. Any lover of horror fiction it's going to love this book short and horrifying and to the point
November 2, 2018
Rich Hawkins never fails to disappoint, and this cosmic horror tale further shows him to be one of the exciting, and original writers in the country. Vivid, dark, and uncomfortable, Manic God's exudes the authors wonderful grasp of oppressive terror, and a reality skewed. As always the characters have depth, and tangible personalities. Brilliant.
December 9, 2020
After being nonplussed by King Carrion this is a return to form, on a par with the Last trilogy. At no point did I feel my interest waver. Tautly written, grabbing you by the danglies, as Albie and Milly try to save themselves from the dark side. Much better ending then King Carrion. Much better.
Ray Smillie
Ray Smillie
August 9, 2018
Rich’s latest is a fun one
Another great one by Rich Hawkins. It hits hard right out of the gate, backs away and takes its time to build throughout the middle, then picks back up in the end. Think Rosemary’s Baby meets Lovecraft.
Another great one by Rich Hawkins. It hits hard right out of the gate, backs away and takes its time to build throughout the middle, then picks back up in the end. Think Rosemary’s Baby meets Lovecraft.
February 22, 2020
Wow... another amazing dark atmospheric story by Rich Hawkins. Movie producers, this is the guy for your new horror movies.
May 22, 2025
Rich Hawkins writes some of the bleakest cosmic horror in the business. It's merciless stuff. The villains are unbeatable. Suffering is relentless. The protagonists are usually anti-heroes in the classical sense: neither very brave, nor very tough, nor very smart. Ordinary guys in over their heads. They don't rise to the occasion - they survive, for a bit, then don't. The world usually ends, horribly. You cannot look away.
The Last Plague trilogy is excellent (there were times reading those books when the characters' struggle to survive was so real and acute that I sincerely felt hungry and cold) and Black Star, Black Sun is a solid homage to the works of Campbell or Lovecraft, but Maniac Gods is my favourite so far. It's a more propulsive, tighter, more affecting story than Hawkins' other work.
We follow an everyman protagonist as he desperately fights to keep his daughter safe from a sinister apocalyptic cult.
The Last Plague trilogy is excellent (there were times reading those books when the characters' struggle to survive was so real and acute that I sincerely felt hungry and cold) and Black Star, Black Sun is a solid homage to the works of Campbell or Lovecraft, but Maniac Gods is my favourite so far. It's a more propulsive, tighter, more affecting story than Hawkins' other work.
We follow an everyman protagonist as he desperately fights to keep his daughter safe from a sinister apocalyptic cult.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews