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Bishop: Man vs Monster
Past and present collide in Northern Washington State, as an evil from the past makes its presence known once again. Bishop, along with Casey and Troy, have begun a new life together hunting monsters. But when something horrific awakens, they find their world thrown into turmoil and they are forced to rely on the past to save the future.
Karl Beck, famed Hero of Duncan, has found himself in a series of escalating dangers, as he pursues a dangerous new creature through the wild frontier of the West. He has stumbled upon something far larger than he expected.
Two tales intertwine as an ancient evil wakens. But is this new threat more than either hunter can handle?
Karl Beck, famed Hero of Duncan, has found himself in a series of escalating dangers, as he pursues a dangerous new creature through the wild frontier of the West. He has stumbled upon something far larger than he expected.
Two tales intertwine as an ancient evil wakens. But is this new threat more than either hunter can handle?
173 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2023
28 people are currently reading
197 people want to read
About the author
Candace Nola
94books284followersI am Candace Nola, and I am a multiple award-winning author, editor, and publisher. I write poetry, horror, dark fantasy, and extreme horror content. My books include Breach, Beyond the Breach, Hank Flynn, Bishop, Earth vs The Lava Spiders, The Unicorn Killer, Unmasked, The Vet, and Desperate Wishes.
I have short stories in The Baker’s Dozen anthology, Secondhand Creeps, American Cannibal, Just A Girl, The Horror Collection: Lost Edition & The Turquoise Edition, just to name a few.
Beyond the Breach, won the “Novel of the Year� and my Debut Novel, Breach, was nominated for “Debut Novel of the Year�, for the 2021 Horror Authors Guild awards. I am also the publisher and editor of the 2022 Splatterpunk Award Winning Anthology “Uncomfortably Dark Presents: The Baker’s Dozen.�
I am the creator of Uncomfortably Dark, which focuses primarily on promoting indie horror authors and small presses with weekly book reviews, interviews, and special features. Uncomfortably Dark Horror stands behind its mission to “bring you the best in horror, one uncomfortably dark page at a time.�
Find me on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook and the website, UncomfortablyDark.com. Sign up for the Patreon for exclusive content, free stories, and more.
I have short stories in The Baker’s Dozen anthology, Secondhand Creeps, American Cannibal, Just A Girl, The Horror Collection: Lost Edition & The Turquoise Edition, just to name a few.
Beyond the Breach, won the “Novel of the Year� and my Debut Novel, Breach, was nominated for “Debut Novel of the Year�, for the 2021 Horror Authors Guild awards. I am also the publisher and editor of the 2022 Splatterpunk Award Winning Anthology “Uncomfortably Dark Presents: The Baker’s Dozen.�
I am the creator of Uncomfortably Dark, which focuses primarily on promoting indie horror authors and small presses with weekly book reviews, interviews, and special features. Uncomfortably Dark Horror stands behind its mission to “bring you the best in horror, one uncomfortably dark page at a time.�
Find me on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook and the website, UncomfortablyDark.com. Sign up for the Patreon for exclusive content, free stories, and more.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
June 4, 2023
Full review available at The Mort Report:
“I hurt myself today
To see if I still feel
I focus on the pain
The only thing that's real�
HURT by �
Okay, I have to get this off my chest � the more famous version of this song (and if you don’t know it, unfuck that right now!) is by Johnny Cash. And, while I am a huge Cash fan, I prefer the version by the guy who actually wrote the song. Trent Reznor � listen to the Nine Inch Nails version. And the reason is simple � Johnny sounds defeated, while Trent becomes angry.
On to the book:
Man, there are layers in this story. Deep, emotional layers.
If you are looking for a simple horror story to just entertain you for a few hours, kind of like a popcorn movie, this is not the read for you. This one will leave you with questions on where exactly you stand on the subject of life, death and monsters.
Now, I have read some really good collaborations and I have read some really bad ones, so it is always a risk to go down that road. Because there are difficult questions you have to answer before you even start a project like this:
Will our voices gel together? Will fans of one author be put off by the style and flow of the other author? Will the other author’s handwriting be so bad that the thread of the story gets lost and nobody will ever want to read me again and � breathe, damn you, breathe…screw these panic attacks!
It’s not really that bad. For everybody, anyway.
But the thing is, do you edit the stories to flow so well together that the reader would not know who wrote which part, or do you allow each other the freedom to express yourself the way you know it works for you?
And there is no right answer to that question.
I have read a novel where four authors were involved and I could honestly not tell who wrote which part, and then I have read some where they tried to make it sound like a singular voice, but in the end it diminished both author’s strong parts of their writing.
And I have read collaborations where both authors kept their own voice, but in the end the one was so far superior to the other that it made me like the story less.
But when it works�
So what did these two decide?
Well, there are two very distinct voices in this novel�
Fans of the first BISHOP novel by Candace Nola will not be disappointed by this one. And fans of Mike Ennenbach will get exactly what they expect.
But they made it work, mostly because most of the story takes place in two different timelines, which didn’t make you feel like one author was bending over to accommodate the other…even though Mike might have enjoyed that.
Relax, he has the sense of humor to appreciate that.
Highly enjoyable and recommended to horror fans who can appreciate depth in a story.
5 Stars!
“I hurt myself today
To see if I still feel
I focus on the pain
The only thing that's real�
HURT by �
Okay, I have to get this off my chest � the more famous version of this song (and if you don’t know it, unfuck that right now!) is by Johnny Cash. And, while I am a huge Cash fan, I prefer the version by the guy who actually wrote the song. Trent Reznor � listen to the Nine Inch Nails version. And the reason is simple � Johnny sounds defeated, while Trent becomes angry.
On to the book:
Man, there are layers in this story. Deep, emotional layers.
If you are looking for a simple horror story to just entertain you for a few hours, kind of like a popcorn movie, this is not the read for you. This one will leave you with questions on where exactly you stand on the subject of life, death and monsters.
Now, I have read some really good collaborations and I have read some really bad ones, so it is always a risk to go down that road. Because there are difficult questions you have to answer before you even start a project like this:
Will our voices gel together? Will fans of one author be put off by the style and flow of the other author? Will the other author’s handwriting be so bad that the thread of the story gets lost and nobody will ever want to read me again and � breathe, damn you, breathe…screw these panic attacks!
It’s not really that bad. For everybody, anyway.
But the thing is, do you edit the stories to flow so well together that the reader would not know who wrote which part, or do you allow each other the freedom to express yourself the way you know it works for you?
And there is no right answer to that question.
I have read a novel where four authors were involved and I could honestly not tell who wrote which part, and then I have read some where they tried to make it sound like a singular voice, but in the end it diminished both author’s strong parts of their writing.
And I have read collaborations where both authors kept their own voice, but in the end the one was so far superior to the other that it made me like the story less.
But when it works�
So what did these two decide?
Well, there are two very distinct voices in this novel�
Fans of the first BISHOP novel by Candace Nola will not be disappointed by this one. And fans of Mike Ennenbach will get exactly what they expect.
But they made it work, mostly because most of the story takes place in two different timelines, which didn’t make you feel like one author was bending over to accommodate the other…even though Mike might have enjoyed that.
Relax, he has the sense of humor to appreciate that.
Highly enjoyable and recommended to horror fans who can appreciate depth in a story.
5 Stars!
August 19, 2023
Howling Horror Action!
Small backstory:
Troy and Casey are back in this sequel along with Bishop as now Bishop is considered part of the family. Something evil stirs in the woods once again and Bishop, Troy, and Casey are now hunters of creatures so when this new evil is found out they are off to go in search of it.
Back in the past of the old west there was an incident of where a creature was sighted and a man named Karl Beck pursued the creature. Troy and Casey come across an old journal that describes Beck's exploits of what he had to endure on his quest to track the creature. In the hopes of understanding what Beck experienced they are wishing to know more about the creature as they think that the creature from the past is now in the present!
That is about all I can give out on a small backstory without giving away spoilers so if you are intrigued then go read this book!
Thoughts:
This story just took off right away with things happening in the story which kept me riveted to my seat! The mystery of both time lines was very interesting and I loved reading the journal entries from the story that took place back in the old west.
More creature action is afoot in this story as well as there is tons of things going on with everyone involved in the story. I have become attached to the characters Troy, Casey, and Bishop and I am looking forward to seeing more of them in the future as it seems on the completion of this book there will be another one more than likely as the ending makes it seems there is more to come! Giving this book five "Terror and Suspense" stars!
Small backstory:
Troy and Casey are back in this sequel along with Bishop as now Bishop is considered part of the family. Something evil stirs in the woods once again and Bishop, Troy, and Casey are now hunters of creatures so when this new evil is found out they are off to go in search of it.
Back in the past of the old west there was an incident of where a creature was sighted and a man named Karl Beck pursued the creature. Troy and Casey come across an old journal that describes Beck's exploits of what he had to endure on his quest to track the creature. In the hopes of understanding what Beck experienced they are wishing to know more about the creature as they think that the creature from the past is now in the present!
That is about all I can give out on a small backstory without giving away spoilers so if you are intrigued then go read this book!
Thoughts:
This story just took off right away with things happening in the story which kept me riveted to my seat! The mystery of both time lines was very interesting and I loved reading the journal entries from the story that took place back in the old west.
More creature action is afoot in this story as well as there is tons of things going on with everyone involved in the story. I have become attached to the characters Troy, Casey, and Bishop and I am looking forward to seeing more of them in the future as it seems on the completion of this book there will be another one more than likely as the ending makes it seems there is more to come! Giving this book five "Terror and Suspense" stars!
December 25, 2023
Loved this title!!! The crossover with Ennenbach's Karl Beck character was so much fun! What a perfect combination! It seems like there is still a lot more tales to tell with both Bishop, Troy, and Casey, along with Mr. Beck. Casey kind of reminds me of Lara Croft from Tomb Raider but with a wicked were-bear to help kick some butt.
November 27, 2023
“No journey set with the intention of killing a friend could be anything but a doomed endeavor.�
Right away the readers are back in the action with Bishop, Troy, & Casey. Years after the events of Book 1, they are now united as a monster hunting family; human, animal, & supernatural predators who kill humans for sadistic sport beware!
A new type of creature is awoken and the tale takes on some classic & cosmic monster aspects. There’s a whole world that humans are unaware of, and it turns out that Troy & Casey aren’t the only hunters in existence.
While I enjoyed the story, I didn’t feel the same thrill as I did with “Bishop�. Some parts felt a bit repetitive with lots of characters following each other around in circles it seemed. I also wasn’t a huge fan of Wilhelm being implemented as the main antagonist/anithero, but I do see how his humanity/beast struggle mirrors Bishop’s.
Right away the readers are back in the action with Bishop, Troy, & Casey. Years after the events of Book 1, they are now united as a monster hunting family; human, animal, & supernatural predators who kill humans for sadistic sport beware!
A new type of creature is awoken and the tale takes on some classic & cosmic monster aspects. There’s a whole world that humans are unaware of, and it turns out that Troy & Casey aren’t the only hunters in existence.
While I enjoyed the story, I didn’t feel the same thrill as I did with “Bishop�. Some parts felt a bit repetitive with lots of characters following each other around in circles it seemed. I also wasn’t a huge fan of Wilhelm being implemented as the main antagonist/anithero, but I do see how his humanity/beast struggle mirrors Bishop’s.
June 14, 2023
Expect the unexpected, I guess. I only read Bishop before this and expected a different tone and tale when I picked this one up. Wow, was I wrong. It went in a wonderfully different direction than I had thought. Equal parts horror, history, and creature-feature, the sequel to Bishop is so much fun to read. The addition of more eldritch horror, a touch of mystery, and good ol' fashioned monsters made for a fun and thrilling read.
I loved how it was more than just scares and blood. What stands out to me the most is how Wilhelm's touching and tragic tale made this feel like a more complex story than it's cover and back matter suggest. There is really so much fun to be had with this.
I loved how it was more than just scares and blood. What stands out to me the most is how Wilhelm's touching and tragic tale made this feel like a more complex story than it's cover and back matter suggest. There is really so much fun to be had with this.
June 13, 2023
Bishop the Werebear is back, if u liked the first one then your in for a real treat, as this story adds a dash of Mary Shellly/ And H P Lovecraft in to tbe mix, The stakes are highter for Bishop this time.
May 1, 2023
Bishop: Man vs Monster, the eagerly awaited second book in the Bishop saga co-written by Candace Nola and M Ennenbach, is a brilliantly conceived crossover of Nola’s novel Bishop and Ennenbach’s character Karl Beck from his acclaimed Splatterwestern, Hunger on the Chisolm Trail, with a dark and timeless terror added to the mix. You can tell from the first page of the prologue that you’re in for a wild ride. And you are.
This is an intense and brutal novel. Suspense and intrigue are firmly set in the prologue and build steadily as the story progresses and unfolds, ultimately culminating in a way you don’t expect. The storyline is fantastic, and the action is brutal and plentiful.
But it’s also evocative. Through the course of the telling, we come to better know the characters Bishop, Casey, and Troy from Bishop (the first book) and learn a lot more about the intriguing Karl Beck. And little by little, we learn more and more about the mysterious horror they all face. The characters and suspense and vivid visuals make Bishop: Man vs Monster a real page-turner.
If you haven’t read Bishop or Hunger on the Chisolm Trail, you need to read those first. You want to read those anyway, really. Then get comfortable and step into the intense and brutal tale of Bishop: Man vs Monster.
June 15, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25/5
Loved this one, and “I� totally make an appearance (thanks, M!), but it doesn’t compare to meeting Bishop for the first time.
*I’m not going to give you the ‘what this book is about� blurb � you can read that elsewhere.
1. Because of my procrastination in reading Bishop, it meant I got to read it and then go immediately into the 2nd installment of the Bishop world. So, I guess that’s a win! We see things switch up a bit in this book � instead of 1 author, this is penned by 2, and it is executed seamlessly. Nola and Ennenbach are both amazing authors on their own, but it’s something special when they team up.
2. Man vs. Monster proves that our main man, Bishop, is actually being hunted by…something. Or somethingS. Why? Well, there are a multitude of reasons, and I love that. In book 1 we had a great introduction to the main characters and the plot, and in this installment we see a deeper plot � there’s the action that happens in this book + an underlying dread that perfectly sets up book 3.
3. I’m so freaking nervous something bad is going to happen to Bishop. I know it’s horror and things like that are supposed to happen, but Candace just created such an easy to love character that I feel protective of and don’t want to see any harm befall. GOT IT, NOLA?!? 😉
Loved this one, and “I� totally make an appearance (thanks, M!), but it doesn’t compare to meeting Bishop for the first time.
*I’m not going to give you the ‘what this book is about� blurb � you can read that elsewhere.
1. Because of my procrastination in reading Bishop, it meant I got to read it and then go immediately into the 2nd installment of the Bishop world. So, I guess that’s a win! We see things switch up a bit in this book � instead of 1 author, this is penned by 2, and it is executed seamlessly. Nola and Ennenbach are both amazing authors on their own, but it’s something special when they team up.
2. Man vs. Monster proves that our main man, Bishop, is actually being hunted by…something. Or somethingS. Why? Well, there are a multitude of reasons, and I love that. In book 1 we had a great introduction to the main characters and the plot, and in this installment we see a deeper plot � there’s the action that happens in this book + an underlying dread that perfectly sets up book 3.
3. I’m so freaking nervous something bad is going to happen to Bishop. I know it’s horror and things like that are supposed to happen, but Candace just created such an easy to love character that I feel protective of and don’t want to see any harm befall. GOT IT, NOLA?!? 😉
April 19, 2023
Nola and Ennenbach knock it out of the park in this sequel to Bishop. With favorite characters returning, tie-ins to other stories, and the intense final act, this is one hell of a story and one of the best I've read this year
May 7, 2024
Another killer read!
Even better than book one.
After defeating the wendigo some years before this found family now hunts monsters of every kind.
But now something new is on the horizon and Bishop needs all the help Troy and Casey can give him.
My only complaint is that it felt rushed in some parts, especially at the end. So much build up for the final fight to be over so quickly.
From where book one left off I did not expect this. Man vs Monster is a gory tragic ride that expands the monsters of this world and dives into the dark side of a hidden history. Demons, were-creatures, unstoppable golems, and ancient gods all transcend time to gather a scheme hundreds of years in the making.
I cannot wait to see what happens in book three.
Even better than book one.
After defeating the wendigo some years before this found family now hunts monsters of every kind.
But now something new is on the horizon and Bishop needs all the help Troy and Casey can give him.
My only complaint is that it felt rushed in some parts, especially at the end. So much build up for the final fight to be over so quickly.
From where book one left off I did not expect this. Man vs Monster is a gory tragic ride that expands the monsters of this world and dives into the dark side of a hidden history. Demons, were-creatures, unstoppable golems, and ancient gods all transcend time to gather a scheme hundreds of years in the making.
I cannot wait to see what happens in book three.
April 21, 2023
It's a shame about man vs monster. In a few years it will be pulled from all libraries, because it's going to be a classic. the action is fast and starts from the beginning, it only slows down once you reach the last page. Bishop has quickly become one of my favorite characters in any series. The only thing I didn't like about it, is the fact that I now have to wait for the next one. If you enjoyed Bishop then you will love man vs monster, top notch writing from a pair of top notch authors. Highly HIGHLY recommend this. I'd give it more stars on here but five is the max.
April 16, 2023
Candace Nola and M. Ennenbach make one hell of a team in Bishop: Man vs. Monster. A collision of horror universes and beloved stories that results something wholly unique and unexpected. Bishop 2 brings the terror and heart, mixing fear and family while adding elements of history and mystery. In this sequel, fans of the first will find familiar characters and callbacks, while Nola also understands nobody wants to just hear the same old song. Hence the addition of Ennenbach. With elements that horror classic purists will adore and twists around every corner, this series is making some special promises. Wherever it’s off to next, I’ll be along for the ride.
August 18, 2024
For all the monsters that roam this planet, none are as horrible as man.
It has been a long time since I read a book that I thought was pretty good at its core but so poorly executed that overall I wasn't just disappointed, I was legitimately frustrated. But in all honesty, I was left wondering if Candace Nola' and M. Ennenbach's "Bishop: Man vs Monster" had even been edited. Just as the last chapter - but arguably worse in spots - the punctuation is strewn about like a drunk sailor trying to play jacks on a ship in rough seas. There are pages where the text just � stops and numerous occasions where the wrong word is used. Again, for such a promising premise (sorry for the annoying alliteration� and again), I just felt this book deserved better.
I had hoped I was more than a creature made only to kill. Hope is a poison.
I'm not a writer nor an editor by any stretch of the imagination, but I do assist with beta-readings and more throughout the year, proudly even serving a few certified N.Y. Bestseller List authors along the way. If I had received this from any of them, I would have politely - yes, maybe with a teeny touch of sarcasm included - sent their manuscript back and suggested that it was not quite at what one would call "beta-read" level yet (it's happened before and I have the receipts!). And I can assure you that if I had submitted same to the umpteen English Lit. or Creative Writing courses I attended in High School and College, that they would not have fared well in terms of my letter grades or even progression towards graduation. In fact, I think that providing grades here is a good way to tackle some of my issues and literally vent my frustration:
He was evil that he could not control. He was the creation of another time, another diseased mind.
WARNING: minor to fairly major spoilers abound!
CREATIVITY: B+
1) The prologue alone is one of the best stretches (yes, I'm being positive, pay attention!) of prose I've enjoyed in a while. I literally read it twice because I was so hopeful that some of the defects from the original story had been addressed and the distractions from same would not be an issue here. Alas, my optimism was short-lived despite guessing correctly - and happy for that! - very early who our surprise guest would be;
2) To that, the re-imagining of the Frankenstein Monster mythos was an unexpected but sincerely enjoyable aspect and fit in well even after the horrors we witnessed owing to the cruel ferociousness of the Wendigo in the last chapter. I found Wilhelm's intelligence and overall deep emotional state to be one of the strongest parts of the story and hope we have not seen the last of this tragically torn and, um, well, tragic figure!
3) The 'flashbacks' to Karl Beck's historical musings were fascinating. For some odd and probably twisted reason, monster stories that take place in post-Civil War America always seem to fascinate the hell out of me (I just finished a trilogy about chupacabras in the same era) and this worked to perfection. It also didn't hurt that these sections seemed to be much better prepared in terms of release even though they, too, were far from perfect;
4) I also want to confess that although I didn't think the "found family formula" (say that four times real fast!) would work, but Casey and her Uncles (note plural!) Tory and Bishop were a pleasure to see at their best and most loving. Yes, there was still a lot of repetition included in terms of their personalities and emotional scars and actions and so on, but overall it worked better than expected;
5) Conclusion to the story CREATIVELY SPEAKING: insane, unexpected, brutal� but intriquing. If the author(s) intend to keep this series running, they certainly provided an ample springboard for the coming story-lines!
The fury. The rage. The rage. The darkness. It is all I see, all I taste, all I am.
EXECUTION: D- and yes, Virginia, I rounded up!
1) There is literally a point as I mentioned where the text stops mid-page and utter nonsense follows:
"…after his vigorous tending to my wounds, I found my trip to Arizona sidelined and
(blank space)
“Did you wreck the ship?� the bartender asked me with a cautious stare.
“Fine, thank you. A glass of whiskey, please.� (p. 63)
2) The repetitiveness - from paragraph to paragraph, within the same paragraph, or even the same sentence - is extensive and utterly frustrating. For example:
"Bishop had been gone since before dawn tracking a deadly shape-shifter they had been tracking�" (p. 13);
"He had been fleeing the scene…as they surveyed the scene�"(p. 42);
"Bishop stretched his mind into the creatures, aligning his senses more fully with the creatures..." (p. 45);
"A living, breathing thing that felt and breathed�" (p. 75);
"…t flapping yellow warning tape flapped in the breeze�" (p. 137);
And I'm not including all the ways that things wound up gnawing on poor Casey's stomach throughout! Poor kid should have a portal to hell open in her lower abdomen by now! Ad infinitum, ad nauseum!
3) This kind of structuring is wrong on so many levels and was used incorrectly in any number of combinations throughout:
“It’s been a rough day.� He said softly." (p. 38).
SHOULD BE: "It's been a rough day," he said softly!
4) I was also supremely disappointed in the number of wrong words used this time. Again, citing examples:
"Casey signed and sat down on a stool�" (p. 32)
Casey SIGHED! She is not deaf!
"Small zaps exploded where they hit from the tunes I etched on the tip of my bullets,�" (p.62)
…where they hit the RUNES!
"Then I saw a brief dish of movement,�" (p. 68).
…a brief DASH of movement!
"a man shaped blue burst from the shadows."
a man-shaped BLUR burst� (p.70).
5) Tense disagreements, often changing again within the same passage:
"Stepping inside, destruction abounds. Furniture was scattered everywhere,�" (p. 47);
"He guided his creature around the building, searching for fresh blood and signs of the thing he was stalking. Whatever entity this is, it’s no longer here." (p. 47);
6) And let's end with plot holes. I'll ignore most - including Wilhelm's sudden limp or Troy somehow retying his hands in the cave or even the magic egg that knocks out power to everything but apparently not cellphones and get to the one that really stuck in my craw, namely, the death and apparent rebirth of Karl Beck's horse, Girl. Now apparently poor Girl was struck down by a water elemental on the might Mississippi:
"Bodies floated on the churning river along with large pieces of the ship’s wreckage, but my eyes were caught on Girl and her soft brown eyes that stared into forever on the shore." (pp. 61-62)
Now I may be wrong (while ignoring the redundancy of 'eyes'), but that sounds like the poor horsey is dead, no? Yet, later during his unscheduled 'visit' to Cahokia and on his way to Arizona, he naturally relied on Girl for all kinds of help. It can only mean one thing: ZOMBIE HORSES! Somebody call our local Monster Hunter Internationals Jr. Division (no big guns apparently allowed) while I write an apology letter to Larry Correia!
I lay trapped beneath tons of stone in silent darkness as eons passed unfelt around me.
OK, so I've had my chance here to rant and rave to my heart's semi-desire (oh yes, I could indeed go on). I will say this: if this were MY book, I'd withdraw it from the market, get it fixed with as much help as I could get muster, and release it with a sincere apology to my readers. And look, I know it's not easy being an 'independent' writer, not at all. But that's also why I think it is imperative to get these books right. You can't be just as good as a publishing house star, you need to try and be better!
Here endeth the lesson. Now the shoggoths will go around and collect alms for the poor (meaning me)! Give generously � or else. Amen.
It has been a long time since I read a book that I thought was pretty good at its core but so poorly executed that overall I wasn't just disappointed, I was legitimately frustrated. But in all honesty, I was left wondering if Candace Nola' and M. Ennenbach's "Bishop: Man vs Monster" had even been edited. Just as the last chapter - but arguably worse in spots - the punctuation is strewn about like a drunk sailor trying to play jacks on a ship in rough seas. There are pages where the text just � stops and numerous occasions where the wrong word is used. Again, for such a promising premise (sorry for the annoying alliteration� and again), I just felt this book deserved better.
I had hoped I was more than a creature made only to kill. Hope is a poison.
I'm not a writer nor an editor by any stretch of the imagination, but I do assist with beta-readings and more throughout the year, proudly even serving a few certified N.Y. Bestseller List authors along the way. If I had received this from any of them, I would have politely - yes, maybe with a teeny touch of sarcasm included - sent their manuscript back and suggested that it was not quite at what one would call "beta-read" level yet (it's happened before and I have the receipts!). And I can assure you that if I had submitted same to the umpteen English Lit. or Creative Writing courses I attended in High School and College, that they would not have fared well in terms of my letter grades or even progression towards graduation. In fact, I think that providing grades here is a good way to tackle some of my issues and literally vent my frustration:
He was evil that he could not control. He was the creation of another time, another diseased mind.
WARNING: minor to fairly major spoilers abound!
CREATIVITY: B+
1) The prologue alone is one of the best stretches (yes, I'm being positive, pay attention!) of prose I've enjoyed in a while. I literally read it twice because I was so hopeful that some of the defects from the original story had been addressed and the distractions from same would not be an issue here. Alas, my optimism was short-lived despite guessing correctly - and happy for that! - very early who our surprise guest would be;
2) To that, the re-imagining of the Frankenstein Monster mythos was an unexpected but sincerely enjoyable aspect and fit in well even after the horrors we witnessed owing to the cruel ferociousness of the Wendigo in the last chapter. I found Wilhelm's intelligence and overall deep emotional state to be one of the strongest parts of the story and hope we have not seen the last of this tragically torn and, um, well, tragic figure!
3) The 'flashbacks' to Karl Beck's historical musings were fascinating. For some odd and probably twisted reason, monster stories that take place in post-Civil War America always seem to fascinate the hell out of me (I just finished a trilogy about chupacabras in the same era) and this worked to perfection. It also didn't hurt that these sections seemed to be much better prepared in terms of release even though they, too, were far from perfect;
4) I also want to confess that although I didn't think the "found family formula" (say that four times real fast!) would work, but Casey and her Uncles (note plural!) Tory and Bishop were a pleasure to see at their best and most loving. Yes, there was still a lot of repetition included in terms of their personalities and emotional scars and actions and so on, but overall it worked better than expected;
5) Conclusion to the story CREATIVELY SPEAKING: insane, unexpected, brutal� but intriquing. If the author(s) intend to keep this series running, they certainly provided an ample springboard for the coming story-lines!
The fury. The rage. The rage. The darkness. It is all I see, all I taste, all I am.
EXECUTION: D- and yes, Virginia, I rounded up!
1) There is literally a point as I mentioned where the text stops mid-page and utter nonsense follows:
"…after his vigorous tending to my wounds, I found my trip to Arizona sidelined and
(blank space)
“Did you wreck the ship?� the bartender asked me with a cautious stare.
“Fine, thank you. A glass of whiskey, please.� (p. 63)
2) The repetitiveness - from paragraph to paragraph, within the same paragraph, or even the same sentence - is extensive and utterly frustrating. For example:
"Bishop had been gone since before dawn tracking a deadly shape-shifter they had been tracking�" (p. 13);
"He had been fleeing the scene…as they surveyed the scene�"(p. 42);
"Bishop stretched his mind into the creatures, aligning his senses more fully with the creatures..." (p. 45);
"A living, breathing thing that felt and breathed�" (p. 75);
"…t flapping yellow warning tape flapped in the breeze�" (p. 137);
And I'm not including all the ways that things wound up gnawing on poor Casey's stomach throughout! Poor kid should have a portal to hell open in her lower abdomen by now! Ad infinitum, ad nauseum!
3) This kind of structuring is wrong on so many levels and was used incorrectly in any number of combinations throughout:
“It’s been a rough day.� He said softly." (p. 38).
SHOULD BE: "It's been a rough day," he said softly!
4) I was also supremely disappointed in the number of wrong words used this time. Again, citing examples:
"Casey signed and sat down on a stool�" (p. 32)
Casey SIGHED! She is not deaf!
"Small zaps exploded where they hit from the tunes I etched on the tip of my bullets,�" (p.62)
…where they hit the RUNES!
"Then I saw a brief dish of movement,�" (p. 68).
…a brief DASH of movement!
"a man shaped blue burst from the shadows."
a man-shaped BLUR burst� (p.70).
5) Tense disagreements, often changing again within the same passage:
"Stepping inside, destruction abounds. Furniture was scattered everywhere,�" (p. 47);
"He guided his creature around the building, searching for fresh blood and signs of the thing he was stalking. Whatever entity this is, it’s no longer here." (p. 47);
6) And let's end with plot holes. I'll ignore most - including Wilhelm's sudden limp or Troy somehow retying his hands in the cave or even the magic egg that knocks out power to everything but apparently not cellphones and get to the one that really stuck in my craw, namely, the death and apparent rebirth of Karl Beck's horse, Girl. Now apparently poor Girl was struck down by a water elemental on the might Mississippi:
"Bodies floated on the churning river along with large pieces of the ship’s wreckage, but my eyes were caught on Girl and her soft brown eyes that stared into forever on the shore." (pp. 61-62)
Now I may be wrong (while ignoring the redundancy of 'eyes'), but that sounds like the poor horsey is dead, no? Yet, later during his unscheduled 'visit' to Cahokia and on his way to Arizona, he naturally relied on Girl for all kinds of help. It can only mean one thing: ZOMBIE HORSES! Somebody call our local Monster Hunter Internationals Jr. Division (no big guns apparently allowed) while I write an apology letter to Larry Correia!
I lay trapped beneath tons of stone in silent darkness as eons passed unfelt around me.
OK, so I've had my chance here to rant and rave to my heart's semi-desire (oh yes, I could indeed go on). I will say this: if this were MY book, I'd withdraw it from the market, get it fixed with as much help as I could get muster, and release it with a sincere apology to my readers. And look, I know it's not easy being an 'independent' writer, not at all. But that's also why I think it is imperative to get these books right. You can't be just as good as a publishing house star, you need to try and be better!
Here endeth the lesson. Now the shoggoths will go around and collect alms for the poor (meaning me)! Give generously � or else. Amen.
November 16, 2023
A fun continuation, "Bishop: Man vs Monster" is sure to please fans of the first book while offering a different kind of story that may be more or less appealing given a reader's individual tastes and preferences.
In some ways, I'd almost call this book "cozy," with its themes of found family and characters struggling to find a place for themselves in a world largely not made for them. That said, there is plenty, if not more, of the intensity and almost over-the-top supernatural chaos that served as a foundational element of the first tale and I was pleased to see a few nice additions and wrinkles to those aspects of the storytelling. Unfortunately, I did find myself occasionally struggling with certain details of the narrative that to me felt a little too fast and loose when compared with the dialed-in and methodical execution of the previous effort but in the final tally, there was way more I liked, and found interesting or entertaining, than struck me as suspect or lacking.
It's also worth noting that, being a collaborative work, "Man vs Monster" leverages its two distinct author voices in a way that's fairly clever and makes a lot of sense, so those who might be concerned about that element of its creation need not worry.
All things considered, I had a good time with this book and would definitely recommend it to fans of the previous tale who'd like to see more of its characters and their version of reality. There are some cool and noteworthy moments throughout "Man Vs Monster," and a nice setup for a likely book three that I'll almost certainly read if and when it becomes available, but I'd say to go into this one expecting something a bit different, and perhaps not quite as quintessential as the original.
In some ways, I'd almost call this book "cozy," with its themes of found family and characters struggling to find a place for themselves in a world largely not made for them. That said, there is plenty, if not more, of the intensity and almost over-the-top supernatural chaos that served as a foundational element of the first tale and I was pleased to see a few nice additions and wrinkles to those aspects of the storytelling. Unfortunately, I did find myself occasionally struggling with certain details of the narrative that to me felt a little too fast and loose when compared with the dialed-in and methodical execution of the previous effort but in the final tally, there was way more I liked, and found interesting or entertaining, than struck me as suspect or lacking.
It's also worth noting that, being a collaborative work, "Man vs Monster" leverages its two distinct author voices in a way that's fairly clever and makes a lot of sense, so those who might be concerned about that element of its creation need not worry.
All things considered, I had a good time with this book and would definitely recommend it to fans of the previous tale who'd like to see more of its characters and their version of reality. There are some cool and noteworthy moments throughout "Man Vs Monster," and a nice setup for a likely book three that I'll almost certainly read if and when it becomes available, but I'd say to go into this one expecting something a bit different, and perhaps not quite as quintessential as the original.
November 3, 2024
“I am a monster, a mockery of humanity. Parts and pieces of flesh stitched together by pain and madness.�
I feel like I’m being thrown for loops with my reviews lately because my words simply can’t do some of these books justice� especially this one with so many moving parts and praises to give—but once again, I shall try. 🫣
Okay, so on Friday I reviewed Hunger on the Chisholm Trail by Ennenbach, on Saturday I reviewed Bishop by Nola, and today the two come together for a mashup in this masterpiece. (There’s usually a method to my madness. 😅) I was told ahead of time to read Mike’s Splatter Western to get the full effect for Bishop: Man vs Monster, and 10/10 recommend. It’s like the best of the two worlds coming together. 🤌🏼
This story starts off really fucking strong. I’m a sucker for a good prologue, and this one was phenomenal. The action starts at the very beginning and goes completely unhinged in a couple places, and doesn’t let up until the end the very end, in the best freaking way possible. 🙌🏼 Oh, and that ending? Fucking brilliant. I need a part 3 in my life now. 🙏🏼
Nola and Ennenbach matched each other’s energy flawlessly and it reads seamlessly, thus creating a hell of a book that’s quite frankly, unmatched in the community for this type of story.
Last month I mentioned I was handing out star ratings which is rare for me, I really didn’t think I would do it again this month, but when a five star comes across my kindle, 🤷🏻♀� I have no choice. So, this is another easily rated five star read, and one I HIGHLY recommend everyone adding to their TBR asap. 👏🏼
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
February 15, 2024
3.5/5 Stars
Bishop, Troy and Casey come together again in this book to face down monsters on a different level.
So, I recommend not reading the prologue first. I figured out the main antagonist of this novel from the prologue. If you want to piece it together throughout the book, be surprised, you may want to save the prologue for later.
This book had so many references to classic literature, it tickled me and it is steering the series in that direction. I loved Bishop and am looking forward to the next step in his adventures.
This installation was difficult for me to read.
The different viewpoints was easy to understand but sometimes became repetitive. We'd have different perspectives with the exact same concerns or investigating the same scene that was destroyed only a few paragraphs before. The journal aspect didn't mesh well and the style of writing was jarring compared to the rest of the story. And the editing needed some extra love this time around.
I'm hoping these are traits avoided in the next installation because I do enjoy the family unit, the supernatural aspect, and you just can't go wrong with a were-bear. Though, the idea of were-squirrels... hmmm. I want to read more, just with less of a struggle.
Bishop, Troy and Casey come together again in this book to face down monsters on a different level.
So, I recommend not reading the prologue first. I figured out the main antagonist of this novel from the prologue. If you want to piece it together throughout the book, be surprised, you may want to save the prologue for later.
This book had so many references to classic literature, it tickled me and it is steering the series in that direction. I loved Bishop and am looking forward to the next step in his adventures.
This installation was difficult for me to read.
The different viewpoints was easy to understand but sometimes became repetitive. We'd have different perspectives with the exact same concerns or investigating the same scene that was destroyed only a few paragraphs before. The journal aspect didn't mesh well and the style of writing was jarring compared to the rest of the story. And the editing needed some extra love this time around.
I'm hoping these are traits avoided in the next installation because I do enjoy the family unit, the supernatural aspect, and you just can't go wrong with a were-bear. Though, the idea of were-squirrels... hmmm. I want to read more, just with less of a struggle.
April 27, 2023
This epistolary work picks up two years later with Bishop's rescuee Casey, her uncle Troy, and werebear Bishop living on the same tract of forest in Bellingham, Washington, and serving their community as a monster-hunting trio. The narrative also incorporates the journal of former resident Karl Beck, "scientist and adventurer," circa late-1870s. It's a very important part of the story and the prose is *chef's kiss*
The characters are emotional (and I, too, felt their emotions), the dialogue is natural/authentic, the nature imagery is vivid and evocative, the action is blood-soaked, and the creature being hunted is unique and a first for Bishop.
This book is different (in style and substance) from what I expected it would be, and I mean that in the most positive way! ⭐⭐⭐⭐�
The characters are emotional (and I, too, felt their emotions), the dialogue is natural/authentic, the nature imagery is vivid and evocative, the action is blood-soaked, and the creature being hunted is unique and a first for Bishop.
This book is different (in style and substance) from what I expected it would be, and I mean that in the most positive way! ⭐⭐⭐⭐�
March 20, 2025
A great sequel to Bishop, I loved it
This is the 2nd Bishop book, and to really get the most out of it, you need to read Bishop first.
For those that have read the first book, this book takes the characters from the first and expands universe, showing more of Bishop's emotion but still has the brutality and action that you are used to in the first book, there is also a new antagonist that isn’t just another monster, I won’t go into details because it will spoil the surprise, but I will say you have heard of them before.
While I really enjoyed the story, and the smooth easy to read writing, I wasn’t a huge fan of the open style ending, because now I have to wait for the next book to find out what happens, which I will get as soon as I can.
This is the 2nd Bishop book, and to really get the most out of it, you need to read Bishop first.
For those that have read the first book, this book takes the characters from the first and expands universe, showing more of Bishop's emotion but still has the brutality and action that you are used to in the first book, there is also a new antagonist that isn’t just another monster, I won’t go into details because it will spoil the surprise, but I will say you have heard of them before.
While I really enjoyed the story, and the smooth easy to read writing, I wasn’t a huge fan of the open style ending, because now I have to wait for the next book to find out what happens, which I will get as soon as I can.
December 15, 2023
A 3.5 from me.
Another enjoyable romp through Bishop's world, as he needs to protect his friends (Troy and Casey) from a mysterious danger.
It took me a while to get into this story but I think that was my headspace, not the book itself. I eventually got going with it and had a good time. I liked the timeline switch between chapters (for Bishop/Troy/Casey and then Karl Beck), which switched things up a bit. The lore behind the monster hunting was intriguing. Judging by the ending, there will be another book coming so this will be a trilogy, if not more. Seems like more higher powers are at work rather than just random creatures across the wilderness.
Another enjoyable romp through Bishop's world, as he needs to protect his friends (Troy and Casey) from a mysterious danger.
It took me a while to get into this story but I think that was my headspace, not the book itself. I eventually got going with it and had a good time. I liked the timeline switch between chapters (for Bishop/Troy/Casey and then Karl Beck), which switched things up a bit. The lore behind the monster hunting was intriguing. Judging by the ending, there will be another book coming so this will be a trilogy, if not more. Seems like more higher powers are at work rather than just random creatures across the wilderness.
February 28, 2024
2.5 ⭐️
I think, just like with book 1, the premise is interesting, but the execution lacks greatly for me. I think that some information that was presented in this installment would have been better suited in book 1. The flow was off on this one as well for me. I liked book 1 slightly better and found the story more cohesive.
I did like the found family aspect that was in this book, though, and appreciated the growth of the characters. That's why I gave it the rating that I did. Now, this book does end on a open ended ending, but in all honesty, I'm torn between reading further into the series (if it truly will continue), though.
I think, just like with book 1, the premise is interesting, but the execution lacks greatly for me. I think that some information that was presented in this installment would have been better suited in book 1. The flow was off on this one as well for me. I liked book 1 slightly better and found the story more cohesive.
I did like the found family aspect that was in this book, though, and appreciated the growth of the characters. That's why I gave it the rating that I did. Now, this book does end on a open ended ending, but in all honesty, I'm torn between reading further into the series (if it truly will continue), though.
December 21, 2023
Which wins out, humanity or the beast?
Bishop is back, with Troy and Casey, The trio hunt monsters now and there is a new one on the loose.
The story has it moments of action that makes you turn the page to find out what happens. The authors do a decent job of showing the connections Bishop has made with Troy and Casey.
The Wilhelm arc was interesting but felt the time shift was was long winded at times. Perhaps it would have been better served to keep Wilhelm in the present day with Bishop.
Overall it is a solid read and worth your tine as we follow Bishop on his journey.
Bishop is back, with Troy and Casey, The trio hunt monsters now and there is a new one on the loose.
The story has it moments of action that makes you turn the page to find out what happens. The authors do a decent job of showing the connections Bishop has made with Troy and Casey.
The Wilhelm arc was interesting but felt the time shift was was long winded at times. Perhaps it would have been better served to keep Wilhelm in the present day with Bishop.
Overall it is a solid read and worth your tine as we follow Bishop on his journey.
March 26, 2025
An enjoyable monster verses monster sequel!
For me this was a little slow going to start but it picks up into a roaring monster hunt. I enjoyed the surprise of the featured “monster.� I could tell the authors had great fun with the historical diary entries and the monster’s monologues/dialogue - these being a particular highlight for me. Highly recommended, especially if you’ve liked its predecessor, Bishop!
For me this was a little slow going to start but it picks up into a roaring monster hunt. I enjoyed the surprise of the featured “monster.� I could tell the authors had great fun with the historical diary entries and the monster’s monologues/dialogue - these being a particular highlight for me. Highly recommended, especially if you’ve liked its predecessor, Bishop!
November 25, 2023
Good solid sequel as we pick up with the trio some years later. This felt a little slower in pace and feels like it's the start of a longer overall story to come in further books. Likable characters and good writing make this easy and enjoyable. I would have liked a direct follow up to the first to tackle the struggles in terms of life changes for the three with a shape shifter to contend with alongside.
March 29, 2024
The second book focusing on Bishop, with hopefully more to follow! I like the mix of monsters these books have in the story, and how they're used in a modern setting. This was a fun, fast read, with interesting and likeable characters that you're hoping will succeed!
October 21, 2024
Different but fun. The first one was more of a survival horror, this one is reverential to horror's past and dare I say a little whimsical. Fun read.
I prefer to think that the RJ referred to here is basketball player RJ Barrett and not any beloved WVian authors.
I prefer to think that the RJ referred to here is basketball player RJ Barrett and not any beloved WVian authors.
December 8, 2023
Good Read
I loved the story line. It captured your attention and made you want more. The ending lets you know that there’s more to come.
C.Loach
I loved the story line. It captured your attention and made you want more. The ending lets you know that there’s more to come.
C.Loach
December 28, 2023
Quick and ensnaring, just like the first one. The primordial backstory gave the plot an extra kick in the ass. Looking forward to it. 3.
March 6, 2024
Bishop, Casey and Troy are back in this sequel! Bishop is on the hunt with the help of Casey and Troy to track down an unknown creature killing masses of people. I enjoyed this one!
August 15, 2024
I WANT MORE!!!!!
I love this series so much. Bishop, Troy and Casey have my heart and I love them, oh my god. Gonna sob a little now because the book is over.
I love this series so much. Bishop, Troy and Casey have my heart and I love them, oh my god. Gonna sob a little now because the book is over.
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