🩸 Horror Fiction

Tartarus: West of Hell

✍️ Jason Brant
Reader Score
4.4
(1 review)
$8.99
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

Karen and McCall survive a hellish train ride in this second West of Hell novel.

This sequel continues the journey of Karen and McCall after their escape from Gehenna. The pair must navigate a train filled with hostile passengers and undead threats while heading toward the Tartarus River. Brant focuses on the immediate danger of the moaner aboard the carriage and the growing army of the dead. The story emphasizes the struggle against both supernatural forces and human treachery. It offers a gritty look at survival in a broken world, prioritizing action over exposition. Readers will find a relentless pace that keeps the tension high throughout the journey.

Key Themes
survival in hell train ride horror undead threats
Literary Context

This book sits within the American independent publishing sphere, released by Createspace in 2012. It belongs to the West of Hell series, blending gothic horror with supernatural fiction. The setting draws on the mythological concept of Tartarus as a place of punishment, reimagined here as a physical destination west of traditional hell.

Difficulty
● Easy
Recommended For Fans Of
Stephen King · Clive Barker · Junji Ito · H.P. Lovecraft
🩸
Horror Fiction
🏛 Createspace Independent Publishing Platform 📅 2012 📖 180 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781479351060

📝 Description: Tartarus: West of Hell

Jason Brant writes Tartarus: West of Hell, the second installment in his West of Hell series. The narrative follows Karen and McCall as they flee Gehenna by boarding a train bound for the west. Their escape turns into a nightmare when passengers pull a moaner aboard, forcing the unlikely pair to survive a passage through Hell itself. As they travel toward the mighty Tartarus River, the duo faces an escalating army of the dead alongside the dangerous machinations of the living. Brant structures this tale around the tension between supernatural threats and human betrayal. The story draws on gothic horror traditions, placing ordinary characters in an extraordinary, hellish landscape. It suits readers who enjoy fast-paced survival stories with a focus on character dynamics under extreme pressure. Those seeking detailed world-building or historical accuracy may find the setting too abstract. The book does not offer gentle comfort but rather relentless action. The narrative relies on the immediate conflict between the protagonists and their environment. Brant, known for his work in horror fiction, uses the train as a confined space to heighten the stakes. The plot moves from the burning ruins of Gehenna toward the river, creating a clear geographical arc. This approach appeals to fans of post-apocalyptic thrillers who prefer character-driven plots over complex lore. It is a straightforward tale of survival against overwhelming odds.

💎 Our verdict on Tartarus: West of Hell

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Jason Brant delivers a gritty, high-tension sequel that effectively utilizes the confined space of a train to amplify fear. The narrative excels in maintaining a relentless pace, focusing on the immediate struggle against both undead threats and hostile passengers. While it may disappoint readers seeking deep lore or historical accuracy, it succeeds brilliantly as a character-driven plot under extreme pressure. The book suits fans of cosmic horror and dark fantasy who prefer action over exposition. By emphasizing the breakdown of social order in Hell, Brant creates a compelling study of survival. It is a solid choice for those who enjoy fast-paced, intense horror stories where the environment itself is the primary antagonist.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers seeking a relentless, action-driven survival narrative will find this book rewarding. It prioritizes immediate conflict and character dynamics over complex lore or detailed world-building, making it ideal for those who prefer fast-paced thrillers in post-apocalyptic settings. Those who enjoy gritty stories where human treachery is as dangerous as supernatural threats will appreciate the tension between the protagonists and their broken environment. The confined train setting heightens the stakes, offering a visceral experience for fans of horror fiction who value momentum and intensity over gentle comfort or historical accuracy.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.4
Based on 1 reviews
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Horror Reads editorial team

Jason Brant delivers a gritty, high-tension sequel that effectively utilizes the confined space of a train to amplify fear. The narrative excels in maintaining a relentless pace, focusing on the immediate struggle against both undead threats and hostile passengers. While it may disappoint readers seeking deep lore or historical accuracy, it succeeds brilliantly as a character-driven plot under extreme pressure. The book suits fans of cosmic horror and dark fantasy who prefer action over exposition. By emphasizing the breakdown of social order in Hell, Brant creates a compelling study of survival. It is a solid choice for those who enjoy fast-paced, intense horror stories where the environment itself is the primary antagonist.

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