The Pact

By William Schoell

Book Overview

William Schoell's sixth novel returns to print, meticulously restored and revised by the author for the first time since its original publication

He is Hell-Born.

Fear of war gripped the heart of young naval recruit Steven Russell. It gnawed at his innards, screamed at him from every New York newspaper, blasted at him from the radio. Poet, dreamer, visionary... he saw a future of blood and bombs... spattered bodies... severed limbs. No stranger to the occult, he took the ultimate survival measure: Steven Russell sold his soul to the Devil in exchange for the promise that he would live through World War II. Kissing his bride goodbye, he sailed off with a knowing smile... but the Devil had the last laugh.

He is Arisen.

For over forty years, Marjorie Russell has pined for her husband who fell in the thundering attack on Pearl Harbor. Yet now, in haunting dreams, she can hear his voice... distant, eerie, beckoning. But Steven went down to the sea in death... or did he?

And he will not be stopped.

Marjorie Russell is searching for the truth. And a numbing nightmare of diabolical terror is just beginning.

This Special Edition features a brand-new introduction by William Schoell.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1960721976
• ISBN13: 9781960721976
• Release Date: October 2024
• Publisher: Encyclopocalypse Publications
• Length: 232 Pages
• Weight: 0.47 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.0" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Be Careful What You Wish For

When a yong man is forced to decide to join the Navy before the US involvement in World War II, it sets of a series of events that have dire consequences for the entire world. The young man is stationed on the USS Arizona when Pearl Harbor is attacked. But he made a deal with a demon to be protected and he calls in his chips at the last moment. At present day his unremarried widow is starting to have dreams about him. He seems to be in trouble. An occult investigator offers to help her out and the trail takes them to Hawaii to be closer to her husband's place of death. But once there they find out that nature is starting to go wild and bad things are happening all over the island. An occult practitioner joins the team and discovers how it all ties together and just what needs to be done to stop the rise of evil. A rather interesting take on a classic theme of the deal with the devil. The story is a little slow at first as we set up the two main protagonists. But once it gets going, all the stops are pulled and horror runs rampant throughout the story. While the main characters are trying to take care of business, we see scenes where others experience the rising horror directly. Although slow to start I found it rather enjoyable and especially likes the twist on demons and devils that was portrayed.

Very Good

William Schoell is a great (not very widely known horror author) and here's another example of his work. In 1930's a young man, right after he gets married, finds out that he will go to war. He makes a pact with a mighty demon to protect him from dying. The story then jumps 40 years later, when the wife of the young soldier keeps having dreams that he is alive and that something very evil is about to take place. She travels to Hawaii with a help of a friend and tries to find out what is happening and who is calling her there. Good, dark horror tale (original). If you like Mr. Schoell's other books, you will like this one.