To Kill a Unicorn

Chronicles of Cain, Book 1

By: John Corwin

Narrated by: Austin Rising

Length: 13 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

To-do list: remove the curse of Cthulhu. Kill a demigod. Eat a unicorn heart.

My name is Cain Sthyldor, a former assassin for the fae. I've met Death in person, I'm cursed by Cthulhu, know a gorgon, and have a pet octopus named Fred.

I may not be a wizard from Chicago, an iron druid on the run, a hot-tempered maker who hates Girl Scouts, or part of a destructive duo from New York City, but I guarantee you'll be entertained.

The fae hate me because I started a war to free myself from their clutches. The humans hate me because I used to work for the fae. My only real friends are a bartending elf and a half-fae assassin who claims she'll kill me for the price on my head - one day. Until then, we'll be sipping mangoritas at Voltaire's.

These days, I'm a tracker and bounty hunter for a supernatural agency called Eclipse. I may not assassinate anymore, but I find elusive targets, and what Eclipse does with them is none of my business. At least until now. My target is a teenaged girl, and I don't like the thought of ordinary kids being taken or killed. But when I refuse to do the deed, I'm suddenly being hunted by a demigod who can hurl lightning like nobody's business.

The fae told us the gods are dead. Apparently, they're very much alive, and Zeus is still up to his dirty little shenanigans. His kid is now an assassin for a group called the Divine Council, and they want this girl dead.

Stupidly, I take her under my protection, and now, I've got Eclipse, a demigod, and several other competing factions who all want the girl for their own nefarious purposes. And it doesn't take long for me to find out why.

The factions are weaponizing demigods. Some want to use them against the fae. Some want to rule the world. And others want to kill the gods themselves.

To top it off, the curse of Cthulhu is eating me to the bone, and the only way to cure it is to eat a living unicorn heart.

Will I survive? Enter the Chronicles of Cain and find out.

©2020 John Corwin (P)2020 John Corwin

A new exciting antihero

Welcome to Cain’s world. Cain our antihero, is a former oblivion guard for the fae. He is now living in fae ruled Gaia working as a tracker for Eclipse. Power from a curse pearl is eating him alive. He has been looking for a cure. Now on a job to tag a teenage girl, Heather, for assassination, he has second thoughts about his part in ending her life. Saving Heather is the first of many bad decisions he will make. But those decisions make a very exciting story.
Cain was an infamous guard and people either love or hate him. Even being crippling with magic cancer he is still a force to be reckoned with. When he is not throwing spells he is beating his opponents with his cunning and great moves.
So he is saddled with Heather and looking for a cure while being pursued by fae and human assassins. He ends up with a crew, Aura, the bar maid, Layla, the assassin, who is really good with blades Heather and Fred the octopus. The story features various and sundry fae creatures, sigils, potions, portals, three women who don’t get along, and the moral decisions which antiheros make. I finished this story in one day and cannot wait for the next one.

Nice humour throughout

Lots of funny moments.
Some feel good and playful concepts.
A nice read using your imagination.
A good escape.
Where is the next one?

Very well done

The narrator did a great job with the voices. The primary character was great. It was nice to see a man who had tried to harden himself, find the ability to enjoy the company of others. Yes, the language was rough, but it fit the situation.

Three Thumbs Up

John Corwin and Austin Rising never fail to impress. Can't wait for book 2. The worst part of the book is waiting for the next one.

Great storyline got me looking into the next book

got me wondering what happens to Cain and Hana.....🤔🤔🤔🤔 on the the nest one

enjoyed the start of this series

narration was great. story had a good start. liked the pop culture references and those that referred to other book characters too.

I found Cain's decisions fairly believable, especially for an amorionally starved person who basically cracks that facade.

only annoying thing was the girls fighting or at odds with each other so much, but I get that's where the author wanted the characters to be.

going to start the next book today! thanks!

Worth the read/listen

the first chapter was a bit corny or atleast the being for me I can't tell you why. BUT the story hits the ground running and doesn't stop! with a enthralling story and characters that grow on I haven't been listening to each book one after the other none stop!

New Series always buy 3

Whenever I start a new series if the first 3 books are available I always buy 3. This is because typically the first is the worst a series has to offer you. By book 3 you get to really know the characters and give them time to grow, judge the writing and see if it strengthens, the world building should be fleshed out at this point. For Cain, Hannah, Layla, and Aura I’m glad I do this. The plot, characters, mythos, world building all had a strong foundation in this book. This was a good first book to a series. It’s tough in spots and a little predictable, but it was strong enough to keep me going. By the time I finished the first 3 books I was hooked and bought the next four. I’m glad I have this rule. If you like intrigue, action, urban fantasy, and multiple mythos that are truly well blended to make for amazing rich world(s) and relatable characters. So step into the Chronicles of Cain and enjoy a unique take on Urban Fantasy. And though that annoying Druid is referenced thankfully he hasn’t showed up to ruin this series and hopefully he’s still crying about his arm and getting over himself . But I digress, love this series. I’m taking a round 2 through the first 7 books then might give his other series a try.

I get a feeling of john constantine

I like it but what stops it form greatness is a few thing

1 need to explain how and why the power system works

2 the MC got on one hell of a high horse when taking to the elf about how she use him to do the job he was payed to do and how he acted after was exactly how she wanted him to act it was very child like complaining after that…. he was mad because he was being a tool of another….. is that not the definition of his job?

i will buy the next book got high hopes for it

urban fantasy fun!!

the story was great with lots of detail. the narrator, however, was kind of monotone throughout