Hicks is a favorite author and this second installment of his newest series solidifies this. Recommended for those who love the intersection of horror and historical fiction

I am absolutely upset my detailed review vanished from here. I’ll try again but it won’t be as amazing as this book is.

This story takes place immediately after the first one as Salem Hawley escapes the city in search of the book that will call up hell on earth. He reaches Arkham severely wounded and the town is a dark, filthy place of relentless rain and rough locals. Something evil is happening as creatures from hell are unleashed by a witch trying to release the demon to end all time.

Fast, bloody and bleak, this is a creature feature on steroids, something that makes Godzilla look like a plain old lizard, the ending has you holding your breath! No spoilers! MPH never, ever disappoints and I can not wait for book 3! Read immediately!

Michael Patrick Hicks is a force to be reckoned with. This series has been an amazing ride and I can't wait till the 3rd book drops. Comics horror at it's best. Salem Hawley is great lead character and a great hero. If you haven't read Hicks yet you need to fix that. Start with Book 1 of the series first though.

Borne of the Deep by Michael Patrick Hicks is the second book in the Salem Hawley series. The story picks up immediately after the insane events of book one, The Resurrectionists. To repay a debt Hawley finds himself in pursuit of a rogue doctor and an ancient tome of power that was responsible for the chaos and destruction unleashed upon New York.

If book one was cosmic horrors then here in book two Hicks goes full on Lovecraft. Tentacles galore! Everything about Borne of the Deep feels as if it is done on a grander scale. The monsters, both human and not, are more repugnant, the threats more menacing and dangerous, and the epic climax rocks the book to its foundations. Did I mention the blood and gore? No? Well, Hicks unflinchingly ups the ante in the viscera department too. The reader will come out of this soaked to the bone in salt water and stained red with the guts of creatures not of this world.

A highlight for me, other than the cinematic depictions of violence, was the introduction of a new badass female character Louise LeMarche. She was powerful, mysterious, and was a great conduit for providing information to both Salem and the readers that didn’t feel like an info dump when she would explain certain story elements. I hope that we have not seen the last of her.


Out of all the unfathomable abominations Salem Hawley encounters, the biggest obstacle to impede his progress is still the color of his skin. Even when attempting to save mankind as we know it he still has to deal with the racist views of others. Who are the true monsters here? Men and their hateful bigotted ways or the creatures they call forth to wreak havoc and destruction?

Gruesomely vile and ferociously entertaining. Borne of the Deep by Michael Patrick Hicks sets a blistering pace as Salem Hawley brawls his way through mind maddening predicaments as the action packed violence and story collide in a final epic crescendo. This book has set the stage for what is sure to be an insane ending to this series with book three, Black Rock. I cannot wait to see what horrors Hicks has in store for Hawley to face next.

Borne of the Deep is the amazing second book in the Salem Hawley Series, and I loved it every bit as much as the first. Once again, it's historical sci-fi horror perfection, and I really hope the series continues because I would love to see what else Hicks comes up with. His characters are perfectly written, the dialogue is great, and the story itself is phenomenal. Bringing in Lovecraftian beasties is so superbly done, and the writing style is crisp and clean, with details beautifully given. Such a fun, creepy, quick read.

A superb slice of lovecraftian horror, written better than Lovecraft himself. There are so many great horror moments and set pieces. The egg planting scene is horrific, the May day orgie massacre is like nothing I've ever read, and the finale with the leviathan is truly epic. I can't wait to read the next in the series.

Salem Hawley is recovering from wounds he gained during the finale of the first novella in the series “The Resurrectionists”. Sent on a mission by Dr. Richard Bayley, he travels by stagecoach with Bayley’s apprentice, Dr. Wright Post.

Haunted by visions of a massive black pyramid, Hawley is trying to find the ancient tome, Al Azif. This book is now believed to be in possession of occultists in Arkham, Massachusetts. Considering that it caused the release of the large, deadly crustacean in the previous novella, this book must be recovered at all costs!

However, not all is what it seems, and Hawley must ally himself with a stranger who seems to know more than she lets on. Together, they must find the book, uncover a conspiracy in Arkham, and prevent a new creature from rising from the deep!

It takes the first half of the novella to set up the rest of the story here. These parts where Hawley is traveling by stagecoach are a little slower in pace but no less important, as it builds a sense of dread and suspense. It also puts the pieces in place that will be explained later.

It’s about at the midway point where the author unleashes all that he’s been building up to and kicks the story into high gear. It shares horrifying realizations and surprising revelations to everything that has been happening to date. Once unleashed, the author goes full throttle, exploding into a cascade of gore, frantic fighting, and desperation to survive the onslaught of hideous creatures overrunning the town.

These creatures are vile and disgusting, sickening me to my core. The author has a knack in fully immersing me in his stories, engaging all my five senses with his descriptions of the merciless carnage. Many scenes many had me screw my face up in revulsion at the images and smells his prose brought up in my head.

It all leads to a breathtaking finale in a roller-coaster ride that pulled me along at high speed, demonstrating these creatures at the height of their violent, full power. As a humungous, unholy creature is summoned from the depths, the fury of a god fully unbridled visits hell on earth upon the residents of Arkham.

Since the time period is 1788 and Hawley is a Revolutionary War veteran who is also a Negro, he faces a lot of prejudice from the general population. Thankfully, he has the necessary skills to handle himself in a fight though. He’ll need those skills to face off against these strange creatures in the coming battle.

I liked that his history was fleshed out more, especially with his mother. With her background, it informs more about his belief system and his ability to handle the supernatural better. This kind of characterization about him and his mother makes for richer reading and makes for a far more interesting story.

I also liked the addition of Louise LeMarché to the narrative. She is a much-needed ally in Hawley’s quest who brings with her the knowledge he needs to stay alive. Her dramatic introduction into the story as well as her adeptness with magic is important to help him figure out how to defeat these hidden enemies.

From building tension to wreaking havoc, no one writes more brutal scenes like these than the author. Having read many of his stories previously, he has another remarkable novella here. Based on the clues shared here and in the previous book, I look forward to reading how he wraps it all up in the finale of this trilogy.

Please, just don’t impregnate me with eggs that make me want to throw up as I read about how they were implanted and what they will do to me once they’re born. Ewww.

BORNE OF THE DEEP, Book Two in the Salem Hawley series by Michael Patrick Hicks, was a lot of fun to read! Having not read any of Lovecraft’s work, yet, I wasn’t familiar with Dagon.

‘What?!’, you say.

I know, right?! Now I have to give back my Honorary Horror Fan Membership Card with matching macabre decoder ring?

Say It Isn’t So?!?!

I kid, of course, I traded my bloody skull ring with Bobby Ferguson down the street decades ago for one of his Tales From The Crypt comic books.

Hey, I kept the membership card, so it still counts, right?

In all seriousness, I enjoyed reading Hicks’ take of the deity, Dagon.
The imagery throughout BORNE OF THE DEEP, in particular, that one ALIEN-ish scene is one I won’t soon forget—creepy as hell—and I Loved It!

I became a fan of Hicks’ writing last year after reading book one in this series, THE RESURRECTIONISTS, and I’m excited to see what’s in store for Salem in Book Three.

Thank you, NetGalley and High Fever Books, for loaning me an advance eBook of BORNE OF THE DEEP in exchange for an honest review.

Again, another fabulous story. Historical horror, who knew I would enjoy it? Hicks continues the story of Salem Hawley in a most Lovecraftian way.

For me the positives in Borne of the Deep are the characters, especially Salem. I really felt for him because of the mistreatment by Dr. Post. I also liked the mythos created and expanded upon in this installment. On the other hand, I found book two a bit slow for a few chapters. The negatives in my opinion are the gore and grotesque scenes. Michael Hicks goes into some pretty nasty detail with Louise LaMarche, To say more would spoil it, so I'll let you enjoy the stomach turning horror for yourself. We'll see how it all ends in book three.

After the events in THE RESURRECTIONISTS, Salem Hawley is on a quest to find Al Azif, the mysterious grimoire stolen at the end of that book. Now, prepare yourself for a rip-roaring ride to Arkham!

In a horse drawn carriage on the way to find the book, Salem deals with racism and other problems. Even though he is a free man, he doesn't command much respect. Once he arrives at Arkham, he meets a mysterious woman named Louise LaMarche. Together they will have to face the most serious threats yet, namely, Dagon and the Deep Ones. Will he and Louise be able to find Al Azif? If so, will they find it in time to prevent Dagon and the others from overtaking Arkham? Lastly, will Salem and Louise survive? You'll have to read this to find out!

BORNE OF THE DEEP features some of the best battle scenes I've read in a long time. I thought a lot of blood was shed in the first book, but this one goes entirely off the rails. Salem is a brave, brave man to stand strong against what Dagon has in store. Fans of Lovecraft will recognize these names and see them brought to life more vividly than I've ever read before, and that includes Lovecraft's writing itself!

With a great historical background, and the integration of cosmic horror to boot, (most better than the original, [sorry, Lovecraft]), there is no way this series could fail to please or satisfy serious horror readers. I initially rated this 4 out of 5 stars, but after thinking about it overnight, I boosted my rating to the full 5. I couldn't have asked for anything more-other than the next book be released. Right now!

Highly recommended!

Kindle copies available now, just in time for social distancing! https://amzn.to/2Qr0r7I

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest feedback. This is it!*

The second part in the Salem Hawley series seamlessly follows the gripping events of 'The Resurrectionists'. To clear a debt, Salem travels to Arkham, Massachusetts, in pursuit of Al Azif, the grimoire that was stolen at the end of part one. Strange events take place in Arkham, and Salem meets a woman with mysterious powers called Louise LeMarché. Together, they have to face a powerful and otherworldly enemy. While at the end of 'The Resurrectionists' Salem only cast a short glimpse into the realm of a very ancient horror, now he has to face some of the monsters that have already spread on earth. But will he succeed in his battle against the rise of the Old Ones?

'Borne of the Deep' was even grimmer than its predecessor, and I loved the determination and strength Salem summoned to make his stand, even in the most hopeless situation. The appearance of Louise LeMarché adds another intriguing character to the story, and I hope to meet her and Salem again in the near future.

I’ve enjoyed the fiction of Michael Patrick Hicks for several years now, an author who often specialises in blending fast-paced pulpy horror with science fiction, check out Mass Hysteria or Broken Shells for some terrific examples of his work. The Resurrectionists series is a major departure from this familiar style and I admire authors who stretch the boundaries of their writing and Hicks does this very well in this clever change to direction. Taking us back to the 1780s for a fascinating tale of cosmic horror and graverobbing, set in America a few years after the country gained its independence by kicking out the British overlords. Make sure you read The Resurrectionists before embarking upon Borne of the Deep, as they need to be tackled in the correct order.

In a brief recap of the events of book one; the main character is Sam Hawley, a black man who fought for the American colonies against the Brits and is now a free man who is drawn into a dark grave-robbing mystery. Set in New York, where it is common for graves particularly of black people to be robbed, and after a friend of Sam’s spouse is dug-up he attempts to help catch the culprits. Although the Resurrectionists is a horror story it also has a strong sense of social justice and the question of race is a theme which lurks in the background, adding an extra dimension to the plot development.

This other main characters Jonathan Hereford and Dr Richard Bayley are the The Resurrectionists of the title, both are very nasty pieces of work and occultists. Bayley is obsessed with pain and, specifically, with the idea that extreme pain, or torture, can bring forth something otherworldly, the cosmic horror element of the story. Hereford is the perfect assistant as nobody enjoys inflicting pain more than this guy. The result is probably the most violent and graphic book Michael Patrick Hicks has written, but it never glorifies the nasty torture scenes. This novella ends on a beauty of a cliff-hanger and I was gagging for the second instalment.

Unfortunately Borne of the Deep does not reach the same heights of its predecessor, it is a perfectly serviceable sequel, but ultimately not enough happened in it. I do not know how long the projected series is, but perhaps it suffers from being a middle section where there is manoeuvring to set things up for the big finish. It seemed to be constructed around two major parts; the first of which sees Sam Hawley going on a long journey, this went on and on and was quite dull. Unfortunately, this travel sequence lacked the atmosphere of New York, which was an outstanding location for the opening novella. The second major sequence, which was towards the end, was a supernatural fight which was also incredibly long and ultimately dragged.

There is not much more you can say about the plot without going into spoiler territory as Sam heads to Arkham, Massachusetts, on the hunt for a mysterious object, and even though the final destination is a dark and dangerous location, it did not inspire the imagination in the same manner of New York. The clever conclusion of The Resurrectionists is only hinted at in dream sequences and is obviously, frustratingly, being held back for the next part. As well as cosmic horror, witchcraft is added to the mix when Hawley meets a suspected witch and freaky stuff follows him around, which is connected to the events of the first novella.

I do not want to be too harsh on Borne of the Deep as its predecessor was excellent and was a hard act to follow and I’m still going to hang in there for book three as I want to know what is going on with those pyramids which pop up in Hawley’s dreams. It is hard to maintain momentum in series which are released in parts, even John JD Taff’s excellent four-part series The Fearing had dips along the way. In part three I hope Hawley finds himself back in New York and I look forward to seeing how things move forward.

This book is so much fun, and I love Salem Hawley! He's seen the abyss, in this world and the other(s)..

This book starts off quite ominously and perilously for the protagonist, Salem. He is disturbed by visions of a mysterious pyramid. For those who read the first book and thought they wanted more Lovecraftian vibes, they're in luck because this sequel contains that type of material in spades. The writing is strong, the characters memorable, and overall i enjoyed it.

With great pleasure and excitement I was thrilled to be back with Salem Hawley in the second installment of Hick’s The Salem Hawley Series! Hawley is a free man, emancipated during the American Revolution. He finds himself indebted to a doctor for treatment he received for injuries suffered during the NY Doctors Riot. He has been tasked with the recovery of a stolen grimoire, Al Azif. He travels to Arkham, Massachusetts which has become a dark and dangerous place! While tracking the thief he runs into another person on the stolen grimoire’s trail, an outcast and suspected witch.

This one starts off right out of the gates with Harley’s nightmares of a mysterious pyramid, snow and tentacles coiling around him! Once he arrives in Arkham, he finds hell on earth. It culminates during a night Hawley was “shattered by the sights no human mind could reasonably tolerate or observe without fracturing.” I couldn’t put this down and didn’t want it to end! I will be waiting patiently for the third book!