sharron_joy_reads's review
challenging
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Dalton is the son of the pastor and along with his brother James us drowning in feelings of guilt and the need for redemption. When his little brother is kidnapped by an evil witch he enters his father’s haunted church to do battle with the forces of evil.
A fantastic horror novella of one boy’s journey to find his faith in the midst of religious abuse and the hammer of religious damnation to force obedience. The battle in the church is good versus evil but this is also played out in the “good” Christian’s in his real life. This is ultimately is a story of hope.
shelfcontrolreviews's review against another edition
4.0
This book was a highly anticipated read for me. I had been looking forward to it for a long time!
Prey Without Ceasing by Andrew Franks is touted as a Bible Belt horror. The first of its kind as far as I know. However, definitely the most relatable - even if there are others out there! I would give this a 3.5/5⭐️ overall. I cannot wait to read book two — which I already own. Hahaha. This book did a brilliant job of capturing what it’s like to be a teen in southern church culture plus all the pitfalls & confusion that comes along with it. Might help that, for once, an author knows what they’re talking about on this subject.
•
Dalton is a preacher’s son. He’s not the stereotypical “rebel without a care” type we’re used to seeing in books. Instead, he tries to follow every rule to the T. Every family - especially Pastor Gary Folmer’s - has secrets. Dalton’s little brother, James, has been kidnapped by a truly evil witch. What would you do? You’d go through hell & high water, right? That’s exactly what Dalton does to a gripping extent!
Gary Folmer is a scary man. He has fire and brimstone flowing out of him…at church & at home. This family is about to understand the true meaning of sinister.
Prey Without Ceasing by Andrew Franks is touted as a Bible Belt horror. The first of its kind as far as I know. However, definitely the most relatable - even if there are others out there! I would give this a 3.5/5⭐️ overall. I cannot wait to read book two — which I already own. Hahaha. This book did a brilliant job of capturing what it’s like to be a teen in southern church culture plus all the pitfalls & confusion that comes along with it. Might help that, for once, an author knows what they’re talking about on this subject.
•
Dalton is a preacher’s son. He’s not the stereotypical “rebel without a care” type we’re used to seeing in books. Instead, he tries to follow every rule to the T. Every family - especially Pastor Gary Folmer’s - has secrets. Dalton’s little brother, James, has been kidnapped by a truly evil witch. What would you do? You’d go through hell & high water, right? That’s exactly what Dalton does to a gripping extent!
Gary Folmer is a scary man. He has fire and brimstone flowing out of him…at church & at home. This family is about to understand the true meaning of sinister.
horror_haus_books's review
challenging
dark
fast-paced
3.0
This was a fast paced religious horror novella full of metaphors as well as a closer look at the toxicity of Christian teachings in America that no one wants to talk about.
While this isn’t typically a genre I would reach for on my own I thought the story was well written and to the point.
our_bookish_reads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
𝕻𝖗𝖆𝖞 𝖂𝖎𝖙𝖍𝖔𝖚𝖙 𝕮𝖊𝖆𝖘𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝔟𝔶 𝔄𝔫𝔡𝔯𝔢𝔴 𝔉𝔯𝔞𝔫𝔨𝔰
"𝑰𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒐𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝒑𝒓𝒂𝒚 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒊𝒕."
I had this finished the same day I started it, but it has taken a few to reflect on the story and events. So here goes...
Prey Without Ceasing was not at all what I had expected it to be. The whole of the story is religious with underlying horror themes. I haven't read many fictional books having to do with any religion, I reserve my horror movies for these types... however, this was a nice switch up.
The MC, Dalton, is pretty much under very strict and watchful eyes, and everything is a sin to his father, who also happens to be the preacher of the church Dalton goes to.
Prey Without Ceasing had its ups and fowns in events during my reading, but it was easy to follow along with the characters and storyline.
The ending, while executed nicely, I felt was very abrupt. I was expecting a bit longer of an ending, but I still enjoyed the book.
To me, this was written in a Stephen King style, so I'd say if you enjoy his books to listen to or read it.
TW/CWs:
•Adult/child sex
•Racism
•Borderline extreme religion
•Pedophilia
•Domestic Abuse
•Child Abuse
•Fire
I was given a copy of the audiobook by Andrew Franks. I'm leaving this review of my own volition.
With that said, thank you for the book, Andrew.
"𝑰𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒐𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝒑𝒓𝒂𝒚 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒊𝒕."
I had this finished the same day I started it, but it has taken a few to reflect on the story and events. So here goes...
Prey Without Ceasing was not at all what I had expected it to be. The whole of the story is religious with underlying horror themes. I haven't read many fictional books having to do with any religion, I reserve my horror movies for these types... however, this was a nice switch up.
The MC, Dalton, is pretty much under very strict and watchful eyes, and everything is a sin to his father, who also happens to be the preacher of the church Dalton goes to.
Prey Without Ceasing had its ups and fowns in events during my reading, but it was easy to follow along with the characters and storyline.
The ending, while executed nicely, I felt was very abrupt. I was expecting a bit longer of an ending, but I still enjoyed the book.
To me, this was written in a Stephen King style, so I'd say if you enjoy his books to listen to or read it.
TW/CWs:
•Adult/child sex
•Racism
•Borderline extreme religion
•Pedophilia
•Domestic Abuse
•Child Abuse
•Fire
I was given a copy of the audiobook by Andrew Franks. I'm leaving this review of my own volition.
With that said, thank you for the book, Andrew.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Pedophilia, and Religious bigotry
amandakozreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ms_shini's review against another edition
4.0
Okay, wow. This book was excellent. It had a heavy Christian influence with a lot of horror that dug in deep. The scariest part of this story is that people are still out there living in situations like this one, some are even much worse.
Some of the imagery in this novella are up there with Stephan King and Grady Hendrix. Is this a King book, absolutely not. It’s far too short. Besides that not even King started out as prolific as he is now. Have you read Carrie? Great story, difficult read. I’m getting off topic. The potential for greatness is there! I, for one, cannot wait to see what comes next for Andrew Franks.
Some of the imagery in this novella are up there with Stephan King and Grady Hendrix. Is this a King book, absolutely not. It’s far too short. Besides that not even King started out as prolific as he is now. Have you read Carrie? Great story, difficult read. I’m getting off topic. The potential for greatness is there! I, for one, cannot wait to see what comes next for Andrew Franks.
mk_oldman's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
chellecypress's review against another edition
4.0
Prey Without Ceasing is a compelling read laced with metaphor about the hypocrisy that occurs in the Christian church while still holding onto a thread of faith in God by the end of the novel.
As a person who grew up in a religious cult the intensity of the religious fervor felt very familiar and relatable as well as Daltons rebellious and questioning nature.
The last half of the book was filled with metaphors. However I felt like the author could have achieved the point that child sa is rampant in the church without the depiction he choose to use. I just felt like it could have been done differently though I do believe that the depiction was to highlight the abusive nature in the church. This is my primary reason for giving the book a 4 instead of a 5 star.
Overall, if you are someone who grew up in an intensely religious Christian church or home and are deconstructing but still wanting to hold onto a core of your belief system then this is an interesting and intriguing read
As a person who grew up in a religious cult the intensity of the religious fervor felt very familiar and relatable as well as Daltons rebellious and questioning nature.
The last half of the book was filled with metaphors. However I felt like the author could have achieved the point that child sa is rampant in the church without the depiction he choose to use. I just felt like it could have been done differently though I do believe that the depiction was to highlight the abusive nature in the church. This is my primary reason for giving the book a 4 instead of a 5 star.
Overall, if you are someone who grew up in an intensely religious Christian church or home and are deconstructing but still wanting to hold onto a core of your belief system then this is an interesting and intriguing read
nelldiaz's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I finally found this book on audible and listened to the whole thing on a road trip.
Really enjoy the authors tiktok account (where I first heard about the book) and I was not disappointed.
Really enjoy the authors tiktok account (where I first heard about the book) and I was not disappointed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Fire/Fire injury, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Car accident, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Vomit, Sexual content, and Child death
vezreads's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Religious bigotry, and Child abuse