Wow! I read and reviewed another novella by Michael Patrick Hicks not so long ago (or at least it remains very fresh in my mind), and I’d read great reviews for this novella as well, so I knew it would be good. In this novella, like in the previous one, the author manages to pack great (and pretty scary) action scenes, to create characters we care for, and to bring depth into the proceedings, with a great deal of sharp social commentary, all in a small number of pages.
This novella also combines elements from a large number of genres, and it does it well. Yes, it is horror (and “cosmic” horror fits it well) but that’s only the beginning. We have historical fiction (the 1788 Doctor’s riot, which took place in New York as a result of the actions of a number of medical students and their professors, known as Ressurrectionists [hence the title), who robbed graves to get bodies for study and experimentation, disproportionately those of African-Americans, was the inspiration for the whole series, as the author explains in the back matter); elements of gothic horror (fans of Frankenstein should check this novella out); some of the experiments brought to mind steam-punk, there are monsters and creatures (Lovecraftians will definitely have a field day); a grimoire written in an ancient language with fragments of translations that brings the occult into the story (and yes, secret societies as well)… All this in the historical background of the years following the American War of Independence, characters traumatised by what they had lived through, and an African-American protagonist, Salem Hawley, who has to deal with the added trauma of past slavery on top of everything else.
The story is narrated in the third person, mostly from Hawley’s point-of-view, although we also get to see things from the perspective of some of the less savoury characters (not that anybody is whiter than snow here, and that ambiguity makes them all the more real), and it is a page turner, with set action pieces and scenes difficult to forget. The rhythm of the language helps ramp up the tension and the frenzy of some of the most memorable battle scenes (we have memories of real battles and also battles against… oh, you’ll have to read it to see), which will be very satisfying to readers who love creature/monster horror. There are also some metaphysical and contemplative moments, but those do not slow down the action, providing only a brief breather and helping us connect with the characters and motivations at a deeper level.
I guess it’s evident from what I’ve said, but just in case, I must warn readers that there is plenty of violence, extreme violence, gore, and scary scenes (especially for people how are afraid of monsters and strange creatures), but the monsters aren’t the only scary beings in the story (there is a scene centred on one of the students —the cruellest one, based on a real historical character— that made my skin crawl, and I think it’s unlikely to leave anybody feeling indifferent). Also, this is the first novella in a series, and although the particular episode of the riot reaches a conclusion, there are things we don’t know, mysteries to be solved, and intrigue aplenty as the novella ends (oh, and there’s a female character I’m very intrigued by), so people who like a neat conclusion with all the loose end tied, won’t find it here.
I have also mentioned the author’s note at the end of the book, explaining where the idea for the series came from, offering insights and links into some of the research he used, and also accounting for the historical liberties he took with some of the facts (I must confess I had wondered about that, and, as a doctor, there were scenes that stretched the suspension of disbelief. Fans of historical fiction might take issue with the factual inaccuracies if they are sticklers for details. Perhaps a brief warning at the beginning of the book might put them at ease, because I think that moving the note to the beginning could detract from the element of surprise and enjoyment). I was fascinated by this historical episode (I was more familiar with the body snatchers exploits in the UK), and I’ll be sure to read more about it.
A thrilling story, well-written, packed with action, creature and cosmic horror, a great protagonist and a fascinating historical background. I can’t wait for part 2!
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me an ARC copy of this novella that I freely chose to review.

The first book I read from Michael Patrick Hicks’ was last years no holds barred creature-feature Broken Shells, which has a distinctly vintage horror aesthetic and is bursting with terrifying creatures, buckets of blood and total mayhem. I immediately loved that story and it ended up snagging a spot on my end of the year list. So when Hicks announced The Resurrectionists, I knew I had to read it. I mentioned last week that I have a love for historical horror, and was excited to learn that this novella takes place shortly after the American Revolution. The Resurrectionists introduces readers to Salem Hawley, who earned his freedom fighting for the colonies during the war. After his friend’s family are stolen from their graves by the increasingly numerous resurrectionists, Salem decides to help his friend get justice. However, the group responsible for the grave robbings have motives that stretch far beyond normal medical experiments. Their goals are much darker and as Salem begins to unravel their ultimate goal, he witnesses horrors beyond his wildest imagination. To say that The Resurrectionists is a blast to read is an understatement. I devoured it in one sitting and the frenetic pace starts pretty much from the beginning and never relents. Hicks crafts an interesting mythology that permeates the story and this novel features some of his scariest scenes to date. If you dig cosmic horror and a historical backdrop, this is an essential addition to your library.This is the first book in a proposed series and I for one can’t wait for the next installment!

There will be continued within this book: beak-masked surgeons, grave robbers, evisceration, plague cultists, black magic, monsters, the mystical, otherworldly Old Ones, believing “Suffering is always the key,” and experimentation, with the days of old and prejudices of old.

Opens with scene of horror with the strange, a beaked mask man removing a heart, that may have you hooked in the tale.
“A slender man draped in a thick, waxed overcoat stood over her, his hands gloved in shiny black leather to match the coat. His face was hidden behind a large-beaked mask.”

Storytelling reminiscent of the likes of author Robert McCammon.
Find yourself transported to terrible times and minds with immersive storytelling in the cosmic horror realm.
Reader left eagerly awaiting the continuation of this interlude into heart of darkness.

It’s 1788 and New York City continues to develop in a post-Revolutionary War period of America. Slavery is rampant, people are separated into haves and have-nots by demographic and economic status as well as skin color. As the medical field continues to flourish, corpses are needed for learning purposes, despite how illegal it is. So, this shortage leads many to steal them from cemeteries, especially Negro cemeteries.

Hereford and Bayley are medical doctors, seeking corpses not just for learning, but to perform sick experiments. Sending lackeys to acquire bodies for them by any means necessary, the indigent are found and killed in the name of dark science! Removing hearts from bodies while the people are still alive, what is their sinister purpose for doing so?

Meanwhile, Salem Hawley is a Negro soldier who fought to help liberate America from the British. He’s outraged at the desecration of his dead brethren and decides to fight back in the best way he knows how. But as he gets drawn ever deeper into this situation, what will he find at the heart of these defilements and will he be able to extricate himself from it without the loss of his life?

This is an intriguing premise for a novel and the author's storytelling causes such a terror, it messes up your insides, like someone with a fork inside your torso and slowly wrapping your intestines around it like spaghetti. It induces a high sense of queasiness and moral outrage that rings very true as I read it. Using post-war America as a setting for horror is an unusual idea. The author maximizes it and fills it with captivating characters and tantalizing situations.

The doctors and their crew are a bunch of detestable, gruesome and loathsome individuals who are curious about something they learned about on the battlefields of the American Revolution. Armed with dark motivations, ancient books and a morbid fascination with the macabre, they struggle to find the right method to introduce themselves to a creature they find majestic and mysterious.

I would’ve appreciated a deeper exploration into Hereford and Bayley’s amoral origins and what drives them. This would’ve given me a better idea as to why they are interested in this creature beyond their curiosity. But since this the first novella in a series, I expect that will be rectified in the future.

Hawley is a deep character, richly drawn and filled with a lot of hurt and pain from his history as a soldier. As a free Negro who fought in the war, his plight, righteous indignation, fear for the future and his anger at how the resurrectionists defile Negro corpses makes him a more fully rounded character whom the reader can root for. Despite the odds stacked against him, he uses his intelligence and cunning to manipulate the charged atmosphere between Negroes and Whites in the name of justice. As a result, these attempts to help rectify these wrongs is especially gratifying. His passion for helping his people is keenly felt over the course of this novella.

All of this combines into a conclusion where his enemies try to summon a creature from an otherworldly dimension. It’s a wild, horrifying cacophony of carnage, with blood, bone, gristle, exploding heads and strange creatures indiscriminately killing left and right. The situation reaches its apex and the intensity of the danger is disturbingly real. It’s a thrill ride the likes of which you have never experienced before. The conclusion is satisfying and leaving room for growth into the next novella in the series.

In the end, there is also an acknowledgments section, which shows the real world history the author researched in writing this book. I appreciated his utilization of certain historical figures, the sources for his research and how he skillfully incorporated all of this into this story.

I’ve read many stories by this author previously and the hallmarks of his storytelling style are all present: an otherworldly presence, heightened tension, visceral gore and characters I care about. However, in this novella, I felt there is something extra special the author has created here. The time period is a fantastic setting to explore horrors of a historical nature. Hawley’s situation and character seem even more enriching than his usual high-quality storytelling and there is especially palpable desperation and rage here, more so than I’ve seen in most of the author's previous stories.

To me, the author appears really inspired by this story and hits on some really raw nerves in the process as the story unfurls. Since this is the first novella in a series, I really want to see where he takes this story and what otherworldly realms we visit next. Just don’t use my corpse for science before the next novella comes out, please. I want to see what happens next.

<b>5 out of 5 Tentacles</b>

I like my Lovecraftian Mythos seasoned with a dash of evil cultists, a pinch of other worldly terrors, and a heaping side of eldritch tentacles braised in a sauce of eeriness and dread. Michael Patrick Hicks is the four star chef of my new favorite Outré restaraunt. To be honest, I almost didn't make it past the first chapter. I'm not a squeamish person and I don't mind a little bit (or buckets of) blood with my horror books, but the opening chapter is so detailed in its brutal depiction of violence that I almost had to stop reading. Fortunately, Micahel Hicks talents for telling a story and creating a believable world are as strong as his ability to churn the stomach.

The Resurrectionists is part 1 in a new series featuring Salem Hawley, a freed slave, in the time just after the American Revolution who crosses paths with a group of evil plague doctors that have been robbing the graves of the black community. Their ultimate goal is to build a device that will allow them to tear a hole in reality and let the Elder Gods feast on the Earth.

What makes the book so compelling is that it is loosely based on real events and many of the evil plague doctors actually existed although their is no evidence that any of them worshiped Cthulhu. The event, which the author extensively discusses in the back of the book, is referred to as the the 1788 Doctors' Riot. Apparently, Doctors in need of bodies to dissect and experiment on decided to get them by digging up the recently buried. The loved ones of the recently deceased weren't too happy about this and rioted when a doctor harassed a boy with a severed arm he claimed came from his recently dead mother.

To strain the metaphor of the restaurant well past breaking, The Resurrectionists is a delicious appetizer that tastes great, is over too quick, and leaves you hungry for the main course. Who is Salem Hawley? What did he do in the war and where did all those scars come from? Where is Hereford? And on scale of scale of Joseph Stalin to Kim Jung-On exactly how evil is Richard Bayley?
Hurry up, Mr. Hicks, the appetizer was delicious, but I'm really hungry

<b>Thanks and thumbs up to Michael Hicks, High Fever Books, and Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy</b>

I love horror stories steeped in history and this book did not disappoint! How can you go wrong with grave robbers, monsters and a really brave protagonist??? This novella is so different from anything else I have read, and I’m a horror fanatic!! 5 stars!

Unfortunately this was not my read, although I had a difficult time with The Resurrectionists, it is not a bad book. I liked the creepiness, but the overall concept was too provocative and too explicit for my taste.
While story was developing I thought the character of Salem Hawley wasn't developing enough. I really liked him and wish there had been more of him. But maybe this needs to be saved for the future of the series.
For me it was too much about a villain's arousal at dead bodies, I would have liked to know more about the villain's motivations. The writing tough was really good and if you are a big fan of cosmic horror you'll have a great time with this book.

Historical cosmic horror. Those are words that don't often complement each other, aren't they? Yet in this case, suitably descriptive. Somehow mashing a historical narrative with the hopelessness of cosmic horror, The Resurrectionists is a violent, often nauseating tale mostly about the evils of men and a touch of Elder gods. Extremely gripping, this is one story that takes hold and doesn't let go.

Set during a time when medical dissection was on the rise and the need for cadavers far outnumbered the availability, graverobbing — while a contemptible business — became a profitable one. There's a very authentic feel to this world building. As for our main character, Salem Hawley is a free man, but in a time period where prejudice and racism spread unchecked. There was no distinguishing between slave or freedmen; both barely treated as human. When his friend's family is disinterred, Salem is stalwart in his will for justice against those whose terrorize his friends and community.

The horror is vivid as is the hatred and malice, sometimes almost too much so. While I'm not ordinarily accused of being delicate, some of the scenes assiduously displayed in such pitiless detail were difficult to read. It was rarely the gore that turned my stomach but the depravity of men. Sometimes cheering for the monsters is the sensible thing to do as I soon discovered. In my opinion, the grotesqueries visited upon the cultists were not nearly sufficient.

Lovecraftian themes usually aren't my thing but there was something compelling about Salem Hawley's account. The Resurrectionists gives us an unblinking look at the monsters within as well as without.

Thanks to NetGalley, Michael Patrick Hicks and High Fever Books who provided an ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.

The Resurrectionists is set during the 1788 Doctors Riot, Post-Revolutionary War when illegal body snatching by doctors and medical students was rife. A pretty macabre premise to start with right?! Hicks’s mix of historical fact and Cosmic Horror fiction was a perfect blend.

I was hooked from the very first page, the book throws you straight into the sadistic extracurricular activities of the resurrectionists, it was full throttle gore, wonderfully written and not for the fainthearted!

The story follows two narratives, the first follows Salem Hawley as he sets out to put a stop to the illegal grave robbing from the African American grave yards, in the process he has unwittingly gotten himself involved in something much worse. The resurrectionists are attempting to invoke an ancient evil…

The other part is told from the POV of the resurrectionists, although they are totally vile, I couldn’t wait to find out what they were planning, if it would work and what would happen if it did work!

The imagery was awesome throughout, those creatures! (Shudder)

The abrupt ending has left me very eager for the next two books! I’m looking forward to getting to know Salem better and I am TOO curious to find out where the hell Hereford is and what is going to happen to him next!

The Resurrectionists is a macabre Cosmic Horror Novella with tonnes of gore, monsters and mystery.

You need to read this one and its out today!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my eARC copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.

The Resurrectionists is one of those novellas that sinks its teeth into you from the first chapter and doesn't let go until it's over. It nags at your soul to keep going, tempting you to finish it in one sitting(I finished it in two, but the same day). It has all the greats when it comes to horror. Gore, Lore, and more! It's honestly hard to find a flaw with this story. The characters are well developed, the pacing is superb, and the promise of more to come has me salivating and impatient.

Give this little treat a try and you won't be disappointed, but the gore is not for the faint of heart. Be aware of the kind of story you are reading when picking up this novella. I can't wait to see the trouble lurking around the corner for Salem in the sequel!

Hick’s new novella is truly an eye opening experience which I am glad to dive into and read. The action is historically relevant and put into its fictional text works magnificently. There are some squirming moments which I read whilst on the airplane to the point where the air host asked me if I was upset. I said no, just reading a very descriptive passage.

The characters are strong and Hicks has a talent to keep the reader on edge and fully involved with his characters. At times, the gore is on show but they do fit within the confines of the story and not add as icing on a cake. The overall effect is award winning and can truly understand the praise for Hicks work. I can’t wait to dive into Salem’s world in forthcoming additions to the tale.

Overall, this is a great book that mixes fact and fiction in glorious detail. It never loses sight of its objective and with its strong narrative and characters, Hicks never puts a foot wrong. This is a superb, excellent book. Highly recommend.

This story is set in the early part of the 20th century in New York and involves graverobbers who get up to no good and desecrate graves for bodies for medical experiments, but also target the downtrodden, shall we say, for their live experiments, which go into explicit and gruesome detail. Not for the faint of heart indeed.

Our protagonist, Salem, is a free person of colour who tries to stop one of these grave desecrations when it targets someone he knows, but it ends in a vicious and bloody encounter.

Exploring the point of view of one of the villainous characters was an interesting choice, and one I felt allowed the reader to experience all of the gory details up close.

The plot built to a dynamic crescendo of events that kept escalating; in the interest of avoiding spoilers, I will stop there, but suffice it to say, Salem's journey was a compelling and nerve-wracking experience to read through.

Of additional note, the author's Afterword provides a fascinating glimpse into the history that inspired his work, and for those interested, there will be a sequel, it appears. I also wanted to call attention to the stunning cover art by Kealan Patrick Burke, a talented author and graphic artist in his own right.

Overall, I felt this very well-written book was an incredibly compelling read, and in spite of making me squirm at quite a few spots with the body horror, I enjoyed it and found it to be a gripping page-turner.

Thanks to Michael Hicks for allowing me into his very strange brain. When I started this book, I was a bit unsure of how this historical horror story was going to play out. Welp, this story is damn good! It's got great characters and so.much.gross. I can't wait to read the next installment!

This is the first book that I’ve read by Michael Patrick Hicks, and one that I enjoyed reading. I can’t wait to read the rest of the books in the Salem Hawley series. The one pet peeve I have, is that little is revealed about Salem, the main character, and I found myself wanting to know more about him. I’m looking forward to reading more books by Hicks as well, my only problem, deciding which one.

Warning: Racist language

Thanks to Netgalley for an ebook copy in exchange for a review. I really enjoyed this book. I wish it had been longer. Looking forward to reading the next books. The plot of the book was different for me. The monsters were scary, and Hawley was a character I enjoyed and felt so much for. Definitely recommend and will read the future books.

A thoroughly entertaining mix of history, politics and good old-fashioned Lovecraftian cosmic horror. ‘The Resurrectionists’ is a great, slightly pulpy read. It’s incredibly gory and wildly violent, but also rich in atmosphere and historical detail. Hawley is a good protagonist, determined, principled and relatable; but it’s the thoroughly evil villains that steal the show. Lots of fun and I’m looking forward to the next book.

Is historical sci-fi horror a genre? It should be. And The Resurrectionists by Michael Patrick Hicks is the perfect example of said genre. It’s a fast read, but every page is packed with detail and descriptions that will linger long after the book is closed. The concept of the book is horrifying, as all good stories are. The gore is used to perfect effect and is extremely well-written. I’m very excited to see where this series goes in the future.

I received a free e-copy of The Resurrectionists by Michael Patrick Hicks from Net Galley and High Fever Books in exchange for my review.

As a visually-centered person, my favorite writers are those that are able to create vivid pictures in my mind of the places, people and events that they describe. In that, "The Resurrectionists" by Michael Patrick Hicks succeeds wonderfully.
The opening chapter has a strong visual punch that carries through to the end of the novel. The images called are not always pleasant, but they are vivid and dramatic. A lot of horror writers would stop there, making their stories simple one-note gorefests, but Hicks ties his talent for description to a strong narrative sense with the result that the messy bits have a reason to exist and serve the purposes of the story.
"The Resurrectionists" functions as much as historical fiction as it does horror, so that political realities meet metaphysical possibilities. It imagines a historical truth in the context of the well-known Lovecraft Mythos without invoking the notes that generally make such writing pastiche. It's a fresh take in the subgenre with clear nods to the work of the gentleman of Providence (and what appears to be at least one strong nod to King's Dark Tower series). Hicks's violence is at times poetic and he has a talent for description of the monstrous to rival that of Clive Barker.
This is the kind of book that hooks the reader early, demands attentive reading and rewards with a satisfying experience and a promise of more to come. It adds Michael Patrick Hicks to my personal list of authors to watch for.

Short and fast paced, THE RESURRECTIONISISTS delivers!

Salem Hawley is a free black man ever since helping the Colonies fight against the British. Now he is helping Americans battle against creatures of the cosmos. Doctors are trading in flesh, not only to further their science but to triumph in their nefarious efforts to bring forth these aforementioned creatures. Do any of Salem's actions make his make life as a black man at that time any easier? No, no they do not. Will he be able to help his fellow citizens fight an enemy most have never seen? If he does, will he survive the fight? You'll have to read this to find out!

There's a lot going on here for such a short novel. Clashing personalities, clashing cultures, a city in fear, cosmic frights and real life ones as well. Somehow, the personality of Hawley stands out as a shining example of good and hope, while most of the doctors come off as exactly the opposite. It amazed me how well these characters were drawn, considering how much page time they each were given.

I definitely recommend this book. I had previously sworn off books that are part of an unfinished series, however, I couldn't help but give in to this one-just look at the cover and you'll know why.

Recommended! (I can't wait for the next book!)

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest feedback. This is it.*

Hicks's writing is as always top notch. No matter what he writes his novels are enjoyable to consume. Dark, grotesque, much visual horror in this historical novel. Excited about the next book of the series, as the story ends with a few surprises!