Chayatocha [Illustrated] [Paperback]

Shane Johnson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2003

One hundred forty years ago, pioneers traveling to the American West faced a rugged and dangerous journey. But when Daniel Paradine, his family, and a small band of fellow travelers guide their wagons into a treacherous mountain detour, no one is prepared for the evil that awaits them. Finding themselves in a land of inexplicable cold and darkness, the travelers begin disappearing one by one. In a desperate search for his missing family, Paradine comes face-to-face with the beast responsible for the terror--an ancient creature, beyond human, that allows him to live only to accomplish its most sinister desire.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Incorporated (November 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1593100515
• ISBN-13: 978-1593100513
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,430,807 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 4 1/2 Stars...Boundless Imagination, December 8, 2003

By 

Eric Wilson "novelist" (Nashville, TN United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)   

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This review is from: Chayatocha (Paperback)

Like Randall Ingermanson ("Premonition") and Michael Crichton ("Timeline"), Shane Johnson has an imagination worthy of any fiction writer. He jumps from fantasy and sci-fi to historical fiction with ease. As in his previous novel "Ice," his storytelling is fast-paced and always full of memorable detail.

"Chayatocha" (pronounced "kie-ah-toe-ka") follows the tale of a wagon train headed for the Oregon Territory in the mid 1800s. Already struggling with the hardships of the trail, the group of pioneer families make a fateful decision when they turn away from an alleged Indian massacre and head for an uncharted pass through the mountains. There, they discover something far more deadly than renegade Indians...They run headlong into "Chayatocha."

The story moves quickly, leading from historical fiction to near horror-type details. Soon, team members and oxen are missing; others are dead; and only a few are bound to survive. The heart of the story beats with Daniel Paladine. He's a bookworm, a school teacher, nothing like your typical frontiersman. Through his horrifying experience, he comes to understand the love and sacrifice of his Savior. Only then is Daniel able to confront the evil that has overtaken them.

Although explanations of the horror came too quickly for me, thus muting some of the suspense, I couldn't stop reading to discover the truths and lies behind Johnson's fascinating story. And, of course, the question remains: Will his wife and son survive? You'll have to read the story to find out.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Christian horror has finally come, January 14, 2004

By 

Brandilyn Collins "Seatbelt Suspense®" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chayatocha (Paperback)

With Chayatocha, talented author Shane Johnson has proven that Christian fiction and horror are not incompatible. It's about time! Johnson has tackled some intriguing subjects in the past, and this novel doesn't disappoint. Recommend Chayatocha to readers who enjoy Stephen King or Dean Koontz.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Our God is faithful!, August 27, 2004

By 

Wolfe Moffat (Franklinville, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chayatocha (Paperback)

Take a journey to the 1850's with the Paradine family, head of the house, Daniel. On a wagon train, they travel to Oregon on a trail. Daniel is an educated man, with not much use for God, while his wife, Lisabeth, is a devoted Christian.

But when things go wrong, Daniel is forced to deal with something even beyond his belief in God. He chooses to deal with the thing responsible for the deaths of some of his comrades, but more importantly, he does this for the sake of Lisabeth, and his son, Michael. He encounters a cavern, home of the mysterious Chayatocha. What will happen? He also will encounter a few other beings that are quite mysterious. He meets people such as Gorgathuus, and a stranger named Lucky. You may even see a resemblence to the apostle Peter in a man named John Forrester.

Call this spiritual warfare, old school style! You may be thinking, "That's weird!" Nah, that's God!