The first book in a duology chronicles the misadventures of an apostate interstellar traveler searching for meaning. The traveler inadvertently uncovers the fall and subsequent rise of a being of pragmatic villainy that now threatens the entire universe's existence.
David (Davo) G. Hernández is a fantasy and Lovecraftian horror writer passionate about crafting compelling stories. Born and raised in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, Davo discovered that writing was his calling early on in college, and he has pursued it since with relentless dedication. Davo began honing his craft, working on comic anthologies for independent publications. Soon, he succeeded with his debut novel, Malefactor: The First of the Fallen, which was praised for its larger-than-life characters and gripping plot. Davo remains committed to improving his craft. He often learns newer writing techniques by attending workshops and conferences and collaborating with other writers and artists. When not writing, Davo enjoys acting and sketching new characters. As an author, I have worked diligently to craft a narrative that combines elements of fantasy, philosophy, and myth to create a thought-provoking and immersive reading experience.
It’s not every day I come across a concept in a book that I’ve never seen anything like, yet here we are, reading Outlanders: Malefactor, the First of the Fallen. Rather than a graphic novel, this is a novel that has sections that are in fact comic books. Not only that, you have a main storyline, and in quite meta fashion, a story within the story, talking about the first story, but still being a part of it…virtually. That’s why I mentioned Nietzsche in the description. There are parts in this book that are heavy, not because of themes covered, but because language and scope are quite galactic. That my explanation for the Silver Surfer part of the description. That said, the first half of this book is extremely solid, with a blip here or there regarding grammar, though nothing that takes me out of the story. The second half is a bit of a different story. I found several instances where I had to reread something because verb tenses kept switching and it did make it challenging to stay within the story. That said, this is a book where the concept, and several aspects of the execution outshine any flaw you may find. I found Hernández’s approach unique, refreshing, and challenging. Trust me, you’ll see plenty of Merriam Webster dictionary worthy words and they’re intentional when you see the characters how they are, what they represent, and how they reflect reality. It’s definitely an ambitious project and I can wait to read the second book to see what happens with The Traveler and all the other characters we come across as we try to make sense of this madness we call reality.
Malefactor: First of the Fallen is unlike anything I’ve read. From the opening pages, you’re dropped into a universe teetering between Chaos and Order, where the Traveler’s journey becomes a mirror for our own search for truth, power, and purpose. David G. Hernandez doesn’t just write a story; he constructs a philosophical labyrinth wrapped in cosmic horror and mythological grandeur.
Malefactor himself is terrifying and magnetic, a being whose intellect and cruelty ripple across realities. The prose is rich, sometimes dense, but always intentional, like scripture from a forgotten pantheon. I found myself rereading passages not because they were unclear, but because they were too clear, too resonant to absorb in one go.
This is a book that challenges you. It doesn’t hand over answers; it dares you to ask better questions. And beneath the metaphysical weight, there’s a beating heart: a story about identity, consequence, and the fragile architecture of belief.
Highly recommended for readers who crave depth, dread, and the kind of fiction that lingers long after the last page.
Never have I read a book that grasps my attention and intrigue since the first page quite like this book. Deep, awe inspiring, a little humorous, memorable characters. The story becomes reality in ways that will keep you entranced. I was hooked since the beginning and can't wait for more.
A smart read, with beautifully written words and fantastical turns. Starting in the vast darkness surrounding it all, we follow this seemingly lost traveler in to lining up the pathway for new adventures, to solve as much of himself as the very apparent fate of all. While taking some dives in to the philosophies of existence, the author presents us some antagonists of uncanny proportions, very much like the respectable (oh, you better), irresistible, Malefactor.
Great story! Excellent plot for a game adventure idea. Follow the Traveler in his quest to discover the identity of Malefactor. Love the the story. Love the book design. Can't wait for the next one.
"Outlanders: Malefactor, The First Of The Fallen" penned by the author David G Hernandez is an interesting story to read. Story features Malefactor, patron saint of ungodly deeds. He is the cryptic narrator, a voice that interrupts Traveler's journey. A Traveler is searching for the truth behind the origin of the Known Universe. Traveler thinks that generations will come and go but only three things shall remain—the Universe, the balance and him. He even asked the mysterious voice to reveal itself.
The voice that was haunting the traveler was referred to as Ghost. To give a warning to this voice, traveler's inner core radiated a bountiful amount of energy. The voice tells traveler that "The Caelestis are remarkable creatures and quite resourceful too. When time will come, Caelestis will find the traveler themselves". But the traveler stays arrogant about it and he ignored the mysterious voice. Grab a copy of this book to know what fate is written for the traveler.
Language used in the book is little complex in the beginning so readers might have to re-read few sentences to understand them. But as the novel picked pace, it simplified and I found it intriguing. Cover photo of the book is nice with a suitable title. Author's writing style is different. Mysterious voice definitely caught my attention. The storyline is different and I like to strongly recommend it to my fellow readers.
My Review: Outlanders: Malefactor, The First Of The Fallen by David G Hernandez is a must read story. It's a refreshing story and after a long time I have come across some interesting story. A single traveler in quest for knowledge about the Known Universe is looking for the truth. Suddenly, he stopped because of the gravelly voice that echoed around him. As the mysterious voice started to enlighten the traveler on "HOW EVERYTHING CAME TO BE", traveler didn't believe in what was told to him. Even though, voice told traveler that Caelestis will come when the time is right.
But traveler believes that he and others are the truthful guardians of the Universe. The story is gripping making it an unputdownable book. Narration is so strong and smooth. While reading this book, I felt like I am hearing the mysterious voice in my own head. Author's narrative will capture all your attention and you won't feel bored anytime while reading this. Language used in the book has good vocabulary and readers may often need to refer dictionary too. But this kind of novel helps you in building your vocabulary. Overall, plot is so strong and I am excited to know the further story in part 2.
𝑻𝒊𝒕𝒍𝒆: Outlanders: Malefactor 𝑨𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓: David G. Hernandez
𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘: Outlanders: Malefactor, The First Of The Fallen written by the author David G Hernandez is a riveting tale that will keep you on the edge of your seat until you finish it. The patron saint of ungodly deeds is the Malefactor.
It encountered a Traveler who had faced life-altering, concurrent events in his life in such a short amount of time. In pursuit of truth, Traveler has even journeyed across Cosmos. A mysterious voice from the shadows warned the Traveler that his arrogance can lead him to an unwanted bad fate. But in his arrogance, Traveler wasn't ready to accept the truth that Malefactor was telling him.
Unveil yourself what will happen next in the story. What truth Traveler will reach ultimately? This is a fast paced story which kept me hooked till the last page. Length of the book is 198 pages so one could read it in 2-3 sittings. The way author has presented this book in white and black background is unique and impressive. I liked the ending of the story and is really looking forward to read next novel by the author.