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Hellbound #1
Hellbound
"You look very confused when I say I'm just trying to help these lost souls make their way to Heaven," he said. "The reason you're confused is that you think I'm speaking metaphorically. Well, my dear friend, take it very literally. You see, I may have in
228 pages, Paperback
First published November 28, 2010
12 people are currently reading
152 people want to read
About the author
Tim Hawken
13 books58 followersTim’s first novel, Hellbound, was born while on the road, written on airplanes and in hotel rooms. The book was discovered on an online writer’s forum by Dangerous Little Books author CJ Werleman (God Hates You, Hate Him Back), who immediately recommended it to his publisher. Hellbound has since been followed by sequels, I Am Satan and Deicide.
Tim has gone on to win the AHWA ‘Flash Fiction’ Story of the Year twice (2013, 2020) and has been shortlisted for an Australian Shadows Award. He has recently contributed to best-selling books such as Dear Santa, Dear Dad, and Dear Mum, plus released a literary fiction novel under the pen name T.S. Hawken.
To get frequent updates about Tim and his work you can sign up to his newsletter on his website, or follow along on Instagram where he posts a 100-word, art-inspired story most days (@tim_hawken).
Tim has gone on to win the AHWA ‘Flash Fiction’ Story of the Year twice (2013, 2020) and has been shortlisted for an Australian Shadows Award. He has recently contributed to best-selling books such as Dear Santa, Dear Dad, and Dear Mum, plus released a literary fiction novel under the pen name T.S. Hawken.
To get frequent updates about Tim and his work you can sign up to his newsletter on his website, or follow along on Instagram where he posts a 100-word, art-inspired story most days (@tim_hawken).
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 7, 2023
Well, that was interesting. I didn't really know what to expect when I got into Hellbound. I'm happy to say it isn't a proselytical text. In fact, I imagine hard-core Christians would set up picket lines outside of Hawken's home if the book ever gained any traction. But then that's probably why I like it. It presents an interesting take on the relationship of God and the Devil, the purpose of Hell, and the existence of the afterlife. I won't call it groundbreaking, but it made me think.
I did find both God and Satan's characters to be a bit trite at times, Satan the Joker and God the bumbling omnipotent. Michael came up with some convenient help on more than one occasion, like a parade passing and practically giving him the answer to a riddle he needed to solve. Though I suppose I could read divine intervention into this. And I kind of wonder where all of the women in Hell were. Surely they couldn't all be prostitutes, right?
All in all, it was an entertaining, thought-provoking read. I look forward to seeing what Hawken's comes up with next.
Note: Edited to correct a funny but wrong auto-correct. Auto-correct changed prostitutes to prostates. Or, well, it's been many years since I actually read the book. But I'm assuming I meant prostitutes.
I did find both God and Satan's characters to be a bit trite at times, Satan the Joker and God the bumbling omnipotent. Michael came up with some convenient help on more than one occasion, like a parade passing and practically giving him the answer to a riddle he needed to solve. Though I suppose I could read divine intervention into this. And I kind of wonder where all of the women in Hell were. Surely they couldn't all be prostitutes, right?
All in all, it was an entertaining, thought-provoking read. I look forward to seeing what Hawken's comes up with next.
Note: Edited to correct a funny but wrong auto-correct. Auto-correct changed prostitutes to prostates. Or, well, it's been many years since I actually read the book. But I'm assuming I meant prostitutes.
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May 10, 2023DNF at 36% so I won't be rating this.
This book (and the whole trilogy actually) has been sitting in my TBR list since 2014, so I finally decided to give it a go. I really tried to get into it, I promise. I mean, a man's personal visit to Hell in search of redemption? That sounded interesting...
Unfortunately, it's written like a badly edited first draft of a first book. Now don't get me wrong, I'm all about giving new authors a chance, and I discovered plenty of authors I absolutely love that way, but it won't be the case here.
I think my biggest irritation in this book is that all the characters sound like teenagers on a sugar rush - they don't have conversations, they monologue and proselytize. Satan is the biggest offender here. Every one of his speeches is full of exclamation points: "Hell!! Is! Great! and I! Am! the! Best!" I'm exaggerating here, but not by much. It gets exhausting after a while.
The protagonist isn't much better. Even without his memories, he comes across as someone vain and rather immature. Spineless, I dare say, at least in the first quarter of the book I managed to read. He isn't interesting, and I don't particularly care to find out more about his life and why he ended up in Hell. Or if he will find salvation or not.
This is a short book at barely 215 pages, but it took me four days to make it to page 70, when I usually devour longer books in a matter of a lazy afternoon. Every time I picked up this book, I would get bored after a few pages and fall asleep.
Oh well, at least that's three more books taken off my TBR list, because needless to say, I won't be continuing with the series.
This book (and the whole trilogy actually) has been sitting in my TBR list since 2014, so I finally decided to give it a go. I really tried to get into it, I promise. I mean, a man's personal visit to Hell in search of redemption? That sounded interesting...
Unfortunately, it's written like a badly edited first draft of a first book. Now don't get me wrong, I'm all about giving new authors a chance, and I discovered plenty of authors I absolutely love that way, but it won't be the case here.
I think my biggest irritation in this book is that all the characters sound like teenagers on a sugar rush - they don't have conversations, they monologue and proselytize. Satan is the biggest offender here. Every one of his speeches is full of exclamation points: "Hell!! Is! Great! and I! Am! the! Best!" I'm exaggerating here, but not by much. It gets exhausting after a while.
The protagonist isn't much better. Even without his memories, he comes across as someone vain and rather immature. Spineless, I dare say, at least in the first quarter of the book I managed to read. He isn't interesting, and I don't particularly care to find out more about his life and why he ended up in Hell. Or if he will find salvation or not.
This is a short book at barely 215 pages, but it took me four days to make it to page 70, when I usually devour longer books in a matter of a lazy afternoon. Every time I picked up this book, I would get bored after a few pages and fall asleep.
Oh well, at least that's three more books taken off my TBR list, because needless to say, I won't be continuing with the series.
December 13, 2010
Interesting until the end. A bit childish but mildly entertaining.
October 11, 2022
Set in hell, this reads like an epic movie with amazing characters, twists and description. It's horrific, original and so gripping! Also very thought provoking and deep.
February 7, 2014
Michael is dead and in Hell. That’s definitely a cause for concern – but Satan is quick to assure Michael that Hell can just be a temporary stop so long as he confronts his sins, deals with them and properly confronts and accepts responsibility for them and he can ascend to Heaven. At least once all of his sins are discovered and he gets all his memories back
But when he does, he finds it’s not redemption he wants – but revenge against those who hurt the woman he loved. And Satan is more than willing to help him with that – because Michael is the key to getting what he wants, final revenge against god.
This book is that rarest of gems – completely original. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book that was quite like this. While I’m normally reading trope after trope after trope, this book was a refreshing new story that I’ve never seen before.
Part of the problem with this is I can’t truly describe why it’s new or original without giving away some pretty huge spoilers. The ending completely overturns everything I thought was coming, it’s the ultimate twist and turned me from being quite interested in the next book, to being utterly fascinated and desperate to see where it is going. I really can’t explain enough how epic and world turning the whole twist was and how it cast everything into such a radically different light. It was a perfect surprise and took an already original book to the next level.
The setting itself is an interesting one – hell, the afterlife Hell, ruled by Satan where souls go not to be punished but to be redeemed. They go to relive their sins, to feel epic, incredible guilt for those sins until they come to terms with them, root the core of them out of themselves and are then worthy to enter Heaven. It’s less a punishment, and more a cleansing to ensure that Heaven is not polluted with sin. Michael enters Hell after death, with no memory of who he is or what happened and is given a guided tour by Satan himself – learning how things work, seeing the many sights and hearing the origin of demons – people that have come to embody their sins. The exploration doesn’t just reveal Hell but also Michael himself as his memories return with each wave of guilt, revealing more of the fascinating story.
