Decent read. Cliche'ish (not in a bad way) with the whole sex, drugs, rock and roll (metal in this case) and demon possession. Ending was pretty over the top.

I'm embarrassed to say that this was my first Ashford novel (but I'm already on my second, and soon on my third!): the man can WRITE! He also knows his music, the metal scene, and he has good taste in everything! 'Polyphemus' is a blast to the senses: not just well-written, with a terrific plot, but the characters, well, they feel so real one wonders if there's a true story somewhere behind it. There better not be, since the baddies are genuinely evil entities, and bargaining with them is described in extreme detail (perhaps too much detail: watch out for animal abuse), compellingly, and chillingly. Still, the development that upset me is the humanity of it all, staring you back from the page, the heavy sense of sinfulness and despair; showing how much indeed one is prepared to sacrifice in their quest for fame and fortune. This is a mosh pit of a novel, with brilliant storytelling and palpable horror that hits close to home - you won't be able to put it down!

In the dread-inducing pages of POLYPHEMUS, Zachary Ashford conjures a world where the decaying threads of heavy metal and the putrid stench of human folly interweave into a tapestry of nightmarish proportions. This novel is a macabre symphony, its notes played on the sinewy strings of desperation and its rhythms a cacophony of the grotesque and the forlorn.

Stephen Oaks, the band's former vocalist, returns from the depths of addiction, attempting to navigate the perilous waters of recovery. His journey is fraught with internal battles and external temptations, particularly when he crosses paths with Anton, a mysterious figure with questionable intentions. Anton's presence introduces a sinister undercurrent, reminiscent of a deal with the devil, where the true cost of ambition becomes a central theme.

Ashford's writing expertly captures the raw energy and chaos of the metal music scene, drawing on vivid descriptions that place the reader in the heart of dingy bars and intense performances. The settings throughout the book are more than mere locations; they are stages for the unfolding drama, each one a step further into a psychological inferno.

The novel is an immersive experience, with the author's command of language and atmosphere dragging you into a world that's both thrilling and unsettling. While it's a complex and layered read, it's also accessible, focusing on the characters' struggles and the haunting consequences of their choices.

To sum it up, POLYPHEMUS is a dark and compelling narrative that offers a stark look at ambition, addiction, and the often blurred line between the two. It's a journey through the shadows of human nature, one that will resonate with readers long after the final page is turned. Ashford has crafted a tale that's not just about the horror that comes from external sources, but the ones that lie within us, making for a truly haunting read.