I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
King of the Road by R.S. Belcher Series: Brotherhood of the Wheel #2
Published by Tor Books on December 4 2018
Genres: Adult, Urban horror
Pages: 384
Format: Finished hardcover
Source: Publisher
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The nitty-gritty: A complex and unputdownable story filled with fascinating elements and well drawn characters makes this another must read from R.S. Belcher.
Oh Rod Belcher, you’ve done it again. If you love fantasy and horror and you haven’t yet checked out Belcher’s smorgasbord of backlist titles, then you are really missing out. R.S. Belcher is one of the most consistent writers I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading, and this series is one of my favorites. His latest is a continuation of The Brotherhood of the Wheel, a more-or-less standalone story that brings back some of my favorite characters from the first book, along with some new ones. Some story elements you’ll encounter here: killer clowns, werewolf bikers, trailer park ghosts, hobos, and much, much more. Intrigued? Then keep reading.
Belcher’s world revolves around a secretive society called the Brotherhood, made up of three different groups: the Brethren, truck drivers, bikers and even cops who patrol the roads and highways of America and keep them safe from the evil entities who are drawn to the Road’s ancient power; the Builders, who are scientists and students of the occult; and the Benefactors, who work in the areas of finance and politics. All three groups form the spokes of the “wheel,” and their secret handshake, so to speak, are the words “The wheel turns,” uttered in solidarity whenever they meet.
This is a multi-POV story that jumps around from character to character, but there are three main threads going on. Heck is a member of the biker gang the Blue Jocks, one of the groups who track down monsters, serial killers and other beasties near the roads. But someone in the Jocks is trying to start a civil war and fracture the group from within, and Heck is right in the middle of it. Lovina is a detective who is also a viamancer, someone who can draw magic from the roads. She’s been having terrifying dreams involving a kidnapped girl and a man dressed up as a clown, and she won’t rest until she solves the mystery of the missing girl. And finally, twelve-year-old Ryan and his mother have fled their home in Baltimore after a horrifying event (we don’t find out what happened until nearly the end of the story). They’ve come to stay with Ryan’s grandma Judy in Valentine Trailer Park in Coalport, Pennsylvania in order to start over. But a terrifying encounter in the nearby woods with a sledgehammer-wielding clown makes Ryan wonder if they’ve simply escaped one horror for another.
Eventually all these threads come together, and Belcher, in his typical violent and action-packed style, gives us a bang-up finale that I won’t soon forget.
There were so many elements I loved in this book, I hardly know where to begin! Let’s start with the characters. I loved Ryan’s story line, which gave me Stephen King vibes with it’s feeling of nostalgia and the creeping terror of the killer clowns that populate this story. Ryan has developed PTSD from an event in his past, but he’s immediately drawn in and befriended by the group of teens who live in the trailer park. I loved the friendships he develops with Nevada, Sam and the other trailer park kids, and their spooky adventures with ghosts and the hobos that live in the nearby, abandoned carnival. Ryan befriends a hobo ghost named Emmett who helps the kids fight the evil clowns, and I simply adored Emmett!
Lovina is a character from the first book in the series, but we get to know her even better in this story. There’s a personal tragedy from her past that drives her actions and her desire to find the missing girl from her dreams, and I love how she’s able to use road magic to help solve the mystery. Early in the story she calls in her good friend Max to help out, and I loved her character as well. Max is more of a scholar and has researched all sorts of arcane magic, and she has her own spooky encounter on a bus ride that simply delighted me!
And I can’t forget my favorite character in the entire book, a member of the biker gang the Bitches of Selene (great name, right??) named Ana Mae. The BoS and the Blue Jocks are rival gangs, but in this story they join forces in order to stop the bad guys who are trying to tear the Jocks apart. Ana Mae is one of the most kick-ass heroines I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting, and I hope we get more of her in future installments. Also, in order to be a member of the BoS you have to be a shapeshifter (!), and I loved the fact that Ana Mae is a werewolf.
Belcher infuses his story with so many interesting elements, and once again I found myself Googling a bunch of stuff to see if it was real, or simply made up. He incorporates mythology, clown and hobo lore, and music subculture into his tale, and although it may seem like too many disparate elements, I was astounded at how everything eventually fits together like a puzzle. I loved the way he uses clown lore in particular, describing the origins of the word “harlequin” from the old French “Hellequin” which led to today’s white face-painted clowns. He even mentions real-life serial killer John Wayne Gacy, who was fascinated with clowns and often dressed as one. A lot of research goes into each of Belcher’s books, and the fact that I can learn something new and be entertained at the same time is one reason I love his books so much.
King of the Road is extremely violent at times, so squeamish readers should beware, but trust me, the violence makes sense for this story, and at no time did I feel it was out of place or gratuitous. But there is also a sentimental side to this story. One side plot involves Lovina’s friend Russell and his dying wife Treasure, and wow did I love the way that ended! Belcher is one of those rare writers who can write shocking violence in one scene and then make you cry in the next, and it’s one reason I can’t wait to get my hands on everything he’s written.
The ending is a satisfying wrap up of everything that’s happened, but Belcher does a little foreshadowing for the next book by giving us a glimpse of what we can look forward to. There will no doubt be a book three in this series, although it’s not yet listed on Goodreads. If you haven’t jumped on the R.S. Belcher bandwagon, and you love well written urban fantasy and horror, then I urge you to make 2019 the year you do. Highly recommended!
Big thanks to the publisher for supplying a review copy.
“Have you read anything by R.S. Belcher?” Alas, I haven’t–and bikers versus the occult is a new genre for me!
No I havent but would love to
What a fabulous review, Tammy! I would love to hunt this one down – but I’m one of the squeamish ones, so I’d better leave this series be… Thank you for providing a great read, though:)
Oh?! Well, this sounds right up my alley! Haven’t come across this author before.
Love the sound of it though. I don’t usually mind violence as long as it makes sense, so this seems spot on!
Oh gosh, I think I need to check out part 1 of this! It really sounds like a wild ride and I am digging the trailer park ghosts! Also, Stephen King vibes? *grabby hands*
Thanks for the review 🙂
He’s a hidden gem of a writer, in my opinion. Hope you get the chance to try him sometime:-)
I have read the King of the Road books.
I love your excitement for this one, Tammy. I’m scared of the horror, but so many other things about it sound terrific. Wonderful review!
I’m actually scared too, I have to be careful that I don’t read horror at night, lol.
I’m really glad to hear you enjoyed this one, Tammy. I loved The Brotherhood of the Wheel and have been looking forward to reading King of the Road. I also have a copy of Nightwise, though I haven’t read it yet.
todd recently posted…My Favorite Books and Films from 2018
If you loved The Brotherhood of the Wheel, then you’ll really enjoy this one!
not yet
I have not yet, but would really like to. Thanks.
I knew you were going to love this, I had a feeling I was gonna see five stars! This was so good, hands down my favorite Belcher book so far. I think I like this series more than the Latham books because of the heart 🙂
I’m still giving the edge to The Queen of Swords, I think it’s my overall favorite of his:-)
I don’t think this one is for me, but it sounds like a fascinating blend of horror, urban fantasy and the mythology and subcultures! Glad you enjoyed this one Tammy. I hope you have an amazing new year!
It’s a fantastic blend, but I can see how it wouldn’t be for everyone. Thanks for visiting, Jeann, happy new year!
All those elements do make this sound interesting! I’ve read one of this author’s books and really liked the characters, sounds like that’s a strong point of his!
He does characters so well, and his world building is so much fun:-)
I’m in dire need to pick up this series because I remember being intrigued by what I read about the first book, and now your review strengthened my resolve to find a space in my reading queue for both these volumes: there seems to be a fascinating world just waiting for me to explore it…
Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Maddalena@spaceandsorcery recently posted…Review: THE ROOK (The Checquy Files #1), by Daniel O’Malley
The world is so fascinating! I also recommend his Golgatha series, which is weird western with lots of other elements thrown in.
I read Six-Gun Tarot some time ago and totally loved it, but have not managed – yet – to move forward with the series. Free time, that oh-so-elusive beast! 😀
Maddalena@spaceandsorcery recently posted…MY 2018 IN BOOKS
I have to read this series! A glowing review and 5 stars.
Lynn 😀
It’s so good, Lynn. And crazy!
No, I haven’t yet, but I’m looking forward to it.
Oh wow, so glad you loved this one so much! I have to confess, I have never heard of this author. But I don’t read a ton of horror in general, not typically my genre, so I’m pretty out of the loop there, haha. Great review!
He’s not as well known as I’d like him to be, lol. Maybe I need to be his manager! Ha ha.
“Have you read anything by R.S. Belcher?” Not yet, but this would be a good reason to start!
I’m not really into horror, but man, your review has me so tempted to give it a try anyway. Something about encountering killer clowns and werewolf bikers just has me so curious, lol. I’m glad you’re enjoying this series so much.
Happy New Year!
Suzanne @ The Bookish Libra recently posted…Review: WATCHING YOU by Lisa Jewell
This is one crazy book! Although if you don’t like graphic violence, this might not be for you.
No, I haven’t, looking forward to. Thank you
Just when I thought I had bought every single book by this author….I apparently missed this one!
Ha ha, he has written a lot, right?
Great review! I’ve been loving all R.S. work.
I have not read any of his works but your enthusiasm has me interested.
I have not yet read anything by by R.S. Belcher
When I finished the first in this series, I wasn’t sure whether I wanted to go on with this series, and now I read your review and I’m going to have to reconsider that first reaction I think!
I am adding this to the list!
x The Captain
No I haven’t read anything by R.S. Belcher, but I would love to read his books
Have not read anything yet but looking forward to it.
I don’t think I have read anything by R.S. Belcher, but just might very soon.
I’m a total newbie!!