New Book Alert: The Covenant Sacrifice by Lee Allan Howard; Metaphorical But Also Timely Supernatural Horror About The Dangers of Religion, Self-Righteousness, and Passing Judgment

 New Book Alert: The Covenant Sacrifice by Lee Allen Howard; Metaphorical But Also Timely Supernatural Horror About The Dangers of Religion, Self-Righteousness, and Passing Judgment 

By Julie Sara Porter

Bookworm Reviews 

Spoilers: Can't imagine why a supernatural horror in which a religious cult kidnaps and kills LGBT people to appease what they see as evil is so relevant. End sarcasm. But that is the premise behind Lee Allen Howard's metaphorical but oddly timely horror novel The Covenant Sacrifice.

Strange happenings befell Anastasis Creek, Pennsylvania during the same time that the cicadas called. People disappeared or mysteriously died only to reappear as undead zombie-like creatures. There were whispers of a demon lurking around and taking souls. Pastor Uriah Zalmon of the Deliverance Tabernacle Church believed that it was a curse brought on by local witch, Agatha Abbott. The only way to end the curse was to sacrifice Kara McPherson, a young woman, whom they consider an "unrepentant sinner" for being a lesbian.

17 years later, the cicadas call again and Roger McPherson, local farmer, is found dead under mysterious circumstances. Nurse Jarod Huntington leaves Pittsburgh to return to his hometown of Anastasis Creek to attend Roger's funeral and resolve unfinished business with his former best friend, Roger's son, Scotty. Then there are more deaths and returns of the undead. It isn't long before Zalmon and his closest followers are sharpening their knives for another sacrifice. 

The Covenant Sacrifice offers plenty of horror both of the supernatural and human variety. The creatures are a very terrifying demonic looking horde that first resemble someone that a person knows but something seems off about them.Then they build a chrysalis around them to eventually transform into a flying demon. 

In one of the scariest and saddest moments, a young girl named Madison goes through the kidnapping and transformation. She starts out as a sweet, active, trusting little girl, then turns into a violent, bloodthirsty, mindless creature. Her attacks climax when one of her relatives has to make the anguishing decision whether to kill her to save the town.

While the supernatural creatures are terrifying, and one in particular is enough to provide nightmares, there is also plenty of terror caused by human monsters, particularly Rev. Zalmon. His diary entries reveal a twisted tale of lust, self righteousness, and hypocrisy. He is a man with many secrets who chastises others for their sins and never acknowledges his own. 

Zalmon is willing to kill to protect his secrets and will get rid of those who he perceives as sinners. Not only that but Zalmon's cult-like followers are willing to go along with him. Agatha Abbott, the Baphomet worshiping town witch, arranges the events from Zalmon's past, but at times, she comes across as a better character than Zalmon. Not much, she's pretty manipulative, violent, and arrogant as well.

While the situation is a fantastic one, it is very easy to see that The Covenant Sacrifice is a sharp commentary about the cult mentality that many religious people, especially Conservatives, have when they are so bound to their own religious interpretation that they isolate and commit violence towards others who do not follow their standards.

However, there are many characters who are the exact opposite by showing kindness, goodness, and the ethics and morals that Zalmon and his ilk pay lip service to. There are many townspeople who spring to action to look for Madison when she goes missing. Twylah Sharpe is a spiritualist whose psychic abilities and magical skills counter Agatha's self-centered arrogant plans. Fanny Fassenden, a local recluse, doesn't have a large part but in one chapter, she demonstrates the difficulties that someone has in a small town when they are considered different from everyone else.

By far, the most heroic characters are Jarod and Scotty. They were once friends, but harbored secret crushes on each other. While acting on their feelings, they were caught by Roger, Scotty's father, and threatened to be ostracized. Jarod ended his friendship with Scotty and left for Pittsburgh. He tried to put his past behind him to start a nursing career and a relationship with Kelly. Unfortunately, he is hesitant to pursue his and Kelly's relationship further. He wants to start a family, but isn't sure if Kelly is the one that he wants to start it with.

Scotty meanwhile remained in Anastasis Creek and worked on the family farm. Now that his father is gone, he is considering selling the place and moving on. However, he never forgot Jarod and remained single.

Jarod and Scotty's journey in this book requires them to show courage and strength in protecting their families. However, they also have to be truthful and honest with each other and the rest of the town. Their love counters the hatred that Zalmon preaches.

The Covenant Sacrifice is a book that despite an unreal premise still resonates in real life with its themes of religious hypocrisy, equality, acceptance, honesty, and love.