Diabolikal - Book Review

The idea of morality and its place in the modern world is always balanced by the perception of the world around us, fictional or real. Many novels of late, especially thrillers, tends to test this boundary between the ideas of right and wrong, justified and simply unconscientious."Diabolical" [Hank Schwaeble/Jove/320pgs] revels in its ability to place a seemingly trite element of brute force in the arena of demons trying to make their presence felt on Earth. While the book is part of a continuing franchise, its balance of characters and life bring to mind a variety of influences with personalities that at most times run counter to what the normal narrative flow should be.The storyline follows a man [Jake Hatcher] who after defeating a demon warlock and saving a woman who he seems to connect with on an personal level withdraws from society and relegates his ideas of life to that of a mercenary. Brought back into the fray by a seemingly innocuous general trying to prevent a portal to hell from opening, the plot wavers with a bit of suspension especially when interfacing a serial killer, not unlike many seen before or since, who hunts and rapes women. Said plot device is recruited by what are called Carnates (unhuman women with a knack for cruelty and seduction) who feed the darkness of Hel for their power. While the progression sounds almost goth, it does try to function with a mainstream functionality in many ways. Hatcher's many relationships seem to point to an inherent lack of understanding on his part to the consequences of his actions.The serial killer in question has an odd appendage where his arm used to be which lets him function at times in the demon world. The personification of gore and the almost "looking glass" portal which personifies the brink of purgatory and notion of hell in the mind is accurately intimidated. What plays out in terms of a life condemned to eternal damnation and unable to be saved despite her will to save another is an interesting use of foreshadowing in terms of the main character. It is this balance that gives the story more weight than it otherwise would have. It doesn't close all the wounds because that ambivalence is what gives the book at times its soul.While at times flittering between "Constantine", "Ugly Americans" and even, if you will, tinges of "The Big Lebowski", "Diabolical" knows its idea enough but seems to wander between different conceptions of emotion, franchise ideas and lack of centrality which, while making for an interesting read, also lacks a real vibrancy that would lift it above the rest.C