Basically the earth is overrun by creatures from myth and folklore after that a group of scientists thought it would be a good idea to trigger dormant monster DNA in humans. In this post apocalyptic hellscape humans are in the minority, and Dez McClane is one of the few left trying to survive in a world of werewolves, vampires, cannibals, and other monstrosities. Dez is facing all odds to find his wife, and along the way he comes across many colorful characters, even teaming up with a few by the end.

So I’m COMPLETELY onboard just from the premise (the whole post-apocalyptic monster world thing), but then Janz goes in with the quality writing, interesting well-developed characters, and top notch action/suspense and this became a book I read voraciously. Like I was on vacation and I just wanted to ignore everyone and read. It didn’t take but till page 40 that I knew I had something special in my hands. So many memorable characters and scenes, and so many cool ideas!

Apart from the obvious monsters, I love the idea that Latents are still out there, meaning anyone could at any moment turn into something crazy (which does indeed happen in the balls-to-the-wall insane climax of the book). There’s also plenty of suspense, brutal violence, and well-balanced humor throughout. I’m seriously trying to avoid writing this like a gushing fanboy, and likely failing. I just enjoyed this book so much!! It’s also set up perfectly for a sequel, so I’m gonna need @jonathan.janz to hurry up with that ( )

This was a raving bloody romp through apocalypse proportions!

A little backstory for you readers:

An event known as the Four Winds decimated life and created new life in forms of creatures that roam the earth. Dez McClane survived the Four Winds but has to endure the inhabitants around him which include monsters from every form of life. Everything is in this book including Minotaurs that have free rein throughout the world. Dez is not one of these creatures as he is human which in this world is known as Latent and he is has no superhuman abilities either.

Dez has to travel through the terrain in search of his partner Susan but by searching for her, Dez will have to fight and survive the creatures roaming this world.

Thoughts:

This was a whole different concept for author, Jonathan Janz as he moved into horror apocalyptic, but with this book he stepped out into what I would call a cross between urban fantasy, modern day western, and science fiction horror.

I can say it was different but there are horror elements integrated within the story with the creatures which include vampires, werewolves, cannibals, etc. just to name a few and there is tons of extreme gore interlaced through the story as well which takes the storyline into extreme splatterpunk.

Lots of twists, turns, edge of the seat pacing and descriptive blood/gore scenes that kept my attention throughout the story!

Giving this one five stars for creative imagination and graphic horror scenes that will make horror readers scream for more!

My thanks to Netgally and Flame Tree Press for letting me review this ARC. ( )

How do you save the world when humanity is bent on destruction? You destroy the world. Unleash the Four Winds on humankind and let the monsters hidden in human DNA sort it out. It's the ultimate terrorist attack....

Yikes!

This story both thrilled and scared the crap out of me. But....derp. I should have looked closer at the front cover. Jonathan Janz written there in big huge letters. I should have known what I was in for.....

But Janz surprised me with this one. The Raven has a bit different feel from Janz's other books I've read -- The Sorrows, The Siren & The Specter. No holds barred for this one....awesome fantasy horror!

Woot!! Loved it! There's no slow build with this one.....the action (and carnage) starts right from the beginning. I binge read this at night -- and had to get up and turn the lights on.

Is this the start of a series?? I hope so! Great premise for a horror series!

I can't wait to experience what Janz decides to scare me with next! Always a great horror read!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Flame Tree Press. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.** ( )

The Raven is a post-apocalyptic romp through nightmares made real. Thanks to scientists meddling with DNA, monsters are now living amongst humanity and Latents (humans with no monstrous abilities) are forced to hide and fight for their lives. This book follows Dez, a latent wracked with guilt, as he navigates this new world and searches for someone he lost. I wouldn’t call this book frightening, but the fights are graphic and gory, and seeing what has happened to humanity is truly horrific. I hope this is the first in a series so we can see where Janz takes this story next.

I received an e-arc from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review. ( )

I don't read a lot of post-apocalyptic type fiction so this took me out of my depth a little. With the real life news full of the pandemic, and racial clashes, I had to put it aside a few times. Some of the aspects of the book were mirroring reality in a way that was too close for comfort.
The narrative is bleak, gritty and often violent, but with a protagonist, Dez, who is identifiable with and real. With Dez at the helm, a lot of scenes that could have been too dark with another character in the role are instead fitting, even while remaining confronting.
The plot rockets along with a constant sense of uncertainty and suspense, with a conclusion that feels like it's the end of part of a series, even as most of the main story arcs are resolved. If there are more books, I'll be happy to continue the ride. ( )