(Book) Stop, Hammer Time! A look at Soulless Monk

As you can see, this is the second instalment of the Inquisitor Series. 

When we last left Brother Sebastian, he'd been given a ring that was reserved for Hammers. Hammers are like the Red Berets of the Clergy. They attempt to Purge the toughest things that go bump in the night. 

But it's not all roses. A Bishop has had his name besmirched, so Sebastian has to leave New England under the wing of Clergyman heavy hitter Brother Malachi. 

The story formula changes up with the inclusion of former monk James. Reading the chapters from his perspective was like looking at the other side of the coin. He seemed emotionally distant not just out of necessity, but also because he completely disregarded human life in exchange for power. 

It's almost as if he traded his soul or something! 

I enjoyed reading both Sebastian's and James' paths. Though they end up in very different places from what I expected, it was still emotionally satisfying. 

Thaddeus is a great bad guy, but his henchmen seem a lot like those bumbling gooks from Saturday morning cartoons. Their incompetence is probably the real reason that Thaddeus failed. Not so much a critique as an observation.  

Though, I never expected to get so attached to one of the summoned creatures the magi are capable of summoning. Without saying much, I found him incredibly likeable and was legitimately sad when it died.

The detail throughout the story kept me engaged and the pacing was so quick that I had to take breaks to pace myself. 

I don't know for sure, but I'm pretty sure my favourite character so far is Brother Malachi.

The dangerous thing about sequels is that you need to find a way to ramp up the action and the tension without going too big, too quickly. 

Soulless Monk found a great balance of raising tension without going too big. 

It's a visceral journey that makes Catholicism look cool and goes from 0-60 in a matter of pages.

I can't wait for the third book.

5 Stars

You can find the book here: http://www.amazon.com/Soulless-Monk-Inquisitor-Book-2-ebook/dp/B015JC9LY4/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1444927824&sr=1-1&keywords=soulless+monk

(Book) Werewolves, Witches and Ogres, Oh My!! A look at Junior Inquisitor

Firstly, I must apologise to the author as this review is a couple of weeks in the making.

Now, with this in mind...

Junior Inquisitor follows the story of Brother Sebastian, who is chasing down his missing Catholic brethren in Providence, Rhode Island.

I forgot to mention that Brother Sebastian is an Inquisitor; a holy man who fights all manner of things that go bump in the night.

Now, as this was a new author for me to read, I was a tad slow to start with the exposition that I had to read through. You learn about Sebastian and why he's an Inquisitor in the first place, etc.

What I did not expect was the stakes to be raised so high, so quickly.

One minute I'm watching Sebastian talk to a priest, the next we're in a firefight with a Voodoo woman who leaves her psycho dollies around to taunt people with their malicious madness.

The stakes only becomes greater from there!

Lincoln S. Farish has crafted a tale that shoves you face first down a rabbit hole, only to find that halfway down the tunnel is now caving in.

One of my favourite parts are the conversations between Father Arnold and Sebastian. It allows for the reader to see who Sebastian is, as opposed to simply what he tells us.

The story is intense, brutal and the extended cast of characters are not only likeable, but they enhance the presence of Brother Sebastian. The creatures are well thought out and sparse enough that it implies a rise to power in later books.

This book is well researched and its pacing is that of vengeful demon on the heels of the wicked.

On the surface, this may look similar to the Dresden Files, a dash of Hellsing and a sprinkle of Supernatural for good measure. But it is so much more than that.

A fantastic book and I'm very much looking forward to the next instalment.

5 Stars.

The book is available for download at Google Play and its Apple equivalent. Worth the purchase.