🩸 Horror Fiction

They Once Were Gods

✍️ Chris Petherick
Reader Score
4.5
(1 review)
$18.99
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A Chicago researcher uncovers a secret war between ancient gods after a plane crash.

The narrative begins with a commercial airliner disappearing over the Sunda Trench. This disaster triggers an investigation by a determined individual in Chicago. He discovers that eight beings, formerly deities, are involved in a covert struggle. These entities have existed for millennia and continue to influence human affairs. They protect a secret kept for three thousand years. The plot follows the researcher as he confronts these powerful figures. Their actions reveal a history of worship and subsequent abandonment. The conflict escalates as they kill to maintain their anonymity. The story blends modern tragedy with ancient mythological themes. It examines how forgotten gods adapt to contemporary life. The resolution focuses on the persistence of old powers in new settings.

Key Themes
ancient gods secret war Sunda Trench
Literary Context

The story bridges modern aviation disasters with ancient religious traditions. It places eight deities from a three-thousand-year history into contemporary Chicago. This juxtaposition highlights the enduring nature of mythological beliefs in a secular world.

Difficulty
●● Medium
Recommended For Fans Of
H.P. Lovecraft · Clark Ashton Smith · Ramsey Campbell
🩸
Horror Fiction
🏛 Brandywine House 📅 2026 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9798234011435

📝 Description: They Once Were Gods

Chris Petherick presents a narrative centered on a catastrophic event over the Sunda Trench. A Boeing 747 goes down, marking the second such incident in two decades. While global observers dismiss the tragedy as coincidence, a researcher in Chicago detects a disturbing pattern. This investigation leads him into a hidden conflict involving eight ancient beings. These entities were once worshipped as gods but now walk among humans. They guard a terrible truth locked away for three thousand years. The story explores how these figures protect their secrets through violence and deception. The book suits readers who enjoy supernatural fiction with historical depth. It appeals to those interested in the intersection of modern disaster and ancient mythology. Fans of gothic horror may find the premise engaging. Those seeking lighthearted entertainment should look elsewhere. The narrative relies on the tension between contemporary reality and forgotten divine power. Petherick constructs a world where the past actively threatens the present. The plot moves from a specific crash to a broader war for survival. This approach grounds the supernatural elements in tangible consequences. The characters face moral dilemmas as they uncover layers of history. The ending remains unresolved, leaving the truth intact. Readers who appreciate detailed world-building and atmospheric dread will find value here. The story does not offer easy answers or clear heroes.

💎 Our verdict on They Once Were Gods

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Petherick constructs a compelling world where ancient beings walk among humans, guarding a terrible truth locked away for millennia. The narrative effectively blends modern tragedy with mythological themes, examining how these entities protect their anonymity through violence and deception. By grounding supernatural elements in tangible consequences, the author creates an atmosphere of pervasive dread. The plot moves from a specific crash to a broader war for survival, highlighting the persistence of old powers in new settings. This approach suits readers who appreciate detailed world-building and the tension between contemporary reality and divine history. While the ending remains unresolved, leaving the truth intact, the journey offers a rich exploration of how forgotten deities influence current affairs without resorting to easy answers.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who appreciate supernatural fiction with historical depth will find significant value in this narrative. It appeals specifically to those interested in the intersection of modern disaster and ancient mythology, offering a unique perspective on how forgotten gods adapt to contemporary life. The book is ideal for fans of gothic horror who enjoy atmospheric dread and detailed world-building. Those seeking lighthearted entertainment should look elsewhere, as the tone relies on tension between contemporary reality and forgotten divine power. The story grounds supernatural elements in tangible consequences, making it suitable for audiences who want to see how the past actively threatens the present through a lens of moral dilemmas and covert struggles.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.5
Based on 1 reviews
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Horror Reads editorial team

Petherick constructs a compelling world where ancient beings walk among humans, guarding a terrible truth locked away for millennia. The narrative effectively blends modern tragedy with mythological themes, examining how these entities protect their anonymity through violence and deception. By grounding supernatural elements in tangible consequences, the author creates an atmosphere of pervasive dread. The plot moves from a specific crash to a broader war for survival, highlighting the persistence of old powers in new settings. This approach suits readers who appreciate detailed world-building and the tension between contemporary reality and divine history. While the ending remains unresolved, leaving the truth intact, the journey offers a rich exploration of how forgotten deities influence current affairs without resorting to easy answers.

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