Darkness Unbound #2: Terror of Night [BOOK REVIEW]

Terror of Night CoverAuthor: Glenn Porzig
Publisher: Graphic Entertainment
Genre:  Supernatural Thriller
Unique Elements: Spiritualism, Occultism, serial killer with ties to a cult.
Series: Darkness Unbound, Book #2
Release Date: October 31, 2015
Number of Page: 105 Pages
MSRP: $8.99
Discount Link: Click Here
Website: Click Here
Purchase Site: Click Here
Reviewed by: Reverend Leviathan
Final Score: 5 Moons (out of 5)

The second part of Glenn Porzig’s “Darkness Unbound” series, Terror of Night follows Detective Alexander Drake as he attempts to track down a diabolical serial killer known as the “Heartbreaker,” whose ritualistic murders seem to have ties to the occult.  Teamed up with a spiritual medium he hopes to catch the maniac before another girl is found dead.

Story

Brilliant Moon Award

Written in the third person, the story opens with a young girl named Jill Tate waking up in a cold, damp room; the first victim we read about in the novella.  Jill is unable to escape and finds herself looking at a man completely enveloped in light, unable to make out any of his features.  He greets her over the intercom and tells her she’ll no longer be held captive.  That’s when a large man in a black rubber suit wearing a gas mask enters the scene and slaughters her.  The voice over the intercom then asks for her heart.  We have been introduced to the sick serial killer known as the “Heartbreaker.”

After a long suspension and alcoholism, Homicide Detective Alexander Drake is called back in on active duty.  Due to his previous experience with Spiritualism and the Occult Drake feels that these murders are connected to a cult.  Why are all of the victims females?  Is there something that ties them together?  Drake does everything he can to track down the killer, but is very close to being suspended once again because his suspect happens to be the son of a politician.

Drake is accompanied by an unwanted partner, Solomon Price: a medium who was recently exposed as a fraud.  Solomon wants to help track down the “Heartbreaker” using his abilities, in order to clear his name of any fraudulent activity and to prove that he is a true spiritual medium.  Both men interrogate using their abilities and draw closer to the diabolical serial killer.  Will they find him or become victims themselves?  When the Heartbreaker is unveiled both men get their answers, but not necessarily the ones they want.

Dynamics

After reading Lady in Black I was very excited to read the second book in the “Darkness Unbound” series. I’m very interested in things like Spiritualism, the Occult and serial killers, and this book contains all three.  The story was very horrifying, mysterious and intriguing.  I wondered how Solomon Price was going to assist in the book.  Was he going to be the hero and find the “Heartbreaker,” thus winning Drake’s respect?  I couldn’t have predicted what happened.  By the end of the story the book was shaking in my hands.

Glenn Porzig has an amazing way of writing that’s very descriptive.  I really felt like I was watching a dark horror movie with all of the gritty details laid out for me.  The characters, the scenes, and all that’s taking place really jumps off the pages.  The details given during the more brutal scenes made it that much more enjoyable.  The layout was done really well, too.  For example, there’s a scene with a young woman who’s weary of an old car parked outside and a guy who’s been watching her.  A young man appears and seems to rescue her from the stalker.  The section right after that contains the same scene, only from Drake’s perspective, and it turns out he was the one in the car and the woman’s “rescuer” becomes her kidnapper.  The end of the book has a conclusion to the story, but then it sort of ends on a “to be continued” note, preparing readers for the third book of the series.

Gothic Fit

The horror that lies within the pages involving the victims will definitely be appealing to the Gothic reader.  Mystery abounds in the story with numerous references to Spiritualism and the Occult, a medium being helped by his spirit guide, and possibly even a deal with dark forces.

Closing Thoughts

The “Darkness Unbound” series scores once again with Terror of Night and it will have the readers prepared to see what happens to Detective Drake in the conclusion of the trilogy.  Occult Mystery Fiction at its finest!

Story: 5.0 Moons (out of 5)
Dynamics: 4.5 Moons (out of 5)
Gothic Fit: 5.0 Moons (out of 5)
Final Score (not an average): 5.0 Moons (out of 5)

Score: Five Moons

Author: Reverend Leviathan

Reverend Leviathan is the Music & Media Editor at DarkestGoth Magazine. He has been part of the Gothic community since his high school years. He released an album in 2008 entitled "Eden's Graveyard," and in 2022 released "Vampire Friar." He has also self-published a book, Gothlic: The Testimony of a Catholic Goth. He specializes in music (Goth, ambient, industrial, horror punk and doom metal) and independent films. You can follow him at Facebook.com/revleviathan7. If you have questions about having your music or media reviewed or featured at DarkestGoth, you can email Reverend Leviathan directly. (Not all music or media will be eligible for coverage by DGM, due to its style or the current knowledge base of DGM staff. If your media is accepted, we are currently estimating a 90-120 day turnaround for reviews and/or other coverage, so please plan requests accordingly.)

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