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The Chronicles of the Keeper #1
The Destroying Angel
An ancient evil force, remembered only in myth, appears at intervals in present-day England as an inhumanly pale woman, using its mesmerizing beauty to ensnare human pawns and bend them to its will. A pragmatic small-town policeman investigating cases of farm animal mutilation is recruited unwillingly to help thwart the impending catastrophe of the force's rebirth.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1987
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 12, 2022
Secret histories, demons, aliens, cults, ancient forces rising once again, and conspiracies galore -- what's not to like here? While this may look like some Arthurian fantasy that Marion Zimmer Bradley could have written, in actuality it's one of the creepiest horror novels I've read, so many thanks to Jordan for the rec. Mostly taking place in modern day (1980s) England, though it starts about 65,000 years ago, it involves a demonic/angelic entity that can only be communicated with while tripping balls on a specific poisonous mushroom. She may murder you if the mushroom itself doesn't. Or enslave you.
It also involves shadowy little critters who could be watching you at any time, usually when you think you see something out of the corner of your eye, but there's nothing there when you look. And they just might feast on your blood. But maybe it was only a stray strand of hair. These things may explain the whole cow mutilation fad of the 70s and 80s, as well as the vampire legend (in my head cannon, at least). Somehow this all relates to the mythical lost Hyperborean city known as Thule, and to tell you the truth I'm a little foggy on the details. UFOs are connected as well, why the hell not? Good thing this is only the first of a trilogy, and various characters ranging from scholarly types to cops are attempting to figure it all out so I don't have to.
I do know that I'll soon be reading everything of Bernard King's I can get my hands on. He has an engaging writing style here that's easy to get into despite the complexity of the tale. Too bad most of his work is hard to come by here in the states. I suppose that's why God invented Amazon.
It also involves shadowy little critters who could be watching you at any time, usually when you think you see something out of the corner of your eye, but there's nothing there when you look. And they just might feast on your blood. But maybe it was only a stray strand of hair. These things may explain the whole cow mutilation fad of the 70s and 80s, as well as the vampire legend (in my head cannon, at least). Somehow this all relates to the mythical lost Hyperborean city known as Thule, and to tell you the truth I'm a little foggy on the details. UFOs are connected as well, why the hell not? Good thing this is only the first of a trilogy, and various characters ranging from scholarly types to cops are attempting to figure it all out so I don't have to.
I do know that I'll soon be reading everything of Bernard King's I can get my hands on. He has an engaging writing style here that's easy to get into despite the complexity of the tale. Too bad most of his work is hard to come by here in the states. I suppose that's why God invented Amazon.
March 17, 2023
If King has written this today, The Destroying Angel would probably be about 1000 pages long, but King does not waste a single word in this epic struggle between good and evil (both of these terms are, of course, only approximate here 😎). The scope alone is epic, starting around 65 million years ago, and then touching down for short chapters in the Roman and medieval epochs before giving us a week of action in the modern day. That stated, this is almost an impossible book to review without spoilers, but here we go.
King really put some research into this one, featuring as characters many historical figures, from Roman historians to the Templars, but of course gives them a specific spin. I always thought the King of France and his 'pet' Avignon pope condemned the Templars as heretics because the French king owed them so much money, but alas, it turns out it was due to an ancient power struggle that predates human civilization, if not humanity itself. The latter part of the book is set in 'modern' England, circa 1970s or so (this was first published in 1987) and had police procedural aspects to it among the supernatural (or trying to explain the supernatural!). Again, King does not waste words and really packs an impressive story into such a short book. This could be called epic fantasy I suppose, given the struggle between good and evil (approximately, maybe 'indifferent to humanity' versus the 'that's enough' camp would fit better), but being set largely in a historical fiction setting kind of mitigates that to a degree. Definitely some horror aspects to it as well, and in case you are wondering, those benign looking, but quite deadly, mushrooms on the cover art play a major role in the story.
