5 stars!

In a highly intriguing first work to the new World on Fire series by author Lincoln Cole, Raven’s Peak kept me turning the pages from the very beginning. The story hinges on the lives of two main characters, Abigail Dressler and Haatim Arison, individuals that come from quite different backgrounds but end up having to come together in order to, essentially, save the town of Raven’s Peak. Haatim is a young man obviously going through a deep depression. His sister has recently passed away, he’s left college, and he has no idea what to do with his life. Abigail finds herself with a completely different set of problems that involve possession by a demon, and being privy to a secret threat that is causing the people of Raven’s Peak to act as if they are insane. When Abigail happens upon Haatim and realizes that he possesses a supernatural gift passed along his family lines, one he has never been aware of, they realize that they are the only chance Raven’s Peak has for survival.

I so enjoyed Raven’s Peak. The story line is fast paced, exciting, and a true page turner. The scene setting ability of author Lincoln Cole, even with supernatural elements, is simply second to none. Once I started this book, I was honestly unable to put it down until I had read every bit of it, that’s how much it sucked me in. In fact, the best piece of advice I have for readers, besides being sure to get this book as soon as possible, is to set aside enough time to read it from cover to cover once you start! I can confidently give this book my highest recommendation, and will certainly keep my eyes peeled for the second book in this incredibly promising series. Author Lincoln Cole, I hope you write fast!

A hell of a series start finds a demon hunter searching for a way of rescuing her adoptive father from the grips of a demon and solving the mystery of Raven’s Peak.

Five months after her father sacrifices himself to a powerful demon to save a group of children, Abigail Dressler works as a demon hunter protecting the world from further demon attacks. After rescuing a theological student who lost his faith, the two journey to the secluded town of Raven’s Peak to ascertain the extent of the strange happenings there. The townspeople suddenly start acting erratically and violently but show no signs of a demon possession. A powerful entity unseen on Earth for over a thousand years is loose, a legendary artifact rears up, and Abigail is offered a choice with all of humanity in the balance.

RAVEN’S PEAK is the first book in the World on Fire series by Lincoln Cole. Cole does an excellent job of throwing readers right into the action while slowly feeding out tidbits of information about the series’ mythology. Abigail’s adoptive father is introduced in the prologue and quickly dragged to hell, but serves as a major catalyst for the rest of the story. The dynamic between Abigail and Arthur is well fleshed out. The pacing deftly balances exposition and action without ever letting the story drag as it ramps up to a stunning cliffhanger. Cole expertly crafts a slam bang urban fantasy with immense potential for future books. This series is one to follow.

RAVEN’S PEAK sets the stage for a constant battle between sinister demons and humanity, a scheming Council supposedly set up for protection, and a young woman seeking to save her father from an eternity as a monster’s plaything.

I won this book on Kindle Scout, so yay for that!

Raven's Peak follows... well, it's either Abigail or Haatim. So my normal opening sentence does not work here. Basically, Abigail hunts demons, and Haatim is running from his past. When Haatim unwittingly becomes entangled in the whole demon world, he meets Abigail and things start to get weird and dangerous for him. The two eventually end up at a tiny town called Raven's Peak, where people are going crazy, and where Abigail and Haatim will both have to face their past in one way or another.

I've previously talked about Lincoln Cole's books, and this was as good as the other, even though he's writing in a completely different genre. I'm really not kidding or exaggerating when I say that I was flipping the pages as quickly as possible. From the prologue, which doesn't make sense until you're deep in the book and then it hits you, to the ending, the book had many twists and turns. It was definitely a thrilling read (kinda like the roller coaster of books, come to think of it).

As for the characters, I really liked Abigail and Haatim. They worked well together, and they both had that essential spark that made them come alive to me. For Abigail, it was her bonds to the man she thought of as father (or a father figure). For Haatim, it was the tragedy in his past. Both of them are weighed down by it, and getting over them is something that they have to do if they want to confront the external problem that's all around them.

If you're a fan of horror, I really recommend this book. And if my word isn't enough, think of it this way: enough people liked the book to nominate it, and it caught the editor's eye over at Kindle Scout, so that should tell you how good it is.

Disclaimer: I know the author, and I nominated the book for Kindle Scout, which is how I got my copy. The gushing, however, was made of my own free will and is my honest opinion.

Raven’s Peak by Lincoln Cole starts off with a bang and rarely lightens up its drama. The explosive prologue delivers a decidedly necessary orientating mix of intrigue, violence, and “demoness” to introduce the reader properly to the definitively alternate world that he is entering, as well as to encounter two most pivotal characters, one of whom – the self-flagellating Reverend - yet remains only as a motivating background to the remainder of the story. The young woman, Abigail, whom he delivers from possession, remains central. This meaty introduction is followed by another in Chapter One; still intriguing, but much less gritty … for now. Haatim, a bright but emotionally battered young man, is hired by a stranger to investigate a stalker. Sounds conventional enough, except the demons and Abigail are much closer than you think.

Lincoln Cole does a masterful job in Raven’s Peak of developing his demonic version of the world. His more dire explanations for the evil embedded there are consistent and convincing, and one feels comfortable – if that can even be an appropriate feeling here – with suspending disbelief in order to engage more fully. But the author does more than just create a personal demonic version of events; he creates characters whom we care about and root for – one, a bit more heroic than the other. Mr. Cole also has a talent for realistic dialogue and the mundane moments of normal human interactions, some much needed sardonic humor, and many well-thought-out plot developments to keep the reader active in his reading. This book is obviously the first in a proposed series, and Cole has done a proper job of preparing a most intriguing framework for future visits to this literally insane world.

There’s a new demon slayer on the loose and she reminds me of Faith from Buffy the Vampire Slayer but on steroids.

Residents of Raven’s Peak are acting strange and the Council asks Frieda to send a hunter to investigate. She calls on the only one she knows who can handle it: Abigail.

The Council has Abigail on a short leash, thanks to her being possessed by a demon more than six months ago.  But she’s determined to prove her dark past is behind her, at least that’s what she’s telling Frieda. Internally, though, she’s burning with guilt over the death of her mentor and former hunter (Reverend in the Prologue). She’s told to drop her investigation or else face the consequences. But she can’t, especially when she’s forced to protect Haatim (son of a powerful Council member) from those trying to execute him.

Now, the two of them are on their way to the small town of Raven’s Peak. Haatim is getting a crash course in his family heritage and all things paranormal. It’s a fight to the death and Abigail may have walked them into a trap. Can she survive and save the innocent people of Raven’s Peak or is she destined to forfeit her life like her mentor, the Reverend?

Some readers think the demon slayer genre is passé but Raven’s Peak is not your ordinary slayer story. Filled with high octane fight scenes, conflicted tortured characters and an original paranormal plot. Cole blurs the lines between good and evil, as evidenced by the Prologue. From the first page, I was drawn in and can’t wait for the next book in the series.

If you’re a fan of paranormal and are looking for an intense, pulse-pounding read, pick up this gem today! I can see why the story was a Kindle Scout winner.

Favorite Character:

Abigail. I loved everything about her from her dry humor to her ability to kick demon ass. She reminds me of Faith from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, only better. She’s a tortured soul, with a lot to atone for and so much to prove, yet that’s what draws my empathy to her. I mean, aren’t we all like Abigail: talented galore who’s made many mistakes and trying to make amends?

Favorite Quote:

“Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster.”

My Rating:  5+ stars

If you like Jim Butcher novels and the Dresden Files, then you should check out Raven's Peak!

Intense! I was shocked after reading the prologue; it was so good! I really enjoyed the fact that the two main characters are people of color. It's tiresome to read the same type of main characters in novels over and over again. Diverse characters are crucial to a well-balanced story.

The plot was very interesting. I like the paranormal angle of Raven's Peak, the demon hunting, and fighting. Abigail is tough! And in some weird way, Haatim makes an awesome partner for her. The back story of how Haatim fit into the story is a total surprise. The demons in this book are so tricky and manipulative - as they should be. 

I read Raven's Peak in one sitting. It has an excellent blend of the supernatural, family drama, and loyalty. Add this one to your summer reading list!

5 Stars!

Wow! Just, wow! That’s exactly what I thought when I finished reading Raven’s Peak, the first book in the planned World on Fire Series by author Lincoln Cole. This story line is one that will grab readers from the very first pages and will keep them obsessively reading all the way through until the very last. Following the characters of Abigail Dressler and Haatim Arison, two people thrown together in a fight to save their town from a threat they could never have imagined, this story is full of action, adventure and thrills. It had me actually holding my breath in places, nervous to find out what happened next, but determined to do so! Haatim and Abigail come from their own difficult and damaging backgrounds, one dealing with profound grief and the other with a history full of danger and despair, but they must learn to trust and depend on each other if they have even a chance of saving those who live in Raven’s Peak. Will they do it? You’ll have to read the book to find out!

I loved Raven’s Peak. Loved. It. How’s that for a review? Well, it’s truly how I felt about this excellent new book by Lincoln Cole. The author has done a fantastic job in creating characters that readers will connect with, relate to and truly come to care about, thinking of them long after the book is finished. If that isn’t a hallmark of a great author, I’m not sure what is. This book is full of action, adventure, twists and turns, supernatural thrills, and a fascinating relationship between the primary characters, Abigail and Haatim; in other words, there’s something for everyone in it. I highly recommend this book, and I will be very much looking forward to reading the next volume in the World on Fire series by Lincoln Cole as soon as it is available!