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The Preternatural Chronicles #4
Mouth of Madness
A powerful ally has gone insane and threatens to expose supernaturals to the entire world. Fueled by unbridled rage and endless sorrow, both the guilty and innocent will pay the ultimate price.
Somewhere in a room illuminated by hellfire, a fierce enemy learns a terrible truth. Armed with the Spear of Destiny and power bestowed directly from Lucifer himself, a man will have his long-awaited revenge.
The most powerful demon lord in existence has been summoned from the pits of Hell and given a target. Asmodeus will not stop until his master’s bidding is fulfilled, and a soul is claimed.
A military force, armed with deadly silver rounds, has set a trap. The clock is ticking.
Tick-tock, Tick-tock, John Cook. What decisions will be made? Who will be sacrificed? Enter the Mouth of Madness and face an impossible journey.
Somewhere in a room illuminated by hellfire, a fierce enemy learns a terrible truth. Armed with the Spear of Destiny and power bestowed directly from Lucifer himself, a man will have his long-awaited revenge.
The most powerful demon lord in existence has been summoned from the pits of Hell and given a target. Asmodeus will not stop until his master’s bidding is fulfilled, and a soul is claimed.
A military force, armed with deadly silver rounds, has set a trap. The clock is ticking.
Tick-tock, Tick-tock, John Cook. What decisions will be made? Who will be sacrificed? Enter the Mouth of Madness and face an impossible journey.
306 pages, ebook
First published April 12, 2020
278 people are currently reading
245 people want to read
About the author
Hunter Blain
32 books201 followersMy name is Hunter, and I’m a wordaholic. I’m also about to break the fourth wall…of your mindhole. Because there is a true story behind this…well…story.
It begins with two best friends who grew up together, breaking rules and raising hell as they shaped each other’s personalities into the shameless assholes they are today. Well, at least for one of them, but I’ll get to that in a moment. These two boys—let’s call them Hunter and John—were all but inseparable. John excelled at creating music powerful enough to make angels weep and being the funniest asshole in Texas while Hunter dabbled—poorly, I might add—in his humble writings. Because they were self-declared brothers from other mothers, John respected Hunter’s humble writings as much as I—I mean Hunter (stupid third person perspective)—respected John’s musical magic. John’s tunes could have changed the world, one day…
One fine day, after reading one of Hunter’s horrifically detailed short stories about a serial killer, John asked Hunter to write a story about him.
“Hell yeah, dude! What do you want to be?” Hunter asked, brimming with honor and biting back a very manly squee.
“A vampire,” John responded with a mischievous gleam in his eye. “But not one of those sparkly ones. A true bad ass!”
“Done!” Hunter crowed with a smile and an accompanying high five.
“No, dude. Promise. Promise you’ll write and finish a book about me. You are the most prolific writer of our generation!” John said. (Something like that. I might be paraphrasing a little, but you get the gist of it). “I would consider it an honor to live on for eternity with your words as my life’s blood.”
Hunter agreed, never to realize the weight of that promise until one Sunday morning when John’s mother called, crying incoherently.
John…had died.
Hunter was left in a cold world without his best friend and doppelgänger. Hunter still thinks about that moment to this day. How the morning light crept through the bedroom window while Hunter stared at the ceiling, noticing how the popcorn texture created cruel, jagged shadows. How everything started to blur as his chest was crushed beneath the weight of what he was hearing, each word stacking heavily upon the other until only fitful, ragged gasps of air could escape his throat. Only fiery tears existed, especially after the horrific realization that Hunter now had to make some of the hardest phone calls of his life to the circle of friends who orbited around John’s solar pull.
Their star was no more, leaving their universe a colder and darker place.
John not only left Hunter, but a friend named Valenta as well. There was also Nathanial and Depweg. The friends were each stricken numb with the loss of such a beloved flare of life. But…
When the three found out that Hunter was keeping his promise to write the greatest story ever told—starring their dear friend, John—they demanded to be a part of the adventure. Each of them immediately knew what type of supernatural character they wanted to play in this urban fantasy eulogy. It would be a funeral pyre of words, and their fictional personas would be John’s pallbearers.
So please, as you read the following pages, feel free to laugh. Laugh at the situations John is placed in and his dickish dialogue to those around him, because John is 100% in this story without alteration (albeit he is a vampire). Laugh and let his memory live on inside the theater of your mind. Like he does in ours.
Thank you, sincerely, from the bottom of my beating heart, for giving my best friend the chance to live again. You are part of this magical ritual, and that would make him the happiest man in the…well, wherever the hell he is.
It begins with two best friends who grew up together, breaking rules and raising hell as they shaped each other’s personalities into the shameless assholes they are today. Well, at least for one of them, but I’ll get to that in a moment. These two boys—let’s call them Hunter and John—were all but inseparable. John excelled at creating music powerful enough to make angels weep and being the funniest asshole in Texas while Hunter dabbled—poorly, I might add—in his humble writings. Because they were self-declared brothers from other mothers, John respected Hunter’s humble writings as much as I—I mean Hunter (stupid third person perspective)—respected John’s musical magic. John’s tunes could have changed the world, one day…
One fine day, after reading one of Hunter’s horrifically detailed short stories about a serial killer, John asked Hunter to write a story about him.
“Hell yeah, dude! What do you want to be?” Hunter asked, brimming with honor and biting back a very manly squee.
“A vampire,” John responded with a mischievous gleam in his eye. “But not one of those sparkly ones. A true bad ass!”
“Done!” Hunter crowed with a smile and an accompanying high five.
“No, dude. Promise. Promise you’ll write and finish a book about me. You are the most prolific writer of our generation!” John said. (Something like that. I might be paraphrasing a little, but you get the gist of it). “I would consider it an honor to live on for eternity with your words as my life’s blood.”
Hunter agreed, never to realize the weight of that promise until one Sunday morning when John’s mother called, crying incoherently.
John…had died.
Hunter was left in a cold world without his best friend and doppelgänger. Hunter still thinks about that moment to this day. How the morning light crept through the bedroom window while Hunter stared at the ceiling, noticing how the popcorn texture created cruel, jagged shadows. How everything started to blur as his chest was crushed beneath the weight of what he was hearing, each word stacking heavily upon the other until only fitful, ragged gasps of air could escape his throat. Only fiery tears existed, especially after the horrific realization that Hunter now had to make some of the hardest phone calls of his life to the circle of friends who orbited around John’s solar pull.
Their star was no more, leaving their universe a colder and darker place.
John not only left Hunter, but a friend named Valenta as well. There was also Nathanial and Depweg. The friends were each stricken numb with the loss of such a beloved flare of life. But…
When the three found out that Hunter was keeping his promise to write the greatest story ever told—starring their dear friend, John—they demanded to be a part of the adventure. Each of them immediately knew what type of supernatural character they wanted to play in this urban fantasy eulogy. It would be a funeral pyre of words, and their fictional personas would be John’s pallbearers.
So please, as you read the following pages, feel free to laugh. Laugh at the situations John is placed in and his dickish dialogue to those around him, because John is 100% in this story without alteration (albeit he is a vampire). Laugh and let his memory live on inside the theater of your mind. Like he does in ours.
Thank you, sincerely, from the bottom of my beating heart, for giving my best friend the chance to live again. You are part of this magical ritual, and that would make him the happiest man in the…well, wherever the hell he is.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
August 1, 2020
I'll say it again, these books just get better and better! I can't wait for the next to come out on Audible!
August 12, 2020
Wow.
This one took me awhile to read. It wasn’t that I wasn’t interested in it. Far from that. It was that the book was just so heavy. That isn’t a bad thing by any means. It was a meal to be savored, not devoured. Hunter upped the ante with this venture into John’s insane world. The jokes were better, the action was more intense, the stakes (HA!) were higher than Snoop Dogg on April 20th, and the feels...man, Blain hit the feels harder than Captain America hitting Nazis.
Blain took Locke and turned him from a villain that needed to die to a companion you can’t help but care about. He has a remarkable talent for showing you reasons behind the actions of his characters and forcing yourself to wonder how you’d react in their shoes. Except Ulric. That dude just sucks (HA! Again).
The story didn’t just jump ahead in time, but also in anticipation. The epilogues leave you itching to read the next. But don’t skip the author bio at the end. There are some solid laughs there, as well as some more sucker punches to the feels. This book only received five stars as Amazon has yet to give a fifty star option. Great job, Hunter Blain, you wonderful word donkey, you! JOHN ON!
This one took me awhile to read. It wasn’t that I wasn’t interested in it. Far from that. It was that the book was just so heavy. That isn’t a bad thing by any means. It was a meal to be savored, not devoured. Hunter upped the ante with this venture into John’s insane world. The jokes were better, the action was more intense, the stakes (HA!) were higher than Snoop Dogg on April 20th, and the feels...man, Blain hit the feels harder than Captain America hitting Nazis.
