BLOG TOUR: The Devil's Magus - Marius Creed

 

When Mark Benedict receives a cryptic warning that his brother James is in mortal danger, he and James’s estranged wife, Sam, are drawn into the hidden world of a secret society led by the charismatic and ruthless occultist, Sir Giles Worsley.

Worsley, a Magus, commands an order steeped in ritual magic and esoteric doctrines inspired by The Golden Dawn and Thelema. James, once his brightest protégé, has risen swiftly through the ranks – until he discovers the horrifying truth behind Worsley’s ambitions. Attempting to escape, he is killed in a demonic confrontation… but his astral form endures.

As forbidden rites threaten to unleash unspeakable forces, Mark and Sam – unknowingly aided by James – join a psychically gifted woman and a sceptical mercenary unprepared for the horrors that await them.

An electrifying blend of psychological thriller and supernatural horror, The Devil’s Magus is a gripping descent into arcane terror, where sacrifice and salvation walk hand in hand.

What did I think?

I really enjoyed reading The Devil's Magus; it's dark and disturbing and very entertaining.  Horror isn't a genre I would normally read but I'm so pleased that I picked up The Devil's Magus as the supernatural thriller element completely drew me in.

The two brothers who have supernatural powers reminded me a little of the TV show Supernatural and there's demons to be fought in this book too.  The characters (both human and demon) are depicted so vividly that they almost pop out of the page and I was frightened to look behind me when I was reading; not that I could tear my eyes away from the book to even glance elsewhere for a second.

The gripping plot is filled with peril and my heart rate rose as the danger levels increased.  There are some scary and gory scenes to both delight and repulse the reader so you need a strong constitution when you're reading this thrilling book.

Riveting, scary and very fast-paced, The Devil's Magus is a very impressive debut novel. Marius Creed's writing is very evocative and descriptive but you can't hide behind the sofa when you're reading a book, as much as I may have wanted to.

I received a gifted paperback for the Love Books Tours Instagram Tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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UK.Bookshop.org

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About the author:

Marius Creed spent much of his life interpreting unseen forces — as a science teacher, naval officer, training specialist, meteorologist, and oceanographer — before turning his gaze inward, toward the darker mysteries of the human mind and spirit. Having lived in Hong Kong and the United States, he has now retired to his native Cornwall, where the brooding moors, rugged coastlines, and enduring folklore provide endless inspiration. The Devil’s Magus is his debut novel — a beautifully written tale where forgotten rites, forbidden knowledge, and personal sacrifice collide. Rich with arcane detail and existential dread, it marks the culmination of a decades-long fascination with what lies beyond the veil — and those who dare to peer through it.

Website: www.mariuscreed.co.uk

Instagram: @mariuscreed

X: @CreedMariu97855

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Someone Is Watching You - Tess James-Mackey

 How far would you go for a dare?

Nia would do anything to win the approval of her boyfriend Scott and his friends, especially mean girl Olivia. Olivia dares Nia to explore an abandoned prison. Facing dark tunnels, distant noises and creepy mementoes left behind by incarcerated criminals will surely all be worth it to finally become part of the group. But it isn't long before Nia and her little sister, Kayla, find themselves trapped inside.

And then Kayla vanishes.

Suddenly, this feels like more than a game gone wrong. There is a horrifying secret hidden within the prison's walls - and now someone is hellbent on making sure Nia and her little sister become its last inmates...

An utterly compelling take on toxic friendship from a remarkable UK debut author.

What did I think?

Crikey, this book is chilling, scary and completely addictive.  I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the page and I wouldn’t be surprised to see this turned into a movie or mini series.

Nia is trying to fit in with the cool kids but she always feels like she has to prove herself.  I was virtually screaming ‘Run away, Nia!  Run away now!’ but oh, they are clever.  Just one look from Scott and Nia goes weak at the knees, she will do anything to be the girlfriend that he wants…and he knows it.

When Nia and her family go to a soft play area inside an abandoned prison (amazingly based on the author’s own true life experience), the gang sees the opportunity to send Nia off on a dare: to get lost inside the prison.  My eyes were so wide, I might have been reading in the dark myself as I just couldn’t put the book down when Nia began exploring the creepy prison.

There’s a lot of thought-provoking material in the story for teens and young adults: the girl who is so invisible that she does actually vanish, the power of the opposite sex and how it can be manipulated and the pressure to be accepted by the popular crowd in school.  It might be YA but this forty-odd-year-old thoroughly enjoyed it!

Heartpounding, creepy and disturbing, Someone is Watching You makes the Mean Girls look like Disney princesses.  It’s an outstanding debut and a real page turner with a protagonist that you want to hug but also shake some sense into.  I really do hope to see this on my screen in the future - grab this one before anyone else, Netflix!

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon

Lockwood & Co. - Jonathan Stroud

'The Screaming Staircase?' Lockwood edged forward in his chair. 'Please, Mr Fairfax, tell us more.'

For more than fifty years, Britain has been terrorised by an epidemic of murderous ghosts. A number of Psychic Investigations Agencies have sprung up to destroy them - with mixed results . . .

Lucy Carlyle, a talented young agent, arrives in London hoping to begin a shining new chapter in her career. Instead she finds herself joining Lockwood & Co., the most ramshackle agency in the city, whose ineptitude is matched only by the charisma of its owner.

But Lockwood & Co. have one last chance for redemption. All they have to do is spend the night in one of the most haunted houses in England . . . and come out alive.

The first book in an amazingly addictive, binge-worthy series, this is an electrifying, witty and brilliantly spooky thriller, perfect for fans of Rivers of London and Good Omens.

 

What did I think?

Wow!  I absolutely loved this book.  It is aimed at 11 year olds and above so everyone from children to adults will enjoy this fabulous book.

I noticed Lockwood & Co. among the new shows on Netflix but I wanted to read the book before watching it as the book is almost always better.  If the series is even half as good as the book, it’ll be fantastic.

It’s told from the perspective of Lucy Carlyle, who hails from my native North East of England, although Lucy’s England is filled with ghosts and hauntings that only children can eliminate.  Lucy is looking for a job that will put her psychic talent to good use, but every interview ends in disappointment as soon as the subject of her previous employment comes up.  Anthony Lockwood is more interested in Lucy’s present than her past and Lucy finally secures a position as the third member of the Lockwood & Co. team.

Lockwood reminds me of Sherlock Holmes with his almost indifferent nature and you think he’s not listening but he doesn’t miss anything.  George may be always thinking of his next sweet treat but he’s very shrewd and would lay his life on the line for Lockwood.  Lucy has the most intriguing talent as she can feel what the ghost feels so she is led more by her feelings and intuition than with her head.  Lucy is the newest member of the team so she’s still finding her place in this entertaining trio.

The story is told in five parts that contain their own separate storyline but they all link together and flow beautifully from one to the next.  There are a number of mysteries to solve and I was as riveted with this book as I usually am with adult mystery, crime and thriller novels.  I loved the excerpts from newspapers that appear at the start of some of the chapters, it really makes the reader feel as if they’re gathering clues along with Lockwood & Co.

Brilliantly written, perfectly plotted and highly entertaining, Lockwood & Co. thrilled, frightened and delighted me.  I loved it and I definitely want to read more of this wonderfully creepy series.

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon