🩸 Horror Fiction

Burning Cards

✍️ M E Patterson
Reader Score
4.4
(1 review)
$12.95
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

Trent Hawkins battles demons and despair in Las Vegas while his wife remains trapped in shadow realms.

This entry tracks Trent Hawkins' declining sanity while he works for a demonic organization. The tale alternates between the real world, where Trent faces off against Mr. Gadreel and a deadly opponent, and the mystical Shadow Realms. Celia's erratic behavior increases the pressure on Trent's routine. The central question is if the trip through the shadow dimension can undo the destruction caused by the storm. Patterson uses parallel narratives to highlight Trent's history and his present duties. The backdrop stays in a magical Las Vegas, showing both the city's decline and Trent's determination.

Key Themes
demonic cabal Realms of Shadow fire-wielding assassin
Literary Context

Published by Digimonkey Studios in 2012, this book sits within the urban fantasy genre. It draws on supernatural fiction traditions, specifically focusing on a modern-day Las Vegas setting corrupted by demonic forces and shadow realms.

Difficulty
●●● Challenging
Recommended For Fans Of
Clive Barker · Stephen King · Neil Gaiman
🩸
Horror Fiction
🏛 Digimonkey Studios 📅 2012 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9780983844822

📝 Description: Burning Cards

M. E. Patterson delivers the next chapter in the Drawing Thin saga with Burning Cards, picking up half a year after a cursed snowstorm devastated Las Vegas. Trent Hawkins is stuck in a dark place because his spouse has been sent to the Shadow Realms and his ward, Celia, is losing her grip on reality. While employed by a group of demons, he desperately seeks a method to bring his wife back from death. This search puts him at odds with an enigmatic figure named Mr. Gadreel and a killer who controls fire. The plot broadens to reveal what happens in the Shadow Realms, where a perilous trip could rescue Trent, Celia, and humanity, or destroy it all. Former allies and new enemies oppose him as the hidden magical side of Vegas becomes more bizarre. His decisions determine the survival of everyone. Fans of urban fantasy with dark themes will like this book, but those wanting light entertainment might find it too grim. Patterson mixes horror and supernatural elements to look at loyalty and staying alive.

💎 Our verdict on Burning Cards

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Patterson effectively blends cosmic dread with personal tragedy, creating a tense atmosphere that defines the urban fantasy horror genre. The dual narrative structure successfully highlights Trent Hawkins' psychological deterioration while advancing the plot through his conflicts with Mr. Gadreel and fire-wielding adversaries. The setting of a magically altered Las Vegas serves as a vivid canvas for these events, enhancing the sense of isolation and impending doom. While the tone is undeniably grim and may alienate readers seeking light entertainment, it perfectly suits those who appreciate complex character studies intertwined with supernatural stakes. The exploration of loyalty amidst destruction provides emotional weight, making the high-stakes journey through shadow dimensions feel urgent and consequential.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers seeking a grim, atmospheric urban fantasy will find this title compelling due to its intense exploration of despair and loyalty. The narrative offers a unique backdrop by revealing the hidden magical underbelly of Las Vegas, contrasting its decline with supernatural chaos. Those who enjoy protagonists battling internal sanity issues alongside external demonic threats will appreciate the parallel narratives used to deepen Trent Hawkins' character. The book suits fans of psychological horror who do not shy away from dark themes, providing a gritty look at survival against overwhelming odds in a world where reality is fractured by shadow realms and demonic influence.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.4
Based on 1 reviews
5
0
4
1
3
0
2
0
1
0
H
Horror Reads editorial team

Patterson effectively blends cosmic dread with personal tragedy, creating a tense atmosphere that defines the urban fantasy horror genre. The dual narrative structure successfully highlights Trent Hawkins' psychological deterioration while advancing the plot through his conflicts with Mr. Gadreel and fire-wielding adversaries. The setting of a magically altered Las Vegas serves as a vivid canvas for these events, enhancing the sense of isolation and impending doom. While the tone is undeniably grim and may alienate readers seeking light entertainment, it perfectly suits those who appreciate complex character studies intertwined with supernatural stakes. The exploration of loyalty amidst destruction provides emotional weight, making the high-stakes journey through shadow dimensions feel urgent and consequential.

✍️ More books by this author M E Patterson

Devil's Hand
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
M E Patterson
Devil's Hand
$13.95
81
Read →

🏛 Books from this publisher Digimonkey Studios

Devil's Hand
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
M E Patterson
Devil's Hand
$13.95
81
Read →

You might also like

See more →
Devil's Hand ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
1
M E Patterson
Devil's Hand
$13.95
81
Read →
The Haunting of Hill House -16% 🔥 Bestseller
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
7
Shirley Jackson
The Haunting of Hill House
$9.99 $12.00
92
Read →
Dracula (Masterpiece Library Edition) ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.8
1
Dracula (Masterpiece Library Edition)
$22.99
92
Read →
Edgar Allan Poe: Collected Works ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.8
1
Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe: Collected Works
$24.99
92
Read →
Frankenstein ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.8
1
Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
Frankenstein
$26.95
92
Read →
The Yellow Wallpaper ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.8
1
Charlotte Perkins Gilman
The Yellow Wallpaper
$29.95
92
Read →

Have a question about this item?

Ask about the edition, condition, delivery or anything else — we reply by email or phone, usually within a day.

Home Genres
Cart
Wishlist