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Thief
When Chelsea Roberson retired from the wrestling business, she knew that she was leaving behind the underground fame and fortune it had provided her. What she did not expect was the death of her teenage daughter, Tammy, the very same day.
Her heart broken, Chelsea sees no reason to go on, but her mourning is interrupted when a strange incident seems to indicate that Tammy’s soul didn’t find rest in the afterlife. Chelsea’s search for answers sets her on the trail of a mysterious man, a man whose only companion as a child was a ghost, a man who has stolen everything he owns.
Following the same trail there’s a ruthless gangster protected by the Lady of the Holy Death, and he won’t rest until he recovers what has been taken from him.
Those who had everything, now lack. Those who had nothing, long to possess. For one of them to win, the other two must lose. Their fates will meet in a place beyond death, where unfathomable forces rule.
Her heart broken, Chelsea sees no reason to go on, but her mourning is interrupted when a strange incident seems to indicate that Tammy’s soul didn’t find rest in the afterlife. Chelsea’s search for answers sets her on the trail of a mysterious man, a man whose only companion as a child was a ghost, a man who has stolen everything he owns.
Following the same trail there’s a ruthless gangster protected by the Lady of the Holy Death, and he won’t rest until he recovers what has been taken from him.
Those who had everything, now lack. Those who had nothing, long to possess. For one of them to win, the other two must lose. Their fates will meet in a place beyond death, where unfathomable forces rule.
361 pages, Paperback
First published September 19, 2021
11 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 29, 2021
On paper this one had so much potential and I was incredibly excited for it. Sadly it did not live up to the very high hopes I had for it. I’m a huge fan of any book that has to do with the occult and life after death and this one just sounded so good. The idea practically had me salivating and when it first started to unroll I was pretty damn into it and sitting back to enjoy the ride. And then that’s where it started to get messy and a bunch of little things started to really bother me. I won’t nitpick and go into all of them but there’s 2 main things that really brought this from a yay to nay. First, at one point I got pretty tired of there continuously being new elements thrown in, it felt like every possible thing you could imagine somehow had to be added in and it was quite confusing honestly. Second, I didn’t connect with any of the characters which made it hard for me to enjoy as I’m a very character driven reader. The story had so much potential and I really wanted to love it but the execution just lacked for me. All that being said, I would still be curious to delve into more of this author’s work. The potential is there but this story just didn’t quite work for me.
December 22, 2021
This piece of indie horror is a ghost story with a unique twist. The main character can access the souls of the deceased and he abducts them and holds them prisoner for various purposes. He's not a good guy, and there are many other villainous characters floating around this story too. It's dark, menacing, and sinister. It demonstrates power in multiple forms, and shows how a mother will do absolutely anything to save her child, even in death. Although the author has created a strong, empowering female character (a former wrestler who still has some moves!), it should be noted for readers who require trigger warnings that there is considerable violence towards women in this story, including rape. I enjoyed the author's writing style and his plot creativity. This is a ghost story you haven't read before.
*The author sent me a complimentary digital copy of this book for review.
*The author sent me a complimentary digital copy of this book for review.
February 16, 2022
This is one complicated book.
We have a man who can not only see and talk to ghosts, but fight with them and control them.
We have a gangster intent on tracking down the man who stole from him.
We have a truly psychotic serial killer.
We have a grieving mother whose entire life is turned upside down when she learns that her daughter, though dead, is not gone.
We have a creature that may be a demon or some sort of cosmic monster from another time or place or reality.
We have all of these story lines running parallel to each other until suddenly they begin to converge, and then we have an ultimate confrontation of epic proportions.
This story explores life, death, loneliness, grief, greed, violence, good and evil, and the power of a mother's love. There's action and violence and horror and an almost-sympathetic villain among many fully non-sympathetic ones.
Oscar Calderon writes beautifully and smoothly, with a few bumps in the road caused, I think, by English not being his first language, but forgivable for that same reason. This story grabs you from the beginning and keeps the momentum going with fairly short chapters that take us back and forth between the different character's plot lines. There are a few truly disturbing moments (especially the scenes surrounding that maniac murderer, "The Sculptor"). The character of the Thief himself is by far the most fascinating of the bunch: a man whose only childhood friend was a ghost and who goes into adulthood with a seriously skewed sense of morality, who entraps and tortures spirits and has no qualms about liberating those same spirits from their earthly shells, and who still manages to evoke a sense of pity? That is one complex character and Calderon has written him perfectly.
