Customer Reviews

Ash: Return of the Beast

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Ash: Return of the Beast is a dark and compelling journey into the world of magick and the legacy of Aleister Crowley. The author has done excellent work in researching the life of the occultist, once called "The Wickedest Man in the World", and the world of dark magick. It is a very interesting read for those aspects alone, but more than that, it weaves a modern occult thriller, that contains shocking elements, with historical facts for a truly unique, fast-paced tale that commands the reader's attention and doesn't let go for a moment.

The story weaves effortlessly back and forth between the work of the detectives and the FBI, and an enigmatic rock star and his death-metal band Mega Therion, as a serial killer unleashes an intense rage upon members of the priesthood. Demonic forces rise as practitioners of dark magick summon them forth. The story is descriptive, unforgiving, and disturbing, as it races along a perilous course to a shocking ending.

Ash: Return of the Beast will appeal to anyone with a fascination with the occult, the paranormal, murder mysteries and police procedurals. The colorful main characters, with deep secrets of their own, bring the reader along on a macabre journey that spirals outwards to all kinds of intriguing places. From rock 'n roll to the very depths of the underworld itself, Ash is a wild ride into a shadow world you won't soon forget. Brilliantly conceived and executed - I couldn't put it down!

-Rai Aren, co-author of Secret of the Sands

I loved this book! It had me from hello!! I really liked The Ezekiel Code also, but there is a delious darkness to Ash that makes this a great, particularly haunting read. I won' t go into detail - others have beaten me to it - just READ IT! You won't be sorry!! Tenuta is a great talent.

Close the shades, lock all your doors and turn up the lights, Gary Val Tenuta has written another great occult thriller.
Although I really Enjoyed Ezekiel Code, I think that this book about the return of Aleister Crowley is even better. Val Tenuta weaves an excellent tale based in part on reality. Crowley was a real person and deemed to be epitome of evil.
This is a great price for this book. I can't wait to see what Val Tenuta cooks up next.

Gary Val Tenuta's new book ASH: Return of the Beast will give readers chills up and down their spines as they follow all the action in this well-written tale of terror.
It begins with the death of a pastor in Seattle, the setting for this thriller. Strange marks and symbols are found etched on the victims' forehead and stomach, which adds another layer to the mystery. Soon another pastor is murdered and molested. And another...
FBI Agent Rowena -who likes to be called Ro - shows up to help Brian Kane in this strange case. They try hard not to like each other because it's a known fact that cops don't get along with FBI agents. But they must work together to solve it before even more pastors are ritualistically killed, leading the two into the depths of the occult and even deeper into the Netherworld where demons dwell, waiting to be released upon an innocent world.
Can they solve this strange mystery before more men of God lose their lives? This is a great and scary read without a dull moment and with an ending you will never see coming! Highly recommended!

It has been a long time since I have written a review. I have published one book, and am 3/4 way through with my BIG novel, but I have read several books that just needed reviewing. I shall review Lila Pinord's excellent new book soon, but this is time to talk about another scary book...

Imagine if you will...

A misunderstood magician or evil occult genius? named Aleister Crowley. The British Press indeed called him 'The Wickedest Man In The World." He died in 1947, and was cremated and placed in in an urn and sealed. His remains remained (pun intended, sorry) a mystery until present day. But in the meantime, ah, unsettling things happen to tenents of the house...until Rodney Duckworth, rock super-star took the house.

Murders, gruesome murders, also described by Mr. Tenuta, are happening, and Seattle Police Detective Brian Kane gets on the case. An FBI agent, Rowena Ravenwood, appears and aids Kane in what seems to be murders of occult origin. Rowena is an expert on the occult, and they find this is somehow connected to Crowley's ashes...but how??

Mr. Tenuta, who wrote the wonderful The Ezekiel Code, scares the reader at every turn of the page. I read just before I go to bed. I had to change that habit! Mr. Tenuta also is great at his research, and occult knowledge, and that's what makes this ebook so magnificently scary and excellent.

You cannot fathom the ending until the last page; this is not a book for the faint of heart. It is graphic. It is fillied with magick, it is at times drawing one into the evil, but it it pardon my speech, one hell of a book.
And this is one book to be scared for!

One comment for Mr. Tenuta - please do not take so long between books!!

Amazing read!!

Gary Val Tenuta has written an entertaining occult thriller in Ash: Return of the Beast. Populated with interesting characters, particularly Special Agent Rowena Ravenwood and Detective Brian Kane, Ash is an exciting story with plenty of atmosphere and a compelling narrative. The author did his research but chose to write the story with broad strokes as not to alienate the general reading public. Focusing on the more sensational aspects of the notorious history of Aleister Crowley will not win him any love from students of the celebrated magician, but in the context of the story as written, it works. Here, Crowley appears as a caricature of himself, more like Wheatley's Mocata or Maugham's Haddo, than as the more complex individual he was. Still, it works in this context and anyone with a thirst for occult detective stories and supernatural thrillers will find this one a worthwhile roller-coaster ride.

Bob Freeman
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