In this debut horror novel, a teenager learns he’s the vessel for a millennia-old demon who regularly feeds on human souls.

Nythan Dwienz is a cadet in the United States Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps at the University of Central Florida. While housesitting for a friend, he faces an armed intruder. But during the assault, the culprit suddenly dies after a “silver gas” exits his nostrils and enters Nythan’s mouth. Nythan begins hearing a strange voice, and following a second unexplained death, he accepts that a demon resides within him. As this demon, who goes by Bane, is eating souls, Nythan wants to oust the entity from his body. But this doesn’t seem possible, so the demon recommends the two work together. Bane has been with Nythan since the 19-year-old was an infant and has been hiding from enemies, like interrogators of the Roman Catholic Inquisition, for a long time. He has “support groups”—the Raptors, the Unas, and Sanhe—that see Bane as “the Great One,” with members sacrificing themselves for his soul consumption. Apparently, his most significant adversary is the Ordo Solis, which still exists and is threatening Bane with reputed video evidence of his recent return. Bane’s followers’ offering their souls is one thing, but Nythan feels guilt about killing members of the Ordo Solis and others. He consequently proposes peace between that group and Bane’s followers in Covens around the world. But if Nythan’s plan fails, there’s a frightening chance that a war will ensue.

In this supernatural series opener, Boulware lays a solid foundation for Nythan and Bane’s duality. The two have conversations in Nythan’s head. As Bane never takes control of the teen’s body, he often suggests things for Nythan to do or say. Similarly, Bane’s eating souls benefits Nythan as well, as it boosts his stamina and mental capability. That’s also the source of their conflict: Nythan endlessly struggles with inhaling others’ souls, which he and Bane sometimes do to vanquish enemies. As Nythan has many questions for Bane and Coven members in Mexico, Nicaragua, and other places, much of the novel is dialogue. There are likewise just as many discussions on strategy as there are action sequences, though the latter half of the story picks up considerably. Notwithstanding the plethora of deaths, violence in the narrative is relatively muted and never excessively graphic. In addition, the author censors the abundance of vulgar language. Bane, though generally ambiguous, is intriguing. Some seem to believe he’s a deity, but he notes points in his life—occasionally mingling with real-life historical figures like Thomas Jefferson—as if he had been human. He clarifies a bit of his origin near the tale’s end but still leaves much unexplained. Overall, the story puts religions like Hinduism and Christianity on common ground, as it clearly shows that no one belief is more accurate than the rest. Boulware also maintains a consistent tone: Humor periodically alleviates this somber tale but never undermines the gravity of Nythan’s overwhelming circumstances.

A measured but engaging start to what’s sure to be an epic supernatural saga.

A man gathers his allies in a fight against a soul-eating force threatening the world in this second installment of a supernatural series.

Thirty-six-year-old Steven Carpenter is one of the last few members of a dying organization. The Ordo Solis, created long ago by the Roman Catholic Church, has kept its eyes out for the return of Bane, an entity that devours people’s souls. None of the group’s branches in America, Europe, and Asia are faring well, but Steven and his only fellow Solis American believe they have video evidence proving Bane—or, as the protagonist dubs it, the Soulstealer—is coming back. Not everyone buys their story, as it’s the first sign of this evil being in close to a millennium. But Steven is sure he’s on the right track once the Soulstealer’s savage, cultlike followers the Raptors enter the fray. They threaten both Steven and his old love, former Solis American Raeleigh, demanding all copies of the reputed evidence. Surprisingly, the Soulstealer’s teenage human vessel, Nythan, seems to yearn for a peaceful resolution between the Ordo Solis and the Raptors (as well as cults in Europe and Asia). Meanwhile, Steven scours for help wherever he can find it, from the Freemasons to United States government agencies. If they can somehow legitimize the Ordo Solis and convince the public that the Soulstealer is a genuine menace, they may have the muscle to take out the entity. If those peace talks don’t work out, the terrifying soul-eater may kill millions.

Boulware describes this sequel as a “companion novel” to his earlier, Nythan-centric book. Both stories take place at the same time, and some scenes in the first volume play out again from Steven’s perspective in the second. It’s an intriguing and effective approach, as the once-sympathetic Nythan is now more ambiguous and a potential villain. But there’s plenty of new material, as Steven teams up with Ordo Solis member and “German fireball” Adeline Faehrmann and they travel to places like the Solis Commandery in Dietzenbach, Germany. The first half of the author’s taut narrative delivers plenty of action; it is filled with shocking deaths, unexpected turns, and scenes of Steven dodging Raptors atop his ultra-cool motorcycle. This leads to a slower latter half, as Steven and Adeline plot their course in getting the word out. These scenes nevertheless teem with suspense; there’s distrust among members of the global organization, and the public is already skeptical thanks to a false alarm about the Soulstealer’s return (a Raptor hoax several years ago). Steven is an appealing lead character who reluctantly takes the hero role, as he initially planned to leave the Ordo Solis. He endures losing a friend or two and still harbors feelings for Raeleigh, notwithstanding her engagement to someone else. Steven’s tenacity drives the plot, and it often seems as if he alone is trying to convince the world of the Soulstealer’s existence. While those who have read the first installment will know some details about the ending, this story’s denouement is still memorable.

An absorbing paranormal sequel with a striking hero.