What do you think?
Rate this book
Hellboy Novels #5
Hellboy: The God Machine
Religious artifacts from every faith are disappearing without a trace. The identity of the perpetrator is a complete mystery until Hellboy and Liz Sherman -- acting on an unlikely tip from a ghost -- foil a museum heist attempted by crude, robotic constructs inhabited by human spirits.
One of these freed human spirits offers to help Hellboy track down those who imprisoned him: a fanatical order of psychics obsessed with creating a new messiah, one that will bring about a new stage of evolution for mankind -- whether mankind is willing or not. Now only Hellboy and his colleagues stand between a vulnerable humanity and an evil, vengeful god.
One of these freed human spirits offers to help Hellboy track down those who imprisoned him: a fanatical order of psychics obsessed with creating a new messiah, one that will bring about a new stage of evolution for mankind -- whether mankind is willing or not. Now only Hellboy and his colleagues stand between a vulnerable humanity and an evil, vengeful god.
372 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 25, 2006
13 people are currently reading
688 people want to read
About the author
Thomas E. Sniegoski
281 books1,105 followersThomas E. Sniegoski, often credited as Tom Sniegoski is the author of more than two dozen novels for adults, teens, and children. His teen fantasy YA series Fallen was adapted into a trilogy of monstrously successful TV movies by ABC Family Channel. His other books for teens include Sleeper Code, Sleeper Agenda, and Force Majeure, as well as the upcoming series The Brimstone Network. The author's first adult novel, A Kiss Before the Apocalypse, hit the shelves in 2008, with its sequel, Dancing on the Head of a Pin to be released in 2009.
Sniegoski's work for younger readers includes Billy Hooten: Owlboy, and the fantasy quartet OutCast, which he co-authored with Christopher Golden. OutCast is in development as a film at Universal. Sniegoski and Golden have also collaborated on the adult dark fantasy series The Menagerie, and multiple creator-owned comic book series, including The Sisterhood, which is being prepped for a feature film by InterMedia, and Talent, currently in development at Universal after a major bidding war.
As a comic book writer, Sniegoski's work includes Stupid, Stupid Rat Tails, a prequel miniseries to international hit, Bone. Sniegoski collaborated with Bone creator Jeff Smith on the prequel, making him the only writer Smith has ever asked to work on those characters. Sniegoski and Golden also wrote the graphic novel BPRD: Hollow Earth, a spinoff from Hellboy.
Sniegoski was born and raised in Massachusetts, where he still lives with his wife LeeAnne and their Labrador Retriever, Mulder. Tom recently completed the new young adult novel, Legacy, which is set to be released in October of 2009.
Sniegoski's work for younger readers includes Billy Hooten: Owlboy, and the fantasy quartet OutCast, which he co-authored with Christopher Golden. OutCast is in development as a film at Universal. Sniegoski and Golden have also collaborated on the adult dark fantasy series The Menagerie, and multiple creator-owned comic book series, including The Sisterhood, which is being prepped for a feature film by InterMedia, and Talent, currently in development at Universal after a major bidding war.
As a comic book writer, Sniegoski's work includes Stupid, Stupid Rat Tails, a prequel miniseries to international hit, Bone. Sniegoski collaborated with Bone creator Jeff Smith on the prequel, making him the only writer Smith has ever asked to work on those characters. Sniegoski and Golden also wrote the graphic novel BPRD: Hollow Earth, a spinoff from Hellboy.
Sniegoski was born and raised in Massachusetts, where he still lives with his wife LeeAnne and their Labrador Retriever, Mulder. Tom recently completed the new young adult novel, Legacy, which is set to be released in October of 2009.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 2, 2015
SO far I've enjoyed all of the Hellboy novels, and this one was no exception.
The plot was somewhat similar to one of the earlier Hellboy novels, in that it dealt with Angels of Destruction. So basically, 3 angels of destruction have been imprisoned by God. One of them contacts a human scientist and tricks him into helping set him free. The scientist thinks he's releasing a benevolent creature that will bring to Peace to Earth, not realizing the angel wants to kill all life on the planet. Oh, and there's also zombies...
The scientist must gather many arcane items of power in order to open the gateway for the angel to cross over, and these thefts are what draw Hellboy and the BPRD into the situation. Along the way they uncover the larger plot, and things go from there. The series almost had a bit of a steampunk feel to it, as the early parts of the tale take place in the late 1800s and we see some science that seems out of place for that era.
Overall another good novel in the Hellboy series, and one I'm sure any Hellboy fan would enjoy.
The plot was somewhat similar to one of the earlier Hellboy novels, in that it dealt with Angels of Destruction. So basically, 3 angels of destruction have been imprisoned by God. One of them contacts a human scientist and tricks him into helping set him free. The scientist thinks he's releasing a benevolent creature that will bring to Peace to Earth, not realizing the angel wants to kill all life on the planet. Oh, and there's also zombies...
The scientist must gather many arcane items of power in order to open the gateway for the angel to cross over, and these thefts are what draw Hellboy and the BPRD into the situation. Along the way they uncover the larger plot, and things go from there. The series almost had a bit of a steampunk feel to it, as the early parts of the tale take place in the late 1800s and we see some science that seems out of place for that era.
Overall another good novel in the Hellboy series, and one I'm sure any Hellboy fan would enjoy.
May 31, 2020
Fun read. Great development for the antagonist, although it stumbles a little at the end in favor of a too big, albeit well detailed, action scene.
March 27, 2022
I haven't read this book since 2006 and remembered nothing about, so I thought I should give it another read. I'm glad I did. This was great.
A group of people from the early 1900's have taken possession of others' bodies so that they can continue finishing the raising of their god whom they believe will bring a new age to Earth. What they don't know is that their god is actually an angel who's been eagerly waiting the chance to return to the world and purge it of all humans so that God may start over. Hellboy and the B.P.R.D. get involved after they discover a connection between objects that are being stolen in several locations.
There's plenty of supernatural action involving cultists, primitive zombies powered by ghosts, flying threats, wee folk (for laughs), and a terrific climax of supersized baddies.
There's also plenty of glorious Hellboy lines and thoughts and that leave you wanting more long after the novel is done.
This was a hell of a lot of fun and highly recommended to anyone who loves the characters or the paranormal.
A group of people from the early 1900's have taken possession of others' bodies so that they can continue finishing the raising of their god whom they believe will bring a new age to Earth. What they don't know is that their god is actually an angel who's been eagerly waiting the chance to return to the world and purge it of all humans so that God may start over. Hellboy and the B.P.R.D. get involved after they discover a connection between objects that are being stolen in several locations.
There's plenty of supernatural action involving cultists, primitive zombies powered by ghosts, flying threats, wee folk (for laughs), and a terrific climax of supersized baddies.
There's also plenty of glorious Hellboy lines and thoughts and that leave you wanting more long after the novel is done.
This was a hell of a lot of fun and highly recommended to anyone who loves the characters or the paranormal.
July 10, 2018
I'm a big Hellboy fan and wanted to try out another form of one of my favorite heroes. I tried out several of the novels. The God Machine was the second Hellboy novel I've read. It was ok, similar to the other title (The Bones of Giants w/illustrations). A little sparse on Hellboy and action and more focused on the antagonists. Again, middle of the road for me. If you like more of the horror aspect such as H.P. Lovecraft and Seabury Quinn, then you might like this one. I find the graphic novels much more appealing.
September 28, 2020
Zombie cyborgs, avenging angels, ancient religious artifacts gone missing, horrific conspiracies... This one has dang near everything, and it's all put together quite well, too. The characters feel true to their graphic-Mignola origin. A fun page-turner, and a great bet for B.P.R.D. supporters.
July 6, 2020
These Hellboy stories are so fun! 🤩
Want to read
July 19, 2020elibrary
January 31, 2023
Really compelling and solid read.
April 24, 2011
Mike Mignola encontrou um filão com o seu Hellboy. O demónio másculo e de bom coração capturou a imaginação popular e o seu criador expandiu os comics originais para novos nichos. O fenómeno ajuda a manter a linha de comics Bureau ofr Paranormal Research and Defense, sem o personagem icónico mas explorando as aventuras dos intrigantes companheiros de Hellboy, estende-se ao cinema, com particular mérito na primeira adaptação cinematográfica em que Guillermo Del Toro se diverte com todo o visual fantástico, de fc e steampunk do universo do personagem. E não esquece as adaptações literárias. É o caso deste God Machine.
Tie-in com a série de comics, este livro nada traz de novo. Desenrola-se linearmente, com muita previsibilidade, até porque por muitos que sejam os meandros da história já sabemos como termina... Hellboy salva o mundo, novamente e outra vez. Talvez por isso o autor tenha dado uma atenção especial aos vilões obrigatórios, caracterizando-os mais profundamente que os heróis. É neste ponto que o livro se torna interessante com o retrato de uma seita reencarnada que trabalha arduamente para trazer ao mundo o seu deus, apenas para perceber no clímax que estavam profundamente errados e dando assim o passo para a redenção.
É esse o argumento em traços gerais. Hellboy e os restantes operacionais do B.P.R.D. investigam o desaparecimento de artefactos com poder mágico - desde pedras sagradas a copos de plástico por onde bebeu Elvis, chocando com uma seita tecno-religiosa que reencarna e regressa ao trabalho pelo seu grande objectivo: trazer à Terra um novo deus, ansiando por um futuro glorioso para a humanidade. Os insanos electricistas misturam magia com tecnologia para roubar energia espiritual que armazenam em baterias. Infelizmente, não se trata de uma divindade bondosa mas sim de um arcanjo destruidor sedento por aniquilar a vida no planeta e fazê-lo regressa ao pristino estado pré-biótico. Mas tranquilizem-se, tudo se compõe. Os tecno-religiosos apercebem-se tardiamente do erro da sua via, o grande perigo é derrotado pelos esforços do herói com uma ajuda de outros arcanjos, e a vida regressa ao seu curso normal.
Nada de profundo, sugestionador de questões de índole filosófica e com palavras meditativas. Apenas um simpático Pulp moderno, com personagens bem conhecidas, semi-deuses metálicos e zombies mecânicos. Zombies mecânicos. Saboreiem as palavras e o conceito.
Tie-in com a série de comics, este livro nada traz de novo. Desenrola-se linearmente, com muita previsibilidade, até porque por muitos que sejam os meandros da história já sabemos como termina... Hellboy salva o mundo, novamente e outra vez. Talvez por isso o autor tenha dado uma atenção especial aos vilões obrigatórios, caracterizando-os mais profundamente que os heróis. É neste ponto que o livro se torna interessante com o retrato de uma seita reencarnada que trabalha arduamente para trazer ao mundo o seu deus, apenas para perceber no clímax que estavam profundamente errados e dando assim o passo para a redenção.
É esse o argumento em traços gerais. Hellboy e os restantes operacionais do B.P.R.D. investigam o desaparecimento de artefactos com poder mágico - desde pedras sagradas a copos de plástico por onde bebeu Elvis, chocando com uma seita tecno-religiosa que reencarna e regressa ao trabalho pelo seu grande objectivo: trazer à Terra um novo deus, ansiando por um futuro glorioso para a humanidade. Os insanos electricistas misturam magia com tecnologia para roubar energia espiritual que armazenam em baterias. Infelizmente, não se trata de uma divindade bondosa mas sim de um arcanjo destruidor sedento por aniquilar a vida no planeta e fazê-lo regressa ao pristino estado pré-biótico. Mas tranquilizem-se, tudo se compõe. Os tecno-religiosos apercebem-se tardiamente do erro da sua via, o grande perigo é derrotado pelos esforços do herói com uma ajuda de outros arcanjos, e a vida regressa ao seu curso normal.
Nada de profundo, sugestionador de questões de índole filosófica e com palavras meditativas. Apenas um simpático Pulp moderno, com personagens bem conhecidas, semi-deuses metálicos e zombies mecânicos. Zombies mecânicos. Saboreiem as palavras e o conceito.
June 11, 2014
I always get a little nervous when someone other than the creator takes a stab at a character like Hellboy, but after realizing that Sniegoski has played in Mignola's sandbox before, I was less worried. Good thing, because he nails it with The God Machine.
We've got angels, demons, weird eldritch energies bringing the dead back to life, the ghost of Manning's Uncle Steve, faerie folk ready to go to war over a stolen rock, the last cup Elvis ever drank from, and a ready army of zombie cyborgs. If that's not a Hellboy yarn, I don't know what is.
We've got angels, demons, weird eldritch energies bringing the dead back to life, the ghost of Manning's Uncle Steve, faerie folk ready to go to war over a stolen rock, the last cup Elvis ever drank from, and a ready army of zombie cyborgs. If that's not a Hellboy yarn, I don't know what is.
May 7, 2012
Pretty good all told I have to be honest and say apart from the first film I am pretty unaware of the whole Hellboy mythology but luckily the film had given me enough grounding of characters etc that it was a pretty easy book to follow.
The tale of missing religous artifacts,strange cults,zombie cyborgs and avenging angels...it's all here and makes for a gripping yet fun yarn.
The tale of missing religous artifacts,strange cults,zombie cyborgs and avenging angels...it's all here and makes for a gripping yet fun yarn.
March 11, 2011
This was one of the creepiest stories I've ever read. It's Walking Dead, Steam Punk, and The Deathly Hollows put together... Ugh.
January 8, 2013
Awesome book
July 26, 2015
A Hellboy fan would love this. As I am one. it should go without saying that I enjoyed it.
Read
June 14, 2016FALSE
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews