Martyrs [Paperback]

Edo Van Belkom (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2001

250 years ago, French Jesuits erected a mission deep in the uncharted Canadian wilderness, till they were brutally murdered by a band of renegade Iroquois.

Or so the legends say.

Today Ste-Claire College stands near the legendary massacre site, the mission's memory now more folklore than fact. Then Ste-Claire professor Karl Desbiens, who's soon to be a Jesuit priest himself, sets off to locate the mission ruins along with a group of eager college students. But after ten days of searching, they find nothing...Until an old world evil is uncovered. And now it's been unleashed...now the nightmare will commence.

But with his own inner demons to struggle with, and his own crisis of faith to overcome, Karl Desbiens is an unlikely hero. Nevertheless, it's up to him to battle the evil that has invaded Ste-Claire College. As a nightmare of madness and malevolent horror explodes throughout the campus, Karl Desbiens must combat this ancient evil, and battle the very powers of hell.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Design Image Group Inc. (November 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1891946137
• ISBN-13: 978-1891946134
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,509,816 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tight as a drum, fast as an eagle, April 8, 2002

By 

Robert J. Sawyer "Science Fiction writer" (Mississauga, ON, Canada) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Martyrs (Paperback)

I got to read this in manuscript, and am delighted to see it now for sale. The plot is as tight as a drum, and the pacing is as fast as an eagle. Van Belkom draws on his own Catholic heritage for this tale of an archeological dig in Northern Ontario. In lesser hands, this could have been a predictable, standard book, but van Belkom brings freshness, and genuine creepiness, to this novel. It'll be a great summer read for when you're out in the country -- just don't forget to look behind yourself from time to time.

3.0 out of 5 stars Solid but a bit predictable, September 13, 2007

By 

Henry W. Wagner (Rockaway, NJ USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Martyrs (Paperback)

After years of studying and teaching theology at St. Clare College, a small Jesuit school located in the heartland of Ontario, regent Karl Desbiens must now face a question he has long avoided, specifically, whether or not he should enter the priesthood. Although it is an option he is seriously considering, he still has his doubts. Seeking diversion from his internal struggle, Karl requests permission from his superior, Father Dionne, to pursue a long standing personal goal: to engage in an archeological dig on the site of a Jesuit mission erected nearly three centuries ago, a site which was abandoned, according to legend, when the religious who occupied it were massacred by indians. Anxious to keep Karl happy, Dionne accedes to his wishes.

After recruiting several students, Karl and his team set off into the woods with high hopes. Unfortunately, the ill-fated expedition seems cursed, encountering numerous roadblocks as it is hindered by injuries to the team and severe inclement weather. When a particularly virulent thunderstorm makes even the simplest tasks impossible, Karl terminates the expedition early. What Karl doesn't know is that one of his crew has been possessed by an evil entity, one that is returning to civilization with them with plans making our world his own.

Your enjoyment of Martyrs will vary according to how many Mummy movies you've seen and ancient burial ground stories you've read over the years. For those with little exposure to this type of material, Martyrs will provide a pleasant and exciting diversion. van Belkom, a solid, talented writer, delivers a well crafted, highly readable tale, rich with well wrought characters, brisk pacing, and realistic dialogue. For those with a bit more familiarity with this sub genre, Martyrs might seem a bit tired, a reworking of oft used plot elements with a predictable (but still satisfying) ending.

5.0 out of 5 stars I loved it!, March 20, 2005

By 

Melissa Lamberth "Mel" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Martyrs (Paperback)

Edo Van Balkom's Martyrs, was one of the best books I've ever read. Its obviously not for everybody and some content could be taken offensively... however, I still think its worth reading. As for predictable... I hardly agree! Some aspects are obvious yes, but what book doesn't have obvious scenes?