Hell on Earth

Hell on Earth is an occult detective story written by the author of the Shattered World novels. While Reaves has several other such stories to his credit -- including one featuring the reporter Liz Russell -- I believe this is his first based on traditional Judeo-Christian mythology. Colin is an orphan trained at the Scholomance in Transylvania, a school of dark magic. He has a Door that can apport him to any place on earth, but won't retrieve him. He did have the Trine, a mystical token of great power, but something Fallen has stolen it and left a smell of brimstone behind. Moreover, he has Zoel, an Unfallen Angel, who has come to ask him to help with a little problem. It seems that a demon has been born, the undead are walking, and the apocalypse may be near. No big deal for a magic wielding detective with an Angel sidekick, right? The remainder of the story is a matter of searching for the Trine, questioning the suspects -- demons and such -- and checking out the various locales -- Vlad Dracula's castle, for one -- and putting the clues together. Along the way he picks up a few more assistants: the demon Asdeon, reporter Liz Russell, and ex-ranger Terry Dane. This novel is bloody and violent, but more like suspenseful mystery that a horror story. Recommended for Reaves fans and anyone who likes magical detectives and occult mysteries. -Arthur W. Jordin

For some reason I bought this book well after it came out and then let it sit on the shelf for a time before reading it. Perhaps it was because of the millennial associations the book had in my mind. It certainly wasn't any doubt of Michael Reaves as an author. He has been writing for some time, and has always done a solid, workmanlike job. Having finally read it, I can honestly say that, whatever my reasons were, I was much mistaken. Certainly, any book that deals with demons and cataclysms will have a touch of the millennial about them, but this book would have worked just as well in 1986 or 2021.The book start's out with a horrific beginning when, in a fashion reminiscent of "Alien," a demonic child is born to a 15 year old victim of incest. The demon promptly slaughters all attending the event and disappears. Quickly, the scene shifts to the Greenwich Village home of Colin, a young and potent mage who discovers he has been robbed. Three enchanted objects, which together make up the Trine, have been taken. Without the Trine, Colin's powers are significantly weakened. While planning his next steps a pounding on the door reveals the angel Zoel, sent from divine dispatching to help Colin along.Across the continent, Terry Dane, a bodyguard, finds himself confronted with an attacker who doesn't register pain, and who likes to shred his victims. And, in Oregon, Liz Russell witnesses the execution of a serial killer she had written a book about and suddenly realizes that there may be life after death, and it might not like her. All of these threads come together in a wild sleigh ride through purgatory, hell and beyond. Colin's 'simple' quest quickly goes sour despite the help the angel Zoel and a friendly demon, Asdeon. The book is barely started before the reader is creeping through the catacombs of Paris and exploring the site of Dracula's burial.Reaves proves himself quite adept in creating a magical world. Colin's travels, and his memories of his school days produce many striking images of the occult. I particularly liked the images of the Scholomance and the scenes at Lake Snagov in Transylvania. He also draws on a surprising amount of both classical and Babylonian demonology. For some reason the latter seems unusually popular this year, I believe this is the third book that I've read with some sort of Babylonian bad guy in it. The plot moves too quickly for there to be much character development, but there is enough to keep character from going flat.Reaves moves between suspense, horror, and sarcastic humor in his writing, which can be jarring at times. This is the kind of book that is quite easily read in a couple of sittings. I was expecting something a bit more ponderous or horrible, instead I found I had a high speed tale of occult suspense told with a light entertaining touch. I am not normally a fan of books which are mostly plot, but "Hell on Earth" is one of the better examples of that writing style. I enjoyed it

I almost didn't buy this because of some of the reviews posted on here but I am so glad I did! This is one of the best books I've read in a long, long time. It was very engrossing and well-written, and I loved the characters. Very original. I'm going to read Darth Maul next.

This is the best fantasy thriller I've read in a long time. It's horror with a touch of fantasy--or fantasy with a touch of horror...but whatever you call it, it's a thrilling, page-a-minute adventure in a world where magic and angels and demons are real, though most of us don't know it. The main character, Colin, is cool and sexy and mysterious; the supporting players come completely alive, so you share their fears and their victories. The angels and demons are particularly interesting, making me want to know a whole lot more about the supernatural world hidden behind our world in this book. Reaves writes with a natural flow and smooth style. I couldn't put this down. I hope there are more books to come about Colin and his mysterious calling. Michael Reaves is definitely an author to watch.

With the dawning of a new millennium, certain events have occurred that might be construed as the beginning of the Apocalypse. In a backwater town, a fifteen-year-old girl dies while giving birth to a demon. After being pursued by a serial killer, Liz Russell watches the state give him a lethal injection only to see him wink at her after he died. Bodyguard Terry Dane tries to protect his client from a demon disguised as a human.While these incidents happen, Colon a master of magic awakens to discover that the Trine, a powerful talisman consisting of three segments is missing. The angel Zoel visits Colon and though they may have different agendas team up to recover the Trine. They regain two of the segments, but Colon soon finds himself in Las Vegas where he meets Liz and Terry, who were mystically guided to the city. Here Armageddon seems imminent unless Colon and company can find a way to defer the beginning of the end. Michael Reaves has written a serio-comic tale about the cosmic forces of heaven and hell on earth. The author's skills show up throughout the tale, but especially when he makes the verbal exchanges between the mage, an angel, and a demon humorous yet solemn, a clear testimony to a wonderful author. Though the ending is fulfilling, loose strings exist so one can conclude that a sequel is forthcoming.Harriet Klausner