"Above the Ashes," the first installment of the Blood and Hexes Trilogy by Alexander Fernandez, is a paranormal thriller crafted to captivate even the most discerning horror enthusiasts. This compelling narrative effortlessly transitions from 1689 Plymouth, England, to present-day Salem, Massachusetts, and then back to Pre-Columbian Peru.
Along with fantastic time portals and the relevant historical details, the author has fully developed paranormal characters to challenge the readers' imagination. A major character Introduced in Salem Village is Minister Kendrick, a mysterious man with flesh on his dark face that resembled wrinkled tree bark. His eyes had no pupils or irises but were the sickening color of yellow phlegm. His horrid appearance and manner raised goosebumps. Other characters are as masterfully portrayed as distinctive individuals.
The story begins with a young girl named Sybil, abruptly awakened in the night by her panicked mother. Witch hunters are closing in on their village in England, forcing them to gather their few belongings hastily, place their trust in a cart driver to take them to the docks, and secretly board a ship bound for the American colonies. Before they can depart, Sybil witnesses the brutal murder of her mother.
Onboard, Sybil is befriended by Constance Chandler, another witch. Together, they endure weeks at sea and eventually arrive in Salem, only to witness the horrifying executions of accused witches in graphic detail. Confronted by Kendrick, Sybil admits to being a witch. Instead of facing execution, she is sentenced to sleep for three hundred years.
The narrative shifts to California, introducing the second main character, Marcelo Flores, a vampire. In this fantastical future, paranormal beings and humans coexist in a fragile harmony. Marcelo and Sybil cross paths through magical means and gradually build trust, unaware that their respective enemies are the same. Sybil's decades-old memories clash with the present until Marcelo and magic and modernity help her acclimate. A humorous interlude in this dark tale is the interaction between her witch's tome and the magic of the phone.
As Sybil pursues her enemies, mysterious murders unfold, demons are unleashed, and chaos erupts. Can two disparate individuals learn to trust each other and survive in a complex underworld teeming with demons and death? This story explores themes of trust, survival, and the consequences of one's actions. Throughout the narrative, we see how Sybil and her unlikely partner must navigate a dangerous and chaotic world filled with supernatural forces.
The grisly details are not for the faint of heart.
"Above the Ashes" will be followed by a sequel and a third horror/fantasy novel. The vivid imagery in these books is sure to inspire and challenge filmmakers to adapt them into movies. Readers should be aware that late-night reading might lead to nightmares.
Reviewed by: Carole W
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