The Second Coming

by Brian O'Gorman

Joe Braden is on the bottom shelf of life. Recently fired for stealing from his warehouse job, he spends much of his time doing nothing and trying to find a way to strike up a relationship with his best friend Debbie, even though he knows nothing will ever come of it. Then in the early hours of the morning, Joe goes for a walk that changes the course of his life. Suddenly Joe has power beyond anything he could dream of. He sees the world in a whole new light and he could spread the light as far as he wants. But, on the other side of the city, a deep cold is beginning to grow. A man who is intent on turning the city to darkness. They are set on a collision course and only one of them can determine the fate of the people. It's just a question of who will get to them first.

341 pages, Paperback

First published March 19, 2021

About the author

Brian O'Gorman was born in Ormskirk, Lancashire in 1974. He published his first novel Pharmacon in 2014 after years of writing unpublished short stories. He normally writes in the horror genre but has turned his hand to children's books and contemporary fiction. He is most famously known for his novel Dawn of the Spiders which has entertained and appalled readers all across the globe.

Reviews

[Mark Tilbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first of Brian's books that I've read. I had seen him and his books being discussed in an online book group and went looking to see what his books are about.

The first thing I'll say about this book is that there is a hell of a lot more to it than the blurb implies. Good vs evil - yes. But, there are layers to the story, a fantastic cast of characters, and some dark humour that is used really effectively and me laugh.

I liked how different chapters were from different characters point of view, and how interesting it was to see the changes in both Joe and Renton's personalities as they became accustomed to their new ways of living.

This is a great story to read thanks to Brian's writing style and sense of humour. The story never lags and you're never quite sure if good or evil will prevail. (You do find out in the end, I'm just not going to ruin the story for you!)

I have no idea what genres to put this book into, I just think it's a brilliant story, well told, and I highly recommend it.

[Sarah Northwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is something that always hooks you right on in with Brian’s books - the characters. The way they come alive through the story is always something I relish and this one is no exception! It’s the clever way the arcs of the different characters conjoin with the plot which is really something special. No part of the storyline is wasted, and every detail of the characters is there to add depth. The plot itself is both compelling, a good versus evil classic, but also thought provoking and believable. I also love how you must keep reading to the end, there’s no guessing the storyline halfway through the book. Whether you are religious or not I think this one will have you thinking deeply about morality and perhaps, just perhaps considering what you’d do if there was a second coming.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Brian O'Gorman's books - the character development is on a par with Stephen King, the stories keep you hooked right from the beginning, and he loves to surprise and shock the reader in equal measure!

I had high expectations for The Second Coming, and it doesn't disappoint! This is an epic story of the eternal fight between good and evil, with normal, down-to-earth characters who are thrown into the most extraordinary circumstances. When an earthquake hits the city of Stenfield early one morning, two men are affected in completely different ways. While one discovers he has the power to heal, the other discovers he can cause mayhem and chaos.

This is a story of redemption and self-discovery, but it is also an insight into the fragility of humans' minds, of the thin line between good and evil, of how easily people can be turned against one another. There are many layers to the story, each character's life affecting the others', subtle actions causing catastrophic events later. As with all the author's books, each time you read it you discover more and spot the little things that contribute and add depth to the overall story.

There are a few shocking scenes, and others that will have you holding your breath, but the narrative keeps you turning the pages right to the stunning end. With Brian O'Gorman's books, you can never be sure how they'll finish, and he definitely keeps you on your toes with this one!

A well-written, brutally honest read that will make you think, and remain with you for a long time after you've read it. Highly recommend!

[Kayleigh Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Second Coming has been a long time coming, the ultimate battle of good and evil playing out in the everyday lives of ordinary people. We all believe in something whether it be religious, spiritual or otherwise. This story plays on your belief system and moral compass making you ask those questions of yourself and the human race as a whole,when things really do come to the crunch. Which side will you choose? O’ Gorman isn’t afraid to go there, exploring this still much taboo subject and adding a splash of imaginable horror into the mix. I was really pleased with the character choices of who was who and who did what, it makes total sense. A strong, gripping plot that keeps you guessing from the very first page and characters you can fight for. A great read from an understated author of the gene. Whatever your beliefs horror fans will love this book.

[Jan Michiels · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very nice story about good vs evil with great character development.
A few shocking / horrific scenes here and there but not too bad and actually quite necessary in my opinion. Bad things need to happen when you're dealing with a purely evil character.

Worth a read and it would actually make a good movie or tv series as well!