What do you think?
Rate this book
The Oculus Gate #2
Invading Hell
The enemy must be faced...even in the pit of hell.
The fake angels have been vanquished, but the devastation they caused remains--a world in fear of anarchy and a deadly contagion that might soon sweep across every continent. The angels also opened the Oculus Gate, allowing entry of a new breed of aliens. These "Refectors" are taking over human bodies that were purged of their souls by the angels' toxic vaccine.
Ben Garrison's highly skilled team, with the recent addition of Leo the huntsman and Iona, a sharpshooting teenager, must figure out why these possessed humans are traveling to remote locations near the Arctic Circle. Satellite images indicating the presence of yet another alien race make the team's quest to Alaska and Siberia to learn the truth even more dangerous.
A message from Ben's departed commander provides a cryptic clue to the existence of the root of all the alien evils, a self-styled sorceress who seems able to calculate every move her opponents make.
Ben and company must invade hell itself to find this ancient evil and conquer her in hopes of ending the plagues on mankind once and for all.
The fake angels have been vanquished, but the devastation they caused remains--a world in fear of anarchy and a deadly contagion that might soon sweep across every continent. The angels also opened the Oculus Gate, allowing entry of a new breed of aliens. These "Refectors" are taking over human bodies that were purged of their souls by the angels' toxic vaccine.
Ben Garrison's highly skilled team, with the recent addition of Leo the huntsman and Iona, a sharpshooting teenager, must figure out why these possessed humans are traveling to remote locations near the Arctic Circle. Satellite images indicating the presence of yet another alien race make the team's quest to Alaska and Siberia to learn the truth even more dangerous.
A message from Ben's departed commander provides a cryptic clue to the existence of the root of all the alien evils, a self-styled sorceress who seems able to calculate every move her opponents make.
Ben and company must invade hell itself to find this ancient evil and conquer her in hopes of ending the plagues on mankind once and for all.
- GenresDystopia
316 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2021
8 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
About the author
Bryan Davis
98 books983 followersBryan Davis is the author several speculative-fiction series, including Dragons in Our Midst, Oracles of Fire, Children of the Bard, Dragons of Camelot, The Reapers Trilogy, The Time Echoes Trilogy, Tales of Starlight, Dragons of Starlight, the Oculus Gate, Not So Famous Dog Tales, Astral Alliance, and Wanted: Superheroes.
Bryan and his wife, Susie, have homeschooled their four girls and three boys.
Bryan was born in 1958 and grew up in the eastern U.S. From the time he taught himself how to read before school age, through his seminary years and beyond, he has demonstrated a passion for the written word, reading and writing in many disciplines and genres, including fantasy, theology, fiction, devotionals, poetry, and humor.
Bryan and his wife, Susie, have homeschooled their four girls and three boys.
Bryan was born in 1958 and grew up in the eastern U.S. From the time he taught himself how to read before school age, through his seminary years and beyond, he has demonstrated a passion for the written word, reading and writing in many disciplines and genres, including fantasy, theology, fiction, devotionals, poetry, and humor.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 2, 2021
I was a little concerned going into this book; the first book in the series, Heaven Came Down, was very good, but far from my favorite of Davis's work, and the constant second-guessing of who's an ally and who's an enemy had the result of amplifying, rather than soothing, my weariness of our divided culture.
However, I actually ended up enjoying Invading Hell much more than Heaven Came Down! It feels like one of the classic Davis books, while still being new, unique, and exciting. Our heroes are dealing with a new set of enemies in the wake of the angels' destruction, and they're jumping across realms and worlds in order to do it.
(Side note — should we be concerned about the fact that the Bryan Davis books I really like seem to be the ones where he literally puts them through hell? This, Circles of Seven, The Seventh Door . . . the only exception I can think of is Enoch's Ghost.)
Anyway. I also very much enjoyed the fact that Leo and Iona — my two favorite characters — spent so much time in the spotlight. They both got some nice moments of awesome and some points where we got to see deeper into their character.
I also had fun spotting connections to the Reflection's Edge/Time Echoes series (I read it as Reflection's Edge; still haven't read the new versions) and to the Reapers trilogy. It's nothing that would confuse someone who hasn't read the books; it was more of "Oh, hey! I recognize that thing!"
The last chapter made me internally scream a little. In a good way, though. Not gonna say any more than that, but it's great.
Looking forward to the final book in the trilogy!
However, I actually ended up enjoying Invading Hell much more than Heaven Came Down! It feels like one of the classic Davis books, while still being new, unique, and exciting. Our heroes are dealing with a new set of enemies in the wake of the angels' destruction, and they're jumping across realms and worlds in order to do it.
(Side note — should we be concerned about the fact that the Bryan Davis books I really like seem to be the ones where he literally puts them through hell? This, Circles of Seven, The Seventh Door . . . the only exception I can think of is Enoch's Ghost.)
Anyway. I also very much enjoyed the fact that Leo and Iona — my two favorite characters — spent so much time in the spotlight. They both got some nice moments of awesome and some points where we got to see deeper into their character.
I also had fun spotting connections to the Reflection's Edge/Time Echoes series (I read it as Reflection's Edge; still haven't read the new versions) and to the Reapers trilogy. It's nothing that would confuse someone who hasn't read the books; it was more of "Oh, hey! I recognize that thing!"
The last chapter made me internally scream a little. In a good way, though. Not gonna say any more than that, but it's great.
Looking forward to the final book in the trilogy!
July 17, 2021
Invading Hell, by Bryan Davis - Edited Review
This book is exciting, well written, and thought-provoking.
- The characters were really easy to get attached to, and their character development was great - an improvement on that of book one, in my opinion.
- The ties to the Time Echoes Trilogy and the Reapers Trilogy (both of which take place in the same story world) were fun. This book effectively ties all three trilogies together into on awesome story, while still being standalone. The story can be understood completely without having read Time Echoes or Reapers, though for the ultimate experience, read those two trilogies first.
If you've ever read the Reapers Trilogy, you are sure to remember Alex, who is, in my opinion, the best villain ever created. Her diabolical reappearance in this book is great - and this time, her plans are even smarter and more thrilling than ever before!
- The plot twists were excellent - though maybe a little too unexpected at times.
- The villain was aggravatingly awesome. But no more spoilers on that point.
- The ending was a really good plot twist.
Be forewarned, though. It's a major cliffhanger that will have you dying to read book 3!
This book has characters literally going into hell, which, although I didn't mind when I first read this book, I feel was a bit too edgy. Tbh, I'm not sure if I'll reread this book - though I will be sure to finish the series. This is one of his darkest books.
My biggest problem with this book is that it didn't completely make sense. The villains powers didn't make sense and the solution to the problem was too easy - in a way that didn't completely make sense.
~
Questions of how I would react if "angels" came offering world peace and unity have haunted me since reading these books. How much evil do we accept because it is "Christian", or it seems to have a good purpose, such as peace, or unity?
I read an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for reading.
This book is exciting, well written, and thought-provoking.
- The characters were really easy to get attached to, and their character development was great - an improvement on that of book one, in my opinion.
- The ties to the Time Echoes Trilogy and the Reapers Trilogy (both of which take place in the same story world) were fun. This book effectively ties all three trilogies together into on awesome story, while still being standalone. The story can be understood completely without having read Time Echoes or Reapers, though for the ultimate experience, read those two trilogies first.
If you've ever read the Reapers Trilogy, you are sure to remember Alex, who is, in my opinion, the best villain ever created. Her diabolical reappearance in this book is great - and this time, her plans are even smarter and more thrilling than ever before!
- The plot twists were excellent - though maybe a little too unexpected at times.
- The villain was aggravatingly awesome. But no more spoilers on that point.
- The ending was a really good plot twist.
Be forewarned, though. It's a major cliffhanger that will have you dying to read book 3!
This book has characters literally going into hell, which, although I didn't mind when I first read this book, I feel was a bit too edgy. Tbh, I'm not sure if I'll reread this book - though I will be sure to finish the series. This is one of his darkest books.
My biggest problem with this book is that it didn't completely make sense. The villains powers didn't make sense and the solution to the problem was too easy - in a way that didn't completely make sense.
~
Questions of how I would react if "angels" came offering world peace and unity have haunted me since reading these books. How much evil do we accept because it is "Christian", or it seems to have a good purpose, such as peace, or unity?
I read an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for reading.
May 17, 2021
Invading Hell
The Oculus Gate #2
By Bryan Davis
First off, I have to say don't read this book before reading the first book - Heaven Came Down. You need this backstory to know what is taking place in Invading Hell.
Now onto this book. The fake Angels in Haven Came Down have been defeated and the last remnants are being taken down. But another threat looms the Reflectors and a new character we are early on in the book introduced to - Alexandra. Can I just if you combined the worst Disney villains together you wouldn't even come close to this conniving soulless being. And she has two of our heroes from book 1 in her sights and what she has planned isn't good.
The action is non-stop and the danger surrounding them is tightening its noose. Can they escape the traps being set? Well, I'm not about to give away anything. But this is one series you have to read - it is going to take you to the depths of Hell and leave you wondering if you can escape an eternity of suffering and damnation.
And whatever you do - do not skip to the end as you will ruin everything!!! I will admit I love Byran Davis's work and this newest book is no exception - he keeps the tension strong throughout and the ending was WOW! I can't wait for the next book in this series.
I was provided a complimentary copy with no expectations but to provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.
The Oculus Gate #2
By Bryan Davis
First off, I have to say don't read this book before reading the first book - Heaven Came Down. You need this backstory to know what is taking place in Invading Hell.
Now onto this book. The fake Angels in Haven Came Down have been defeated and the last remnants are being taken down. But another threat looms the Reflectors and a new character we are early on in the book introduced to - Alexandra. Can I just if you combined the worst Disney villains together you wouldn't even come close to this conniving soulless being. And she has two of our heroes from book 1 in her sights and what she has planned isn't good.
The action is non-stop and the danger surrounding them is tightening its noose. Can they escape the traps being set? Well, I'm not about to give away anything. But this is one series you have to read - it is going to take you to the depths of Hell and leave you wondering if you can escape an eternity of suffering and damnation.
And whatever you do - do not skip to the end as you will ruin everything!!! I will admit I love Byran Davis's work and this newest book is no exception - he keeps the tension strong throughout and the ending was WOW! I can't wait for the next book in this series.
I was provided a complimentary copy with no expectations but to provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.
October 6, 2023
*Audiobook review*
Invading Hell is the second book in The Oculus Gate series from Bryan Davis. The first book is Heaven Came Down. Do not read these books out of order. They are very much an interconnected story.
Invading Hell I like a lot of Davis's other series where people jump between worlds and deal with supernatural threats. If you liked Time Echos, Dragons in our Midst, Then you will enjoy this classic Davis adventure where the danger is multiversal and the stakes are eternal.
This book was a never ending thrill ride of suspense and action. So much so that I had to force myself not to listen to it before bed because I knew it would keep me up.
Even though the narrator for this book differed from the first book, it was still an enjoyable experience. This narrator was great in his own right and it sounded like he was trying to give each character a voice similar to the one they had in the first book. Overall, great job picking up the narration, I hope he continues throughout the series.
*I received an Audible review copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own and are left of my own free will.*
Invading Hell is the second book in The Oculus Gate series from Bryan Davis. The first book is Heaven Came Down. Do not read these books out of order. They are very much an interconnected story.
Invading Hell I like a lot of Davis's other series where people jump between worlds and deal with supernatural threats. If you liked Time Echos, Dragons in our Midst, Then you will enjoy this classic Davis adventure where the danger is multiversal and the stakes are eternal.
This book was a never ending thrill ride of suspense and action. So much so that I had to force myself not to listen to it before bed because I knew it would keep me up.
Even though the narrator for this book differed from the first book, it was still an enjoyable experience. This narrator was great in his own right and it sounded like he was trying to give each character a voice similar to the one they had in the first book. Overall, great job picking up the narration, I hope he continues throughout the series.
*I received an Audible review copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own and are left of my own free will.*
Read
April 26, 2021If you haven't read this yet, I would definitely recommend reading it. Of course you should definitely read the first book in the series, Heaven came down, first :) This is one of the most engaging and fun stories i've read in a while. This book is awesome!
July 14, 2022
Hidden Enemies
The false angels have been destroyed-but greater dangers lurk. As usual, Bryan Davis' plot arcs get a little more complex as the series goes along. His characters are well thought out and likeable.
The false angels have been destroyed-but greater dangers lurk. As usual, Bryan Davis' plot arcs get a little more complex as the series goes along. His characters are well thought out and likeable.
April 23, 2025
Twists and turns, and quiet literally death. Who will survive the battle this time around?
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews