Review: Dark Fantasy veiled in Dread.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 13, 2014
You’ve heard the phrase “War is Hell,” and hopefully, you’ve never had to live that particular layer of horror, but for one special man and his brothers in arms, the enemy is not those soldiers they are fighting, but a demonic entity whose black heart feeds off the death and suffering of war. Puck is the culmination of evil, using humans as his pawns, seizing control of their minds to thrill in the abject horror her creates and times of war are his canvases. One man has been chosen to rid the world of this evil, but Neil Branch suffers from his own personal demons, his own guilt for the deaths of many and feels unworthy or too tainted to be the one to raise the mystical blade and severe Puck’s head from his body. His faith is no longer strong enough to heed the voices of fallen heroes who went before him down this dark path. Will there be one who is strong enough to take his place or will years of camaraderie band together a team of warriors who are willing to die for each other to safe the fate of humanity in its darkest, most bleak hour?Travel through time and battle fields from World War II to the Korean War to Vietnam, as career soldiers stand together, and Puck delivers his killing blows, time after time. Caomhnoir by T. Brady is a brilliant dark and explosive read with a constant sense of dread and evil in every page. T. Brady is a master with words, creating an atmosphere that becomes your world until each nerve ending is as taut as a garrote and putting this book down is impossible. The writing is fantastic, rich and full of scenes that feel far too real, with characters that are flawed, yet loyal, brave and willing to march into certain death, so long as their mission is accomplished.T. Brady gives just enough detail to allow the screen in your mind to play back all that his words convey. You will taste the blood, smell the stench of death and sweat in the jungles of Vietnam, listening and watching for the enemy soldiers, dodging the bullets that are shot, feeling them move the air right next to you. The wars themselves felt real, indicating how much T. Brady has invested in creating a memorable tale. With a chaotic feel, scenes change from one war to another, one failed attempt after another to rid the world of Puck. When the end draws near, each twist, each thread is woven together to complete a tapestry of good versus evil, love versus hate, true success versus failure.There are no bright and shiny moments; this is dark, dark fantasy that packs a powerful punch with its intensity. It is a battle for the soul, winner take all. If this is an example of T. Brady’s forceful writing style, I’m definitely on board to read more from this author.