Hellgate: London: Exodus: Hellgate: London

The Knights Templar are usually linked with the enigmatic Freemasons, but in "Hellgate: London: Exodus," their purpose is clear: to save the citizens of London from demons leaking from the gates of Hell ('Hellgates', if you need more clarification). You know, everyday stuff. Author Mel Odom knows how to write a good book. And he more than proves it with Exodus, the first of three in the "Hellgate: London" series, following former Knight Thomas Cross through his struggles with accepting himself and his fate...or completely changing fate altogether. Meanwhile, Londoner Warren Schimmer deals with the battles of living with roommates that despise him and surviving an attack from one of the Hellgates' demons. As I said, everyday stuff. Odom expertly intertwines Cross's and Schimmer's stories very gradually, creating an action-packed tale of good versus evil, or more simply, the changing of powers. As Thomas makes his way from his escape of South Africa to London to search for his father, or what remains of him, Warren staves off death and watches his body slowly transform into a tool for the demons. The inclusion of characters like Leah Creasey, who holds more secrets than she's willing to tell, and Schimmer's roommate Kelli, whom he is almost unconsciously mind-controlling, helps expand a somewhat restricted storyline and add elements of impending disaster to the most heart-pounding situations. And trust me - there are a lot of 'em. Now, if I could just find out where to get one of those Knights' cool armour suits.... - T.C. Robson

Setting: Earth, in the year 2038. A rift in reality has opened in the skies over London, England, and in comes a horde of horrifying creatures, who methodically and rapidly devastate the city of London, kill off anyone they catch, and begin transforming areas of London into a nightmarish swamp of bubbling acid pools. They seem unstoppable, especially as no one was prepared for anything like this. Story: But, is it true that no was prepared? It turns out that at least two groups were indeed prepared. During the time of the Crusades, there were stories of demons appearing and joining the battle between the Christians and the Moslems, capitalizing on the existing mayhem and killing participants on both sides. In response, the Knights Templar, entrusted with finding and guarding the Holy Grail, also began preparing for a possible return of these demons. Even though the Templar were officially disbanded, centuries ago, they did not just cease to exist. Instead, the Templar went Underground, continued to train in battle skills, studied what little was known of the demons, and worked on enhancing their skills and their weapons with religiously-based magic. The Knights Templar were not alone, though, in their interest in the demons. Another group, nicknamed the Cabalists, were fascinated with the demons. They did not view the demons as necessarily evil opponents of humanity, but saw them as powerful beings from another realm, that were indeed highly dangerous, but could also be the sources of powerful information, that could elevate humanity to a new stage of development. The Cabalists thus studied the demons, practiced the dark magic associated with the demons, and awaited their coming. When the demons began pouring through the rift, nicknamed the "Hellgate", the Knights Templar emerged from hiding and tried to defeat the demons, even as did the conventional military forces. Neither was successful, but neither was eliminated. The Cabalists also stepped out of the shadows, to some extent, and began avidly studying the demons, as much as they could without getting mangled, dismembered, and eaten. Thus, we are left with the following parties in play: Knights Templar Cabalists Demons Conventional government forces Ordinary populace (of those not yet eaten) "Hellgate: London (Exodus)" is the first book in a trilogy, telling us the tale of the arrival of the demons, and humanity's varying responses to their presence. The story focuses mainly on two main characters: Simon, a young Templar Knight who had forsaken his vows and his training, but returns when the arrival of the demons proves that his years of training were really not pointless, as he had thought; and Warren, a basically good young man, with a troubled past and significant "emotional baggage", who initially spends time with the Cabalists, but is eventually wooed by a powerful demon, who wants to use Warren, but will give the man tremendous power and status in return. The Templar d

Mel Odom's Hellgate London: Exodus is an exciting read even if you can't tell a joystick from a swizzel stick. London has literally turned into Hell-on-earth. Demons have opened a gate between their own burning world and London. In no time at all London and it's surrounding countryside are turned into a charnel house; the military has failed and resistance is futile...death reigns supreme. The only thing that stands between the demons and the rest of the planet are the Templar Knights. Far from being extinct, the Templar in this story have gone underground...literally. Living in the ancient tunnels beneath London they have created a whole society and culture based upon their warrior ethic and the deep belief that demons would one day return. These modern knights' armor makes them faster, stronger and more aware of their surroundings (via HUD etc.), combine this with scientifically and magically enhanced swords and weapons the Templar are a powerful force indeed. However, despite their training, weapons and awareness of the threat the Templar are almost decimated by the sheer numbers and unexpected power of the demons that they face. Enter Simon Cross prodigal son of the Templar. Having left the Templar society that he was raised in due to what can only be described as a loss of faith, Cross returns from Africa to find his beloved London a scene from Dante's Inferno. Will he return to the armor? What can be done if he does? This is a fast paced, exciting piece of entertainment that readers can enjoy whether they are "gamers" or not. I am looking forward to the next two books in the trilogy.

For centuries, the Templars have hidden underground practiced their warrior techniques, and prepared for the day when demons would once more attack the earth. Simon Cross, once a Templar, had abandoned that order when he lost faith in demons. But when the demons attack, he returns to London--only to find that his father has been killed in a deliberate sacrifice. The Templars are desperate for fighters and are willing to take Simon back--under certain conditions. But can Simon put up with the petty rules and politics at a time when humanity itself is in danger of destruction? Warren Schimmer has always had a bit of power--enough to manipulate little things. But he's never been able to capitalize on that power--except the one time he saved his own life and forced his stepfather to commit suicide rather than murder. When the demons invade London, he's caught in the middle, hunting for food and water in a city that increasingly is becoming a part of the hellish environment of whatever dimension the demons are crossing from. But the demon invasion is more than just a danger to Warren. Somehow the same powers that allow the demons access to Earth have raised his own magic to higher levels. Warren attracts the attention of the secretive Cabal--and, all too soon, the attention of a demon lord who has his own plans for Warren--and for Earth. Both Warren and Simon has survived difficult relationships with the father figures in their lives. Both are now orphans, surrounded by supposed allies who have little love for them. Clearly their destinies are somehow linked--but will destiny and the demon invasion bring them together, are they doomed to become enemies? Author Mel Odom kicks off an exciting video-game-based series with an action-packed thriller. Set in the near future (2020) after a demon invasion, HELLGATE: LONDON: EXODUS provides all the action and fighting detail you'd expect from a video-game-based story, but Odom doesn't neglect character development. Simon might be a bit too perfect, but Odom humanizes him with his past history of recklessness and rebellion. Warren is not exactly anyone you'd want to bring home, but his history goes a long way toward explaining his situation and making him sympathetic even as he grows ever-more creepy. Odom writes page-turning prose, with new dangers around every corner. Every time Simon or Warren thinks they can finally breathe safely, another threat pops up. If you enjoy solid action, demons, and sword-wielding knights, you'll definitely want to grab a copy of HELLGATE: LONDON: EXODUS.

Great read, new ideas, char dev + new tech + the mystic, makes you want to read faster and not put the book down. I hope the series keeps going deeper and deeper and does not crank out a 2nd book just to hold the place between 1 & 3.