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The Occultists
Sssshhhhhhhh… For Edwardian-era spiritualists and illusionists, silence is more than a strategy; it’s a way of life. And when Max Grahame, a bullied small-town teen, discovers a secretive world of occultism and séances right under his nose, he can hardly contain his excitement.
But as Max begins his conjurer’s lessons in earnest, his newfound knowledge exposes the group’s dark and deeply sinister designs, leading to a game of supernatural cat and mouse that takes him from the ancient hills of rural Georgia and the mystic plains of the Midwest to fin-de-siècle Manhattan… and beyond.
Impeccably researched and wildly imaginative, The Occultists is a darkly-riveting historical fantasy in which magic is terrifying, and annihilation is closer than Max could ever imagine.
But as Max begins his conjurer’s lessons in earnest, his newfound knowledge exposes the group’s dark and deeply sinister designs, leading to a game of supernatural cat and mouse that takes him from the ancient hills of rural Georgia and the mystic plains of the Midwest to fin-de-siècle Manhattan… and beyond.
Impeccably researched and wildly imaginative, The Occultists is a darkly-riveting historical fantasy in which magic is terrifying, and annihilation is closer than Max could ever imagine.
328 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2020
50 people are currently reading
530 people want to read
About the author
Polly Schattel
3 books30 followersPOLLY SCHATTEL is originally from Birmingham, AL but now lives in Western North Carolina. She likes pasta.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
May 5, 2023
I'm giving this a four star rating, though I really liked it, it just didn't quite reach the 5-star status. There were a few slow, meandering parts in the second half of the book, where I was still out of breath from all that occurred during the end of the first half -- so I was wanting to scrap the 'slice of life' and move forward with what was going to happen.
But yea, this was a VERY creative story. Reminded me a little of the book I'd just read, Hell Bent (seq to Ninth House) with the black, exotic magics and alternate realms. I just enjoyed this one more, because 1- it takes place over a hundred years ago and 2 - I liked these characters much, much more.
It would be nice if Polly Schattel decided to continue with world and write a sequel to The Occultists, but it's okay if she doesn't. This story is good as it stands. I'm definitely eager to read more of her works, though.
But yea, this was a VERY creative story. Reminded me a little of the book I'd just read, Hell Bent (seq to Ninth House) with the black, exotic magics and alternate realms. I just enjoyed this one more, because 1- it takes place over a hundred years ago and 2 - I liked these characters much, much more.
It would be nice if Polly Schattel decided to continue with world and write a sequel to The Occultists, but it's okay if she doesn't. This story is good as it stands. I'm definitely eager to read more of her works, though.
October 18, 2022
Por aquí dejo enlace a la reseña:
https://consuleoluegoexisto.com/2022/...
https://consuleoluegoexisto.com/2022/...
April 8, 2021
A coming of age novel and so much more. Don’t let the protagonist’s youth fool you. This is no YA novel but a very dark fantasy/horror indeed. Gripping visceral horror, eye-popping magic, thoroughly realized settings and characters create an immersive reading that is the hallmark by which I rate all memorable reads. The plot never flags. I’d end one chapter, take a peek at the beginning of the next, and I was off on another sprint.
It would be easy for a lesser author to get bogged down in the minutia of the magic. Not so Polly Schattel. Steeped in research but without once falling into exposition, she lets the players’ actions portray the magic without the explaining. The result is spellbinding. And I mean no pun here.
Thank you, Polly. Can’t wait to read the next chapter in Max’s story.
It would be easy for a lesser author to get bogged down in the minutia of the magic. Not so Polly Schattel. Steeped in research but without once falling into exposition, she lets the players’ actions portray the magic without the explaining. The result is spellbinding. And I mean no pun here.
Thank you, Polly. Can’t wait to read the next chapter in Max’s story.
May 5, 2021
*Disclaimer – I received free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
The Occultists is a novel that plunges the reader back to early twentieth century America, where spiritualism, mysticism, and illusionists were in their heyday. Meticulously researched and using historic events and real people and occult leaders to lend credence to the story, only makes this fantastical story that much easier to immerse yourself in. From the surgical implantation of goat testicles to spark virility, to levitation and séances, early 1900’s spiritualism is provides the texture and driving force of this novel, immediately setting the reader up for shadows, secrets, and incredible feats.
The unfortunate and challenging events of our young protagonist Max’s life, from an unhappy adolescent home to being thrust into a deadly battle between two ancient conjuring factions, are fraught with secrets and danger, and make for a mesmerising story. Simple things like a teenage crush take on a deeper meaning as Max becomes embroiled in a world he doesn’t understand, yet is somehow integral to. Fleeing to save his own life and the life of his sickly mother, Max must grow up fast and learn to control the power within him. But no one is what they seem and despite making leaps and bounds in this strange new reality, Max is frequently left feeling unmoored and confused.
Schattel’s writing is rich and descriptive, the packing of the story is well laid out and executed, and her characters solid and charismatic. The Occultists is a novel that will greatly interest any reader already drawn to the wonderous world of illusion, power, and magic.
The Occultists is a novel that plunges the reader back to early twentieth century America, where spiritualism, mysticism, and illusionists were in their heyday. Meticulously researched and using historic events and real people and occult leaders to lend credence to the story, only makes this fantastical story that much easier to immerse yourself in. From the surgical implantation of goat testicles to spark virility, to levitation and séances, early 1900’s spiritualism is provides the texture and driving force of this novel, immediately setting the reader up for shadows, secrets, and incredible feats.
The unfortunate and challenging events of our young protagonist Max’s life, from an unhappy adolescent home to being thrust into a deadly battle between two ancient conjuring factions, are fraught with secrets and danger, and make for a mesmerising story. Simple things like a teenage crush take on a deeper meaning as Max becomes embroiled in a world he doesn’t understand, yet is somehow integral to. Fleeing to save his own life and the life of his sickly mother, Max must grow up fast and learn to control the power within him. But no one is what they seem and despite making leaps and bounds in this strange new reality, Max is frequently left feeling unmoored and confused.
Schattel’s writing is rich and descriptive, the packing of the story is well laid out and executed, and her characters solid and charismatic. The Occultists is a novel that will greatly interest any reader already drawn to the wonderous world of illusion, power, and magic.
March 17, 2023
The Occultists is a book of mythic proportions. In it, one gets the overall good vs evil plot, strange magic, and some of the creepiest, nastiest, most evil entities ever -- mostly set in small town USA, around the turn of the 20th century.
Schattel's way with words creates an unforgettable visual and visceral landscape that one won't forget. I was shocked, disgusted, and awed as I read.
So... why 4 stars? I felt that some of the story line dragged a little.
Still, The Occultists is a literary feat.
Schattel's way with words creates an unforgettable visual and visceral landscape that one won't forget. I was shocked, disgusted, and awed as I read.
So... why 4 stars? I felt that some of the story line dragged a little.
Still, The Occultists is a literary feat.
March 7, 2021
4.5 stars. The Occultists is an immersive book that was a pleasure to read! It transported me to Edwardian-era America where spiritualism is alive and well, introduced me to a fascinating cast of characters, and moved me in ways I didn't expect. I thought the writing is beautiful. Tackling themes like abuse, racism, oppression and poverty, the book isn't afraid to dig into the darkness. There are magical scenes but also scary moments. The teenage protagonist has to face terrifying monsters and heartbreaking losses. A particularly shocking death scene is unlike anything I've ever read before!
I did find the pacing drags in the middle. Some of the plot turns are abrupt and there’s a couple of threads left hanging. But overall, this is a remarkable historical fiction horror with amazing world-building. If you love magic, you will love this book!
CW: child abuse, racial profiling, physical violence, animal deaths
Thank you to the author for a review copy.
book blog | twitter | instagram
I did find the pacing drags in the middle. Some of the plot turns are abrupt and there’s a couple of threads left hanging. But overall, this is a remarkable historical fiction horror with amazing world-building. If you love magic, you will love this book!
CW: child abuse, racial profiling, physical violence, animal deaths
Thank you to the author for a review copy.
book blog | twitter | instagram
January 1, 2021
Schattel has a talent for descriptive and cinematic writing and the ability to ratchet up suspense and horror effectively. She clearly did her research, and the historical setting feels very realistic.
I felt this really dragged. I started it several months ago, got about a third of the way through, and put it down. I picked it up again in the past week and struggled with it but finally finished. I read this on Kindle and was surprised when I learned after I finished that it is only 330 pages.
A major problem is that the book starts at a brisk pace and then it just... stops. Max meets occultists, they orchestrate his stepfather's murder, he's blamed and sneaks away to an occult academy... but then he gets there and there are pages and pages about how no one will talk to him or explain things and his frustrations with his inability to manifest his occult powers. Then there's another rush of action and he ends up locked in a basement for pages and pages. He escapes and travels to NYC with a girl from the school and they wander around trying to find a certain person they have no way of finding. I mean, there are just pages and pages of "he stared at the penny" and "he read books in the library". Characters I grew to like or at least appreciate abruptly exited the story at unexpected times. Despite the excellent and imaginative writing I was frustrated by this book. I wanted to love it, but it just didn't pull together for me.
I felt this really dragged. I started it several months ago, got about a third of the way through, and put it down. I picked it up again in the past week and struggled with it but finally finished. I read this on Kindle and was surprised when I learned after I finished that it is only 330 pages.
A major problem is that the book starts at a brisk pace and then it just... stops. Max meets occultists, they orchestrate his stepfather's murder, he's blamed and sneaks away to an occult academy... but then he gets there and there are pages and pages about how no one will talk to him or explain things and his frustrations with his inability to manifest his occult powers. Then there's another rush of action and he ends up locked in a basement for pages and pages. He escapes and travels to NYC with a girl from the school and they wander around trying to find a certain person they have no way of finding. I mean, there are just pages and pages of "he stared at the penny" and "he read books in the library". Characters I grew to like or at least appreciate abruptly exited the story at unexpected times. Despite the excellent and imaginative writing I was frustrated by this book. I wanted to love it, but it just didn't pull together for me.
September 1, 2021
Outstanding debut.
Thoroughly enjoyed Schattel's debut novel. A horrific venture into the world of the Occult as the struggle for power constantly tips the world towards anarchy.
Max is a fantastic character and Schattel puts him through the wringer as he discovers an innate ability and the cost he is forced to pay.
Strongly written, fleeting glimpses of Clive Barker come to my mind. Schattel delivers a fantastic read that is nigh impossible to put down.
Thoroughly enjoyed Schattel's debut novel. A horrific venture into the world of the Occult as the struggle for power constantly tips the world towards anarchy.
Max is a fantastic character and Schattel puts him through the wringer as he discovers an innate ability and the cost he is forced to pay.
Strongly written, fleeting glimpses of Clive Barker come to my mind. Schattel delivers a fantastic read that is nigh impossible to put down.
November 15, 2020
A well written tale of horror and intrigue that I found a delight to read! it's been awhile since I read a book that I just sat down and devoured in a day. Well created worlds and characters,. It takes many turns and I didn't know what was going to happen next. This is my favorite book club book of the year. I loved it.
November 27, 2020
Polly Schattel's supernatural thriller was a pleasure to read. The Occultists is one of those books that when you get near the end you suffer mixed emotions--conversely you can't wait to finish the story while also lamenting that the experience will be soon be over. I know I will come back to this novel again before too long because Schattel packed so much into her story, a re-visiting will be a pleasure.
I'm no historian but I feel certain that Schattel really did her homework while researching the setting for her story. I love when a novel allows me to time travel and experience a world, in this case early twentieth century America, that I know little about.
It was a delight to journey with the teenaged protagonist, Max Grahame, on his spiritual and physical journey across the country as he learns about his newly discovered occult talents through encounters with a cadre of characters, some of whom are terrifying but all of which are fascinating. Schattel cleverly sprinkles in enough tidbits of historical reference to create a delicious treat that both informs and entertains. That's my favorite way to learn history--small bite-sized pieces served with large dollops of horror and suspense.
As a writer and fan of horror, I appreciate a good character-driven story. It's important to have scary scenes with horrifying creatures, and Schattel delivers well on that score, but I was especially thrilled with Schattel's characters, from his immediate family to the extended one created once he falls under the tutelage of mysterious masters of magic. I will scrupulously avoid including anything that might spoil the story, but I can safely say that most readers will find it hard to say which is scarier, the practitioners of magic who instruct young Max, or the supernatural creatures that plague him.
I'm sorely tempted to address these characters more specifically, but that is a subject to be broached with those who have already read the story. I feel that I should add that while the MC of the story is a teen, this is really not a YA book. Teens certainly can enjoy the story, too, but it is definitely a book for mature readers.
Which leads me to this final point. One sure sign of a good book is when you're dying to talk about it with someone else. The Occultists would be an excellent choice for any book group that loves horror and suspense. It would have been even more fun to share thoughts and questions with others while I was reading it, and now that I've finished, I would like to discuss it more than ever.
Maybe I can still get the chance to do that when I re-read it. Anyone care to join me?
I'm no historian but I feel certain that Schattel really did her homework while researching the setting for her story. I love when a novel allows me to time travel and experience a world, in this case early twentieth century America, that I know little about.
It was a delight to journey with the teenaged protagonist, Max Grahame, on his spiritual and physical journey across the country as he learns about his newly discovered occult talents through encounters with a cadre of characters, some of whom are terrifying but all of which are fascinating. Schattel cleverly sprinkles in enough tidbits of historical reference to create a delicious treat that both informs and entertains. That's my favorite way to learn history--small bite-sized pieces served with large dollops of horror and suspense.
As a writer and fan of horror, I appreciate a good character-driven story. It's important to have scary scenes with horrifying creatures, and Schattel delivers well on that score, but I was especially thrilled with Schattel's characters, from his immediate family to the extended one created once he falls under the tutelage of mysterious masters of magic. I will scrupulously avoid including anything that might spoil the story, but I can safely say that most readers will find it hard to say which is scarier, the practitioners of magic who instruct young Max, or the supernatural creatures that plague him.
I'm sorely tempted to address these characters more specifically, but that is a subject to be broached with those who have already read the story. I feel that I should add that while the MC of the story is a teen, this is really not a YA book. Teens certainly can enjoy the story, too, but it is definitely a book for mature readers.
Which leads me to this final point. One sure sign of a good book is when you're dying to talk about it with someone else. The Occultists would be an excellent choice for any book group that loves horror and suspense. It would have been even more fun to share thoughts and questions with others while I was reading it, and now that I've finished, I would like to discuss it more than ever.
Maybe I can still get the chance to do that when I re-read it. Anyone care to join me?
July 29, 2022
Where do I start with this one?
I seem to have made it a recent life's work to read and review debut novels - there's certainly been lot of them. And they usually don't take very long to get through. But "The Occultists" is very different; it's epic, literary, researched to hell and demands to be savoured.
We're told its Shattel's first novel. That may be so but it aint her first rodeo. Her background in film is obvious. Cinematic landscapes form from scintillating depictions - she seems to be able to summon just the right image; characters are brought to life not just in their descriptions but in what they say and how they say it. I love the way we're given ongoing tutelage in how they speak. It's as if the author wants us to know - really KNOW - her characters and settings (as if one truly speaks to the other). This seems to come from a familiarity - and love, perhaps - so deep, it's my impression that some or all of these places have, at some time, been her home.
Max is the young protagonist, ingenue, hapless hero. Spotted as a potental occultist savant, he becomes groomed by the seemingly well-meaning local postmaster, but we soon come to realise that from the moment Max meets him, his life was never going to be truly his own.
Which does have issues for the reader...
For much of the time Max is reactive: in Selleford, the very loooooong stay in Steppeland, followed by another period of assimilation in New York. (Why can I not get the structure of Tess of the D'Urbeville's out of my mind, lol!?) A reader might flag were it not for the monsters. The Moorlander (ouch!), Tom Howland, Mr. Splitfoot (there's gotta be another book, right?), the sisters. Oh, and Max's tamkarra...
...that allows him to access the Akasha
...from which appears the most astonishing description of an abstract landscape I have ever read. The ending is simply superlative (not the last chapter where the ends are tied up) but in everything that led up to THAT KISS.
Enough! Just buy it. But not if you're looking for a quick read, or an easy read. The scope is too vast and the writing too brilliant.
I seem to have made it a recent life's work to read and review debut novels - there's certainly been lot of them. And they usually don't take very long to get through. But "The Occultists" is very different; it's epic, literary, researched to hell and demands to be savoured.
We're told its Shattel's first novel. That may be so but it aint her first rodeo. Her background in film is obvious. Cinematic landscapes form from scintillating depictions - she seems to be able to summon just the right image; characters are brought to life not just in their descriptions but in what they say and how they say it. I love the way we're given ongoing tutelage in how they speak. It's as if the author wants us to know - really KNOW - her characters and settings (as if one truly speaks to the other). This seems to come from a familiarity - and love, perhaps - so deep, it's my impression that some or all of these places have, at some time, been her home.
