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thebookdad's review
3.0
Morris is a weird little town off the beaten path with a monstrous secret. It's people are a strange folk that keep to themselves and until recently, protected their community and it's righteous religious beliefs. After a number of visits to this backwards village, Robert Garrahan finds himself transfixed by its inhabitants and their peculiar behaviour. Garrahan's life drastically changes when a man from Morris, Bruce Donahue, escapes the town in hopes of revealing the terrifying truth the townfolk have kept hidden for centuries. Unbelieving, Garrahan seeks to learn more but is taken hostage by the town and it's people. Could everything Bruce have said be true? Ritualistic sacrifices, mythical beasts, and religious leaders who will stop at nothing to fullfill their duty and appease the Behemoth's bloodthirsty appetite.
I really enjoyed this book by H.P. Newquist. The story certainly kept me on my toes. The author penned a mysterious and thrilling story that kept me thinking: Where did the monster come from? what's it's origin? Does it even exist? I had so many unanswered questions but as the story progressed one thing became perfectly clear, there is more to the town of Morris than meets the eye. Once you figure that out, this book goes zero to a hundred and fast. I think what I liked most about this book was the plot structure. Although, there is a few moments that were extremely slow going and maybe even unnecessary. The plot was fast moving and intriguing. I would even go as far to say that it was engaging in that I was motivated to solve the mystery for myself.
BEHEMOTH is a mysterious creature feature of biblical proportions. H.P. Newquist is an author that knows how to write a gripping story that will engage his reader's in an alluring tale of Monsters and mayhem. I think you would be hard-pressed to find a fan of horror fiction that wouldn't be entertained by the Behemoth and the its religious fanatics.
BEHEMOTH by H.P. Newquist
⭐⭐⭐
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I really enjoyed this book by H.P. Newquist. The story certainly kept me on my toes. The author penned a mysterious and thrilling story that kept me thinking: Where did the monster come from? what's it's origin? Does it even exist? I had so many unanswered questions but as the story progressed one thing became perfectly clear, there is more to the town of Morris than meets the eye. Once you figure that out, this book goes zero to a hundred and fast. I think what I liked most about this book was the plot structure. Although, there is a few moments that were extremely slow going and maybe even unnecessary. The plot was fast moving and intriguing. I would even go as far to say that it was engaging in that I was motivated to solve the mystery for myself.
BEHEMOTH is a mysterious creature feature of biblical proportions. H.P. Newquist is an author that knows how to write a gripping story that will engage his reader's in an alluring tale of Monsters and mayhem. I think you would be hard-pressed to find a fan of horror fiction that wouldn't be entertained by the Behemoth and the its religious fanatics.
BEHEMOTH by H.P. Newquist
⭐⭐⭐
FOLLOW ME
Www.twitter.com/thebookdad
Www.instagram.com/The_BookDad
Www.goodreads.com/andrewfowlow
thomaswjoyce's review
4.0
The book begins with a few passages from the bible, all concerning the existence of a fearsome creature whose only purpose is to remind mankind of their lowly place in God’s plan. As with all faiths, there are those followers who pick and choose what rules to follow and how strictly they adhere to the rules. At the other end of the spectrum, there are the religious zealots, those who very clearly see the line drawn in the sand, those who follow the bible without question. The inhabitants of small town Morris are the latter. Ruled by descendants of the original settlers, and naturally unwelcoming to outsiders, they have some very strange rituals. And one very dark secret.
When a passing journalist stops for gas and strikes up a friendly conversation with the young daughter of the gas station owner, his interest in the small town is piqued. Much to his misfortune. Despite cover-ups and a lack of help from most of the locals, a series of unfortunate occurrences set him on a collision course with the town rulers, and the horrifying creature they worship.
Protagonist Robert Garrahan, editor for prestigious newspaper the New York Globe and author, is a level-headed man. He believes in stone-cold facts and takes the world at face-value. If he can’t see something, or it doesn’t have two corroborating sources, he treats it with the kind of scepticism we would expect from a “newspaperman”. Despite the insistence of the Morris locals who seek his help, he refuses to believe in the existence of the titular Behemoth. But the reader knows different, thanks to the third person point-of-view and alternating chapters. These are often very short and conducive for a reader who can only read a book in short bursts. On the other hand, it could also lead readers to think: “Just one more chapter…”
There are a few instances where the story seems to wander from the main thrust of the narrative. But these are generally few and far between and the main storyline is compelling enough to keep us wondering what will happen next. By the time Garrahan has seen enough to realise that there is certainly something sinister going on in Morris, we are gripped and fully invested in the outcome. The scenes with the creature are genuinely terrifying and filled with dread, thanks to Newquist’s use of setting and descriptive language. And the antagonists, especially Malden and Leonard, are suitably sinister. While Malden is driven by the belief that he is doing the Lord’s work, Leonard is simply evil. But both are very believable characters and could well have been taken from real life. It all makes for an immersive and terrifying read, complete with a mysterious and scary creature, and an examination of the dangers of religious extremism in small-town America.
When a passing journalist stops for gas and strikes up a friendly conversation with the young daughter of the gas station owner, his interest in the small town is piqued. Much to his misfortune. Despite cover-ups and a lack of help from most of the locals, a series of unfortunate occurrences set him on a collision course with the town rulers, and the horrifying creature they worship.
Protagonist Robert Garrahan, editor for prestigious newspaper the New York Globe and author, is a level-headed man. He believes in stone-cold facts and takes the world at face-value. If he can’t see something, or it doesn’t have two corroborating sources, he treats it with the kind of scepticism we would expect from a “newspaperman”. Despite the insistence of the Morris locals who seek his help, he refuses to believe in the existence of the titular Behemoth. But the reader knows different, thanks to the third person point-of-view and alternating chapters. These are often very short and conducive for a reader who can only read a book in short bursts. On the other hand, it could also lead readers to think: “Just one more chapter…”
There are a few instances where the story seems to wander from the main thrust of the narrative. But these are generally few and far between and the main storyline is compelling enough to keep us wondering what will happen next. By the time Garrahan has seen enough to realise that there is certainly something sinister going on in Morris, we are gripped and fully invested in the outcome. The scenes with the creature are genuinely terrifying and filled with dread, thanks to Newquist’s use of setting and descriptive language. And the antagonists, especially Malden and Leonard, are suitably sinister. While Malden is driven by the belief that he is doing the Lord’s work, Leonard is simply evil. But both are very believable characters and could well have been taken from real life. It all makes for an immersive and terrifying read, complete with a mysterious and scary creature, and an examination of the dangers of religious extremism in small-town America.
teamredmon's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I had trouble with this book, there just wasn't enough tension to keep me invested. I started it and was intrigued by the opening with teenagers crashing a 'borrowed' car and then being attacked by a monster, however after that my interest fell off pretty quickly. The creepy small town didn't sink its claws into me because there wasn't enough time given to the mystery before the solution is presented very early in the book. The author includes A LOT of biblical quotes and while I understand that references need to be made since the monster is the behemoth from biblical myth, it rubbed me the wrong way.
In short, this book wasn't for me. I recommend you read other reviews to decide if this will interest you.
In short, this book wasn't for me. I recommend you read other reviews to decide if this will interest you.
ericarobyn's review
4.0
Behemoth by H.P. Newquist is a tale that centers around a biblical monster and a town that will do everything they can to appease the beast…
Full disclosure: I was given a free copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my rating in any way.
When the story begins, we meet a man that is traveling between New York City and his cabin out in the country. As he stops for gas one day, he meets a young girl that is interested in the radio station he’s playing from his car. He’s struck by her charm and curiosity and stops in to the gas station each time he is driving through. One day, she isn’t there. Neither is her father. The man that has taken their place says he doesn’t know who they were.
Our main character is curious and senses something is very wrong. Shortly afterward, he becomes wrapped up in quite the dangerous situation.
Man, there is just something about horror novels centered around religion that gives me the willies…
I’m not religious, but I did grow up going to Sunday School. I know lots of the stories from the bible, I’ve sung many of the religious songs… But the second my parents gave me permission to stop going to Sunday School and church, I was done. Since then, I’ve been working on my beliefs and they all center around fate and karma rather than a specific religious icon.
Anyway, just thinking about what people will do in the name of their beliefs without a second thought or an ounce of empathy is truly terrifying to me… and that was certainly the case here.
My Favorite Passages
He almost got enough air into his throat to scream. Almost. The thing attacked him.
Don’t make light of something you don’t understand. That’s stupidity.
The shadow moved oddly, like a flock of birds or a swarm of bees. It was slithering and flying at the same time.
Information from the past was being lost every single day, all over the world. People were taking knowledge with them to their graves.
My Final Thoughts
This tale will make your blood boil, but you won’t be able to stop reading until the mystery is finally resolved. It was filled with horror, suspense, a deeply twisted mystery, sacrifices, and murder. Phew! What a roller-coaster ride this one was!
If you enjoy horror tales with a dark religious focus, I would very highly recommend this one to you!
Full disclosure: I was given a free copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my rating in any way.
When the story begins, we meet a man that is traveling between New York City and his cabin out in the country. As he stops for gas one day, he meets a young girl that is interested in the radio station he’s playing from his car. He’s struck by her charm and curiosity and stops in to the gas station each time he is driving through. One day, she isn’t there. Neither is her father. The man that has taken their place says he doesn’t know who they were.
Our main character is curious and senses something is very wrong. Shortly afterward, he becomes wrapped up in quite the dangerous situation.
Man, there is just something about horror novels centered around religion that gives me the willies…
I’m not religious, but I did grow up going to Sunday School. I know lots of the stories from the bible, I’ve sung many of the religious songs… But the second my parents gave me permission to stop going to Sunday School and church, I was done. Since then, I’ve been working on my beliefs and they all center around fate and karma rather than a specific religious icon.
Anyway, just thinking about what people will do in the name of their beliefs without a second thought or an ounce of empathy is truly terrifying to me… and that was certainly the case here.
My Favorite Passages
He almost got enough air into his throat to scream. Almost. The thing attacked him.
Don’t make light of something you don’t understand. That’s stupidity.
The shadow moved oddly, like a flock of birds or a swarm of bees. It was slithering and flying at the same time.
Information from the past was being lost every single day, all over the world. People were taking knowledge with them to their graves.
My Final Thoughts
This tale will make your blood boil, but you won’t be able to stop reading until the mystery is finally resolved. It was filled with horror, suspense, a deeply twisted mystery, sacrifices, and murder. Phew! What a roller-coaster ride this one was!
If you enjoy horror tales with a dark religious focus, I would very highly recommend this one to you!
entertaininglynerdy's review
4.0
Behemoth is a horror book where a town is haunted by something creepy. Nearly everyone has seen it at one point or another but they are all afraid of it.
Behemoth is a really creepy novel that shows you where religion can sometimes take you. Even though it's supposed to lift you up it can also lead you down the wrong path if you interpret things the wrong way.
Behemoth is a really creepy novel that shows you where religion can sometimes take you. Even though it's supposed to lift you up it can also lead you down the wrong path if you interpret things the wrong way.
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