Fierce Betrayal (Fierce Series Book 5) by Clay Dolan

Fierce Betrayal (Fierce Series Book 5)

Xavier, Thomas, Bart, and Walter continue their pursuit for answers about the cannibalistic man-beasts, this time on far-off Mt. Saint Helens and not all of them will survive.

The Guru's Review: 

I had high hopes that this book would reveal more books in the series, but this is the final short. I have loved this series very much and it will be sad to see the end of Xavier, Thomas, Bart and Walter all whom I have become very fond of.

I must confess that I was not expecting the twist that occurred in this short. The previous four books had an escalating tension that this group would be successful in eradicating the Atahsaia but in this short, this is not so. However, I did enjoy this twist but not concerning Xavier and Bart's demise. But, when this is depicted in a story and it fits in well with the overall plot, it does add quite a right amount of tension and makes you appreciate this character all the more.

In this twist, Dolan has tied up the events surrounding these main characters very well, especially that of Thomas, our narrator, and I loved the plot thread concerning him. It was a very nice move to include some of Xavier's past history in this ending. Very satisfying.

Despite, this twist and its events that close this series, I can see how this could be resurrected at a later time in the years following this ending. After all, this series ended with the Atahsaia still dominating their areas and the public still not convinced they exist or who they are in reality, despite the many encounters they have with these beings or as we saw in this short, evidence that could point to the fact that they are not entirely human.

I have appreciated Dolan's writing and structure of this series. There is no fluff to his writing and it is concise but not overly descriptive. I loved his characterisation and depiction of the era the series is set in. I felt like I was in the American west in the 1870s.

I encourage the reader to not skip over the Appendix or those in the Fierce Revelation short. Here is gained very interesting information regarding the background to this series and that many of the series' side characters being real and many of the scenes in this series drawn from real events or long-enduring legends.

Dolan has dealt with the spiritual/biblical origins of Bigfoot really well, not weighing at all on it being his opinion but displayed the evidence from biblical and non-biblical sources to present a very plausible explanation and evidence that the former is correct. I don't doubt any of his research or depiction in this series as it aligns itself very well with that of my own and others who study this topic.

If anyone wants to listen to the author discuss this series, Bigfoot, the supernatural that undergirds this series, I recommend this interview with Clay on radio,

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/gelatisscoop/2014/04/03/clay-dolanauthor-of-fierce-hungerfierce-pursuit

I am very thankful to Clay Dolan for creating this series and providing a balanced expose of this topic.

Highly recommended.

Fierce Mountain Journey (The Fierce Series, Book 4) by Clay Dolan

Fierce Mountain Journey (Fierce Series Book 4)

Ten months after their adventures in the Rockies and Bart's return to England, the wealthy businessman has returned to the States and has asked Xavier, Thomas, and Walter to join him in searching for more answers about the evil man-beasts and the mysterious flying ships. They undertake a long trip to Mount Saint Helens, home to the dreaded Skookum.

The Guru's Review:

So glad to see that there were enough requests for Dolan to continue this series with another two instalments. In this short, the team are reunited to continue the quest to eradicate the Atahsaia, (Bigfoot, in western society, cannibal demon in the Zuni, American Indian language, and Nephilim as believed by Xavier, the main character in this series).

Compared to the previous three shorts, this one does not have any confrontations with the Atahsaia, but their quest to eradicate them takes them further from their last expedition, this time to seek and destroy the Skookum (evil genii) who are supposed to be that region's version of the Atahsaia. While they are travelling to Mount Saint Helens, Dolan introduces more plot angles and a new motivation from Bart to continue this eradication. Tied in with this, is the evolutionary theory of Darwin's Natural Selection, which the time setting of this series is when he developed his theory. Dolan sets the plot here for a clash between this theory and Christianity represented by Xavier and his beliefs in the Biblical account of Creation and this challenges the beliefs of the rest of the team. So the plot thickens and the edgy, speculative themes deepen! Dolan throws in the "what if....." of speculative fiction as to the two views of the origins of these beasts, which whets my appetite for more of this exploration in the next book.

New characters are introduced and more of Dolan's belief of what is behind the Atahsaia and their origins are further explored, which I am impressed with as they are in line with my own research into the Nephilim and their background. It seems that this short is a bridge between the first trilogy and its continuation to Book 5. I really hope that there are more books beyond Book 5.

I love how Dolan has developed this series. You can definitely see that there is more in Dolan's research that needs to be delivered in future books. Again, I come away from reading this edgy, Christian speculative fiction with my faith reinforced, I am entertained and further informed in the subjects of the Nephilim and more of the associated issues introduced in this book.

A very rewarding short. Highly recommended. 5/5.

Fierce: A Western Trilogy of Terror and Discovery by Clay Dolan

Fierce: A Western Trilogy of Terror and Discovery

In the spring of 1876, when two Colorado deputies return to the tree they’d tied their horses to before chasing a fugitive into a forest, the horses are gone, without a trace. As they walk back to town, leading their bound prisoner, they discuss the possible reasons for their predicament. Xavier Garza, the half-Zuni deputy, believes he knows the answer: Atahsaia—a Zuni word meaning cannibal demon. His partner, Thomas Wilkins, scoffs at such superstition, until the mounting evidence changes his perspective on monsters—and on trust.

The Guru's Review:

I bought this trilogy as it combined two topics that interest me immensely, the legend of Bigfoot, of American lore, and the Nephilim mentioned in Genesis 6: 4. Further intrigue due to Dolan connecting them together.  I must stress that those who do not believe in the Bible may find this connection preposterous and misguided, rubbish even, as evidenced in a few of the reviews of the individual books in this trilogy.

However, Christians who believe in the bible and accept that the Nephilim are the product of fallen angels producing offspring with human woman as Genesis 6: 4 states

The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, as well as later, when the sons of God slept with the daughters of other humans and had children by them. These children were famous long ago.(God's Word Translation)

will find Dolan's proposal very entertaining and very plausible. Some translations, such as the Amplified, substitute Nephilim for giants, 

There were giants on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God lived with the daughters of men, and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown.

This substitution is supported in the appendix titled Bigfoot and the Bible, at the back of the novel, where Dolan has documented his research, 

The Hebrew word the modern translators translated as "mighty men" is gibborim......The word can mean mighty men, but it also can mean giants

There is evidence of skeletons excavated all over the world, including the American continent, that are well over 10 feet tall. From this, Dolan has depicted the legend of Bigfoot to be the Nephilim or as the the Zuni Indians call them, Atahsaia—a Zuni word meaning cannibal demon.

It is from this background that Dolan successfully creates the plot of this trilogy. Rather than tell this story through the eyes of the main protagonist, Xavier Garza, Dolan does this through a secondary main character, Thomas Wilkins, having him narrate this story in the first person narrative. This is very successful as it provides the reader with a unique platform to be involved in this plot. Having Thomas's character as an unbeliever enables the reader to view this trilogy through his perspective. I have not read any Christian authors who have used this method and I found this very refreshing. At many times during the story, we find Thomas questioning/challenging Xavier about God and his faith in relation to the Nephilim and the answers Xavier provides challenges Thomas' own beliefs about God. It is a unique way of seeing Xavier, a committed and surrendered Christian, witness to Thomas and the rest of the Nephilim hunters in this way through his practice of prayer,, obedience to God's direction and not being afraid of the Nephilim as his confidence and security come from God's protection and eradicating this scourge on humanity God's way. 

While reading this trilogy I kept thinking that the way Dolan has interspersed examples of the above, it would definitely minister to any reader who is seeking God or has questions about Him. As well as this, it also consolidates the spiritual side of the plot. For me though, it also shows the depth of relationship Dolan has with God and shows no shame in portraying this through the character of Xavier; and so he should not as the bible encourages us to not be ashamed of the Gospel of Christ. 

What moves the plot in this trilogy is the continued attacks by the Nephilim and the motivation of Xavier through his mission from God to eradicate them and see God's justice prevail. This provides the action, mystery and intrigue in this trilogy. Together with the elements mentioned above, Dolan has balanced this plot well and it all fits in together very nicely. My only criticism is that the trilogy ends very abruptly, with some loose ends still hanging, but Dolan leaves the reader with a question to solve this, 

Will Bart persuade Xavier, Thomas, and Walter to join him for more Atahsaia hunts? Its your call. If I get enough requests on my Clay Dolan blog, then, yes, they will resume the hunt.

I must also make comment that for the unbeliever or Christian that does not accept what Dolan has proposed here, or the Christian that does, the Appendices are essential reading. Not only for the knowledge and background that this trilogy is based on but also to see how extensive Dolan's research is that adds credibility to his series.

Highly Recommended.