Borne of the Deep

Salem Hawley #2

by Michael Patrick Hicks

Emancipated during the American Revolution, Salem Hawley is a free man--until he finds himself indebted to a doctor for treatment for injuries incurred during the New York Doctors' Riot. Recruited to recover the stolen grimoire, Al Azif , Salem embarks on a journey north, to Arkham, Massachusetts. Plagued by rain and the incursion of strange, otherworldly creatures, the seaside town of Arkham has become a dark and dangerous place. Unable to trust the locals, Hawley is forced to rely on only his wits to track down the thief. He must also contend with Louise LeMarché, an outcast and suspected witch who is searching for the missing tome, as well. Time is against Hawley. Something ancient and evil is rising from the depths of the Atlantic, and if Al Azif is not recovered quickly, it could spell doom to Arkham... and all of humanity. Borne of the Deep , the second book in the Salem Hawley series, is a novella of Lovecraftian cosmic horror and continues the story that began in The Resurrectionists .

Genres: Horror, Lovecraftian, Novella

154 pages, Paperback

First published April 7, 2020

About the author

Michael Patrick Hicks is the author of several horror books, including the Salem Hawley series and Friday Night Massacre. His debut novel, Convergence, was an Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Finalist in science fiction, and his short stories have appeared in more than a dozen anthologies.

You can find Michael’s books on Amazon in print, ebook, and audiobook at http://viewauthor.at/MichaelPatrickHicks.

Connect with Michael at:
Website: http://michaelpatrickhicks.com

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/michaelpatri...

Reviews

[Jeremy Hepler · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second installment in the Salem Hawley series picks up right where the first left off and moves at breakneck speed. Hicks deeper dive into the Lovecraftian mythos, and the addition of bad-ass heroine Louise LeMarche, ratchets this twisted, gruesome tale up to an unfathomable level and promises one hell of a finale in book three. I can’t wait!

[Steve Stred · Rating 5 out of 5]

** Edited as review is now live on Kendall Reviews! **

“So I wake the gods from the tomb of the ancients, hail the sun”

“Cult of Dagon” by Book of Black Earth

Anyone else shocked there isn’t a Historical Horror Fiction category for the Bram Stoker Awards?

I am. And while some may argue that Alma Katsu would be a sure-fire win, I’d ask that you pump the brakes and dive into the world of Salem Hawley and just what Michael Patrick Hicks has done with book one and book two. The set up he’s created for book three – wowsa.

The book picks up immediately after book one has ended – Hawley in hot pursuit with the bigoted Doctor in search of the forbidden tome.

It had been some time since I’d read book one, The Resurrectionists, but there was no issue jumping back into this world or following these characters.

While book one took a little bit to introduce the gore and grotesque that we know and love from Hicks, book two wastes little time and if the first few chapters are a six on the G & G scale, the book solidly ends at twenty.

This is a hard one to review without giving things away, but it’s safe to say that Hicks goes full Lovecraft with some of the abominations he throws at us, all the while keeping the characters grounded in real life. Case in point – as a city falls under attack from ‘things’ Hawley yells for everyone to take up arms and fight back. While this should be a rallying cry and a key moment for the tide to turn, instead Hawley is met with indifference and disgust – who is a black man to tell white men what to do?

The constant back and forth between Hawley striving to save mankind and prevent the Earth from splitting open and being consumed by the creatures from the deep and the push back he faces because of the color of his skin is a very unique plot line and it works incredibly well to further the narratives of both sides.

I thoroughly enjoyed this and much like book one, I was enthused to see Michael had included some research links in the back.

The Resurrectionists made my 2019 best reads list and it’s safe to say Borne of the Deep will make my 2020 list. Much like last time, now I lament the fact that I’ll need to patiently wait for the third and final book.

[Char · Rating 5 out of 5]

After the events in THE RESURRECTIONISTS, Salem Hawley is on a quest to find Al Azif, the mysterious grimoire stolen at the end of that book. Now, prepare yourself for a rip-roaring ride to Arkham!

In a horse drawn carriage on the way to find the book, Salem deals with racism and other problems. Even though he is a free man, he doesn't command much respect. Once he arrives at Arkham, he meets a mysterious woman named Louise LaMarche. Together they will have to face the most serious threats yet, namely, Dagon and the Deep Ones. Will he and Louise be able to find Al Azif? If so, will they find it in time to prevent Dagon and the others from overtaking Arkham? Lastly, will Salem and Louise survive? You'll have to read this to find out!

BORNE OF THE DEEP features some of the best battle scenes I've read in a long time. I thought a lot of blood was shed in the first book, but this one goes entirely off the rails. Salem is a brave, brave man to stand strong against what Dagon has in store. Fans of Lovecraft will recognize these names and see them brought to life more vividly than I've ever read before, and that includes Lovecraft's writing itself!

With a great historical background, and the integration of cosmic horror to boot, (most better than the original, [sorry, Lovecraft]), there is no way this series could fail to please or satisfy serious horror readers. I initially rated this 4 out of 5 stars, but after thinking about it overnight, I boosted my rating to the full 5. I couldn't have asked for anything more-other than the next book be released. Right now!

Highly recommended!

Kindle copies available now, just in time for social distancing! https://amzn.to/2Qr0r7I

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest feedback. This is it!*

[Zen Ghost Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Breathless from that ending! Hicks really works us out in the second book in his Salem Hawley series.

We pick up from the end of book one as Hawley travels in search of the grimoire, Al Azif. I will do my best to avoid spoilers, but it is difficult as I really want to talk about this! While Hawley thinks he knows what his mission is, he is very mistaken. There are darker forces at work, and they have plans of their own.

The town they end up in seems to be under a curse, and nobody is to be trusted. The search for the book leads them into their own physical dangers, but also doom for the town and possibly our reality.

The final third of the book is an epic battle with mutant monsters big and small, a tear in the fabric between realms, and the evil trying to destroy all that we know.

GET THIS BOOK!

[Lezlie The Nerdy Narrative · Rating 5 out of 5]

I FELT this one. This author has an uncanny way of using less words to convey a scene, but is so smart with his word choices that I can feel what is happening to the characters...SMELL the surroundings.

I am in awe. I read the first book and immediately ordered the second one. I am dying a slow death on the i side waiting for the next one.

If you love horror, really GRITTY horror - the kind that gets your heart rate up...you need this series in your collection.

I am also in love with the cover art.

Video review here: https://youtu.be/_O5UFlkzmIY

Can't wait to film this review for my channel!

[Elke · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second part in the Salem Hawley series seamlessly follows the gripping events of 'The Resurrectionists'. To clear a debt, Salem travels to Arkham, Massachusetts, in pursuit of Al Azif, the grimoire that was stolen at the end of part one. Strange events take place in Arkham, and Salem meets a woman with mysterious powers called Louise LeMarché. Together, they have to face a powerful and otherworldly enemy. While at the end of 'The Resurrectionists' Salem only cast a short glimpse into the realm of a very ancient horror, now he has to face some of the monsters that have already spread on earth. But will he succeed in his battle against the rise of the Old Ones?

'Borne of the Deep' was even grimmer than its predecessor, and I loved the determination and strength Salem summoned to make his stand, even in the most hopeless situation. The appearance of Louise LeMarché adds another intriguing character to the story, and I hope to meet her and Salem again in the near future.

(thanks to netgalley, the author, and the publisher for a copy of the book, all opinions are my own)

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frog eggs. I don't know if I need to say much else than that. Hicks takes everything he did in the first Hawley book and ramps it up. Want more gore? Check. Want more kick-ass Hawley action? Check. Want more bizarre/weird monsters? Check. It's all there and so much more.

Hawley is on a mission to retrieve the book that brought about the monstrosities from the end of The Resurrectionists. This leads him to Arkham and Miskatonic University. That's right, we are diving deep into Lovecraft lore. But, don't expect it to be within the mythos, Hicks makes it all his own, just playing with the toys Lovecraft created. I really enjoyed the direction he took the famous creations, they are much more disturbing than I remember. Plus, Hicks isn't afraid to show us the goopy, slimy, bloody action that follows these monsters. There's one scene that I delightfully cringed at, grossed out while smiling as it happens.

The book moves at a quick pace, giving you the information you need as you are running from one haunted scene to the next. Hicks does an amazing job delivering what we need without stopping the book to tell us what's happening. He also gives us enough backstory to help those of us that haven't read the first book in a year to keep us from being lost. And I'm pretty sure he's seeded the story with teasers for book three.

The mix of horror and action is pitch perfect. There's huge battle scenes, there's vignettes of doomed sailors, there's monsters lurking in the dark, there's gross birthing scenes. It's all there and tied together so nicely that you can't put it down.

I'm fully on board for a full series of Salem Hawley books. I love the character so much, he is such an engaging person and continues to surprise me every time I read him.

Definitely pick this book up if you are looking for a fun, dark, haunting story that takes the Lovecraft mythos and makes it something new.

[Brad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Borne of the Deep by Michael Patrick Hicks is the second book in the Salem Hawley series. The story picks up immediately after the insane events of book one, The Resurrectionists. To repay a debt Hawley finds himself in pursuit of a rogue doctor and an ancient tome of power that was responsible for the chaos and destruction unleashed upon New York.

If book one was cosmic horrors then here in book two Hicks goes full on Lovecraft. Tentacles galore! Everything about Borne of the Deep feels as if it is done on a grander scale. The monsters, both human and not, are more repugnant, the threats more menacing and dangerous, and the epic climax rocks the book to its foundations. Did I mention the blood and gore? No? Well, Hicks unflinchingly ups the ante in the viscera department too. The reader will come out of this soaked to the bone in salt water and stained red with the guts of creatures not of this world. 

A highlight for me, other than the cinematic depictions of violence, was the introduction of a new badass female character Louise LeMarche. She was powerful, mysterious, and was a great conduit for providing information to both Salem and the readers that didn’t feel like an info dump when she would explain certain story elements. I hope that we have not seen the last of her.

Out of all the unfathomable abominations Salem Hawley encounters, the biggest obstacle to impede his progress is still the color of his skin. Even when attempting to save mankind as we know it he still has to deal with the racist views of others. Who are the true monsters here? Men and their hateful bigotted ways or the creatures they call forth to wreak havoc and destruction?

Gruesomely vile and ferociously entertaining. Borne of the Deep by Michael Patrick Hicks sets a blistering pace as Salem Hawley brawls his way through mind maddening predicaments as the action packed violence and story collide in a final epic crescendo. This book has set the stage for what is sure to be an insane ending to this series with book three, Black Rock. I cannot wait to see what horrors Hicks has in store for Hawley to face next.

I received an eARC of this book from the publisher through Netgalley.

Video review: https://youtu.be/Wkc1Isz17sI

[D.K. Hundt · Rating 4 out of 5]

BORNE OF THE DEEP, Book Two in the Salem Hawley series by Michael Patrick Hicks, was a lot of fun to read! Having not read any of Lovecraft’s work, yet, I wasn’t familiar with Dagon.

‘What?!’, you say.

I know, right?! Now I have to give back my Honorary Horror Fan Membership Card with matching macabre decoder ring?

Say It Isn’t So?!?!

I kid, of course, I traded my bloody skull ring with Bobby Ferguson down the street decades ago for one of his Tales From The Crypt comic books.

Hey, I kept the membership card, so it still counts, right?

In all seriousness, I enjoyed reading Hicks’ take of the deity, Dagon.
The imagery throughout BORNE OF THE DEEP, in particular, that one ALIEN-ish scene is one I won’t soon forget—creepy as hell—and I Loved It!

I became a fan of Hicks’ writing last year after reading book one in this series, THE RESURRECTIONISTS, and I’m excited to see what’s in store for Salem in Book Three.

Thank you, NetGalley and High Fever Books, for loaning me an advance eBook of BORNE OF THE DEEP in exchange for an honest review.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

With the second book in the Salem Hawley cosmic historical horror series, author Michael Patrick Hicks takes it a huge step further with this latest novella. With the conclusion of the first book, Salem is entrusted with the arduous and dangerous task to retrieve the stolen grimoire Al Azif from those who mean to tap its arcane lore for nefarious purposes. Once arriving in Arkham (yes, that Arkham, folks, because this novella series is definitely Lovecraftian!), he meets up with a beautiful and enigmatic witch named LaMarche. But even her considerable powers and Salem's heroism may not be enough to thwart the utter horror summoned from the ocean depths!

Highly recommended, especially for cosmic horror fans!

[Aaron Nash · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was superb.

There was so many memorable horror scenes that I lost count. The egg planting scene was horrific. The May day orgie massacre was like nothing I've ever read, and the finale with the leviathan and the numerous set pieces was truly epic. What a phenomenal series this is turning out to be. I can't wait for the next part.

[Red Lace Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recruited to recover a stolen tome, Salem Hawley journeys to Arkham, Massachusetts, along with an acquaintance he doesn’t trust. As rain sets in and worsens, it seems to summon creatures from the sea, and Salem finds he can’t outrun their horrific schemes, yet help may not be totally out of reach. A mysterious woman shares his determination to retrieve Al Azif, and together they may have the strength to stop the evil that rises from the Atlantic.

(WARNING: This review contains minor spoilers.)

The Salem Hawley series begins with The Resurrectionists, which established itself as a top read for me when I first reviewed it back during its release. It was an impressive introduction of a fierce protagonist subjected to terrible discrimination, and Borne of the Deep was no different when it came to merging an ugly shade of history with more cosmic elements. Following the events that befell Salem in New York, it plunged him neck-deep in a miserable, violent, and disgusting mess of a quest: recovering the grimoire, Al Azif. This time around the focus was mostly on Salem himself, and I believe that it worked brilliantly – it was an intimate and immersive experience to be there with him while he endured every bit of misfortune on his journey to Arkham. Hicks went all in on the depressive atmosphere, and it definitely set a mood as the endless downpour tormented Salem, the effective use of weather making a promise that something was brewing, and Hicks more than delivered. I couldn’t tear myself away, and when it reached the last third, my enjoyment piqued. I had expected a chaotic conclusion similar to The Resurrectionists – a whole lot of death and tentacles – but this battle was a step above, involving a Lovecraftian deity as well as amphibious monstrosities; it was an epic way to top it all off.

Salem is certainly a force to be reckoned with, his bravery and intelligence something to appreciate, but he’s not without his flaws, like any good protagonist. He has to traverse a world that’s against him, his efforts hindered rather than bolstered by other people, and it’s enough to feel sympathy but also respect at his self control. Whatever’s still in store for him I’m sure’ll prove challenging, and I’ve no doubt I’ll love it just as much – it’s exciting to know that a character you’re fond of hasn’t yet reached the end of their story. A newfound ally was Louise LeMarché, and I couldn’t help but want more of their blossoming friendship, so I have my fingers crossed for the follow up, despite being fully aware that nobody’s safe from a devastating fate.

There’s something to say about the author himself, as Hicks remains completely unapologetic in his writing. He doesn’t sugarcoat the disgraceful treatment of his characters, especially when it regards their race. There’s harsh language used, perhaps too harsh for some, but I’m a firm believer that it demonstrates something that shouldn’t be forgotten – why censor how badly we failed in the past? He also relies on creeping up and slapping you hard with that shock factor, and I swear, there was one nasty scene in this novella that made me feel sick. I’d say it’s not for the squeamish, but that’s just me.

In conclusion: Borne of the Deep centred on Salem Hawley and his task to get his hands on a very unpleasant book, aka the Necronomicon, with new characters and threats providing obstacles for him to overcome. Returning to Salem’s arc was a pleasure, and I was completely enthralled by all that transpired, from the most vile scene that had me relaying the details to my significant other so that he would share in my revulsion, to the large-scale ending sequence. Being a fan of cosmic horror, it ticked all the boxes with its highly addictive writing and merciless storytelling – there’s a reason it was my first five-star of the year.

Notable Quote:

In order to create, one had to give.

© Red Lace 2021

Blog ~ Twitter

[Horror DNA · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve enjoyed the fiction of Michael Patrick Hicks for several years now; an author who specialises in blending fast-paced pulpy horror, thriller and science fiction, check out Mass Hysteria or Broken Shells for some cool examples of his work. The Resurrectionists series is a major departure from his previous style, and I admire authors who stretch the boundaries of their writing with clever changes of direction. The series takes us back to the 1780s for a fascinating tale of cosmic horror and dark experiments, set in America a few years after the country gained its independence by kicking out the British overlords. Make sure you read The Resurrectionists before embarking upon Borne of the Deep, as they need to be tackled in the correct order for maximum enjoyment.

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

[Sjgomzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my god! I loved the first installment of this series, The Resurrectionists, but man oh man was I not prepared for the Cthulhu sized epic scale that this series rises to, in this gory, action packed, balls to the wall insane second installment. So many of the things I love are included here; historical fiction, Lovecraftian monstrosities, kick ass battle scenes, and a flawed but more than capable protagonist who you can’t help but root for.
I’ve always loved the Mythos that Lovecraft created, and Hicks, playing with so many of Lovecraft’s toys, makes this Mythos his own here, taking all the best parts and ramping them up to insane levels. The battle scenes, especially the one taking place at sea, were some of the best I’ve ever read. And a giant shoutout and great big high five to Hicks for being one of the very few authors that can turn my stomach and still manage to shock me. I will probably never eat eggs ever again. Don’t ask. You don’t want to know. Trust me! 😳
This story never gave you time to breath.
I am very much looking forward to book 3, The Black Rock. If you enjoy the works of Lovecraft, or love a little history mixed in with your horror, then do yourself a favor and give this series a try.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

With great pleasure and excitement I was thrilled to be back with Salem Hawley in the second installment of Hick’s The Salem Hawley Series! Hawley is a free man, emancipated during the American Revolution. He finds himself indebted to a doctor for treatment he received for injuries suffered during the NY Doctors Riot. He has been tasked with the recovery of a stolen grimoire, Al Azif. He travels to Arkham, Massachusetts which has become a dark and dangerous place! While tracking the thief he runs into another person on the stolen grimoire’s trail, an outcast and suspected witch.

This one starts off right out of the gates with Harley’s nightmares of a mysterious pyramid, snow and tentacles coiling around him! Once he arrives in Arkham, he finds hell on earth. It culminates during a night Hawley was “shattered by the sights no human mind could reasonably tolerate or observe without fracturing.” I couldn’t put this down and didn’t want it to end! I will be waiting patiently for the third book! #BorneoftheDeep #NetGalley

[Joe Piccoli · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars. Kindle. Great series. great character, Salem Hawley. Awesome sea battle scene!

[Daron · Rating 5 out of 5]

A disgustingly fantastic follow up to The Resurrectionists. If you're a fan of gory cosmic horror stories, the Salem Hawley series of novellas is one you won't want to miss.

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful, imaginative gore made this even more enjoyable to read than if it had lacked such grisly details.

[coty ☆ · Rating 2 out of 5]

i really really want to like this series but i just don't think it's possible. the gore and the horror is just straight up disturbing and gross in a Bad Way for me. dagon was pretty cool, though i feel like it was underutilized

[Eva · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book starts off quite ominously and perilously for the protagonist, Salem. He is disturbed by visions of a mysterious pyramid. For those who read the first book and thought they wanted more Lovecraftian vibes, they're in luck because this sequel contains that type of material in spades. The writing is strong, the characters memorable, and overall i enjoyed it.

[Thomas Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picking up right where book one leaves off, we are instantly thrown into the continuing adventure of Salem Hawley. The cosmic horror continues as he ventures to Arkham, Mass. But all is not as it seems and he is soon up to his neck in acolytes, "deep ones" and otherworldly monstrosities. Great pacing and terrific action, as well as a strong protagonist, make for a wonderfully exciting read. Onward to the daunting and mysterious Black Rock!

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

NetGalley provided ARC.

Again, another fabulous story. Historical horror, who knew I would enjoy it? Hicks continues the story of Salem Hawley in a most Lovecraftian way.

[Steven · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first book in the Salem Hawley series was kind of a watermark for me. It was the first cosmic horror book I'd read that:
A.) Had a black protagonist.
B.) Handled matters of race with a deft touch and not a sledgehammer
So I was gearing up to read the follow-up when it came out. So imagine my disappointment I got around to reading it and finding out that it felt like a massive step down. I only have myself to blame for jumping onto my own hype train.

The plot of Borne of the Deep is a direct sequel to The Resurrectionists in that it follow Hawley soon after the events in New York where shit rocketed skyward and the city was plagued by beasties from wet dream spawned from Stuart Gordon (R.I.P you amazing bastard). Hawley has been tasked by Dr. Bayley to retrieve the Necronomicon AKA Al Azif from the clutches of Dr Ellory, a fellow occultist that unbeknownst to Hawley was actually tasked with starting the ritual over in Arkham, Massachsetts. So what follows is Hawley arriving in the city, only to get wrapped up in a scheme that involves creatures from beyond reality and.....



Haven't I read this before?!

Yeah I have, because beat for beat it's pretty much a retread of the first book, with the Cosmic Horror "From Beyond" nasties replaced with "The Shadow over Innsmouth" Deep Ones. Now keep in mind, that's not necessarily a bad thing. I'd be a hypocrite if I didn't point out that a lot of Lovecraft's own work often followed similar treads of their own. But those stories were one-offs. The Salem Hawley stories is an ongoing series, so a bit of variety would not go astray.

Now if that was the only issue that I had with this novella, that might still be enough to make me want to rate it higher. But the retreaded plot isn't the only problem here. A big chunk of this story isn't a story. It's a plot dump with characters plonked into it for the sole purpose of expositing Lovecraftian lore and backstory. Once arriving in Arkham - after the meaningless death of Hawley's carriage driver - we are introduced quite awkwardly to Louise LeMarche, an occultist of the Order of Eibon, whose role in the plot is to dump a load of info about the Esoteric Order of Dagon into our laps. The main villain of the story is also a step-down. Bayley and Hereford from the Resurrectionists were their own characters with their own goals and motivations that were suitably fleshed out given the story's length. Ellory meanwhile gets two scenes; one that introduces her, where she exposits more infodumpage and one where she pops her clogs. That's it. She's such a flat character, you may as well shred her into confetti to celebrate the pity party this review has become.



Now to be fair, it isn't all bad. The pacing is still solid, so much so that found myself getting out of bed, just so I could finish it to see what happens. The gore is still suitably chunky and horrifying with a highlight scene being Hick's take on how Deep One children are created.


You said it Pooh Bear

Meanwhile Hawley is still as endearing and engaging as ever with some extra character depth added in the form of an old bloodlust he acquired from the Civil War. Makes him not so much of a goody two-shoes which in cosmic horror is a big no-no. And the final climactic scene is suitably epic with the exception of Ellory's anti-climactic demise. Seriously Hicks, if you want your readers to connect to the villain, if only to hate them, give them more depth than a tablespoon of saltwater.

But overall I wasn't angry with Borne from the Deep. Just disappointed. It feels like Hicks found a formula that worked for him and is prepared to ride that fucker into the ground, which I sincerely hope doesn't end up being the case. The Resurrectionists was a bright spot in an otherwise dark landscape of modern Cosmic Horror with most authors either relegating Lovecraftian entities to August Derleth levels of cartoon evil, or using the genre as an excuse to bang on about race relations to their readers like a patronizing schoolteacher. Borne from the Deep meanwhile feels like that cold patch of spunk left over in your undies after a wet dream. It's a reminder of something awesome but you can't help but feel a little icky and disappointed afterwards.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

For me the positives in Borne of the Deep are the characters, especially Salem. I really felt for him. My full review can be found here ---> https://wp.me/p5t5Tf-1TT

[Kim Napolitano · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am absolutely upset my detailed review vanished from here. I’ll try again but it won’t be as amazing as this book is.

This story takes place immediately after the first one as Salem Hawley escapes the city in search of the book that will call up hell on earth. He reaches Arkham severely wounded and the town is a dark, filthy place of relentless rain and rough locals. Something evil is happening as creatures from hell are unleashed by a witch trying to release the demon to end all time.

Fast, bloody and bleak, this is a creature feature on steroids, something that makes Godzilla look like a plain old lizard, the ending has you holding your breath! No spoilers! MPH never, ever disappoints and I can not wait for book 3! Read immediately!

[Dwayne McIntosh · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book in the Salem Hawley series picks up where the last one left and leaves the reader wanting the next in the series ASAP.
Hicks knows how to set up a cliffhanger of sorts - where is it all headed. The Resurrectionists and Borne of the Deep wrap up for the most part, but you should read the first beforehand.
Borne of the Deep gets into the Lovecraftian horror even more than the first book. Hicks's writing creates some memorable scenes that stick with you. The attention to detail makes it work and his world building are on point.

[Kia (kiastillreadsandwrites) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Borne of the Deep is the amazing second book in the Salem Hawley Series, and I loved it every bit as much as the first. Once again, it's historical sci-fi horror perfection, and I really hope the series continues because I would love to see what else Hicks comes up with. His characters are perfectly written, the dialogue is great, and the story itself is phenomenal. Bringing in Lovecraftian beasties is so superbly done, and the writing style is crisp and clean, with details beautifully given. Such a fun, creepy, quick read.

[Adrian Olteanu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mixed feelings

After reading the first book in the series, it left me wanting for more. It felt like a chapter and didn't really develop the characters greatly but that was fine. Now I'm faced with pretty much the same thing, only this time I'm a bit annoyed. Do you know the feeling of glancing at a puzzle and figuring it out on the spot because the pieces are large? That's what I'm feeling now. A bit too convenient, a bit too easy. The descriptions, however, are great. All in all, I'm looking forward for an epic sequel. Michael, raise the bar!

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's action, it's disturbing, it's Lovecraftian/cosmic horror at its finest.

Incredible. I read it in a single day. I honestly couldn't put it down. I'm so glad I found these books. I found the author through the well-written book reviews he leaves on this site and I just knew he'd be a great novel writer and he proves it so in The Salem Hawley series'.

Not for the faint of heart. Recommended to mature audiences only.

5 star read!

[Al Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short review for a short book, but well worth a read. Here's the review link - https://www.alwroteabook.com/2020/05/...