Blain took Locke and turned him from a villain that needed to die to a companion you can’t help but care about. He has a remarkable talent for showing you reasons behind the actions of his characters and forcing yourself to wonder how you’d react in their shoes. Except Ulric. That dude just sucks (HA! Again).
The story didn’t just jump ahead in time, but also in anticipation. The epilogues leave you itching to read the next. But don’t skip the author bio at the end. There are some solid laughs there, as well as some more sucker punches to the feels. This book only received five stars as Amazon has yet to give a fifty star option. Great job, Hunter Blain, you wonderful word donkey, you! JOHN ON!
April 15, 2020
John's back!
Another book, another adventure!
I make references to the previous books, so if you haven't read the other three, what are you waiting for!
I don't know how to tag for spoiler, so be warned! Some SPOILERS ahead!!
We finally get to see where the hell is Depweg and what's he been up to, and is John gonna be able to save him and bring him back?
New enemies, old enemies, new friends, old friends, and the same John trying not to die and start the apocalypse.
Also, you definitely want to read this book because there's a revelation that is going to leave you speechless. At least that's what happened to me, and I can't wait for the next book!
Another book, another adventure!
I make references to the previous books, so if you haven't read the other three, what are you waiting for!
I don't know how to tag for spoiler, so be warned! Some SPOILERS ahead!!
We finally get to see where the hell is Depweg and what's he been up to, and is John gonna be able to save him and bring him back?
New enemies, old enemies, new friends, old friends, and the same John trying not to die and start the apocalypse.
Also, you definitely want to read this book because there's a revelation that is going to leave you speechless. At least that's what happened to me, and I can't wait for the next book!
April 12, 2020
Old enemies, older (like, eternal) enemies, now (alleged) allies, the return of a friend... Gore, pop culture, juvenile humor... Did I mention enemies, like, Lords of Hell enemies? And, welp, that happened at the end.
The Chronicles continue, and the ride just keeps getting bumpier. Fans of the series are gonna be like, O face! No, I mean, 'Ohhh' face. Lol!
The Chronicles continue, and the ride just keeps getting bumpier. Fans of the series are gonna be like, O face! No, I mean, 'Ohhh' face. Lol!
April 18, 2020
Awesome
Yet again, Hunter fucking DELIVERS! So many things happened that I can honestly say I did not expect and I wish my friends would read this so I'd have someone to talk to about this series
Yet again, Hunter fucking DELIVERS! So many things happened that I can honestly say I did not expect and I wish my friends would read this so I'd have someone to talk to about this series
June 22, 2020
Wow!
What a ride! There are so many o my Lilith moments in this book I almost couldn't believe what I was reading. Such a fantastic mix of humor and sorrow, with endless action. I can't wait to read the next book!
What a ride! There are so many o my Lilith moments in this book I almost couldn't believe what I was reading. Such a fantastic mix of humor and sorrow, with endless action. I can't wait to read the next book!
June 19, 2020
Got to read
Y’all I have read these and they are great. I laughed so much and even cried just a little. Got to try them I’m telling you now you will not regret it
Y’all I have read these and they are great. I laughed so much and even cried just a little. Got to try them I’m telling you now you will not regret it
August 11, 2020
Worlds best vampire
You have to love John Cook. Poor guy, every step forward seems to get him a kick in the ass. Often literally. And that twist at the end ? Well done, author monkey, well done ! Love this series. It’s funny, it’s interesting and it’s definitely a “cant put it down” book.
You have to love John Cook. Poor guy, every step forward seems to get him a kick in the ass. Often literally. And that twist at the end ? Well done, author monkey, well done ! Love this series. It’s funny, it’s interesting and it’s definitely a “cant put it down” book.
May 27, 2020
My favorite one so far. John’s a bit less of an asshole in this one and the twist at the end was great.
June 28, 2020
Love this Vampire
I’ve laughed,was angry, thought some characters were simple in the first 3 books. But by the end of this one, I was blubbering like a baby. Won’t tell you why, lol. You have to read the book!
I’ve laughed,was angry, thought some characters were simple in the first 3 books. But by the end of this one, I was blubbering like a baby. Won’t tell you why, lol. You have to read the book!
June 24, 2020
Uh oh!
Well, things are certainly taking a turn for the worst. Again. I feel so sorry for John, but I so desperately want him to win. Looking forward to the next one.
Well, things are certainly taking a turn for the worst. Again. I feel so sorry for John, but I so desperately want him to win. Looking forward to the next one.
July 21, 2020
Does saving your best friend get you into heaven?
Hunter Blaine has created another roller coaster read. ( said in a movie announcers voice ): A feral were, a demon lord, a master warlock. John Cook trying to save his soul, his best friend and earth all at the same time. Can he do it or will his luck finally run out? Read the book and see. I am on to the next one.
Hunter Blaine has created another roller coaster read. ( said in a movie announcers voice ): A feral were, a demon lord, a master warlock. John Cook trying to save his soul, his best friend and earth all at the same time. Can he do it or will his luck finally run out? Read the book and see. I am on to the next one.
July 20, 2020
Fun series
This is a fun smartass series. Enjoying it so far about to start the next book which kinda sucks because when I finish it I'll have to wait for the next book to come out on audible. Please don't be like some of the other authors that only put half the series to audio..
This is a fun smartass series. Enjoying it so far about to start the next book which kinda sucks because when I finish it I'll have to wait for the next book to come out on audible. Please don't be like some of the other authors that only put half the series to audio..
July 12, 2020
Wow!!! These books keep getting better and better! With incredibly epic fight scenes and absolutely hilarious banter throughout, this is definitely the best book in the series so far!!!
July 17, 2021
Mouth of Madness, the 4th book of the Preternatural Chronicles by Hunter Blain, is defined as a rollercoaster of action that will take the reader in so many directions, it will give you a whiplash. One true thing about Blain’s books, they are never boring. He knows how to entertain and make the reader invest in this supernatural world.
John Cook has returned with one goal in mind, to find his best friend Depweg and to bring him home with his soul intact. We discover that things are not ever simple. The path of a rogue werewolf went too far in the abyss and it takes more than a confession to set things right.
This book is a classic chessboard with characters that give depth to the story and cause for every action that takes place. Despite all the elements of the book and its’ darkness, one theme stands out. Sacrifice. We see a character that has evolved through the series to become one of John’s friends who sacrifices his identity to save his new friends. We see John’s lover give up their future to save a world.
The greatest sacrifice of all is John taking on the hardest task on his own to prevent the end of time and to rescue a friend. Sacrificing his friends, his future, and his redemption.
As found in the books so far, John and his tribe also learn that all actions have consequences and oftentimes, a sacrifice is all you have in order to accept them. Or lose everything.
This series has all the aspects of a successful supernatural world; non-stop action, range of emotions, characters who have depth, surprises, a brushstroke of humor, and a storyline that keeps you engaged. I am glad Hunter Blain created this world to visit and experience. I love rollercoasters.
John Cook has returned with one goal in mind, to find his best friend Depweg and to bring him home with his soul intact. We discover that things are not ever simple. The path of a rogue werewolf went too far in the abyss and it takes more than a confession to set things right.
This book is a classic chessboard with characters that give depth to the story and cause for every action that takes place. Despite all the elements of the book and its’ darkness, one theme stands out. Sacrifice. We see a character that has evolved through the series to become one of John’s friends who sacrifices his identity to save his new friends. We see John’s lover give up their future to save a world.
The greatest sacrifice of all is John taking on the hardest task on his own to prevent the end of time and to rescue a friend. Sacrificing his friends, his future, and his redemption.
As found in the books so far, John and his tribe also learn that all actions have consequences and oftentimes, a sacrifice is all you have in order to accept them. Or lose everything.
This series has all the aspects of a successful supernatural world; non-stop action, range of emotions, characters who have depth, surprises, a brushstroke of humor, and a storyline that keeps you engaged. I am glad Hunter Blain created this world to visit and experience. I love rollercoasters.
May 4, 2021
What could I possibly say, that I haven’t said in previous reviews.. This man.. this genius of a man has created something that my heart knew would be missing, once I finished The Iron Druid Chronicles. While John & Atticus are kind of on the opposite ends of the spectrum as far as magic is concerned, they both know, that sometimes, just sometimes.. you have to get your hands extra dirty to take care of a roadblock on the path to your objective. John is about to meet said roadblock head on, (with the hope I’m sure that it’s the only 1 that is there). I look forward to how he comes out victorious or IF he does, after visiting…… HELL!!!
November 5, 2021
Just when you think it can’t get crazier
If you’re enjoying this crazy ride as much as I am it’s even crazier(er?) dewpeg lost it throw in the high grand poo baa of warlocks a demon lord and Lucifer that want werewolf and vampire dead for different reasons we’re introduced to The Wardens and the amount of food life can eat and of course not everyone is who or what they claim to be oh and field trip they are planning to go to Hell oh and lily finally gets to have that talk with John can’t wait to read the next
If you’re enjoying this crazy ride as much as I am it’s even crazier(er?) dewpeg lost it throw in the high grand poo baa of warlocks a demon lord and Lucifer that want werewolf and vampire dead for different reasons we’re introduced to The Wardens and the amount of food life can eat and of course not everyone is who or what they claim to be oh and field trip they are planning to go to Hell oh and lily finally gets to have that talk with John can’t wait to read the next
May 11, 2021
Gruesome and repetive
I got bored of how many times John went through his gruesome transformations. Also in one case he had all this power and then in another he had none. It did not make since or was believable. I will stop reading here. I'm tired of reading about hell and dam nation. I think it is going to only get worse and more gruesom. I love vampire story's but this one is more horror than urban fantasy. The audio is great. I'm going to miss this narator
I got bored of how many times John went through his gruesome transformations. Also in one case he had all this power and then in another he had none. It did not make since or was believable. I will stop reading here. I'm tired of reading about hell and dam nation. I think it is going to only get worse and more gruesom. I love vampire story's but this one is more horror than urban fantasy. The audio is great. I'm going to miss this narator
September 19, 2020
John the vampire like no other
Awesome, gruesome, hilarious and gets you in the feels. Character are very well written. Tons of curve balls leaves you thirsty for more. Great addition to the series. Simply fantastic!
Awesome, gruesome, hilarious and gets you in the feels. Character are very well written. Tons of curve balls leaves you thirsty for more. Great addition to the series. Simply fantastic!
September 19, 2020
Great read!
Such a well balanced well written story, full of darkness and danger at every turn. Yet is also filled with friendship, sacrifice, and love. Such an engaging adventure that's building into something epic with each book in the series.
Such a well balanced well written story, full of darkness and danger at every turn. Yet is also filled with friendship, sacrifice, and love. Such an engaging adventure that's building into something epic with each book in the series.
January 26, 2021
Few books have I read where the main character has been as royally screwed as John Cook seems to be. The author does do a damn good job bringing this disparity of all the absurdity together nicely that it's one hilarious joyride. Looking forward to the next instalment.
July 7, 2022
He did it again.
Hunter Blain is now inline with Shayne Silvers and Cameron O'Donnell as one of my Favorite authors. I am seriously invested in this series. Come on just John make me giggle.
Hunter Blain is now inline with Shayne Silvers and Cameron O'Donnell as one of my Favorite authors. I am seriously invested in this series. Come on just John make me giggle.
July 24, 2022
humorous and action packed
I love these characters! The dialogue is so real, it makes them so relatable, regardless of the fact that they are Supes. Lots of action, and then all this good deep character growth. Another great book in this series!
I love these characters! The dialogue is so real, it makes them so relatable, regardless of the fact that they are Supes. Lots of action, and then all this good deep character growth. Another great book in this series!
January 8, 2023
Awesome!
Once again, great action, humor, plot, and character growth! I love all the different supernatural elements and how they are being tied together! There was serious emotion in this one, too.
Once again, great action, humor, plot, and character growth! I love all the different supernatural elements and how they are being tied together! There was serious emotion in this one, too.
August 24, 2020
What a wild ride
This series just gets better and more action packed. Love this series and can't wait for more. Audio books are great as well
This series just gets better and more action packed. Love this series and can't wait for more. Audio books are great as well
September 18, 2020
Great read
These books leave you wanting more MUST READ if you like Urban fantasy things can only get better for John I hope
These books leave you wanting more MUST READ if you like Urban fantasy things can only get better for John I hope
November 30, 2020
The same but different
Old character rises up. Old character makes a change. New characters introduced. Dang even the government finds a way to get involved.
Old character rises up. Old character makes a change. New characters introduced. Dang even the government finds a way to get involved.
January 24, 2021
What a story!
These books are awesome! You really get involved as part of the action. The author is amazing and so is the narrator!
These books are awesome! You really get involved as part of the action. The author is amazing and so is the narrator!
February 4, 2021
Holy guacamole Batman!
Hunter Blain has done it again! The twists and turns keep coming! Pay attention at the end! He gives us some very subtle knowledge drops that blew my mind!
Hunter Blain has done it again! The twists and turns keep coming! Pay attention at the end! He gives us some very subtle knowledge drops that blew my mind!
July 14, 2021
John On!! Great job! Humor is abound in this book. As well as the normal twists and turns.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews