Terra's Sabbath, part 2 of a planned trilogy, is a superb dark horror novel

 

--

Review by Doug Gibson

I previously reviewed author Dean Patrick's novel, "The Lady Mephistopheles." It introduced Terra Drake, a beautiful demon for the 21st Century. The protagonist -- her prey -- Steve Paul fought a valiant but doomed effort against her, hampered by personal, destructive vices that Terra Drake exploited.

The sequel -- part 2 of a planned trilogy -- has been released, and "Terra's Sabbath", 2023, TWB Press, Centennial, CO,  is a superb dark horror literary work.

Terra's main opponent in this novel is cop/detective Marion Paul, and yes, he's Steve's brother. Marion Paul is a tougher adversary for Terra, but what he encounters in battling demons more than once has him struggling to retain his sanity. The opening passages in the novel provide a bizarre frightening, very descriptive ritual that includes a child sacrifice.  Readers learn more background on Terra Drake, her past, her original name, and exactly why she is in the 21st century gathering followers. She and her allies destroy both souls and contemporary civilization.

Author Patrick has a strong knowledge of metal rock and cultural, social, and religious debates. He weaves contemporary issues, biblical themes, and the misery of addiction to create a demon-fueled rising that possesses ordinary people and leaves them devoid of humanity. I enjoy the settings in the novel, small towns, bustling cities, hospital rooms, a small "gas n'gulp" convenience store, a prison, horrific scenes in ordinary homes; slaughter in a nightclub. There's also a 7-foot tall confederate of Terra's, named Adrian Kane, who can become a werewolf.

Paul's prose has Marion both using face-to-face interviews and researching past horrific crimes, including the recent Idaho college student murders, to better understand his adversaries. Patrick crafts an effective scene in which Marion visits a prison seeks answers from an unrepentant, utterly evil killer.

Protagonists who are not superheroes, but ordinary flawed people trying to be heroic are realistic heroes. That is Marion Paul.

As the novel progresses, Marion's efforts against this evil include protecting a woman he's falling in love with, and protecting his estranged daughter. It seems a very difficult task. Marion is, after all, just human.

I mentioned that author Patrick has the talent to inspire dread and horror in typical situations. At a convenience store, he encounters a human-like “demon” named Bridget Magnus. She physically embodies the deterioration and rot that evil provides. She is one creepy character, and makes other appearances in “Terra’s Sabbath.”

There’s also a homeless, addict war veteran whom Terra snares into her service. He simply has too many problem and too little will to resist. Marion is a clear contrast to this character. He’s in the fight of his life, and soul, against Terra, Adrian, Bridget, and others. But he’s capable of fighting back, although as mentioned it’s an uneven match.

But Marion does have one ally that makes Terra nervous. This ally, who had a cameo in “The Lady Mephistopheles,” steps in late in the novel. His appearance may change the odds. We’ll certainly learn more in Part 3 of the Terra Drake trilogy.

The climax of "Terra's Sabbath" sets up an eagerly anticipated battle for the souls of characters readers will care about, with well-developed antagonists on both sides of good and evil. (Author Dean Patrick's photo is below).