What do you think?
Rate this book
The Priest of Orpagus
Mortals die easily; gods need to be killed twice.
When he moves to Turkey, Braze stops a suicide and falls for a local girl—two mistakes with horrific consequences.
As they plunge into a spiral of madness and depravity, Braze and the beautiful Mehpare understand why that man wanted to kill himself.
A mysterious stranger stalks them during the day. At night, evil magic traps them in a temple that should have never been built. Their failing minds fall prey to supernatural and earthly fiends.
A brave and desperate act can win the battle for their souls… but only if they remember an ominous line from an ancient legend.
When he moves to Turkey, Braze stops a suicide and falls for a local girl—two mistakes with horrific consequences.
As they plunge into a spiral of madness and depravity, Braze and the beautiful Mehpare understand why that man wanted to kill himself.
A mysterious stranger stalks them during the day. At night, evil magic traps them in a temple that should have never been built. Their failing minds fall prey to supernatural and earthly fiends.
A brave and desperate act can win the battle for their souls… but only if they remember an ominous line from an ancient legend.
- GenresFantasy
324 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 16, 2019
7 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
About the author
P.C. Darkcliff
31 books68 followersReceive my free novella for joining my mailing list: www.pcdarkcliff.com/subscribe
I started my fiction career in kindergarten when I convinced my classmates that my grandma was a tribal shamaness. Then I learned my letters, and kidding my friends no longer seemed adequate—so I started writing fantasy. That evolved into a lifelong passion, resulting in over ten books and three writing awards.
Apart from publishing two standalone novels and a historical fantasy trilogy, I have fulfilled my childhood dream and completed two epic fantasy series, The Magic Circle and Shattered Empire.
My stories have appeared in numerous publications, and "A Poisoned Gift" received an Honorable Mention in the L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Contest. I am Spillwords Author of the Year 2020.
I have lived in six countries and on three continents. While it burned a hole in my bank account, the seminomadic lifestyle has inspired most of my stories and novels. My wife and I have settled in Spain, where I go swimming and cycling whenever I’m not too busy writing and teaching English.
I started my fiction career in kindergarten when I convinced my classmates that my grandma was a tribal shamaness. Then I learned my letters, and kidding my friends no longer seemed adequate—so I started writing fantasy. That evolved into a lifelong passion, resulting in over ten books and three writing awards.
Apart from publishing two standalone novels and a historical fantasy trilogy, I have fulfilled my childhood dream and completed two epic fantasy series, The Magic Circle and Shattered Empire.
My stories have appeared in numerous publications, and "A Poisoned Gift" received an Honorable Mention in the L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Contest. I am Spillwords Author of the Year 2020.
I have lived in six countries and on three continents. While it burned a hole in my bank account, the seminomadic lifestyle has inspired most of my stories and novels. My wife and I have settled in Spain, where I go swimming and cycling whenever I’m not too busy writing and teaching English.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 14, 2020
The Priest of Orpagus, by P.C. Darkcliff, is a Lovecraftian, contemporary, dark fantasy - but be warned: its darkness is stygian. The story is set in modern Turkey, where a hidden demon unleashes murder, destructive carnality, despair and suicide among a small group of people who try to fight back. If you adore Lovecraft's Cthulhu stories, you will be thrilled by Darkcliff's modern take on the genre.
November 20, 2019
"A Satisfying, Dark Page Turner"
P.C. Darkcliff takes his readers down a fast-paced fantastic adventure, in his second novel, The Priest of Orpagus. This book is more complex and told from the point of view of multiple characters, mostly between the protagonists, Braze Wilson and Mehpare Eroglu. Our two heroes are soon cursed by the demon, Ashezma Daeva, leading them both to utter depravity and terrifying actions. I really felt for Mehpare who despite her pious upbringing becomes sexually exploited by a sex cult in Cyprus. I won’t say more than that other, than there were several surprising twists and turns throughout the novel.
Now, I tend to be biased when it comes to Darkcliff’s novels and favor the female characters. The same was the case in this piece; I loved all the main and side characters like Kerry, a wise old woman who fights the demon along with Braze, and a comic figure nicknamed Fat-Ma. I also liked the antagonists in the story; I loved Detective Ahmet who was hellbent on making Braze pay for his possession induced crime.
Also, I thought the ending had great closure and tied loose ends beautifully, far better than his debut novel. I was especially glad to see the protagonists vindicate themselves, to a degree, even if that vindication came at a high cost. This work is definitely dark and has many tragedies, some of them surprising. Overall, I give this novel 5 stars. If you like dark fantasies, this is definitely the novel for you.
P.C. Darkcliff takes his readers down a fast-paced fantastic adventure, in his second novel, The Priest of Orpagus. This book is more complex and told from the point of view of multiple characters, mostly between the protagonists, Braze Wilson and Mehpare Eroglu. Our two heroes are soon cursed by the demon, Ashezma Daeva, leading them both to utter depravity and terrifying actions. I really felt for Mehpare who despite her pious upbringing becomes sexually exploited by a sex cult in Cyprus. I won’t say more than that other, than there were several surprising twists and turns throughout the novel.
Now, I tend to be biased when it comes to Darkcliff’s novels and favor the female characters. The same was the case in this piece; I loved all the main and side characters like Kerry, a wise old woman who fights the demon along with Braze, and a comic figure nicknamed Fat-Ma. I also liked the antagonists in the story; I loved Detective Ahmet who was hellbent on making Braze pay for his possession induced crime.
Also, I thought the ending had great closure and tied loose ends beautifully, far better than his debut novel. I was especially glad to see the protagonists vindicate themselves, to a degree, even if that vindication came at a high cost. This work is definitely dark and has many tragedies, some of them surprising. Overall, I give this novel 5 stars. If you like dark fantasies, this is definitely the novel for you.
December 17, 2019
I just finished reading The Priest of Orpagus by P.C. Darkcliff and just like his other book Deception of the Damned, The Priest of Orpagus is a captivating and uniquely original novel. P.C. Has the enviable ability to hook a reader from the very beginning of his novels and deliver tales that are exciting and at times frightening. In The Priest of Orpagus he weaves a tale that is a combination of fantasy, horror and modern mythology. The evil character Ashemza, a demon that ensnares its victims by invading their sleep, is unlike any other I’ve read. The main characters, Braze and Mehpare, as well as the secondary characters in this story, are well drawn and elicit sympathy and sustained tension. I won’t give away who or what The priest of Orpagus is, but be prepared to find yourself thinking about him/it even after you’ve set the book aside. This novel, like Deception of the Damned, is rich in details and descriptions of locales that span different parts of the globe as well as the otherworldly. I highly recommend this book.(and while you’re at it also consider Deception of the Damned).
April 23, 2020
P.C. Darkcliff has a responsibility towards the characters in his books, and towards the readers - and he shoulders both in a remarkable manner. His second offering, The Priest of Orpagus is an example. Set to an intense beat that grips you, and draws you in, feeding your sense of wonder and amazement, the story flows seamlessly, making it a delight to be lost in.
The timelines which the author explores, and the very much alive in your head characters and their peculiar instance based responses stay with you long after you've finished reading this masterpiece in magical realism. P.C. Darkcliff is a responsible author, and worth keeping an eye on for his future works.
The timelines which the author explores, and the very much alive in your head characters and their peculiar instance based responses stay with you long after you've finished reading this masterpiece in magical realism. P.C. Darkcliff is a responsible author, and worth keeping an eye on for his future works.
December 10, 2019
I'm not a reader of fantasy fiction, but lately I have discovered P.C. Darkcliff and he has made me a convert. While teaching in the Turkish coastal town of Antalya, Braze and Mephare meet and become attracted to each other. So begins a love story that takes a disastrous turn when Braze finds a locket while trying to unravel the mystery of a lost archeologist. He gives the locket to Mephare only to find that they have now both become possessed by the demon Ashezma Daeva who interacts with the mortal world through the Priest of Orpagus. Throughout the rest of the book the author takes the reader through the horrific aftermath. He writes of the young lovers decent into hell - entrapped by the will of Ashezma Daeva - with skill and confidence. His characters are wonderfully drawn and his descriptions of the horrors Braze and Mephare experience are brutally stunning. P. C. Darkcliff is an confident storyteller whose writing carries the reader along at a breakneck pace. He can not only imagine a terrific story, he had the writing ability to make reading it extremely entertaining. Word has it that we can expect a new book by P. C. Darkcliff in 2020. I can't wait.
November 20, 2019
A memorable thrill ride!
I had such a great time with this book! What I loved the most about it was the characters. It’s almost unbelievable that the author could créate such a spectrum (from a religious Muslim girl, and a “tough” cop who lived in fear of his midget wife, to an undearsea demon and his wicket priest) and still managed to make me get into the head of each and one of them. Darckliff made me cringe, fear, hate, and love along with the héroes of the story.
The scenes are also incredibly well developed. They made me feel as if I was right there, in the middle of the excitement. Although the book is somewhat tragic, it has got a loto f light, hilarious moments that made laugh. But I at times also cried, almost, as some scenes are very moving. Overall, it’s a wonderful fantasy novel, mixed with many other subgenres such as horror, romance, and comedy.
I had such a great time with this book! What I loved the most about it was the characters. It’s almost unbelievable that the author could créate such a spectrum (from a religious Muslim girl, and a “tough” cop who lived in fear of his midget wife, to an undearsea demon and his wicket priest) and still managed to make me get into the head of each and one of them. Darckliff made me cringe, fear, hate, and love along with the héroes of the story.
The scenes are also incredibly well developed. They made me feel as if I was right there, in the middle of the excitement. Although the book is somewhat tragic, it has got a loto f light, hilarious moments that made laugh. But I at times also cried, almost, as some scenes are very moving. Overall, it’s a wonderful fantasy novel, mixed with many other subgenres such as horror, romance, and comedy.
November 21, 2019
This second effort by P.C. Darkcliff is a phenomenal, gripping novel that builds a world both vast and elemental, dealing with the subjects of corruption of the soul, of demons and also of piety. I am sure this won't be the last time I read this book. It will have a special place on my shelf for many years to come, and I am eager to read more from this author in the future!
February 20, 2020
Another Incredible Book!
P.C. Darkcliff has done it again with this incredible book. The action just keeps going and the desire to finally learn the fate of each character (and while there are a few to hate, there are many to love) as the story progresses. I highly recommend this book!
P.C. Darkcliff has done it again with this incredible book. The action just keeps going and the desire to finally learn the fate of each character (and while there are a few to hate, there are many to love) as the story progresses. I highly recommend this book!
August 28, 2020
This is the first book I read from this autor and let me tell you that I loved it! Such a good book with great characters that keeps you obsessed with every page since the first one. I just couldn't stop until the last page. Amazing job!
January 3, 2021
So much awful stuff happens one wonders how much worse could it get. There's always more down.
The characters are just fantastic, uniquely voiced and described. The tension builds well, and you're always turning a page to find out what happens next.
The characters are just fantastic, uniquely voiced and described. The tension builds well, and you're always turning a page to find out what happens next.
March 18, 2020
A story that takes you quickly to the dark side in a gripping tale of two people caught in a web not of their own devices. Vivid imagery and imaginative storytelling lets you experience the local streets and breathe the salt air as you swelter with Braze, hoping he makes his appointment. You feel for Mehpare as she is shyly attracted to Braze which makes the remainder of her experience something you won’t forget. You will laugh and cry and be pleasantly appalled. P. C. Darkcliff did an excellent job weaving life and personality into his characters so that you truly care what happens to them and have to keep turning those pages to find out. Don’t miss this one. It’s a great read!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews