Born of Hatred

The Hellequin Chronicles, Book 2

By: Steve McHugh

Narrated by: James Langton

Length: 12 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's Summary

There are some things that even a centuries-old sorcerer hesitates to challenge....

When Nathan Garrett’s friend seeks his help investigating a bloody serial killer, the pattern of horrific crimes leads to a creature of pure malevolence, born of hatred and dark magic. As powerful as he is, Nate fears he may be overmatched, but when evil targets those he cares about and he is confronted by dire threats both old and new, Nate must reveal a secret from his recently remembered past to remind his enemies why they should fear him once more.

Born of Hatred, set in modern London with historical flashbacks to America’s Old West, continues the dark urban fantasy of Crimes Against Magic, the acclaimed first book in the gritty and action-packed Hellequin Chronicles.

©2013 Steve McHugh (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Another good book in the series.

Would you listen to Born of Hatred again? Why?

Yes, it was fast pasced and fun. The world created is interesting and the author does a good job of developing the characters.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Born of Hatred?

I like the moments in the old west. It fits the tone of the main character.

Which scene was your favorite?

No one scene stands out, but I do like the action sequences.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes.

Any additional comments?

If you liked the first novel you will like this one as it is more of the same. I finally am starting to get used to the narrarators voice so I rated him a bit higher. his randge of characters is a bit better in this book as well.

Dresden Files on Steroids

Sometimes the best that can be said about an audio book is that you just couldn't stop listening. Essentially the audio version of "I couldn't put it down". Either description fits Born of Hatred. Is it a great book? Even for a fan of this kind of "urban fantasy" it's not great. But it really is quite good and far better than some. I'll keep at the series for as long as McHugh keeps writing it. Or at least until the next Dresden Files.

There will be Hellequin to pay

In this book Mr. McHugh really starts to delve into what makes Nathan tick, and by the end you realize that you REALLY want Nathan on your side. I am really enjoying this character, who is becoming for me the quintessential anti-hero. He is dark, angry, nuanced, and very self-righteous, even downright scary...a true "bad@$$" The character just keep getting deeper and deeper throughout this book and I could not wait to discover what next secret Mr. McHugh was going to divulge. Now that Nathan has his memories back, we also get to start meeting some of the people from his past, and they don't disappoint either. The characters in this book are amongst some of the most interesting characters I have ever met, even the bad guy in this novel had me intensely curious about his past. While the plot if this book is tense, gripping, and well-paced what really drives this book are Mr. McHugh's characters. He provides detailed back story for almost every character we meet in this novel, including one of the most complete back stories for the evil protagonist I have ever come across. I was particularly impressed how he presented the "bad guy's” backstory in small little tidbits delivered throughout the novel as part of the action of the "present day" action. Most authors provide the back story of the protagonist as a one off flash back presented in a couple of pages. The result is usually an, at least somewhat, one dimensional origin story. Not here, the protagonist was almost as intriguing to discover as Nathan's past.

As for the plot itself, as I said, it is intense and gripping. We have two plots in play, the major plot of a really evil person doing really evil things whom needs to be stopped. But we also get a secondary plot of evil behind the scenes machinations of which the main plot is only a part. We meet a very evil protagonist and are given hints at a larger, more menacing master controlling things behind the scenes. Both plots mover at the exact correct speed and with a perfect balance of detail. Once again Mr. McHugh is able to accomplish telling his story without going "to far". I personally don't like to read about truly horrific things done to nice people in such detail that it gives me nightmares. I like them stated, but not overly dwelled upon so that I get the level of evil that is happening without wanting to scrub my brain out with soap afterwards, and Mr. McHugh for me reaches this exact level. I highly recommend this novel for adults who want a light easy listen.

Alas, a fantasy story for adults instead of YA

I enjoyed book one in this series but this book really took off. It's nice to see a story written for adults that doesn't involve teenagers stumbling along and having everything come together in the end mostly by accident.

We learn much more about Nathan in this book as well as Tommy the Werewolf. Tommy wasn't exactly a major player in book one, or at least not one I cared much about but in this book we learn much more and to be honest, the more I learned the more I liked him.
No spoilers, don't worry. I'm just glad the author included Tommy and I think you will also

I can guarantee that if you enjoyed book one, this one is a no-brainer. You will love it. Nathan just gets better and better.

For fear of giving up a spoiler I can only say, some things start to make more sense...finally.

Great Book

Very well written work of fiction. Suitable for all audiences above age 16. This will be a great addition to my Audible collection and I am waiting to see what the next book in the series will be about. It takes place in Great Britain and there are a lot of references to things that only someone from that country would know about.

Exciting Storytelling

The combination of good storytelling and vocal performance makes for an enjoyable listening experience.

Good read and well read

I live 30 miles from town and listening to Mr. Langton read a well written book makes the drive very pleasant.

I liked it.

Bogged down a bit in thd middle. outstanding narration . Plot line ok. Basically decent.

Another Great Story in this Series.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. There's plenty of action and adventure to keep you interested the whole way through. The character building is great, just like book 1. We learn more about the main character and some people from book 1 in this story.

The narrator is perfect for this book. He has great delivery and inflection.

I'd recommend listening to or reading book 1 first.

Good for walking

This audiobook is exactly what I need while having my walking exercise in my neighborhood.

I'm hooked!

Narrator was brilliant as usual! The story hooked me from the start, I can't wait to hear the next instalment. I want to find out what happens next.

Splendid!

Good and tremendously dark, once again. Full of humour, light-heartedness and no-nonsense rhetoric in-between. Glorious!

Excellent second book.

Great plot and the characters progressed well. Very very entertaining. Listened to it in two days. Couldn't put it away.

Really, really good!

There is not much to say. I loved it.
I like that there are two stories. One from the past and one from the present, which are connected.

Gripped from start to finish

Fantastic listen, can't believe I didn't find this series sooner. Well read and well written.

brilliant series.

I love Nathan Garrett. He is exciting to read. I can hardly wait to start get 3rd book in the series. I love the narrator's voice as well. I really like the use of magic and powers like good fighting evil.also fact that Nathan has lived through the time of Merlin Hades makes it more interesting.great story line.

great book

Great story, more humour, let's be honest this is book 2 so more of the same as book 1, if you enjoyed book 1 you will love this one. Good narration, which added to the story.

Easy listen

Better than the first book in the series. Now that the main character knows who he is things seem to flow a little better.

Good easy listen for walking the dog. Just going to download the next!

Gritty

This is an amazing book. The story is full on and demanding. Plenty of action, the back story does not over whelm, the trips into the past all help to clarify the present. Not for the faint hearted or squeemish, the descriptions are graphic. Excellent book.

Fantastic series

Part 2 of the Hellequin Chronicles, continues the story of Nathan Garrett.

Nate, a sorcerer born in the dark ages, who formerly worked for Merlin but now follows his own path, has a secret, a secret from his former life that will set him on a new journey when it's finally revealed!

The Hellequin Chronicles are an addictive listen, the performances really grab you immediately, that's because of the fully fleshed out characters and a totally page turning storyline.

Steve McHugh is a wizard of a storyteller, you'll be hooked on his spellbinding world!