Ungodly

by Braedon Riddick

Wicked phenomena strike the isolated campus of Calisade Mountain College. A homeless man sees his dead son in an abandoned dormitory, pursues the boy inside, and meets his demise. In the dark of night, a student witnesses a man plummet from a high-rise — a surefire suicide — but the detectives find no body. A campus police officer suddenly develops a taste for rape — and a homicidal hunger. The townspeople always sensed an intangible wrongness on the mountain . . . even before the evil enigma was afoot.

Genres: Horror

321 pages, Paperback

Published December 14, 2020

About the author

Mindscape architect.
Father of two, husband to one.
Lover of sports and sushi, writer of mystery and the macabre.
Award-winning author of Ungodly.

Reviews

[Fiction Addition Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

BOOK REVIEW
Ungodly by Braedon Riddick

Step aside Stephen King, a new kid’s in town 🙌

Welcome to his debut Horror/Thriller/Dark/Supernatural fictional story.

One major difference to King, is this book is about 1000 pages less, but Riddick didn’t need those extra pages. Oh no.

This debut novel has as much tension and heart beating plot as this mere mortal can deal with.

Ungodly is a Supernatural Thriller with a dash of horror and a splash of ‘Oh My God’ - I’ve just literally got goosebumps and I’m not exaggerating.

So you want an overview, OK, here goes but I’m not telling you too much.

Something is going down at the Campus of Calisade Mountain College.
A campus Police Officer suddenly turns into a sex pest rapist, a student watches another student commit suicide by jumping from a high rise. Things are just not how they should be.

“Evil eyes from under
I am not afraid.
I know my time has come ....
I hear the end call my name”.

Now you know by now I’m a sucker for a few good characters, to me that’s the jam to the sandwich.
Well what a treat these characters are, in truth a lot of them have issues. They open up in scenes with a rawness that will have you wanting to take them home and wrap them in a blanket - well apart from the drunken abuser and a cheating husband.

It took no time to fall for the main characters. Brian and Will and Amanda.
I must say I was a little jealous of the attention Brian gave Amanda.

Throughout the book I was completely unsure what would happen next and I was turning pages quicker than a flicker book.

I teared up and I only ever do that in historical fiction, never horror.
It was a complete privilege to read it. What a ride.

Suspense, intrigue, a well developed plot, lots of darkness. Never dull, always moving forward.

Building and building all the time a perfect prose.
I can’t giveaway anything but the evil that surrounds you, making you feel helpless, sadness and vulnerable.

In my best Northern UK accent, “I blooming loved it”
Yes Riddick I can’t wait for the movie.
Yes it’s that good!

Braedon. Get ready, you’ll be needed on set. Do you need an agent?

[Emily Lorié · Rating 5 out of 5]

“But it was days like today when she could truly believe that her entire life was something out of a dreadful book. As if she were nothing more than a fictional character, sketched solely to endure grief and sorrow. How bizarre, right? How bizarre of her to believe she was merely the brainchild of some foul-mouthed author with an unsound mind.”

Strange things are happening on the Calisade Mountain College campus and Amanda has found herself smack-dab in the center of it all.

If you like your horror with a hefty dose of depth and eloquent prose, this book is for you.

Riddick addresses many potentially triggering themes, serving them up with a grand purpose.

This book stirred just about every emotion in me. I teared up at times, literally yelled over one character’s unsettling predicament, and laughed out loud over Riddick’s clever bits of comedic relief sprinkled throughout.

The setting was eerily familiar, with some dark twists thrown in to keep me on my toes. While there was a small dose of comforting predictability, the plot twists were frequent enough to hold my interest throughout the story.

Never boring and always moving toward the purposeful end, I highly recommend this read to horror lovers everywhere.

*There are a few triggers I will gladly discuss privately, but to avoid spoilers, I won’t list them here. DM me if you’d like to ask about specifics. 🖤

Thank you Braedon Riddick, for sharing your gift with the world. I look forward to reading more from you in the near future.

[Lezlie The Nerdy Narrative · Rating 5 out of 5]

"It was amazing how a few kind words or simple gesture could illuminate the soul in the most troubling of times. Even if just for an instant. The human spirit was unthinkably durable. Indefatigable." - An example of the author's beautiful style of writing AND a perfect summation of one of the core themes of this book.

Ungodly by Braedon Riddick - a debut novel we almost didn't get according to the author's note at the end. Braedon: please go back to that drawer and see if they are any other manuscripts in there to share with us! ALL THE STARS. I give this book every last star and I will shake the sky to see if a few extra will fall out to give. A standout novel of the year for me, a killer debut - there is not one single thing I can find wrong with this book.

The characters, immediately relatable. The continuing development of the characters, engaging and endearing. The relationship between Amanda and Brian was just effortless, authentic and absolutely believable. I loved the history of this mountain college campus, I love that we got a full explanation (that made sense) as to what was happening and why - it's all here, gorgeously written.

I think this is the first book in a long time that is written in current times. The dialogue between the characters are sayings and jokes we share with one another today. Probably my most favorite aspect - there's an event where innocent people are not in control of their actions and being controlled...okay, this may show how black my little heart is, but I was actually glad our main characters didn't hesitate to kill them. THIS NEVER HAPPENS. In every show or book, the main characters refuse to kill the innocent people and have to find ways around it. Nope, not here. LOL

I loved that I was constantly waiting for the boogeyman to appear, never knowing how he would show himself, what he would use - this book was spectacularly spooky and one I will reread, simply to read and live through the story of Amanda and Brian yet again.

I will read anything Braedon Riddick publishes, this author is an automatic, top of my TBR with anything he puts out.

[Andrews WizardlyReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really enjoyable self pub horror book. It starts really strong but some things didn’t make sense to me over the course of the book and I did find it a hair heavy of the foreshadowing. That said I’m really glad I read this.

[DarkBetweenPages · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can you say amazing debut?
My mind is still boggled that this is Braedon's first release.

Ungodly is terrifying! and not in your typical terrifying way.

Picture living on a campus, the typical day to day life of a student, when you witness something horrible. When the police show up, they find nothing and no one believes you. They start to question you and your mental state...soon after everything starts to fall apart. You have no idea who to run to, who to ask for help, who will believe you and most of all, who will survive.

I absolutely loved Braedon's gripping writing style, his characters were so easily consumed and the story had me on the edge of my seat the whole way through.

The ending hit hard and still lingers in my thoughts!

Absolutely I would recommend this one!

Thank you for sharing this terrifying world with us Braedon, I look forward to more.

Thanks for reading
Dark

[Crystal Staley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love horror stories set in a small town so right away this book was appealing. There is something dark going on in this town, something difficult to explain. Through the perspective of several characters, we slowly unravel the mystery. We are led down a dark path as we learn what’s going on and who is responsible. It was very unique and interesting. Riddick’s writing was really great, very descriptive and kept me engaged throughout the story. Right from the opening, I was hooked and had to keep reading to see what was next. The characters are also done well and we feel for them as we are experiencing what they have gone through in the past and what they are facing in the present. There was a lot of emotion and heart in this story also. Such an interesting concept for this story and it had lots of tension and mystery. Overall, I really enjoyed this!

[Pan | Book Reviews and Recommendations · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is by a twist of fate, a huge dose of luck and bending certain rules that I received a copy of Braedon Riddick's stunning novel, 'Ungodly'.

'Ungodly' is set in the isolated campus of Calisade Mountain College at a quiet North Carolina town. A place where a series of weird, malevolent phenomena begin to manifest and the town folk start leaning towards their evil side and get involved in unspeakable acts of murder and rape.

An evil, dark force is pushing people towards sinister acts, in order to feed its hunger. Amanda Baker, a student at the College will find herself caught in the growing madness that surrounds the town and experience first-hand its unfortunate descent into chaos.

Will she manage to escape the unspeakable evil that devours the town slowly, or become a victim of the increasingly violent incidents that happen?

Dark, beautiful and eerily atmospheric, Braedon Riddick’s 'Ungodly' packs all the right elements for a phenomenal and memorable horror novel.

The prose is unique and blends the works of an early Steven King (yes, the good ones) and John Saul with the cinematic experience of 'Twin Peaks' and 'Castle Rock' (S1).

This is a fast paced, well written horror gem that takes you on a horrific journey in a small town as you become part of the residents and actually feel the terror and the grip of evil tightening.

Creepy and chills-down-your-spine horror, guaranteed to hold you at the edge of your seat, bitting your nails and turning pages like a madman only to reach the 'slaptoyourface' finale.

Definitely one of my top horror novels of the year and a solid 5star read. Keep an eye on the author, as he delivers prime horror material through the pages of his book.

Get it at: https://www.amazon.com/Ungodly-Braedo...

[Jake · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

I loved this book! I went into this book completely blind, only knowing that a few of my friends absolutely loved this book. One of the best debut horror novels I've ever read.

The story felt so refreshing and uniquely told. The author switched character perspectives and voices seamlessly, while making them engaging, and while maintaining a fast paced, pulse pounding plot. A very good balance of character and plot in a debut novel is a sign of great things to come!

I love when books are unpredictable, and for me, I had now idea the directions this book would go in. I had am absolute blast reading this. Just a few nit picky things towards the end of the book keep this from being 5 stars for me, but holy crap, Braedon Riddick really knocked it out of the park on his first try! Can't wait to read more by him!

[Brooklynn Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstly, let me say that the prose-work is fantastic here. Genuinely, my greatest desire when reading a book is enjoy the prose. If I don’t like the writing style, it’s unlucky I’ll finish so I’m kind of a prose-snob in this way (and I blame my undying love of Anne Rice for this) and this prose is fantastic. There were so many great lines, my book is full of underlined thoughts and phrases, some that gave me this dark spiritualistic vibe which I personally likened to The Crow, one of my most beloved movies.
I definitely feel like Riddick loves Stephen King. If he doesn’t, then perhaps they share a bit of the same soul because there were so many moments that gave me pause for its King-like vibe. With that in mind, I felt my feelings complaints with the book are complaints I often have with King’s work—women don’t often feel like real women to me.
This brings me to Amanda who I actually enjoyed for the most part. She just seemed very anti-sexuality for someone who was as bold as she was. I mean, the idea that women cannot have dignity AND an active sex life is more than a little frustrating, but I’m not sure that was a comment of the author more-so than a jumping off point for Amanda’s growth because she— SORT OF SPOILER ALERT HERE�� ends up being sexual later on and with someone she really didn’t know so well.
Of course, this act had narrative significance so I’m not sure if we’re supposed to see it as a piece her arc—maybe understanding that sex is a perfectly fine part of womanhood—or if she’s just being a bit of hypocrite.
Either way, we don’t have to like the characters of book for them to be compelling characters. As I’ve said, I liked Amanda for the most part, and Riddick has created an entire cast of people with vivid personalities and backstories.
Braedon Riddick is certainly a talented author so to answer the note in the back of the book: no, this should not have remained in the drawer. I’m very happen he chose to publish and share his talent with the readers of the world.
I’m not lying or exaggerating here: if you like Stephen King you will love this book. It felt SO MUCH like a King novel, except with way better prose.
Four and a half stars for certain—the only thing holding me back from a full five is some of the female portrayal which you can argue is just my personal bias as a female.
I’d highly suggest this book to anyone who likes horror.

[Irene Well Worth A Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amanda Baker, a student at Calisade Mountain College, is witness to a suicide that the police claim didn't happen. Since the college is well known for it's wild parties and drug use, they assume she hallucinated the strange events she describes.

It's not long until the officers experience some eerie happenings for themselves and from then on it's a race to uncover the mystery of how and why people are being taken over by a sinister entity that robs them of their free will, and how Amanda has come to be at the heart of it all. I really loved Amanda and was rooting for her to overcome her own haunted past and the oppressing evil that has cloaked the campus and spread through town. If you enjoy a classic Good vs Evil story with unlikely heroes who aren't sure they have what it takes to save the day, this is for you.
I received a complimentary copy for review.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book...WOW.

The story grabbed my attention from the beginning. The concept is interesting and told with perfection. The characters are engaging.

This book had my heart through most of it. It also made tear up. I don't think I have read a book that has made me gasp in horror one minute and want to ball like a baby the next in a very long time.

A big round of applause to Mr. Riddick; you have written a winner (in my opinion, anyway). Loved every minute of reading this book. Thank you for the privilege.

[Dierdre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fear of the unknown
Fear of the unexplainable things
Fear of the dark that invites the unknown, the unseen ,the silence.
This might be or could be the theme for the book. Oh in my opinion, I sensed a work conjured by a group of cult from this book.

It was poetic, morbidly beautiful in its own way. The need to dwell alone in the dark and unconsciously push people away, the author subtly had drawn a picture of what a mentally unwell person would experience when they hit the lowest or what a normal person would encounter in his daily life.

The stories were told through Amanda's journey, of which she witnessed a suicide but the body was never to be found, and she had the hard time in convincing the police. Then, we would be introduced to Brian, who happened to stumble upon Amanda when he was drunk and was on his way to get home. The rest was history, and together they would encounter more unexplainable events as they slowly plunged into the darkness of it.

As Mr. Riddick said, he intentionally left the story opened for interpretation and left me, the reader, hungry for more. That was brilliant, knowing that he had managed to grasp his readers' attention and interest in his writing. I really hope I will see more of his works in the near future.
I appreciate the most the way he wrote the unknown, the fears, in a beautiful, yet haunting way, instilled a little sense of cautious in his readers. I was drawn to his choice of words and arrangements and how I wished it had been longer but dear Mr. Riddick left us all to interpret everything!😁

[Damien Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good horror novel is one that builds, in my opinion. That’s the lamest opening line for a review I’ve ever written but I feel it. Braedon Riddick shows he has the ability to build a solid horror novel like Bentley Little and F Paul Wilson. Ungodly reminds me heavily of the Adversary Cycle by Wilson and Phantoms by Dean Koontz. There’s something larger than can be explained in a paperback going on behind the words on the page, a cosmic like dread about these types of books. Horror is at it’s best when it relies on a terror that’s just out of reach both physically and visually. There’s a lack of comfort that comes from not knowing what is going on at all times, Riddick captures that feeling in Ungodly. When you can’t see what’s there, it’s under your skin. When you can see it, you can’t look away from its brutality. A horrible awful written review for a great debut. I’ll be looking forward to seeing what Braedon Riddick does next. K thx.

[Els † ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

An eerily atmospheric read that will leave you wanting more. The ending was beautiful and made me tear up. The story is set in a small town , largely around a college campus Calisade Mountain College, theres something evil lurking in this small town, strange phenomena are happening. An alcoholic man hallucinates seeing his son that he never got to have. An officer of the law with a dirty taste for young coeds hears something strange on his radio. Amanda, a student at the college witnesses a suicide but when the police show, there’s no body. Each situation is different and unique in its own form that all come together for the end.
This book was creepy, unique, mysterious and intriguing. Definitely worth the read, Braedon Riddick is one to look out for! I love an author who can write so descriptive that I find myself immersed in the world the author created, keeping me on the edge of my seat with every page I turned
Thank you Braedon for sending me the ebook when you found out it was on my tbr, was such a thoughtful gesture and I’m so glad I finally got round to reading this story.

[Stephanie Moon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Calisade Mountain College is like any typical party-school. If you’re looking for a good time, go there. However, underneath the surface, something strange is happening. An alcoholic man hallucinates seeing his son that he never had. An officer of the law with a dirty secret for young coeds hears something strange on his radio. Amanda, a student at the college witnesses a suicide but when the police show, there’s no body. One thing is certain, something is amiss, and there will be disaster in the near future.

Ungodly starts as a slow burn that builds a sense of mystery throughout the story. Each situation is unique and ties together, but how? The second half of the book picks up fast, and you’re left racing to the end wondering how it will conclude. Ungodly is a book that you need to read through to grasp the story and enjoy it.

The book gives me a post-apocalyptic vibe, and delivers that “What if this really happened?,” fear and dread.

Braedon Riddick has excellent prose and his writing flows. Dialogue is kept light and not boring.

Ungodly has a creepy atmosphere that really absorbs you into the story. At times the story possessed Sci-if themes which I liked. I don’t want to spoil it but I like what the author did with the “creatures” in the book. They were different which is always nice to see in horror.

Riddick’s writing reminds me of Stephen King’s earlier work and I love the similarities between the Dark Tower and the tower in Ungodly. All things serve the beam. 🎈

Also, I appreciate the scenes in the book involving marijuana use as I’m a fellow marijuana enthusiast. 😁

The ending is perfect for someone who likes sentimental themes. It ended on a sweet note.

Thank you so much for sending me a signed copy of your book. I’m happy you decided to bring it into the world

[J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Video Review:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6Hh7...

There is a snippet in the back from Braedon explaining how this book almost never came to be. That would have been a shame if this never came to be. It’s a pretty stellar debut.

Right off the top, this doesn’t read like a debut. Braedon has a voice. He can write. He knows his way around a word document or google docs or a typewriter, however he wrote it. And he has the crafting knowledge of words to create an enticing but dreadful story. There are parts of the narrative so deep, you get lost in the words without knowing you’re lost.

The story takes place for the most part on a campus in a small town. We witness weird, strange, wicked phenomena. We are seeing things. Bodies go missing. Some bodies are just taken over by some greater power. And within these happenings, we see a relationship blossom, bringing just enough hope to shine a little light into the situation.

Riddick has a complete understanding of how people talk to each other. The dialogue seems smooth and natural, helping move the story along. A lot of emotion shines through the words spoken by the characters.

Intentional or not, Riddick blends a couple of different genres together, borrowing a little from the horror side, dipping his toes in some sci-fi, and combining these tidbits into a love child creating “Ungodly.”

With all of this praise, I did find some parts to be a little long winded, and a little overkill with the deep descriptive narrative. There is a section just past the halfway point, maybe after page 200 where I may have struggled momentarily to get through. That section dragged a bit. There are a few minor parts throughout that went a little long for the story we have at hand.

With all of the accolades I’m giving it in this review, it doesn’t mean it’s a perfect book. But it’s pretty damn near. I see a blend of the psychological aspects of King in his heyday mixed with some of the disturbing actions sometimes found with Bentley Little and maybe some of the wordplay of McCammon.

Since this is a debut, we should all brace ourselves for what we may encounter, or experience from Riddick after he gets a few novels under his belt.

[Joshua Jonah · Rating 5 out of 5]

SPOILERS AHEAD!

This book shocked me

This book opens with something that I love. Which is raw humanity. Seeing what csn happen to someone when such a bad even has occurred. This being with Elden. He starts off as this crazy homeless man, but soon becomes a sort of vessel for more.

As the story progresses you, get this sort of Stephen king meets twilight zone effect which I love. And it becomes almost like a zombie apocalypse. You start to see where the story goes and from there it becomes so much darker especially with the sub chapters mentioning either dark poetry or events elsewhere.

[Pax · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone ever read a book and ask yourself "why in God's name is this not a movie/tv show yet?" - that was me with this book. This would make a better TV series or movie than half of what I know is out there today. Action packed religious horror!

[Tobin Elliott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a horrible novel, by any means, but not a favourite.

There's a lot to like here, and it's all quite well written. I just wish...it joined up a bit more.

So, at the beginning, we meet the homeless guy, who has his scene. His scene is the trigger that sets things in motion, though I don't exactly know why his scene happened. What was the reason?

What it sets in motion is twofold. Amanda sees it, and the cops come to investigate. Then there's another big scene with a cop and his wife and...eventually other cops. But again, why did those happen? What was the purpose?

Then we meet Brian and Will, and Will meets Amanda, and then the story starts to move forward. I feel like we could have started here.

Then we meet yet another strange character who played a part right up front, but we didn't know until now. Then he has his event.

With the exception of Brian, Will, and Amanda, none of these other characters really show up again. There's also a seemingly important subplot involving abortion, as the topic is brought up several times with several characters however, it never seems to attach itself to the main storyline.

From here, it kind of turns into a bit of The Dark Tower and a bit of The Walking Dead, only they're not dead and it's not the Dark Tower.

Again, everything that happens is well done, and whoever edited this thing did an absolutely superb job, as it may be the first indie release I've read with zero mistakes. But the story just didn't quite click for me.

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was everything the synopsis promised, but so much more the synopsis could never include; this is one of those stories you just have to read for yourselves and find out. Nothing was wasted in this storyline, nothing was written for cheap shock value, everything was purposeful and for a reason. The relationships and dialogue between characters were so well written and each character has their own distinct voices. The writing is so descriptive and illustrative like “Her eyelids were crispy with sleep crustaceans. Her tongue felt like gritty fur on the roof of her mouth. Her breath was stale air out of an old balloon.”, while also being beautiful, almost lyrical when he said “A COTTON-CANDY TWILIGHT, PURPLE fading pink, simmered in the western sky. Dusk at its peak.” Contrasting with the horror of the story, emphasizing, and complimenting it. The pacing was steady throughout, and it runs you through several emotions from when you start to the very end. I enjoyed every aspect of this book and it’s easily a favorite read.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Would you risk your life to save others?
Mr. Riddick has outdone himself with this one. I am left raw with emotion and thoughts that I am sure will stay with me for a long time. If you have not read this book you need to. Is it scary? Yes Is it real? Yes Does it have Love? Yes Will you Love it? YES.
The characters in the book will be pulling you in from the start. Some you will love some will drive you insane but you will love them nonetheless. Please read this book!

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll have to admit that the eerie cover and fitting name drove me in but the story kept me wanting more.

This was a well-written and emotionally driven psychological horror story with mysterious happenings. Most of the time I felt like I was watching a paranormal movie. With other words, great descriptions of the eerie settings.

Braedon Riddick knows how to capture you with his expressive prose and atmospheric story telling. Ungodly sews together different timelines and multiple peoples perspective into a gripping story, where everything is beautifully connected in the end. I liked that every chapter ended with a cliffhanger and that the writer did and excellent job at creating fear from the unknown. This kept my interest throughout the whole book and also making the story moving forward.

The character development was well done. I love that the writer lets you feel all the raw emotions that the characters are feeling. This makes them feel real.

I really enjoyed this story! Breadon kept me guessing until the very end. The ending was perfect even though it made me cry. Very emotionally written!

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

“A spark becomes a flame. The flame becomes a fire. The fire becomes a roaring blaze” Page 171
•
I was not expecting this to be such a fantastic read! The journey gave me Richard Laymon and King vibes with a splatter of paranormal romance. The story was captivating and definitely kept me up at night. I was nervous to turn on my computer screen! In fear - the gaping mouths of towns people, awaiting me at every turn in my apartment! Such a killer experience, no pun intended.
•
A disturbance plagues the isolated town of Calisade Mountain. We follow multiple characters as they battle the unknown phenomena, ultimately leading us to our two main characters. Brian and Amanda scavenge through the utmost horrific experiences. Both dealing with loss in different ways, bringing them closer together through this epic battle of monstrous mayhem that inhabits their beloved city.
•
The ending sent me! 😭 I wasn’t expecting it! Definitely recommend this to any horror fan! 5 stars!

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book. Whoa. It reads like that perfect summer horror movie, the one that has you on the edge of your seat with your nails digging into your palms. I was hooked from the first sentence and loved every element: the characters, the dialogue, the sinister new twist on the disappearing town trope. Not to mention the "throbwalkers," who scared the absolute bejesus outta me. This is creepy mountain town horror at its best. 👏👏👏

[Michael Benavidez · Rating 5 out of 5]

there's something so comforting about picking up a book thats so certain and comfortable in what it is and where its going, that everything just seems to fit.
from the wide cast of characters, to the mystery, to the small bits of heavy exposition scenes (as in there aren't many, just a few), to the somewhat philosophical questions asked by decently intelligent characters, this book does it all in such a nice and steady rhythm, that before i knew it, i was nearing the end.
the author asks a lot of questions of humanity through the flawed cast (each varied and rather realistic), and while the questions come and go, you can feel it reaching an answer.
with prose that's equal parts playful and simple (not as insult, he writes in a way that keeps the attention throughout the more "boring" scenes and ramps it up with a flourish in the more excitable moments), he guides us for a ride that doesnt stop, that has something to say, and that absolutely will say it.
while the end provides us with a few maybe cheesy maybe cliche moments, i think the book garnered enough good will with it's excellent story telling to allow for it. definitely a book that took me by surprise

[BooksCoffee · Rating 5 out of 5]

With compelling prose and setting, Riddick makes his foray into horror with this uncanny mix of spine-chilling dread and keen psychological insights.

A troubled teenager is ready to exact a plan for mass murder, but is stopped in time. However, the evil is here to take its fill and wouldn’t stop until it gets its due. A young student witnesses a man plummeting from a high-rise, but the police find no body. And thus, begins a series of intangible horrendous incidents in the sleepy mountain town.

Riddick makes the propulsive mix of horror and mystery compulsively addicting, and weaves two separate timelines into an gripping unified narrative. His crisp prose, layered narrative, and emotionally rich characters make sure the reader stays invested in their fates.

The pacing is swift and every new reveal unravels another mystery to follow, driving the story to a mind-boggling ending. Fans of fast-paced, psychological horror will find it hard to tear themselves away from the book until the last page is turned.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ungodly by Braedon Riddick is 5 stars.

Holy "Ungodly" this book was AMAZING!

Takes place on the isolated college campus of Calisade Mountain College. Quite a mix of characters besides college students and I loved every single character. People start dying oddly and or killing each other. Paranormal, Sci-fi, Apocalyptic, Horror and more. The pages will turn themselves in this intense, fast paced book. I devoured it. The ending is so very good, you don't want to pass this book by. My review may seem vague because there are Readathons going on with this book and I don't want to "spoil" anything for those reading.

Consider this baseball scenario....Bases are loaded and Rookie player Braedon Riddick is up to bat. First pitch and BAM he knocks it out of the park! GRAND SLAM Braedon brings it home for the win! As does the story "Ungodly". No lull in the story at all and the prose just flows. The ending is just perfect with a twist I didn't see coming. Highly recommend!

The MVP award goes to Braedon Riddick for a grand slam of a book UNGODLY!
@braedonriddick

[Alana K. Drex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ungodly is a book that doesn't skirt around uncomfortable topics, but meets them head on with a cast of characters, each with a life whose actions have added up and effected their very individual views. This is a read any horror fan could love, but understand that just because you may not agree with a character's view, you can't fault them for coming to that view. The characters are as rich as those in our world. Good books don't shield. That is my opinion.
So moving on, the setting is a small college town, naive to the higher forces setting in to strike them. A town where even the authority has become lax and depraved. I won't give much more away, but to say this book had great prose that I found myself reading over in multiple places. It was beautiful and dark. It is definitely one I recommend!

[Dylan Colón · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Sweet mercy . . . this view could make a nonbeliever start believing."

I felt like I was watching a movie, from the opening scene to the blockbuster ending! Starting the book with a bitter drunk man, harassing a woman for her stance on abortion, which leads to her car being urinated on... WELL, I'M SOLD!

One of many things I enjoyed about Riddick's novel, was its hint of pettiness; especially in its comedic relief moments! My most reoccurring thought while reading this novel, was its well-balanced with terror and lightheartedness.

The dialogue is what I consider to be lighthearted; the conversations reflected movies and novels more than how people really sound when they talk to each other. I personally compare it to anime-type dialogue. BUT I HAVE TO CONSIDER THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DIALOGUE COIN!

1. People don't talk like this where I live, but they could most certainly talk like this where the author lives!

2. It's obvious that everything about this novel is by INTENTIONAL design; it's a specific vision being well-executed!

I felt the characters were very likable with playful chemistry, and this made me feel for them when they were victims of terror. The comedic moments of the story would make me question if I was reading horror... just to be abruptly reminded of the horrific dangers that ALWAYS lurked within these pages!

Another theme of "UNGODLY" is sexuality. It's used so disturbingly throughout the entire novel. Sexuality is expressed through the lens of horror, fear, trauma, ill intent, and even STD scares! I also have this fear of naked people with the intent to kill, and the author got me time and time again! These scenes were so visually effective; I do not doubt them converting effortlessly from page to screen!


Now to close this review on my favorite theme of "UNGODLY"... sacrifice!

I couldn't help but reflect on an innocent Jesus; taking my punishment for sin upon himself, and ultimately sacrificing his life to save mine. The intense weight of sacrifice is emotionally expressed in this epic novel!

"John 15:13"

[Shubham Lakhina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ungodly
By – Braedon Riddick
Format – Kindle Edition
Print Length – 323 Pages
Genre – Fiction
My Ratings – 4.8/5

Ungodly by Braedon Riddick is a book that is both terrifying and mysterious. It's a psychological horror novel that instils fear in the reader, and it's fear that comes from something unknown. The story is told from multiple perspectives and timelines.
The story begins with people in a small town on Caliside Mountain experiencing strange occurrences, which are frequently followed by inexplicable and shocking events. A series of eerie events occurred on the Caliside Mountain College campus, beginning with a teenager's plan to commit mass murder.
On the mountain, the townspeople always sensed something was wrong. A student witnesses a suicide but when searched there was no body found, everything was mysterious and scary. Campus police on the other hand sensed something unusual.
Amanda and Brian the two protagonists, were portrayed descriptively and I liked how the things were presented. Do lend your hands on this masterpiece and enjoy a scary yet mysterious read by the Author.
Both the book cover and the title are intertwined. The theme can be easily deduced from a glance at the cover, whereas the title of the book gave off creepy vibes. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and did not encounter any difficulties while reading it; everything, from the narration to the characterization to the writing style, was spot on.
Overall, it was an incredible book and a brilliant work by the author, one of the best thrillers I've ever read because it gave me appropriate chills and I was glued to my seat the entire time I was reading it, and the plot kept me engaged throughout. A highly recommended book for everyone out there; it's a unique story, so pick it up.
Happy Reading