The Cult of Eden

The Unrisen #1

by Bill Halpin

Newlywed Will Battese finds himself homesick and overwhelmed after following his ambitious wife, Shannon, to New York City. When a surprise pregnancy shreds their already meager budget, Will drops out of college and settles for work at a low-end diner. There, a small act of kindness draws the attention of Victor Degas, a man with an unsettling presence and deformed eyes. Unbeknownst to Will, Degas belongs to an ancient, sophisticated cult known as the Edens and believes Will to be the key to gaining otherworldly power. As the sun sets on Good Friday, Degas orchestrates a home invasion in which Will and his baby boy, Gideon, are kidnapped, leaving Shannon to join forces with an unreliable agent from the Roman Catholic Church. While Will struggles to save other innocents from the Eden parish below the city, Shannon discovers that the cult plans to use her family for an unimaginable demonic ritual, and that the Vatican may let it happen. With no one to trust but themselves, Shannon and Will must fight not only to survive, but to keep their humanity intact. THE CULT OF EDEN is the first volume in The Unrisen saga.

Genres: Horror

336 pages, Paperback

Published October 1, 2019

Reviews

[Jaidee · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 "has a whole lot of potential" stars !!

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and Cosmic Egg Books for an e-copy. This was released September 2019. I am providing my honest review.

I loves me a frightening gothic horror, an evil Satanic horror, a horror to to make me tremble and shake. I was hoping for this in this debut novel which is the first in a series.

I will not go over the plotline but suffice it to say that it was well planned out with dual timelines that at times were both terrifying and horrifying. The writer has some talent in creating an interesting and intriguing story arc. This is what kept me reading forward.

Although the author is able to write vivid scenes of violence and gore that make you shudder oftentimes the prose is too longwinded and overly detailed.

My biggest critique however is the two dimensionality of the characters and dialogue that is often cringeworthy. This detracted from what could have been an excellent horror like the Exorcist as opposed to a sloppy third rate copy of a Tarantino.

Although being mildly entertained and moderately horrified I was mostly conflicted and dissatisfied and will not be moving forward in this Satanic series.

[Bookaholic__Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holy hell! What an intense ride! The Cult Of Eden grabbed me tight in the first few pages and refused to let me go.

The Cult Of Eden is book one in The Unrisen series. In Eden we follow The Battese family as they are cast into the most unfavorable situations against the unholiest of adversaries imaginable.

After reading the books description I knew this would be a book I couldn't pass up. I am a sucker for all things horror and gore and Eden packed a punch with both. Luckily for us Eden offers so much more.

The Cult of Eden is beautifully written and its hard to imagine that it is a debut novel. I cannot wait to see what Halpin has in store for us in Book two as the war of Good vs Evil wages on.

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you again Blackthorn Book Tours for including my review.

[Steve T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, this one surprised me. I was expecting/dreading a Christian fiction tale similar to the "Left Behind" series from Lahaye and Jenkins (and to be fair, there are touches here), but in The Cult of Eden by Bill Halpin, the reader is treated to a full-throttle pageturner of horror and suspense. Following a home invasion, a father and son are kidnapped by a cult of Satanists called the Edens. A memorable villain, bent on becoming one with Satan, stops at nothing to destroy the hearts of Christians in an intense battle of good and evil. This is the first of a planned trilogy. I can't wait to read the next one. Until then, I'll avoid eating burgers on Friday (read the book and you'll get the reference)!

[Armand Rosamilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Cult of Eden is one of those books that tricks you into thinking it's going one way and then, BAM! It switches gear and takes you on an even crazier journey. The things the author puts these characters through should be illegal, even in a book! I'm looking forward to seeing what else he can come up with in the future, too!

[shelikesitscary · Rating 5 out of 5]

How is this a debut novel?
The first thing I should say about this book, is while I HIGHLY recommend it, it is NOT for the faint of heart. I pride myself on being able to stomach all the gore and darkness, but this one made me falter a little! This one will make you feel some strong, and unexpected emotions.
While it IS a classic Good vs Evil, you’re forced to face the grey areas. You might start to question yourself when you’re agreeing with the Evil Edens, and disliking the Good Guys when they show that goodness can also be weakness. The twists and intense action scenes will make you feel like you can’t read fast enough.
The characters in this book are very well-developed. Complex, but at the same time, I instantly felt like I knew them. I felt strong emotions (annoyance, protectiveness, distrust) for each of them.
It’s easy to take for granted that a scene or setting will be adequately and vividly described. You EXPECT that so much while reading, that sometimes you don’t even notice the art of it. Bill made me notice.
Hurry up with the second book please!

[Kristyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.

Wow. This book is an exceptional novel. Will and his wife live in NYC and the rest of his family is coming to live with them reuniting them for the first time in a couple of years, but Degas of the Eden cult has other plans for them. This was a great ride! It was very well-written. It was fast-paced with a lot of action and enough description to keep things vivid, but it wasn't overly wordy . I really liked how each person had their own chapters so you got each of their stories as everything unfolded. There was one part of this book that knocked the air right out of my chest so be prepared. This is a little like Frank Peretti on steroids with a little more profanity and a lot more violence. I would like to know more about the cult, but since this is the first in a series, I hope that will be coming in future books. I would definitely recommend this to horror fans who like the battle between good and evil and occult stories.

[D.K. Hundt · Rating 5 out of 5]

That. Was. Intense! I just finished reading THE CULT OF EDEN in the wee hours of the morn, and let’s just say I am Wide Awake!

I strongly advise not reading an Occult Horror novel such as this before going to bed.

Number One, the writing will suck you in until you find yourself justifying the lack of much-needed sleep with the mantra of ’Just one more page.’ ’Just one more chapter.’ ’Sleep is overrated anyway, right?’

Number Two, you soon find yourself in a gut-wrenching moment in the book (and there are many) where you realize you may never sleep again.

After reading my above comment, you might be thinking I didn't like the book, and you would be wrong. There are some intense and violent scenes within, but there’s more at the novel's heart than just gore. Halpin created protagonists I genuinely care about and can’t help but root for throughout.

Okay, to be honest, I couldn’t stand Shannon, who comes across as a selfish person. Towards the end, she has some redeemable qualities, kind of.

THE CULT OF EDEN is Book One Of The Unrisen, a novel that will keep you guessing throughout and one that I Highly Recommend!

Thank you, Blackthorn Book Tours, for providing me with a copy of THE CULT OF EDEN in exchange for an honest review.

[Escapereality4now · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading a few pages in this book, I was hooked. The Cult of Eden takes the spiritual world and combines it with horror in this novel about the struggle of good versus evil.

The chapters alternated between the main characters and gave you a good continuous story. I got a feel for the characters and their personalities. I was able to feel the fear, frustration and anger that the characters felt in the story. Bill did an amazing job at setting up both the good and evil characters.


Will and Shannon, a married couple in New York with a baby, are having a difficult time making ends meet in the city. They are invited to a dinner party which is the first step down a slope that gets them tangled with a cult. The evil cult has an agenda of its own which takes the book into twists and turns. The book was well paced from start to finish.


The only draw back of the book was that I had a hard time connecting the chokers on the amazonas to the main story but it all came together at the end.




Then I’ll had gory deaths, religious undertones and non-stop action. If you are looking for a different kind of horror story, I recommend checking out this book.

[Keely · Rating 4 out of 5]

I often find myself steering clear of books that are heavy on religious content but, I love a good cult. So when Bill Halpin approached me to review his debut novel, I really did not know what to expect at all. This novel was quite a surprise!
The religious notes that are usually unattractive to me in most books were perfectly balanced in this story with what the Eden cult brings to the narrative, which is just wild!
The first act of the book felt a little slow to me as we are just getting to know all of the characters and the dynamics of their relationships and vocational routines. Considering this is book 1 of 3, I realize now that this is essential to the story.
Cult mentality has always been baffling to me and reading about established organizations such as the Edens was just downright fun. You clearly know who is supposed to represent the Good and who is supposedly to represent Evil. However, you will find yourself at many different points actually considering the perspective of the Edens as valid arguments. This book addresses quite a bit of the in between, the WHY of this classic struggle.
I read a lot of horror. There is not much that bothers me anymore. With that in mind, there were a couple of violent moments in this novel where I experienced a "holy shit" moment. I don't come across these very often anymore and get really excited when I do.
This is a very different kind of horror than I am used to reading and I love that. I am very much looking forward to the second installment in this trilogy!

[Lexi · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great book! The author sent me a copy to review and I’m so glad I had the opportunity to check out a book I may haven’t heard of otherwise! When this book comes out next month, I highly recommend checking out this out!

Will and his wife Shannon are a young married couple living in New York City with their baby. They are struggling to make ends meet and then a dinner party turns their life around. Enter the Edens, a God-hating cult with sinister intentions.

This book is a fun ride from beginning to end and I loved it!

[Lindi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t typically read horror novels but wow I loved this debut novel. A page turner that had me hooked until the end! Will & Shannon are newlyweds with a new baby, struggling to make ends meet. The life of this seemingly-normal family takes a drastic turn. This novel explores Christianity vs satanism and any time you think you know where the story will go, you’re proved wrong. So excited to see what happens in the next book!

[Kelly Van Epps · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read that will keep you on your toes.

[Joe Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

We’re now more than 15 years removed from religious conspiracy thrillers bursting onto the scene with Dan Brown’s blockbuster, The Da Vinci Code. It was one of the first times that a book could tackle overtly religious themes without people immediately rejecting a book as a ‘Christian novel’ and since then there’s been a slew of thrillers in this vein, from the rest of Dan Brown’s books through to Robert Harris’ fantastic Conclave a few years ago.

Even with the burgeoning popularity of ‘religious conspiracy thrillers’ (an entirely made-up moniker I thought of while writing this review), I’ve always been slightly hesitant to pick up any books which seem too overtly Christian. Raised in a Catholic family, it feels both too close to home and a little exclusive sometimes, with a knowledge of Christian doctrine required to understand some of the elements of the plot.

On the surface, therefore, The Cult of Eden shouldn’t have ever made it onto my radar. But a combination of an intriguing cover and a blurb promising a cult, otherworldly powers and a demonic ritual convinced me that this might be enough of a Dan Brown/fantasy hybrid for me.

What I didn’t expect, but actually really enjoyed, is the B-Movie type feel of the novel. It’s got slightly campy, tongue-in-cheek humour and a shocking level of violence unlike anything I’ve ever read before. In parts it read almost like a 1980s direct-to-DVD horror, with visceral assaults, graphic descriptions of injuries, nightmarish humans and creatures, fantastical set pieces and an enjoyably overblown storyline. It sounds like a recipe for disaster, but for the most part I really enjoyed it.

The book does a great job at overcoming my resistance to ‘religious’ fiction. Yes, it’s about religious doctrine and belief, and yes there’s a lot of religious references, including quoted bible passages, symbolism and a deacon as one of the protagonists, but it’s actually handled really interestingly. Most of these thrillers fall into one of two categories. It’s either a conspiracy within the Church to overthrow the established order, or it’s an atheist sect or group that wants to destroy organised religion. Not here. The eponymous Cult of Eden is a cult that believes in God, with a total belief in his existence, but a burning hatred of him. When faced with some of the questions that Christians often struggle with – Why would God do bad things to me? Why are some people treated differently to others? Why do we require such specific rituals to praise God? – the Cult of Eden reject all of this, enacting horrific perversions of Christian practices such as marriage to diametrically oppose ‘God’ and everything he stands for. It’s a unique approach that I’ve not encountered before and hooked my interest much more than I ever though an overtly religious plot might.

After an intriguing, quirky opening, the book takes a real turn about a quarter of the way through, that shockingly kickstarts the rest of the plot, but then the next quarter is actually quite anticlimactic and limp, with little character or plot development and a lot of exposition. I appreciate that after intense bursts of violence it’s helpful to have some recovery time, but a quarter of a book feels maybe slightly more than needed. Luckily, the plot picked back up to a rampant fury in the last third of the novel, culminating in an incredibly bleak ending that somehow managed to leave me wanting to come back for more despite the darkness.

This is the first in a series and, though I find myself wishing that these characters could be left to enjoy the remnants of their lives without any more horror, I’d be keen to read another book in the series.

Is this a standout book that I’d recommend to everyone? No, probably not. The characters are interesting but not hugely developed, and the plot stutters at points. Beyond that it’s an acquired taste, with a slightly hokey storyline and a gruesome amount of hyper-violence, but this is exactly what I enjoyed. It was a horrifying, escapist, read-through-your-fingers thrill ride with an unashamed amount of ridiculousness and a cleverly-handled use of religion. In a world where it’s increasingly difficult to find an original idea and approach, this book finds something utterly fresh (and deliciously appalling), and for that alone it deserves reading.

[Suzanne Synborski · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Cult of Eden by Bill Halpin is a cautionary tale of human frailty and the unremitting power of the dark side.

Will Battese is the quintessential good guy. He loves his wife Shannon and his son Gideon. He abandons his bucolic upstate country life to move to New York City and work as a waiter in a seedy restaurant so that his wife can savor her dream job. Shannon, on the other hand, will not so much as forgo her maiden name for him. In addition, she looks down on her husband’s pitiful paychecks. Will, an ardent Christian, demonstrates his innate kindness by smuggling restaurant leftovers out into a nearby alley to feed homeless men.

One day after work, Will and his friend Kavi return home. Will’s wife thoughtlessly brings home hamburgers for them. Will reminds her that is it lent, so he cannot possibly eat meat. Instead of holding true to his beliefs, he folds. Will decides that since lent is almost over, he will disregard his beliefs and eat the hamburgers—unknowingly choosing to take the first step onto the proverbial slippery slope.

Before long, Victor Degas enters their lives. He is a diabolical member of The Eden Cult, and he needs Will to play a crucial role in his quest for fusion with a demon. He and his cohorts are determined to victimize Will’s family and friends who soon find themselves fighting for their lives.

The Eden Cult boasts a complex plot that includes plenty of twists, turns, action, and betrayals. However, it also includes a bit too many interruptions in the form of backstory that do not propel the plot forward. Nonetheless, only readers who insist on a quick read will find fault with this aspect of the story. The plot is unlike most evil-cult tales in that it places more weight on the religious nature of the battle between good and evil as well as on the frailty of the human psyche and the believer’s tendency to let his faith falter during times of stress.

The only drawback of the tale is the cast of characters. Although they are well drawn, they may not elicit empathy from the average reader because they lack laudable characteristics and realistic behavior. For example, although Shannon later tries valiantly to save her family, she lacks motherly feelings. She even once wishes that the cultists would go after Will and the child instead of her. The most fascinating character is Victor Degas. He oozes danger and behaves as one would expect a demonic entity should. He is driven, focused, and deliciously evil. Unfortunately, it also appears that he just might be invincible. Degas will urge readers to hope for a sequel.

The Eden Cult will entertain readers who are drawn to tales of good and evil. This may be especially true of those who believe that Christianity is the force that will ultimately prevail.

Rougeskireads.com

[Chandra Claypool (WhereTheReaderGrows) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll pretty much read anything that has to do with cults. I can't help it. It's something that absolutely fascinates me and I can't see that changing anytime in the near future. Present me a book about an underground Satanic cult and how can I possibly say no?! And this goes from 'Honey, can you pass the salt?' to 'Geezuz fuck, please stop - that hurts!' - blood, splat - YAY! 😈

Here's what I like about this book: You know exactly who is on what side.. HOWEVER, while the line is clear between good and evil, you somehow still get this little ... ok, ok... I'm kinda seeing this cult's point of view. And when you start justifying the evil side of things as you're reading... well, I don't know about you, but I like it! It's also not *too* religious to the point of turning you off if you're not into reads like those (like me). Yes, there's several references and religious overtones obviously but since this is a Satanic cult, it's less "God is all" and more "God sucks". Which seems obvious but I think you'll know more what I'm trying to get at when you read this. While there's a little bit of a slow start, it grabs you and flies by after.

