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Father of Lies Trilogy #1-3
Father of Lies: The Complete Series
EXTREME CONTENT WARNING!
This book contains scenes of extreme violence and sexual content. Do not purchase this book if you are easily offended or require trigger warnings!
Beginning in October, 2019, Steve Stred released three of the darkest, most depraved novellas – Ritual, Communion, and Sacrament (**Nominated for a 2022 Splatterpunk Award for Best Novella!**).
These three novellas completed the ‘Father of Lies’ trilogy, telling the story of a disturbed man trying to open the cosmic gates and enter the Black Heavens to live forever. Inspired by Steve Stred’s research acquired while joining a real cult, the stories from the trilogy have already become favorites within the horror world.
Now, here for the first time, is the complete and definitive ‘The Complete Father of Lies Series.’
Featuring;
- All three novellas
- An exclusive foreword by Sonora Taylor
- An exclusive essay by cover artist Mason McDonald
- A bonus fourth story ‘Eucharist.’
- ‘The Battle Raged On and On’ essay from the author, answering reader questions about the trilogy
Not to be missed, this Omnibus will be available in ebook, paperback and hardcover!
This book contains scenes of extreme violence and sexual content. Do not purchase this book if you are easily offended or require trigger warnings!
Beginning in October, 2019, Steve Stred released three of the darkest, most depraved novellas – Ritual, Communion, and Sacrament (**Nominated for a 2022 Splatterpunk Award for Best Novella!**).
These three novellas completed the ‘Father of Lies’ trilogy, telling the story of a disturbed man trying to open the cosmic gates and enter the Black Heavens to live forever. Inspired by Steve Stred’s research acquired while joining a real cult, the stories from the trilogy have already become favorites within the horror world.
Now, here for the first time, is the complete and definitive ‘The Complete Father of Lies Series.’
Featuring;
- All three novellas
- An exclusive foreword by Sonora Taylor
- An exclusive essay by cover artist Mason McDonald
- A bonus fourth story ‘Eucharist.’
- ‘The Battle Raged On and On’ essay from the author, answering reader questions about the trilogy
Not to be missed, this Omnibus will be available in ebook, paperback and hardcover!
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 21, 2021
48 people are currently reading
742 people want to read
About the author
Steve Stred
88 books672 followersAn award-winning author, Steve Stred lives in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, with his wife and son.
Known for his novels, ‘Mastodon,’ ‘Churn the Soil,’ and his series ‘Father of Lies’ where he joined a cult on the dark web for four years, his work has been described as haunting, bleak and is frequently set in the woods near where he grew up. He’s been fortunate to appear in numerous anthologies with some truly amazing authors.
His novel ‘Mastodon’ will be translated into Czech and Italian over the next few years.
His novel 'Churn the Soil' won the Best Horror Novel award in the 2024 Indieverse Awards.
His novel 'Mastodon' and his novella' Sacrament' were both nominated for Splatterpunk Awards.
He is represented by Kodie Van Dusen at The Rights Factory and Alec Frankel at Independent Artist Group.
Outside of writing, Steve received his Bachelor Degree in Kinesiology from the University of the Fraser Valley in 2008, and became a Certified Canadian Pedorthist in 2013.
Known for his novels, ‘Mastodon,’ ‘Churn the Soil,’ and his series ‘Father of Lies’ where he joined a cult on the dark web for four years, his work has been described as haunting, bleak and is frequently set in the woods near where he grew up. He’s been fortunate to appear in numerous anthologies with some truly amazing authors.
His novel ‘Mastodon’ will be translated into Czech and Italian over the next few years.
His novel 'Churn the Soil' won the Best Horror Novel award in the 2024 Indieverse Awards.
His novel 'Mastodon' and his novella' Sacrament' were both nominated for Splatterpunk Awards.
He is represented by Kodie Van Dusen at The Rights Factory and Alec Frankel at Independent Artist Group.
Outside of writing, Steve received his Bachelor Degree in Kinesiology from the University of the Fraser Valley in 2008, and became a Certified Canadian Pedorthist in 2013.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
February 12, 2025
I have read some awesome books dealing with the occult which can downright scare the hell out of you. Every blue moon a kind of stinker comes along like Steve Stred's The Father of Lies which sits in my to be reviewed pile of like 3 books that I cannot seem to get around to reviewing. I read this one over two years ago and every time it comes in sight I think of how many times he used the line "of hoof and man" and how he proclaims to have infiltrated a cult in real life so as to gain insight. Yeah ok, it was online and when they asked you to do something evil you didn't and they were somehow ok with it. Fyi The Father of Lies is his trilogy rolled up in one book and sadly I read them all.
Note I read this in like 2022 and could not bring myself to review it. I then read Mary Sangiovanni's Chills and it too deals with the occult in a very disappointing way and included the above paragraph in that review so I simply cut and paste it for this one.
Fair warning, like anything there were moments but overall a bit much.
Note I read this in like 2022 and could not bring myself to review it. I then read Mary Sangiovanni's Chills and it too deals with the occult in a very disappointing way and included the above paragraph in that review so I simply cut and paste it for this one.
Fair warning, like anything there were moments but overall a bit much.
September 30, 2024
I love a good demon/cult story and this collection of novellas packs a punch. It’s hard for me to describe Father of Lies as Stred really created a world with so many layers from Ritual, into Communion, finishing with Sacrement. I also appreciated Eucharist at the end.
Ruthless, horrifying and absolutely brutal. You follow the story of three separate men as they fall deeper and deeper, being dragged into the belly of this depraved cult. It’s a mind bending ride from start to finish. You never quite know what’s happening until the very end.
Now excuse me while add everything Stred has written into my TBR & Amazon cart.
Ruthless, horrifying and absolutely brutal. You follow the story of three separate men as they fall deeper and deeper, being dragged into the belly of this depraved cult. It’s a mind bending ride from start to finish. You never quite know what’s happening until the very end.
Now excuse me while add everything Stred has written into my TBR & Amazon cart.
June 17, 2024
Steve Stred managed something only a short list of other horror writers have accomplished: he gave me the creeps. I’m the first to admit I’m a bit blasé about horror: I have lost count of how many times I was promised a novel would freak me out only to read it and go ‘meh’ at the end. But “Churn the Soil” was a remarkable piece of folk horror, and I was very impressed by it, so of course, I went looking for more works by the man who managed to give me such delightful shivers of terror. The numerous warnings on the back of my copy were kind of ominous and I’d like to add some nuance to them: yes, there is very violent and sexual content, but it’s not described in excessive details, a lot is left to the reader’s imagination, which I appreciated. Stred writes about brutal stuff but doesn’t make a point of being gratuitously gross.
This book is a collection of three connected novellas, with an additional fourth story to wrap things up, and I would have probably been interested in reading it even if I hadn’t read “Churn the Soil”, because I am the kind of person who gets excited when a book is about demons and/or cults (I blame the Catholic upbringing and subsequent lapsing). Now novels about cults are not exactly rare, but Stred apparently spent some time in an actual cult as research for this, and I find this dedication to research positively chilling.
“Ritual” is about a lonely and disturbed man who is preparing himself for a life-defining ritual. “Communion” is about the investigation that follows the climatic events of the first story. “Sacrament” is about someone who has lost everything that matters to Father and is determined to stop him. Giving more details would spoil the fun, as the way Stred shifts perspective from one novella to another is challenging at times but also deepens his exploration of each topic. The back and forth between the current timeline, and related events that took place in 1929 are weaved skilfully to draw a picture of a horrific plan long in the making so well that I devoured this book in a single day.
Rounding up this collection with an essay by Stred on his research and on why he wanted to write this book was a great idea. Nick Cutter did something similar for his novel “The Acolyte” (a personal favorite, if you like your horror religious and dystopian), and I really appreciated getting into his head about why he wanted to write such a twisted book, and Stred’s thoughts on this one are fascinating and his experience researching this is truly creepy.
A haunting collection, not for weak stomachs but very rewarding for the kind of readers who see the warnings on the cover and don’t let them cancel out their curiosity.
This book is a collection of three connected novellas, with an additional fourth story to wrap things up, and I would have probably been interested in reading it even if I hadn’t read “Churn the Soil”, because I am the kind of person who gets excited when a book is about demons and/or cults (I blame the Catholic upbringing and subsequent lapsing). Now novels about cults are not exactly rare, but Stred apparently spent some time in an actual cult as research for this, and I find this dedication to research positively chilling.
“Ritual” is about a lonely and disturbed man who is preparing himself for a life-defining ritual. “Communion” is about the investigation that follows the climatic events of the first story. “Sacrament” is about someone who has lost everything that matters to Father and is determined to stop him. Giving more details would spoil the fun, as the way Stred shifts perspective from one novella to another is challenging at times but also deepens his exploration of each topic. The back and forth between the current timeline, and related events that took place in 1929 are weaved skilfully to draw a picture of a horrific plan long in the making so well that I devoured this book in a single day.
Rounding up this collection with an essay by Stred on his research and on why he wanted to write this book was a great idea. Nick Cutter did something similar for his novel “The Acolyte” (a personal favorite, if you like your horror religious and dystopian), and I really appreciated getting into his head about why he wanted to write such a twisted book, and Stred’s thoughts on this one are fascinating and his experience researching this is truly creepy.
A haunting collection, not for weak stomachs but very rewarding for the kind of readers who see the warnings on the cover and don’t let them cancel out their curiosity.
August 25, 2021
An awesome completion to the Father Of Lies trilogy
Interested in dropping down the rabbit hole into dark, depraved madness? Then Steve Stred’s “Father Of Lies” is for you. I honestly didn’t know what to expect as I waded into this horror trilogy. After finishing book 1, Ritual, I couldn’t stop and continued reading well into the night until I finished book 2, Communion. It was like not being able to look away from a tragic accident. You’re horrified but can’t stop staring at the carnage.
Book 3, Sacrament, didn’t let me down and was just as damaging to my psyche as the first 2. Steve did a great job connecting the 3 story lines together.
Father Of Lies is a fast paced, brutal trilogy that you won’t soon forget. If you’re into extreme horror get it today.
Highly recommended.
Interested in dropping down the rabbit hole into dark, depraved madness? Then Steve Stred’s “Father Of Lies” is for you. I honestly didn’t know what to expect as I waded into this horror trilogy. After finishing book 1, Ritual, I couldn’t stop and continued reading well into the night until I finished book 2, Communion. It was like not being able to look away from a tragic accident. You’re horrified but can’t stop staring at the carnage.
Book 3, Sacrament, didn’t let me down and was just as damaging to my psyche as the first 2. Steve did a great job connecting the 3 story lines together.
Father Of Lies is a fast paced, brutal trilogy that you won’t soon forget. If you’re into extreme horror get it today.
Highly recommended.
January 23, 2022
A Killer Trilogy!
This was the first book I've read by Steve Stred, and it certainly will not be my last. The three novellas within (RITUAL, COMMUNION, and SACRAMENT) were an absolute blast to read, and I also enjoyed the bonus story, "Eucharist." There's an essay, too, at the end of the book by Stred that I found riveting. If you enjoy horror, extreme violence, or stories about cults, you can't go wrong with this trilogy. Highly recommended!
This was the first book I've read by Steve Stred, and it certainly will not be my last. The three novellas within (RITUAL, COMMUNION, and SACRAMENT) were an absolute blast to read, and I also enjoyed the bonus story, "Eucharist." There's an essay, too, at the end of the book by Stred that I found riveting. If you enjoy horror, extreme violence, or stories about cults, you can't go wrong with this trilogy. Highly recommended!
July 13, 2024
Steve Stred has quickly become one of my favorite authors. His writing never fails to hook me, and quite frankly, scare the shit out of me. I particularly love this book because he actually joined a cult on the dark web in order to research the ideas behind this story. Cults are one of my professional curiosities, and I think it's really admirable (and bat shit crazy) that he put himself in that situation to better understand the content he wanted to write about. Because of the knowledge he gained from that research, this book is so effective in portraying how scary cults/cult mentality can be. I will add a content warning here though, you will run into sexual abuse/sexual violence in this book as well as some rather gory and gruesome scenes. If you're an experienced horror reader you should be fine - but if you're new to the genre I would read with caution. That said, this is a definite must read recommend from me to all my horror buffs!
August 1, 2021
Loved the darkness of the book. Glad it was a trilogy. Loved the short chapters to keep the pace, loved the minimal description allowing the reader to imagine
May 10, 2025
“Holy shit” was my first thought after finishing this trilogy.
This is the first book I’ve finished in a couple of months. I liked the books I was reading before this one, they weren’t bad and it was nothing to do with them. It was me. I need an itch scratched that I couldn’t quite put my finger on. And, apparently, this one scratched it.
I’ve always found cults fascinating and intriguing. I love reading about them, I love watching documentaries on them. So, when I picked this up and started reading, I was instantly hooked.
The first novella “Ritual” follows a mundane man, Brad, as he works and has what seems like a completely normal life. But it isn’t so normal. I enjoyed this because we got to see Brad’s normal life vs his cult life. And it was a brutal cult life, but one he happily and eagerly participated in.
The second novella, COMMUNION follows Detective McKay as he tries to uncover what happened at the end of 𝐑𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥 and who’s responsible. Unfortunately for him, he bites off a bit more than he can chew.
The third novella, Sacrament, we follow Professor Bianchi, who is trying to stop Father from opening the Black Heavens and is in a race against time.
All three novellas are truly outstanding. It had me on the edge of my seat. I never wanted to stop reading but was forced to because *adulthood* and all that jazz.
Between the depravity of the human race and cult leader, and the grotesque things that the parishioners were forced to do, this book does not lack gore. It’s one of those that just kind of grabs you by the throat and won’t let go until you’ve completely finished it.
If you’re looking for a trilogy about cults, their depraved leaders, and at what lengths they’ll go to in order to get their prize at the end, this will 100% get you going.
This is the first book I’ve finished in a couple of months. I liked the books I was reading before this one, they weren’t bad and it was nothing to do with them. It was me. I need an itch scratched that I couldn’t quite put my finger on. And, apparently, this one scratched it.
I’ve always found cults fascinating and intriguing. I love reading about them, I love watching documentaries on them. So, when I picked this up and started reading, I was instantly hooked.
The first novella “Ritual” follows a mundane man, Brad, as he works and has what seems like a completely normal life. But it isn’t so normal. I enjoyed this because we got to see Brad’s normal life vs his cult life. And it was a brutal cult life, but one he happily and eagerly participated in.
The second novella, COMMUNION follows Detective McKay as he tries to uncover what happened at the end of 𝐑𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥 and who’s responsible. Unfortunately for him, he bites off a bit more than he can chew.
The third novella, Sacrament, we follow Professor Bianchi, who is trying to stop Father from opening the Black Heavens and is in a race against time.
All three novellas are truly outstanding. It had me on the edge of my seat. I never wanted to stop reading but was forced to because *adulthood* and all that jazz.
Between the depravity of the human race and cult leader, and the grotesque things that the parishioners were forced to do, this book does not lack gore. It’s one of those that just kind of grabs you by the throat and won’t let go until you’ve completely finished it.
If you’re looking for a trilogy about cults, their depraved leaders, and at what lengths they’ll go to in order to get their prize at the end, this will 100% get you going.
November 20, 2023
The last few cult books I’ve read were a disappointment, but I finally found the one I’ve been looking for. Steve Stred’s The Father of Lies trilogy is the strange tale of a sect willing to go to any lengths for their beliefs.
Steve doesn’t shy away from the detailing the gruesome acts they believe are required to open a portal to salvation. This book is loaded with plenty of action, as well as some heavy doses of occult lore.
If you think some of the rituals they perform are farfetched, you might change your mind when you read about the research Steve did in the afterword. Check it out if you want a glimpse inside the dark heavens.
Steve doesn’t shy away from the detailing the gruesome acts they believe are required to open a portal to salvation. This book is loaded with plenty of action, as well as some heavy doses of occult lore.
If you think some of the rituals they perform are farfetched, you might change your mind when you read about the research Steve did in the afterword. Check it out if you want a glimpse inside the dark heavens.
September 17, 2021
To start with, I’d like to say I’m lucky enough to not require any TW/CW in the books I read so this has influenced my review.
I really enjoyed this trilogy by Steve Stred, in fact it was the warnings themselves that really made me want to read them. I was intrigued as to how warnings could be required from reading as opposed to watching.
I enjoyed the story, I find cults etc fascinating coupled with real demon/ other world activity this book was right up my street.
The three books being from alternate povs was great and really helped ratchet up the consequences of the world that was being written.
I have to say I was expecting more visceral violence. When discussing demons killing people at times it felt like other fantasy books deaths, the warnings did have me thinking this would really push the limits and for me I didn’t think they went as far as one would expect when all over the book were warnings. I understand some people’s concerns over the sexual violence but again it seemed rather quickly glossed over or written about very plainly with one or two sentences.
I have to say overall I am a new fan of the author and will continue to look out for his work.
I really enjoyed this trilogy by Steve Stred, in fact it was the warnings themselves that really made me want to read them. I was intrigued as to how warnings could be required from reading as opposed to watching.
I enjoyed the story, I find cults etc fascinating coupled with real demon/ other world activity this book was right up my street.
The three books being from alternate povs was great and really helped ratchet up the consequences of the world that was being written.
I have to say I was expecting more visceral violence. When discussing demons killing people at times it felt like other fantasy books deaths, the warnings did have me thinking this would really push the limits and for me I didn’t think they went as far as one would expect when all over the book were warnings. I understand some people’s concerns over the sexual violence but again it seemed rather quickly glossed over or written about very plainly with one or two sentences.
I have to say overall I am a new fan of the author and will continue to look out for his work.
February 8, 2022
Transgressive, compulsive, and utterly fascinating. Steve Stred's excellent trilogy, which allows you to crawl into the discomfiting skins of characters caught up in a cult, is challenging to read, but oh so compelling. Even though I wanted to stop reading, I couldn't. The trilogy is all the more eerie because it springs from the author's experience of joining a real-life cult. The extreme content warning is deserved, but so are the five-star ratings. Highly recommended.
November 28, 2024
3.5 stars rounded up
I don't even really know what to say about this book. I can't say I *enjoyed* it. It was gross and gruesome with some actually creepy moments. I felt pulled through each of the three novellas and finished the complete series in less than 36 hours. The bonus novella particularly freaked me out as a woman who enjoys camping alone. I loved the essay at the end about how he was inspired by researching and participating in a real cult on the dark web. i think perhaps the one element I would have liked more of it the recruitment of new members.
One note, there is copious amounts of rape/sodomy in this book. It may be callous of me to say but considering the propensity of sexual violence in extreme horror, it is important for me to point out that (thankfully) all sexual violence in these books is against men. It's a change of pace at least.
I don't even really know what to say about this book. I can't say I *enjoyed* it. It was gross and gruesome with some actually creepy moments. I felt pulled through each of the three novellas and finished the complete series in less than 36 hours. The bonus novella particularly freaked me out as a woman who enjoys camping alone. I loved the essay at the end about how he was inspired by researching and participating in a real cult on the dark web. i think perhaps the one element I would have liked more of it the recruitment of new members.
One note, there is copious amounts of rape/sodomy in this book. It may be callous of me to say but considering the propensity of sexual violence in extreme horror, it is important for me to point out that (thankfully) all sexual violence in these books is against men. It's a change of pace at least.
January 1, 2024
This series was unhinged and filled with many wtf moments. I think every reader should go into this blind like I did because wow, what a deranged journey. But definitely check your triggers 🙃.
This was such a good read that will likely stick with me. The fact that this was inspired by real world dark web is terrifying.
Stred has yet to disappoint 🙌🏻.
My full review on IG at the_macabre_reader.
This was such a good read that will likely stick with me. The fact that this was inspired by real world dark web is terrifying.
Stred has yet to disappoint 🙌🏻.
My full review on IG at the_macabre_reader.
August 27, 2024
This book... This book? This book, it's so bleak, so insane, and so visceral, I actually felt guilty for being a huge Black Metal fan as I read though the stories. Not even kidding. I mean, I don't feel guilty NOW, but I sure as hell did while in the grip of Steve Stred's storytelling abilities and the sheer brutality of the subject matter. So sick and evil. I love this book.
September 19, 2024
This was a really entertaining read… and…
Maybe there’s something wrong with me… but coming from an esoteric background, I found this book series to be interesting and not as horrifically shocking as a lot of people said. I should probably mention here that I cut my horror book teeth on some really taboo dark horror erotica, so maybe my effed-up-o-meter is a little off.
While there was plenty of questionably consensual anal sex, the details were not as graphic as say a paranormal romance or aforementioned horror erotica. There was also plenty of gore (lots of detail there!), and some other taboo stuff, but it wasn’t as bad as some of the real life stuff I’ve run across in old grimoires. (The making of flying ointment, for example- pretty macabre.) That being said, this book series did have an interesting and entertaining story that I enjoyed. A lot of people in the reviews hated Father and he was kind of a tool. But I thought he was a fun glimpse into the madness that occurs when power corrupts and what humans are willing to do for the promise of eternity (The Crusades, anyone??)
The information included about the demon rituals was sparse, but were interesting to me because they were different than the rituals I know of. That being said, I enjoyed the writing, I prefer a faster pace story as I detest how most stories drag ass to get to the point so this was a great pace for me (who are you people with the patience to read 8 chapters before anything remotely interesting happens?!).
This was the first book I’ve read by this author and I will be adding him to my list of authors to follow.
Maybe there’s something wrong with me… but coming from an esoteric background, I found this book series to be interesting and not as horrifically shocking as a lot of people said. I should probably mention here that I cut my horror book teeth on some really taboo dark horror erotica, so maybe my effed-up-o-meter is a little off.
While there was plenty of questionably consensual anal sex, the details were not as graphic as say a paranormal romance or aforementioned horror erotica. There was also plenty of gore (lots of detail there!), and some other taboo stuff, but it wasn’t as bad as some of the real life stuff I’ve run across in old grimoires. (The making of flying ointment, for example- pretty macabre.) That being said, this book series did have an interesting and entertaining story that I enjoyed. A lot of people in the reviews hated Father and he was kind of a tool. But I thought he was a fun glimpse into the madness that occurs when power corrupts and what humans are willing to do for the promise of eternity (The Crusades, anyone??)
The information included about the demon rituals was sparse, but were interesting to me because they were different than the rituals I know of. That being said, I enjoyed the writing, I prefer a faster pace story as I detest how most stories drag ass to get to the point so this was a great pace for me (who are you people with the patience to read 8 chapters before anything remotely interesting happens?!).
This was the first book I’ve read by this author and I will be adding him to my list of authors to follow.
September 28, 2022
Wholly amazing in an unholy way
This collection takes you through the twisted and sadistic world of a cult run by a man only known as "Father." Father delights in inflicting pain while using and abusing his numerous followers. All of this depraved behavior occurs in order to open the door to the Black Heavens, so that Father and any followers he deems "worthy" can ascend to this place and become immortal.
I can honestly say that I've never read anything quite like this before. This tale is like a roller coaster that just never lets up. There are no dull moments, no periods where the story veers off into pointless descriptions. It's just pure, unrelenting dread. It kept me on the edge of my seat, turning pages, saying, "I'll just read one more chapter before bed," and then eventually just falling asleep while reading. And I can promise you, even second of that time was absolutely worth it. This is an excellent tale. I highly recommend giving it a shot. But if you do, make sure you DO NOT skip the author's notes and afterwords. They offer great insight into the inspiration and the research for this book, and some of that stuff really truly creeped me out more than the story did.
This collection takes you through the twisted and sadistic world of a cult run by a man only known as "Father." Father delights in inflicting pain while using and abusing his numerous followers. All of this depraved behavior occurs in order to open the door to the Black Heavens, so that Father and any followers he deems "worthy" can ascend to this place and become immortal.
I can honestly say that I've never read anything quite like this before. This tale is like a roller coaster that just never lets up. There are no dull moments, no periods where the story veers off into pointless descriptions. It's just pure, unrelenting dread. It kept me on the edge of my seat, turning pages, saying, "I'll just read one more chapter before bed," and then eventually just falling asleep while reading. And I can promise you, even second of that time was absolutely worth it. This is an excellent tale. I highly recommend giving it a shot. But if you do, make sure you DO NOT skip the author's notes and afterwords. They offer great insight into the inspiration and the research for this book, and some of that stuff really truly creeped me out more than the story did.
August 30, 2023
*STRICTLY SUBJECTIVE
PROS - Fast, simple writing, very short chapters (some with just a single sentence) and Steve Stred's research work. My man actually joined TEMPLE OF THE BLACK LIGHT (as he himself states in the Afterword)and even performed and observed some dark rituals.
CONS - Kinda dumb, with lots of typos and grammatical errors. FATHER OF LIES, IMO, was written as a shock horror piece, where the storyline was secondary. The central idea was pretty good and could have been a fantastic horror-noir series. THE RITUAL started off in a gripping manner, but fizzled out amidst a festivity of hyper gore and bleakness. The sequels followed a similar pattern. I don't mind gore and shock, but I need a good story, which this series failed to offer.
PROS - Fast, simple writing, very short chapters (some with just a single sentence) and Steve Stred's research work. My man actually joined TEMPLE OF THE BLACK LIGHT (as he himself states in the Afterword)and even performed and observed some dark rituals.
CONS - Kinda dumb, with lots of typos and grammatical errors. FATHER OF LIES, IMO, was written as a shock horror piece, where the storyline was secondary. The central idea was pretty good and could have been a fantastic horror-noir series. THE RITUAL started off in a gripping manner, but fizzled out amidst a festivity of hyper gore and bleakness. The sequels followed a similar pattern. I don't mind gore and shock, but I need a good story, which this series failed to offer.
July 13, 2024
there aren't a lot of books that look down this - very - specific gunbarrel so when I heard about it I knew I had to read it.
emailed the author who kindly sold me a signed copy and sent it promptly. when he told me via email that the "cult" he joined was a strange offshoot of the MLO I sent him another email inquiring. I could tell right away he was trying to head this conversation off at the pass. Being quite acquainted with Black Metal I also probably knew that he had received at least a few other emails like mine and had probably gotten some crazies asking questions (I see you, bm Punishers...)
so, I didn't really push it or blame him for trying to Keep Silent.
The book(s) is cool. I feel like it gets a lot of spin for being "depraved and extreme" and maybe because I have just about a month ago come off reading Delaney's Hogg that Father of Lies didn't really stick me like everyone was saying. Don't get me wrong, I can see why people say that, but maybe I was just a little numb from the extremity of Hogg.
This book is also a little too goofy for my taste. There's something a tad ironic and flat about the characters. I would also have really liked it to nail down (lol) the tone a bit more. If you're gonna go this dark, make it a bit heavier because it reads its horror like King's books read sex - almost a tad embarrassed of it and unwilling to really get down there and humanize what's going on.
On the plus side, this thing is compelling. Some of the descriptions he gets and the eerie presences are beautifully described and it's very bleak.
Again, there's nothing quite like this book and I would know, I've been trying to find books like this for years.
I'll read more Stred and hope he only gets better.
emailed the author who kindly sold me a signed copy and sent it promptly. when he told me via email that the "cult" he joined was a strange offshoot of the MLO I sent him another email inquiring. I could tell right away he was trying to head this conversation off at the pass. Being quite acquainted with Black Metal I also probably knew that he had received at least a few other emails like mine and had probably gotten some crazies asking questions (I see you, bm Punishers...)
so, I didn't really push it or blame him for trying to Keep Silent.
The book(s) is cool. I feel like it gets a lot of spin for being "depraved and extreme" and maybe because I have just about a month ago come off reading Delaney's Hogg that Father of Lies didn't really stick me like everyone was saying. Don't get me wrong, I can see why people say that, but maybe I was just a little numb from the extremity of Hogg.
This book is also a little too goofy for my taste. There's something a tad ironic and flat about the characters. I would also have really liked it to nail down (lol) the tone a bit more. If you're gonna go this dark, make it a bit heavier because it reads its horror like King's books read sex - almost a tad embarrassed of it and unwilling to really get down there and humanize what's going on.
On the plus side, this thing is compelling. Some of the descriptions he gets and the eerie presences are beautifully described and it's very bleak.
Again, there's nothing quite like this book and I would know, I've been trying to find books like this for years.
I'll read more Stred and hope he only gets better.
May 1, 2024
QOTD: who's a friend who you'd trust to control your TBR?
For me? Keira all day! This is a book that has been on my radar since I read "Mastodon," by Steve as a buddy read in June, but not something I'd have been prompted to pick up by myself. When Keira recommended it to me, it pushed me over the edge, and after having the book on my shelf for months and on my nightstand for the past few days... I read it in two hours.
Here's what I thought: https://fanfiaddict.com/review-father...
"“Father Of Lies,” by Steve Stred is a meticulously crafted saga, in which each page is permeated with forbidden magic, ancient rituals and more monsters (literal and human) than you could shake a stick at. Steve is an awesome guy, and I’ve only ever had the nicest interactions with him… but don’t let that friendly smile fool you, for he also has one of the most disturbed minds in indie horror- and we’re all the better for it. He’s most well-known for novels such as “Mastodon,” and “Churn The Soil,” both of which are plenty good, but “Father Of Lies,” is without doubt his magnum opus; the crown jewel in his twisted repertoire… so go ahead, crack the spine (please, not literally)... “Father,” is waiting. "
For me? Keira all day! This is a book that has been on my radar since I read "Mastodon," by Steve as a buddy read in June, but not something I'd have been prompted to pick up by myself. When Keira recommended it to me, it pushed me over the edge, and after having the book on my shelf for months and on my nightstand for the past few days... I read it in two hours.
Here's what I thought: https://fanfiaddict.com/review-father...
"“Father Of Lies,” by Steve Stred is a meticulously crafted saga, in which each page is permeated with forbidden magic, ancient rituals and more monsters (literal and human) than you could shake a stick at. Steve is an awesome guy, and I’ve only ever had the nicest interactions with him… but don’t let that friendly smile fool you, for he also has one of the most disturbed minds in indie horror- and we’re all the better for it. He’s most well-known for novels such as “Mastodon,” and “Churn The Soil,” both of which are plenty good, but “Father Of Lies,” is without doubt his magnum opus; the crown jewel in his twisted repertoire… so go ahead, crack the spine (please, not literally)... “Father,” is waiting. "
January 6, 2024
This book was such a wild ride from the get-go. I really didn't know what to expect and I kind of bought the book blindly because the cover looked really cool (I know, I know...don't judge a book...yadayada) but turns out it was so. damn. good. It was gruesome and gory and shocking. I honestly sat in bed in shock during some of the rituals trying to explain the look of horror on my face to my husband and like...how do you tell your husband that Brad just gave the bloodiest, toothiest (or honestly tooth-less-iest) blow job I've ever had the displeasure of imagining and I LOVED IT. Overall the story was paced perfectly and I enjoyed being able to go from Brad's perspective to McKay's to Bianchi's. There was never a point where I thought the story was dragging. I really look forward to reading anything else by Steve Stred that I get my grubby little hands on.
January 18, 2024
I picked this up because I've really been interested in splatterpunk but haven't found a story that intrigued me enough. I don't really know how I stumbled across this one, but I'm always interested in the corrupt and occult. I got heavy the mysterious mother by Horace Walpole and satanic panic vibes from this. The descriptions were great and I really felt like I was there when I was reading through it. (Although I was very uncomfortable with the sexual parts) Overall great read. I think it helped that I just had Ethel Cain and Ice Nine Kills on loop while reading this. I don't actually know anyone I could recommend this to, but I'll add it to my shelf of occult books and oddities nestled right next to the goetia hymns and the bones fall in a spiral. Peace out!
June 18, 2024
As Father readies himself to ascend to the black heavens, he will leave a twisted flock in his wake. The worshippers are made to suffer depravity and torment for their devotion, in the hopes that the cosmic gods of chaos will rescue them from the mortal plane.
If cults, bestial demons and extreme horror are your jam, I highly recommend you check out this book. Father of Lies is a collection of three novellas (and a bonus novelette) so you are definitely getting your money’s worth.
The chapters are short and brutal, managing to hook you in and keep you glued to the pages. Normally I would read a book over a few days due to life and my easily distractible nature, but I absolutely smashed through this in just a couple of sittings.
If cults, bestial demons and extreme horror are your jam, I highly recommend you check out this book. Father of Lies is a collection of three novellas (and a bonus novelette) so you are definitely getting your money’s worth.
The chapters are short and brutal, managing to hook you in and keep you glued to the pages. Normally I would read a book over a few days due to life and my easily distractible nature, but I absolutely smashed through this in just a couple of sittings.
October 13, 2024
I felt the urge to revisit Father as he attempts to open the gates to the Black Heavens while abusing his followers in depraved and disturbing ways.
This book is the combination of Steve's trilogy of novellas - Ritual, Communion, and Sacrament. I read each of these as they were published, and also reread the previous novellas as each new one came out. This is my favorite thing Steve has done, and in this collection we are treated to a bonus forth story in the series, Eucharist, as well as some interesting essays with plenty of behind the scenes information.
If you like horror books about insane cults, dark religions, twisted gods with a good, brutal and intense story, you should pick this up. Or read it on KU, whichever.
This book is the combination of Steve's trilogy of novellas - Ritual, Communion, and Sacrament. I read each of these as they were published, and also reread the previous novellas as each new one came out. This is my favorite thing Steve has done, and in this collection we are treated to a bonus forth story in the series, Eucharist, as well as some interesting essays with plenty of behind the scenes information.
If you like horror books about insane cults, dark religions, twisted gods with a good, brutal and intense story, you should pick this up. Or read it on KU, whichever.
August 3, 2022
Very, very disturbing
This set was just...I don't think there's a strong enough word. Terrifying? Horrifying? People can do all manner of messed up things to themselves and others for a sense of belonging, a glimpse of perfection, however defined by the leader. Sometimes, there's no hero. Sometimes the good guys don't win.
The horror of the stories was upped when I read the author actually joined a cult like this for inspiration, and went "What if it was all real?". Usually you read a story and think to yourself, " Well, it's too bad/it's a good thing that doesn't happen in real land." Reading that there are people exactly like the ones in the book, makes it even scarier.
This set was just...I don't think there's a strong enough word. Terrifying? Horrifying? People can do all manner of messed up things to themselves and others for a sense of belonging, a glimpse of perfection, however defined by the leader. Sometimes, there's no hero. Sometimes the good guys don't win.
The horror of the stories was upped when I read the author actually joined a cult like this for inspiration, and went "What if it was all real?". Usually you read a story and think to yourself, " Well, it's too bad/it's a good thing that doesn't happen in real land." Reading that there are people exactly like the ones in the book, makes it even scarier.
April 11, 2024
There is something about the way Steve writes that sucks the reader in, and this trilogy does not disappoint.
Like other works, the author creates horror and the gore without it having a gratuitous nature to it. The use of extreme violence and gore is used in a way that leaves an impression on the reader, and for me, creates images that will stay around in the old noggin for a while!
If you love being a little grossed out, have an interest in the way people's minds work and how cults operate and the lengths people will go to for blind devotion (and don't mind a bit of graphic description) this trilogy is for you.
I can't wait to read more from this author.
Like other works, the author creates horror and the gore without it having a gratuitous nature to it. The use of extreme violence and gore is used in a way that leaves an impression on the reader, and for me, creates images that will stay around in the old noggin for a while!
If you love being a little grossed out, have an interest in the way people's minds work and how cults operate and the lengths people will go to for blind devotion (and don't mind a bit of graphic description) this trilogy is for you.
I can't wait to read more from this author.
March 15, 2022
What a ride - great story! I'm not squeamish but I got queasy a couple of times. Need an example?
There are some f**e up things out there in the whole wide world and enough reports reached me about death-cults so I got right into the mindset. What makes this so disturbing is the essay at the end.
There are some f**e up things out there in the whole wide world and enough reports reached me about death-cults so I got right into the mindset. What makes this so disturbing is the essay at the end.
September 21, 2023
Loved this book. Instead of reading all three books- Ritual, Communion and Sacrament this book just combines the three! These are quick reads, so it’s great that they are all together. The deeper you get into the book the more outrageously good it gets! In most books you are usually rooting against the evil demon but in this book you may be rethinking that by the end of the book. Honestly the end totally caught me off guard and I said what the heck?
Def a series you don’t want to miss.
Def a series you don’t want to miss.
September 26, 2024
This is definitely one of the most intense reads I have ever finished. Fully immersed in the story, very graphic and not for anyone who isn’t willing to go into the dark cult corners the universe has to offer. The main reason why this book received 5 stars is how well researched and involved the author was into creating this series.
January 1, 2025
Cult horror is one of my favorite subgenres, and the Father of Lies trilogy is one of the best cult books I've read. It is tremendously creepy, brutal, and pulls no punches. Although I rated the contents individually, overall this was a 5 star experience, enhanced by the Book of Lies at the end.
Ritual ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Communion ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Sacrament ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Eucharist ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ritual ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Communion ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Sacrament ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Eucharist ⭐⭐⭐⭐
September 8, 2022
Despite its reputation, the most effective horror of these collected works is not the occasional scenes of gore and body modification. No, its the social dynamics of the cult which the author was inspired to make after spending some time observing an actual cult on the dark web.
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