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Created Evil
Sacred texts predict it. Storms all around the world portend it. Out of Egypt comes a warrior-priest from an ancient, secret order as Tess Warlow, arcane scholar, searches desperately for answers to the riddle that will bring safe passage to all she cherishes and loves.
It is the Mabon Moon, and, at the height of a satanic cult's high mass, there comes a conjuring. The Gateway Guardians rise to hunt.
NOTE TO READERS: Parts of this book are purposefully written in the archaic syntax customary to traditional arcane language, such as dropped articles. There are also several fabricated names and words.
It is the Mabon Moon, and, at the height of a satanic cult's high mass, there comes a conjuring. The Gateway Guardians rise to hunt.
NOTE TO READERS: Parts of this book are purposefully written in the archaic syntax customary to traditional arcane language, such as dropped articles. There are also several fabricated names and words.
527 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 29, 2019
32 people are currently reading
2 people want to read
About the author
E.J. Ruek
5 books14 followersE. J. Ruek is a contemporary mainstream writer who also dabbles in speculation. Her books stray between and across genre lines, crossing from benevolent horror to psychological thriller to magical realism to rural (and urban) fantasy to simply mainstream. There's usually some suggestion of paranormal, but, then, again, it might be only a 'maybe'. And there’s humor, too. It sneaks into the words, and even seeps through the cracks between the words. And, slipped in between the lines, there seem certain sleights of tongue that will keep you wondering if meaning is really edging toward innuendo or maybe even triple entendre.
Regardless, E. J. gives us mind-twisting and evocative glimpses into the human…and maybe not-so-human psyches. Says E. J., “Writing is about translating life into words without sacrificing the grimace and the giggle.”
Regardless, E. J. gives us mind-twisting and evocative glimpses into the human…and maybe not-so-human psyches. Says E. J., “Writing is about translating life into words without sacrificing the grimace and the giggle.”
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 20, 2019
When you pick up a fantasy book on any level, but particularly those with a paranormal twist, you should already know that you just might get caught in the swamp until you figure out where the story is going. And Created Evil, by the way, is NOT your everyday paranormal fantasy. It’s also an epic tale that weaves characters in and out of seemingly ancient times, and tosses them into modern times with cars. Yep, that kind of threw me.
But I’m so glad I plowed on because this isn’t a story that will merely perplex you every now and then, even when you think you’ve finally figured out the anomalous characters and their motivation. It may even continue to challenge you when warring factions face off in some unexpected (brace yourself) vivid chapters that might make you want to turn away. DON’T.
For me, that’s when the novel really took on a life of its own and when finally, finally, I could get myself out of the swamp, discerning the good from the evil that occurs — seemingly, within the entire universe.
Deep? Yes. Heavy? Yes. Worthy? Absolutely. Now go meet a variety of strange characters, some intermittently deep prose, and action that will make it quite difficult to put the book down. If you’re a reader, you already know that every now and then it’s okay to stay up all night. This is one of those novels that will insist you do it.
But I’m so glad I plowed on because this isn’t a story that will merely perplex you every now and then, even when you think you’ve finally figured out the anomalous characters and their motivation. It may even continue to challenge you when warring factions face off in some unexpected (brace yourself) vivid chapters that might make you want to turn away. DON’T.
For me, that’s when the novel really took on a life of its own and when finally, finally, I could get myself out of the swamp, discerning the good from the evil that occurs — seemingly, within the entire universe.
Deep? Yes. Heavy? Yes. Worthy? Absolutely. Now go meet a variety of strange characters, some intermittently deep prose, and action that will make it quite difficult to put the book down. If you’re a reader, you already know that every now and then it’s okay to stay up all night. This is one of those novels that will insist you do it.
June 14, 2021
This is a difficult book to review. It is fantasy/paranormal, but not for the feint of heart, not the sort I usually read. There are no charming fairies, sexy vampires or sweet witches. Oh, no. Ruek takes on evil, not the evil of politicians or CEOs or the fools who did a drive-by, mass shooting at the hookah place around the corner. This is fundamental evil. It also is a big book, not in terms of length but in terms of scope. She uses the lens of ancient religion and mythology and, yes, paranormal.
Ruek's descriptions, whether of scenes or action is evocative, often lyrical (though I would not use that second word to refer to the satanic mass or anything involving Henry). There are monsters who are sometimes gentle and caring, serious researchers who have no clue, people who avoid knowing their heritage & what they must embrace, and "good guys" who are in some sense, responsible. And dogs. There are dogs. And mice (including the incident of the mouse and the tea). This is a very complex novel. To be honest, at first I had trouble getting into it; it's pretty arcane, the beautiful descriptive work kept me going. I also avoided reading it before bed, out of fear of nightmares (even though I don't really dream). But Ruek is a family friend, so I pushed through. Then. Suddenly, oh, damn, was I hooked! Today I had promised myself that I would get back to my academic work, after an extended break. Forget that. I could not put down this book! Could. Not.
I will not tell you about the plot or where Ruek takes her readers. No spoilers! You have to read it yourself.
Ruek's descriptions, whether of scenes or action is evocative, often lyrical (though I would not use that second word to refer to the satanic mass or anything involving Henry). There are monsters who are sometimes gentle and caring, serious researchers who have no clue, people who avoid knowing their heritage & what they must embrace, and "good guys" who are in some sense, responsible. And dogs. There are dogs. And mice (including the incident of the mouse and the tea). This is a very complex novel. To be honest, at first I had trouble getting into it; it's pretty arcane, the beautiful descriptive work kept me going. I also avoided reading it before bed, out of fear of nightmares (even though I don't really dream). But Ruek is a family friend, so I pushed through. Then. Suddenly, oh, damn, was I hooked! Today I had promised myself that I would get back to my academic work, after an extended break. Forget that. I could not put down this book! Could. Not.
I will not tell you about the plot or where Ruek takes her readers. No spoilers! You have to read it yourself.
December 12, 2019
Convince the gullible they can be given personal status with a deity, you'll find hucksters more than willing to take their money. Elmer Gantry or Anton LaVey, take your choice if you want to be scammed. It depends a lot on how masochistic you are.
The opening of "Created Evil" tells the reader upfront what they'll be wading through:
It is said that when the moon shines full at Mabon,
it is a time for conjuring both demons and the Holy angels.
When evil is called up from the depths of hell, it's only logical that an angel will come on the scene to fight for the other team. "Created Evil" imagines a physical world that we all live in is only an illusion--a temporary residence of more universal beings. Demons and Angels weren't invented to deal with humankind. One tempting frail humans into dark and evil practices; the other seeking not to fight the evil, but to aid the world to return to an earlier, much earlier, time when a different order of beings owned the earth.
On the evil side, Saturn (what mother would name her kid Saturn?) cynically holds sadistic rites for the gullible acolytes with plenty of money to spend. A stranger, Sebastian, most people mistook for a priest has been sent to deal with the events to come.
Following old rituals he doesn't understand or even care if they're real or not, Saturn opens a portal to the underworld. Not expecting actual results, the entire group of worshipers is killed or run off by a very real, very horrendous creature from the depths.
This creature is identified as a demon named Saymuth.
There are others, not aware of their own true natures, who will be brought into the battle. We'll just say the battle is between good and evil since that's how our human minds can even begin to grasp the infinity of the universe, and how little we matter.
Then things get really interesting. I write the above to provide a tiny glimpse of what is to come in "Created Evil." Any more and I'd be chided for revealing spoilers, although I'm alread guilty of that revelation.
Does this sound like something you want to take on? The only writings that come even close to describing the events to come are by John in the Book of Revelation and Nostradamus in his predictions.
This isn't an easy beach read. However, if your interest is piqued, you'll--enjoy isn't the right word--be grateful you decide to take up the challenge.
Note: When reading, you'll find a couple of scenes of sickening depravity. I almost quit reading at this point, but I know the author's work well enough to plow through to discover what is really happening, not just what people pretend to play.
The opening of "Created Evil" tells the reader upfront what they'll be wading through:
It is said that when the moon shines full at Mabon,
it is a time for conjuring both demons and the Holy angels.
When evil is called up from the depths of hell, it's only logical that an angel will come on the scene to fight for the other team. "Created Evil" imagines a physical world that we all live in is only an illusion--a temporary residence of more universal beings. Demons and Angels weren't invented to deal with humankind. One tempting frail humans into dark and evil practices; the other seeking not to fight the evil, but to aid the world to return to an earlier, much earlier, time when a different order of beings owned the earth.
On the evil side, Saturn (what mother would name her kid Saturn?) cynically holds sadistic rites for the gullible acolytes with plenty of money to spend. A stranger, Sebastian, most people mistook for a priest has been sent to deal with the events to come.
Following old rituals he doesn't understand or even care if they're real or not, Saturn opens a portal to the underworld. Not expecting actual results, the entire group of worshipers is killed or run off by a very real, very horrendous creature from the depths.
This creature is identified as a demon named Saymuth.
There are others, not aware of their own true natures, who will be brought into the battle. We'll just say the battle is between good and evil since that's how our human minds can even begin to grasp the infinity of the universe, and how little we matter.
Then things get really interesting. I write the above to provide a tiny glimpse of what is to come in "Created Evil." Any more and I'd be chided for revealing spoilers, although I'm alread guilty of that revelation.
Does this sound like something you want to take on? The only writings that come even close to describing the events to come are by John in the Book of Revelation and Nostradamus in his predictions.
This isn't an easy beach read. However, if your interest is piqued, you'll--enjoy isn't the right word--be grateful you decide to take up the challenge.
Note: When reading, you'll find a couple of scenes of sickening depravity. I almost quit reading at this point, but I know the author's work well enough to plow through to discover what is really happening, not just what people pretend to play.
December 26, 2019
About 5 years ago I came across an excerpt of the beginning of this book on the author's website. I've been wanting to see the book ever since. In a little over a month I have read it twice. I love it. I'm drawn by the power in the way language is used to create strong feelings. Whether it is beauty or disgusting ugliness, I felt immersed in more than just information or action--there was something tangible grabbing me in the flow of the words. The story was intriguing with so many characters and symbols involved in an ancient mystery. The book title lets us know what it is about. And we can think about how we feel about evil as we read how the mystery opens up for the characters. A fantasy like this let's me hope and dream and perhaps even understand the truth a little more. I've heard it said that Love casts out Fear and to me that is an element of this story that made it especially good.
September 23, 2020
It's awesome. I know. I wrote it. Plus it's got 5 star reviews from those who have read it, so I'm not alone in my opinion. One of the few fantasy books I've written.
February 20, 2022
Eerie and Spooky
Within the pages of this book are your worst nightmares. Evil is real and Evil is here. A terrifying novel of Evil.
Within the pages of this book are your worst nightmares. Evil is real and Evil is here. A terrifying novel of Evil.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews