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Travis Smith

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I started out really excited for this book...

Overall
1 out of 5 stars
Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Story
1 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 04-22-24

...but now, I hate it. The author is such a pompous, self-righteous prick that I can't believe anything he says about what happened. the whole first half of the book is just bob talking about how amazing he is and how all of his problems are someone else's fault. "I was a workaholic who abandoned my wife and kids for my job, and then she had a mental breakdown, but really it's her fault, or maybe demons. My kids were possessed because they listened to rock music, had premarital sex, and hated me, so I had them sent to the mental hospital too! I got arrested for domestic abuse when I beat one of my kids while the rest of my family tried to stop me, but it was really their fault! Important, white, businessmen and politicians love me! Black people worship me for saving them! It's demons causing all of my problems, I say, demons!" I am so very disappointed.

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I really don't understand the hype.

Overall
2 out of 5 stars
Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Story
1 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 06-05-23

The main character is a completely unbelievable and unlikeable sociopath. I'm sure angsty teenage boys will love this book though. The only part I liked would be a minor spoiler to write about, so I won't.

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The best in occult/monster/fishing literature!

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 03-18-23

The first of my best reads of the year!
The writing is descriptive and wordy, without getting boring or distracted.
The scenes describing Abe's and Dan's losses and mourning hit believably hard and forced my thoughts to linger uncomfortably on my own fears of losing those dearest to me.
The way fishing is interwoven throughout the story was entertaining and interesting, even if the way it would be used against the main characters was a bit predictable.
The occult aspects feel very Lovecraftian, being based on the oldest of ancient beliefs and the powers, and dangers, hidden in rare magickal texts. Yet Langan provides enough of his own spin and ideas that it doesn't feel too familiar.
The monsters are creepy, sometimes gross, and fit into the story perfectly, giving you a glimpse of a world no sane person would seek to experience.
Unfortunately for Abe, Der Fisher seeks the power in that world, and in doing so, Langan reels us readers in as easily as Der Fisher does the broken souls he feeds upon.
Overall, this novel feels to me like Stephen King, HP Lovecraft, and Clive Barker had a three-way literary lovechild, and I loved all of it. I look forward to reading John Langan's other works.

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A great overview of chaos magick.

Overall
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Story
4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 08-25-21

This is a really nice, quick overview of chaos magick; it's origins, specializations, and the potential rewards and dangers. It also includes personal anecdotes and example spells from the author and his associates. I recommend this book.

The narrator was a little too fast for me, I had to slow the speed down a tiny bit to be able to better absorb the content.

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