Khepera Rising

Khepera #1

by Nerine Dorman

The wickedest man in Africa has problems, and they can't all be solved by magic.

Occult bookshop owner and black arts magician James Edward Guillaume reckons he has it all, and enjoys living up his reputation as South Africa's "wickedest man", a nice house, a business that's breaking even and the pick of all the pretty Goth girls and boys in Cape Town.

Little does he know, a group of violent Christo-militants are panting at his heels, ready to destroy his carefully constructed fantasy world. To add mischief to his misery, he's unwittingly unleashed a terrifying demonic entity, and he alone holds the key to The Burning One's secret. To bring order out of the chaos, all James has to do is conquer his personal demons, teach a rather nasty, self-righteous sod a lesson in humility and find out whether he can win back the trust of an old flame. Only, as James discovers, getting back on top is hell on earth.

Genres: Horror, Urban Fantasy

209 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 21, 2009

About the author

Nerine Dorman is a South African author and editor of science fiction and fantasy currently living in Cape Town, with short fiction published in numerous anthologies. She is a contributor to the Locus Award-winning Afro-Centered Futurism in Our Speculative Fiction edited by Eugen Bacon (Bloomsbury, 2024). Her novel Sing down the Stars won Gold for the Sanlam Prize for Youth Literature in 2019 and The Percy Fitzpatrick Award for Children's and Youth Literature in 2021. Her YA fantasy novella, Dragon Forged, was a finalist in the Sanlam Prize for Youth Literature in 2017, and she is the curator of the South African Horrorfest Bloody Parchment event and short story competition. Her short story “On the Other Side of the Sea” (Omenana, 2017) was shortlisted for a 2018 Nommo award. Her novella The Firebird won a Nommo for “Best Novella” in 2019. In addition, she is a founding member of the SFF authors’ co-operative Skolion.

Reviews

[Aj · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a black magician, Goth, womanizer, drug addict, bi-sexual, marginally criminal, extremely self-satisfied punk, Jamie Guillaume is a pretty good guy. You will come to care for him very quickly because under all of that gobbelty-gook he is a person worth caring about. And one tough mother. Things that happen to this kid would kill you or me. Hell a tenth of the things that happen to him in this dark and horrifying mystery would send me running into the night, screaming at the top of my lungs. There are mysteries aplenty, villains both human and in/un-human, dirty deeds done dirt cheap, magic, murderous thugs in a VW Golf waving crosses and baseball bats. Beautiful girls, hookers, kindergoths and one love of his life. Aw heck, just read the thing. It's a grabber from page one to the end.

[Greg Hamerton · Rating 4 out of 5]

An incendiary work of black magic that will leave kindergoths wide-eyed.

Occultist James Edward Guillaume enjoys living up to his reputation as South Africa's wickedest man, but in so doing, he becomes a target for those who believe his esoteric arts and alternative lifestyle are the work of the devil and should be punished.

The author displays an accomplished style that gives me confidence to follow her into the dark. The protagonist, Jamie, offers a distinctive shock-rocker view of the world with a unique perspective on our so-ordinary lives. The story is an introduction to a ragged slice of Goth culture in Cape Town. The detailing is convincing – references to esoteric texts, drug culture and rituals that speak of experience or such good research that it is indistinguishable from it. But the book comes with a warning: M/M and M/F sexual content, occult, violence, gore. You’d best avoid it if you find smears of prejudice, graphic violence and conversations peppered with vile expletives offensive. I'd never have expected a woman to have written this … but I suspect that she is more fire and demon, with an undeniable knack for finding soft places with her claws.

In terms of setting a mood of eerie loneliness and ruin in modern-day suburbia, Kephera Rising is a complete success: Jamie’s life is a tragedy, the suffering graphic, the grimness unrelenting and some of the first-person writing is superb: 'a smile fakes its way across my face and a cold sweat starts beneath my armpits. Hollow eyes glance at me from the mirror above the fireplace.’ Jamie is suitably tormented by his lack of evil intent and vacillation in the face of his growing dilemma. The detailing of Cape Town is convincing and the dark underbelly of the city disturbing in its believability. This is where Dorman’s alter-ego as a travel writer shines through. You’ll also have ringside seats for some blinding action scenes.


