Child of the Heathen

Name: Child of the Heathen
Price: 14.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781974036639

✍️ Lucia Carter Keates

Reader Score

4.5

(1 review)

$14.99

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A novel linking 1968 Maskek deaths to a 1750 soul pact.

Keates explores the legacy of Jonathan Sparkling Eyes Hare through Deacon Pierce’s perspective. The narrative shifts between 1968 and 1750 to examine the consequences of a soul contract. Deacon’s declining health forces his mother to reveal family secrets involving Damien Drew. The story investigates whether the entity involved is a demon or part of Cree legend. This structure allows readers to see how past actions dictate present dangers. The author uses the specific setting of Maskek to ground the supernatural events. The focus remains on the psychological impact of inherited curses on Deacon’s life.

Key Themes

Cree mythology soul contracts generational curses

Literary Context

The narrative is set in Maskek and draws on First Nations Cree traditions. It spans from 1750 to 1968, examining the long-term effects of a pact made by Jonathan Sparkling Eyes Hare. The work integrates indigenous legend with gothic horror elements within a specific North American context.

Difficulty

●● Medium

Recommended For Fans Of

Shirley Jackson · H.P. Lovecraft · Thomas Ligotti · Poppy Z. Brite

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Horror Fiction

🏛 Createspace Independent Publishing Platform 📅 2017 📖 408 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781974036639

📝 Description: Child of the Heathen

Lucia Keates presents a narrative spanning centuries in Child of the Heathen. The story begins in 1968, where inexplicable deaths plague Maskek and local police struggle to find answers. Deacon Pierce grows up with Cree legends, but a visit to his teacher’s home reveals his father’s tortured history. This journey connects to 1750, when Jonathan Sparkling Eyes Hare signed away his soul for eternal life. The text questions whether this was a deal with a demon or an ancient creature from Cree mythology. Deacon faces nightmares that threaten his sanity and health. His adopted white mother finally discloses the truth about his bloodline. She explains the sinister events involving Jonathan and his lover, Damien Drew. The narrative weaves together past and present to determine if Deacon can avoid his predicted death. Keates draws on First Nations Cree traditions to explore these supernatural elements. The book suits readers interested in gothic fiction with indigenous mythological roots. It may not appeal to those seeking purely historical accounts without supernatural twists. The plot relies on the tension between modern mystery and ancient curses.

💎 Our verdict on Child of the Heathen

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Keates effectively weaves a tense narrative that connects a 1968 series of unexplained deaths to a seventeenth-century soul pact. The alternating timelines create a claustrophobic atmosphere, emphasizing the inescapable nature of Deacon’s bloodline. By questioning whether the antagonist is a demon or a figure from Cree legend, the text adds layers of cultural complexity to standard horror tropes. This approach suits readers who appreciate gothic fiction with indigenous mythological roots over pure historical accounts. The focus on psychological decline rather than gore makes it a strong choice for fans of atmospheric dread and literary horror.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

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Why this book is worth reading

Readers fascinated by the psychological weight of inherited curses and the ambiguity between demonology and indigenous spirit lore will find this narrative compelling. The dual timeline structure offers a unique perspective on how past sins dictate present dangers, appealing to those who enjoy intricate plots that blend historical mystery with supernatural horror. It is ideal for audiences seeking atmospheric storytelling that grounds cosmic terror in specific cultural traditions, providing a thoughtful examination of legacy and identity within the horror genre.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.5

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

Keates effectively weaves a tense narrative that connects a 1968 series of unexplained deaths to a seventeenth-century soul pact. The alternating timelines create a claustrophobic atmosphere, emphasizing the inescapable nature of Deacon’s bloodline. By questioning whether the antagonist is a demon or a figure from Cree legend, the text adds layers of cultural complexity to standard horror tropes. This approach suits readers who appreciate gothic fiction with indigenous mythological roots over pure historical accounts. The focus on psychological decline rather than gore makes it a strong choice for fans of atmospheric dread and literary horror.