I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A traveler who succumbs to great darkness must evade the brutal hunt of a witchfinder in authors Beverley Lee and Keith Anthony Baird’s “A Light of Little Radiance.”
The Synopsis
Selina Dragavei wanders the northern wastes in fear of persecution from the Holy Roman Church. In Europe’s Dark Age, witchfinders scour the lands and traveller folk such as she are put to flame and suffering. On the ruthless steppes, she evades them but something far sinister will lay claim to her soul.
Returning to the world of men, a dark, transformed Selina has a thirst for blood and only the drift down through the centuries will quench it. But she won’t make that journey alone, as she determines to bring others to her. As a troupe of entertainers, they attend pageants, festivals, and even royal galas, where a family bound to darkness feed on unsuspecting mortals. Such debauchery, however, does not go unnoticed. Famed witchfinder, Desider von Brandenburg, becomes obsessed with bringing this band of vampire-devils to a righteous cleansing, and so a deadly game of cat and mouse ensues.
Will the holy man bring God’s wrath down upon them, or will Selina and her nightwalkers battle the might of Heaven and emerge unscathed? Only instinct, cunning, and a little luck under the watch of a wolf moon will tell…
The Review
This was a truly unique and compelling read. The bone-chilling imagery the author deploys in this writing is so haunting to visualize as the story progresses. Immediately, readers are given an original and terrifying origin to the vampires of this story, as a Lovecraftian terror emerges from the darkness to turn the protagonist of this tale into a creature of the night. The action and historical setting played well into this story, as the author explored the persecution so many suffered during this time of religious persecution for anyone who walked a path outside the Holy Roman Empire and the church.
The depth of character development the author can achieve in such a short time is fantastic. The complex nature of Selina before and after her transformation and the evolution of her nature itself was fascinating. Desider’s juxtaposition as the religious witchfinder who takes his horrific actions in the name of his faith was also intriguing. The theme of horror and the depths to which humanity is willing to plunge itself into those dark depths will both shock and engage readers as the story progresses.
The Verdict
Haunting, entertaining, yet thrilling, authors Beverley Lee and Keith Anthony Baird’s “A Light of Little Radiance” is a must-read horror novel. The shocking twists and turns in the story and the unique mythos the author develops in this narrative will stay with readers long after the story ends. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
About the Author
Beverley Lee is the bestselling author of the Gabriel Davenport series (The Making of Gabriel Davenport, A Shining in the Shadows and The Purity of Crimson) The Ruin of Delicate Things, The House of Little Bones and The Sum of Your Flesh.
Her shorter fiction has been included in works from Cemetery Gates Media, Kandisha Press, Brigids Gate Press and Off Limits Press.
In thrall to the written word from an early age, especially the darker side of fiction, she believes that the very best story is the one you have to tell. Supporting fellow authors is also her passion and she is actively involved in social media and writers’ groups.
You can visit her online at beverleylee.com (where you’ll find a free dark and twisted short story download) or on Instagram (@theconstantvoice) and Twitter (@constantvoice).
Keith Anthony Baird is the author of The Jesus Man: A Post-Apocalyptic Tale of Horror (Novel), Nexilexicon (Novel), And a Dark Horse Dreamt of Nightmares (Book of Shorts), This Will Break Every Bone In Your Heart (Novelette) and Snake Charmer Blues (Short). His works can be found on Amazon and Audible. He is currently working on a dystopian novel titled SIN:THETICA, a post-apocalyptic novel titled Wind Rust, and a psychological/horror short titled A Seed in a Soil of Sorrow.
The Diabolica Britannica horror anthology was his brainchild, in which you’ll find his own contribution Walked a Pale Horse on Celtic Frost.
When not at his desk writing, you might find him up a mountain, snorkelling, or simply having adventures. Failing that, it’s a good bet he’ll be on Twitter.
He lives in England’s beautiful Lake District.
Twitter – https://twitter.com/kabauthor
Amazon UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Keith-Anthony-Baird/e/B078TQD1J2
Amazon US – https://www.amazon.com/Keith-Anthony-Baird/e/B078TQD1J2
Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16771035.Keith_Anthony_Baird
