With Silent Screams (The Hellequin Chronicles, 3)

I was so looking forward to this book as I thoroughly enjoyed Crimes Against Magic and Born of Hatred. Why? Two of my favorite authors are Robin Hobb and Partick Rothfuss. They have extremely likeable and interesting main character/narrators. Fitz, Robin Hobb's assassin books and Kvothe can really carry their stories.

The same way Nate can here. If you are familiar with the first two books Nate leaves off a few months later. And like the other books, events are happening in our time and back in the 70s in Maine. We are also introduced to Galahad and Shadow Falls along with another strong female character. This book is as interesting and a great mixture of magic, historical characters, an interesting alternate reality, and mystery as the other books.

I do want to leave one final comment. I am repulsed by horror movies and horror books. Personally I can't stand them. To me this should not be listed under any horror category and I personally would have chosen a different cover as it portrays an incorrect image of the book. The best way I can explain it is to think of Peter Jackson. No way I will ever watch his early gory works, they aren't for me. Violence is part of his Tolkien adaptations. But he doesn't dwell on the violence. Steve doesn't either.

I can not recommend these books enough. Steve, and know I don't know him, is well on his way to becoming a major new fantasy writer. Well done.

Do I really think this is a one star book? Yes and no. Compared to books one and two, definitely a one star. Compared to some of the other self published authors out there, I could see arguing 3 stars.

Mr. McHugh, the inconsistencies in this book compared to the first two is rather appalling. Granted this is your universe and you can change things as you see fit. The first example that comes to mind is Nate having to be careful not to cut himself with his own air magic.

Now, your grammatical errors in the first two books were minimal compared to the sheer volume of mistakes in this book. I was so excited in the opening pages when you mentioned that this was edited; and I was so appalled that you thanked them in acknowledgements. I hope you did not pay for the heinous editing.

I have read the first two books and the novella a few times, that's how much I enjoy those books. This one I gave a second try recently to see if maybe I was wrong the first time through and I couldn't finish it.

I do plan to get the next book in hopes that it will be better. If it is this same rough draft work though you will have lost a customer.

If you are in need of beta readers to help with typos and consistency, I would be more then happy to help.

This is the third book of Steve McHugh's Hellequin Chronicles, With Silent Screams. It is painfully clear that the battle of good and evil continues into the present-day.

Ancient sorcerers are locked in conflict with each other. On one side, evil sorcerers plot to control all the realms on Earth, while the others worked to thwart their evil ways. In the middle were various mystical beings: trolls, werewolves, and shape-shifters. For the most part, the mortals were totally unaware of the dark and evil being perpetuated by the murderous psychotics.

This is a very dark, fast-action driven fantasy that will make you wish you were able to cast protective runes for yourself.

Steve McHugh's Hellequin Chronicles are absolutely riveting! Initially I was confused as to the order of the books, but after some much necessary research, The Hellequin Chronicles (In order they were released) are:
* Book 1 - Crimes Against Magic
* Book 2 - Born of Hatred
* Novella - Infamous Reign
* Book 3 - With Silent Screams
(be sure to archive this list for reference as you're reading the Chronicles!)

There are no spoiler alerts here, just be prepared to be riveted to your seat for an entire weekend, or longer, whatever it takes to read this series - WITHOUT interruption. Be kind - warn your spouse first before you dig in, it may be key to maintaining a healthy relationship whilst you're immersed in Hellequin's tales.

This is one of those books that immediately just draws you in keeps you there. I've been having difficulty finding a new author to catch my interest, so I was thrilled by this. This is especially impressive because I did not read the previous two books, but this book did well as a standalone; I really didn't feel lost or confused at any time, though I am sure that knowing backstories would have added to the richness.
The story is dark and is reminiscent of film noir/pulp fiction with a healthy dose of the supernatural thrown in.
My only regret is not having read the prior two books in the series, but that is something I plan on correcting in the near future.

Well, it's a bit more intense than the Harry Potter books but if you like your wizards and sorcerers on the gritty side this is the book for you. Urban fantasy that takes a bad boy hero into a dark "who done-it" and more importantly, why?
Shows that it's a well written book, when I didn't realize that it was the third in a series, until I'd finished it.
The characters are well written, the bad guys as well as the good guys and all those who float in the grey areas.
Modern day gruesome murders, cult like group and shifting alliances make for an action packed story.
Like dark, urban fantasy with an interesting hero? Then you'll enjoy this ride.

2.5 Stars. As with the previous novel ("Born of Hatred"), this third book in the series has problems. I was hoping that the author would develop his writing to create a story with more depth, but this volume is actually more shallow and amateurish than the previous. The characters are almost caricatures, with the main character being unbelievably immature for someone who is 1600 years old. In addition, the terrible editing continues. How could a publisher let something with so many grammatical errors, typos, missing words, etc. be printed? Also, on a personal note, I really dislike how McHugh has the female characters calling other females "c***s." Very off-putting.

Excellent series with a different angle on the magic scene. Well written with a couple of proof reading slips. Highly recommended series!

I approached this book with some trepidation - - - was it really a teenaged boy's book? Would its supernatural elements be believable (well, you do have to suspend SOME belief!). Would it be well written with engaging characters, even the evil ones?

This book surpassed my expectations. It's written for a more mature audience (not just kids) and the writing, plotting, characterization, world-building are excellent. I didn't realize this was the third of the series when I received it, but I will purchase the first two books post haste.

My only concern about series is they seem to inevitably lose steam. . . this happened (for me) with the Iron Druid series by Kevin Hearne. Love the first 3, liked the 4th, didn't finish the 5th. So take your time, Mr. McHugh, and keep it great.

I approached this book with some trepidation - - - was it really a teenaged boy's book? Would its supernatural elements be believable (well, you do have to suspend SOME belief!). Would it be well written with engaging characters, even the evil ones?

This book surpassed my expectations. It's written for a more mature audience (not just kids) and the writing, plotting, characterization, world-building are excellent. I didn't realize this was the third of the series when I received it, but I will purchase the first two books post haste.

My only concern about series is they seem to inevitably lose steam. . . this happened (for me) with the Iron Druid series by Kevin Hearne. Love the first 3, liked the 4th, didn't finish the 5th. So take your time, Mr. McHugh, and keep it great.