Years after the global firestorm that decimated and changed the topography of the Earth, Duncan Morgan and Rose Macready were spending their days surviving the post-apocalyptic world in comfort residing in their make shift village of Melona until a deadly plot unveils itself and they both get cast in the midst of a fallen angel’s sinister plans to rule the Earth. Will they get out of this alive … alive or will they become fodder for fallen angel’s ghoulish fallen warriors?
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A well-written book following, mainly, Duncan and Rose caught up in a huge firestorm that changes the way of the world, I found the storyline original and compelling, it crosses into the magical where Rose is a sorceress who is obsessed by Devlin. There are vampires, along with ghouls gnawing on limbs in this highly imaginative fast-paced story whose characters in their post-apocalyptical world are on a quest is to defeat a ghoulish ex-angel. The Second Coming of Hell is a highly imaginative story that I found refreshing and original, recommended.
Good ghouls and gravy, what a story!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 August 2021
I was convinced to read this book from the cover alone and I’m glad I did.
Like Walking Dead meets Supernatural, but better than both.
Straight from the opening chapter I was sucked into the post apocalyptic world Griffith created. Little details in the first chapter just added to the gritty realism and it only got better from there.
Griffith has a vivid imagination, which draws on Christian and spiritual mythology and beliefs, and twists them into a captivating tale about fallen angels, resurrections and the nature of humanity.
This was an easy read because Griffith’s writing is engaging and descriptive, at times dark, gory and gruesome, which made me cringe and cheer in equal measure depending on how likeable a character was.
Speaking of characters, they were skillfully portrayed, sympathetic, strong and sinister are just a few words to describe them.
A perfect dichotomy of good vs evil helped to propel this story forward, and like a ghoul devours its victim, I devoured this book. As the exciting, pulse pounding climax neared, I was hungry for the next page.
Moments of humour throughout, dark it might be, helped to lighten an otherwise bleak narrative (as the apocalyptic situation of resurrected dead and sadistic angels is dire)
Griffith kept me guessing, I never knew what was coming. Certain characters got their comeuppance in inventive and satisfying ways
All in all, a great read from a creative and colourful mind. Highly recommend for those who enjoy a twist on the old classics
The book is filled with romance and action. Fighting demon and what-not. All to try and save a village. There is magic in the air.
The book is non-stop action and adventure. A great read.
Wow, what a ride. The book opens on a post-apocalyptic Earth, one populated by normal humans, ghouls — essentially zombies that feed on the living humans — some witches and wizards possessing varying degrees of magical power and the occasional fallen angel and vampire. Just your everyday existence, right?
The village of Melona is ruled — founded and ruled, actually — by Rose, a lovely witch who keeps the villagers safe from ghouls behind the palisade walls until one day those walls are breached and she is hauled to safety by Devlin, a vampire who’s been carrying a candle for her for a long time. She insists on bringing along Duncan, who’s helped her resist the ghouls but is currently unconscious.
Their escape turns into a major adventure with a lot of close calls, particularly at the hands of Sorath, the head fallen angel who is masquerading as Jesus. Not exactly the Jesus of the Scriptures; he’s more vengeful and underneath the façade, quite a bit nastier than the real thing. He controls the ghouls and his followers both, and when they get Duncan, Rose and Devlin in their clutches — well, we don’t want to give up all the surprises, do we?
Joshua Griffith has a way of creating dialogue that really hits you. Even in this fast-paced apocalyptic tale, there were some moments that had me laughing out loud. I think this is because the characters are developed in such a way that it makes you feel as if you’re right there with them, hurting in their bad moments and laughing in their good. This was a different take on the apocalypse from other books in the genre that I’ve read, and this is what kept me flipping pages. A mix of religious beliefs and fantasy makes for a memorable read.
Great read
A very unique take on the apocalypse, with paranormal romance and a touch of spirituality.
The plot has several layers which makes it different and deep. And to top it off, the characters are interesting, both their personalities and interactions.
It kept it on the edge of my seat. A very worthy read!
This is an interesting mix of a post apocalyptic tail, sorcerers and vampires. Set at an undisclosed time in the future, you follow four survivors of the apocalypse and discover their powers as they struggle to survive.