Kephera Rising by Nerine Dorman

There are occasional dead points in the plot: making his tormentors as flawed as Jamie is quite plausible but seems too convenient. Jamie is a bit of a wet regarding his emotional problems, but the relationship with his girlfriend is ambiguous enough to keep us guessing, with twists and turns, tensioning and reversals. And he is a bit too dim-witted regarding his shocking hidden talent.

The way his world falls to pieces is expertly crafted and it shows up his narcissistic life as a reclusive magician. It must be said, however, that it is hard to care for a man who cusses the world and everyone in it, and unless you find the details of esoteric practices irresistible then only curiosity and an appreciation of the brooding atmosphere can pull you into the dark heart of the story. He doesn’t do much to help anyone but himself as he tries to survive his persecutors and the effects of his own emotional baggage, but the story (strapped to a chair with packing tape) is kept artfully alive by the ongoing character development and the incisive philosophical observations amidst the creative trails of blood on the floor.

The real attraction of the book is the essence of horror stated in Dorman’s seductive voice: ‘fear is an ambrosia, a liquor of unparalleled desire that I crave.’ There is something else at work in the writing; something that works around and underneath the words with demonic cleverness. The shifts from vision-possessed fugues back to real world were especially well done. Through sleight of hand plotting and misdirection Dorman induces the reader to empathise with Jamie, and we become complicit in his actions, participating in his sins whilst pretending not to know. The result of this manipulation is an emotional trap and you begin to understand that you will only find release from Jamie’s dragging guilt by reading through to the end.

The climax is a killing stroke with a strong message and is well worth the journey. Kephera Rising may be a gothic horror that marginalises itself by its extreme defiance but it recommends itself to its aghast audience in so doing.

First novel? Come off it, Dorman is no apprentice. She's pulled something out of the hat with this one, but then she's a practicing magician and no, it's not a white bunny she's holding in her hand. Then again, if being scared wasn’t irresistible, you wouldn’t be reaching out to take it.

[Tony-Paul Vissage · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book! Forget my prejudice this time. It’s almost stream-of-consciousness presentation is probably the only proper way to view the world Jamie sees. As for Jamie himself…in spite of the title tacked on him by the DPSO, which appears undeserved, he’s a likable chap. He tried to warn his friends of danger; he’s up-front about his beliefs and doesn’t try to hide how he feels. When a henchman is captured, he does everything he can to prevent the man’s death, only to lose him to a force greater than his puny human one; he loves his mother, mourns her, and misses her, even in the midst of his current strife; he attempts to use his beliefs to strength his resolve, questioning when they seem to fail, as all of us do. And though he loves Gabby, he’s too uncertain to say those three words which would show his weakness for her to the world, and make him admit he’s as human as the rest of us. Khepera Rising, with its South African locale and its peppering of Afrikaan gives the story just enough of an exotic setting, but it could have been placed anywhere and been as successful. It’s an easy read, offering complex characters and an inner glimpse into lifestyles which most of us have only viewed from a safe distance, and posing and answering the question: What right do we have to judge those who don’t adhere to the lives we’ve chosen for outrelves unless we see through their eyes? I can’t wait to read the sequel!

[Patricia Burroughs · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, am I really going to admit that I just bought this book because the guy on the cover is cracking me up? Love this cover.

And now I've read it. This is not my usual genre, urban fantasy/horror, but I was caught up in this gritty, brutal, graphic story from the very beginning pages. Strong, evocative writing. Compelling, dark tale. Highly recommended if you're into the dark side.

[Suz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy Dorman's voice. It's dark and gritty and subtle and overt, and I always close one of her books hoping I may one day get to visit South Africa. Khepera Rising was no exception, in spite of the anti-hero main character and the way the end felt like a beginning, but without marketing games.

[Frieda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crazy, but so well done.

That was so hectic! So crazy! Some of the content was uncomfortable for me, but the story is so well written, it suckered me right in.

[Monique Snyman · Rating 5 out of 5]

An occult bookshop owner and black arts magician called James Edward Guillaume figures that he has everything and he especially enjoyed living up to his reputation as South Africa’s “wickedest man”. He has a nice house, a business which is breaking even and he can pick and choose from the prettiest Goth girls and boys in Cape Town. However, he’s in for a big surprise when a group of violent Christo-militants has their eyes set on him, ready to destroy his carefully constructed fantasy world. To add to all of this, James unwittingly unleashed a terrifying demonic entity and he alone holds the key to The Burning One’s secret. In order to bring some order to the mayhem, all James has to do is conquer some of his personal demons, teach a someone a lesson and then figure out whether he can win back the trust of an old flame. Sadly, James never realised how difficult it is to get back to the top of his game… the question is, can he become the man he was?

This paranormal fantasy is one of those books that you will either love or hate. I was fortunate enough to enjoy it immensely due to the setting of the story, which we unfortunately don’t see enough of (South Africa isn’t used often in works of fiction for some reason), with a brilliant backdrop and just the right imagery to entice the reader and make them long for Cape Town – even the darker areas – and yet it’s not all about where the story plays off… We are introduced to intriguing characters and a fascinating plotline, which isn’t necessarily going to appeal to sparkly vampire lovers. Sure, we have the Gothic theme, but this is a book of magic and mayhem, carefully sculpted to make the reader want more.

(Read the full review at http://www.tentaclebooks.com/?p=348 )

[Carrie Clevenger · Rating 5 out of 5]

James “Jamie” Guillaume starts out as a thirty-something man who runs an occult shop, has a proud reputation as South Africa’s “Wickedest Man”, has his pick of all the kindergoths in town at his disposal, and wears carefully applied make-up, completing his immersion in his self-constructed fantasy world. Piece-by-piece, this meticulously-maintained environment is slowly reduced, laying bare the true man beneath the veneer and positioning him against larger-than-life adversaries.

Khepera Rising is a stunning masterpiece of dark paranormal urban fantasy beyond typical glittery fae or vampires. This book is reserved for readers who want to sink chest-deep in satiny prose, vivid descriptions, and a plot that keeps them turning the page long after their body has made the call for sleep in the wee hours of the morning.

I finished this book in two day’s time only because I simply found it impossible to put the book down. The characters are each bright and memorable, and I didn’t run into the problem I encounter often, which is forgetting who is who and wondering what exactly their significance in the greater scheme of things is. No, every individual is well-placed, an essential piece of a magnificent chess set in Dorman’s universe.

Dorman further flexes her literary skills by exposing her in-depth knowledge of the subject matter and takes her reader by the hand to lead them through a labyrinth of blacker subjects than your typical St. Martin’s novel. This book provides a deeply engrossing and educational read, set on the shores of Cape Town, in South Africa.

Not since Dean Koontz’s olden horror-writing days have I been so enthralled by a story.

[Gareth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having read a short story involving these characters, I was looking forward to this book immensely ... but although there's potential, it's decidedly unrealised potential.

Don't get me wrong - Nerine Dorman is a great writer. Intelligent, clever use of language and narrative throughout makes this a vastly enjoyable read. The problem is that the truly interesting stuff only kicks off in the last two chapters. The rest of the book trotted along nicely, but it felt a little ... mmm ... undersold. The resolution of the main storyline was ludicrously pedestrian, especially given the supernatural undertones bubbling under the surface throughout.

However, that said, I am definitely picking up book 2. If this was a TV series, Khepera Rising would be the pilot episode, finishing with a revelation to set the tone for the rest of the season.

Bring it on, James.

[Sonya Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

The further I got in this one the more I liked it. Set in South Africa, the main character is black arts magician James Guillaume. James starts out as a thoroughly unlikable prat but as he gets more than his fair share of bad luck and trouble thrown at him - deaths, beatings, being targeted by religious fundamentalists - despite his best efforts I found myself liking him. I enjoyed the South African setting, the hypnotic scenes of magical ritual and dream sequences, and most of all getting to know James. I'm looking forward to the sequel, Khepera Redeemed.

[Lori Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so well written and such an interesting story!

I loved the main character Jamie because he was so completely an anti-hero that at those moments when I liked him or felt sorry for him, I was disgusted with myself for it.

(Real review to follow)

[Noor Jahangir · Rating 3 out of 5]

Khepera Rising is the debut novel of South African travel writer, Nerine Dorman. When she’s not fighting off baboons with a mop, or working to tight deadlines at her day job, Nerine moonlights as an author of dark and gothic fantasy.
Khepera Rising plunders the black heart of the gothic underground movement in Cape Town, illustrating deep research and knowledge of the dark path with scary detail. Her descriptions of Cape Town are both lucid and meticulous and would fit well in an alternative tour guide of the town. In places the research and descriptions, though well-written, seem a little over-indulgent and superfluous to the plot and the character’s development, though that is a very subjective opinion of preference.
The book comes with a warning in the form of a note from Sarah Lotz, another South African author, ‘definitely not for the faint-hearted or easily shocked,’ which if anything is an understatement. This isn’t a gothic romance for readers of Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight books or fans of Buffy, it’s a fully-blown, toe-curling, nasal-hair wrenching occult horror, like a punk-rocker take on Dennis Wheatley.
The lead character, James Edward Guillaume, is as twisted and as full of contradictory emotions as a character can get. One day he is engaged in acts of depravity and satanic rituals and then the next day he’s reading Psalms to his sick mother. In one of my stories he would be the bona fide villain, but Dorman portrays him with a more sympathetic eye, as his world is brought down around his ears by people hell-bent on ridding the world of ‘heathens’, by taking the law into their own hands.
I would definitely not recommend this book to the majority of readers, as it is challenging, subversive and harrowing. But for those of you who are looking for those things, this is well worth the read. Well-written, thought-provoking and carried through with a suspenseful plot that will leave you wide-eyed with each revelation.

[Carrie Clevenger · Rating 5 out of 5]

James “Jamie” Guillaume starts out as a thirty-something man who runs an occult shop, has a proud reputation as South Africa’s “Wickedest Man”, has his pick of all the kindergoths in town at his disposal, and wears carefully applied make-up, completing his immersion in his self-constructed fantasy world. Piece-by-piece, this meticulously-maintained environment is slowly reduced, laying bare the true man beneath the veneer and positioning him against larger-than-life adversaries.

Khepera Rising is a stunning masterpiece of dark paranormal urban fantasy beyond typical glittery fae or vampires. This book is reserved for readers who want to sink chest-deep in satiny prose, vivid descriptions, and a plot that keeps them turning the page long after their body has made the call for sleep in the wee hours of the morning.

I finished this book in two day’s time only because I simply found it impossible to put the book down. The characters are each bright and memorable, and I didn’t run into the problem I encounter often, which is forgetting who is who and wondering what exactly their significance in the greater scheme of things is. No, every individual is well-placed, an essential piece of a magnificent chess set in Dorman’s universe.

Dorman further flexes her literary skills by exposing her in-depth knowledge of the subject matter and takes her reader by the hand to lead them through a labyrinth of blacker subjects than your typical St. Martin’s novel. This book provides a deeply engrossing and educational read, set on the shores of Cape Town, in South Africa.

Not since Dean Koontz’s olden horror-writing days have I been so enthralled by a story.

[Dorothy Shaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is outside of my normal genre. It's one of those reads that I can't race through, not because its not interesting, but because it's a complex world and cannot be rushed through. I have a few other authors that, when I read them, it's the same.

This is an amazingly complex story. Jamie is such an interesting character. His journey is part self destruction, part salvation. I watched with wide eyes when he began, and each domino fell systematically into the other, carrying him forward. He's blind to his own selfishness, most of the time. And then other times, he is quite aware of it. In those moments he brushes off his cursed conscience and moves on. No big deal. Meanwhile, his life is falling down around his feet. Not that I enjoyed watching him suffer, but I did find it interesting watching him learn each lesson, sometimes multiple times.

Ms, Dorman is the queen of description, in my opinion. She details the surroundings in her stories in such a way that I feel that I am right there with the characters. Nothing is left out.

[A.B. Neilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel has taken me out of breath. I really didn´t expect to be so concerned about Jamie, the most stupid and powerful Black Magician I have ever met. The novel has a hectic timing that makes you worry about him most of the time. The events are plenty of colourful symbols, and the author shows a deep knowledge of mythology and magic that makes the whole reading a pleasure. It has make me feel real fear, something that did not happened to me since I read "It" by Stephen King, and it has been many years since them. The amazing mixture of Christian fanatics and a supernatural threaten pushes through the story as a nightmare that cannot been avoid in any way, and it stimulates the worst parts of Jamie´s personality. I have just bought the second one, Xephera Redeemed. I cannot wait to read it. This is really a master piece. Few other novels have touched me so deeply.

[Lee-Anne Mager Mager · Rating 3 out of 5]

bit out there for me