Hell Holes: A Slave’s Revenge

Book Cover of Hell Holes: A Slave's Revenge Enslaved by demonic aliens, a teenage boy must first survive if he is to avenge his murdered father.

A typical Alaskan teenager, Paul’s greatest joy is hunting and fishing with his father. But when alien demons attack his family’s isolated cabin, they shatter Paul’s comfortable life. After killing his father and enslaving Paul, his twin sister, and their mother, the demons teleport their three captives to Hell, a desert world in the Demonic Empire. Once there, they face one of two terrible fates. They can either live as useful slaves or be immediately slaughtered as food for the merciless demons.

With his demon masters demanding their slaves’ absolute obedience to their brutal human overseers, Paul soon learns to hide his burning hatred and desire for revenge behind the stoic expression of a servile slave. But as the years slowly pass, Paul adapts to survive, first as a field slave and then as a gladiator. Will he live long enough to take his revenge, or will Paul’s years of slavery rob him of his will to resist and cost him his humanity?

Action-packed and with a strong emotional core and relatable characters, this multi-award-winning, stand-alone prequel to the Hell Holes series of alien invasion novels is an epic tale of love, loss, friendship, and survival under the most hellish of conditions. If you enjoy science fiction books like The Hunger Games and Divergent that stay with you long after you finish them, you will love Hell Holes: A Slave’s Revenge.

Genres

  • Fiction > Science Fiction > Alien Invasion
  • Fiction > Science Fiction > Apocalyptic
  • Fiction > Science Fiction > First Contact
  • Fiction > Fantasy > Dark Fantasy
  • Fiction > Fantasy > Paranormal & Urban
  • Literature & Fiction > Horror

Science Fiction Tropes

Hell Holes: A Slave’s Revenge incorporates the following commonly used, genre-specific literary devices:

  • Alien abduction
  • Teleportation between worlds
  • Evil aliens
  • Aliens as monsters (demons)
  • Humans as food
  • Humans as slaves
  • Advanced alien technology indistinguishable from magic
  • Medical nanobots cure (alien) injuries
  • Dystopian (alien) civilization
  • Secret society of protectors

Hashtags

#AlienAbduction #AwardWinning #Canibalism #ComingOfAge #Death #Demon #Dystopia #Gladiator #Hell #Horror #Love #Revenge #ScienceFiction #Slavery #Survival #Torture

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Click on the following button to use Square™ to safely buy an autographed paperback or hardback copy of Hell Holes: A Slave’s Revenge directly from the author. The cost will be $16.99 (PB) or $19.99 (HB) USD plus $3.99 shipping via USPS to US shipping addresses only. If your shipping address is not within the United States, email the author at (donfiresmith@gmail.com) to learn the shipping cost to your country.

Excerpts


Book Trailer

Awards

Winter 2022 Pinnacle Achievement Awards - Winner - Science Fiction Category

Winter 2022 Pinnacle Achievement Awards – Winner – Science Fiction Category

Cygnus Book Awards - Finalist 2023

2023 Cygnus Book Awards – Finalist

2024 Chrysalis BREW Project - Seal of Excellence

2023 Chrysalis BREW Project – Seal of Excellence

2021 Top Shelf Magazine Book Awards - Runner-up - Fiction/Fantasy Subcategory

2021 Top Shelf Magazine Book Awards – Runner-up – Fiction/Fantasy Subcategory

July 2022 BooksShelf - Finalist - Fiction Category

July 2022 BooksShelf – Finalist – Fiction Category

2021 The Wishing Shelf Book Awards - Finalist - Adult Category

2021 The Wishing Shelf Book Awards – Finalist – Adult Category

ReadFree.ly 2023 Best Book We’ve read All Year - Finalist

ReadFree.ly 2023 Best Book We’ve Read All Year – Finalist

ReadFree.ly 50 Best Indie Books of 2021

ReadFree.ly 50 Best Indie Books of 2021

2023 Kindle Book Award - Semifinalist - Science Fiction Category

2023 Kindle Book Award – Semifinalist – Science Fiction Category

2022 Kindle Book Award - Semifinalist - Science Fiction Category

2022 Kindle Book Award – Semifinalist – Science Fiction Category

2020 Purple Dragonfly Book Award - Honorable Mention - Science Fiction/Fantasy Category

2022 Purple Dragonfly Book Award – Honorable Mention – Science Fiction/Fantasy Category

Author Shout 2022 Recommended Read

2022 Author Shout Reader Ready Awards – Recommended Read

PR Design November 2021 Book Cover of the Month Award

PR Design November 2021 Book Cover of the Month Award

Praise

Kirkus Reviews

“Firesmith jam packs his engaging story with otherworldly beasts… The author deftly describes a bleak but colorful hell… An engrossing dystopian thriller with a vibrant, beastly cast.” — Kirkus Reviews Read the complete Kirkus review here.

Midwest Book Review

“Readers receive a powerful, action-packed introduction to the series… Vivid color drawings of these monsters pepper the account… The unexpected injection of wisdom from various sources lends a philosophical tone to this survival story that gives Paul courage as he rises to the position (and dubious privilege) of being a slave that oversees others… Prior series readers will appreciate the attention to detail that flushes out both the invasion specifics and Paul’s youth and coming of age, while newcomers will find Hell Holes a fitting introduction to the books that follow… It’s a riveting read for newcomers and prior fans alike, highly recommended for horror and sci-fi fans, who will enjoy blends of both in a coming-of-age story like few others.” – D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review

US Review of Books

“The author’s book blends science fiction with an action-based thriller into an entertaining and exciting read. With the momentum of Independence Day and a setting reminiscent of Total Recall, the novel carries readers through a brutal spacescape where psychological strength is just as vital as physical prowess. Paul is an insightful, strong narrator, and his conversational tone invites readers into the book. Paul’s narration is fast-paced, which also bolsters the action that occurs in the book. What will also attract readers is Paul’s strength in the face of intense adversity, especially as he resolves, “Should the demons dare attempt another invasion, we will be ready.” Readers of dystopian science fiction will appreciate this book, and those looking for a thriller that will keep them quickly turning the pages will need to look no further than this one.” – Nicole Yurcaba, Original review.

BooksShelf.com

“A great addition to the Hell Holes series! A Slave’s Revenge is an adventure – in fact, the whole series is. I fell in love with the first of the series and read all the others in one breath. This book answered so many questions I had, it is a prequel to the series. It was exciting, and I’m glad the author did it. An absolute must-read for the fans of Hell Holes and all the readers who enjoy quality, compelling books.” Original review

Wishing Shelf Editorial Review

“A thrilling fantasy packed full of danger, and with a strong, memorable protagonist. Very enjoyable!” Original Wishing Shelf review

Wishing Shelf Book Awards

“A superbly plotted dystopian thriller with a strong cast of characters. A FINALIST and highly recommended!” Original review

ReadFREE.ly’s October 2022 Book of the Month

“I have never read anything like Donald Firesmith’s Hell Holes: A Slave’s Revenge – and I, like you, am a person who has read a lot of books. But never anything like this. It is a book that is unafraid to present itself as a rip-roaring tale of fantasy adventure, all the while hinting at subcutaneous depths of allegory. It is a book that will simultaneously have you wanting to speed through to its final pages, while also taking your time to chew over every word. … I don’t know if I’ve made it clear how much I loved this book. Cos I really, really did.” Original review

Amy Shannon – Amy’s Bookshelf Reviews

“Firesmith pens a magnificent prequel to his Hell Holes Series. What I like about the story, besides the characters, the ultimate evil alien devils, is there are underlying plots, that are more than just part of the story, they are the story. This author has a great imagination, and I’m glad it’s being shared with stories. It is a very well-written story, and I enjoyed it. It is always a joy to read this author’s stories. A definite attention-grabber, so much I couldn’t put it down. It’s literally out of this world! Action-packed and it takes the reader on a superb journey. This read is more than just words on a page. Hell Holes: A Slave’s Revenge is a definite recommendation by Amy’s Bookshelf Reviews. I look forward to reading many more stories by this author.” Original review

Amy Shannon Contrary Measures Smashed Unwritten Life

Readers’ Favorite

“Donald Firesmith’s strength as an author lies in his ability to create a cornucopia of races, all of whom are depicted in sketch work art and further described in a character appendix at the end of the novel. The brutality is unabashedly dished out and, as a reader, I really appreciate Firesmith’s courage. Gore is tricky and there is hardly any middle ground between a reader’s tolerance or inability to tolerate what is, without question, torture. This includes children, which it is sometimes easy to forget Sarah and Paul are initially. Paul is resilient from such a young age and to a degree with the potential to embarrass Maximus Decimus Meridius who, in my mind, Paul parallels as a coming-of-age slave turned gladiator, turned revolutionary escape artist, among aliens instead of Romans. Overall, this is a really well-plotted and presented novel that will please those who enjoy witty dialogue, creative characters, and solid underdog stories. Recommended.” Original review

Online Book Club

“I rate this book five out of five stars… Readers who love to read horror, sci-fi, and action-packed books will find this piece interesting and intriguing.” Official Online Book Club review

M. L. Dunker – Author

“I read this prequel as a stand-alone and was sucked into the horror of life on Hell. The world-building was five stars all the way – imaginative monsters, situations that aren’t choices at all, and Paul’s creeping collaboration with the enemy in order to survive… If triumph over really dark and grim is your jam, this book is for you.” Original review

ML Dunker Book 1: A Gift of the Stars Book 2: Manumina Book 3: War and Wrens

The Chrysalis Books, Reviews, and Everything Written (BREW) Project

Hell Holes: A Slave’s Revenge is an innovative novel penned by Donald Firesmith. The extensive book is a testament to Firesmith’s immense talent as an author…. Hell Holes: A Slave’s Revenge boasts an excellent cast of characters…. Overall, Hell Holes: A Slave’s Revenge is an amazing read…. [I] recommend Donald Firesmith’s highly engrossing Hell Holes: A Slave’s Revenge to fans of science-fiction, dystopian, fantasy, and survival novels.” Original review

Tony Leslie Duxbury – Author

“An epic story of survival in Hell. Very imaginative and terrifying. Recommended read.” Original review

Tony Leslie Duxbury The Adventures of Jojo Smith The Adventures of Jojo Smith Voll the White

Book Reviews

Total Reviews from All Sources

Review Results
Read all 70 reviews. (4.7 Stars)

Quotes from the Book

  • “One only truly fails to succeed if one fails to try. Anything more, no matter how small it might seem, is a partial success.”

Author’s Commentary

After writing the Hell Holes trilogy, which takes place over a time frame of only about two weeks, I wanted to write a story that followed the main character over multiple years. This would allow me to examine how he would evolve and change after spending so much time under such hellish conditions. I also wanted to do some serious world building to examine demon culture and the environment of the planet Hell.

Publishing Information

Publisher: Magical Wand Press
Edition: First edition
Publication Date: August 2021
Language: English
Pages: 455
Words: 105,000
Size: 5×8

Formats

Hell Holes: A Slave’s Revenge is available in the following formats:

Format Source
eBook (.epub) Amazon.com
eBook (.epub) Amazon.com
eBook (.pdf) Not Available
Paperback Amazon.com
Hardback Amazon.com
Audiobook Amazon.com Audible.com

Cataloging in Publication (CIP) Data Block

Name: Firesmith, Donald.
Title: Hell Holes: A Slave’s Revenge / by Donald Firesmith.
Description: First edition. | Pittsburgh : Magical Wand Press, 2021. | Series: Hell Holes, Volume 4. | Summary: When demonic aliens kill his father and teleport 15-year-old Paul Chapman, his sister, and mother to Hell as slaves, he learns just how far he’ll go to survive, get revenge, and regain his freedom. | Audience: Adult. | Language: English.
Identifiers: ISBN 979-8497552799 (Hardback – Amazon KDP) | ISBN 979-8527374209 (Paperback – Amazon KDP) | ASIN B09416M34X (Kindle ebook – Amazon KDP).
Subjects: BISAC: FICTION / Action & Adventure. | FICTION / Fantasy / Paranormal. | Fiction / Science Fiction / General. | LCSH: American–Fantasy–Fiction. | American–Paranormal–Fiction. | American–Science Fiction–Fiction.
Classification: DDC 813.62 F57 2021

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