What I didn't quite like so much: The dual storylines of home invasion/cult and the Nacaan Tribe in the Amazon Jungle.... while it kind of comes together towards the end, I'm still just a *bit* confused on the exact correlation between the two but think maybe this will be better understood as this trilogy continues. Some parts felt campy (in the best way) but the consistency did feel off a bit because of it, but it never really bothered my flow.

If you love reading about cult mentality like I do, then I highly recommend this book. It may seem like a story you've read before in certain areas but definitely shines on its own in others. Certainly impressive as a debut and I'm so curious where we go from here.

★★★☆ but with the two horns up for this as a debut, I'd round up to ★★★★

[Crookedhouseofbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

A deeply disturbing and riveting home invasion story.

Initially, I had some fears that this book would be too heavy in catholicism...that it would, in essence, be "too preach-y" but I'm very happy to say that it was not excessive and is, in fact, an excellent story that captivated my imagination.

The Cult Of Eden is comprised of two separate tales that eventually entwine at the very end. In one story, the reader is transported to a tribe deep within the Amazon jungle, where there is a group of missionaries trying to bring the Word to the indigenous people.

In the other story, (the main/primary story), the reader is introduced to a family in New York, who eventually become the victims of a strange home invasion that leads to a lot of heart ache and odd revelations. Probably the oddest of said revelations, is that the invaders are part of a satanic cult and their intentions are demonic possession.

I won't go into further details because I'd hate to spoil it for others. I think it's best to go in with only a little bit of information and experience the twists and turns for oneself.

I will say that some of the characters were very likable and relatable whilst others weren't. It was a good balance though and kept the storyline progressing throughout the book's entirety. I was pleased with how the two stories finally tied together and love the idea that there will be a sequel someday.

All in all, it's an interesting fictional story that can be enjoyed by anyone, no matter what their religious background is. I must warn and heavily emphasize that there are triggers. Some of the scenes are very gory and these include animals and children as the victims.

I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.

It's a good book but not for the faint of heart.

[Keith Chawgo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Halpin’s first part of The Cult of Eden is an interesting novel with some irritating factors but enough to keep the reader invested. The premise is good but some of the characters tend to act in a way that you really want to give them a good shake.

The Cult of Eden is basically about a cult who are against Catholics/Christians and prey to the lord almighty Satan. The characters of the cult are very three dimensional and extremely interesting although their reasoning is still a bit hazy but imagine this is being saved for the sequel where we get a fully fledge cult. The menace and thriller aspects all hinge on these characters and Halpin really excels on this dark element. He gives enough hints about the cult to keep the thriller aspect alive and this is where the novel excels.

The main family that have been traumatised by the cult are a mixed bag. Will is very annoying and he seems like a slacker in nature though at the same time, there are elements within the story that doesn’t add up to this surmise of this character. His character is what I found really irritating and found me wanting to scream at the character to man up. The father’s loss of faith, the strong wife and young brother are well drawn and are strong character types that actions fit within the personalities that are drawn for them.

The plot drives the novel forward and enjoyed the religious aspects of the story. Coming from a religious upbringing, I always appreciate the work that goes into this and Halpin has really exceled in these aspects of the story. When the two worlds collide, this is very well handled and he really knows how to drive up the stress levels and thriller aspects of the story which comes into full gear at the half way point. The reader is in for one hell of a ride once it all kicks into gear. The first third is introduction of characters with some strange events taking place, then we get the story ready to take off with the temperature turned up from chapter to chapter until its climatic conclusion.

Overall, this is a good neighbour and though there are aspects which turned me slightly off which is basically the character of Will. This of course is purely subjective as I am sure other readers would find more to invest into the character of Will. The rest of the story kept me fully invested, and I am interested enough to continue into reading the series when the second book is to be released. With strong aspects of religious imagery, thriller type setting with enough action and heart stopping plot points to make this a thrilling page turner.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK, where to start, for those who said the beginning, congrats you've won nothing.

This is a tale of two halves. New York and the Amazon rain forest. Not exactly two places that you would put together I know. But, please bear with me.

There is a certain fixation with what could be represented from A. Burgess's A Clockwork Orange. This truly does give definition as to what 'Ultraviolence' could be.

Is it required: No
Is it graphic: Exceedingly
Mindless: Yes
Does it over step the mark: Probably, on more than a few occasions.
Should it be in print: Hell Yes

A families struggle for survival, in New York city. They have been taken to task by a (oc)cult, for want of a ritual. What follows is a blur of silenced weapons, hammers, fires and a rather handy extending double ended spear.

In essence it is a fight between good verses evil, with a big twist of Catholicism verses the Satanic.

What about the Amazon?

Well it pops up in several sections. The catholic church on a "mission" to convert the beliefs of an Amazonian tribe, to that of The Almighty, and his son Jesus Christ. And enter the.......

What next?

Personally I am sat on the edge of my seat, waiting for the next installment. Hopefully, it won't be to long on the old word processor.

Rating: 4.7/5

Status: Completed

#NetGalley #TheCultofEden

[Richard Banks · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Cult of Eden is super subversive fiction - the type of hyper-violent qausi-fantasy that I found utterly shocking and enthralling, but at the same time, completely perplexing. If you have a strong stomach, the first of what promises to be a thrilling trilogy is a terrifying ride, just let it find its feet first.

If you come in expecting a straight-up culty thriller, look elsewhere; The Cult of Eden is a slow burner, more akin to say, Rosemary's Baby than the wild antics of the Manson's. The first third of the book focuses on Will and his wife, as they prepare for Will's father, brother and grandfather to move in with them. We spend a lot of time getting to know Will, his wife Shannon and his extended family, as well as having a strong focus on Will's job at a downtrodden New York Italian Restaurant. Will isn't keen on his new life in the Big Apple, but he'll do anything to keep Shannon happy, especially now he has his newborn son, Gideon to care for. Unlucky for Will, if he thinks that life in New York is hell now, it only gets worse when he becomes forcefully embroiled in the titular cult, even if it takes half the book to take us to that particular plot point.

Apart from establishing the main and supporting cast, it's not immediately clear what the point of spending so much time on what feel like boggy chapters is at first. Will and Shannon in particular aren't straight off likable, Shannon is mean-spirited and selfish, and Will is weak and doesn't stand up for himself. It's hard to follow chapters that bat to and from two characters that, at first, feel hollow, unrelatable and unlikeable.

By the second and third act, many of the character flaws make sense, as personalities change with the increasing tide of anguish they all face. It's a testament to Harpin's strong penmanship, his character development is absolutely flawless, even if it's not immediately obvious where the narrative is taking us. Many of the characters choices feel natural to their personalities at different points in the book, for example, Shannon commiting acts of heroism at the start would be completely uncharacteristic, but towards the end of her arc? Totally believable.

Characters like Richard, Will's father, however are compelling from the off, a deacon locked in an inner battle between his Catholic beliefs and his personal values. Harpin is heavy handed with the religious aspects of the book, but it's done in both a respectful and interesting way, neither forcing it down our throats or making it too sexy. Quite the contrary, actually, there's a great deal of time spent establishing both the differences and similarities between both the satanic cultism and the deeply Catholic that form the cast of the Cult of Eden. It's because, no matter your feelings on the book as a whole, Bill Harpin is an absolutely formidable writer, able to pen deeply disturbing scenes just as well as thought provoking musings on belief systems in the same breathe a1bsolutely effortlessly.

Let's just touch on that second and third act. It does feel like it takes forever to take us to the cult, who are fully established and well funded when we meet them. It's hard to discuss them as a group without giving too much away, but they definitely vary between the absolutely insane and terrifying, to the slightly comical, like their leader who, whenever he pops up, constantly gives me Emperor Palpatine vibes. That being said, they make a genuinely menacing force, and once they show up, they waste no time showing they mean business. Even the oddest Eden's are absolutely crazy, willing to torture and kill without hesitation to show their commitment. Because the book spends so much time taking us to the cult, we never really have enough time to establish why we have the cult, or even much about them, which is an absolute shame. It does however give reason to read the rest of the series as there's ample room for lore to woven into the intricate backstory.

As I mentioned, Bill can write, for sure. The dialogue is witty, I didn't see any of the twists coming, (and I'm usually great at spotting something amiss) and overall it's just a really solid novel. There's definitely things that are off, the pacing for a example, it takes too long to establish a goal and for some, this is a first strike and you're out issue, plus the R-Rating and then some might be a little much for some readers, but if you stick with it, it's thought provoking, fun and genuinely compelling.

Bill Harpin's first novel is a little bit Toby Litt, a little bit King, but a lot Harpin. Go in with an open mind and absolutely no expectations and come out feeling horrified, stunned but ultimately, wanting more.

[Pam Voorhees · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a fantastic book. The Cult of Eden follows Will Battese and his family through a terrifying and dangerous journey of their capture by a Satanic cult. The character development is fantastic, and the method of storytelling allows the reader to see the plot unfold through the eyes of both the protagonist and antagonist. We are able to see how twisted the cult truly is, as well as how complex and faulted the ‘good guys’ are. The description of the Satanic church is surreal and extremely vivid. It feels as though you are alongside the Battese family as they fight for their survival. As you make your way through the maze of the church, however, be prepared to run into twists and turns until the final page of the novel. The Cult of Eden is a violent, heartbreaking tale that will leave you on the edge of your seat and begging for a second novel. I highly recommend the read!

[Paigelauren Forrester · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dark and gruesome,

firstly thank you to netgalley/author for the AVC in exchange for an honest review. i was excited by the blurb off this book and kept checking until it turned up on my shelf.

this book is amazing just as you think your going one way, Bam the author throws you a loop. it leaves you wanting to read the rest of the books and i can't wait to read the others in this series. i will be following this author closely from now (No stalking i promise) it had taken me only a few pages before i was hooked. it brings everything together but still leaves you wanting more and more.

Bill Haplin is definitely someone to watch and i will reading his others.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Cult of Eden is a thriller, a page-turner, a book full of gruesome injuries and gory deaths at the hands of a Satanic cult. Certainly there are others with these same qualities. But what elevates this book is an illustration of evil that eschews a cartoonish caricature in favor of a coldly logical and carefully considered ideology.

An example of this is when Degas, the chief antagonist of the book, says: "We know how pathetic it is to brainwash a child. Christianity has yet to realize how a family’s bias leads only to forced beliefs and secret resentment...Only adults are invited to join our church. Only adults can be made Edens. They must come to hate God on their own terms, for their own reasons, and there is never any shortage.”

Similarly refreshing is the nuance of the protagonists - Will is sympathetic, but is also weak and a doormat for his often-morally-challenged wife, Shannon. She is the source of some of the book's sprinkling of humor, which offers a respite from the sadism within the book. The colorful supporting cast, as well as the forays into a side plot in the Amazon rainforest, ensures that there is rarely a dull or sluggish moment.

This is the first book of a series, and all I can say about the ending is that it brilliantly sets up some tension for the next book. If you're into intelligent horror with religious overtones, get this book now!

[Z J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Halpin’s debut novel had me at hello. What a clever method Halpin uses to advance this story by showing us the ‘Cult of Eden’ and its background from the perspective of each character. Without giving away spoilers, there are more biblical crossovers in this book than one might expect. They might not be obvious at first, but they are in there. I’m not entirely certain how many other books like this one exist to the manner that it’s written in and that’s precisely what makes this book extra special. Hopefully, this story’s continuation does not end anytime soon as we must see more of this cult.

[Chuck Buda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Cult of Eden is a stellar debut novel. A kaleidoscope of religious undertones and occult sprinklings not seen since The Exorcist. I'm a Bill Halpin fan!

[Lauren Elle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow-what a read! Bill Halpin sets up the thrilling saga of the Battese family and their forced interactions with the titular cult in New York City.

While Will Battese hates his life and job in Manhattan, he loves his wife Shannon and son Gideon. They are making their life work in Queens when Will innocently gets thrust right into the middle of the Cult of Eden, a satanic group looking to take down God and all religious institutions-especially Christianity. Making things worse, Will's father, grandfather, and brother decide to move to NYC to be closer to family. How will the devoutly Catholic Battese family survive a literal trip to Hell?

What happens next brings us to the dark, demonic underbelly of this world. In the first novel of The Unrisen series, Halpin takes his time setting up the Battese family as well as Victor Degas, the figurehead of the cult. These details that setup the novel makes for a slow burn start, but the payout is worth it once you're immersed in his world of character developments and the twists and turns of the plot. You would be disappointed if you put it down early.

[Grace Salone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never read a thriller before, and I normally hate horror movies, but this was surprisingly enjoyable even for someone that doesnt like gory stuff. Dont get me wrong, I was grossed out and terrified the entire time but I also couldn't put it down! This isnt your typical story of good vs. evil. You will be challenged philosophically one second then cringing the next. The characters aren't particularly likeable in the beginning, their flaws are amplified, but it's also those flaws that make them relatable and they sort of grow on you by the end of the book. There is a backstory throughout the book that seems completely out of left field, but it intertwines beautifully by the end when the story comes full circle. This is not for the faint of heart (the unimaginable happens, trust me). The author is very descriptive, you will feel like you are right there with the characters. The story leaves you wanting more and I will be impatiently waiting for the sequel.

[Grant Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loss of faith, brainwashing and anti-religious demagoguery are weighty themes, but The Cult of Eden handles them all with a deft touch. A grim, no-holds-barred descent into chaos and depravity, this book is definitely not for the fainthearted reader: Halpin has created a believable world whose foundations are frequently rocked by sudden bouts of brutal, graphic violence - much like our own.

Still, it isn't relentlessly bleak. The Battese family members at the heart of the novel are all well fleshed out (especially the troubled ex-deacon, Richard), trade jibes and jokes with one another, and are capable of great heroics when things start to fall apart. Halpin has also crafted a fantastic villain in the form of Victor Degas, a red-eyed fanatic whose meticulous nature is matched only by his viciousness (kind of reminds me of V.M. Varga from series 3 of Fargo).

While it does take a few chapters to find its feet (although you might argue that this part of the misdirection), once it hits the accelerator the tension doesn't let up and the only thing you can do is hang on for the ride.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much and am looking forward to a follow-up. It is extremely well-written and deserves all the hype surrounding its release.
The plot is transformative in its ability to demonstrate both sides of good and evil. This perspective really embellishes the fear and horror instilled by the chilling void of the Satanic cults lack of conscience, contrasted by the gripping plight of the good-hearted victims.
A really unique and thrilling read.

[Shane Carney · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Cult of Eden is an excellent twisting of your typical cult horror piece.

There’s horror on several levels here: there’s obviously the slow building but extreme bouts of brutal violence, but even scarier than that is the justification of these actions in the name of a cult with beliefs that, oddly enough, make sense. The duality of fervent religious beliefs is explored terrifically by the juxtaposition of the main characters, whose religious beliefs laid the foundations for living altruistic lives, and the violence and horror that arises from the dedication of the cult members to their dogma.

The first third or so of the book is dedicated entirely to developing the main cast of characters, which I believe greatly strengthened the violent dismantling that followed. I don’t want to spoil anything, just know that the moment things start to go south for the Battese family, strap in and keep your appendages inside the vehicle at all times, because this ride is fast, and it’s wild.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written like this was Halpin's 20th novel, I was quite impressed to learn it was only the first! The characters were well developed and that story was beyond anything that I could imagine.
A big thank you to Netgally, John Hunt Publishing Ltd, Cosmic Egg Books, and Bill Halpin for the ARC of this read! It was truly a great find and I'm so happy to have picked it up and see such a refreshing plot.