The Devoured

By: Curtis M. Lawson

Narrated by: Jason Sprenger

Length: 6 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

A grim and compelling new vision of The Old West, filtered through Norse and Native American myth. The old man had lost nearly everything- his family, his home, his war. Now, after years of bloody conflict, he must confront a malevolent cosmic entity to save his only son.

Armed with little more than steel and hatred, the old man embarks on a hopeless war against the devouring gods from beyond the stars and their agents on Earth. Leaving a trail of bullets and bodies from Oakland to Omaha, he battles witches, evangelical cannibals, Native shamans, and possessed lawmen.

His final stop: an accursed railroad town where the old man will make a final stand for his son's life against the first amongst the Devourers - the dark titan, Thurs.

©2017 Curtis M. Lawson (P)2017 Curtis M. Lawson

Quite Different

I really did enjoy listening to the book, first one by author. It is a deep mythological book with Indians, history, witches, monsters and more. My favorite characters were Old Man and Hank. At first Emmett (old man’s son) hand good intention of saving his mother by visit her father a Shaman then he gets out of control under the influence of evil and his father helps to save him. I hope there is another is the works to find out how Hank carries on. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. Thank you

Fantastic dark fantasy set in the old west

I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

This was a really interesting and engaging dark fantasy set in the old west. I really liked the grit the story and the narration. The narrator did a great job of bringing the book to life. If you decide to check this book out, just keep in mind, this is a DARK fantasy and it gets pretty dark at times. If you are easily offended by language or intense imagery, you should probably not listen to this book. Otherwise, you should definitely go for it, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Cleverly written story

This was a Mashup of different genres that surprised me but it really worked well. Highly enjoyed listening to this.

Amazing!!

This book brings together Native American and Norse mythology in the 1800's setting. I love mythology and considering those two are in my top 5 of world myths I cannot complain......I guess I could if it wasn't done well. I never read/listened to anything by Curtis M. Lawson before, but I will be trying more or his work.

Horror meets a Western, love every minute of it.

"This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review."

Incredible Story

Just an outstanding job done by the narrator and the author. This book held my interest and I couldn't wait until the next scene. The writer wrote in such excruciating detail, I really felt I was observing each scene. Well done!.

Loved It Hated It

I got this story via audiobook boom and this is my voluntary review. I started listening to this story at 3 a.m. and it grabbed me by the throat and did not let go. The old man was searching for his son and nothing was going to get in his way, not witches, war, cold, heat or other foolishness of man. The narrator was perfect for the story and made it come alive. This is a story about the west that is not a made for TV movie but raw and gritty. I loved it, yet hated it. If you listen to the story you may figure out why at the end. Happy listening.

Storytelling at it's best

Curtis has a keen eye for details that helps to paint vivid landscapes and strong characters, that are both a joy to encounter. His overall prose draws you in and keeps you interested until the bitter end, leaving you wanting more.

The dark rich tapestry woven from the perspective of the confederate soldiers is extremely unique and oddly satisfying. This is embodied by the label of "Yank" for the devoured unnatural creatures wearing the similar color of blue, either on skin or tattered clothing.

The use of past/present storytelling keeps the reader guessing until the bitter end.

This story really comes to life when narrated, the gravely voice of the narrator lending an authenticity to the words.

Grimdark that pulls you in and doesn't let go.

The pace was great, the plot was grim and at-the-edge-of-your-seat good. Emmett was thrust into a world changing journey after meeting his grandfather. Emmett's father can't be stopped by anything, he will find his son and not even the gods will stand in his way. I loved the split PoV between the two characters and also Hank. The symbolism, use of rhetorical descriptors, and the smoothness of the narrator's voice made this novel one of the most enjoyable listens that I've had during lockdown.

Overall, Grimdark/10. Get it, it's worth the credit.

Although I received this audiobook as a free promotion, it in no way affected my review. This novel is seriously good, try it out.

Dark Historical Fantasy with some great twists

I kindly received a copy of the audiobook from the author with the option to leave a review. So here goes:

Alright, check this out for a hook - an ex-Confederate soldier rescues an African-American kid from a hillbilly cannibal while endeavouring to rescue his half-native American son from the gods of Utgard. Yes, that Utgard. Good start?

Call this historical fantasy. It's nicely rooted in what we generally consider the Old West, but spans most of the fledgling USA. The plot revolves around the father and son, with them alternating chapters for the most part. The father (the Old Man) is likable enough, an interesting character who could have been a dull stereotype, but you root for him throughout as he fights all manner of witches and ghouls as he searches for his son.

The son, Emmett, is the sympathetic one. Told in a time lapse, Emmett is left with his mother when his father joins the Civil War. The mother falls ill, and Emmett takes it upon himself to save her. However, at just 16 and treated with disdain almost everywhere he goes due to his heritage, Emmett is left with some bad choices, which set the whole story on it's downward spiral.

Extremely well written, and narrated, the story oozes darkness from start to end, and is likely not to everyone's taste. However, if you like your fantasy dark and gritty, I would suggest you check this one out.

The Devoured

I went back and forth with this one. I enjoyed it, but it still took a while for me to get into it. It wasn't that it was poorly written or anything, it was that there was so much going on that details got lost in there for me. I really liked the ending. I think it was perfect for the book. I also really enjoyed that nobody was left untouched in this story. It was messy and dirty and dark. The writing was well done and the narration was really good.