Black Goat Blues

The Mythos War #2

by Levi Black

In Red Right Hand, Charlie Tristan Moore was thrust into a nightmarish world of lurking Lovecraftian horrors when The Man In Black, a diabolical Elder God, chose her as his unwilling Acolyte. Discovering her own power, Charlie ultimately defied The Man In Black, but at a cost.

Now armed with a magic coat made from the skin of a flayed angel, Charlie is out to destroy The Man In Black and save her boyfriend Daniel--and she doesn't care how many bloodthirsty gods and monsters get in her way...

Genres: Horror, Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Lovecraftian

272 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 7, 2017

Reviews

[Magdalena aka A Bookaholic Swede · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a bit on the fence about this book, if I should read it or not since I hadn't read the first book, Red Right Hand. However, the fabulous cover and my weakness for Lovecraftian stories made me dare to start this book and I'm thrilled to say that the book worked very well, despite that I had not read the first book.

The story in this book takes place some weeks after the story ended in the first book. Charlie defeated The Man In Black, but he's still alive and Charlie goes after him in this book. If you have read the previous book will you know everything that happened in, Red Right Hand, however, if you like me decides to read this one without having read the previous book will it be easy getting into the story Black Goat Blues. Much of what happened in Red Right Hand is mentioned in this book, so it's easy to understand Charlie's plight to destroy The Man in Black and save her boyfriend Daniel. Also, I just want to say that I quite enjoyed the characters around Charlie, like Javier who becomes an important part of the story. And, then we have Ashtoreth, The Scarlet Harlot, Unholy Ishtar, Concubine of Chaos, and Whore Goddess Galore. Yeah, she just like The Man In Black is an Elder God. But, my favorite characters, or creature rather, is the skinhound. Yup, that surprised me too. What is a skinhound? Just imagine a dog skinned and you will get the picture. Sounds creepy I know, but this is a Lovecraftian novel so creepy things are expected.

I quite enjoyed this book and I hope to read book one some day. And, speaking of reading, this book ended with a hell of an unexpected cliffhanger so now I must read the next book!

I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review!

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Source* NetGalley
*Genre* Horror
*Rating* 4.0

*Thoughts*

"Darkness presses against the windows of the car. It's not my car, just one that someone left unlocked. I needed to sit for a moment after wishing myself here. Using magick can really suck the batteries dry."

Black Goat Blues is the second installment in author Levi Black's The Mythos War series. The story picks up several weeks after the ending of Red Right Hand. Protagonist Charlotte (Charlie) Tristan Moore is hunting the Man in Black (Nyarlathotep, the God of Chaos and Destruction) who made her his acolyte only to have the student defeat the master and walk away with the ability to wish herself any where, a black coat made from fallen angel skin that has hidden pockets of unbelievable useful tools, and a desire for payback for what he did to Daniel Langford.

*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*

http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...

[Cobwebby Eldritch Reading Reindeer]

Review: BLACK GOAT BLUES by Levi Black (The Mythos War Book 2)

After all the trouble, danger, and magic in Book 1, RED RIGHT HAND, Charlie (Charlotte) might be ready to rest. But when you've been Marked by an Elder God, rest is a thing of the past. (And Charlie's never really rested since age fourteen.) After being jerked back across the universe by a certain Elder God, battling others, all the trickery, deceit, set-ups, this girl Is ready to get down and fix said Elder God's wagon. But first she has to find him, and to do so, Charlie must travel to Carcosa, to the Court of the feared and dreaded King in Yellow. The beat-downs, deception, and betrayals aren't over yet...not by any means.

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writer's style has improved since the previous book, but the characters are still very loose and have me wondering if they have any real substance to them since none of them grow. The action in this redeems the book's wobbly character arcs though. Honestly, the pacing of these books alone is what pulls me through them, there's almost no downtime.

That being said, I have little incentive to continue reading them because nobody is changing, and the plot is very predictable. It keeps promising an exciting twist or something, but puts out just above average.

My biggest beef has to be the main character's only real background seems to be "the girl who was raped" as that seems to be her life defining moment and every decision stems from that. Who was she before that? Why does that moment define her forever, while she is currently dealing with demons and gods?

She has explored her magic off screen, which is also somewhat annoying since that could have been a great explorative process that we don't get to see (and character development!).

I'll read the final book when it releases if the price goes below $10 unless it gets amazing reviews.

[Kdawg91 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great urban fantasy, I already said elsewhere that I love Lovecraftian stuff way more when Lovecraft doesn't do it. The Mythos war is a great series and Black Goat Blues is a tight, bloody, action packed visceral work. It is a pretty by the book urban fantasy series, but the sheer force and wonderful vision of the world and the characters make it worth the read.

I look forward to more of this world. check it out

[Darrell Grizzle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Black Goat Blues is an action/horror novel set in the Lovecraftian mythos. The novel is a wild ride between dimensions ranging from the present day to Lost Carcosa and other realms of dark magick. At times hallucinatory, at times horrific, but always engaging. The main character Charlie is more adept and more bad-ass than she was in the first novel, Red Right Hand, but it isn't necessary to read the first novel to enjoy Black Goat Blues. I'm looking forward to the next novel in this series.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Black Goat Blues is the second book in the Mythos War series by Levi Black. I read this book out of order as a standalone and was immediately drawn into the story and wound up reading it in one sitting. After finishing it, I sourced the first book and am looking forward to reading it as soon as I can.

This is a Lovecraftian horror urban fantasy with all the trimmings. There are elder gods aplenty, machinations, revenge, crazy (extremely creepy) cultists, a brooding atmosphere which explodes into action, and there's even a backwoods horror filled semi-homage to classics with a 'Deliverance'/'Chainsaw Massacre' vibe. The protagonist is a wonderfully flawed character with a serious attitude and an unswerving mission. She (yes, she's female) is deeply vulnerable and nevertheless badass. She walks around in a flowing semi-sentient black leather coat made from the flayed skin of a fallen angel. She winds up collecting and inspiring a 'crew' on her stated mission to track down and kill her former mentor, Nyarlathotep, a.k.a. The Man in Black. Her crew includes a skinned hell-hound originally sent to hunt her down, a damaged young man bent on personal revenge who is accidentally sucked into her world and the goddess Ashtoreth.

This book is powerfully written. The dialogue is machine gun fast and pitch perfect. The writing is spare and electric. It's literally nonstop taut creepy action for 288 pages. The denouement is satisfying and inevitable and left me really wanting to read the next book in the series.

I'm generally not a huge fan of horror. I make an exception for Lovecraft pastiches and I'm so glad I did. This is high octane stuff; extremely well written.

Available in hardcover, ebook and audiobook formats, 288 pages, from Tor-Forge (Macmillan).

Five stars, super creepy and very very well written

PS Just for completeness' sake. This book does include lots of triggers: graphic violence (well, duh), self harm, psychosis, sexual abuse, dysfunctional relationships and more.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher.

[Casia Pickering · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want to begin by saying that I received a copy of Black Goat Blues for an honest review. It was given to me by TOR via Jean Book Nerd blog tours. I was not compensated in any way.

I am new to Levi Black. I didn't read the first book to this series, but I have to say that I am intrigued by Charlie Moore and the dark world Black has created. Or should I say expanded upon? 

I say it like that because there are Lovecraftian Elder Gods in this book that play central roles to the magic and horror. Cthulhu was apparently in the first book because he is mentioned. Now, I'll be honest, I don't know Lovecraft aside from him being an author of horror. I know that he's popular and I know that a large group of my friends praise his disturbing works. I just haven't gotten around to reading his work.

That said, I kind of wish I did before picking up Black Goat Blues. I feel that if I was exposed to Lovecraft, the world Black created would be that much more interesting and in depth. This doesn't mean I didn't grasp or care for Black's work. I did. 

It had disturbing scenes, a kickass heroine, and the inner struggle of choices. There is a skinhound chasing Charlie around, there are allies, and there is the fact that humans are probably far more disturbing than the Gods. If anything, Black's work makes me want to try Lovecraft.

The world of Black Goat Blues is dark, witty, and a world I would like to visit again. I am definitely going to have to read some Lovecraft as well. For that, Mr. Black, I thank you.

[Melissa Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the first book in this series and would have to say I love this one as well! I just adore Charlie! She is quick witted, tough, compassionate and loyal. I can see why there are so many that are quick to be by her side. Even the bad guys in the book are likable in their own evil way.
This one starts off soon after the 1st one ends. Charlie has been going around kicking butt and looking for the Man in Black. In doing so, she picks up some side kicks and they venture out to smack some Elder Gods around. They travel to foreign places and have quite an adventure.
Can't wait to get my hands on book 3!!

[Horror DNA · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am reviewing Black Goat Blues: Book Two of the Mythos War; this novel is what is known as a Lovecraftian tale. Usually this where I admit that I have never read H.P. LovecraftH.P. Lovecraft and thus might not catch the subtle nuances that someone who has read him will. However, I recently found a collection of Lovecraft’s work for free on Amazon. I still haven’t read it yet; it’s called baby steps, dang it.

You can read Jennifer's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.

[Jeff Raymond · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, Red Right Hand, I felt like it really nailed the feeling of Lovecraftian helplessness and despair. This second book dials that back for a lot of the story, which was unfortunate, but once everything finally lined up and came together about halfway through, I was fully and completely in love yet again.

There’s plenty to like here, and a lot of solid storytelling and desperation throughout. Enough nods and easter eggs for any Lovecraft aficionado to take some time.

[Sarai · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to say this book surprised me. It is the second in a series and while the first would have helped to a point I didn't feel that I needed it. There was a moment that I couldn't understand the desire and the absolute need to be with Daniel but I figured it had to be because I missed the story in the first book. 
Charlie is an interesting character that just won't quit. She is constantly after The Man In Black no matter what or who stands in her way. She isn't as bad ass as it appears and slowly builds up her powers pushing herself until she nearly dies in order to defeat this man. It is definitely something I admire about her at the same time I kept wanting to tell her to wait and take her time eventually she was going to get herself and those she cares about killed if she didn't slow down. The book shows different characters, Gods, and other places in the world I would have never thought about. It also reminded me of Dr. Strange with objects having personalities which I found amusing. 

[Jennifer Gottschalk · Rating 1 out of 5]

An unnecessarily dark, weird book by a self confessed weird author. It had a lot of potential but failed to deliver. The story did not go anywhere and was, at times deeply unsettling without really having much of a point. This was an uncomfortable read which was mercifully brief. I kept waiting for things to improve but sadly they did not.

Needless to say, I won't be reading any more of this series as it was not my cup of tea.

[Suzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this much more than the first book. I feel like the author has settled into the characters and their personalities and they felt much more real. Lots of creativity and significantly creepy and horrific in parts, but kept me turning page after page. Looking forward to book 3!

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Will be on the lookout for book 1 of the series. Great romp through the halls of forgotten Gods and the twisted ways they operate, though I have to admit the restaurant surprised me...

[Greg · Rating 3 out of 5]

ok

[Devinne W. · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Victorique Crawford · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just really didn’t understand nor care what was happening here. That was the main problem. The characters were flat and the plot was nonexistent, and that was just about it.

At the beginning the writing was rather charming, but right about the end I found it tedious and even annoying as it was just too much. It had so much context than what I initially expected or even decided. And that when I become confused I really get confused.

Charlie was difficult to even like as all his actions were written in such a way that I didn’t care the slightest for them at all. Or even know who was the characters at the end of the day. They were just uninteresting with the writing making it really difficult for me to understand. I just didn’t like the way it was written.

And when I can’t even stand the writing you know that this isn’t going to go anywhere. So, I’m just dropping this. I just don’t understand the writing or the characters nor even get what the story is about. Maybe it’s for you, but it is certainly not for me.

[Jaclyn Hogan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a digital ARC of this book from Netgalley.

Charlie Tristan Moore returns in a quest to save her boyfriend and stop Nyarlathotep, as known as the man in black.

After weeks spent beside Daniel's hospital bed, Charlie knows he isn't going to wake up on his own. She has to track down the man in black and make him return Daniel's soul. Her search leads her to Carcosa, where the man in black has become a slave of the Yellow King, Hastur. Charlie will need all of her magic, and the help of some friends new and old to get what she needs. But the man in black hasn't yet run out of tricks of his own.

This is a really enjoyable series that remixes the Elder Gods of old H.P. Lovecraft in some really neat ways. I especially enjoy Charlie's coat, made out of the skin of an angel. If you need some Lovecraft creepiness in your life, check this series out.

[Gen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just as good as the first book

OMG I'm so in love with this series and sad that these books aren't getting the attention they deserve! The only thing that annoyed me was the cliffhanger ending. Other than that, it was a great read.