SOULSTEALER

by Shane Boulware ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 20, 2020

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. (note to readers, acknowledgements, author bio)

Pub Date: May 20, 2020

ISBN: 978-1-73470-632-1

Page Count: 384

Publisher: THEORYbee

Review Posted Online: July 21, 2020

Review Program: Kirkus Indie

Categories:

PARANORMAL FICTION | GENERAL FICTION