I loved this book from beginning to end and highly recommend it.
We have a man who can not only see and talk to ghosts, but fight with them and control them.
We have a gangster intent on tracking down the man who stole from him.
We have a truly psychotic serial killer.
We have a grieving mother whose entire life is turned upside down when she learns that her daughter, though dead, is not gone.
We have a creature that may be a demon or some sort of cosmic monster from another time or place or reality.
We have all of these story lines running parallel to each other until suddenly they begin to converge, and then we have an ultimate confrontation of epic proportions.
This story explores life, death, loneliness, grief, greed, violence, good and evil, and the power of a mother's love. There's action and violence and horror and an almost-sympathetic villain among many fully non-sympathetic ones.
Oscar Calderon writes beautifully and smoothly, with a few bumps in the road caused, I think, by English not being his first language, but forgivable for that same reason. This story grabs you from the beginning and keeps the momentum going with fairly short chapters that take us back and forth between the different character's plot lines. There are a few truly disturbing moments (especially the scenes surrounding that maniac murderer, "The Sculptor"). The character of the Thief himself is by far the most fascinating of the bunch: a man whose only childhood friend was a ghost and who goes into adulthood with a seriously skewed sense of morality, who entraps and tortures spirits and has no qualms about liberating those same spirits from their earthly shells, and who still manages to evoke a sense of pity? That is one complex character and Calderon has written him perfectly.
I loved this book from beginning to end and highly recommend it.
November 3, 2021
Julius is a thief of souls. He is able to imprison and control them and bend their will to his. When he steals Tammy's soul from her mother Chelsea, serial killer Clayton's soul from a cosmic traveller, and runs afoul of gangsters, they all try to make him give back what's theirs.
This book is everything I love about Indie horror. It takes risks, combines a host of horror elements and delivers a refreshing new tale of isolation, power and violence.
Julius is a compelling, disturbing character. His story is creepy and scary. And while he is not the only villain in the story, he is definitely the worst. Chapters with his first person POV are riveting.
The storytelling is excellent and the writing, easy to read. I found myself completely invested in the outcome, especially Chelsea's and Tammy's.
The book has interesting characters, and a steady pace of action and suspense. While it dragged in places and there are some inane conversations and inner monologues, I was pleasantly surprised by how entertaining this book was.
This book is everything I love about Indie horror. It takes risks, combines a host of horror elements and delivers a refreshing new tale of isolation, power and violence.
Julius is a compelling, disturbing character. His story is creepy and scary. And while he is not the only villain in the story, he is definitely the worst. Chapters with his first person POV are riveting.
The storytelling is excellent and the writing, easy to read. I found myself completely invested in the outcome, especially Chelsea's and Tammy's.
The book has interesting characters, and a steady pace of action and suspense. While it dragged in places and there are some inane conversations and inner monologues, I was pleasantly surprised by how entertaining this book was.
November 14, 2021
What a twisting and interesting plot. I found the whole thing very original. Imagine having the ability to control spirits after their death; being able to see the spirit leave the body, grab onto it and bind it to you. Essentially, prevent it from finding peace.
Now imagine that after your daughters death you find out that her soul was taken. What wouldn’t you do to free her?
There are several characters in this and I always had to try and figure out what was going on at the beginning of the chapters. Some of the areas seemed over explained with unnecessary details while other parts felt vague. Overall I thought it was compelling and I needed to know what was going to happen next or how the storylines where going to come together.
Now imagine that after your daughters death you find out that her soul was taken. What wouldn’t you do to free her?
There are several characters in this and I always had to try and figure out what was going on at the beginning of the chapters. Some of the areas seemed over explained with unnecessary details while other parts felt vague. Overall I thought it was compelling and I needed to know what was going to happen next or how the storylines where going to come together.
January 5, 2022
Where do I start with this one.. I would classify this as a supernatural horror/thriller. The main character in the novel is also kinda the villain which is a super interesting perspective. He keeps souls/ghosts commanding them to do exactly as he says and they must obey.
I found this book very action packed with a super unique story that I deeply enjoyed. The writing style is very beautiful and almost whimsical which contrasted with the dark themes in this story well. There was definitely some hard core gore which as an avid horror fan I enjoyed. But with all horror books I post I recommend checking out the TW online before you pick this one up as it does real with assault/sexual themes/assault/ family trauma etc.
I did find the story a little hard to follow at times as there was a lot of changing of perspectives, physically traveling in the story, many different plot points and loads of characters. Definitely a read you need to play close attention to to truly understand.
I think my favorite part of this story is how beautifully written the last chapter is and how it brings a sense of closure as well as hope for Julius’ future.
I found this book very action packed with a super unique story that I deeply enjoyed. The writing style is very beautiful and almost whimsical which contrasted with the dark themes in this story well. There was definitely some hard core gore which as an avid horror fan I enjoyed. But with all horror books I post I recommend checking out the TW online before you pick this one up as it does real with assault/sexual themes/assault/ family trauma etc.
I did find the story a little hard to follow at times as there was a lot of changing of perspectives, physically traveling in the story, many different plot points and loads of characters. Definitely a read you need to play close attention to to truly understand.
I think my favorite part of this story is how beautifully written the last chapter is and how it brings a sense of closure as well as hope for Julius’ future.
February 3, 2022
Thief by Oscar Calderon Is a unique Indie Dark horror ghost story.
The main character Julius captures souls/ghosts for at first to learn things but then later for power.
Many are after him including a mother to help free her daughters soul.
I was interested to see how the many different storylines would come together.
Warning on violence/sexual assault against women.
This book was a very good read and kept my interest the whole time.
Thank you Oscar Calderon for sending me a copy in return for an honest review.
The main character Julius captures souls/ghosts for at first to learn things but then later for power.
Many are after him including a mother to help free her daughters soul.
I was interested to see how the many different storylines would come together.
Warning on violence/sexual assault against women.
This book was a very good read and kept my interest the whole time.
Thank you Oscar Calderon for sending me a copy in return for an honest review.
November 20, 2021
- 3.5 Stars -
Julius has the ability to coexist in between two planes of the living and the dead. He uses his power to capture ghosts to keep as his prisoners. It's an ability that causes a distraught mother to hunt him down in order to free her daughter's soul and also causes gang members to spread violence in their own search for Julius.
This was a unique ghost story. I loved the premise of a former woman wrestler hunting down a keeper of souls. It was dark in many ways and featured menacing supernatural entities, terrifying killers and clairvoyants.
The author has a very descriptive writing style and knows how to create good action sequences. I was particularly impressed with a wrestling scene that happened towards the end.
While the story has good pacing it also felt rushed in some areas and would jump from one scene to the next in just a couple of sentences. Also as much as I appreciated the story, there weren't many likeable characters. Chelsea the wrestler was my favorite! But most of the characters in the story were villains and not ones I particularly wanted to follow every step of the way. Especially with their screwed up treatment on women.
Overall, it was an interesting read. Check this out if you're looking for a unique dark supernatural ghost story!
Content Warnings: Sexual Assault, Murder, Physical Assault, Violence against women, Gore.
Julius has the ability to coexist in between two planes of the living and the dead. He uses his power to capture ghosts to keep as his prisoners. It's an ability that causes a distraught mother to hunt him down in order to free her daughter's soul and also causes gang members to spread violence in their own search for Julius.
This was a unique ghost story. I loved the premise of a former woman wrestler hunting down a keeper of souls. It was dark in many ways and featured menacing supernatural entities, terrifying killers and clairvoyants.
The author has a very descriptive writing style and knows how to create good action sequences. I was particularly impressed with a wrestling scene that happened towards the end.
While the story has good pacing it also felt rushed in some areas and would jump from one scene to the next in just a couple of sentences. Also as much as I appreciated the story, there weren't many likeable characters. Chelsea the wrestler was my favorite! But most of the characters in the story were villains and not ones I particularly wanted to follow every step of the way. Especially with their screwed up treatment on women.
Overall, it was an interesting read. Check this out if you're looking for a unique dark supernatural ghost story!
Content Warnings: Sexual Assault, Murder, Physical Assault, Violence against women, Gore.
March 21, 2022
Unfortunately, I did not finish this one. I got about 100 pages in and it just wasn’t for me. I enjoyed the different perspectives but at the time, they were very segmented and a wasn’t really liking any of the characters to read more about them. If you’re into the more supernatural aspects of books, this is the one for you!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews