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Where Nightmares Walk: Lucifer's Halo - Book 1
It's a world where magic is returning. A group of friends try to save one of their own from being used by sinister forces from their past. While on the run, they find out that this is all part of a larger scheme by a psychotic madman who would rewrite all of creation in his image. Meanwhile, they are hounded by a cyborg assassin driven by a warped sense of justice.
Led by a grumpy old professor and his grumpier old dog, the group looks for the lost journal of a long-dead seer who foresaw everything, and whose predictions hold the key to stopping the destruction of all that is. They just have to survive long enough to find it.
Led by a grumpy old professor and his grumpier old dog, the group looks for the lost journal of a long-dead seer who foresaw everything, and whose predictions hold the key to stopping the destruction of all that is. They just have to survive long enough to find it.
412 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 27, 2025
10 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 27, 2025
This fantasy/horror is a good reads. I would definitely say if you are into this genre you have to read it.
June 20, 2025
Phineas weaves an amazing story that had me riveted. Anyone who says that this is boring is clearly NOT reading this book. I loved it so much I have it on my KU and got the paperback as my trophy. Cannot wait for the rest of the series! Beautifully well written.
October 1, 2025
PICK UP THIS BOOK if you love psychological novels!! This was such a fantastic and fun read, putting pieces together and saying, “WHAT THE F*CK?!” every few pages was great! I CANNOT WAIT UNTIL THE NEXT BOOK COMES OUT!
May 28, 2025
An incredibly joyride that defies genre. A must-read!
I have no idea how the author managed to put so many likable characters into one book. I came to care so much about their lives in this high-stakes sci-fi/fantasy/paranormal joyride that my heart was pounding through the last ten chapters. The antagonists and the many threats are unique, menacing, and gripping. It is quite literally an adventure of epic proportions. I am eagerly awaiting the second book and I can’t wait to discuss this book in the future with all the readers that will grow to love this book as much as I do. This book combines genre effortlessly. Moving between laughable and heart wrenching moments that left me craving more. Five stars!!
I have no idea how the author managed to put so many likable characters into one book. I came to care so much about their lives in this high-stakes sci-fi/fantasy/paranormal joyride that my heart was pounding through the last ten chapters. The antagonists and the many threats are unique, menacing, and gripping. It is quite literally an adventure of epic proportions. I am eagerly awaiting the second book and I can’t wait to discuss this book in the future with all the readers that will grow to love this book as much as I do. This book combines genre effortlessly. Moving between laughable and heart wrenching moments that left me craving more. Five stars!!
November 12, 2025
Phineas Delgado manages to weave together a spy thriller, military intrigue, sci-fi, fantasy, and spirituality novel with a masterful hand. The characters are believable whether good or bad, no matter their intent or skill set. It’s obvious this author is a wellspring of knowledge and used that to create this book. It had me hooked from the first page. I was sometimes frustrated because of turns of events when I wanted more and had to wait! A certain occurrence toward the end left me upset but we have to live with these things…. I can’t wait to read book two!
July 10, 2025
Gets better as you go!
It started out a little slow for my taste BUT soon the story began to unwind in unexpected directions. I look forward to the next book by this author.
It started out a little slow for my taste BUT soon the story began to unwind in unexpected directions. I look forward to the next book by this author.
January 18, 2026
Very mixed feelings about this. it’s NOT BAD, read review for nuance.
TL:DR - 2.5 overall, but with a solid editorial pass, this could be a 5/5. It a really interesting take on a mythological/theological apocalypse scenario with a solid mix of sci fi technology, mysticism, and geopolitics, which is unfortunately hindered at every pace by slow, ponderous and bloated naval gazing and “tell, don’t show.”
I REALLY like the concepts in the story but the execution of it is really rough.
It’s 13 chapters before we get any real plot, most everything before is worldbuilding. Once you get past that it’s “better” but still ostentatious with the story’s constant need to “inform the reader” instead of just showing us.
One of the minor spoilers is that one of the MMCs is a super soldier prototype. The perspective here is actually a highlight, but we also get a huge amount of infodump that’s all told, not shown. We don’t see him actually use that power until half way through the book, and then we really only see his healing because he keeps getting his ass beat, and his “I can hack computers with my mind” so there no chance of being observed by the bad guys through cameras. Convenient.
First 13 chapters feels like an unnecessary prologue that could be cut down to 4 chapters and not lose anything that makes the story work. Every chapter after is still bloated but less so.
A simple star ranking doesn’t tell the whole story.
With a solid edit to trim away the fat and focus on characters? Could easily be a 4 or 5 star overall. There IS an interesting story here, but you have to be willing to slog through so much unnecessary bloat. I just wish the story getting there was more concise, and better foreshadow who these people are.
Longer review:
I went into this open minded, and by chapter 3 I’d gotten interested hearing about the plot. Amnesia, clandestine operations, a hospital that might not be all it seems…
And then Nate star’s speakin’ wit’ an accent and ‘postraphe e’rry two words which… my brother in Christ no.
I nearly DNFed from that alone because it was so much.
I stayed because the plot seemed like it was going somewhere, and there WAS a solid mystery.
Honestly though it feels like the author isn’t confident in their storytelling. Lots of telling us what’s going on vs letting the reader figure it out. Add in 3rd person omniscient and the only mystery left about characters is what their specific reactions would be. And it’s a SLOG to get there. There’s also a habit of bringing up new character motivation or backstory and then not exploringit.
First 13 chapters are either backstory, characters thinking about their backstories, comparing each others stories, all told in narrative what’s going on with no movement or dynamism to how the story is told. I honestly skimmed most of it because it’s simply BORING. It’s not fun to read a technical manual describing characters or geopolitics, I want to see how it changes how people act and say.
It doesn’t end there though, There’s a scene where Jing Qi Manipulates a weak minded monk to stop other monks from revolting. That was great! The power dynamic was solid, Jing Qi comes off perfectly sociopathic, menacing, but then it’s undercut by these huge swathes of backstory and navel gazing.
It didn’t need 70% of the chapter to be backstory narration. We can tell Jing Qi is a sociopath by his actions, we don’t need to be told verbatim.
You’ve got a solid idea here and interesting geopolitics and even “accurate” mythology, but you’ve wrapped it up in pages and pages of boring filler. You could honestly take chapter 1-12 and condense into 4 chapters.
Honestly, I was on the verge of DNFing, and then the “Angel” showed up to Drake.
Around halfway through the story, the plot finally picks up, and we get a mixture of Constantine and B-Movie contemporary sci-fi Adventure. We could have skipped most of the front half of the book and it wouldn’t harm the story. The second have has better pacing, FAR FAR better story. But it retains its ponderous prose, and even fight scenes include long dialogue that kills the tension. I know these people like dossiers, and only NOW am I starting to get some personality, but it’s still so wordy and telling me what’s going on instead of just showing it.
This is a really well thought out story, but it suffers a lot of cliche, and frustrating moments where you want something cool to happen, and it sorta does, but not in a way that builds the characters or the story overall. We get some “chosen one can do no wrong” moments where one character is praised to the detriment of others and… yeah.
The ending is bittersweet, with a reveal that honestly if you were paying attention and know your mythology it wasn’t a surprise.
There’s an amazing story in this, but it sorely needs editorial work. I’m VERY interested in the next part.
TL:DR - 2.5 overall, but with a solid editorial pass, this could be a 5/5. It a really interesting take on a mythological/theological apocalypse scenario with a solid mix of sci fi technology, mysticism, and geopolitics, which is unfortunately hindered at every pace by slow, ponderous and bloated naval gazing and “tell, don’t show.”
I REALLY like the concepts in the story but the execution of it is really rough.
It’s 13 chapters before we get any real plot, most everything before is worldbuilding. Once you get past that it’s “better” but still ostentatious with the story’s constant need to “inform the reader” instead of just showing us.
One of the minor spoilers is that one of the MMCs is a super soldier prototype. The perspective here is actually a highlight, but we also get a huge amount of infodump that’s all told, not shown. We don’t see him actually use that power until half way through the book, and then we really only see his healing because he keeps getting his ass beat, and his “I can hack computers with my mind” so there no chance of being observed by the bad guys through cameras. Convenient.
First 13 chapters feels like an unnecessary prologue that could be cut down to 4 chapters and not lose anything that makes the story work. Every chapter after is still bloated but less so.
A simple star ranking doesn’t tell the whole story.
With a solid edit to trim away the fat and focus on characters? Could easily be a 4 or 5 star overall. There IS an interesting story here, but you have to be willing to slog through so much unnecessary bloat. I just wish the story getting there was more concise, and better foreshadow who these people are.
Longer review:
I went into this open minded, and by chapter 3 I’d gotten interested hearing about the plot. Amnesia, clandestine operations, a hospital that might not be all it seems…
And then Nate star’s speakin’ wit’ an accent and ‘postraphe e’rry two words which… my brother in Christ no.
I nearly DNFed from that alone because it was so much.
I stayed because the plot seemed like it was going somewhere, and there WAS a solid mystery.
Honestly though it feels like the author isn’t confident in their storytelling. Lots of telling us what’s going on vs letting the reader figure it out. Add in 3rd person omniscient and the only mystery left about characters is what their specific reactions would be. And it’s a SLOG to get there. There’s also a habit of bringing up new character motivation or backstory and then not exploringit.
First 13 chapters are either backstory, characters thinking about their backstories, comparing each others stories, all told in narrative what’s going on with no movement or dynamism to how the story is told. I honestly skimmed most of it because it’s simply BORING. It’s not fun to read a technical manual describing characters or geopolitics, I want to see how it changes how people act and say.
It doesn’t end there though, There’s a scene where Jing Qi Manipulates a weak minded monk to stop other monks from revolting. That was great! The power dynamic was solid, Jing Qi comes off perfectly sociopathic, menacing, but then it’s undercut by these huge swathes of backstory and navel gazing.
It didn’t need 70% of the chapter to be backstory narration. We can tell Jing Qi is a sociopath by his actions, we don’t need to be told verbatim.
You’ve got a solid idea here and interesting geopolitics and even “accurate” mythology, but you’ve wrapped it up in pages and pages of boring filler. You could honestly take chapter 1-12 and condense into 4 chapters.
Honestly, I was on the verge of DNFing, and then the “Angel” showed up to Drake.
Around halfway through the story, the plot finally picks up, and we get a mixture of Constantine and B-Movie contemporary sci-fi Adventure. We could have skipped most of the front half of the book and it wouldn’t harm the story. The second have has better pacing, FAR FAR better story. But it retains its ponderous prose, and even fight scenes include long dialogue that kills the tension. I know these people like dossiers, and only NOW am I starting to get some personality, but it’s still so wordy and telling me what’s going on instead of just showing it.
This is a really well thought out story, but it suffers a lot of cliche, and frustrating moments where you want something cool to happen, and it sorta does, but not in a way that builds the characters or the story overall. We get some “chosen one can do no wrong” moments where one character is praised to the detriment of others and… yeah.
The ending is bittersweet, with a reveal that honestly if you were paying attention and know your mythology it wasn’t a surprise.
There’s an amazing story in this, but it sorely needs editorial work. I’m VERY interested in the next part.
May 31, 2025
Where Nightmares Walk is an absolute rollercoaster of a read, blending biblical mythology, magic, military action, and sci-fi into an electrifying read from new author Phineas Delgado. From the first page, Delgado grabs you with vivid descriptions that leap off the page, pulling you into a world where ancient forces clash with futuristic technology, and where heroes and villains stand at odds in a high-stakes battle for survival.
Delgado’s world-building and pacing work in perfect harmony to create an immersive and compelling story. With a masterful blend of genres, he constructs a universe where ancient beings and futuristic technology coexist seamlessly, making the setting feel both original and believable. The rich backdrop is matched by tight, well-controlled pacing—action scenes are sharp and intense, while quieter moments allow for meaningful character development and deeper exploration of the world. Every element feels intentional, with the story’s momentum and emotional depth rooted firmly in the world Delgado has so skillfully built.
Now, let's talk about the heroes. These characters are impossible not to love. They’re relatable and lovable, and you’ll find yourself rooting for them at every turn. Forget the typical one-dimensional good guys—these characters are flawed, witty, and in it for the long haul. They banter, they fight, they grow, and as the stakes climb higher, you’ll find yourself more invested in their journey. Whether they’re caught in a heart-pounding battle or having a quiet, introspective moment, you’ll be hanging on to every word.
And then, of course, there are the villains. These bad guys are the kind of detestable you want in your books. They’re menacing, manipulative, and ruthless—every time they show up, you know chaos is about to erupt. They make the perfect foil for the heroes, ramping up the tension in every scene they’re in.
Honestly, I couldn’t put the book down—every chapter left me hungry for more. Phineas Delgado has crafted a world so immersive and exciting, that I’m already eagerly awaiting Book Two. If you love genre mashups that break the boundaries, Where Nightmares Walk will quickly become your new favorite read. You’ll get lost in the world, and just when you think you can take a breath, boom—you’ll find yourself flipping the page again.
Delgado’s world-building and pacing work in perfect harmony to create an immersive and compelling story. With a masterful blend of genres, he constructs a universe where ancient beings and futuristic technology coexist seamlessly, making the setting feel both original and believable. The rich backdrop is matched by tight, well-controlled pacing—action scenes are sharp and intense, while quieter moments allow for meaningful character development and deeper exploration of the world. Every element feels intentional, with the story’s momentum and emotional depth rooted firmly in the world Delgado has so skillfully built.
Now, let's talk about the heroes. These characters are impossible not to love. They’re relatable and lovable, and you’ll find yourself rooting for them at every turn. Forget the typical one-dimensional good guys—these characters are flawed, witty, and in it for the long haul. They banter, they fight, they grow, and as the stakes climb higher, you’ll find yourself more invested in their journey. Whether they’re caught in a heart-pounding battle or having a quiet, introspective moment, you’ll be hanging on to every word.
And then, of course, there are the villains. These bad guys are the kind of detestable you want in your books. They’re menacing, manipulative, and ruthless—every time they show up, you know chaos is about to erupt. They make the perfect foil for the heroes, ramping up the tension in every scene they’re in.
Honestly, I couldn’t put the book down—every chapter left me hungry for more. Phineas Delgado has crafted a world so immersive and exciting, that I’m already eagerly awaiting Book Two. If you love genre mashups that break the boundaries, Where Nightmares Walk will quickly become your new favorite read. You’ll get lost in the world, and just when you think you can take a breath, boom—you’ll find yourself flipping the page again.
September 7, 2025
This book was such a wild ride. Where Nightmares Walk blends biblical mythology, magic, futuristic tech, and even a little horror.... and somehow it all comes together perfectly. The world-building is so detailed and layered, and once you hit chapter two the pace just takes off and doesn’t let up.
The cast is huge, but I honestly came to care about every single one of them. One character, trying to piece himself back together, another with her visions and impossible bloodline, even the grumpy professor and his even grumpier dog.. they all stuck with me. The characters are flawed and human, which makes the quieter moments hit just as hard as the high-stakes battles. And the villains? They are written with such menace that I hated them in exactly the way you’re supposed to.
It’s not a light read. It’s dark, dense, and unflinching in places. But that’s what made it land for me. It doesn’t hold your hand, it just drops you in and dares you to keep up. By the time I reached the final act, I couldn’t turn pages fast enough.
I don’t know Delgado personally, but we’re in some of the same online groups, and he’s such a kind, steady, genuinely good person. That warmth comes through here. Even with all the chaos and violence, there’s this thread of empathy and care that grounds the story.
I’m giving this 4 stars, mostly because the intensity and heaviness won’t be for everyone. But if you’re into genre mashups, found family with real flaws, and villains who truly make your skin crawl, Where Nightmares Walk is 100% worth picking up. I’ll be first in line for the sequel.
The cast is huge, but I honestly came to care about every single one of them. One character, trying to piece himself back together, another with her visions and impossible bloodline, even the grumpy professor and his even grumpier dog.. they all stuck with me. The characters are flawed and human, which makes the quieter moments hit just as hard as the high-stakes battles. And the villains? They are written with such menace that I hated them in exactly the way you’re supposed to.
It’s not a light read. It’s dark, dense, and unflinching in places. But that’s what made it land for me. It doesn’t hold your hand, it just drops you in and dares you to keep up. By the time I reached the final act, I couldn’t turn pages fast enough.
I don’t know Delgado personally, but we’re in some of the same online groups, and he’s such a kind, steady, genuinely good person. That warmth comes through here. Even with all the chaos and violence, there’s this thread of empathy and care that grounds the story.
I’m giving this 4 stars, mostly because the intensity and heaviness won’t be for everyone. But if you’re into genre mashups, found family with real flaws, and villains who truly make your skin crawl, Where Nightmares Walk is 100% worth picking up. I’ll be first in line for the sequel.
August 2, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Absolutely Unputdownable!
I had just finished another book that left me deep in my feels, and I wasn’t sure I was ready to dive into a new world—but then I picked up Where Nightmares Walk and was blown away.
From page one, the writing pulled me straight into a world where biblical apocalypse meets epic fantasy and sci-fi. Think cyborg assassins, supernatural monsters, prophecies, and one incredibly grumpy old man… plus an even grumpier dog that completely stole my heart. Somehow, it all blends perfectly.
The pacing is addictive, the characters are vivid and unforgettable, and the world-building is stunning. Phineas Delgado makes magic and danger feel real, where truth isn’t always what it seems, and courage shows up in the most unexpected characters.
This book made me laugh, sweat, and hold my breath—and yes, maybe even tear up a little. If you want something different, immersive, and wildly entertaining, this is the one.
I cannot wait for Book 2. Do yourself a favor and start this series now—you won’t regret it.
I had just finished another book that left me deep in my feels, and I wasn’t sure I was ready to dive into a new world—but then I picked up Where Nightmares Walk and was blown away.
From page one, the writing pulled me straight into a world where biblical apocalypse meets epic fantasy and sci-fi. Think cyborg assassins, supernatural monsters, prophecies, and one incredibly grumpy old man… plus an even grumpier dog that completely stole my heart. Somehow, it all blends perfectly.
The pacing is addictive, the characters are vivid and unforgettable, and the world-building is stunning. Phineas Delgado makes magic and danger feel real, where truth isn’t always what it seems, and courage shows up in the most unexpected characters.
This book made me laugh, sweat, and hold my breath—and yes, maybe even tear up a little. If you want something different, immersive, and wildly entertaining, this is the one.
I cannot wait for Book 2. Do yourself a favor and start this series now—you won’t regret it.
August 29, 2025
Where Nightmares Walk is the kind of book that reminds you why stories exist in the first place, to disturb, to thrill, to challenge, and to entertain without compromise. Phineas Delgado doesn’t just blur genres; he shatters them. One moment you’re knee-deep in biblical mythology, the next you’re dodging cyborg assassins, only to find yourself staring into the abyss of prophecy and madness. It’s relentless, unpredictable, and absolutely electrifying.
The characters stick with you because they’re flawed in ways that feel raw and human, yet they’re thrown against horrors so surreal they could only belong in Delgado’s imagination. There’s no safety net here, just the feeling that every page could tilt the entire story sideways. And somehow, it all ties together in a way that feels both mythic and intimate.
This is not a quiet book. It’s a full-throttle, genre-defying nightmare ride that will keep you awake long after the last page. If you want something bold, strange, and unforgettable, Where Nightmares Walk belongs on your shelf.
The characters stick with you because they’re flawed in ways that feel raw and human, yet they’re thrown against horrors so surreal they could only belong in Delgado’s imagination. There’s no safety net here, just the feeling that every page could tilt the entire story sideways. And somehow, it all ties together in a way that feels both mythic and intimate.
This is not a quiet book. It’s a full-throttle, genre-defying nightmare ride that will keep you awake long after the last page. If you want something bold, strange, and unforgettable, Where Nightmares Walk belongs on your shelf.
May 30, 2025
Do you want a Modern Day Dystopian type setting, with magic, and cyborgs, and an apocalypse that needs to be stopped? Something that makes you feel like you were dragged right into a table top RPG? Then this Multi-POV book is the one for you! It had a bit of a slow start to chapter one that was completely necessary, because the pace picks up as soon as you hit chapter two, and does not stop or slow down at all. It is a book that will drag you in and have you completely spell bound until the very end. With a group of hero's who actually have weaknesses, and beautifully crafted villains who will stop at nothing to remake creation as they see fit. 10/10 would recommend.
June 27, 2025
I'm an avid reader and audiobook narrator so I hope you'll understand what I mean when I say:
It's been a long time since a book pulled me in like this one did.
I normally take a few months to get through my pleasure reads, but I couldn't put "Where Nightmares Walk" down. The characters are rich and vivid. The ideas are crisp and original.
This book has supernatural elements, prophecies, magical abilities, and a well done close 3rd person POV, which I just love. The flow and pacing are superb. I can't wait for book 2!
Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy. You won't regret it.
It's been a long time since a book pulled me in like this one did.
I normally take a few months to get through my pleasure reads, but I couldn't put "Where Nightmares Walk" down. The characters are rich and vivid. The ideas are crisp and original.
This book has supernatural elements, prophecies, magical abilities, and a well done close 3rd person POV, which I just love. The flow and pacing are superb. I can't wait for book 2!
Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy. You won't regret it.
August 22, 2025
Get ready for an epic adventure with Phineas Delgado’s mind-blowing world! Imagine biblical stories, magic, battles, and futuristic wonders all mixed together in a thrilling tale. Delgado’s story takes you to a place where ancient forces clash with modern wonders, creating a story of wit and bravery. With different perspectives and epic battles, this gripping story has riveting moments and a cliffhanger ending. If you’re a fan of groundbreaking fiction, especially movies like The Matrix, Constantine, and The Book of Eli, you’ll love this one!
November 5, 2025
I really enjoyed this one! The biblical lore was fantastic and the characters were amazing. The villians of the story kept it interesting and just dark enough. I wasn't expecting the sci fi themes but I was super impressed by them and I couldn't put this one down. I was cracking up at the banter between the characters and the matter of fact nature of Drake when he drops bomb after bomb on everyone like it's nothing 😅 Also I was not expecting that twist at the end! 10/10 and cannot wait for the next one!
July 15, 2025
There’s something really compelling about how this story blends ancient magic with futuristic tech. The idea of a returning magical world feels familiar but also fresh here, especially with the layers of prophecy and personal trauma. The villain is chilling in a very unsettling, all-too-human way. And can we talk about how unexpectedly moving the dog is?
October 9, 2025
Worth the read. This book had a slow start, but once it picked up, I was hooked. The vocabulary is rich and detailed, which made the world feel immersive. It’s set in a modern-day dystopia with magic, cyborgs, and an unfolding apocalypse. The multi-POV storytelling adds depth and keeps things moving. If you’re into genre mashups and layered world-building, it’s definitely worth checking out.
July 25, 2025
Where Nightmares Walk
This book follows three story lines that are interconnected, warning it does end on a cliffhanger. I enjoyed the experience of reading this book. I’m thankful for kindle having the feature when I can highlight words and look them up.
This book follows three story lines that are interconnected, warning it does end on a cliffhanger. I enjoyed the experience of reading this book. I’m thankful for kindle having the feature when I can highlight words and look them up.
December 20, 2025
This was a detailed beautifully written apocalyptic story. I loved it so much I didn't want to put it down. I love the protagonists. Their background building and the way it all links them to the antagonists. Exciting read. I was shocked, saddened and entertained the whole way through.. A few things I found confusing but it all came together throughout.
I highly recommend.
I don't want to spoil it. It's a wild ride and i can't wait for book two. Flipping cliff hangered
I highly recommend.
I don't want to spoil it. It's a wild ride and i can't wait for book two. Flipping cliff hangered
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews