Black Tide

Name: Black Tide
Price: 14.95 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781694027368

✍️ Patrick Freivald

Reader Score

4.4

(1 review)

$14.95

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A father uses supernatural powers to fight a conspiracy involving demonic cults.

The narrative follows Matt Rowley as he struggles to control his augmentations while facing a global crisis caused by freed demonic entities. The United States relies on his unique abilities to counter these ancient forces. After his family is kidnapped, Matt must uncover the truth behind the conspiracy targeting him. The story explores the cost of power and the lengths a parent will go to for their children. Freivald constructs a tense atmosphere where personal loss drives the plot forward. The protagonist’s journey is defined by the escalating danger posed by those who want his gifts. This approach grounds the supernatural elements in emotional stakes, focusing on survival and vengeance rather than academic analysis of mythology.

Key Themes

demonic cults supernatural augmentation family abduction

Literary Context

The text is an independent publication from 2019. It engages with modern American urban fantasy tropes, specifically the concept of government recruitment for supernatural threats. The narrative draws on nephilim mythology and eldritch horror traditions to frame a contemporary conflict involving demonic worship and conspiracy.

Difficulty

● Easy

Recommended For Fans Of

Stephen King · Clive Barker · Richard Kadrey

🐙

Cosmic Horror

🏛 Independently Published 📅 2019 📖 246 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781694027368

📝 Description: Black Tide

Patrick Freivald presents a narrative centered on Matt Rowley, a man burdened with superhuman strength, unnaturally fast reflexes, and enhanced senses. These augmentations require him to adapt to a new reality for the rest of his life. The story unfolds as cults emerge to worship demonic beings released by the last nephilim. In response to this rising threat, the United States government recruits Matt to confront forces older than time and darker than the blackest sea. His unnatural powers grow stronger with each passing day, making him the sole weapon capable of resisting these eldritch energies. The plot intensifies when a violent attack on his hometown results in the abduction of his wife and infant son. Matt finds himself entangled in a vast conspiracy that threatens to destroy his family and his very soul. The antagonists desire his powers and are willing to kill everyone he loves to obtain them. This work draws upon gothic horror traditions and supernatural fiction elements, focusing on the psychological toll of augmentation and the terror of ancient evil. It suits readers who enjoy urban fantasy blended with horror and those interested in stories about family protection against occult threats. It may not appeal to readers seeking historical fiction or non-supernatural thrillers.

💎 Our verdict on Black Tide

“

🩸

Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Freivald effectively grounds supernatural elements in deep emotional stakes, making Matt Rowley’s struggle relatable despite his augmentations. The narrative excels at maintaining tension through the immediate threat to the protagonist's family, ensuring the horror feels personal rather than abstract. By focusing on survival and vengeance, the story avoids the pitfalls of overly academic mythological analysis. The atmosphere is consistently tense, highlighting the cost of power and the lengths a parent will go to for their children. This approach makes the eldritch threats feel immediate and dangerous. It is best suited for readers who prefer action-oriented horror with clear moral stakes over slow-burn psychological dread.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers seeking a fast-paced supernatural thriller with high emotional stakes will find this narrative compelling. It appeals to those who enjoy urban fantasy blended with horror, particularly stories where personal loss drives the plot forward. The book is ideal for fans of protagonists burdened by superhuman abilities who must protect their families from occult threats. It offers a grounded approach to cosmic horror, focusing on survival and vengeance rather than academic mythology. Those interested in the psychological toll of augmentation and the terror of ancient evil will appreciate the tense atmosphere constructed by the author. It suits readers looking for emotional engagement over complex world-building.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.4

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

Freivald effectively grounds supernatural elements in deep emotional stakes, making Matt Rowley’s struggle relatable despite his augmentations. The narrative excels at maintaining tension through the immediate threat to the protagonist's family, ensuring the horror feels personal rather than abstract. By focusing on survival and vengeance, the story avoids the pitfalls of overly academic mythological analysis. The atmosphere is consistently tense, highlighting the cost of power and the lengths a parent will go to for their children. This approach makes the eldritch threats feel immediate and dangerous. It is best suited for readers who prefer action-oriented horror with clear moral stakes over slow-burn psychological dread.