Max is the young protagonist, ingenue, hapless hero. Spotted as a potental occultist savant, he becomes groomed by the seemingly well-meaning local postmaster, but we soon come to realise that from the moment Max meets him, his life was never going to be truly his own.
Which does have issues for the reader...
For much of the time Max is reactive: in Selleford, the very loooooong stay in Steppeland, followed by another period of assimilation in New York. (Why can I not get the structure of Tess of the D'Urbeville's out of my mind, lol!?) A reader might flag were it not for the monsters. The Moorlander (ouch!), Tom Howland, Mr. Splitfoot (there's gotta be another book, right?), the sisters. Oh, and Max's tamkarra...
...that allows him to access the Akasha
...from which appears the most astonishing description of an abstract landscape I have ever read. The ending is simply superlative (not the last chapter where the ends are tied up) but in everything that led up to THAT KISS.
Enough! Just buy it. But not if you're looking for a quick read, or an easy read. The scope is too vast and the writing too brilliant.
September 24, 2022
La reseña completa en https://inthenevernever.blogspot.com/...
«Para los que quieren entender, no hay secretos. Para los que no pueden entender, el mundo no está hecho de otra cosa».
¿Cómo se transformaría tu vida si en el trabajo temporal que acabas de empezar descubres que el mundo esconde misterios que no puedes ni imaginar? ¿Qué pasaría si asistieras (casi por error) a una sesión de espiritismo y presenciaras parte de esos secretos? ¿Qué ocurriría si te quedaras inmerso en una guerra entre dos facciones de ocultistas? Hoy quiero hablarles de Los ocultistas, de Polly Schattel, una fascinante novela de fantasía histórica en la que la magia está llena de secretos y peligros que podrían hacer colapsar el orden mundial.
«Para los que quieren entender, no hay secretos. Para los que no pueden entender, el mundo no está hecho de otra cosa».
¿Cómo se transformaría tu vida si en el trabajo temporal que acabas de empezar descubres que el mundo esconde misterios que no puedes ni imaginar? ¿Qué pasaría si asistieras (casi por error) a una sesión de espiritismo y presenciaras parte de esos secretos? ¿Qué ocurriría si te quedaras inmerso en una guerra entre dos facciones de ocultistas? Hoy quiero hablarles de Los ocultistas, de Polly Schattel, una fascinante novela de fantasía histórica en la que la magia está llena de secretos y peligros que podrían hacer colapsar el orden mundial.
July 28, 2022
Superb debut novel
Exceptionally well written, this novel of Max, a boy in Georgia who, despite his overbearing abusive father, takes a job helping the local postmaster. From that simple beginning flows a story that combines historical accuracy, knowledgeable esoterica, and experiences from pre-Lovecraft cosmic horror. We learn of warring factions of hidden occultists, who study and exploit Magick. One group hopes to elevate and help all of mankind, the other group naturally focuses on power. And there is Max, feeling lost, inadequate, but caught amidst world shattering events. This is a compelling and remarkable novel both immensely entertaining and of serious theme and intent. Strongly recommended./Gene Stewart
Exceptionally well written, this novel of Max, a boy in Georgia who, despite his overbearing abusive father, takes a job helping the local postmaster. From that simple beginning flows a story that combines historical accuracy, knowledgeable esoterica, and experiences from pre-Lovecraft cosmic horror. We learn of warring factions of hidden occultists, who study and exploit Magick. One group hopes to elevate and help all of mankind, the other group naturally focuses on power. And there is Max, feeling lost, inadequate, but caught amidst world shattering events. This is a compelling and remarkable novel both immensely entertaining and of serious theme and intent. Strongly recommended./Gene Stewart
July 28, 2022
I felt the background of the book was original, and this was refreshing. I will read more of Polly Schattel's books. There were many twists and turns. Rarely do I read a book where I do not feel how it will end.
September 28, 2024
Eerie and fascinating
The images in this book overwhelm terror and art and beauty. The characters weave in and out through magic and sorrow and danger. It all transported me to strange realms from its firm grounding in the mundane world we live in. Highly recommended.
The images in this book overwhelm terror and art and beauty. The characters weave in and out through magic and sorrow and danger. It all transported me to strange realms from its firm grounding in the mundane world we live in. Highly recommended.
November 14, 2022
Have you ever lusted after a book? I mean 𝖑𝖚𝖘𝖙𝖊𝖉?
The Occultists by Polly Schattel was that way for me. I saw the cover for this book what feels like years upon dusty years ago. It was lust at first sight. I kept it on my shelf for some time, savoring the excitement and anticipation of what was sure to be a book soulmate.
At page 153 I felt that sick twist of rising disappointment, sharp like bile. I even thought, ‘should I DNF?’ …
The Occultists follows the journey of Max into a wild rabbit’s hole of spiritualism and magic… full of body horror, spirits and succubi. After the murder of his abusive stepfather throws suspicion Max’s way, he takes an escape route via an occult academy. Who can Max trust? Will Max ever be able to take command over his abilities to save the ones he loves?
I can’t say… shhhhhh (the amount of times the MC was told “shhhhh it’s a secret!”)!
The beginning of this story was promising and quickly paced. Schattel’s writing is well researched and dynamic but it fell apart for me once Max arrives at the academy and beyond. Characters float in and out and take the plot with them. I barely scratched my way through to the last page. At 330 pages it felt like 500.
Disappointed doesn’t even hold a candle to how I feel!
A 【2／５】★ read.
The Occultists by Polly Schattel was that way for me. I saw the cover for this book what feels like years upon dusty years ago. It was lust at first sight. I kept it on my shelf for some time, savoring the excitement and anticipation of what was sure to be a book soulmate.
At page 153 I felt that sick twist of rising disappointment, sharp like bile. I even thought, ‘should I DNF?’ …
The Occultists follows the journey of Max into a wild rabbit’s hole of spiritualism and magic… full of body horror, spirits and succubi. After the murder of his abusive stepfather throws suspicion Max’s way, he takes an escape route via an occult academy. Who can Max trust? Will Max ever be able to take command over his abilities to save the ones he loves?
I can’t say… shhhhhh (the amount of times the MC was told “shhhhh it’s a secret!”)!
The beginning of this story was promising and quickly paced. Schattel’s writing is well researched and dynamic but it fell apart for me once Max arrives at the academy and beyond. Characters float in and out and take the plot with them. I barely scratched my way through to the last page. At 330 pages it felt like 500.
Disappointed doesn’t even hold a candle to how I feel!
A 【2／５】★ read.
January 27, 2022
This dark historical fantasy begins in the early years of the 20th century, when automobiles and horse-drawn vehicles shared the streets, and when drinking water with radium in it was supposed to be good for one's health. (Spoiler: It wasn't)
Electric lights and telephones are new marvels, but despite all the modern innovations something ancient survives, hidden from all but a select few. Max Grahame, the young hero, discovers he has the power to do incredible things.
Meticulously researched and beautifully written, I highly recommend The Occultists.
Electric lights and telephones are new marvels, but despite all the modern innovations something ancient survives, hidden from all but a select few. Max Grahame, the young hero, discovers he has the power to do incredible things.
Meticulously researched and beautifully written, I highly recommend The Occultists.
March 8, 2023
So, this is a difficult review for me. I think Polly is a fantastic writer. The world and characters come to life in this book in a way I envy. However, I can't actually say that I enjoyed the book. The settings and tone I found oppressive and I was glad to get out of that world. I even had to take a break from it and read something else before finishing it. I feel compelled to write this review because I do believe there is an audience that will really enjoy "The Occultists", I'm just not one of them. Polly's writing is so good, I'd hate for it to go unnoticed and unappreciated.
August 13, 2020
A wonderful mix of historical fantasy and horror. It reminded me of "A Boy's Life," by Robert McMammon and also "Shadowland" by Peter Straub, due to how it's as much fantasy as it is horror. A coming of age story about a young boy who is thrust into a terrifying world he can't understand. I felt like I knew these characters. Not a lot of gore, but definitely some horror and violence. Mostly just a well-written story about somebody I found real sympathy for. Loved it.
April 8, 2023
LOS OCULTISTAS
Una novela compleja y simple a la ves, como son los cosas esotéricas.!!
Silencio
Para los espiritistas místicos e ilusionistas de la era eduardiana el silencio es más que una simple estrategia es un modo de vida.
Max Grahame es un adolescente al que no le gusta su vida; su padrastro le trata con desprecio, su madre está gravemente enferma y él lucha de forma incansable por encontrar su lugar en el mundo.
Consigue un empleo en la oficina postal y, lo que parece un trabajo inocente gracias al cual pasar menos tiempo en su casa, alejándose así de los malos tratos de su padrastro, se transformará en una verdadera revelación cuando descubra que la oficina de correos es más de lo que aparenta, y que existe un mundo secreto regido por poderes ocultos y misteriosos que no hacen sino evidenciar que la realidad no es tal y como sus ojos le dicen que es.
Emocionado por su descubrimiento, Max no es consciente de que está a punto de caer en una espiral de intrigas, planes diabólicos, sesiones de espiritismo y juegos sobrenaturales, que lo llevarán a verse atrapado en medio de una batalla mortal entre dos antiguas facciones ocultistas.
Una historia que estructuralmente es compleja por los temas que aborda: esoterismo, sociedades secretas, alta magia, registros akáshicos, el éter, telequinesis, adivinación, viajes astrales, y un sinfín de cuestiones que envuelven los estudios Ocultistas.
El autor se adentra a estos temas de modo sencillo, pero dejando durante su narrativa atisbos de como se revelan cada uno de ellos, así como su estudio, dejando en evidencia como se han consolidado las sociedades secretas, como se han infiltrado en la grandes esferas desde tiempos inmemoriales, pues la historia se sitúa en el año de 1904, en adelante, contando como estás sociedades oscuras reclutan a sus seguidores y más importante, como preparan a sus estudiantes en todas esas artes esotéricas, pues serán estos últimos quienes al tener facultades especiales son acaparados por sus reclutadores quienes reconocen sus habilidades, y los introducen a ese mundo desconocido de magia oscura y esoterismo, pues la novela va de eso, pues cuenta las vicisitudes por las que pasa Max en su adolescencia, su reclutamiento, entrenamiento, desarrollo y experticia en esas artes, dándose cuenta que ese conocimiento místico es usado por hombres mal intencionados para acumular poder y hacerse del control mundial.
Contada cómo ser dijo, de manera sencilla, tu como lector te ves envuelto en una pugna entre sociedades secretas, mientras que unas desean el secretismo, y que ese conocimiento no se conozca por la gente en general, otras pugnan porque ese conocimiento se sepa abiertamente pues consideran que es de todo el mundo, no de unos cuántos.
Encontraremos que hay entidades fuera de este mundo, de las cuales se sabe muy poco, se desconoce su origen o cuál es su fin o motivo de existir, entidades demoníacas que a través de hechizos pueden ser controladas y que hacen daño al ser humano si sus controladores así lo desea.Asi, en la trama encontramos a dos entidades de ese calibre, pero sobre todo una de ellas, nuestra escritora liga a nuestro protagonista de una manera al más puro estilo esotérico: con un pacto, el cual, si se atreven a leerlo lo descubrirán.
Máx se verá orillado a tomar una decisión: decidir a cual bando pertenecer; tomará acciones si quiere sobrevivir al ataque de la sociedad contraria a la suya, pasando por pruebas muy duras que templaran su carácter a fuego, haciendo lo necesario para sobrevivir.
En lo personal, la novela pudo ser mejor explotada, pues su autora tocó un tema que da para muchas cosas, y dónde el escritor puede explayarse libremente, pues para un servidor el hilo conductor que utilizó permitía agrandar su historia sin ningún problema y el lector estaría más que satisfecho de que asi fuera, pues incluso su prosa permitía que en ningún momento decayera la intensidad de su eventos.
Con unas cierta similitud a la novela "El Instituto" de Stephen King, nuestra escritura también se ocupa de la interrelación de los adolescentes con dones especiales ya reclutados, surgiendo en ellos una relación de camaradería, amor y amistad, solo que en este caso el aura que los envuelve es mucho más siniestra y oscura que la novela de King, por mucho, haciendo que está novela se vea como una novela de"Adultos".
Mencion especial merece el hecho de que la escritura Polly Schattel pertenece a la comunidad LGBTQ pues es una persona Trans, que a raíz de su cambio se interesó por esos temas de ocultismo. A lo largo de la narración vernos que está impresa su admiración a los grandes autores del terror, pues sus personajes llevan los apellidos de estos escritores de antaño, como Blackwood, Machen, Howard, etc etc.
Con un final que podríamos esperar, pero sin saber concretamente cómo ocurrirá, satisface sin más al lector, pero para mí, está novela tiene en sus últimos 15 renglones, el final más conmovedor que he leído en una novela de terror, el cual no puedo revelarles, pero que les invito a descubrir.
En fin, una trama espesa, oscura, siniestra, pero a la vez conmovedora, intrépida, atrevida y esperanzadora, la cuál recomiendo para los amantes de este tipo de temas.
Título LOS OCULTISTAS
Autor: Polly Schattel
Editorial: Dilatando Mentes
Primera Ed 2020
Páginas: 451
Pasta blanda con solapa
#pollyschattel
#losocultistas
#dilatandomenteseditorial
#ocultismo
#librosdeterror
Una novela compleja y simple a la ves, como son los cosas esotéricas.!!
Silencio
Para los espiritistas místicos e ilusionistas de la era eduardiana el silencio es más que una simple estrategia es un modo de vida.
Max Grahame es un adolescente al que no le gusta su vida; su padrastro le trata con desprecio, su madre está gravemente enferma y él lucha de forma incansable por encontrar su lugar en el mundo.
Consigue un empleo en la oficina postal y, lo que parece un trabajo inocente gracias al cual pasar menos tiempo en su casa, alejándose así de los malos tratos de su padrastro, se transformará en una verdadera revelación cuando descubra que la oficina de correos es más de lo que aparenta, y que existe un mundo secreto regido por poderes ocultos y misteriosos que no hacen sino evidenciar que la realidad no es tal y como sus ojos le dicen que es.
Emocionado por su descubrimiento, Max no es consciente de que está a punto de caer en una espiral de intrigas, planes diabólicos, sesiones de espiritismo y juegos sobrenaturales, que lo llevarán a verse atrapado en medio de una batalla mortal entre dos antiguas facciones ocultistas.
Una historia que estructuralmente es compleja por los temas que aborda: esoterismo, sociedades secretas, alta magia, registros akáshicos, el éter, telequinesis, adivinación, viajes astrales, y un sinfín de cuestiones que envuelven los estudios Ocultistas.
El autor se adentra a estos temas de modo sencillo, pero dejando durante su narrativa atisbos de como se revelan cada uno de ellos, así como su estudio, dejando en evidencia como se han consolidado las sociedades secretas, como se han infiltrado en la grandes esferas desde tiempos inmemoriales, pues la historia se sitúa en el año de 1904, en adelante, contando como estás sociedades oscuras reclutan a sus seguidores y más importante, como preparan a sus estudiantes en todas esas artes esotéricas, pues serán estos últimos quienes al tener facultades especiales son acaparados por sus reclutadores quienes reconocen sus habilidades, y los introducen a ese mundo desconocido de magia oscura y esoterismo, pues la novela va de eso, pues cuenta las vicisitudes por las que pasa Max en su adolescencia, su reclutamiento, entrenamiento, desarrollo y experticia en esas artes, dándose cuenta que ese conocimiento místico es usado por hombres mal intencionados para acumular poder y hacerse del control mundial.
Contada cómo ser dijo, de manera sencilla, tu como lector te ves envuelto en una pugna entre sociedades secretas, mientras que unas desean el secretismo, y que ese conocimiento no se conozca por la gente en general, otras pugnan porque ese conocimiento se sepa abiertamente pues consideran que es de todo el mundo, no de unos cuántos.
Encontraremos que hay entidades fuera de este mundo, de las cuales se sabe muy poco, se desconoce su origen o cuál es su fin o motivo de existir, entidades demoníacas que a través de hechizos pueden ser controladas y que hacen daño al ser humano si sus controladores así lo desea.Asi, en la trama encontramos a dos entidades de ese calibre, pero sobre todo una de ellas, nuestra escritora liga a nuestro protagonista de una manera al más puro estilo esotérico: con un pacto, el cual, si se atreven a leerlo lo descubrirán.
Máx se verá orillado a tomar una decisión: decidir a cual bando pertenecer; tomará acciones si quiere sobrevivir al ataque de la sociedad contraria a la suya, pasando por pruebas muy duras que templaran su carácter a fuego, haciendo lo necesario para sobrevivir.
En lo personal, la novela pudo ser mejor explotada, pues su autora tocó un tema que da para muchas cosas, y dónde el escritor puede explayarse libremente, pues para un servidor el hilo conductor que utilizó permitía agrandar su historia sin ningún problema y el lector estaría más que satisfecho de que asi fuera, pues incluso su prosa permitía que en ningún momento decayera la intensidad de su eventos.
Con unas cierta similitud a la novela "El Instituto" de Stephen King, nuestra escritura también se ocupa de la interrelación de los adolescentes con dones especiales ya reclutados, surgiendo en ellos una relación de camaradería, amor y amistad, solo que en este caso el aura que los envuelve es mucho más siniestra y oscura que la novela de King, por mucho, haciendo que está novela se vea como una novela de"Adultos".
Mencion especial merece el hecho de que la escritura Polly Schattel pertenece a la comunidad LGBTQ pues es una persona Trans, que a raíz de su cambio se interesó por esos temas de ocultismo. A lo largo de la narración vernos que está impresa su admiración a los grandes autores del terror, pues sus personajes llevan los apellidos de estos escritores de antaño, como Blackwood, Machen, Howard, etc etc.
Con un final que podríamos esperar, pero sin saber concretamente cómo ocurrirá, satisface sin más al lector, pero para mí, está novela tiene en sus últimos 15 renglones, el final más conmovedor que he leído en una novela de terror, el cual no puedo revelarles, pero que les invito a descubrir.
En fin, una trama espesa, oscura, siniestra, pero a la vez conmovedora, intrépida, atrevida y esperanzadora, la cuál recomiendo para los amantes de este tipo de temas.
Título LOS OCULTISTAS
Autor: Polly Schattel
Editorial: Dilatando Mentes
Primera Ed 2020
Páginas: 451
Pasta blanda con solapa
#pollyschattel
#losocultistas
#dilatandomenteseditorial
#ocultismo
#librosdeterror
January 22, 2023
10 shiny stars if I could. One of the more excellent reads for me in a long while.
January 2, 2026
This is by far one of the most interesting horror novels I've ever read. It took me ages, but I think the amount of time I spent in this story only added to my investment and curiosity about where it would lead. I understand why other reviewers want to discuss in a book club - I'd love to hear how others would unpack this; I'd love to hear the theories.
Lonely teen Max Grahame forms a plan to escape his circumstances, made dire by a bully of a stepfather and a very ill mother. He takes a job at his small town's postmaster's office, only to discover that the postmaster has a peculiar and secret interest - magic. As Max learns more about his employer's occult beliefs and practices, his world widens, his talent takes off, and he becomes aware of his unintentional role in a conflict between two factions - dangerous, and global - cosmic, even - in scale.
Heaps of praise around the author's research is well deserved. This truly reads like a slice of history with real events and elements sprinkled in. Max's journey is also, I would say, impeccably designed. It's an almost perfect full circle novel, with several seemingly random loose threads woven back into the fabric beautifully before the end. That care and deliberation (which is also apparent in the writing itself) is what earns 4 stars from me.
My quibbles: Max sometimes read his age but often felt much younger to me. Pacing - as others have noted, the story really, really dragged toward the end. The figurative language was a bit much - maybe slightly overwrought - at times. I didn't always enjoy the way female characters - their bodies, their breath, their physicality - were described. And much of this story felt a little bit unknowable, or untouchable, or inaccessible, to me.
But honestly: no regrets. This is a hidden gem, very unique, and very creative. Not a consistent page turner, but worthy of your concentration and commitment. The moments of horror will stick with you.
For more: Vita Nostra, A Dark Song (film), The Illusionist (film).
Blog | Instagram
Lonely teen Max Grahame forms a plan to escape his circumstances, made dire by a bully of a stepfather and a very ill mother. He takes a job at his small town's postmaster's office, only to discover that the postmaster has a peculiar and secret interest - magic. As Max learns more about his employer's occult beliefs and practices, his world widens, his talent takes off, and he becomes aware of his unintentional role in a conflict between two factions - dangerous, and global - cosmic, even - in scale.
Heaps of praise around the author's research is well deserved. This truly reads like a slice of history with real events and elements sprinkled in. Max's journey is also, I would say, impeccably designed. It's an almost perfect full circle novel, with several seemingly random loose threads woven back into the fabric beautifully before the end. That care and deliberation (which is also apparent in the writing itself) is what earns 4 stars from me.
My quibbles: Max sometimes read his age but often felt much younger to me. Pacing - as others have noted, the story really, really dragged toward the end. The figurative language was a bit much - maybe slightly overwrought - at times. I didn't always enjoy the way female characters - their bodies, their breath, their physicality - were described. And much of this story felt a little bit unknowable, or untouchable, or inaccessible, to me.
But honestly: no regrets. This is a hidden gem, very unique, and very creative. Not a consistent page turner, but worthy of your concentration and commitment. The moments of horror will stick with you.
For more: Vita Nostra, A Dark Song (film), The Illusionist (film).
Blog | Instagram
July 31, 2022
Starts as a timid book on a cult in the early 20th century, ends up being a Marvel-ish style comic.
I thought it was a book about cults doing Occultism and it just felt as an alternate take on Doctor Strange.
Which is not a bad thing but also not a horror novel, which was the main reason for reading and hence the 3 stars.
*What I liked:*
> Good interesting story with nice characters
> Prose is basic and it works in this novel
> The plot escalates and you ride along in a natural way
*What wasn't liked:*
> The Sci-fi element, magic in this case, felt just too "convenient" at parts
> Some descriptions weren't that explanatory, specially the sci-fi elements. The writing lacked a bit in some parts
> Although i found the story interesting, it wasn't just enough to really keep me entertained and wanting to turn the page fast. The overall concept of the story has huge potential and is written in a way that you can imagine a movie or a series, but the writing or the nitty gritty wasn't that compelling and sometimes believable.
So that's why it was only 3 stars for me, but it was interesting enough to want to read the next book by Polly Schattel.
I thought it was a book about cults doing Occultism and it just felt as an alternate take on Doctor Strange.
Which is not a bad thing but also not a horror novel, which was the main reason for reading and hence the 3 stars.
*What I liked:*
> Good interesting story with nice characters
> Prose is basic and it works in this novel
> The plot escalates and you ride along in a natural way
*What wasn't liked:*
> The Sci-fi element, magic in this case, felt just too "convenient" at parts
> Some descriptions weren't that explanatory, specially the sci-fi elements. The writing lacked a bit in some parts
> Although i found the story interesting, it wasn't just enough to really keep me entertained and wanting to turn the page fast. The overall concept of the story has huge potential and is written in a way that you can imagine a movie or a series, but the writing or the nitty gritty wasn't that compelling and sometimes believable.
So that's why it was only 3 stars for me, but it was interesting enough to want to read the next book by Polly Schattel.
June 30, 2021
I was immediately drawn to the title of this book as I am obsessed with all things occult. You can just picture people around a table trying to summon the dead through a séance. The Occultists delivers on all that and more!
As I was reading, I felt like this could be the beginning book in a very popular series. Hopefully the author is with me on that! This is her first book after making several films. Schattel said that she got tired of trying to get funding for movies and she could just write the stories she wanted to tell.
Max Grahame is a teen struggling to find his place in the world. His stepfather is abusive and wants him to follow in the family business. His mother is gravely ill and unable to stop her husband from hurting Max. Once Max gets a job at the local post office, things begin to change. The postmaster, Peter Slyvester, introduces Max to the occult. Through books and meetings, Max discovers that there is more to the post office than one might think.
After the violent death of his stepfather, Max must flee his home before the cops arrest him for the murder. Slyvester sends him to a school for gifted teens. These students are able to read minds, levitate objects and astral traveling. Is Max gifted? As Max learns from the other kids, he begins to question who he can trust. Like most books involving young people and a “magical” school, Max has a grand destiny that he cannot fail at. No one is on his side and he must fight off everyone to save the world as we know it.
If you liked the Miss Peregrine’s book series, I recommend The Occultists. It is more grown up and can be gory at times. I give it 4 stars!
Check out this review and more at https://www.horrorbound.net/blog/2021...
As I was reading, I felt like this could be the beginning book in a very popular series. Hopefully the author is with me on that! This is her first book after making several films. Schattel said that she got tired of trying to get funding for movies and she could just write the stories she wanted to tell.
Max Grahame is a teen struggling to find his place in the world. His stepfather is abusive and wants him to follow in the family business. His mother is gravely ill and unable to stop her husband from hurting Max. Once Max gets a job at the local post office, things begin to change. The postmaster, Peter Slyvester, introduces Max to the occult. Through books and meetings, Max discovers that there is more to the post office than one might think.
After the violent death of his stepfather, Max must flee his home before the cops arrest him for the murder. Slyvester sends him to a school for gifted teens. These students are able to read minds, levitate objects and astral traveling. Is Max gifted? As Max learns from the other kids, he begins to question who he can trust. Like most books involving young people and a “magical” school, Max has a grand destiny that he cannot fail at. No one is on his side and he must fight off everyone to save the world as we know it.
If you liked the Miss Peregrine’s book series, I recommend The Occultists. It is more grown up and can be gory at times. I give it 4 stars!
Check out this review and more at https://www.horrorbound.net/blog/2021...
August 11, 2021
What a fabulous novel. While it reads fairly simply, almost like a YA book, the ideas are complex and the characters have stuck with me. Schattel ably tells the story of Max, an early-1900's teen who is thrust into a world he doesn't understand, and which grows darker and darker as the pages turn. It's not a short book, but one that takes its time. There is horror, fantasy, urban fantasy, and historical fantasy all buried in here, and Schattel switches back and forth with deft sure-footedness. The ending was truly memorable, maybe even "quantum" in its themes, and I loved it so much my real wish is that this is the first part of a series, not a standalone novel. Highly recommended!
August 31, 2022
This is a well-written tale of a spiritually-gifted boy named Max growing into his powers and encountering the spiritualist and occult underworld of the early 20th century, a time of seances, communication with spirits, and other paranormal activity that drew the curious public. The characters are well-defined and fleshed out, and the backgrounds are rich, detailed, and well-researched by the author. The conflicts established that drive the storyline are powerful and compelling. This is an intelligent if unusual story, kind of a psychic coming of age theme set in a historical background. It's rare, spooky storytelling with a college education that I found enjoyable and offbeat...
July 22, 2021
This book is about occultism and magic, a fantasy genre.
It was an interesting story, and although I enjoy this type of stories I had a difficult time reading this book.
The storyline was so convoluted that I found myself getting tired and losing interest.
Notwithstanding the difficulty of the story, I manage to finish the book.
It was an interesting story, and although I enjoy this type of stories I had a difficult time reading this book.
The storyline was so convoluted that I found myself getting tired and losing interest.
Notwithstanding the difficulty of the story, I manage to finish the book.
August 3, 2025
The underlying story is good. Just feel like it could have been about 100 pages less. Lots of slow parts. I really had to push myself to finish. And yet we never find out what was wanted from Max from Mr splitfoot…..3/5.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 20, 2021
A very delightful and captivating read about a boy urged into the occult and finding himself amidst its secret battlefields during the early 20th century.
October 23, 2022
Yikes and ooph but in a good way
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews