Title: The Miracle Sin

Author: Marcus Hawke

Release date: January 5th, 2021

Over the last few years, I’ve read a number of Hawke’s books and really enjoyed everything I’ve read. But up until now, I’ve not managed to read ‘The Miracle Sin,’ his major novel he’s known for. Everything about this novel had me excited and intrigued, yet it still managed to stay slightly away from the top of my TBR over and over.

But no longer! I made sure to get this to the top, wanting to get it read over the summer months, and help celebrate Canadian horror throughout the month of July.

What I liked: The novel itself reminded me a lot of elements from Clive Barker’s ‘Next Testament,’ and I say that in the best way possible. The story focuses on teenager, Mason. He’s been through a lot, his parents dying in one of the biggest natural disasters ever, one in which Mason himself was the only survivor.

Things take a turn when he finds out that all sorts of the things that are not supposed to be ‘real’ are. And with that, Mason also finds out he just might be the chosen one, the savior descended. While none of this makes sense to Mason or Grim, the stranger who takes him under his wing, it seems to be the truth, when a sinister evil wants to use Mason’s abilities for its own gain.

Hawke takes us on a rollercoaster ride of action/adventure and introspective reflection. Mason works to understand why the events took his parents from him, where he sits within those events and what it means for his current situation. His survival depends on his acceptance of his place in history as well as working with those around him.

The final quarter of this novel works to bring those storylines together and set up an explosive finale. Hawke seems to take special glee in how these things wrap up as even the prose feels heavier with action but weightier with passion.

What I didn’t like: There are a few points where the novel meanders away from its main narrative and at times there’s a few spots where I had to go back and reread the events of a singular scene to follow along, but overall the story is fantastic.

Why you should buy this: Dripping with darkness and some moments of terrific evil, Hawke’s definitively weaved a tale that walks that line between religious possibility and narrative fiction. In the battle between good and evil, our main character takes an all or nothing approach and its this character that really hammers home the depth of Hawke’s convictions for this novel.

I had a blast with this one and see why so many people have recommended it to me over the years.

4/5