Scan barcode
sydbingus's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
locket1981's review
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.0
This started of so so well but it lost me in the middle and then the end just couldn’t get me back. It drifted off and was a bit slow going. Such a shame as the concept is really good.
michael_benavidez's review
5.0
Another title releasing under the Blood Rites banner is the debut novel The Miracle Sin by Marcus Hawke. A grim, merciless story, Hawke writes with clear intent and beautiful imagery. This book is hard to go into without spoilers — and to spoil the story would be doing a disservice to the reader. The author’s writing style is unique, able to give fast-paced action and horrors while maintaining a descriptive quality that will shake the reader. The pacing is a rollercoaster of horror and tension.
To say more would be to reveal much. But take my word that this is very much a book to pick up.
Note: This is currently set as a re-read as I was burnt out during the first time, and unfortunately remember nothing of the plot other than the fantastical WOW I felt when I closed the book. It is a great book, and were I the type to make notes as I read, I'd be able to go further in depth. however that's what this reread is for. Still a highly recommended read, and will update this review.
To say more would be to reveal much. But take my word that this is very much a book to pick up.
Note: This is currently set as a re-read as I was burnt out during the first time, and unfortunately remember nothing of the plot other than the fantastical WOW I felt when I closed the book. It is a great book, and were I the type to make notes as I read, I'd be able to go further in depth. however that's what this reread is for. Still a highly recommended read, and will update this review.
soobooksalot's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Is it weird of me to recommend a dark fiction for the pending holidays?
Elements of Marcus Hawke's The Miracle Sin work for the season. Really!
High school student Mason Cole lost both of his parents in a devastating earthquake in Jerusalem. It destroyed the city, yet he survived. Living in small-town Ohio and working at a gas station, Mason discovers he may have a more ominous and imposing path set out for him than he knew.
Fate, self-reflection, religion, and alternate history are all at play here. The Miracle Sin is a complex, ambitious tale, including dark fantasy/horror elements of vampire lore, the power of supernatural and the spiritual.
I've read others of Hawke's books and short stories (Grey Noise, Acts Of Violence) and his writing stands strong here as with the others. His descriptions, seamless wit, and use of language often made me think "man, I wish I could write like this!" That's a big accolade in my book.
Thank you so much to the author for my gifted copy for feature. Recommended!
Elements of Marcus Hawke's The Miracle Sin work for the season. Really!
High school student Mason Cole lost both of his parents in a devastating earthquake in Jerusalem. It destroyed the city, yet he survived. Living in small-town Ohio and working at a gas station, Mason discovers he may have a more ominous and imposing path set out for him than he knew.
Fate, self-reflection, religion, and alternate history are all at play here. The Miracle Sin is a complex, ambitious tale, including dark fantasy/horror elements of vampire lore, the power of supernatural and the spiritual.
I've read others of Hawke's books and short stories (Grey Noise, Acts Of Violence) and his writing stands strong here as with the others. His descriptions, seamless wit, and use of language often made me think "man, I wish I could write like this!" That's a big accolade in my book.
Thank you so much to the author for my gifted copy for feature. Recommended!
magpie_666's review
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
readwithkyladawngail's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Loved the writing style & characters. This was definitely a different genre for me (horror fantasy) and people who enjoy fantasy, slow burns, and world building I think will really enjoy this.
This book is funny, sad and intense. You will feel all the feels. I can’t wait for book 2.
This book is funny, sad and intense. You will feel all the feels. I can’t wait for book 2.
sharron_joy_reads's review
5.0
Mason Cole is a miracle, the sole survivor of a cataclysmic earthquake as a child, he now lives in a boring town with his grandmother who is strangely adamant he does not leave. Only his friends keep him from mind numbing boredom. One day a stranger comes to town and what follows makes him question his existence, what he believes, why is evil allowed in God’s world, what is destiny, why are we here? With a demon of pure evil in pursuit of him Mason needs to understand what he believes to survive, helped by a group of religious soldiers who believe him to be their destiny.
Exceptional, read it! End of review!
But seriously this is incredible, viscerally dark and disturbing, in the best way. A true religious horror, rarer than hens teeth! The story starts so sedately getting to know Mason, his family, his friends, his story and then plunges into jaw dropping evil with things that the world believes are myths, turns out these ones have very sharp teeth.
The characters are so real, Mason is so relatable. There is kindness and brutality, the righteous and flawed, the blessed and cursed, whose to say who is good and who is evil but everyone has to take a side.
The story explores real human emotions of loss, trauma, faith alongside a world filled with vampires, ghosts and witches. It is blended so well you don’t even notice, you just enjoy the ride.
This is soaked in religious mysticism with a dark humour that makes the characters experiences so real. This is an epic tale of good versus evil, a fight to the death that no-one comes out of the same. The insidious way this worms into your brain should be illegal but I loved it! Someone make this into a TV series!
Exceptional, read it! End of review!
But seriously this is incredible, viscerally dark and disturbing, in the best way. A true religious horror, rarer than hens teeth! The story starts so sedately getting to know Mason, his family, his friends, his story and then plunges into jaw dropping evil with things that the world believes are myths, turns out these ones have very sharp teeth.
The characters are so real, Mason is so relatable. There is kindness and brutality, the righteous and flawed, the blessed and cursed, whose to say who is good and who is evil but everyone has to take a side.
The story explores real human emotions of loss, trauma, faith alongside a world filled with vampires, ghosts and witches. It is blended so well you don’t even notice, you just enjoy the ride.
This is soaked in religious mysticism with a dark humour that makes the characters experiences so real. This is an epic tale of good versus evil, a fight to the death that no-one comes out of the same. The insidious way this worms into your brain should be illegal but I loved it! Someone make this into a TV series!
loandbeholdx's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0
I am extremely ashamed to say that I have had this book in my possession for a while now, but as soon as I started reading it, I was kicking myself for not reading it sooner. Not only does this book have moments that will send shivers over your body, but it will also make you laugh with the main characters wit and dry sense of humour. The writing style is flawless, and will captivate your mind. This isn't just a horror novel, it's rich in lore, every element has an intense amount of detail, and the intriguing back stories will leave you craving more. It has the promise of a fantastical franchise, and I can only hope that @marcushawke will bless us with another instalment from the Militia Dei in the future.
tomhankslover's review
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
3.0
I’m not a giant fantasy genre person but I picked this up because it was recommended to me. I had high hopes, I think the concept really could be something good. I did enjoy the majority of the book but it was just all giant build up for literally nothing. If there’s a second book that comes out I’ll read it just to maybe see if all of the unanswered questions are answered and because I really do like the characters, but in general I feel like I just read a book that still needed to be sent to an editor.
There are so many things I’m confused about. Everytime I felt like mason was actually about to do something he didn’t. I found myself having to reread scenes that were supposed to be big plot points because the scene would be over and little to nothing had happened. Literally in the climax I guess Novak straight up says he doesn’t really have a goal just to get rid of the team. Like he’s not working toward something at all. Mason is just training for the sake of training there never even was a big part where he needed it. When they return to the farm all the vampires are just sleeping so they kill them easily and then Novak just runs into the woods.
I also have an issue with Julie. Mason literally gives up his powers and risks his life for this girl and then whenever she’s a vampire and he kills her it’s a big joke to him. Even if she’s a vampire I feel like he would be very upset having to kill the girl he was about to give up everything for.
There were other smaller plot holes too like who was the mute boy? What was the point of using a strangers finger in the previous bishops blood (Abbot?) like what was the point of him dying even. The witch Sydney is like not even mentioned hardly throughout the book and then all of the sudden Sarah finds her and Mason wants to kill her more than Novak. Like why did Sydney work for the vampires even what’s the story with that.
Overall the book was confusing with nothing even happening to come out of it. I understand the author is setting it up to make it a series but a good series wraps up the loose ends by the end of the book and gives just enough of run on plot to make the reader want a second book. This was too much left open that I don’t even think will be answered if there’s a second.
There are so many things I’m confused about. Everytime I felt like mason was actually about to do something he didn’t. I found myself having to reread scenes that were supposed to be big plot points because the scene would be over and little to nothing had happened. Literally in the climax I guess Novak straight up says he doesn’t really have a goal just to get rid of the team. Like he’s not working toward something at all. Mason is just training for the sake of training there never even was a big part where he needed it. When they return to the farm all the vampires are just sleeping so they kill them easily and then Novak just runs into the woods.
I also have an issue with Julie. Mason literally gives up his powers and risks his life for this girl and then whenever she’s a vampire and he kills her it’s a big joke to him. Even if she’s a vampire I feel like he would be very upset having to kill the girl he was about to give up everything for.
There were other smaller plot holes too like who was the mute boy? What was the point of using a strangers finger in the previous bishops blood (Abbot?) like what was the point of him dying even. The witch Sydney is like not even mentioned hardly throughout the book and then all of the sudden Sarah finds her and Mason wants to kill her more than Novak. Like why did Sydney work for the vampires even what’s the story with that.
Overall the book was confusing with nothing even happening to come out of it. I understand the author is setting it up to make it a series but a good series wraps up the loose ends by the end of the book and gives just enough of run on plot to make the reader want a second book. This was too much left open that I don’t even think will be answered if there’s a second.