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Uncovered Darkness #1
Descent of a Broken Man
James Corbin is an ambitious high school history teacher who resides in the lively, yet dangerous city of New Orleans. He suffers from severe depression and anxiety and is on a downward spiral, unwilling to seek the help he desperately needs. His troubles are compounded by a lack of progress in his professional career, his disintegrating marriage, and lack of respect from his peers. While his struggles threaten to cripple him, the city is marred by a series of brutal religious murders.
However, it’s soon clear that there is not only one, but two murderers wreaking havoc on the city. While police chase the murderers, James focuses on his quest for professional success and self-worth from his research. Unfortunately for him, the research leads to the discovery of a nefarious essence, which unlocks a darkness and brings James face to face with a monster of his own. Within some people, there is something… off. Something dormant. A terror that, if found, will leave a path of pain in its wake.
However, it’s soon clear that there is not only one, but two murderers wreaking havoc on the city. While police chase the murderers, James focuses on his quest for professional success and self-worth from his research. Unfortunately for him, the research leads to the discovery of a nefarious essence, which unlocks a darkness and brings James face to face with a monster of his own. Within some people, there is something… off. Something dormant. A terror that, if found, will leave a path of pain in its wake.
- GenresHorror
257 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 11, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
August 8, 2023
The switching between first and third person was kind of annoying to me and there were too many POVs in my opinion. The dialogues were somewhat stilted and unnatural and in some instances they came across as quite childish.
That being said, the story itself has very solid bones and Ruffins clearly has a great imagination so it wasn't an unpleasant read.
That being said, the story itself has very solid bones and Ruffins clearly has a great imagination so it wasn't an unpleasant read.
May 15, 2022
I have been wanting to get back reading horror books. Ones that will grab my attention and keep it, while at the same time give me goosebumps. The few horror books I have read recently did not do this for me until this book.
From the first page until the last one, I was feeling this book. I would say that this book would be great as a horror movie, but I don't think that a movie would do this book justice. As with any horror genre, there will be gore. Yet, it is not so descriptive as to be too gruesome. You have been warned.
Finally, there is a very competent authority figure with Detective Nola Maor. She held her own against the beast. So excited to see that this is not the last that readers will see of Detective Maor. Author, Ashton Ruffins does score a homerun with his debut novel.
From the first page until the last one, I was feeling this book. I would say that this book would be great as a horror movie, but I don't think that a movie would do this book justice. As with any horror genre, there will be gore. Yet, it is not so descriptive as to be too gruesome. You have been warned.
Finally, there is a very competent authority figure with Detective Nola Maor. She held her own against the beast. So excited to see that this is not the last that readers will see of Detective Maor. Author, Ashton Ruffins does score a homerun with his debut novel.
May 30, 2022
Thank you to @rrbooktours for providing this copy for an honest review.
⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
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My thoughts.
From the first few pages the first murder has happened so the story grips you from the very beginning.
This is dark supernatural horror/thriller that really keeps you sleeping with the light on and will keep you wanting more all the way to the very end.
James Cobin is a nice guy that's down on his luck, you follow his story through a gruesome time in New Orleans. Murder suspense and most of all a damn good story.
Detective Nola Maor is the detective assigned to solve this gruesome case.
There are twists, turns voodoo and God. The writing in this book is wonderful the characters are interesting and believable, and I think you will find it hard to put this down, it made the hairs on my arms stand on end, and left me wanting more.
I would recommend this book if you love horror and suspense stories.
Excerpt
The thought of escaping New Orleans and the violence of their hometown after graduation excited their youthful minds. Ever mindful, Cynthia watched her surroundings and stayed aware of some of the dangers in the area, but the pair managed to enjoy their brisk walk among the tourists before they made it to a much thinner crowd and a much rougher neighborhood.
As the young couple’s pace quickened, two large Rottweilers snarled. Drool fell from the dogs’ mouths at the sight of them, as they walked past the housing development.
“Just keep walking, baby. Don’t make eye contact. They’ll leave us alone,” Damon insisted.
The dogs sprinted toward them, baring their teeth and leaving a trail of saliva behind them.
“Oh shit, bae! Run!” Damon yelled.
Cynthia snatched her hand away from Damon and took off toward the police station ahead. Damon beamed and raced behind Cynthia as the dogs caught up to him. The sound of the chattering teeth nipping at his heels pushed his legs faster. The vicious hounds chased and snarled after them as they sped up the block and past the First Precinct Police Station. The sound of their laughter echoed in the night’s air the entire way.
Cynthia and Damon managed to lose the dogs, after they turned and entered the side gates of Louis Armstrong Park, a shortcut to their Treme neighborhood where Damon lived.
The struggle to catch their breaths while guffawing at their experience brought some lively energy to the park’s dreary atmosphere.
“My God, you are so slow!” Cynthia yelled out, weak from laughter.
“Shut up!” Damon replied. “I was gonna catch you. Not really though. I tried. Your ass is too fast. I could’ve run behind that ass all night though.”
“Boy, you play too much!” Cynthia replied, as she playfully slapped Damon softly on his cheek. Both still hunched over with their hands on their knees as they tried to catch their breath.
“Hey, will you shut up? People are trying to sleep out here,” a voice bellowed from nearby.
“Oh, shit.” Damon snickered. “Now we are waking up the bums.”
While Cynthia and Damon flirted, they stood under the large oak trees near Congo Square. Sweat dripped from their foreheads from the muggy evening, but the still trees above offered no sign of a breeze to break up the oppressively thick air. The young couple continued their walk through Armstrong Park as they listened to the sound of soft jazz pumped from speakers from the nearby radio station.
As they passed the old Municipal Auditorium, a place of concerts and graduations, Damon gripped Cynthia’s hand once more and pulled her toward him. The two embraced and shared a long passionate kiss under the towering presence of the oak trees. Damon placed both hands on Cynthia’s arms and caressed her smooth skin with his thumbs. Their love had grown since their sophomore year. Cynthia’s hands lay upon both sides of his face, and the engagement ring on Cynthia’s hand glimmered as it managed to capture the little light in the area.
As they stared into each other’s eyes, a sudden movement from above caught Damon’s attention. He looked up into the sturdy wooden structures and noticed a shadowy figure hidden among the cluster of branches that rustled and swayed. A human-like figure moved with a purpose from tree to tree and bent the branches along the way, as if a hurricane force wind blew them about.
The sound of a stick snapping startled Cynthia. Damon held her hand firmly and proceeded to pull his fiancée through the park. Cynthia glanced behind them as they hurried through the darkness, and she dipped “her eyebrows with confusion at the sight of the branches breaking and falling to the ground.
As Damon yanked on Cynthia’s arm, something fell from the tree before them. Damon and Cynthia halted and looked on with horror in their wide eyes. “What the hell?” Damon mumbled as he stared ahead. Paralyzed by fear, he squeezed Cynthia’s hand tighter.
She grimaced in pain, as the couple glared at the enormous figure that panted in the shadows ahea
Available on Amazon
⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
AD PR PRODUCT
My thoughts.
From the first few pages the first murder has happened so the story grips you from the very beginning.
This is dark supernatural horror/thriller that really keeps you sleeping with the light on and will keep you wanting more all the way to the very end.
James Cobin is a nice guy that's down on his luck, you follow his story through a gruesome time in New Orleans. Murder suspense and most of all a damn good story.
Detective Nola Maor is the detective assigned to solve this gruesome case.
There are twists, turns voodoo and God. The writing in this book is wonderful the characters are interesting and believable, and I think you will find it hard to put this down, it made the hairs on my arms stand on end, and left me wanting more.
I would recommend this book if you love horror and suspense stories.
Excerpt
The thought of escaping New Orleans and the violence of their hometown after graduation excited their youthful minds. Ever mindful, Cynthia watched her surroundings and stayed aware of some of the dangers in the area, but the pair managed to enjoy their brisk walk among the tourists before they made it to a much thinner crowd and a much rougher neighborhood.
As the young couple’s pace quickened, two large Rottweilers snarled. Drool fell from the dogs’ mouths at the sight of them, as they walked past the housing development.
“Just keep walking, baby. Don’t make eye contact. They’ll leave us alone,” Damon insisted.
The dogs sprinted toward them, baring their teeth and leaving a trail of saliva behind them.
“Oh shit, bae! Run!” Damon yelled.
Cynthia snatched her hand away from Damon and took off toward the police station ahead. Damon beamed and raced behind Cynthia as the dogs caught up to him. The sound of the chattering teeth nipping at his heels pushed his legs faster. The vicious hounds chased and snarled after them as they sped up the block and past the First Precinct Police Station. The sound of their laughter echoed in the night’s air the entire way.
Cynthia and Damon managed to lose the dogs, after they turned and entered the side gates of Louis Armstrong Park, a shortcut to their Treme neighborhood where Damon lived.
The struggle to catch their breaths while guffawing at their experience brought some lively energy to the park’s dreary atmosphere.
“My God, you are so slow!” Cynthia yelled out, weak from laughter.
“Shut up!” Damon replied. “I was gonna catch you. Not really though. I tried. Your ass is too fast. I could’ve run behind that ass all night though.”
“Boy, you play too much!” Cynthia replied, as she playfully slapped Damon softly on his cheek. Both still hunched over with their hands on their knees as they tried to catch their breath.
“Hey, will you shut up? People are trying to sleep out here,” a voice bellowed from nearby.
“Oh, shit.” Damon snickered. “Now we are waking up the bums.”
While Cynthia and Damon flirted, they stood under the large oak trees near Congo Square. Sweat dripped from their foreheads from the muggy evening, but the still trees above offered no sign of a breeze to break up the oppressively thick air. The young couple continued their walk through Armstrong Park as they listened to the sound of soft jazz pumped from speakers from the nearby radio station.
As they passed the old Municipal Auditorium, a place of concerts and graduations, Damon gripped Cynthia’s hand once more and pulled her toward him. The two embraced and shared a long passionate kiss under the towering presence of the oak trees. Damon placed both hands on Cynthia’s arms and caressed her smooth skin with his thumbs. Their love had grown since their sophomore year. Cynthia’s hands lay upon both sides of his face, and the engagement ring on Cynthia’s hand glimmered as it managed to capture the little light in the area.
As they stared into each other’s eyes, a sudden movement from above caught Damon’s attention. He looked up into the sturdy wooden structures and noticed a shadowy figure hidden among the cluster of branches that rustled and swayed. A human-like figure moved with a purpose from tree to tree and bent the branches along the way, as if a hurricane force wind blew them about.
The sound of a stick snapping startled Cynthia. Damon held her hand firmly and proceeded to pull his fiancée through the park. Cynthia glanced behind them as they hurried through the darkness, and she dipped “her eyebrows with confusion at the sight of the branches breaking and falling to the ground.
As Damon yanked on Cynthia’s arm, something fell from the tree before them. Damon and Cynthia halted and looked on with horror in their wide eyes. “What the hell?” Damon mumbled as he stared ahead. Paralyzed by fear, he squeezed Cynthia’s hand tighter.
She grimaced in pain, as the couple glared at the enormous figure that panted in the shadows ahea
Available on Amazon
August 8, 2023
This book was so good. I seriously felt sorry for James, dealing with depression and anxiety can be tough. Not only is James struggling with his mental health, he also ends up losing everything. To solve all his problems James thinks that his only option is to summon a god instead of getting the help that he needs. Revenge is the only thing that he can think about, will he let it consume him or will he get the help that he needs? Read this book and find out.
January 19, 2024
Fantastic read! Can't wait to jump into book 2.
August 10, 2022
I loved Ashon Ruffin’s debut novel Descent of a Broken Man. It really is two stories in one. The tale of a New Orleans high school history teacher, James Corbin, who longs to be a Professor. And the story of Detective Nola Maor of the NOPD, an ex-catholic who has lost her faith, due to witnessing some heinous indiscretions of Priests.
James Corbin is the epitome of broken. Besides the many adversities that infect his life: a loveless marriage and a job he hates, he also suffers from anxiety and harbors dark, self deprecating thoughts which leave him contemplating suicide more often than not.
When you’re struggling and can’t seem to find the light, what do you do?
James concludes the most effective way to combat the darkness is to become the darkness. So, when he is offered a proposition by an unlikely ally, one who promises to end his pain and misery, he willingly accepts.
Detective Nola Maor is a strong female protagonist who has taken on the task of solving a string of religious murders. She is challenged with figuring out who is behind these murders while facing the demons of her past. And just when things aren’t testy enough, another set of bizarre murders pop up, and witnesses are claiming it is a beast they’ve dubbed Goliath committing these murders. The moniker, Goliath was metaphorically very fitting, as both James’ and Det. Maor’s battles were very formidable.
Ashon Ruffin’s did an amazing job weaving in the angst and the enormity of mental health issues that people with depression face. He also flawlessly seamed the two stories into one wonderfully penned battle of will and determination, with the lines of good and evil slightly blurred. You can’t help but feel both compassion and anger for James and wish that Detective Nola was a real person who was on your side.
I am here for book 2 and any other that may follow! Loved it!
James Corbin is the epitome of broken. Besides the many adversities that infect his life: a loveless marriage and a job he hates, he also suffers from anxiety and harbors dark, self deprecating thoughts which leave him contemplating suicide more often than not.
When you’re struggling and can’t seem to find the light, what do you do?
James concludes the most effective way to combat the darkness is to become the darkness. So, when he is offered a proposition by an unlikely ally, one who promises to end his pain and misery, he willingly accepts.
Detective Nola Maor is a strong female protagonist who has taken on the task of solving a string of religious murders. She is challenged with figuring out who is behind these murders while facing the demons of her past. And just when things aren’t testy enough, another set of bizarre murders pop up, and witnesses are claiming it is a beast they’ve dubbed Goliath committing these murders. The moniker, Goliath was metaphorically very fitting, as both James’ and Det. Maor’s battles were very formidable.
Ashon Ruffin’s did an amazing job weaving in the angst and the enormity of mental health issues that people with depression face. He also flawlessly seamed the two stories into one wonderfully penned battle of will and determination, with the lines of good and evil slightly blurred. You can’t help but feel both compassion and anger for James and wish that Detective Nola was a real person who was on your side.
I am here for book 2 and any other that may follow! Loved it!
August 25, 2024
James Corbin is a high school history teacher. While he enjoys his job, his real passion lies in darker history. He battle severe depression and as a black man, he feels he needs to just get over it. His wife isn't loving to him, and his boss always gives him a hard time. When his wife leaves him and he looses his job, he decides this is it for him and he's done. That is until something from another deminsion calls to him for an exchange for a better life.
Detective Maor lives and takes care of the streets of New Orleans. She's a respectable detective and always is hard at work. When she's called to a religious style murder scene, what she knows will be tested. She soon realizes that she's not only dealing with 1 killer, she has 2 on the loose.
I enjoyed and savored this book so much. I enjoy a book that rides that fine line of religion and this did just that. There is great talk about different types of religion here, voodoo talk, demon summoning, and some bloody murders. There is also the aspect of mental health and how bad someone can feel when they don't go get help due to pride or embarrassment. The writing in this was fantastic and the author really put their all into this debut. If you enjoy true crime this is definitely up your alley! I high recommend and I cannot wait to dive into book 2!
Detective Maor lives and takes care of the streets of New Orleans. She's a respectable detective and always is hard at work. When she's called to a religious style murder scene, what she knows will be tested. She soon realizes that she's not only dealing with 1 killer, she has 2 on the loose.
I enjoyed and savored this book so much. I enjoy a book that rides that fine line of religion and this did just that. There is great talk about different types of religion here, voodoo talk, demon summoning, and some bloody murders. There is also the aspect of mental health and how bad someone can feel when they don't go get help due to pride or embarrassment. The writing in this was fantastic and the author really put their all into this debut. If you enjoy true crime this is definitely up your alley! I high recommend and I cannot wait to dive into book 2!
June 1, 2022
Thrilling, Twisted and Delightfully Horrifying!
Ashon.Where to begin...
I love the New Orleans lifestyle, voodoo, and religious beliefs you brought to life in your book.
One of my favorite quotes from the book I have put in my photo.
This is why I love this quote...
Depression, Anxiety, and Mental Health issues are real.
This quote shows just how much so.
The fact that James is willing to go to extreme lengths in this novel that he does, to not have to feel depressed, anxious, sad, or any kind of pain anymore, just speaks so loudly.
I don't want to give any spoilers, but this book did not disappoint! It's filled with horror, breathtaking twists, and turns. I was in love with the world and the characters from the start. Detective Maor was easily one of my favorite characters, outside of James of course. I got so wrapped up in the murders and mysteries, I read the entire book in one sitting.
If you love weird, twisted, and dark horror books... This one is definitely for you!
Ashon.Where to begin...
I love the New Orleans lifestyle, voodoo, and religious beliefs you brought to life in your book.
One of my favorite quotes from the book I have put in my photo.
This is why I love this quote...
Depression, Anxiety, and Mental Health issues are real.
This quote shows just how much so.
The fact that James is willing to go to extreme lengths in this novel that he does, to not have to feel depressed, anxious, sad, or any kind of pain anymore, just speaks so loudly.
I don't want to give any spoilers, but this book did not disappoint! It's filled with horror, breathtaking twists, and turns. I was in love with the world and the characters from the start. Detective Maor was easily one of my favorite characters, outside of James of course. I got so wrapped up in the murders and mysteries, I read the entire book in one sitting.
If you love weird, twisted, and dark horror books... This one is definitely for you!
June 1, 2022
I am obsessed with horror. I think it may be my absolute favorite genre. So, when I had the opportunity to join the book tour for Descent of a Broken Man by Ashon Ruffins, I jumped at the opportunity. And I’m SO happy I did!!!
This was a relatively short read but it absolutely packs a punch. I couldn’t put it down because I was drawn in completely, and needed to find out what happened. The writing is gripping and the plot kept me on the edge of my seat from the first page to the last.
There are a few different characters in this story and each are very well written. The different points of views gave this story even more depth than it would have if we’d only followed one character. It kept up the suspense and allowed me to be even more drawn into the story.
This had everything I could have wanted. A perfect horror novel that I highly recommend checking out!
Thank you to R&R Book Tours for the free review copy. All opinions are my own and unbiased.
This was a relatively short read but it absolutely packs a punch. I couldn’t put it down because I was drawn in completely, and needed to find out what happened. The writing is gripping and the plot kept me on the edge of my seat from the first page to the last.
There are a few different characters in this story and each are very well written. The different points of views gave this story even more depth than it would have if we’d only followed one character. It kept up the suspense and allowed me to be even more drawn into the story.
This had everything I could have wanted. A perfect horror novel that I highly recommend checking out!
Thank you to R&R Book Tours for the free review copy. All opinions are my own and unbiased.
February 12, 2022
Outstanding 👏🏽
This book was a great read. It kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. The author has a very vivid imagination. You can tell that he did a lot of research before writing this book. The details throughout the novel makes you feel as if you were inside of the minds of each character yourself. The fact that it was written based around the city of New Orleans, was exciting as well. The places in the story and culture of the city brought back memories of growing up in the Cresent city. I will be following this author and hope to read more amazing stories by him in the future.
This book was a great read. It kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. The author has a very vivid imagination. You can tell that he did a lot of research before writing this book. The details throughout the novel makes you feel as if you were inside of the minds of each character yourself. The fact that it was written based around the city of New Orleans, was exciting as well. The places in the story and culture of the city brought back memories of growing up in the Cresent city. I will be following this author and hope to read more amazing stories by him in the future.
June 1, 2022
For some reason I've been having trouble finding a horror book that could really grip me and keep me but that wasn't the case with Descent of A Broken Man! From the very first page the action begins and you are sucked right in with it! There are twists, turns and voodoo. The writing in this book is wonderful and the characters are interesting and believable which is always a good thing especially with horror books, it makes the thrill even better! I think there will be a lot of you who will find it hard to put this down! And this will not be the last we see of Detective Maor!
December 8, 2023
Descent of A Broken Man was a horror book and the fact that it was set in New Orleans definitely intrigued me. Supernatural murder right from the start was so good but it did slow down when we first meet James but for me personally reading a history lesson from him was just not for me. Overall this book had a great horror aspect, great location and this book was so good I just did not love it.
July 11, 2024
This book will wreck you in the best way. There is just so much to this story you'll want to savor it, but at the same time you'll want to read it as fast as you can to find out what happens. The main characters are complex. James had me confused, I felt bad for him, I was rooting for him..but then I wasn't. At the end though my heart broke for him.
For a debut novel it blew me away.
For a debut novel it blew me away.
July 15, 2023
5/5 Vengeful Deaths
Screw you, Candace! No one likes you!
Descent of a Broken Man by Ashon Ruffins is an intelligently written horror novel. Many horror stories I read do not necessitate a higher level of comprehension, so this was an interesting deviation. I’m not interested in religion but enjoyed the history he shared and created with Catholicism, Voodoo, and Persian Mythology.
This book is about James Corbin, a man who is seriously down in the dumps. He exchanges blood for a better life because he was raised to believe that Black men don’t seek professional care for their mental health. This is a story of revenge.
On the side of the light we have Detective Nola Maor. She begins the story repulsed by the Christian faith, with good reason. She is our tough heroine cop who takes on saving New Orleans.
A short quote from my favorite chapter of this book, “Candace raised her brow with terror in her eyes as she looked at James. ‘Those eyes. I saw those eyes two nights ago!’”
He did a great job of placing me in New Orleans and sharing the spirit of the city, driving through the wards with Detective Nola and James. I pictured a werewolf jumping from building to building, thrusting it’s fist through many torsos. His writing makes me wish I could meet the wise Priestess Nadia. Voodoo is definitely an intriguing religion! Catholicism? Boring! Persian? Okay, I’ll listen!
Apparently there will be a second book and I’m looking forward to what our heroine overcomes. Who will the Book of Blood present itself to next?
Review provided in exchange for gifted book.
Screw you, Candace! No one likes you!
Descent of a Broken Man by Ashon Ruffins is an intelligently written horror novel. Many horror stories I read do not necessitate a higher level of comprehension, so this was an interesting deviation. I’m not interested in religion but enjoyed the history he shared and created with Catholicism, Voodoo, and Persian Mythology.
This book is about James Corbin, a man who is seriously down in the dumps. He exchanges blood for a better life because he was raised to believe that Black men don’t seek professional care for their mental health. This is a story of revenge.
On the side of the light we have Detective Nola Maor. She begins the story repulsed by the Christian faith, with good reason. She is our tough heroine cop who takes on saving New Orleans.
A short quote from my favorite chapter of this book, “Candace raised her brow with terror in her eyes as she looked at James. ‘Those eyes. I saw those eyes two nights ago!’”
He did a great job of placing me in New Orleans and sharing the spirit of the city, driving through the wards with Detective Nola and James. I pictured a werewolf jumping from building to building, thrusting it’s fist through many torsos. His writing makes me wish I could meet the wise Priestess Nadia. Voodoo is definitely an intriguing religion! Catholicism? Boring! Persian? Okay, I’ll listen!
Apparently there will be a second book and I’m looking forward to what our heroine overcomes. Who will the Book of Blood present itself to next?
Review provided in exchange for gifted book.
February 13, 2025
Thousands of years have passed, and mankind hasn’t grown.
I would rate Ashon Ruffins' "Descent of A Broken Man (Uncovered Darkness Series Book 1)" just a smidge under 3 stars. It's both a very readable book but also one that left me frustrated and even in spots somewhat bored from the uneven, start and stop pacing. But not to worry: I did complete the story and I'm glad I did. There are definitely the bones to construct a very strong book in here and I just wish this young author - especially with his first release - had received some stronger editing support. Trust me folks, I say this quite often: having a beta-review team that not only includes friends but folks not worried about offending is a priceless thing. As is reading your own text out loud, because a lot of these issues would have stuck out like a sore, clawed thumb!
The world is cruel enough to black men without the weight of depression looming over you.
So with that odd introduction, and going from the less to the more positive aspects of the story, well, first and really foremost, again the editing is just not acceptable. Usually when I run across a book with so many issues in the execution, I re-shelf it and try again the next day. And I mean, this had just about the full set of problems, from tense disagreements (often within the same sentence), repeated words and phrases (again, even within the same portion of text), wrong words (e.g. homophones or just plain misspellings [what the hell is a SPIRT?]), formatting issues (font size changes, etc.) and more. And that's before we reach the often clichéd and/or childish dialogue many of our cast seemed to prefer. I'll put it differently for today's audience: there's no way this book can be made into an Audible version in this condition.
The darkness will devour. Let the power of the destructive spirit consume.
OK, now for the aspects that kept me interested and that I really enjoyed about the book. First of all, our main protagonist Nola Maor was a truly kick-ass, no-nonsense lady person that had me cheering for her throughout. Ignoring her name for a moment - REALLY? You named a person from New Orleans, Louisiana NOLA*? Is her best friend from Chicago named WINDY? - she was really the glue that kept this whole story together. She - along with Priestess Nadia who I though was very cool! - was just tremendously well-imagined and even with her flaws (hm, yum! Vodka!) and tics, I found myself sitting up straighter every time she came on the scene. Sure, her police work itself tended to drag - do the cops in New Orleans really wait that long for hard evidence? - but overall thumbs up for her! *[and I also found out later that Maor means a light or luminary in Hebrew. Make a note of that kids, it'll be important later… or certainly probably in the next book!]
The only satisfaction was blood, any blood. It felt natural. It felt right.
I also thought that shaping this "mystery" - which wasn't really which I'll get back to - as one based on historical and naturally often conflicting religious dogma was fascinating. I saw that another reviewer found this aspect - and particularly the historical summations involved with same - to be a bit boring, but I thought these were some of the strongest parts of the book. I mean, sure, I've been aware for decades about the plagiarism and indoctrination at the heart of so much of the judeo-christian "faith", but I had never heard of Zoroastrianism before this book. Adding then even more of the story to the overall fantasy that is the money- and power-focused "Church" and the harm it has done for thousands of years - particularly to the most innocent of its "flock" - showed what I considered to be a brave part of this story. Put differently, it takes real cajones to have your story centered in New Orleans with a religious history buff and an escaped religious zealot running wild! And the reaction to which after this was discussed in - gasp - a learning environment couldn't have been more accurate! But hey, I'll admit my opinion is shaped in large part because I often wonder why the Vatican doesn't sell off a few tons of unused golden trinkets from one of their thousands of storage closets and feed the world's hungry for a year? Naw, that would be doing too much good and besides, the hungry and weak are so much more pliable and obedient! Now let's pass that collection plate again, shall we?
I know there is a God. In fact, I know there are many gods. They just don’t care.
Still, I thought Ruffins showed his cards a bit too soon. I mean, if you're not even halfway through the book and you can already identify the who's, the why's, the how's and are essentially just waiting on the when's of the whole shebang to happen, it's just a bit premature. And again, so many obvious clues pointed to those involved that the cavalry would have been sent in a lot sooner, especially considering that political careers were on the line! Plus, sadly, the final couple of big climatic fight scenes were kind of let-downs as the action happened far too quickly for what we had been building up towards. Oh well, sometimes you just feel like cutting and running. Literally.
What else is out there? Vampires? Werewolves? Fucking Santa Claus?
So yeah, if your OCD acts up like mine whenever you see a whole hell of a lot of typos and words that are repeated like words in a wordy sentence full of words, you're gonna have some issues… and words. If you're willing to let that slide, again, at the heart of this tale in apparently "America's Murder Capital" (according to my google-ation, it's #3 after St.Louis and Baltimore… but it still ain't good!) there's some good stuff to rummage through. Ruffins does an acceptable job of creating if not a mystery then a decent fantasy story pitting ancient religious fanatics against today's worst villains that like to hold their crosses up to defend their crimes. And while all this is going on, we also get a poignant look at the struggles and even terror a black man goes through every day even if there's no crime involved aside from being an intellectual in a nice car driving through the "wrong" neighborhood at night. I wonder what he thinks of the current administration? I have a feeling those budget and resource woes are only getting worse…
I would rate Ashon Ruffins' "Descent of A Broken Man (Uncovered Darkness Series Book 1)" just a smidge under 3 stars. It's both a very readable book but also one that left me frustrated and even in spots somewhat bored from the uneven, start and stop pacing. But not to worry: I did complete the story and I'm glad I did. There are definitely the bones to construct a very strong book in here and I just wish this young author - especially with his first release - had received some stronger editing support. Trust me folks, I say this quite often: having a beta-review team that not only includes friends but folks not worried about offending is a priceless thing. As is reading your own text out loud, because a lot of these issues would have stuck out like a sore, clawed thumb!
The world is cruel enough to black men without the weight of depression looming over you.
So with that odd introduction, and going from the less to the more positive aspects of the story, well, first and really foremost, again the editing is just not acceptable. Usually when I run across a book with so many issues in the execution, I re-shelf it and try again the next day. And I mean, this had just about the full set of problems, from tense disagreements (often within the same sentence), repeated words and phrases (again, even within the same portion of text), wrong words (e.g. homophones or just plain misspellings [what the hell is a SPIRT?]), formatting issues (font size changes, etc.) and more. And that's before we reach the often clichéd and/or childish dialogue many of our cast seemed to prefer. I'll put it differently for today's audience: there's no way this book can be made into an Audible version in this condition.
The darkness will devour. Let the power of the destructive spirit consume.
OK, now for the aspects that kept me interested and that I really enjoyed about the book. First of all, our main protagonist Nola Maor was a truly kick-ass, no-nonsense lady person that had me cheering for her throughout. Ignoring her name for a moment - REALLY? You named a person from New Orleans, Louisiana NOLA*? Is her best friend from Chicago named WINDY? - she was really the glue that kept this whole story together. She - along with Priestess Nadia who I though was very cool! - was just tremendously well-imagined and even with her flaws (hm, yum! Vodka!) and tics, I found myself sitting up straighter every time she came on the scene. Sure, her police work itself tended to drag - do the cops in New Orleans really wait that long for hard evidence? - but overall thumbs up for her! *[and I also found out later that Maor means a light or luminary in Hebrew. Make a note of that kids, it'll be important later… or certainly probably in the next book!]
The only satisfaction was blood, any blood. It felt natural. It felt right.
I also thought that shaping this "mystery" - which wasn't really which I'll get back to - as one based on historical and naturally often conflicting religious dogma was fascinating. I saw that another reviewer found this aspect - and particularly the historical summations involved with same - to be a bit boring, but I thought these were some of the strongest parts of the book. I mean, sure, I've been aware for decades about the plagiarism and indoctrination at the heart of so much of the judeo-christian "faith", but I had never heard of Zoroastrianism before this book. Adding then even more of the story to the overall fantasy that is the money- and power-focused "Church" and the harm it has done for thousands of years - particularly to the most innocent of its "flock" - showed what I considered to be a brave part of this story. Put differently, it takes real cajones to have your story centered in New Orleans with a religious history buff and an escaped religious zealot running wild! And the reaction to which after this was discussed in - gasp - a learning environment couldn't have been more accurate! But hey, I'll admit my opinion is shaped in large part because I often wonder why the Vatican doesn't sell off a few tons of unused golden trinkets from one of their thousands of storage closets and feed the world's hungry for a year? Naw, that would be doing too much good and besides, the hungry and weak are so much more pliable and obedient! Now let's pass that collection plate again, shall we?
I know there is a God. In fact, I know there are many gods. They just don’t care.
Still, I thought Ruffins showed his cards a bit too soon. I mean, if you're not even halfway through the book and you can already identify the who's, the why's, the how's and are essentially just waiting on the when's of the whole shebang to happen, it's just a bit premature. And again, so many obvious clues pointed to those involved that the cavalry would have been sent in a lot sooner, especially considering that political careers were on the line! Plus, sadly, the final couple of big climatic fight scenes were kind of let-downs as the action happened far too quickly for what we had been building up towards. Oh well, sometimes you just feel like cutting and running. Literally.
What else is out there? Vampires? Werewolves? Fucking Santa Claus?
So yeah, if your OCD acts up like mine whenever you see a whole hell of a lot of typos and words that are repeated like words in a wordy sentence full of words, you're gonna have some issues… and words. If you're willing to let that slide, again, at the heart of this tale in apparently "America's Murder Capital" (according to my google-ation, it's #3 after St.Louis and Baltimore… but it still ain't good!) there's some good stuff to rummage through. Ruffins does an acceptable job of creating if not a mystery then a decent fantasy story pitting ancient religious fanatics against today's worst villains that like to hold their crosses up to defend their crimes. And while all this is going on, we also get a poignant look at the struggles and even terror a black man goes through every day even if there's no crime involved aside from being an intellectual in a nice car driving through the "wrong" neighborhood at night. I wonder what he thinks of the current administration? I have a feeling those budget and resource woes are only getting worse…
June 1, 2022
This is classic horror: creepy setting (New Orleans with voodoo), gore and a monster, but it features an underlying theme of mental illness. The author wrote a story with characters that you cheer for, hate, and love. From the first chapter I was interested in the story, and I attribute my enjoyment of this book to Ruffins' ability to make the characters feel real.
Detective Maor is my favourite and I hope we get to hear more from her in the future - I would love if she could be a main character in a future book!
This didn't get the full 5 stars because I felt some of the dialogue between characters was a bit unreal and over the top (specifically, between James and his ex-wife - it needed more backstory). Overall, this was a great debut novel and if you're into horror - go check it out!
Detective Maor is my favourite and I hope we get to hear more from her in the future - I would love if she could be a main character in a future book!
This didn't get the full 5 stars because I felt some of the dialogue between characters was a bit unreal and over the top (specifically, between James and his ex-wife - it needed more backstory). Overall, this was a great debut novel and if you're into horror - go check it out!
June 1, 2022
3 1/2 stars
I love horror books, and the fact this one was set in New Orleans thrilled me.
The story started off with a bang! When a book starts with what appears to be a supernatural murder, I’m ready to dive in. Had the book kept that pacing, I would have enjoyed it more. The story slows quite a bit when we first meet James. Then again, history class wasn’t my favorite in school so sitting through a history lesson with him didn’t exactly win me over.
The horror aspects were great! I did feel as if I were back in New Orleans while reading the story. The descriptions were very well done. Overall, I liked the story. I just didn’t love it.
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I love horror books, and the fact this one was set in New Orleans thrilled me.
The story started off with a bang! When a book starts with what appears to be a supernatural murder, I’m ready to dive in. Had the book kept that pacing, I would have enjoyed it more. The story slows quite a bit when we first meet James. Then again, history class wasn’t my favorite in school so sitting through a history lesson with him didn’t exactly win me over.
The horror aspects were great! I did feel as if I were back in New Orleans while reading the story. The descriptions were very well done. Overall, I liked the story. I just didn’t love it.
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 1, 2022
I enjoyed this book; it has a great combination of supernatural/paranormal but is set in the real world where it's not going off the rails. With a two-person POV, I can like and identify more with the female cop, detective Maor, than I was with James. I like that it was set in New Orleans, as I have never been there; Ruffins description of the city makes it a place I want to go.
Overall it's a great read and tight writing. Perfect for that summer read if you're looking for something to give you just a bit of scare. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Overall it's a great read and tight writing. Perfect for that summer read if you're looking for something to give you just a bit of scare. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
June 3, 2022
This was a vivid, chilling book. The opening chapter starts sweet and innocent, and sets the tone for the book by the end. The beast was absolutely terrifying. The story itself moves along briskly, and will keep you turning pages cover to cover. Be warned, it can get a bit gory at times, but not in a gratuitous way. The characters feel real, with their emotions, obstacles, and the darkness lurking within them. I don't want to give anything away, but if you love suspenseful horror, exploration of the darkness within, and strong characters that will worm their way into your mind.
June 9, 2022
Descent of a Broken Man is a delightfully creepy read. I mostly read it at night, which was probably not a good idea because it's so intense and scary at times. This was the kind of horror read I like: suspenseful, slight supernatural element, and not too graphic for me. The setting was perfect, the buildup was good, and it kept me on the edge of my seat.
July 3, 2022
I didn’t want to stop reading
Great story following multiple characters. Very dark story and gets gory. Told in first and third points of view with different characters. Definitely an exciting read as it works up toward multiple standoffs.
Great story following multiple characters. Very dark story and gets gory. Told in first and third points of view with different characters. Definitely an exciting read as it works up toward multiple standoffs.
March 13, 2023
This was great. Action packed. Not for the weak hearted.
Read
August 1, 2025Mental health and religion are two topics that come up in the horror novel Descent Of A Broken Man by native New Orleanian and military veteran Ashon Ruffins. The story takes place in New Orleans where James Corbin, a high school history teacher, experiences a series of unfortunate events which contributes to his depression and anxiety while putting him on a downward spiral. Meanwhile, a series of religious murders occur within the city which sends Detective Nola Maor searching for not one, but two suspects – one human and one unhuman.
I enjoyed every moment of action and discovery, and the mini lessons in religious history throughout this story. There is an underlying message of the importance of mental health and how it should be a priority, yet can still go ignored in society. In some cases, safe spaces for dealing with mental issues are not created. The result of not having those safe spaces and not getting the proper help one needs when faced with issues that affect one’s mental health is personified in this novel. This personification is directly parallel to reality where the pressures of life can push anyone to the edge and cause anyone to change for the worse if their issues and emotions are not properly addressed. As a result, damage can be done, relationships can be severed and people can get hurt.
There is representation of good and evil as it pertains to religion and spirituality. The character Priestess Nadia is experienced in practicing Voodoo which is said to be a dark religion; however, she is not evil nor is she interested in using any practice to ruin anyone’s life. Instead, she is a spiritual guide to the lost, like James who befriends her, and helps them to find the path they wish to walk. On the opposite side is Deacon Bianchi who is a “holier than thou” type who feels it is his duty to rid the world of all sinners while at the same time is a sinner himself. His character reminds me of what turns many people, like Detective Maor, away from the church. Overall, it’s a good and interesting read and I’m looking forward to reading Ruffins’s book number two, Ascent Of A Vengeful Woman.
I enjoyed every moment of action and discovery, and the mini lessons in religious history throughout this story. There is an underlying message of the importance of mental health and how it should be a priority, yet can still go ignored in society. In some cases, safe spaces for dealing with mental issues are not created. The result of not having those safe spaces and not getting the proper help one needs when faced with issues that affect one’s mental health is personified in this novel. This personification is directly parallel to reality where the pressures of life can push anyone to the edge and cause anyone to change for the worse if their issues and emotions are not properly addressed. As a result, damage can be done, relationships can be severed and people can get hurt.
There is representation of good and evil as it pertains to religion and spirituality. The character Priestess Nadia is experienced in practicing Voodoo which is said to be a dark religion; however, she is not evil nor is she interested in using any practice to ruin anyone’s life. Instead, she is a spiritual guide to the lost, like James who befriends her, and helps them to find the path they wish to walk. On the opposite side is Deacon Bianchi who is a “holier than thou” type who feels it is his duty to rid the world of all sinners while at the same time is a sinner himself. His character reminds me of what turns many people, like Detective Maor, away from the church. Overall, it’s a good and interesting read and I’m looking forward to reading Ruffins’s book number two, Ascent Of A Vengeful Woman.
July 26, 2023
*3.5/5 stars*
Descent of a Broken Man is a hard novel for me to review. I went into this not expecting this to be religious horror, so I was very thrown off by the overall direction of the story. This is a tale of monsters and mental health, but it is also a tale of religion. If you like religious horror, this would be a perfect fit for you!
The story takes us into the mind of James Corbin, who is dealing with severe depression and anxiety in 1990s New Orleans. He is also a Black man and discusses the struggles and stereotypes he would face if he were to try and get help.
Eventually we meet the character Goliath who is a monster, or is he? There is some good juxtaposition here between good/evil and dark/light. There is also a murderous Catholic Priest, which is always an interesting spin on things.
The main female character, Detective Maor, is a well written female. She has some depth and doesn’t feel like a “female character written by a man” which I appreciate. Even though she struggles with her own demons, she is strong and doesn’t want to quit fighting for her city. She is the heroine in this story.
The writing is overall done well. There are dry patches when James is drawing on about his history lessons or his fascination with religions. These sections feel like you are stuck in a lecture instead of immersed in a story which is what I mostly struggled with. The chapters do alternate between characters, but it’s very clear who is narrating in each chapter.
I would recommend this for anyone who enjoys horror with religious aspects.
Thank you to the author Ashon Ruffins for the review copy of Descent of a Broken Man!
Descent of a Broken Man is a hard novel for me to review. I went into this not expecting this to be religious horror, so I was very thrown off by the overall direction of the story. This is a tale of monsters and mental health, but it is also a tale of religion. If you like religious horror, this would be a perfect fit for you!
The story takes us into the mind of James Corbin, who is dealing with severe depression and anxiety in 1990s New Orleans. He is also a Black man and discusses the struggles and stereotypes he would face if he were to try and get help.
Eventually we meet the character Goliath who is a monster, or is he? There is some good juxtaposition here between good/evil and dark/light. There is also a murderous Catholic Priest, which is always an interesting spin on things.
The main female character, Detective Maor, is a well written female. She has some depth and doesn’t feel like a “female character written by a man” which I appreciate. Even though she struggles with her own demons, she is strong and doesn’t want to quit fighting for her city. She is the heroine in this story.
The writing is overall done well. There are dry patches when James is drawing on about his history lessons or his fascination with religions. These sections feel like you are stuck in a lecture instead of immersed in a story which is what I mostly struggled with. The chapters do alternate between characters, but it’s very clear who is narrating in each chapter.
I would recommend this for anyone who enjoys horror with religious aspects.
Thank you to the author Ashon Ruffins for the review copy of Descent of a Broken Man!
July 16, 2023
This was a fantastic read. Descent of a Broken Man by Ashon Ruffins. I loved it
Part police procedural, part supernatural, the story drew me in and was very relatable to me as a high school teacher. I loved the character development and how everything came together. And there will be future novels which I am very excited about!
James Corbin is a depressed high school history teacher, and everyone in his life treats him bad. His students make fun of him. His wife thinks he’s not good enough. His principal is a hateful woman. James is desperate to find some meaning in his life through his studies of ancient religions, and that’s when a special book finds its way into his hands.
Detective Nola Maor (Nola, like NOLA - I see what you did there!) is a very young but astute detective who gets called to the most brutal crime scenes that New Orleans is facing. She’s kind but jaded for her age, but that doesn’t stop her from putting her all into catching murderers.
As crime riddles the city, no one is safe. As James battles his inner demons and his desire for revenge against those who have hurt him, there is also a serial religious killer who leaves his victims in a nasty tableau. This is a satisfying read as everyone gets what they deserve! All these characters will collide in this fast-paced and thoughtful story. 4.5/5
Part police procedural, part supernatural, the story drew me in and was very relatable to me as a high school teacher. I loved the character development and how everything came together. And there will be future novels which I am very excited about!
James Corbin is a depressed high school history teacher, and everyone in his life treats him bad. His students make fun of him. His wife thinks he’s not good enough. His principal is a hateful woman. James is desperate to find some meaning in his life through his studies of ancient religions, and that’s when a special book finds its way into his hands.
Detective Nola Maor (Nola, like NOLA - I see what you did there!) is a very young but astute detective who gets called to the most brutal crime scenes that New Orleans is facing. She’s kind but jaded for her age, but that doesn’t stop her from putting her all into catching murderers.
As crime riddles the city, no one is safe. As James battles his inner demons and his desire for revenge against those who have hurt him, there is also a serial religious killer who leaves his victims in a nasty tableau. This is a satisfying read as everyone gets what they deserve! All these characters will collide in this fast-paced and thoughtful story. 4.5/5
December 26, 2023
This book had me on the edge of my seat since chapter 1 and is my favorite horror for the year. It is well written and the way that the characters are described you can easily visualize them and their journey. Honestly, I would watch this if this ever became a tv show, Netflix or Hulu yall need to pick this up, it would be a guaranteed success. Reading about James and how he is dealing with depression and anxiety many will be able to connect with him as what he goes through is accurate to real life. I loved that the setting was in New Orleans and it in volved a form of VooDoo. Detective Nola was amazing and simply adored how fearless she is. The way the author describes New Orleans makes want to travel and see the city for myself, I cannot wait to read book 2, to find out what else happens with her. The horror aspect of the book is filled will action that will not let you put the book down. The only thing that I did not like about the book was the conversations between James and his ex-wife, I felt I needed more information on them.
March 17, 2025
Descent of a Broken Man by Ashon Ruffins is a great story. James is suffering from deep depression. He finds solace in visiting the priestess, and an encounter in her store seems to be his answer. He resumes is research, he meets a pretty girl, things are looking up.
The pretty girl happens to be the lead detective trying to solve a sudden string of murders in the city. She's a loner and focused on the job.
The creature in this story is excellent. It's wreaking havoc on the city, and the police are desperate to stop this murderer.
I had the pleasure of discussing this book with Ashon during a live. The theme of depression is a focal point, and he really wanted to bring that to light.
I can't wait to read the next book in the series, Ascent of a Vengeful Woman. The third installment is due out this year.
💀💀💀.5/5 from me. There are some inconsistencies in the book that distracted me a little, but overall this is definitely worth picking up.
The pretty girl happens to be the lead detective trying to solve a sudden string of murders in the city. She's a loner and focused on the job.
The creature in this story is excellent. It's wreaking havoc on the city, and the police are desperate to stop this murderer.
I had the pleasure of discussing this book with Ashon during a live. The theme of depression is a focal point, and he really wanted to bring that to light.
I can't wait to read the next book in the series, Ascent of a Vengeful Woman. The third installment is due out this year.
💀💀💀.5/5 from me. There are some inconsistencies in the book that distracted me a little, but overall this is definitely worth picking up.
March 21, 2024
Voodoo, New Orleans, murder, mystery, a touch of supernatural sprinkled in for good measure and mental illness representation. This debut novel from Ashon Ruffins is such a great read!! Quick and easy read that will keep the pages flowing.
MMC, James is a teacher who struggles with his depression who tries to cope with the stress in his life and cope through his personal darkness. His path collides with the police detective, FMC Nola, who is struggling with her own expectations for her life, faith and career. Together they race against time to solve multiple murders that will leave your head spinning (in a good way of course).
The stigma of seeking help is often such a powerful deterrent for most people…but this story is masterfully written in a way that it allows the reader to feel seen and relate to the story in an amazing way. I look forward to reading more from Ashon Ruffins.
MMC, James is a teacher who struggles with his depression who tries to cope with the stress in his life and cope through his personal darkness. His path collides with the police detective, FMC Nola, who is struggling with her own expectations for her life, faith and career. Together they race against time to solve multiple murders that will leave your head spinning (in a good way of course).
The stigma of seeking help is often such a powerful deterrent for most people…but this story is masterfully written in a way that it allows the reader to feel seen and relate to the story in an amazing way. I look forward to reading more from Ashon Ruffins.
December 20, 2022
Ruffins’ writing lure you in from the very first chapter, with the thrill of horror at every corner! With a cover as dark and suspenseful as this, you just know the plot will be filled with it too!
New Orleans is a dangerous city but James Corbin’s only focus is to further his career. He will soon discover his worse nightmare as he comes face to face with his own monster…
I love how the plot takes on that original horror feel you get when spooky season arrives. I think this is the perfect read for those looking to dive right into a murderous novel.
New Orleans is a dangerous city but James Corbin’s only focus is to further his career. He will soon discover his worse nightmare as he comes face to face with his own monster…
I love how the plot takes on that original horror feel you get when spooky season arrives. I think this is the perfect read for those looking to dive right into a murderous novel.
August 29, 2023
Ashon's masterful storytelling kept me engaged from start to finish. The complex characters and their emotional journeys added depth to the narrative. While the pacing was generally strong, there were moments where the plot felt slightly rushed. Overall, Ruffins' exploration of human vulnerability and resilience is commendable, making this book a worthwhile read for anyone seeking a thought-provoking literary experience.
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