Master of Demons

by Jay Bower

Sometimes demons come from a bottle… Mike Vogel is a burned-out, washed-up janitor who turns to alcohol to quiet the voices of his failures. So did his father, and it ended up killing him. But one night, his drinking leads him to a hellish nightmare where he is forced to confront his demons head-on. Called by the adventure of a new life, Mike enters a landscape where he must face a new enemy determined to attack his very soul. Can he survive this onslaught, or will he discover that there is a deeper place than rock bottom?

Genres: Horror

230 pages, Paperback

Published January 11, 2023

About the author

JAY BOWER is a horror author living outside St. Louis, MO in the forest of Southern Illinois. He spends his time reading, writing, and convincing his wife the dark stories he writes do not involve her.

One time punk-rock skateboarder and heavy metal kid of the 80s, Jay approaches his work with the same indie attitude as those early punk bands.

He's the author of several dark novels and short stories. He can be reached at jay@jay-bower.com.

Reviews

[Peter Topside · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, the amount of times that Mrs Topside has dragged and carried me around after I overindulged on moonshine. Too many to remember. That poor woman. So, on a serious note, I grew up with a very aggressive, alcoholic parent. He, unfortunately, never got the help that he needed and basically drank himself to death. It’s very traumatic and heartbreaking to watch the process, through his hallucinations, blackouts, and abusive ways against all of us. Now the author really did something creative here with our lead, Mike, as he journeyed through his own addiction. The entire story went back and forth between Mike trying to piece together his reality versus continually falling back into his undesirable habit, with incredibly intricate and vivid blackouts. Lots of symbolism here and I loved how Jay Bower didn’t just bastardize someone’s addiction or troubles, making them into these deviant behaviors with no sense of humanity or reality, like Sea Caummisar does with basically all her books. No, this was done well and demonstrated a great deal of skill as the author blended real world and fictional types of horror. This was my first read from Jay Bower, but I really enjoyed it.

[Holly Horror · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible story about conquering your demons. Mike has a lovely girlfriend, a decent job, and a roof over his head, but when he turns to alcohol, he blacks out and is transported to different periods in different parts of the world. He becomes someone else, someone more worthy, while his real life crumbles from underneath him. This story was addictive from beginning to end. Horror, but a fun adventure as well.

[Kate Victoria RescueandReading · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was definitely not what I was expecting! I did enjoy the adventures that Mike went on when he drank alcohol, but was sad that his real life was something he wanted to escape.

Mike in turns had me empathizing with him, pitying him, and angry with him. Sometimes I just wanted to reach into the book and give him a shake to get his head on straight.

I think this book will profoundly effect different readers in different ways; maybe you or someone you love has had an addiction, then this book may impact you on a deeper level.

Definitely a great story of battling your demons. The only thing I did notice was in the Russian scenes Vladimir’s name changed to Viktor half way through.

Thank you so much to the author for a copy to read and review!

[Robin Ginther-Venneri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trigger Warning: Alcohol Usage
This story had a lot of fascinating details and implications about the demons associated with alcoholism. It's mind-bending, or should I say mind-blending, and opens up a whole new world. But is it time travel, a parallel universe, or just drunken madness?
I will let you figure that out for yourself. Nonetheless, this is a well-written, thought-provoking read that has stayed on my mind for some time. Mr. Bower has outdone himself with the writing and depth of this story. I highly recommend this book and its author. Mr. Bower did a great job with the writing and depth of this story. With that said, I highly recommend this book and its author.

It was my pleasure to receive a free copy of this book but that does not in any way affect my opinions in this review of this entertaining story.

[Margaret Hamnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will start out by saying this book was just amazing. It’s a generic word but there isn’t one better suited to this story.
Mike has a drinking problem but it soon becomes something amazing but terrible at the same time. This book has the feel of classic adventure stories such as Treasure Island or Donquixote but much darker.
The highlights were definitely “The Sponsors” and the nightmare world. Although the banjo and the crazed hillbillies were a close second!
There was sufficient gore and creepiness for anyone who doesn’t like adventure stories, there was family drama and a deep dive into the personal issues of addiction. Pretty much everything was included in this story and that was why I finished it in less than a day.
Another if not even better story than the last from this author.

[Bryan Moyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's taken me a couple days to find the words to review this one. Addiction is a true horror in and of itself as I know from personal experience. Jay has captured that hell flawlessly while adding a whole new level of horror. It feels like you're in a constant battle with demons, and Jay has added actual demons to the mix making Mike's plight and struggles even more horrifying. The story itself is brilliantly written and engrossing from the first sentence to the last. The characters are alive, real, and caused me to run a gauntlet of emotions. This is a masterfully crafted tale of multi level pure horror, and it's easily my favorite read of the year so far, and I think it'll be hard to top.

[Mrs Mandy Reads Holverson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The mind of Jay Bowers astonishes me in all the good ways.

Let me start by saying the trigger warnings in this book are what you expect to find in horror books. Death, Alcohol abuse, and Murder are the premises for this story however; with that being said, this book is anything but average.

Let's meet Mike. Mike is your average Joe living life. Meet Mike immersing himself in alcohol as his world crumbles around him. Now let us introduce his long-time love Noelle or Noe as he calls her. Mike and Noe live their average lives working and enjoying their simple yet complicated existence in small-town America. Mike is unhappy with his current existence and is looking for an escape where we meet the Sponsors. Mike and his fellow "Friends" adventure through different worlds correlated with the elixirs consumed.

The title of the Book speaks for itself. What demons are you chasing in life? I found myself throughout this book clinging to details and character growth in each respective world. Jay goes into expressive detail to validate each character's history as it contributes to Mike's story. In Master of Demons, Jay recounts in great detail the other world and its desire to consume Mike completely. Now I know what you're thinking; the alcohol is his Demon yet it's so much deeper than that. The theme of this book is pure darkness and delight with a complex twist.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book as I usually do with Jay Bower books. Jay's writing style is descriptively dark making him perfect for the Horror genre. In every Jay Bower book, I find myself absorbed in every detail about the main characters and the worlds created around them. Also, I connect with the fact he uses old rock songs as the basis for his stories, this one being Master of Puppets by Metallica. I 1000% would recommend this book to anyone who loves Horror and not extreme horror. Jay's writing style will connect you and interact with you as you follow him along with his characters.

This was an Amazing Book Hands down.

On to the next!

[Riley Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently got to meet Jay Bower (very cool guy, btw) at an event for my college, and hearing the story behind how this book came to be made me SO excited to read it. After finishing, I was not disappointed one bit! I’ll definitely be checking out his other stuff in the future!

This indie horror gem might be one of the most heartbreaking books I’ve ever read, which I was pleasantly surprised to find in a horror title. It tells a common story of addiction and inner demons, but it does so in a way that I have never seen before. This story is truly unique, and I never wanted to put it down.

The author does a great job of capturing the various ways in which these types of demons can affect their victims through the main character, Mike, who I feel was able to connect with readers very nicely. Personally, I felt at least 20 different emotions towards Mike at all times, and I could never decide if I wanted to smack him or hug him.

Overall, I really really enjoyed this book! It was so interesting to see that mix of real and imaginary(?) horrors come together in a way that was both exciting yet extremely sad.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Master of Demons is a story of a man with a simple life. A job that isn’t glamorous but pays and a woman who loves him dearly. It is a story of addiction and Mike’s battle with alcohol. And ultimately, it is about the addiction of what the alcohol brings to him. Mike becomes obsessed with the thrill of adventure, wanting to be important, and feeling needed in a world beyond our own. Because the only way to be transported to this dark, amazing other place is by drinking, he is willing to risk it all to feel like he is somebody. Master of Demons forces you to take a hard look at a character who isn’t likable and see beyond the surface to the battle that rages inside as he fights to conquer his demons. All of them. And it brings to light the awareness that addiction comes in many forms. This was an enjoyable read that had bloody action mixed with serious topics, and an end that couldn’t have been more fitting.

[Justin Boote · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was honoured to receive this book as an ARC copy and powered through it in just a few days.
This is my second book by this author and won't be my last. Good, clean writing, compelling plot and threee-dimensional characters, this author excelled himself with this one.
The main character's battle with alcohol and how he subsequently fails to understand what is going on around him, and the lives he is ruining, definitely show in this one as he battles the demons both in his head and his world.
An ending I did not see coming either, I truly felt sorry for Mike and his wife as everything seems to fall apart and he seems incapable of controlling it. Definitely recommended for all horror fans!

[Lisa Alva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Master of Demons is simply fantastic! The authors words, sentence structure and paragraphs all have a cadence that make the story flow smoothly and effortlessly. It’s easy to get lost in the tale. The story of Mike Vogel is unique and fascinating to say the least. His character is well written to the point that anyone reading is sure to know him intimately because we have all known someone like Mike in our lives. The kind of person whose dreams portray a larger role in life, but in reality is always in life’s second row… so he finds false words of comfort at the bottom of a bottle.

It’s at the bottom of these bottles where Mike finds whole new worlds. And new adventures. Can you imagine?

5⭐️

[Joan Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank You Jay Bower
I won this book as a giveaway

This novel deals with the addicts view of the world. I never really thought of a blackout 🤔 being a way of entering an alternative world 🌎 however this novel made me think of this. Being a product of both parents being Alcoholics I can relate to this psychological thriller. Both my parents were functional Alcoholics (back in the 1970s and 1980s that was daily socializing) unlike the main character in this story.

The story has strong vibes of Requiem of a Dream by Hubert Selby Jr

The novella is an incredibly nihilistic, bleak and disheartening view of addiction. The Novel is written in the Pov of the Addict. I highly recommend this Novel.

Graphic Language and Violence
Alternative world
Triggers

[Daniel Lorn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This solid story takes a deep dive into the world of real-life demons, which can manifest in those suffering/battling alcohol abuse.
Having witnessed many close friends and relatives succumbing to alcohol addiction/dependence, I could resonate with much of this story.
Alcohol is the only drug that you need an excuse not to take. Some can tolerate it... some can not!
Master of Demons is a powerfully written book that horror fans should check out.
I am looking forward to reading more from this author.

[Jennifer Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really made me think. I’m in love with am alcoholic. Currently he’s doing well. However, I have always had so much trouble understanding what the issue is. It’s easy for me, don’t drink. Of course I don’t think he is having fun adventures when he is drinking like Mike but a lot is similar. He has a good girl that loves him, a great job, and a nice home to live in. Waking up hungover in a pile of urine and vomit sounds so much better, right? Because of this, I had trouble relating to Mike and I won’t lie, I loved the ending.

[Mary E. Trujillo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Master of Demons by Jay Bower. Such a different book. I loved it. Mike is an alcoholic , he works as a janitor and his girlfriend Noelle loves him. Mike is an angry alcoholic and has left scars on Noelle. Drinking sends him into another world. Pretty soon his job and Noelle are not important enough for him His mother had told him to master his demons. He thinks he knows better. Totally recommend this little gem

[Doreen Fernandes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gut wrenching story about a young man's addiction to alcohol which leads to a dangerous obsession with visiting strange portals in his alcoholic haze. The story line is skillfully crafted with great world building taking you to strange realms and the horrors depicted within.

[David John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great horror book from Jay Bower ! This one is fast paced and action packed and has a lot of different layers to the story. Without giving too much away the story explores the main character’s metaphorical and literal demons across multiple dimensions and realities.

[Nickie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so clever in the way addiction was battled. The imagery of the demon environment was terrifying, and yet the stories of adventure that could await was worth the risk. This is a shorter book, but the power of the story was conveyed.

[Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story! Really enjoyed the historical aspects and of course the demon parts as well. Looking forward to more stories from the author. This one seems perfect for making it into a series but we'll see.

[Stefanie Silvestri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. This book is obviously about battling your demons. With the main character of this book, Mike, his demon was alcohol. Every time he drank it took him on an adventure. In the long run, it would cost him. This book will affect people differently.

[Erica Fields · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was really good! Wasn't quite expecting the ending.

[cathey dalton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intense

The terror a person can go through in the name of others. Tension and fast page turning gave the story life.

[Belinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

At the end of the book Mike screams and I'm right there with him. The bottle is a power like no other. . .

[Crystal Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since I like to go into books mostly blind. I will keep this short and sweet.
I will start off by saying this book was very well and beautifully written, like everything I have ever read from Bower, he has yet to ever waiver in that regard. Secondly I believe this book appeals to a very large audience, even those who are not the typical “horror” readers.
As for the story, it really hit home for me. I have struggled with those “demons in a bottle” though out my life, and the ways they are manifest in this story is spot on. Of course it is more of the way than the how, seeing that it is a work of fiction/horror (although alcoholism is very horrific in many ways).
This book is a real page turner, leading you down an original and very thoughtful path. I cannot recommend this book enough!

[Emily Haynes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Demons

Mike has a girlfriend a steady job everything seems great. He has a problem every time he drinks a lot he goes away to another place where people ate in danger. Mike gets confused on who needs him more. Mike loses hours or days. He has a problem. Can he find the strength to beat it? Will he lose everything he loves? Amazing story of alcohol and it's effects. Amazing characters. A story that hooks you and will not let go.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being a recovering alcoholic myself, this book hit home for me. Man drinks until he's blackout drunk and goes on bender adventures, thinking this 'alter-life' is better. Never being able to escape from the bottle, and thinking that with drinking you take on some sort of extraordinary power is just what it feels like in real life. Unfortunately, as in real life and this story, it is not true. Thinking its an outlet only reveals the true grip of the addicition. Powerfully written story!