The Black Act

Updated Feb. 4, 2010

The Black Act Makes 2009 HWA Stoker Preliminary Ballot

Last year, I had the pleasure of seeing Mr. Joel Sutherland (aka Soootherland) climb his way to the final ballot with FROZEN BLOOD–a book I was proud to edit. This year, I’m happy to say my debut novel–THE BLACK ACT–has made it to the preliminary ballot. I can’t say if I’ll make it beyond this point, but I’m pleased with all the recs I received and making it this far.

Many congratulations to all who’ve made the preliminary ballot, and good luck in making the final and beyond. Thanks again to all who enjoyed THE BLACK ACT enough to recommend it, and thanks to Mark Worthen for all his hard work, many hours, devoted to collecting recs and compiling this preliminary ballot sheet. Below is a look at the first novel category:

Superior Achievement in a First Novel

THE BLACK ACT by Louise Bohmer (Library of Horror)
BREATHERS by S. G. Browne (Broadway Books)
SLAUGHTER by Marcus Griffin (Alexandrian Archives Publishing)
THE DEAD PATH by Stephen M. Irwin (Hachette Australia)
SOLOMON’S GRAVE by Daniel G. Keohane (Dragon Moon Press)
DISMEMBER by Daniel Pyle (Wild Child)
THE FOREST OF HANDS AND TEETH by Carrie Ryan (Delacorte Press/Random House)
DAMNABLE by Hank Schwaeble (Jove)
THE LITTLE SLEEP by Paul Tremblay (Henry Holt)
SLIGHTS by Kaaron Warren (Angry Robot)

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New Reviews for The Black Act

“The novel is written deftly by Bohmer and she enthralls you with not only her unique mythology but also her engaging writing style. Her highly detailed descriptions of the Wood People make them both fascinating and frightening and her human characters are so developed that you feel like you know them. The book pulled me in from the opening pages and I finished it in merely two sittings!” –Fatally Yours Reviews

Read the full review at: http://www.fatally-yours.com/horror-literature/book-review-the-black-act-by-louise-bohmer/

5 out of 5 Tombstones for The Black Act from Bitten by Books

“The Black Act is a stark and powerful tale. Louise Bohmer has created a world unlike any I’ve ever read, and her Fae are absolutely unique – both in their vintage and philosophy. The construction of the story is seamless, weaving back and forth through the generations. It’s done in a manner that is more storytelling than written, and one can imagine sitting around a campfire listening to the horror that oozes out of the Black Act. The contrasts between beauty and bleakness are outstanding. It is neither a comfortable read nor a pleasant one, but it is gripping, fascinating entry into the unimaginable.”

Full review can be read at:

http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=13836

“Louise Bohmer’s The Black Act is a wonderful example of what a talented, creative author with a deft, light touch can achieve in bringing to life an interesting and inventive world built upon a carefully and detailed integrated mythos developed to a high and fine degree. The underlying world the author creates is fascinating and unique, and she then proceeds to populate it with an equally interesting accumulation of not only different races and species, but, more importantly, with truly appealing individual characters that readers will empathize with, and places them into a storyline that readers will find both captivating and entertaining. The Black Act is a truly praiseworthy, passionate, and provocative novel and highly worth purchasing and reading. After all the care and skill Bohmer displays in creating the world of The Black Act, the novel’s dénouement left me wanting to know and learn even more about the place and the beings who inhabit it, and I certainly hope she revisits this fascinating destination again soon.”

–From Norm L. Rubenstein’s review of The Black Act (Horror World)

Full review at: http://www.horrorworld.org/december_2009.htm

“The story is centered on Anna and Claire, sisters whose bloodline carries an ugly curse that expanses generations of Dalthwein people. Fated to unknowingly repeat history, they discover their true origins, and how it has molded their entire world. Although interwoven and complex, the plot was well constructed and easy to follow. And timely. Quite often, complicated stories are slow reads, but Bohmer pens her tale with a distinctive flair that sucks you in quickly and doesn’t relent. With every twist and turn and sordid revelation (and yes, there were lots of those,) the story moved faster. Admittedly, I spent quite a few wee morning hours absorbed in the saga of the McLeod family, simply because I couldn’t stop reading.”

–From Jezzy Wolfe’s (Choate Road) review of The Black Act

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Library of Horror Presents: The Black Act by Louise Bohmer

ISBN: 1449511198
ISBN-13: 9781449511197
Published by Library of Horror
Genre: Horror / Dark fantasy
Released: September 22, 2009
Trade Paperback
6 x 9
Pages: 240

Purchase from: Library of Horror

Back Cover:

The history of a curse is fraught with bloody battles, bitter hatred, and dark secrets.

Through five generations, ghosts of war haunt the Wise Women. When the Rebellion of Glenna ends, their curse sleeps bound in the Tunnels of the Dead, waiting for its chance to re-awaken the battle between the Wood People and Dalthwein Clans.

Claire, a distraught young Wise Woman born in the sacred valley of the fae, unwittingly helps it escape imprisonment. While her twin sister, Anna, receives psychic glimpses of ancient secrets she must unravel. With her scribe teacher, Rosalind, she also struggles to uncover the reasons behind Claire’s strange behavior, ever escalating since the death of their Guild Mother, Grianne.

The Age of the Wise Women will cease, if the curse does not end with Anna and Claire. Perhaps inheriting the mistakes of their ancestors, and learning the truths of their identities, will bring great suffering for these witch twins?

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The Black Act Book Trailer - Library of Horror

Another new book trailer for you all:

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