“‘When you can’t point to a logical explanation for something, it usually means that you haven’t found it yet.”

Oracle by Thomas Olde Heuvelt
Release Date: April 30th
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

This is my third attempt at reading a Thomas Olde Heuvelt book, and I’ve come to the same conclusion for each one. The stories start off so strong for me and I’m hooked from the beginning, but somewhere along the middle it drags on to the point that at the end I don’t really care what happens.

There’s a lot that happens in the middle of the book, but I don’t think it’s all necessary, and I would have enjoyed it more if it was a bit shorter so it didn’t drag on as much. Because truly the story is good with so much potential.

My thanks to TOR Nightfire and NetGalley for the ARC of Thomas Olde Heuvelt's Oracle.

Well, I loved this just as I did Hex. I haven't read Echo yet, but will now. Olde Heuvelt is the new Stephen King. He's clearly a student of King's work, as the references to books such as It are clear in this new novel of the Robert Grim series (I think we can acknowledge it is something of a series now). Basically, if a reader loves Stephen King, they will love Olde Heuvelt.

That said, I actually find Olde Heuvelt a better writer. His prose rises in some moments to a level of beauty and artistry that often lacks in Stephen King (my sons' have a favorite example from King's writing: "It smelled bad."). Heuvelt manages to draw the reader along into a completely unbelievable scenario with painterly, cinematic language that enables one (me) to visualize exactly what he describes. He also embraces the absurdity of the scenarios in which he places his characters, allowing them to react with humor and other very human ways. Their reactions are believable even with the situations are far from it.

I won't rehearse the synopsis of the narrative here, since anyone can read that in the book blurb. Needless to say, a 17th-century galleon dropped in a Dutch tulip field? People vanishing when they go inside? A child oracle? Yes, please. There were parts of this narrative that evoked The Langoliers for me, especially Luka as the oracle (cf. the blind girl in The Langoliers). There were also parts that reminded me strongly of Neil Gaiman (esp. the American Gods bits). Making the "monster" of is horror novel a cosmic battle between two old world gods, but really having it all be a commentary on climate change and disasters, was unexpected, yet it works. Oracle is a wild romp!

Wow what a book!!!! I read really mixed reviews for this novel so I was worried it wouldn't stand up to Hex or Echo, but I loved it! We follow Luca and a band of other characters (including Robert Grim making his sequel appearance!) as they navigate horrifying sights, political cover-ups, and lots and lots of death.

This just blew me away and I couldn't put it down!

Thomas Olde Heveult, an expert writer in magical realism, presents The Oracle as a meticulously crafted narrative. It delves into the realms of ancient gods, long-forgotten curses, and contemporary conspiracies, all of which serve to illuminate the primal aspects of the human condition.

The author's masterful imagery transported me to the Netherlands and the North Sea. The second half of the book was a tidal wave (pun intended) of action, tense emotions, and mystical enchantment. But the first 200 pages were a challenge. While each tangent served a purpose in the end, the set-up of the storylines was tedious and difficult to focus on. There were several times I considered abandoning the book, but I am so thankful I stuck with it! I loved the first book, Hex, and remembering how amazing it was motivated me to wade (🤣) through the boring bits of Oracle.

What I liked:
📚 The story was incredibly unique. The supernatural/magical element was firmly rooted in realism.
📚 The vivid imagery made me forget I was reading.

What I didn't like:
📚 The first half of the book explained several different angles of the story, and because the set-up for the main plot was so long, it was hard to stay interested.
📚 While Robert Grim had a substantial role in Hex, I never considered him a main character. So Thomas Olde Heveult's choice to use Grim to develop a series tie-in was odd. Grim was not a pivotal player in Oracle either. In my opinion, both books are better treated as stand-alone novels. There is not enough continuity to be a series. Grim's entire storyline seemed forced and irrelevant.

If you are looking for a fast page-turner, you will probably DNF Oracle. But if you are okay with taking a roundabout, detour-riddled journey to a fantastic ending filled with gorgeous imagery and dynamic details, give Oracle a shot.

I'm sure this question will come up for some, so:
NO - you do not need to read Hex first. There were some minor references to it in Oracle, but not enough to impact the story. HOWEVER, Hex was an exceptional read (better than Oracle), and I highly recommend it!

I was first introduced to Thomas Olde Heuvelt when I randomly picked up Hex from my local library 5 years ago. While I was not quite into horror back then, I loved the creepy atmosphere and the utter chaos the book delivered. I can now say I love this style of writing. Oracle had me hooked from the first chapter and while it took a while to see how certain chapters fit into the great narrative, Heuvelt delivered a solid horror story with a bit of a happy ending.

I'm bummed to write this, as I loved "Hex," but this book was soooo boring! I made it 30% in and just couldn't find the point of caring about anything that was happening. The coolest part of this book, the spooky ship and that death bell, were just sort of a backdrop for the investigation and the bad people in charge of the investigation. There was so much more buildup of spooky and community and interesting people and history in "Hex," whereas this one had none of it, in my opinion.

This book was so weird.

But I think I kind of loved it...

The atmosphere was top notch, creepy af and you felt every bit of it! I had to turn the lights on at one point because there was no way I was going to be reading this one in the dark. I felt like I heard the dinner bell ringing everytime I closed my eyes *shudders*.

That being said, the dialogue felt very stiff and this is I am sure due to the fact that the author is not a native English speaker and I believe the book was translated so this issue is more about me as an American reading a book that wasn't written for an American audience and not at all about the book itself. I struggled to get through certain parts due to this however and I think that if I were to reread the book I might enjoy it even more.

A unique premise and enjoyably creepy.

Thomas Olde Heuvelt is one of the creepiest horror writers around!

In Oracle he takes on a catch 22 - an 18th century ship appears in a field. Anyone who enters is never seen from again - but noises are heard inside... The Dutch CIA are involved as well as other nefarious world power investigators.

All Luca wants is for his father to come home. He is willing to do anything to help him, even entering the ship. Thriller, Horror, Espinoge - this is a perfect tale to keep you up all night with the light on!
#torpublishing #tornightfire #oracle #ThomasOldeHeuvelt

I was really excited to receive this because of Hex and Echo. I also liked that Robert Grim would be returning. But meh. The book was a little underwhelming and hard to get through at times. And that ending? Come on boy.

Thanks to NetGalley and Tor Nightfire for the ARC of this book. This will be out in April!

One winter morning in the Netherlands thirteen year olds Luca Wolf and Emma Reich are biking to school when they discover the wreck of an eighteenth century ship in a tulip field. Emma enters the ship and disappears. Then others vanish into the ship.

A government agency comes to investigate and to the surprise of exactly no one that does not make things the slightest bit better. They bring in retired occult specialist Robert Grim, who keeps reminding everyone he’s only dealt with one case, so he’s really no kind of specialist, but I guess they still want him to figure it out. Hilarity ensues.

This is billed as the second Robert Grim book. I guess the first one was his first case. He’s certainly out of his depth here, but who wouldn’t be, and then there’s crossing and double crossing. The parts about the ship were interesting to me but I could have done without the rest. It was just OK for me.

What a book! Weird, atmospheric, thrilling! That author as a very unique style and I love everything he does, Discover or rediscover him with his new book!

4 stars

This was a great book. A nice atmospheric slow burn. I dont think it was so much horror, as it was a historical thriller. Either way, it was a good read.
It was a bit hard to read, I think due to translation. Also, I didn’t realize it was a second book in a series. I hope not reading the first, didn’t take away from anything in this book.

I didn’t care for the writing style and stopped after chapter 3 (3%). It didn’t flow well and felt a bit disjointed. Not for me. I’m not exactly sure who the target is on this one. It feels ‘meant for’ younger readers in that the characters sound like teenagers, except references are clearly millennial/gen x.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor for the ARC.

Thank you NetGalley for a free e-galley of this book in exchange for an honest review.

"Oracle" by Thomas Olde Heuvelt is a gripping supernatural thriller that masterfully blends elements of history, mystery, and horror. The story begins with a haunting and mysterious scene where Luca Wolf and Emma Reich discover a stranded eighteenth-century sailing ship named Oracle on a barren flower field. The disappearance of Emma after she enters the ship sets off a chain of eerie events, including the vanishing of eleven people and the involvement of a secretive government agency.

Heuvelt's storytelling is atmospheric and immersive, creating a sense of foreboding and suspense that permeates the narrative. The inclusion of Robert Grim, a retired specialist in the occult with a complex history and a distaste for authority, adds depth and intrigue to the investigation into the Oracle's secrets. The novel skillfully weaves together threads of international intrigue, young love, and humanity's relationship with nature and the supernatural.

The mystery surrounding the Oracle and its connection to an ancient doom is compelling and well-executed, blending historical elements with a contemporary setting. Heuvelt's writing is evocative and descriptive, capturing the chilling atmosphere and the escalating tension as the characters face the unknown.

However, readers who prefer straightforward thrillers or less complex plots may find the novel's blending of different genres and the depth of its historical and supernatural elements challenging. The story's exploration of themes such as climate change, disease, and the apocalypse adds a layer of complexity that might not appeal to all.

Content warnings for themes of supernatural horror, disappearance, and occult elements are appropriate. "Oracle" will appeal most to readers who enjoy supernatural thrillers with a blend of history, mystery, and horror, offering a story that is both terrifying and thought-provoking.

In conclusion, "Oracle" by Thomas Olde Heuvelt is a masterfully crafted supernatural thriller that offers a suspenseful and eerie journey into the unknown. Its combination of historical intrigue, atmospheric horror, and complex characters makes it a standout read for fans of the genre.