Benjamin Kane Etheridge has created an amazingly complex mythos for Black & Orange. There's the Church of Midnight, a mysterious organization whose goal is to unite with the Church of Morning located in the Old Domain, a place separate from the real world and filled with horrors.

Each Halloween there is a temporary opening between worlds and there are forces at work to make the opening permanent and another group whose goal it is to keep it closed.

To keep the portal closed is the job of two Nomads assigned to protect that year's Heart of the Harvest. If they fail and the Heart is captured then the opening between worlds grows closer to permanence. On the other hand, if the Heart is protected, the Church of Midnight must wait until next Halloween before trying again.

In order to assist in protecting the Heart of the Harvest, the Nomads are endowed with magical powers, specifically, the ability to create mantles, I think of these as magical apps.

Opposing them are members of The Church of Midnight. In addition to trying to locate the Heart of the Harvest, there is a good deal of in-fighting amongst the Bishops of the church. One of my favorite lines in the book concerns newly appointed Bishop Paul Quintana, "He'd even killed Justin, blew his best friend's head into vulture kibble, just to sit in this chair, just to say hello to her."

Black & Orange is challenging fare, but certainly worth the effort. It actually won the Bram Stoker award for best First Novel. One of the things that makes this story work so well is the way the writer breathes so much life into the people in the book. They're more than just characters moving through plot twists. Even though the subject matter is fanciful, they seem more like real people dealing with real issues.

I certainly wouldn't recommend Black & Orange for younger readers or the prudish, but if your up for an immersive read please do check this one out. ( )

Rating: 3.5 of 5

A fresh spooky tale perfect for reading in fall, when the leaves are turning and you can feel the approach of Halloween. Impressive for a debut novel in the horror genre. 2010 Winner of the Bram Stoker Award for First Novel.

Synopsis: "Forget everything you know about Halloween. The stories are distortions. They were created to keep the Church of Midnight hidden from the world. Every October 31st a gateway opens to a hostile land of sacrificial magic and chaos. Since the beginning of civilization the Church of Midnight has attempted to open the gateway and unite with its other half, the Church of Morning. Each year they've come closer, waiting for the ideal sacrifice to open the gateway permanently."

Leah's Thoughts: It's been nearly eight months since I finished Black & Orange on August 17, 2012 yet much of its imagery remains fresh in my mind. Chaplain Cloth was uber creepy and his little pumpkin children even more so. The plot didn't feel tired or overdone; the pacing was steady, if maybe a little too fast for my tastes; the villains were better - more interesting - than the good guys though. There was plenty of action and a few times I was on the edge of my seat. I would definitely like to know more about the Church of Midnight and the Church of Morning, and for sure more about Chaplain Cloth.

Disclaimer: There was graphic violence and violent sex, which is probably to be expected in a "horror" novel, but better to take note than be surprised. ( )

I have a new favorite horror author in Benjamin Kane Ethridge. Very well done. The art by Zach McCain fits the subject matter very well. Don't wait for Halloween, get this now. ( )

A descriptive horror that will blow you away. Pulling things from such genre books that I can't even begin to descript and explain you will be as shocked as I was with this horror. It was a pleasant twist and turn into the genre that gave me a breath of life that I needed. I love horror writers such as the infamous Stephen King and to say things were like that is a far stretch. I'm pleased to say that Benjamin Kane Etheridge has stepped into the world and made a name all for himself.

All you know about Halloween will be twisted and turned, but you can catch the subtle nuances and references to old world charm and cultures that helped to shape Halloween to what it was. I felt as if I was being given the culture shock I needed to leave me asking questions and wondering will there be more to this wonderful book. Given to me as a gift from my sister I was a little scepticle as often more times than not our tastes in some genre's stretch well away from each other where there are some we find and love deeply just alike. To read this book and find that I adore it as well as she did is an understatement. It is definately going on my shelf of to read again and again books.

The read was well and lengthy and it was the perfect read for bringing about this time of year. Especially since it is after all Halloween. With this being said and doing my best not to give a play by play and ruin all of the book for everyone I beseech you please pick it up and give it a read you will love it as much as I do if not more.

Happy Halloween! ( )

Wow, I am a huge horror/fantasy fan and this book has made it into the top 10. I will certain reread this one. The evil Chaplain Cloth comes to our dimension ever Halloween in search of the Hearts of the Harvest and the only thing stopping this powerful creature are the two Nomads, Martin and Theresa. Well written and wonderfully detailed story. Would Love to have a hard copy of this book and it is WELL worth the price!!! ( )