OnlineBookClub.org

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Preta's Realm: The Haunting" by J. Thorn.]

Do you believe in evil spirits, demons or the supernatural? Whether you do or not there are many who believe in them. The antagonist in J. Thorn’s book, “Gaki” is not one that he conjured up. Buddhism, which is mainly practiced in China and Japan, holds to the belief that “Gakis” or “Pretas” is souls waiting to be reborn. However, the highest degree of evil, some of which are sexual misconduct, greed, anger and desire, will cause a soul to be reborn as the most evil demon imaginable. Thorn's Preta’s Realm: The Haunting is a supernatural, horror fiction novel based on these mythologies. Preta’s Realm: The Haunting is Book I of Thorn’s The Hidden Evil Trilogy.

Drew is a regular guy who works diligently and enjoys time with his family. However, Drew has an obsession with other women that threatens to destroy his total existence. A visit from the spirit world disrupts Drew’s dreams one night. The evil that transcends realms comes through with an unrelenting force that Drew or no one else has the power to stop. The spiral of events that transpire next will have Drew questioning his sanity. Will he be able to overcome the dark evil that threatens his entire mind, body and soul? Or will Preta consume every fiber of his being?

Drew’s deceased grandfather comes to him through the spirit world; he comes to warn Drew of a dark evil that is coming from another realm, to destroy life as he knows it. Drew learns that the demon is coming after him because it has unfinished business with his ancestors and he has inherited the curse. Drew begins acting strangely at first; he begins to hear voices and see things that no one else hears or sees. Drew’s wife and best friend notices violent changes in him and fears the worst. Drew has an unstable history and they fear that he is spiraling downhill once again. Unbeknownst to them “The Preta” has taken control over Drew’s mind and body. At the same time, dead bodies begin to surface and Drew is the prime suspect in the investigations.

The book moved slowly in the beginning. However, this was necessary so the reader could get to know the protagonist; the reader either likes Drew or hates him. Thorn takes character development to new heights in this novel. There is also a backstory that involves Ravna, the hunter, which comes full circle in the end. The story moves slowly in the beginning. However, Thorn makes up for it as the story progresses. This novel has such dramatic tension the reader is sitting up with horrifying anticipation with the turn of each page.

Preta’s Realm: The Haunting has an intense sexual theme which made me a little uncomfortable in the beginning; however, it all ties in with the overall story line as the reader delves deeper into the story and the characters’ psyche. Thorn takes the reader on an intense, terrifying journey; he delves into the evil, spirit world and allows the reader an inside glimpse of the gruesome, gut wrenching horror of “The Preta” that feeds on human feces. It is both a psychological and emotional horror that will have the reader thinking long after reading the novel. The “Gaki” will definitely haunt your dreams. Those who read this novel will never be the same again. However, they will want more of it.

This book is for horror fans who love a bit of the supernatural thrown in. It is not for those who are prone to nightmares or offends easily; there is crude dialogue used in some parts of the book. It’s a gruesome, morbid tale of a man’s internal struggle with himself in the face of the most repulsive creature imaginable to mankind. What transpires throughout the novel will disturb many readers. Thorn’s writing style is similar to John Saul, Dean Koontz and Stephen King.

Preta’s Realm: The Haunting will make readers question the unknown. Are there really evil spirits out there waiting to prey on mankind? I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars! The story line is great. Also, transitions throughout the book flowed smoothly; this made the book a pleasure to read. The author’s imagination has captured man’s darkest hour, being and existence in the face of evil.

Overall, it was an amazing book! Thorn's Preta’s Realm: The Haunting is like no other horror I have ever read before. The author cleverly concludes the book with a bone-chilling ending. I will definitely be reading part 2 of the trilogy to see what happens next.

******
Preta's Realm: The Haunting
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

Like TammyO's review? Post a comment saying so!

An excellent review! I am currently reading a book with what appears to be a milder form of the "demon" world you describe though I have not yet come to the part of the book that elucidates the source of this altered state of existence.

Your review prompts me to want to read this book. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Nice review! You make it sound truly frightening!!!

Thanks! I think it's one you'd really enjoy!

Thank you! I didn't know about this author. I must read the book(s) now.

I didn't either! If you enjoy psychological horror as well as physical horror , I'd definitely recommend this novel.

Great review! I am definitely a fan of the supernatural. This looks like a promising author. I have downloaded this novel onto my kindle because of your review. I will definitely let you know my thoughts when I am done. Thank you!

Thanks, C. S. I hope you enjoy it. I'd love to know what you think about this novel after you're done reading it.

I am a huge fan of the psychological genres. This one sounds very different and intriguing I'll have to check it out!

Okay. I finished reading the book. It was really good. Like you, I find myself wanting to read the second book in this trilogy. Have you read it yet? The ending was just... wow..... Off I go to read the second in the trilogy. I hope its as good as the first...

I'm so glad that you enjoyed it , CS. The ending for me was great as well. There are lots of people who detest cliffhangers. But I absolutely love them. If the ending of a book gets me really upset in this way---it just lets me know how good the book is. Because if it's not really that good, I wouldn't care either way...

As far as the second book in the trilogy... Yes, I have read it. But my lips are sealed-- I do not want to spoil it for you. When you do read it, I'd love to know your opinion on it...

This book sounds terrifying. In Japan, "gaki" also refers to a young boy... So now every time I see a young boy I'm going to think he is some creepy demon.

It's definitely for fans of horror, Alynn. No, please don't look at the little guys and think that. *LOL*. Think of it as a word that has several meanings and when you see them, associate the nice meaning to them.... Do you think this might help?

Just out of curiosity, are you generally a horror fan? Or do you have other genres that you prefer reading?

CS, this is a funny story. When I was in high school , my boyfriend at the time introduced me to Dean R. Koontz. He absolutely loved Koontz. Of course, I thought he was nuts. But I wanted to be the supportive girlfriend, so I read a few books that he recommend I read so that we could discuss them. As I began to read my very first Koontz novel, the weirdest thing happened, I found that I could not stop reading. I would stay up all night reading these novels. So, this was the beginning of my horror addiction.

I have of course expanded on what I read now, though. I love the great classics and just about anything with a nice plot. I just love to read basically. I really don't have a preference anymore because there are so many good books from various genres to choose from.

Same question.....

Have you looked at the bookshelves yet? If not you really should.