Hallowed Ground

Name: Hallowed Ground
Price: 13.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781791954611

✍️ Justin Fulkerson

Reader Score

4.5

(1 review)

$13.99

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A PTSD veteran teaches two women to survive a zombie outbreak in a remote cabin.

Fulkerson constructs a story where survival depends on overcoming internal demons as much as external monsters. Donald Bristo uses his eight years of service not for glory, but to protect Sister Mary Frances and Christine from the undead. The isolation of the hunting cabin forces intimate confrontations with past traumas. Sister Mary Frances faces a crisis of faith intertwined with romantic confusion. Christine’s doubt regarding Donald’s moral compass adds layers of conflict. The narrative structure prioritizes psychological realism over supernatural spectacle. It examines how religious devotion and military discipline clash when pushed to their limits. The story does not offer easy redemption but presents a gritty look at human resilience. Readers interested in the intersection of faith, duty, and horror will appreciate this focus.

Key Themes

post-traumatic stress zombie survival faith crisis

Literary Context

Published in 2018 by Independently Published, this work sits within the contemporary horror genre. It draws on American military traditions and Catholic religious structures. The setting relies on the classic trope of the isolated hunting cabin to heighten tension.

Difficulty

●● Medium

Recommended For Fans Of

Peter Straub · Shirley Jackson · Thomas Ligotti

☣️

Apocalyptic

🏛 Independently Published 📅 2018 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781791954611

📝 Description: Hallowed Ground

Justin Fulkerson presents a narrative where Donald Bristo, a veteran burdened by post-traumatic stress disorder, confronts a zombie apocalypse. His military service provided no immunity to his psychological scars, yet it becomes the foundation for his survival strategy. The plot centers on his mission to rescue Sister Mary Frances and her novice trainee, Christine, transporting them to a secluded family hunting cabin in the woods. This remote setting serves as both sanctuary and crucible for the characters. Within these walls, Donald attempts to impart essential survival skills to the two women. The story examines their internal struggles alongside the external threat. Christine questions Donald’s integrity as events unfold, while Sister Mary Frances grapples with her faith in light of developing feelings for him. Fulkerson explores how trauma and belief systems fracture under extreme pressure. The narrative does not glorify violence but focuses on the psychological toll of survival. Readers who prefer character-driven horror over action-heavy spectacles will find this approach suitable. Those seeking fast-paced gore may find the pacing deliberate. The book relies on the tension between physical danger and emotional vulnerability to drive its plot forward.

💎 Our verdict on Hallowed Ground

“

🩸

Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Fulkerson constructs a compelling study on overcoming internal demons amidst external monsters. The narrative successfully prioritizes psychological realism, avoiding glorification of violence while focusing on the heavy toll of survival. Donald Bristo’s PTSD adds depth to his role as protector, creating complex dynamics with Sister Mary Frances and Christine. The remote cabin setting effectively isolates characters, forcing difficult moral and spiritual confrontations. While the deliberate pacing may deter those seeking fast-paced gore, it serves the story’s character-driven focus well. The book excels in examining how faith and duty clash under duress. It is best suited for readers who value emotional vulnerability and psychological tension over supernatural spectacle.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers seeking a gritty exploration of human resilience will find value in this narrative. It suits those interested in the psychological toll of survival, particularly where military discipline clashes with religious devotion. The book offers a deliberate pace for audiences preferring character-driven horror over action-heavy spectacles. It is ideal for individuals who appreciate intimate confrontations with past traumas and moral ambiguity. Those drawn to the tension between physical danger and emotional vulnerability will engage deeply with the characters' internal struggles. This work provides a look at how belief systems fracture under extreme pressure, appealing to fans of psychological realism in horror fiction.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.5

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

Fulkerson constructs a compelling study on overcoming internal demons amidst external monsters. The narrative successfully prioritizes psychological realism, avoiding glorification of violence while focusing on the heavy toll of survival. Donald Bristo’s PTSD adds depth to his role as protector, creating complex dynamics with Sister Mary Frances and Christine. The remote cabin setting effectively isolates characters, forcing difficult moral and spiritual confrontations. While the deliberate pacing may deter those seeking fast-paced gore, it serves the story’s character-driven focus well. The book excels in examining how faith and duty clash under duress. It is best suited for readers who value emotional vulnerability and psychological tension over supernatural spectacle.