But there’s also a lot of fore shadowing for more – increasingly as the book goes on its apparent that some of the sins are not quite what they seem. To begin with I considered this a failing of the book – I have early notes expressing my disapproval of Michael‘s “lazy” life, motivated by fear, after he went through something traumatic was truly the sin of “sloth” so much as it was evidence of deep trauma. I was about to note in the review at the terrible treatment of mental illness with this and the suicides – but as the book progresses it becomes apparent that the failings are part of Hell. That the system isn’t quite as clear cut as we see – and this progresses with ever growing foreshadowing of how the whole system is not nearly as neat or obvious as it first appears. Again, I can’t talk about this without spoiling the book except to say the hints keep coming but the ending is still a shock.
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But when he does, he finds it’s not redemption he wants – but revenge against those who hurt the woman he loved. And Satan is more than willing to help him with that – because Michael is the key to getting what he wants, final revenge against god.
This book is that rarest of gems – completely original. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book that was quite like this. While I’m normally reading trope after trope after trope, this book was a refreshing new story that I’ve never seen before.
Part of the problem with this is I can’t truly describe why it’s new or original without giving away some pretty huge spoilers. The ending completely overturns everything I thought was coming, it’s the ultimate twist and turned me from being quite interested in the next book, to being utterly fascinated and desperate to see where it is going. I really can’t explain enough how epic and world turning the whole twist was and how it cast everything into such a radically different light. It was a perfect surprise and took an already original book to the next level.
The setting itself is an interesting one – hell, the afterlife Hell, ruled by Satan where souls go not to be punished but to be redeemed. They go to relive their sins, to feel epic, incredible guilt for those sins until they come to terms with them, root the core of them out of themselves and are then worthy to enter Heaven. It’s less a punishment, and more a cleansing to ensure that Heaven is not polluted with sin. Michael enters Hell after death, with no memory of who he is or what happened and is given a guided tour by Satan himself – learning how things work, seeing the many sights and hearing the origin of demons – people that have come to embody their sins. The exploration doesn’t just reveal Hell but also Michael himself as his memories return with each wave of guilt, revealing more of the fascinating story.
But there’s also a lot of fore shadowing for more – increasingly as the book goes on its apparent that some of the sins are not quite what they seem. To begin with I considered this a failing of the book – I have early notes expressing my disapproval of Michael‘s “lazy” life, motivated by fear, after he went through something traumatic was truly the sin of “sloth” so much as it was evidence of deep trauma. I was about to note in the review at the terrible treatment of mental illness with this and the suicides – but as the book progresses it becomes apparent that the failings are part of Hell. That the system isn’t quite as clear cut as we see – and this progresses with ever growing foreshadowing of how the whole system is not nearly as neat or obvious as it first appears. Again, I can’t talk about this without spoiling the book except to say the hints keep coming but the ending is still a shock.
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January 16, 2014
Original and interesting, but seemed kind of amateurish. There was a strong old-school sci-fi "gee whiz" kind of feel to a lot of the scenes. And the brutally refrigerated wife... it's a tough job being a fictional wife/girlfriend/female love interest. Also, apparently all women in hell are prostitutes? Anyway, the unique and clever plot twists are enough for me to forgive what would be fatal flaws for me in a more run-of-the-mill novel. Will read the sequel.
August 6, 2014
Not sure why I want to read the second book because this book definitely feels like a first book. The pros is heavy handed and a little amateurish but the world is interesting. I don't think I would pay money for this book (I got it for free during an Amazon sale) but I'm hopeful that the authors writing improves.
December 23, 2013
Hellbound introduces us to Michael, one of Hell's newest residents. Michael finds himself in the company of Asmodeus (also called Satan) without knowing or understanding how he got there. He doesn't remember his life. He doesn't remember his death. Michael's story isn't as simple as "Once upon a time, I woke up in Hell because I was very bad." The readers aren't treated to book that chronicles Michael's downfall until he hits the point of irredeemable. Michael's story begins in Hell.
Asmodeus, who is a glib devil always ready with a retort, ushers Michael around Hell introducing him to what his domain has to offer. This presentation of Satan as a charming deceiver isn't a new one. He is supposed to be tempting and likable in order for people to trust him and do his bidding. I liked that Hawken explored this wittiness, though. He made Satan likable, even though you know something malicious is lurking there. Satan is equally forthright and vague. Yes, he'll admit that he's using Michael to his ends, but Satan twists his stories in his favor and omits what doesn't suit his current purpose. Sometimes, it feels like it's not so much of him twisting the truth than this is how he's interprets the events. That whole two people getting two wildly different meanings from the same event, if you will.
Hawken's concept of Hell is one that's explored in universal reconciliation. Universal reconciliation asserts Hell isn't a place for people to suffer endlessly, that all souls will be reconciled with God. Some souls may have to endure suffering in Hell for their sins for a while, but after the appropriate penance has been paid, they will enter Heaven. However, there is a major difference in Hawken's version of this reconciliation. While universal reconciliation states that all souls will enter Heaven, in this book, that reconciliation is still a matter of free will.
Hawken's paints Hell as a place that caters to any sinful desire you might have. There is some unbearable heat outside the buildings and there are a few souls burning in torment, but mostly it seems that vices are readily available for people to enjoy. From casinos to brothels, it's a veritable playground for adults divvied up in districts according to sins. Why would anyone want to leave such a place? For all its amusements, this Hell is still a savage place where rules don't apply and there is no real punishment for misdeeds committed against others in Hell. However, all Hell's residents (unless exempted by Satan) suffer from "The Guilt."
"The Guilt" is basically visions of things people did in their earthly life. Guilt is felt more acutely in Hell. The weight of it is absolute. It's painful and heavy to endure. It tears away at the mind, and it happens often. "The Guilt" isn't meant just to act as punishment, though. There is no rationalizing sin in Hell as often done in life, and this allows the condemned to scrutinize their actions without the pretense. Guilt is a powerful feeling, and one that is often overlooked when discussing powerful emotions. To quote Satan: "Don't underestimate the power of a guilty mind." Going back to this "choice" to leave Hell, these visions allow them to evaluate and decide for themselves if they'll seek absolution or if they'll continue to endure Hell.
As Asmodeus chauffeurs Michael around, Michael begins to remember important parts of his life through "The Guilt." He remembers his past and all the ups and downs he faced as an orphan who became a bare-knuckle fighter. Most importantly, though, he remembers his love for his wife, Charlotte, and their horrible deaths. However, while Michael went to Hell, his wife's soul is stuck in Limbo where it will stay until this wrong is corrected. Yeah, I know it sounds like I just described something that should be in The Crow, but I swear I'm not doing the story justice. This is the moment when Asmodeus strikes and his interest in Michael is revealed as he offers to direct Michael on the path that will correct that. Michael realizes Satan has much to gain from his success, but that's a trifling matter when compared to what he hopes to achieve for Charlotte.
Honestly, I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I started reading this book. I wasn't even sure what to expect for nearly the first half of the book. I was soaking up the details of Hell during that time while being on guard for when Asmodeus would finally reveal what he wants. You don't get a personal tour of your new home from Satan without there being some catch. Then, I learned how Michael died, which ended the first section of the book called "Damnation" and led into the second section titled "Revelation." And it was quite the revelation. That was the "There it is!" moment when I knew that the rules of engagement were about to be spelled out, and what a fascinating, thought-provoking journey Michael took from that point.
This book had the power to make me laugh one moment and to be deeply contemplative the next. Michael was an interesting character who you can't help rooting for in all his flawed glory, and his story--the person he was, the person he was becoming--really struck a chord in me. You could really feel the depth of the various emotions he displayed--the pain, the uncertainty, the anger, all of it. There were some little nitpicky things I had with the book, but they were mostly just some of my weird nitpicks and don't really warrant spending time complaining about. I was much more fascinated with the theories Hawken set forward than the things I didn't like.
Overall, this novel was an enjoyable blend of horror, theology, and philosophy with a twist of humor that dared to tackle ideas such as the Hell paradox and the idea of destiny existing in a nonlinear fashion. If you're not a fan of stories that play with the idea of Divine Providence, stories that turn theological ideas inside out, this is likely not the story for you. Hawken presents some very fresh ideas in this story about God, Satan, and how everything fits together in this grand scheme. It also explored the depth of love and how sometimes you're willing to do anything for those who matter the most. Look out for my review of book two I Am Satan soon!
Asmodeus, who is a glib devil always ready with a retort, ushers Michael around Hell introducing him to what his domain has to offer. This presentation of Satan as a charming deceiver isn't a new one. He is supposed to be tempting and likable in order for people to trust him and do his bidding. I liked that Hawken explored this wittiness, though. He made Satan likable, even though you know something malicious is lurking there. Satan is equally forthright and vague. Yes, he'll admit that he's using Michael to his ends, but Satan twists his stories in his favor and omits what doesn't suit his current purpose. Sometimes, it feels like it's not so much of him twisting the truth than this is how he's interprets the events. That whole two people getting two wildly different meanings from the same event, if you will.
Hawken's concept of Hell is one that's explored in universal reconciliation. Universal reconciliation asserts Hell isn't a place for people to suffer endlessly, that all souls will be reconciled with God. Some souls may have to endure suffering in Hell for their sins for a while, but after the appropriate penance has been paid, they will enter Heaven. However, there is a major difference in Hawken's version of this reconciliation. While universal reconciliation states that all souls will enter Heaven, in this book, that reconciliation is still a matter of free will.
Hawken's paints Hell as a place that caters to any sinful desire you might have. There is some unbearable heat outside the buildings and there are a few souls burning in torment, but mostly it seems that vices are readily available for people to enjoy. From casinos to brothels, it's a veritable playground for adults divvied up in districts according to sins. Why would anyone want to leave such a place? For all its amusements, this Hell is still a savage place where rules don't apply and there is no real punishment for misdeeds committed against others in Hell. However, all Hell's residents (unless exempted by Satan) suffer from "The Guilt."
"The Guilt" is basically visions of things people did in their earthly life. Guilt is felt more acutely in Hell. The weight of it is absolute. It's painful and heavy to endure. It tears away at the mind, and it happens often. "The Guilt" isn't meant just to act as punishment, though. There is no rationalizing sin in Hell as often done in life, and this allows the condemned to scrutinize their actions without the pretense. Guilt is a powerful feeling, and one that is often overlooked when discussing powerful emotions. To quote Satan: "Don't underestimate the power of a guilty mind." Going back to this "choice" to leave Hell, these visions allow them to evaluate and decide for themselves if they'll seek absolution or if they'll continue to endure Hell.
As Asmodeus chauffeurs Michael around, Michael begins to remember important parts of his life through "The Guilt." He remembers his past and all the ups and downs he faced as an orphan who became a bare-knuckle fighter. Most importantly, though, he remembers his love for his wife, Charlotte, and their horrible deaths. However, while Michael went to Hell, his wife's soul is stuck in Limbo where it will stay until this wrong is corrected. Yeah, I know it sounds like I just described something that should be in The Crow, but I swear I'm not doing the story justice. This is the moment when Asmodeus strikes and his interest in Michael is revealed as he offers to direct Michael on the path that will correct that. Michael realizes Satan has much to gain from his success, but that's a trifling matter when compared to what he hopes to achieve for Charlotte.
Honestly, I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I started reading this book. I wasn't even sure what to expect for nearly the first half of the book. I was soaking up the details of Hell during that time while being on guard for when Asmodeus would finally reveal what he wants. You don't get a personal tour of your new home from Satan without there being some catch. Then, I learned how Michael died, which ended the first section of the book called "Damnation" and led into the second section titled "Revelation." And it was quite the revelation. That was the "There it is!" moment when I knew that the rules of engagement were about to be spelled out, and what a fascinating, thought-provoking journey Michael took from that point.
This book had the power to make me laugh one moment and to be deeply contemplative the next. Michael was an interesting character who you can't help rooting for in all his flawed glory, and his story--the person he was, the person he was becoming--really struck a chord in me. You could really feel the depth of the various emotions he displayed--the pain, the uncertainty, the anger, all of it. There were some little nitpicky things I had with the book, but they were mostly just some of my weird nitpicks and don't really warrant spending time complaining about. I was much more fascinated with the theories Hawken set forward than the things I didn't like.
Overall, this novel was an enjoyable blend of horror, theology, and philosophy with a twist of humor that dared to tackle ideas such as the Hell paradox and the idea of destiny existing in a nonlinear fashion. If you're not a fan of stories that play with the idea of Divine Providence, stories that turn theological ideas inside out, this is likely not the story for you. Hawken presents some very fresh ideas in this story about God, Satan, and how everything fits together in this grand scheme. It also explored the depth of love and how sometimes you're willing to do anything for those who matter the most. Look out for my review of book two I Am Satan soon!
September 3, 2016
As I started reading Tim Hawken’s Hellbound, I half-expected it to end up being a retelling of Dante’s Inferno. We meet a dead man named Michael, who finds himself in Hell and in the company of Satan. Satan gives Michael a tour of Hell, and there are all of these superb descriptions of the city of fire and its inhabitants.
Hawken paints bizarre images of demons that really give the setting some color and flair; I was drawn into the story at once just by all the strange interactions Michael has with the minor characters. The seven deadly sins are kind of like different districts in Hell, with catchy cliché-like names for the businesses and places located there.
But Hawken’s Hell is very different and not all that predictable. Satan explains that it’s basically a place of rehabilitation for sinners to face and accept their transgressions. Once they’ve done that, they can move on to Heaven. What follows is a series of flashbacks that both the reader and Michael must go through. They provide insight for the reader as to who Michael was and how he died. For Michael, they are the first steps of rehab.
Once again, I was soon caught completely off guard, expecting this to be a story of one man’s journey through Hell and eventually onto Heaven. But the author surprises the reader again and reminds us that Satan is not a trustworthy counselor. Michael quickly discovers there is a higher purpose behind his trip to Hell, involving the love of his life named Charlotte, who Michael now desires to see again. But before he can do that, Michael must sort out his true meaning in life and his real reason for being in Hell which will fill you with shock and awe.
Part religion, part philosophy, part horror, and part thriller, Hellbound is a multi-layered story that doesn’t disappoint. I thoroughly enjoyed the early flashbacks that alternated between chapters in Hell, showing us who Michael was on earth and giving us really great back story as to how he ended up in Hell. However, once Michael’s purpose in Hell is revealed, the flashbacks stopped and that was probably the only real disappointment for me. While I enjoyed where the story was taking me, I continued to want to know more about Michael’s time on earth.
Satan is also not really the bad guy here though he has some very thorough scenes where he tells Michael his own story and how he and God became rivals. Those who enjoy non-Biblical religious-type history will certainly be entertained. Whether you are agnostic or atheist, you have to appreciate Hawken’s storytelling and the depth he goes to make Satan such a multi-dimensional character.
We also meet a stronger antagonist named Gideon that Michael has to eventually face and defeat if he wants to get closer to Charlotte. Gideon’s role in this story is literally out of this world, and I almost would have liked to have read some of his own back story as well.
Overall, I was thoroughly entertained. I have always avoided religious fiction of any kind like the plague, but now that I’ve read it, I certainly wouldn’t give Hellbound that label. Sure, devout Christians might not be as easily entertained, but if you can approach a book with an open-mind and you are not easily offended by stories that are inspired by doctrine but don’t seek to rewrite it, then I’d recommend this book to you. I was elated to see Michael’s story is a trilogy since this book did end so abruptly and am anxious to continue reading Hawken’s next two books in the series.
Hawken paints bizarre images of demons that really give the setting some color and flair; I was drawn into the story at once just by all the strange interactions Michael has with the minor characters. The seven deadly sins are kind of like different districts in Hell, with catchy cliché-like names for the businesses and places located there.
But Hawken’s Hell is very different and not all that predictable. Satan explains that it’s basically a place of rehabilitation for sinners to face and accept their transgressions. Once they’ve done that, they can move on to Heaven. What follows is a series of flashbacks that both the reader and Michael must go through. They provide insight for the reader as to who Michael was and how he died. For Michael, they are the first steps of rehab.
Once again, I was soon caught completely off guard, expecting this to be a story of one man’s journey through Hell and eventually onto Heaven. But the author surprises the reader again and reminds us that Satan is not a trustworthy counselor. Michael quickly discovers there is a higher purpose behind his trip to Hell, involving the love of his life named Charlotte, who Michael now desires to see again. But before he can do that, Michael must sort out his true meaning in life and his real reason for being in Hell which will fill you with shock and awe.
Part religion, part philosophy, part horror, and part thriller, Hellbound is a multi-layered story that doesn’t disappoint. I thoroughly enjoyed the early flashbacks that alternated between chapters in Hell, showing us who Michael was on earth and giving us really great back story as to how he ended up in Hell. However, once Michael’s purpose in Hell is revealed, the flashbacks stopped and that was probably the only real disappointment for me. While I enjoyed where the story was taking me, I continued to want to know more about Michael’s time on earth.
Satan is also not really the bad guy here though he has some very thorough scenes where he tells Michael his own story and how he and God became rivals. Those who enjoy non-Biblical religious-type history will certainly be entertained. Whether you are agnostic or atheist, you have to appreciate Hawken’s storytelling and the depth he goes to make Satan such a multi-dimensional character.
We also meet a stronger antagonist named Gideon that Michael has to eventually face and defeat if he wants to get closer to Charlotte. Gideon’s role in this story is literally out of this world, and I almost would have liked to have read some of his own back story as well.
Overall, I was thoroughly entertained. I have always avoided religious fiction of any kind like the plague, but now that I’ve read it, I certainly wouldn’t give Hellbound that label. Sure, devout Christians might not be as easily entertained, but if you can approach a book with an open-mind and you are not easily offended by stories that are inspired by doctrine but don’t seek to rewrite it, then I’d recommend this book to you. I was elated to see Michael’s story is a trilogy since this book did end so abruptly and am anxious to continue reading Hawken’s next two books in the series.
August 5, 2015
To be fair, the Hellhound series is more of a 3.5 star read but Goodreads won't let me add a half star (sorry Tim). That's a great rating from me as I'm a harsh critic.
All three books were an action packed, highly enjoyable ride. Deicide wraps up the Hellhound story beautifully. You can't just read Hellbound or Hellbound and I am Satan. Once you've opened the Hellbound adventure, you're compelled to read all the way to the end with Deicide.
As far as the dark fantasy genre goes, the Hellbound series is highly original but not as dark as I expected / wanted it to be. So in that way, it felt slightly amateur and did let me down.
Having said that, Tim has proven himself to be a strong fantasy writer. All plot and fantasy elements were complete and woven together expertly. The world Tim has created in the spiritual dimensions of heaven, purgatory, earth and hell have been built with skill, to the point where belief is successfully suspended.
If this series collectively formed my debut novel as an author, I'd be proud. Congratulations to Tim Hawken and looking forward to reading more of your work.
All three books were an action packed, highly enjoyable ride. Deicide wraps up the Hellhound story beautifully. You can't just read Hellbound or Hellbound and I am Satan. Once you've opened the Hellbound adventure, you're compelled to read all the way to the end with Deicide.
As far as the dark fantasy genre goes, the Hellbound series is highly original but not as dark as I expected / wanted it to be. So in that way, it felt slightly amateur and did let me down.
Having said that, Tim has proven himself to be a strong fantasy writer. All plot and fantasy elements were complete and woven together expertly. The world Tim has created in the spiritual dimensions of heaven, purgatory, earth and hell have been built with skill, to the point where belief is successfully suspended.
If this series collectively formed my debut novel as an author, I'd be proud. Congratulations to Tim Hawken and looking forward to reading more of your work.
August 1, 2012
3 and a half stars I think. I really liked the book but I believe it did not quite meet its potential. I wish it were a bit longer and the story bit more developed. Alas as it is not the book feels rushed in places and the main character a little bit underdeveloped and you wonder how he got emotionally from A to B. Then again I'm comparing Hellbound with Convivium which was a very long book :) If you liked Convivium you want to check this book out.
I got the book for free in a deal at Amazon and am planning to get myself the sequel.
I got the book for free in a deal at Amazon and am planning to get myself the sequel.
December 28, 2013
This has some really interesting things to say if you read between the lines and is an easy enjoyable read.
December 31, 2012
The story could've been more developed, but the unique concept of heaven, hell, afterlife, etc. makes it deserving of 5 stars.
December 10, 2013
3.5. Great and original, but sometimes a bit cliche and not properly thought through. Still a fantastic read. I'm interested enough to go straight into the second of the trilogy.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews