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The Demon Hunter's Apprentice #1
The Demon Hunter's Apprentice
In the city of Hell’s Crown, legendary Demon Hunter Cain Stoddard was infected by an ancient evil. Stumbling from the city, he fled north, seeking the desolation of the Old Kingdoms. There, he hoped to find the means to expel the wickedness roosting just beneath his skin.
But this is not Cain Stoddard’s story. This is the story of the apprentice he left behind. A first- rate scoundrel, a second-class cheat, a third-rate braggart, and a fourth-rate drunk, Liam Gulban has been called many things, but no one has ever called him a hero. Now, Cain Stoddard’s young student must put aside his foolish pastimes to rescue his oldest friend.
On the way, he will encounter savage monsters, lusty refugees, undead musicians, smelly druids, and at least one certifiably insane god. His closest allies will betray him, a goddess will choose him as her champion, and all the while he’ll be fighting against his most tenacious enemy—himself.
But this is not Cain Stoddard’s story. This is the story of the apprentice he left behind. A first- rate scoundrel, a second-class cheat, a third-rate braggart, and a fourth-rate drunk, Liam Gulban has been called many things, but no one has ever called him a hero. Now, Cain Stoddard’s young student must put aside his foolish pastimes to rescue his oldest friend.
On the way, he will encounter savage monsters, lusty refugees, undead musicians, smelly druids, and at least one certifiably insane god. His closest allies will betray him, a goddess will choose him as her champion, and all the while he’ll be fighting against his most tenacious enemy—himself.
303 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2009
About the author
Eric A. Radulski
14 books8 followersEric A. Radulski writes dark, character-driven fiction about transformation—of bodies, of faith, of identity, and of the stories we tell ourselves to survive. His work blends fantasy and horror with mythic undercurrents and quiet human reckoning, exploring what happens when belief fractures, monsters wear familiar faces, and meaning has to be rebuilt by hand.
His stories are often violent, sometimes tender, and always concerned with the inner lives of people standing at the edge of change: demon hunters nearing the end of their purpose, lovers navigating desire and devotion, survivors trying to understand what they’ve become. Beneath the blood and shadow, his work asks gentler questions about responsibility, restraint, faith, and what it costs to finish what you start.
Eric lives in Rochester, New York, where he writes by firelight when he can, drinks too much coffee when he shouldn’t, and believes strongly in the power of steady work, creative patience, and days that favor presence over progress. He is currently finishing 'Tombs of Bahbala' and beginning work on 'Twelve Steps in Blood'.
If you like your dark fiction thoughtful, immersive, and grounded in the emotional weight of choice—welcome.
His stories are often violent, sometimes tender, and always concerned with the inner lives of people standing at the edge of change: demon hunters nearing the end of their purpose, lovers navigating desire and devotion, survivors trying to understand what they’ve become. Beneath the blood and shadow, his work asks gentler questions about responsibility, restraint, faith, and what it costs to finish what you start.
Eric lives in Rochester, New York, where he writes by firelight when he can, drinks too much coffee when he shouldn’t, and believes strongly in the power of steady work, creative patience, and days that favor presence over progress. He is currently finishing 'Tombs of Bahbala' and beginning work on 'Twelve Steps in Blood'.
If you like your dark fiction thoughtful, immersive, and grounded in the emotional weight of choice—welcome.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 23, 2026
Are you in search of a book that features a gritty, fast-paced dark fantasy? This story takes the popular "chosen one" storylines and replaces them with a nonstop action, highstakes battles and a relatable flawed hero.
With the return of a legendary demon hunter from a mission infected by an ancient, corrupting evil and vanishes, it’s up to his apprentice, Liam Gulban, to track him down. The only thing is, Liam is a tumultuous scoundrel who is completely unprepared for the job before him.
With the return of a legendary demon hunter from a mission infected by an ancient, corrupting evil and vanishes, it’s up to his apprentice, Liam Gulban, to track him down. The only thing is, Liam is a tumultuous scoundrel who is completely unprepared for the job before him.
September 6, 2025
I went into The Demon Hunter’s Apprentice expecting a fairly straightforward dark fantasy, but what I got was so much more layered and immersive than I anticipated. Radulski takes what could have been a familiar “chosen one” setup and flips it into a gritty, emotionally heavy journey that feels both personal and epic.
Liam Gulban is not your typical reluctant hero. What struck me most was how raw and believable his struggles felt. He isn’t just swinging swords at monsters; he’s constantly battling his own doubts, grief, and the creeping temptation of the very darkness he’s sworn to fight. The disappearance of his mentor, Cain, is more than just the inciting incident, it lingers over the entire story like a wound that never quite closes, shaping every decision Liam makes.
The supporting cast also deserves a mention. The witches, hunters, and warriors Liam encounters aren’t just background props; they all bring their own shades of morality and secrets to the table, which makes the “team” dynamic unpredictable and tense. I especially loved how Radulski doesn’t paint the world in black and white. There are moments when you really feel the weight of blurred loyalties and shifting alliances, and it keeps you second-guessing right up until the end.
Action-wise, the book delivers hard. The battle scenes are brutal and relentless, but they never feel like filler. Every fight has consequences, physical and emotional, and that’s what kept me hooked. By the time the bigger conspiracy begins to unravel, I was fully invested not just in whether Liam could survive, but in what kind of person he would be on the other side of it all.
Overall, The Demon Hunter’s Apprentice is dark, atmospheric, and surprisingly heartfelt. It’s as much about identity and choice as it is about slaying demons. If you like your fantasy with high stakes, moral ambiguity, and characters who feel painfully real, this one is worth picking up.
Liam Gulban is not your typical reluctant hero. What struck me most was how raw and believable his struggles felt. He isn’t just swinging swords at monsters; he’s constantly battling his own doubts, grief, and the creeping temptation of the very darkness he’s sworn to fight. The disappearance of his mentor, Cain, is more than just the inciting incident, it lingers over the entire story like a wound that never quite closes, shaping every decision Liam makes.
The supporting cast also deserves a mention. The witches, hunters, and warriors Liam encounters aren’t just background props; they all bring their own shades of morality and secrets to the table, which makes the “team” dynamic unpredictable and tense. I especially loved how Radulski doesn’t paint the world in black and white. There are moments when you really feel the weight of blurred loyalties and shifting alliances, and it keeps you second-guessing right up until the end.
Action-wise, the book delivers hard. The battle scenes are brutal and relentless, but they never feel like filler. Every fight has consequences, physical and emotional, and that’s what kept me hooked. By the time the bigger conspiracy begins to unravel, I was fully invested not just in whether Liam could survive, but in what kind of person he would be on the other side of it all.
Overall, The Demon Hunter’s Apprentice is dark, atmospheric, and surprisingly heartfelt. It’s as much about identity and choice as it is about slaying demons. If you like your fantasy with high stakes, moral ambiguity, and characters who feel painfully real, this one is worth picking up.
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July 22, 2025Thank you for reading Demon Hunter’s Apprentice!
A quick word of thanks to everyone who’s picked up Demon Hunter’s Apprentice—whether you’ve been along for the ride since the original release, or you’re just discovering the series now.
I wanted to let you know: the current edition is a true reboot. This extended version features new and expanded content you won’t find in the original. I’ve revisited nearly every scene, deepened the story, and brought it into line with where the series is headed next.
And if you’re into audiobooks, the new audio edition is a huge step up: it’s professionally narrated by Eric Priessman, who brings the story and its characters to life in a way I never could have managed on my own.
If you’ve only read the earlier version, now’s the perfect time to start fresh—and if you want to check out the new audiobook, just shoot me a message. I have a limited number of promo codes and would be happy to share, while supplies last.
Thanks again for your support, your feedback, and for helping this world keep growing. More is coming soon!
A quick word of thanks to everyone who’s picked up Demon Hunter’s Apprentice—whether you’ve been along for the ride since the original release, or you’re just discovering the series now.
I wanted to let you know: the current edition is a true reboot. This extended version features new and expanded content you won’t find in the original. I’ve revisited nearly every scene, deepened the story, and brought it into line with where the series is headed next.
And if you’re into audiobooks, the new audio edition is a huge step up: it’s professionally narrated by Eric Priessman, who brings the story and its characters to life in a way I never could have managed on my own.
If you’ve only read the earlier version, now’s the perfect time to start fresh—and if you want to check out the new audiobook, just shoot me a message. I have a limited number of promo codes and would be happy to share, while supplies last.
Thanks again for your support, your feedback, and for helping this world keep growing. More is coming soon!
July 4, 2025
This book pulled me in from the start. Liam’s journey from reluctant hunter to something much more kept me hooked the whole way. Twists, demons, betrayals everything hit just right. The mix of action, emotion, and mystery makes it a must-read for dark fantasy fans. Can’t wait for the next one!
September 14, 2012
"It was the most selfless thing I'd ever done, and the most selfish."
Kill yourself. SERIOUSLY.
For days after finishing this "book" I kept thinking "Oh, I have to go back and finish that story about that unlikeable guy who was.... um.... doing things...." EXCEPT I WAS DONE. And when I remembered I was done I got angry and disappointed and disgusted with the book all over again.
The story is so thin it doesn't really exist - I have to find my mentor! But first I have to do this, but before I can do that I have to do this thing here for these people, and eventually I will get around to finding that guy that I think means something to me, but I'm not really sure anymore.
The characters are awful - the sheer amount of "smirk"ing going on made our alleged hero smarmy, cocky, and ridiculous. I get that he's supposed to be a wonderfully good-looking rake, mainly because the author keeps telling us so, but he's just really unlikeable, with only one facial expression used far too often. He's like the Taylor Swift of non-starters.
The other characters seem to only be there to provide prompting for said smirking. They are thinner than the plot itself, and the declaration of love after sleeping with someone two or three times is just laughable. It's like the author knew he had to have some sex and romance going on, so he just mashed them in any old place. Fierce warrior becomes coquettish slut becomes tearful barnacle? REALLY?
Overall there were more adjectives than punctuation, pathetically amateurish and stilted dialogue, and boring yet rushed fight/action/adventure scenes that all felt unfinished. The whole thing feels unfinished and like it needs to be taken to the Writing Center at high school for some help and about 12 revisions before self-publishing.
BAH!
ETA: Fire then set fire to the audiobook narrator. That was just embarrassing.
Kill yourself. SERIOUSLY.
For days after finishing this "book" I kept thinking "Oh, I have to go back and finish that story about that unlikeable guy who was.... um.... doing things...." EXCEPT I WAS DONE. And when I remembered I was done I got angry and disappointed and disgusted with the book all over again.
The story is so thin it doesn't really exist - I have to find my mentor! But first I have to do this, but before I can do that I have to do this thing here for these people, and eventually I will get around to finding that guy that I think means something to me, but I'm not really sure anymore.
The characters are awful - the sheer amount of "smirk"ing going on made our alleged hero smarmy, cocky, and ridiculous. I get that he's supposed to be a wonderfully good-looking rake, mainly because the author keeps telling us so, but he's just really unlikeable, with only one facial expression used far too often. He's like the Taylor Swift of non-starters.
The other characters seem to only be there to provide prompting for said smirking. They are thinner than the plot itself, and the declaration of love after sleeping with someone two or three times is just laughable. It's like the author knew he had to have some sex and romance going on, so he just mashed them in any old place. Fierce warrior becomes coquettish slut becomes tearful barnacle? REALLY?
Overall there were more adjectives than punctuation, pathetically amateurish and stilted dialogue, and boring yet rushed fight/action/adventure scenes that all felt unfinished. The whole thing feels unfinished and like it needs to be taken to the Writing Center at high school for some help and about 12 revisions before self-publishing.
BAH!
ETA: Fire then set fire to the audiobook narrator. That was just embarrassing.
October 30, 2013
Formulaic and 2 dimensional. As a main character, I just didn't care about his heroic journey. His rougeish charms were as obvious as a brick to the face and I would recommend wasting your life on a drug habit. Also, the audiobook version made me want to drill out my ear drums. The narrator sounded like he was trying to impress a teenage girl. And I am not one of those. This book did nothing for me except as escapist pulp. And there's a second book. Not on my to read list.
July 26, 2011
An okay but, not exactly subtle but still a fun read.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews