REVIEW: At The Gates by Tim Marquitz

At The Gates by Tim Marquitz
Publishing Information: Kindle
Publisher: Damnation Books LLC
ASIN: B006DK1HSK
Series: Book three in the Demon Squad series
Copy: Free from author
Reviewer: Tyson

Synopsis: "A revolt in Heaven, angels fighting angels. Who better to mediate a peaceful resolution than the Devil’s nephew, Frank “Triggaltheron” Trigg?

Don’t answer that.

When Scarlett arrives at his door, beaten to within an inch of her life, Frank finds himself in the middle of a war as the Nephilim arrive to finish the job. With only Eden still standing, the battle for Heaven spills over and ravages the Earth with deadly storms. Amidst the chaos, Frank must find a way to end the war before the battling hordes of half-breed angels, vampires, and lycanthropes reach Eden and bring about the end of existence.

No pressure."


Last week I reviewed Betrayal, the short story that leads υp to At the Gates, and foυnd oυt that there is a war brewing in heaven. It seems that with God and the Devil absent now is the time to take over Eden. With Heaven in peril it has repercυssions everywhere, not jυst in Heaven and Hell, bυt Earth and other planes of existence also hang in the balance.

Frank Trigg is joined by a mυch larger cast of characters this time aroυnd. DRAC (Demon Resistance and Containment) have a mυch larger role in this book and we also have a better υnderstanding of the world Marqυitz has created as angels, demons, werewolves, vampires, and more all vie for a chance to control the Pearly Gates. We also have a few other organizations whose agendas are not qυite as noble as Trigg's and DRAC's.

At The Gates, is an improvement to book two, Resυrrection, the writing seems better and the overall story is tighter which makes for a fast paced read with plenty of action. Marqυitz does an excellent job of setting the story υp and then letting all hell break oυt (pυn intended). Lots of actions and mayhem.

The Demon Sqυad series continυes to improve and if yoυ love action and want to read aboυt an interesting character that evolves and improves in each and every new book in the series, look no fυrther. At The Gates is Recommended.


Plot 8/10
Characters 8/10
Style 7.5/10

Overall 8/10

REVIEW: Betrayal by Tim Marquitz

Betrayal: A Demon Squad Story by Tim Marquitz
Publishing information: Kindle
Publisher: Amazon Digital Services
ASIN: B006K5ZY78
Series: Short Story in the Demon Squad series
Copy: Free at Amazon
Reviewer: Tyson

Synopsis: "Heaven under siege, Scarlett finds herself in the middle of a war as angels slaughter angels. (Warning: Do not read Betrayal before Resurrection as the story might spoil the end of Resurrection.)

Betrayal is a short story told from the viewpoint of Scarlett. It details the events leading up to the third Demon Squad book, At the Gates, out December 1st from Damnation Books.

A bonus story, Prohibition Black and Blues is included, featuring Frank "Triggaltheron" Trigg in the Roaring Twenties."

Betrayal is the short story that sets up book number three in the Demon Squad series. It takes place between Resurrection and At The Gates.

The story takes place immediately following book two but catapults you into the action that sets up book number three. Scarlett comes calling on Frank Trigg and warns him of the danger facing Heaven.

Without giving too much away, Betrayal is just as good as any of Marquitz's full novels. With one minor complaint. It ends far to quickly. Once you finish Betrayal, you will want to start At The Gates straightaway.

There is also another bonus story entitled Prohibition Black, which was a nice change of pace as you see Trigg in a different time period, The Roaring Twenties. It was a nice little story and I would not mind if this time period were explored some more in the future.

Betrayal is free at Amazon. Click here for your copy.

Plot 7/10
Characters 7/10
Style 7/10

Overall 7/10

REVIEW: I Am Not a Serial Killer by Dan Wells

I Am Not a Serial Killer by Dan Wells
Publishing information: Kindle; 320 pages
Publisher: Tor 1 April 2010
ISBN 10: 0765322471
ISBN 13: 978-0765362360
ASIN: B003DX0HYU
Series: Book 1 in the John Cleaver series
Copy: Out of Pocket
Reviewer: Tyson

Synopsis: "John Wayne Cleaver is dangerous, and he knows it.

He’s spent his life doing his best not to live up to his potential.

He’s obsessed with serial killers, but really doesn’t want to become one. So for his own sake, and the safety of those around him, he lives by rigid rules he’s written for himself, practicing normal life as if it were a private religion that could save him from damnation.

Dead bodies are normal to John. He likes them, actually. They don’t demand or expect the empathy he’s unable to offer. Perhaps that’s what gives him the objectivity to recognize that there’s something different about the body the police have just found behind the Wash-n-Dry Laundromat---and to appreciate what that difference means.

Now, for the first time, John has to confront a danger outside himself, a threat he can’t control, a menace to everything and everyone he would love, if only he could."

Thanks to Seak over at Only the Best Science Fiction and Fantasy. Dan Well's John Cleaver series came to my attention and I hope that thanks to this review that he will hit more people's radar because the series is very good and with each new book in the series, it still feels fresh while adding new dimensions to the character and the overall story.

I Am Not a Serial Killer is an impressive book and even better series. The character of John Wayne Cleaver is interesting and much different from what we usually encounter in fiction today. He is troubled and he knows it. Thanks to a few guidelines and rules he is keeping his "tendencies" at bay. His unusual hobby of reading and studying serial killers in order to avoid becoming one is fascinating. He does his best to be like everyone else even though he desires to set himself apart and do what naturally would make him feel complete.

When people start dying in his one horse town, he ptts his knowledge of serial killers to work in order to solve just who is doing the terrible deeds all the while keeping his own natural instincts buried deep down, lest the come out and take him somewhere he will never return from. Aside from wrestling with John's own demons, I Am Not a Serial Killer tells a very compelling murder mystery. All of the characters are fleshed out very well and we have a really amazing story here. Why this book, and for that matter, the series is not read by more lovers of speculative fiction I have no idea, but this is one book that was hard to put down. I don't want to tell you the ending, but I will say there is a twist that was very unexpected and takes the series into uncharted territory and it was a welcome turn of events. If you read I Am Not a Serial Killer be prepared to stay up late into the night to finish it and to run back to the bookstore and grab the rest of the series. I Am Not a Serial Killer is the diamond in the rough. Highly recommended

Plot 9/10
Characters 8.5/10
Style 9/10

Overall 9.5/10