What do you think?
Rate this book
Guy Fawkes: Demon Hunter - A Clangour of Bells
On Bonfire Night, an old man runs into the flames to recover an effigy of Guy Fawkes.
Why would he risk his life to defend the reputation of one of history’s most notorious figures?
It’s time to forget everything you think you know about Guy Fawkes!
Born during a clangour of church bells, Guy Fawkes has a gift: he can see and hear the restless dead.
In the late 1500s, the city of York is under the influence of evil. Both the Archbishop of York and the head of the Council of the North draw upon the power of demons to hold the city under their control.
When visited by the ghost of a rebellious lord, Guy is brought into the world of demon hunters, a secret society dedicated to defeating evil. Can young Guy Fawkes save York from the demon scourge, or will the darkness consume the city, his friends, and his family and set him on the path to self-destruction?
Guy Fawkes: Demon Hunter combines the supernatural with history in a coming-of-age tale of loss, friendship, and revenge.
Why would he risk his life to defend the reputation of one of history’s most notorious figures?
It’s time to forget everything you think you know about Guy Fawkes!
Born during a clangour of church bells, Guy Fawkes has a gift: he can see and hear the restless dead.
In the late 1500s, the city of York is under the influence of evil. Both the Archbishop of York and the head of the Council of the North draw upon the power of demons to hold the city under their control.
When visited by the ghost of a rebellious lord, Guy is brought into the world of demon hunters, a secret society dedicated to defeating evil. Can young Guy Fawkes save York from the demon scourge, or will the darkness consume the city, his friends, and his family and set him on the path to self-destruction?
Guy Fawkes: Demon Hunter combines the supernatural with history in a coming-of-age tale of loss, friendship, and revenge.
318 pages, Paperback
Published June 5, 2022
1 person is currently reading
8 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 2, 2024
I went into this not really knowing what to expect. Would it be a spoof? A horror comedy? For sure, there were comic elements, and the author absolutely managed to play with the mythos around Guy Fawkes. But at the heart of this is a kind of historical, supernatural adventure horror that I really wasn't expecting, and I *hugely* enjoyed it.
Clearly well researched (there were several snippets of factual information that had me quickly setting my kindle aside and googling, usually to find they were spot on), the book is mainly set in the city of York, an atmospheric walled city which only adds to the sense of historic grandeur. The primary villains - both storied historical figures - are so unpleasant, the reader really finds themselves cheering for their demise. At the same time, the companions of young Guy Fawkes are easy to root for. Imperfect, prone to errors or moments of weakness, but people you can get behind as the story unfolds.
Finally, to say that, though this is a historic adventure as much as anything, the horror here is real and present. A couple nights in a row, I had quite unsettled dreams about one scene in the book, and woke up feeling quite perturbed. Always a good sign.
I will doubtless move on to the next in the series soon.
Clearly well researched (there were several snippets of factual information that had me quickly setting my kindle aside and googling, usually to find they were spot on), the book is mainly set in the city of York, an atmospheric walled city which only adds to the sense of historic grandeur. The primary villains - both storied historical figures - are so unpleasant, the reader really finds themselves cheering for their demise. At the same time, the companions of young Guy Fawkes are easy to root for. Imperfect, prone to errors or moments of weakness, but people you can get behind as the story unfolds.
Finally, to say that, though this is a historic adventure as much as anything, the horror here is real and present. A couple nights in a row, I had quite unsettled dreams about one scene in the book, and woke up feeling quite perturbed. Always a good sign.
I will doubtless move on to the next in the series soon.
July 15, 2022
Langley has created a rip roaring yarn that mashes historical figures with an incredible narrative of demons taking control of 16th Century York. The pacing is spot on, the action sequences delivered with bombast and aplomb, and the social commentary of absolute power corrupting absolutely, ever present.
Taking Fawkes’ actions and giving an alternate motive is an inspired move, and made all the more credible by some pretty solid storytelling.
Already looking forward to book 2. Highly recommended.
Taking Fawkes’ actions and giving an alternate motive is an inspired move, and made all the more credible by some pretty solid storytelling.
Already looking forward to book 2. Highly recommended.
September 11, 2022
If you like horror, historical fiction, demons, supernatural chaos, a dark and dry sense of humour that will make you laugh despite yourself - this is for you.
If you enjoy beautifully crafted set-up and pay-off, wonderful characters with interesting development, an absolute joy of a plot, and excellent writing - this is for you.
Benjamin Langley is a REALLY good writer.
I'm honestly kind of pi**ed off that there aren't loads of reviews here singing this book's praises.
If you enjoy beautifully crafted set-up and pay-off, wonderful characters with interesting development, an absolute joy of a plot, and excellent writing - this is for you.
Benjamin Langley is a REALLY good writer.
I'm honestly kind of pi**ed off that there aren't loads of reviews here singing this book's praises.
July 2, 2024
Full review at Happy Goat Horror:
https://happygoathorror.com/2022/09/2...
This book is great. I don't normally read historical fiction but I'm so glad read this - it was a privilege. Very enjoyable, fun, sometimes funny, and the gore is just *chef's kiss*. Great GREAT story.
https://happygoathorror.com/2022/09/2...
This book is great. I don't normally read historical fiction but I'm so glad read this - it was a privilege. Very enjoyable, fun, sometimes funny, and the gore is just *chef's kiss*. Great GREAT story.
March 12, 2025
I wasn’t sure about reading this trilogy - I didn’t love the premise. But Langley is my favourite author, so I gave it a go.
How foolish I was to doubt him!
Fantastic book, fantastic beginning to the trilogy.
How foolish I was to doubt him!
Fantastic book, fantastic beginning to the trilogy.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews