The Awakening

The Darkness of Diggory Finch, Book 1

By: Chris Philbrook

Narrated by: Joe Hempel

Length: 8 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

Diggory Finch had a mother that didn’t seem to want him and a father that chose to run from every struggle the family ever had. The same father lied about the family fortune.

But now Grandma Beatrice is gone, and Diggory has inherited Finch Island in Twin Falls, as well as millions of dollars, a house, an old mill building, and the profound, evil darkness that dwells at the center of his family’s heart.

Diggory returns home, happy and comfortable for the first time in a home that’s not going anywhere, and starts the process of opening up a game store on his family’s property. He even meets a young lady that makes him want to stop sabotaging his relationships. Could it be love?

Or will the horror that unfolds undo all he’s ever wanted?

The Finch family is surrounded by people who want something from them. They want the dark power that Diggory has access to. They want the doorway only he can open to remain open forever, and if they have to lock him up so the ancient evil he can access can always flow to them, then so be it.

But for the first time, this Finch isn’t running, and he isn’t content to be used to unleash evil on the world.

Can Diggory harness the great darkness within him and defeat the monsters that feast on the people of Twin Falls, or will he lose control and put the entire world at risk?

Enter the world of Twin Falls; a modern day Lovecraftian universe of ancient, eldritch evils, cults, monsters, and one very sarcastic young man that's just sick of being used, abused, and self-destructive.

©2021 Chris Philbrook (P)2021 Chris Philbrook

Contemporary Cosmic Horror

Philbrook continues to show that he's not just a writer of zombie stories. The Awakening is well written cosmic horror with a modern twist. The setting is a quiet little town with a terrible secret that some of the townsfolk have been doing their best to keep hidden for generations. Enter Diggory Finch, who is unknowingly the key to saving the town and the entire world. I had some trouble in the beginning relating to Diggory, a gen X type with no job or ambition, who has a lot of personal issues and spends his time playing RPG video games. Later, these details take a back seat to what is going on and it gets better. Philbrook weaves Lovecraftian cosmic horror into a modern setting and with modern characters to make an entertaining story. Good story, well written, highly recommend.

Unexpected delight

What a great surprise! I forgot the description of this book by the time I got to it, so it seemed like mellow romance or something at the start, then the sixth chapter threw a total curve ball.

Mild spoiler alert …

This series is like a cross between Odd Thomas and the Iron Druid. If you liked those, you’ll love this.

Home run by the fantastic Chris Philbrook!!!

great story, characters and creativity!! strongly suggest you give a listen. well done Chris

Philbrook does it again

From the start you can relate to Diggory and his mental struggles..then bam....modern Lovecraft style. It was fast paced and engaging. The next part can't come soon enough.

Outstanding

I really liked the story. It had highs and lows, action, mystery, suspense, and humor as well as horror. It made me laugh, scared me, made me cry (read, I’m not crying, your crying), and even had little nuggets of other stories ( got it from Gilbert from back in 2010. I see you Chris. Otis is my homeboy too.) The only downfall is it ended and I have to wait for another. I also really liked the narrator. I believe he executed the characters perfectly. Really well done all around. Keep up the good work!

Inconsistency in storytelling not for me

This series isn’t gonna be for me alas.
I just couldn’t get used to the inconsistency in storytelling.
About half the book is in journal form and the other half is told from a third person perspective of various people. I loved the first and disliked the second.
It just never came together for me/ never felt as 1 whole.

Too much is kept a mystery. You hear entire conversations you can’t possible place or understand.
Even now the book is finished I’m not that much the wiser.

I also had a problem with Diggory’s character development. He changed so much after 1 experience it wasn’t believable to me.

The narration was good.

Do yourself a favor and get this book

From start to finish it's just plain good.

You meet a flawed yet relatable character in a world that isn't what it seems. His self deprecating tendencies show the depth that the character is aware of his flaws and shortcomings but you get to watch him come into his own and rise to the occasion in a messed up situation and all the intrigue and mayhem that comes along when dealing with the occult.

The voice author pulls you in and you feel like you're listening to a friend. I personally recommend 1.20 speed. but you do you!

10/10 would recommend!

Loved it!

I loved it! Can't wait for the next one:-) Spent the whole time torn between wanting to hurry and get to the end but not wanting it to be over so soon.
The narrator did a great job, too.

Great

I bought this book as soon as possible because I am a huge Philbrook fan, but my anxiety got the best of my and I didn't listen to it till today, because I didn't want it to be not as good as AUD. However it is equal in all ways you want it to be. I love the original story, and I bought the next book before I finished this one. Keep up the excellent work brother!

WOW! MUST HAVE MORE!

Another wonderful creation. You know what I love about Chris Philbrook's main characters? They are flawed but smart and practical. They stop to think. I love the complexity of Diggory. I love finally reading a book that incorporated gaming and board games. I love the mystery and the many moving pieces that is being spun together here.