As You Wish Reviews: Tour Stop / Pendant: The Undead Hunters by Stephen C. Ormsby

Why Write Horror?

So, after writing the urban fantasy novel Long Lost Song, why did I decide to write a horror novel? For me, I found Long Lost Song hard to categorize into just one genre, as it has supernatural and apocalyptic themes as well, but was not either of those by nature. In the end, I decided to call it urban fantasy. From there, it was a challenge to me really, as I wanted to learn how to write more strictly in specific genres, and the first two I picked were horror and fantasy.

Both genres I have read and enjoyed for lots of years, and I wanted to see if I could turn out something that would excite me. Names like Graham Masterton, James Herbert and Chet Williamson thrilled me as a younger man, and I wanted to know if I was capable of the same level of thrill.

I asked a good friend and fellow author Sharon Lee Johnson whether she would give me some tips on what makes a good horror novel. After a couple of great discussions, an idea started to form and then it really took over from there.

Pendant was such a consuming story line that the first draft took only 22 days to write. It literally burnt through me, wanting to be out. I didn’t mind that much, as Conrad/Varnok is a very heavy character to carry around.

As I wrote it though, the ideas kept coming with the protagonist plotting more than one novel in my head. So far, I have stories for three or four trilogies, which will see the characters go to Hell and come back. It’s exciting stuff to consider as I get to imagine Hell in my own way.

Varnok has a lot more planned for Maggie and Logan, as this is only the start. Book 2 of the series is tentatively titled The Aching Gate and begins a story arc that will go for three novels. There will be frights and scares for all!I hope you enjoy the first book of The Undead Hunters series and look forward to more, as I am looking forward to writing them.

Blurb

Varnok the Great Wizard wants revenge against the people who burnt him at the stake for murder three hundred years before. He has waited patiently in Hell for his opportunity.

Now, the Pendant has come together, and the time to make the pay for their actions against him is here. He will release his power upon Earth.

Maggie finds half a pendant in a sea-side market and Logan is given his by family, forcing the two into a horrific world they had never imagined, and running for their lives.

Will they learn the secret of the Pendant before it is too late?

Will there new-found love be strong enough to stop Varnok, a three hundred year old Wizard from the pits of Hell?

Review

A roller coaster ride into the land of horror... Graphic details that would cause sleepless nights... This being my first book to read in the horror genre, it took me by surprise that I didn't flinch so much throughout the story though I did say, "Ewe gross!" and "Ouch!" quite often... Stephen has a way with telling a story to those readers with a vivid imagination, as I was able to play out the entire book.

Starting out I thought every character who wore the 'Pendant' would end up being brutally killed, slaughtered and eaten at the hand of Varnok. As Varnok searches for his beloved wife's soul, feeling for the 'Pendant' he searches everywhere for years and years. Brutally killing anyone that beholds the 'Pendant' and feeding off their souls, condemning them to his fate, an eternity in Hell.

When Maggie and Logan are introduced in the book, I get this feeling that they are the ones... These two awesome characters will take Varnok down... Though after Logan finds his family slaughtered and Maggie finds her friend ripped to pieces I am not so sure. Here is where the author has caught my interest, because now it's not only a horror in genre, but a mystery as well. I want to see this book to the end, through all the graphic details of evil, killing and 'hearts ripped from the chest' scenes. "Ewe gross!"

Questions you might find yourself asking while reading Pendant: The Undead Hunters ~ Will Varnok succeed in his search for his beloved? Will Maggie and Logan find what they are looking for in time to stop Varnok? Will the brutal killing ever stop? Can Maggie and Logan save their family and friends souls from Varnok's fate, rotting in Hell? All this an more will cross your mind as you read 'Pendant'...

About the Author
Stephen C Ormsby was an IT professional for twenty years before deciding to lead a more creative life. He has always loved the idea of writing novels and had written four when Long Lost Song came along, demanding to be published.

His second novel Pendant: The Undead Hunters book 1 will be published on April 5, 2013 by GMTA Publishing. Road to Hell is a novelette is a prequel for The Undead Hunters series.

Stephen is busy writing sequels for both Long Lost Song and Pendant, as well as working on a fantasy series.

He is also currently editing two anthologies of Australian authors with the first to be published August 30, 2013.

He lives in South Gippsland with his wife, two children and a mad cat. He has travelled extensively, is an avid reader and enjoys listening to a wide range of music.