The Accursed Huntsman


Fiction - Horror
392 Pages
Reviewed on 07/13/2021
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Susan Sewell for Readers' Favorite

A group of people on an archaeological dig find themselves in the midst of a terrifying legend in the horror novel, The Accursed Huntsman by Douglass Hoover. When Jack and his best friend, Sam, graduated from college, they celebrated by going on a hunt in the mountains of Montana. Unfortunately, they lost their bearings, Jack lost part of one of his legs, and Sam lost his life. Blaming himself for Sam's untimely death, Jack retreats from the world and becomes a hunting guide. Bill, an eccentric millionaire, offers him a guide's position on an archaeological expedition in Nova Scotia. Jack only accepts the job so he can help with Sam's sister's medical bills. When he meets Bill in person and learns what the team is searching for, Jack wonders why his presence is necessary on a dig. Lost in the myths and mists of time, the artifact they are hunting for probably doesn't even exist. However, when they actually discover something, sinister ancient creatures are awakened, and they want retribution. Can Jack help his colleagues escape the evil entities stalking them? Or will they each meet their fate in the forests of Nova Scotia?

The Accursed Huntsman by Douglass Hoover is a spell-binding and suspenseful horror novel. Cleverly written, the story is imbued with Native American and Celtic myths, legends, and terrifying creatures that are a creative mixture of folklore and fantasy. Reminiscent of campfire stories, urban myths, and a Stephen King horror story, this chilling tale is the stuff from which nightmares stem. The dynamic plot and spine-chilling storyline kept me on the edge of my seat until the story reached its harrowing conclusion. This hard-to-put-down book will not fail to entertain everyone who enjoys suspenseful horror-filled thrillers.

Trisha Dawn

Douglass Hoover’s The Accursed Huntsman is a story about a man who is haunted by his horrifying past. Jack Steward spent years being eaten up by guilt after the unfortunate accident that took the life of his best friend during what was supposed to be a memorable celebration for finally graduating. If Jack had not continued hunting down that elk and instead had listened to his best friend’s pleas and gone home, maybe he would still be there with Jack. All he has now is a traumatizing memory of what was left of his best friend and his missing leg. Deciding to end his life seems like the best choice for him. However, one day, an opportunity to reconcile his past mistakes presented itself to him. Jack and several other people with dark secrets accepted the job, thinking all they had to do was go on an expedition. However, there is more to this than meets the eye and an ancient mystery is about to unfold. Join Jack as they discover more than just an artifact under the Nova Scotian cliffs.

The Accursed Huntsman by Douglass Hoover is a brilliant, exciting, action-packed story that captivated me until the very end. I felt mixed emotions with every paged turned. One moment I was giggling, the next I was feeling nervous and sad. There were also a lot of nail-biting parts that had me on the edge of my seat, but it made my reading experience more exciting. I also felt fascinated with the ancient legends that Sophie shared throughout the novel, especially the legend of the accursed huntsman. It held an important lesson, which is to appreciate what you have. Sophie and Margaret’s discussions made me feel more interested and curious about ancient history and artifacts. I could not help but feel sad after I reached the last page of the novel. I wanted to know more about what happened to Jack after the whole ordeal. Jack lost a lot but it was a happy ending for me, one way or another. This novel is definitely one of my favorites because of its amazing plot and extraordinary characters. Job well done!

Romuald Dzemo

The Accursed Huntsman by Douglass Hoover is a great horror novel that reflects the work of an expert storyteller and will have fans racing through the pages. Jack Steward is a wilderness guide, a professional hunter, and one of the best guides on the East Coast, even if he is not aware that this knowledge is published about him on review pages. He is haunted by an accident that happened seven years ago while hunting, leading to the loss of his friend, Sam, and his leg. Now, he lives on the fringes of society, minding his own business. Attorney Thomas Meyers meets with him on behalf of the Emery Foundation with a proposition for a job and $200,000 for only six weeks of work with a team on an expedition in Nova Scotia. Jack first dismisses the offer but eventually joins the team. The archeological dig involves a cast of unscrupulous characters and as Jack finds himself enmeshed in a world of mystery, horror, and deceit, he is also fascinated by the discovery of a relic that might just have the power to alter history. But there is more than the artifact buried under the cliffs of Nova Scotia… there is horror, too, and it will shake Jack to his very core. Can he survive what lies ahead?

I read a book every one or two days and I rarely come across writing as polished and as beautiful as Douglass Hoover’s. The lyrical writing itself casts a spell that keeps readers turning the pages. The diction and phraseology are impeccable and this author doesn’t waste words. The descriptions are terrific and they allow readers to gain a deeper understanding of the genuinely flawed, impassioned, and likable protagonist. The story begins with Jack’s loss and the reader immediately has sympathy for him, watching him struggle with denial that his friend is really dead. A man with a worn-out prosthetic, thrust into a world of wolves, is the protagonist of this mesmerizing tale loaded with chilling moments. The Accursed Huntsman blends mystery and horror to give readers a ride that is not just satisfactory but unforgettable; the characters are elaborately written, the plot is tautly developed, and the writing is thrilling. This novel is first-rate, written with imagery that fills the reader’s mind and gives them a solid picture of places and captivating scenes.