Revelation

Publisher's Summary

When Harden Campbell wakes cold and beaten in a dirt-floor cell, he finds only three other things in the room with him: the mutilated body of his good friend, an ancient typewriter, and a stack of blank paper, the top sheet of which has a single typed sentence: "Tell me a story." He knows the message is from Coyote, his brilliant, megalomaniacal roommate whose lust for power and reverence has recently revealed him for the true sociopath he is. Now, as the founder of a new religion with disturbing roots - Revelation - Coyote's most evil side has emerged.

From the moment Harden sees that stack of paper, he knows his one chance of escape is through his own words, and only his ability to successfully recount the dark story of what happened over the past year at Wyland University will determine whether he lives to see the woman he loves once again - or is silenced forever. This will be the most difficult story Harden has ever written, and each word must be chosen with the utmost care. Because Coyote will be reading each and every one of them.

©2016 Carter Wilson (P)2017 Cherry Hill Publishing, LLC

Critic Reviews

"An enthralling thriller...Wilson infuses his terrifying plot with intricate twists and turns, all totally credible." ( Publishers Weekly)

"This is a sledgehammer of a novel, slamming away at the foundations of modern cult religions until nothing is left but rubble to be carted away...a powerful story...an intense experience for those who can take it." ( Booklist)

The First Rule of Revelation is...

I have to say I really enjoyed everything about the book. The story, the dialogue, the narration, everything was top notch.
For a thriller I didn't get as anxious as I normally do which was good as I was able to continue to listen without having to take breaks. The psychological in-depth development of the characters, especially Coyote, really helped bring the story to life and add a level of plausibility to the story. Plenty of twists and turns to keep you wanting to listen to more.
The narrator was spot on and have to say he is one I will look for in the future.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Outrageously Good!

This is the *best* audio book I've listened to in a good, long while! From top to bottom I was kept guessing; the characters are endlessly intriguing and the plot is a twisting narrative of suspense, action and fascination. There is a prominent aspect of exploring human psychology in this tale that ends up sending this story spinning off into the unexpected. I'm not usually drawn to character driven plots, but this one was so well written that I will be seeking out more works by Carter Wilson. Timothy McKean delivers a phenomenal performance, adding thrills and bringing the story to life. I would recommend this book to anyone at all who enjoys the thriller genre! 10/10

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

What a crazy ride Revelation takes you on!

Where do I start? Revelation by Carter Wilson is a crazy, twisted, wild ride. Though this book clocks in at just under 9 hours, it goes by much quicker, as the story keep a pretty steady pace throughout. Wilson does a great job crafting Coyote as a complete and total sociopath. Harden and Emma. Wow. What these two went through I wouldn't wish upon my worst enemy. This is twisted, depraved thriller of a story and I really enjoyed it. Can you imagine a crazy psychopath starting his own religion? I don't know. I just have to think a bit more on this book. I was a bit confused by a few things at the end. Anyways, Revelation is a good, solid listen and I'd recommend it to anyone that likes a good thriller.

Timothy McKean does a great job with the narration of the various characters throughout the story. His narration is consistent and easy to understand and shows emotion as needed. I'd be more than happy to listen to another of his performances. I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher for an honest review.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Bob @ Platypire Reviews

*I requested and was granted an Audible code for this audio book*

This was a fantastic, cinematic, gripping thriller of a ride! I was on the edge of my seat throughout, and only stopped for sleep because I just had to. Amazing characters and plotting, I thought I knew what was coming next only to be delightfully blindsided!

The descriptions of the cell made me feel like I was really there, able to see and feel the dirt beneath me, hearing the ticking of the typewriter. So wonderfully written, it was just amazing! When the narrator talked about certain things in his past, how it affected him then and now, it really hit home and was very spot on. I know it wasn’t a focal point of the story, but I was very taken in by this, the embarrassment and fear of telling someone, and the way it affects a person later in life. The author managed to do this without seeming like it was simply for shock value; it truly helped make up Harden’s character and personality.

I was thoroughly engrossed throughout, this is such a well-done book. 5 massive Platypires.

Now, the narrator. I mean, what can I say, really? He was great! He made the slightest of voice changes for characters, yet I always knew who was speaking by those minutes differences. His tone and pace were spot on, and he really brought this book to life, in my opinion.
Very well done, a good match! 5 Platypires for this part, too.

So, all in all, I rate this 5 Platypires and it is going on my favorites list!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Revelation

This is a very good book. The story, along with the narration, were extremely good. I highly recommend this book.

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

Sick and Twisted

This book opens with the main character Hardin waking up in a barren cell. We have no idea how he got there, and he isn't telling us. This book is the journey of how Hardin got there.

This concept of this story is a stark example of what I don't want to happen to my girls while they are currently attending college. Since college-age kids are away from home for the first time in their life for an extended period, they are extremely succeptable to new political and religious views. They easily be assuaged by an smooth-talking snake-oil salesman who whispers sultry promises of a new belief system to those who will listen.

This book really centers around two two people: Coyote and Hardin. Coyote is a true sociopath in my opinion. He gets the brilliant idea of starting a new religion. Because it's all about the power to Coyote. He wants to "consume" people, and starting a religion is the perfect way to satiate his hunger.

The entire book is really one long, drawn out, yet mild torture scene. Hardin must write his way out of his captivity, no matter how long it takes. Malnutrition and torture are a constant danger. It provides a very suspensful ride with a satisfying ending.

Timothy McKean is an great narrator. His voice is perfect for college-age characters. His delivery and technical skills were spot-on, and I would listen to any other book from him.

This audio book was gifted to me by the narrator in exchange for an unbiased review.

Edge of your seat suspense

Any additional comments?

I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I started this book. I was pleasantly surprised. This was a great listen. It was one of those books I couldn't wait to get back to. It is definitely worth your time and credit.

It's well written, creative, entertaining and very enjoyable. While the story is somewhat predictable in many ways and you know what is going to happen, the way in which the story was unfolded between the past and present was perfect. It pulls you in and never lets go, is full of on the edge of your seat suspense and keeps your heart racing throughout the story waiting for the next twist. You think you know what is going to happen, sometimes your right then boom….another twist comes out of nowhere.

There were a few times I wished they would just leave the past altogether and stay in the present. The past was a little dull at times, the present was much more heart pounding and thrilling.

If you've ever wondered how people can be brainwashed, this story gives you a glimpse into how some people can be convinced/manipulated into just about anything. It's also a very scary thought.

Timothy McKean did a great job with the narration. Nice voice that was easy to listen to for long periods of times. Clearly spoken with a nice even pace. Good character voices. Even though there is only a slight difference between male and female character voices, it works. I'm so glad he didn't try to do a high pitched female voice. He was able to bring the characters, their emotions and the story to life. Very enjoyable.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and voluntarily provided this review.

Nice Surprise

An enjoyable read. Fairly predictable, but a bit of a surprise toward the end. Well narrated.
"I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Blast."

Great story

I have listened to hundreds of audio books over many years. From cassette tapes to CD's, and now with Audible. This is easily one of the best I have listened to. Great story and great characters. Mix that in with a great reader and you have a story that keeps you in its grip until the end. This is one of those books.
This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom dot com.

Amazing thriller

The best thriller I've read in awhile. Wow on the plot twists. Very well written, loved it.

A wonderful job by the narrator. Great performance.

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review.

"A dark stain that goes with them ..."

Would you listen to Revelation again? Why?

I almost certainly will relisten to this book again some time in the future: it will be good to revisit it with the better knowledge of what was happening following the unexpected conclusion.

Any additional comments?

Three student friends Derek, Jacob and Harden, rent a four bedroom apartment to share during their final college year. Although two of the young men are quite financially sound, one is not, so it makes sense to add a fourth room mate to their group. Wiley, always known as Coyote is wealthy and charasmatic and joins them, sharing the expenses though not often actually living at the house. The story begins when Harden wakes up to find himself locked in an unknown room, initially in the dark, with nothing to decorate the concrete walls or dirt floor, no furniture other than a chair, table and typewriter, and a message requesting that he tells a story. He is alone, apart from a spider - and the dead body of Derek, his friend.
Where is he? Why is he there? What happened to Derek? How can he escape?

This is the first book by Carter Wilson that I have read and I was very pleasantly surprised. Well written, the construction was also good with the present happenings being given from the point of view of the main protagonistbut, Harden, but in the third person, and this is alternated by his story, written in first person, of what went before in the year preceding the current events. As each chapter is headed by a date, these two aspects mean that the reader is, at no time, unsure which is now and which then, as can sometimes occur in this type of presentation. As the story progresses, we learn more about the group of four and, in particular, the egotistical Coyote and the games he likes to play and, of course, about the prisoner and story writer, Harden..

Apparently straightforward, there are some unexpected perspective altering twists. More of a thriller than a mystery, there is a growing dark tension throughout. There is some physical action along the way but most of the violence is contained inside the minds of the characters themselves. Timothy McKean interpreted this very well. It would have been easy or him to overdramatize; instead he maintained a calm, clear reading throughout. He was very pleasant to hear. Unfortunately there were a few editting glitches where a sentence, already given, is repeated, such as at the start of chapter 3 and end of chapters 11 and 28, but these were only momentary distractions.

I was freely gifted my copy of Revelation by the rights holder, via Audiobook Boom. Thank you. I was drawn into the story from the very beginning, not wanting to stop listening at any point, so intrigued was I with what had happened and what would come next. A certain amount of suspension of disbelief was required at times, at least, I hope so. I wouldn't want too many Coyotes about in everyday life!
Intriguing and original story, well written and performed: definitely recommended.