Overall, very impressive, and I cannot believe this series has largely faded into the obscure territory; maybe because only the first volume was published in the USA. Cult classic definitely fits, so I will go with that. 4.5 mushroomy stars!!
King really put some research into this one, featuring as characters many historical figures, from Roman historians to the Templars, but of course gives them a specific spin. I always thought the King of France and his 'pet' Avignon pope condemned the Templars as heretics because the French king owed them so much money, but alas, it turns out it was due to an ancient power struggle that predates human civilization, if not humanity itself. The latter part of the book is set in 'modern' England, circa 1970s or so (this was first published in 1987) and had police procedural aspects to it among the supernatural (or trying to explain the supernatural!). Again, King does not waste words and really packs an impressive story into such a short book. This could be called epic fantasy I suppose, given the struggle between good and evil (approximately, maybe 'indifferent to humanity' versus the 'that's enough' camp would fit better), but being set largely in a historical fiction setting kind of mitigates that to a degree. Definitely some horror aspects to it as well, and in case you are wondering, those benign looking, but quite deadly, mushrooms on the cover art play a major role in the story.
Overall, very impressive, and I cannot believe this series has largely faded into the obscure territory; maybe because only the first volume was published in the USA. Cult classic definitely fits, so I will go with that. 4.5 mushroomy stars!!
February 17, 2008
First read this book the tail end of the eighties. it's book one of a trilogy (surprise, surprise). Picked up book two a few years ago and the third a few weeks back so i thought time the read the whole trilogy. Bearing in mind I originally read this almost twenty years ago (showing my age), I am pleased to say I really enjoyed it this time. it's a tale on conspiracy throughout time, of ancient godlike creatures. It does evoke similar ideas to me as the Cthulhu Mythos in terms of ancient powerful beings but is not part of that. Good use of historical information and events. The author has a lively style and i found it very easy to read. Currently reading Book two. Recommended.
July 16, 2024
Something mysterious happened tens of thousands of years ago. Then something mysterious happened a couple thousand years ago. Then something mysterious happened 1800 years ago. ..And so on.
I gave up.
It was like a series of prologues one after the other. I was mildly interested in the first one, the second one was promising, and then I realized that the author was NEVER GOING TO GET TO THE POINT. Well of course he does eventually. I skimmed through the second half of the book and there seems to be a cohesive story there. But I got tired of waiting for it, of not knowing which of these characters with long names I was supposed to remember and which ones were going to be immediately obsolete.
The concept seems interesting and definitely CREEPY but the execution killed it for me.
I honestly don't remember why I had this book on my shelf. I read a lot of fantasy but don't seek out horror so could be I'm just super not the target audience.
I gave up.
It was like a series of prologues one after the other. I was mildly interested in the first one, the second one was promising, and then I realized that the author was NEVER GOING TO GET TO THE POINT. Well of course he does eventually. I skimmed through the second half of the book and there seems to be a cohesive story there. But I got tired of waiting for it, of not knowing which of these characters with long names I was supposed to remember and which ones were going to be immediately obsolete.
The concept seems interesting and definitely CREEPY but the execution killed it for me.
I honestly don't remember why I had this book on my shelf. I read a lot of fantasy but don't seek out horror so could be I'm just super not the target audience.
October 6, 2025
I love this book. I first read it when I was 15 and it enchanted me. It still does now, 35-years later.
A heady brew of conspiracy, history, and suspense, coupled with some horrifying scenes of paranormal murder. I'd love to tell you more, but alas, it is "too vast and subtle to explain!" (A quote from a character in the story, when he was asked to explain what was going on.) You'll just have to read it.
While the story can be read as a stand-alone novel, it does setup some plot threads that continue on into the two sequels that follow it.
A heady brew of conspiracy, history, and suspense, coupled with some horrifying scenes of paranormal murder. I'd love to tell you more, but alas, it is "too vast and subtle to explain!" (A quote from a character in the story, when he was asked to explain what was going on.) You'll just have to read it.
While the story can be read as a stand-alone novel, it does setup some plot threads that continue on into the two sequels that follow it.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews