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Beneath the Veil: The Valor of Valhalla Kindle Edition
In a battle between two ancient evils, can one naïve young man become the last hope against powerful creatures of legend?
David Dolan thinks he's already got the world figured out. But when a collapsed bridge plunges him into the icy Hudson, he's pulled deep into the deadly realm that exists between life and death. And with his earthly form trapped in a coma, he's vulnerable to the horde of demons hell-bent on his utter destruction.
Traversing the road to the afterlife, David seeks the wisdom and skills he needs to fight the demonic forces reigning havoc on his allies above ground. But as one hellish threat closes in on his defenseless body, David must defeat another terrifying fiend waiting in the shadows to use him...
Can David escape the world beneath the veil in time to stop the bloodshed?
Beneath the Veil is the gripping first book in The Valor of Valhalla dark urban fantasy series. If you like reluctant heroes, infernal myths, and bloody epic clashes, then you'll love Martin Kearns's formidable foray into the unknown.
- Print length280 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateOctober 11, 2021
- File size3383 KB
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From the Publisher
Kirkus Review
"Kearns deftly introduces an epic and avoids cramming this engaging series opener with characters and plot. David’s odyssey, for example, consists of a relatively quiet hike with Jacob, and his time in Valhalla zeroes in on only the few warriors he befriends. Similarly, the author keeps the real-world action primarily in New York and, despite hordes of murderous beasts, ensures that one memorable, scheming baddie stands out. The narrative aptly fuses mythologies. Alongside Norse myths, there are Islamic jinns (spirits) as well as the ferocious, water-dwelling bunyip of Australian Aboriginal folklore.
"Theologies, too, share the spotlight. Jacob describes earthly religions as alternative versions of the same story. While the varied beliefs spark copious scenes of characters explaining things (courtesy of Jacob or a demonologist friend of Chelsea’s), action intermittently bursts in New York and Valhalla. These kinetic sequences feature Kearns’ tightly paced battles and training episodes: “Without thinking, David flipped his weapon to the other hand, stepped back from the snare of the spearhead, and ran down the length of its shaft. The pikeman’s head rolled through the sand before David could take the measure of his own actions.” Valhalla boasts a diverse batch of warriors, including a katana-wielding samurai and a Russian soldier who was killed by a [German] sniper. Throughout the story, David questions why he’s in this ostensible purgatory, and the novel’s ambiguity may confuse readers as much as it does the hero. But the frenzied final act hints at David’s purpose and makes it clear where the sequel is headed."
"This intriguing tale of mythological beings introduces what promises to be an exhilarating saga." — Kirkus Reviews
Beneath the Veil is Indies Today's Best Paranormal Book of 2021
Beneath the Veil is an award winning book!
"Beneath the Veil is an entirely original novel that brings together elements of fantasy, mystery and dark horror... brilliantly conceived and fiercely told."
"Too often, writers exploit religion as an easy source of derision and mockery, but Kearns utilizes religions such as Christianity and Buddhism in a respectful manner. Furthermore, he adds in a generous measure of mythology and fable to create a sturdy urban fantasy filled with a likable cast that is punctuated by one particularly abysmal villain. Especially impressive is the skill Kearns displays in his rich and disturbing descriptions. It’s been a while since a book really scared me, but Beneath the Veil is legitimately frightening as graphic battles between unimaginable creatures are waged on earth and beyond."
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About the Author
Product details
- ASIN : B097NWL6QB
- Publisher : Martin/Kearns; 1st edition (October 11, 2021)
- Publication date : October 11, 2021
- Language : English
- File size : 3383 KB
- Text-to-Speech : Enabled
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Not Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 280 pages
- Best Sellers Rank: #874,705 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #1,932 in Metaphysical Fantasy eBooks
- #3,784 in Superhero Science Fiction
- #4,345 in Coming of Age Fantasy eBooks
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
I have always been enamored with myths and stories of the fantastic. They offer an escape from the mundane and are a fine method to tune our moral compasses, learn about other cultures, and assign meaning to those things that vex us.
I studied literature and history in college and found myself delving more and more into theology and mythology as I went because literature is filled with their essence.
My exploits have guided me to the desk as a language arts and special education teacher, but my heart always whisks me back to the bookshelf or the desk to visit these fantastic worlds of the supernatural.
Stories were my first love and during rare moments of quiet my mind turns toward those I've watched, read, and lived. They bring to mind the extraordinary. I truly hope to bring creative tales to readers who, like me, enjoy finding themselves lost somewhere in a world of endless possibilities.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers praise the storytelling as thrilling and memorable. They appreciate the creative character development, including characters from ancient mythology and angels. Readers enjoy the vivid imagery and find the book easy to read with a lot of thought-provoking lines.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers enjoy the storytelling. They find it thrilling, memorable, and descriptive. The book is described as a modern retelling of Dante's Inferno with clever pop culture references, comic relief, and chilling creatures.
"...Overall, the story was very well written and I plan on checking in on this series again sometime soon." Read more
"...Some super creepy supernatural things occur. A very well told tale. Enjoyed it! Looking forward to the rest of the Valhalla trilogy...." Read more
"This is by far, not your average horror story...." Read more
"...this story through hell and back again are endearing, familiar, terrifying and real...." Read more
Customers enjoy the creative character development. They appreciate the inclusion of angels, beasts, and characters from ancient mythology. The good-natured young man, David Dolan, is a nice touch.
"...David Dolan is a good-natured young man who finds himself in a battle of good versus evil featuring angels, beasts, and characters from ancient..." Read more
"...This book is high on action, lore, and character growth and content...." Read more
"This was a good beginning for a series. The creative creation of wonderful characters was a nice touch...." Read more
"Great characters. Great storytelling. Martin Kearns has left me wanting more...." Read more
Customers enjoy the imagery. They find the characters engaging and well-developed.
"I loved the imagery- almost like watching a fast paced film as I read...." Read more
"...The creative creation of wonderful characters was a nice touch. I look forward to other books in the series...." Read more
"...the characters who carry this story through hell and back again are endearing, familiar, terrifying and real...." Read more
Customers enjoy the book's readability. They find it well-written and descriptive, describing it as a must-read. The book has many lines and thoughts that readers would have no issues rereading it.
"...This one is a book I will always remember. It has so many lines and thoughts that I would have no problems re reading it and finding something new...." Read more
"...Wonderfully written and incredibly descriptive, this book takes you into the world beyond the living and throws you into battle between good and evil..." Read more
"...Without giving anything away, this is a MUST READ, it truly leaves the reader wanting another book of same series!" Read more
Reviews with images
I HAD TO RUB MY EYES TO MAKE SURE I WAS SEEING THIS CORRECTLY.
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2024I have a hard time finding books I really love. This one is a book I will always remember. It has so many lines and thoughts that I would have no problems re reading it and finding something new. This book is amazing!
- Reviewed in the United States on November 3, 2021Beneath the Veil is a modern day fantasy set in Dutchess County, New York. David Dolan is a good-natured young man who finds himself in a battle of good versus evil featuring angels, beasts, and characters from ancient mythology. I found the mix of mundane and supernatural to be reminiscent of Kevin Smith’s Dogma and Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett’s Good Omens, minus the element of absurdity you find in both. This would make a great Netflix movie or series. I thoroughly enjoyed the first book of the Valor of Valhalla series, and I am looking forward to the next installment!
- Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2022A bridge collapse plunges young David Dolan headlong into the freezing waters of the Hudson River. The cause of the collapse is under investigation, but it seems like there may have been foul play involved of the supernatural variety. A rash of monster sightings, demonic entities really, seems to suggest that the coincidence is anything but. As David’s loved ones, his mother and girlfriend, Rose, struggle to survive the demonic onslaught in his absence, David, in his comatose state, begins his own journey through the underworld and toward his ultimate destiny.
“Beneath the Veil” was an intriguing introduction to the “Valor of Valhalla” series by Martin Kearns. I really enjoyed how the lore weaved together many different variations of religion and the afterlife into a cohesive conglomerate. The demons that the protagonists faced all had their own gruesome abilities which I found uniquely disturbing and quite liked. David’s journey through the land of the dead did feel a bit tedious and drawn out in the first half, but in the land of the living, his mother and Rose’s storyline carried the plot and the action well enough to keep me engaged. Overall, the story was very well written and I plan on checking in on this series again sometime soon.
- Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2022I loved the imagery- almost like watching a fast paced film as I read. Living in NY- the familiar locations drew me in deeper to be present during the action scenes. The tension is tangible & the relationships are relatable ( in all scenes). I read on- wanting to know more, with hints dropped here & there to push me to keep going.
Morals are told. Relationships are made. Mysteries unravel. Some super creepy supernatural things occur.
A very well told tale. Enjoyed it! Looking forward to the rest of the Valhalla trilogy. ( I loved the Valhalla scenes so much!).
Thank you.
- Reviewed in the United States on November 6, 2021This is by far, not your average horror story. To start, you have an event straight out of a combination of final destination, flavored with a dash of Mothman Prophecies. But if you think that is the only wicked fierce blend of fiction seasoning, you are in for a shock. In the movie territory alone, I could easily imagine a minimal of five. That I could imagine it so clearly is what hurled me through page after page in a frenzy. This book is high on action, lore, and character growth and content.
If there is anything to complain about, it is that there is an event that might have pulled my heartstrings better, if it was witnessed. But these kinds of events have been tricky for a lot of story tellers to wield, anyway, so it will be given a pass from me.
But with so much looking like something from the Prophecy movies, (which I thoroughly enjoyed) I will be paying attention for the next book in the Valor of Valhalla series. Great work from Martin Kearns!
- Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2023This was a good beginning for a series. The creative creation of wonderful characters was a nice touch. I look forward to other books in the series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
- Reviewed in the United States on October 26, 2021Mr. Kearns creates a reality that is so close to home that I got sucked into a world that was so upside down it is hard to tell the dream from the reality.
Bouncing between two worlds it almost seems like the world of dreams is the better place to be.
The mystery building through the pages and the characters who carry this story through hell and back again are endearing, familiar, terrifying and real. I feel like part of the community and hope Mr. Kearns has a lot more pencils because I’m not done turning pages with the surprising conclusion of this story.
- Reviewed in the United States on December 25, 2021A thrilling ride from start to finish! Almost a modern retelling of Dante's Inferno with clever pop culture references, comic relief, and chilling creatures. Wonderfully written and incredibly descriptive, this book takes you into the world beyond the living and throws you into battle between good and evil. Definitely recommending this book to anyone who enjoys dark fantasy realism and ancient mythologies. Brilliant book!