Review of Beating Death: Witch Hunters

[Solitude Soliloquies 1]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Beating Death: Witch Hunters" by Sean O’Banion.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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Sean O’Banion’s Beating Death: Witch Hunters is a book that blends history, sociology, and thriller elements amidst the backdrop of a very raw political landscape. The protagonist, Robert, is blessed with certain powers, like flying, which open up a world of the supernatural filled with beings like witches. Later, when Robert is thrust into a post-apocalyptic, war-like situation, he realizes he is not alone. The book charts his journey of meeting other gifted individuals like him, being confronted with situations that tempt one to abuse their powers, and ultimately deciding to write his own fate.

I give the book a whopping 5 out of 5. There are multiple reasons. Right off the bat, the author gives a short, one-page introduction talking about writing this book and how long it took to publish. What stands out is the very colloquial, informal tone of the writing, almost as if you’re having a sit-down conversation with the author. This definitely made me smile and set the tone for my reading experience.

My second favorite aspect is definitely the meshing of multiple genres. Academically speaking, I have a deep appreciation for anything interdisciplinary. The fact that the author manages to weave in cool concepts like DNA manipulation and the English Civil War is brilliant. Visually, this made the book feel very X-Men-esque, a movie I kept thinking about throughout. Wizards like Balthazar even add a Hogwarts vibe to the story, making the book a giant cauldron of genres I absolutely enjoyed. One part that showcases this well is when the author mentions intergalactic aliens and wormholes at the very beginning while describing media blowback.

Before talking about the demographic, I’d like to note that there are some spelling errors, intentional as the author himself points out. There are multiple slang words throughout the book like “Yuh” and “Cutty,” which some readers might find irritating. Personally, I didn’t mind the slang, but especially on page 9, when it appears in almost every paragraph, I felt it was fair to put out a heads-up.

To conclude, I would recommend Beating Death: Witch Hunters by Sean O’Banion to both Avengers fans and Potterheads alike. I’d especially suggest it to those looking for their next flight or vacation read. However, I’d also warn them that this book is going to warp you into a very long, albeit rewarding, journey.

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Beating Death: Witch Hunters
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