Title: Hell Gate
Author: Andrew Weston
Genre: Fantasy, Gothic
Book Blurb:
The Angel Grislington is dead, effaced from existence during an epic battle with Daemon Grim that destroyed a Zion forged blade and one of Satan’s premier palaces in the process.
Chopin and Tesla have gone to ground. So much so, that they might as well be six feet under helping to push up hell-daisies.
Even Erra and the Sibitti, his living weapons of vengeance and destruction, seem reticent to show their faces.
Rioting sweeps the length and breadth of the underworld. Yet the halls of the Mortuary lie vacant, for someone is stealing soul-essence, the very means by which Satan condemns sinners to everlasting torment.
But who would dare such a thing? And how does the hush that descends upon the dirty streets of latterday hell tie into ancient prophecy relating to the Reaper’s destiny?
It’s often calmest before the storm.
Just imagine how bad things will get with the apocalypse approaching.
My Review:
Daemon Grim is still reeling from the aftermath of wiping Angel Grislington from existence. Even though he’s Satan’s right-hand man, being the reaper and all, Grim senses unrest in the underworld. Frederic Chopin and Nikola Telsa have retreated underground and are planning something so evil, Satan would be impressed if it wasn’t aimed in his direction. Grim hunts them down, only he has no idea he’s a pawn in Chopin’s and Tesla’s plot. Can Grim stop it in time or is he the key to opening Hell Gate?
I’ve never read any of the Hell anthologies but I’m a huge fan of Andrew Weston’s writing. He’s a master of world building and Hell Gate didn’t disappoint. Intricate details of the Hell universe can be found in the narration. Everything from the hell-rats to various duties and levels can be found here. It impressed me how complex Hell is, and I feasted every time a new facet was described.
The characters leap off the page and their personalities are so different. I was curious to see how Chopin and Tesla operated in Hell. The action is dramatic but served a very specific purpose. The plot moved at a good pace while the dialogue was very intellectual. I admit, I had to look a few words up. The ending took me by surprise but was very satisfactory.
If you’re looking for a smart, new twist on Hell and all its inhabitants, pick up Hell Gate. It can be read as a standalone. I plan on reading Andrew Weston’s previous two books now. Highly recommend!
My Rating: 5 stars
Buy it Now:
Author Biography:
Andrew P. Weston is Royal Marine and Police veteran from the UK who now lives on the beautiful Greek island of Kos with his wife, Annette, and their growing family of rescue cats.
An astronomy and criminal law graduate, he is the creator of the internationally acclaimed IX Series, along with Hell Bound, Hell Hounds and Hell Gate, (Novels forming part of Janet Morris’ critically celebrated Heroes in Hell shared universe). Andrew also has the privilege of being a member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, the British Science Fiction Association, British Fantasy Society, and the International Association of Media Tie-In Writers.
When not writing, Andrew devotes some of his spare time to assisting NASA with one of their remote research projects, and writes educational articles for Astronaut.com and Amazing Stories.
Social Media Links:
Website: http://www.andrewpweston.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/WestonAndrew
Reviewed by: Mrs. N