Dawn of the Demontide

Witchfinder #1

by William Hussey

Jake Harker is an outsider, a loser whose nose is always in a horror comic. That is until horror stops being fiction and the Pale Man and his demon Mr Pinch stop Jake on a dark, deserted road. That night, under a tree called the demon's dance, Jake will learn the true meaning of terror ...

Genres: Fantasy, Horror, Young Adult, Fiction

352 pages, Paperback

First published March 4, 2010

Reviews

[Ryan (Empire of Books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have just finished this book after spending the entire afternoon in a bid to finish it. And I have to say that I could not of spent the time better. Absolutely stunning. This is the single-handed best first book in a series/trilogy that I have read in the past few years.

I was gripped right from the word go! The first chapter (well, the prologue really) was a perfect opener. I mean, a boy has his throat slit in the first four pages. That'd make anyone want to read on right? Right!

I really don't know what I can say about this book, without giving too much away. So much happens - it's so jam-packed. Hussey's description is phenomenal - the horror is described with such detail that some scenes left me physically shuddering, and having to pause to calm down. It's that scary in places! Therefore, I wouldn't recommend this book for anyone under 12, or anyone who has a weak stomach! Read at your own risk!

Dawn of the Demontide is the first book in a planned trilogy. It is the kind of book that you find extremely hard to put down. I've had trouble, I'll be honest. A rick-rollocking read that makes you feel like you're on a rollercoaster.

It is amazingly narrated. The twists and turns are brilliant. Kept me guessing right until the end.

Like I said, I really don't know what to say. I'm just completely blown away. I know this review probably reads messy, but I'm just on such a buzz right now. Mr. Hussey, you are a genius and I cannot wait to read the next 2 books, Gallows at Twilight (Jan 2011) and The Last Nightfall (September 2011). William Hussey is one to definitely watch! Go out and get a copy as soon as you can. Seriously, do not miss out!

[Karol Płoszaj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Książka mocno mnie zaskoczyła. Dobrze napisana łatwym językiem. Temat ciekawy nie brakuje ciekawych zwrotów akcji.
4 gwiazdki tylko dlatego, że niestety części tych zwrotów akcji domyśliłem się już wcześniej. Dodatkowo przy większej dynamice akcji lubi się tu wkraść trochę chaosu i sama głowna postać trochę za szybko przechodzi przemianę od nieudolnego wystraszonego dzieciaka ze zmysłem detektywa do osoby mającej stawić czoło świtowi demonów.

W ogólnym rozrachunku jednak dobrze się czytało i czerpałem przyjemność z tej lektury. Koniec również dobrze wykonany, budzący chęć sięgnięcia po następna część. Polecam

[Lizzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

What's good:
- Jake's development and arc: at the end, thinking back to Chapter 1, Jake is unrecognisable compared to the boy he is at the end, and yet his character development occurs so smoothly throughout the book that you don't notice it happening. In other words, it's totally believable and extremely well crafted. What he manages to do at the very end does not come across as contrived at all, despite where he began in Chapter 1, and at the same time, he has kept the essence of who he always was too.
- While there was straight-up evil on one end of the spectrum, and the pure magic of the Oldcraft on the other (only revealed towards the end), in the middle was a whole mess of grey - the humans particularly were deeply flawed with questionable motives and terrible decisions, including the children. I thought all that was interesting.

What's not so good:
- I struggled a bit when we come out of Jake's POV, I tended to want to skimread those parts.
- The dialogue could have been better, and the Elders could have been more interesting as individuals.

[Bernado Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Ancient Evil Walks Again
Witches exist
The Demontide is coming
Jake Harker is the only one who can stop it...
The first in a terrifying trilogy,
read on if you dare:
Jake could now see the demon fully. its body was a mass of steely sinew, its arms roped with muscle. Six fingers sprouted from its hands, each ending in lethal talons. Mr Pinch's tongue flickered between his teeth and slurped across his fat lips. He was hungry.
'a perfect mix of horror, magic, adventure, and mystery'
Edward, age 12
'Compelling...grabs you from the start'
Hannah, age 14


www.witchfinderbooks.co.uk

[Tim Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this a little disappointing due to the praise and that it was published by Oxford University Press - "the New Master of Dark Fiction" (I later found out the actual quote is "we may have..."). Expectations were high and it's good, but it's not that good. It reads very much like Anthony Horowitz's Power of Five series and Hussey has been compared to Horowitz and Rick Riordan. I don't think I'll deliberate seek the rest of the series, but sooner or later (depending on the vagaries of second hand book shops) I'll probably end up with them all.

[Gare Bear · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The storytelling is great. Character involvement was really good. I love the refrences of Tales from the Crypt (this almost feels like it could be part of that series...but you know..elevated).

I look forward to continuing the series. I highly recommend this for those who like Sci-Fi fantasy novels with great magic, horror, and demons.

[Μυρτω Αρμενακη · Rating 4 out of 5]

πανέμορφο... η γραφή και κάποια σημεία της ιστορίας είχαν κάποια μικροπροβλήματα αλλά κατά τα άλλα ήταν ένα πολύ ευχάριστο ανάγνωσμα :3 πραγματικά λάτρεψα κάποια plot twist ... good job sir Hussey...well done

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first in a terrifying trilogy, read on if you dare: Jake could now see the demon fully. Its body was a mass of steely sinew, its arms roped with muscle. Six fingers sprouted from its hands, each ending in lethal talons. The thing did not possess a nose; instead a large hole, bubbling with green mucus, occupied the middle of its face. Mr Pinch's tongue flickered between his teeth and slurped across his fat lips. He was hungry. When a violent storm rages around the little village of Hobarron's Hollow, a young boy is sacrificed 'for the greater good'. His blood is used to seal a mystical doorway and prevent an apocalyptic disaster known only as the Demontide. Twenty-five years later, another boy, Jake Harker, is about to be drawn into the nightmare of the Demontide. Witches and their demon familiars stalk his every move, and his dreams are plagued by visions of a 17th Century figure known only as the Witchfinder. When his father is abducted, Jake must face the terrible secrets kept by those closest to him and a shocking truth that will change his life forever... From Amazon UK

I've had this book sitting in my TBR pile for a while,and I wish I had read this book weeks earlier! I cannot tell you just how incredible this book is! I absolutely loved it! The book has everything the fantasy fan could possibly ask for, with a hint of most if not all of the sub-genres of fantasy. It’s like nothing I have ever read before!

At it’s heart, Dawn of the Demontide is an urban fantasy, but a dark one. There are a few tiny moments at the very beginning when I cracked a smile, but there isn’t much light relief in the form of comedy in this book. It’s dark, it’s edgy, and it’s dangerous. I wouldn’t say it was a horror myself, but it’s a fantasy with a tiny step in that direction.

Set in a made up English town, with some mentions of London, this book had a very real, believable feel to me. One of the things I loved, which also added to how real it felt, was the mythology. Jake is a huge fan of all things horror, and over the years of reading comics, books, non-fic, and watching movies, he has this vast knowledge of horror conventions, dubbed by a friend his “dark catalogue”, which he ends up falling back on to get him out of some scrapes. These may not necessarily be things we know ourselves, but things he has found out from the stories he’s read himself – which may not actually be in existence, but are surely based on some myth. I could be wrong there, it may just be me seeing as I’m not a fan of horror, horror fans may pick up and know some of the things Jake mentions. A lot of research has gone into Jake’s dark catalogue, and the fact that some of what he knows – parts of which the reader may recognise – is real, makes this story very believable.

There is plenty of action, but most of the magical kind. Although plotlines are not similar, I felt there was a strong Harry Potter feel to this book; the “quest” element, and Jake trying to work things out with the help of his friends. In some ways, it almost felt, in my opinion, that this book could have been written by J. K. Rowling herself, though down a darker genre of fantasy, in a completely unrelated plot to what she’s known for. The dark element of the novel also put me in mind of adult urban fantasies, gritty and dangerous, yet there was also something I can only describe as a slight hint of something that felt much like it could have come from a David Eddings’ high fantasy. But this book is most definitely YA. It sounds like a great hodge-podge of stories, but it’s not at all; this is just me recognising small similarities of styles or feels of the great fantasies I have loved over my many years as a fantasy fan. It was me recognising a great fantasy; something completely new which felt like something I knew.

For all this text, I feel like I haven’t said much at all, yet I’m not sure there is much else I can say. The plot is just fantastic and wonderful – if it was food it would be chocolate! Jake as a character is just so awesome, but I can’t really go into his character much. There’s suspense, there are awesome settings, there are just too many wonders and delights to mention! Basically, I’m in love! There is no other way to put it. I cannot tell you just how excited I am to read Witchfinder: Gallows at Twilight when it is released next year, January 2011. I have found myself a new favourite fantasy series, and can’t recommend it enough. You must read this book!

Adapted from review on Once Upon a Bookcase - YA book blog

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fifteen year old Jake Harker has been a fan of all things horror since he was given a box of old comics when he was nine years old. Ever since then he has devoured horror stories in any format and has built up an impressive knowledge of things that go bump in the night. He never for a minute suspected that any of the stories were real though - not until the night of his mother's murder when he finds himself thrust into a dark and dangerous world just as frightening as the scariest horror story. As he investigates the cause of his mother's death he learns of the Demontide - something that occurs once in every generation and unless it is stopped the gates to hell will be opened allowing demons to overrun the world. Jake has an important part to play in stopping the Demontide but will he have to give his life in order to save the world?

The first book in the Witchfinder trilogy Dawn of the Demontide is a dark and frightening tale that will appeal to fantasy and horror fans of all ages. Jake is a likable and realistic character and one I'm sure most of us can relate to on some level. He has been thrust into a world where nothing is as it seems and creatures from your worst nightmares actually exist. Not sure who he can trust or where he can turn to for help Jake must rely on his instincts and his knowledge from horror books and films as he tries to find a way to stop the Demontide.

The story is well paced and has so many twists you can never be quite sure what will happen next. The world William Hussey has created is both realistic and terrifying and I was completely sucked into the story right from the very beginning. One of the things I enjoyed most about the story is the way that it shows how blurred the lines between good and evil can be. Although some of the characters claim to be doing things for the greater good the lengths that they are prepared to go to leave you wondering how good they actually can be. In the same vein not all of the bad guys are actually as evil as they first appear so you're never quite sure who can really be trusted.

Dawn of the Demontide is a story I'd highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a good horror story, it may be one you want to start reading in daylight though and could be a little too gory for younger teens. The story is a delight and I can't wait to get my hands on the next book in the series.

[Michelle Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an enthusiastic young reader (many years ago!) I don’t recall many books being available specifically for teenagers. I very soon moved on to horror writers, such as Stephen King, as there wasn’t much else available, and I know that many other young readers in my age group did the same thing.

As a thirty-something adult, I am now very much enjoying reading many of the ‘young adult’ books which are around now, although I am avoiding the vast array of YA vampire tales! Most of these books are written in such a way that they appeal to teenagers, whilst still offering enough for older readers to enjoy them too, and this is certainly no exception.

The reason I mentioned reading horror as a young person is that the genre seems to appeal to teenage readers, and Hussey’s Witchfinder includes some dark scenes which take this up a level from other YA fantasy, and adds an extra interest. It’s probably not suitable for younger readers, and it’s darker tone is set right from the beginning, so older teens can judge straight away if it’s for them.

The main character, Jake, is introduced as a normal teenage boy, who has a passion for horror, and comics in particular. However, he is soon thrust straight into real world horror, as he discovers witches with their demon familiars, and is faced with abduction and death.

What appears to be a a tale of good versus evil soon develops into more, as Hussey explores whether those who believe they are fighting for good have actually become as bad as those they fight. It also gives us themes of friendship, loyalty and redemption.

As an interesting addition, there’s also mention of Matthew Hopkins, a witch hunter during the time of the English Civil War. It’s a link to history which may well spark some interest and further study.

This is an impressive first book of a trilogy. It’s a complete story in itself, which moves at a fast pace. The second in the trilogy is due to be published in January 2011, and the final instalment in September 2011. If the quality of writing is to continue in these two books, it’s going to feel like a long wait!

[emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really, REALLY enjoyed it and only picked it up randomly from the library as a filler. So many interesting plot twists throughout the book. I really want to read the rest of the series.

[Gavrila · Rating 3 out of 5]

4.5

[Math le maudit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Roman jeunesse (enfin 13-14 quoi) racontant l'histoire d'un garçon, fan de romans d'épouvante et qui découvre brusquement que la plupart des créatures qu'il a rencontré dans ses lectures existent. Impliqué dans une guerre occulte séculaire, entre des sorciers souhaitant libérer les démons et une société secrète cherchant à les en empêcher.

Rien de bien révolutionnaire donc : un ado paumé, un grand destin caché, de la magie, des secrets. les ingrédients propres au roman jeunesse depuis Harry Potter sont là. Pas aussi brillant que les aventures du jeune sorcier, le récit est par certains côté plus adulte. La mort est montré sans fard, dés le début du roman par exemple.

Les personnages, bien mis en scène donne du relief au texte qui, sans être exceptionnel reste plaisant. Un bon roman de transition entre lecture jeunesse et livre plus "adultes".

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

The words "Teen" and "Extremely Scary Content" on the back of the book lead me to believe that I was not the target audience, nor would I be scared by this book.

Its not a bad book, in fact I quite enjoyed the way it was written but I just felt the entire time I was writing something that was almost Harry Potter but not as good. There are too many bad similarities. A man named Quilp, witches all have an animal, special boy who loses his parents, etc.

A lot of it was repetitive, at least once a chapter someone would remind the reader of the Demontide and how it's threatening the entire world and must be stopped. Aside from Simon and Jake, I didn't care much for any of the other characters and I found the story got more boring towards the end. Won't be continuing the series, but it was harmless fun I guess.

[Xander · Rating 2 out of 5]

William Hussey is, in my opinion, highly underrated. His attention to detail in description is amazing and colourful and is very reminiscent of Clive Barker's writing style. While I found that Witchfinder would probably appeal more to a younger audience, I found some of the more graphic scenes to be extremely satisfying yet not blunt. However, the entire book felt like I was reading a movie script which spoiled much of the tension that Hussey has tried to construct, especially towards the climax of the narrative, and it did not take a lot of effort to read.

Overall, I enjoyed the book but I wouldn't recommend it for anyone over the age of 18 due to it's simplicity and movie-like themes.

[Lynda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was not sure if I would like this book.. but left with no other books to read I thought why not?
It was very well written and the beginning of the book took you straight into the murder of a young boy! He was a sacrifice!
The story goes on to explain this spooky place in England has a door where demons are trying to come through every 25 years and the problems the elders of the village have to stop them.
I was very interested for about half way into the book then it became hard work to keep looking for an intelligent end as I am not one for evil demons or black magic.
I did reach the end which was kind of predictable...sorry!

A book more for the teenage market..

[Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

I stopped reading it part way through (I started it on a train journey, and couldn't return to it when the journey was over). It's not that it was a bad book particularly - it was just quite boring, and felt like other things I'd read before, and by the time I was just over halfway through it it had showed no sign of deviating from the normal plot of these kinds of books. I have so much I want to read, and I just can't make myself spend time finishing a book I strongly suspect will have nothing new to add to my life. If it was appallingly bad I'd probably force myself to finish it just because I think there's usually a few useful writing lessons in terrible books. This was just... fine.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

The strongest teen title that I have encountered this year. I can only weep when I see the final cover that OUP have selected - I'm not sure why they seem to want to kill this book before it has even been released.

William Hussey introduces a strong narrative, with a variety of believable characters in a style that is both consistent and clever.

A strong new teen writer - I can only hope that the tradition of writing a trilogy won't lead to a decline in quality.

[Clarabel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Très agréable surprise ! Cette lecture conviendra parfaitement à tous les amateurs de la série L'Epouvanteur de Joseph Delaney. C'est aussi sombre, flippant et terrifiant qu'on peut le supposer. L'histoire est bien ficelée, c'est d'ailleurs un vrai récit d'épouvante, avec des tentatives de meurtre, des malédictions, des vengeances et des sacrifices... Les intrigues du jeune Jake ont su m'emporter et me coller à mon fauteuil, j'en ai même fait des cauchemars cette nuit !

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well... My aunt gave me this book for Christmas, I think, and I saw on the back that it said, "WARNING: Extremely Scary Content." Yeah, so I thought, why not lets read this... OMG it is so so SO very good! It is gripping from start to end, the imagery is awesome and it is just a REALLY well written book! I highly recommend this to anyone who loves gripping tales, and anyone who wants to try something new! I cannot wait to read the other books in this trilogy, I am kind of scared though...

[Sam Whitehouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

For those looking for an action packed, fast paced, exciting and often scary read, you can't go far wrong with the first in William Hussey's Witchfinder trilogy. With a cast full of interesting characters, cool monsters and a plot that twists and turns like a coil, this is one of the best YA horrors i have ever read. Highly recommended

[Lucy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Seriously did not get on with this one. Not my cup of tea. Not scary enough, writing not good enough, characters not engaging enough. Not drastically bad, and not throw-across-the-room worthy, but just not appealing to me. I did skim at least half.

[Finlay C · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book is a compelling book of mystery and dark magic, it is wvery exiciting when the father of the demons come back. A must have for harry potter fans

[O_0 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the best fantastical novel I've read but pretty good all the same.

[Annmarie Ager · Rating 5 out of 5]

i loved this book it was full of sirprise and you started to wonder who you could trust in the book :)

[laurie hasty · Rating 5 out of 5]

it is a little gory in parts but it is a fantastic book so far.
i am up to chapter 10 and i think the most ineresting bit so far is how jake's mothers killed.

[Edward Brady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!! can't wait to get the second installment :)

[Tanita Davis]

2011 Cybils nominee.

[Hassan Abdulnabi · Rating 3 out of 5]

a mediocre read...there weren't as many "WOW" moments as I had anticipated, good but not AMAZING

[Jordan Mclen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think that this is an amazing book, yes it did take me a while to get into it, but once it started to pick up the pace I couldn't put it down. Yes a lot of people say that but i genuinely mean it