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
  • 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

Book Club Resource Guide

Get a resource guide for your book club that includes book description and discussion questions.

Get It Now

From Online Store

Amazon.com Audible.com

Personalized Autographed Copy from Author

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 $19.00 (PB) or $25.00 (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 Spring BookFest - First Place - Science Fiction - Aliens & Alien Invasion

2024 Spring BookFest – First Place – Science Fiction – Aliens & Alien Invasion Category

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 (Editorial and Influencer Reviews)

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

Manybooks

After being kidnapped by demonic aliens at the age of fifteen years, Paul Chapman spends the next twenty-three years as their slave on a planet called Hell, knowing that every day could be his last.

A Slave’s Revenge is the fourth book in the Hell Holes series by Donald Firesmith, but it is also a good entry point for readers unfamiliar with the previous books. It is written as the autobiography of a man named Paul Chapman, who is abducted by aliens that look like demons at the tender age of fifteen. Although they murder his father, Paul’s captors take Paul along with his mother and sister through a portal to a planet called Hell. It is only a tiny part of their vast empire, but for Paul, it would be his home for the next twenty-three years. On Hell, humans are divided into slaves and food, with the former quickly becoming the latter if they can’t perform the grueling tasks demanded by the demons. Paul and his sister are soon separated from their mother but do their best to stick together as they endure the pain and suffering of life on Hell. Unfortunately, Paul soon learns that there’s a reason why slaves don’t manage to survive very long under the oppressive yolk of the demons.

A Slave’s Revenge is a harrowing read right from the get-go, as Donald Firesmith doesn’t shy away from the horrors inflicted by the demons. Paul and his family are brutally ripped away from their idyllic lives in Alaska, and he gets to witness firsthand how little regard the demons have for those they deem useless to them. A Slave’s Revenge is filled with vivid descriptions of the hellish conditions on Hell, but the book also includes several illustrations depicting the various demons and their captives. Along with humans, Hell is also home to other alien races captured by the demons, such as the Mrkl, Kextuxix, and Blurk.

The opening chapters of A Slave’s Revenge cover Paul’s capture and his acclimation to the harsh conditions of Hell. Initially, Paul and his sister are assigned to farm work, but when further tragedy strikes, he is thrust into the role of a gladiator. While fighting in the arena for the enjoyment of the demons, Paul never loses hope that someday he might take revenge on the demons, but as the years pass, this dream begins to look futile. While Paul thrives as a gladiator, he still has to face many hardships, all of which are chronicled in his autobiography.

A Slave’s Revenge is not only a riveting story, but Donald Firesmith has also done a great job with world-building. The demons have a social hierarchy, and there are logical reasons for how their civilization functions. These descriptions, along with the drawings, help to draw readers deeper into the story. This attention to detail extends to the multitude of maps, glossary of terms, and bestiary of demons and other characters at the back of the book. In addition, the book features extensive footnotes explaining the approximate pronunciation of all the demonic and alien names.

While A Slave’s Revenge is not a story for the squeamish, it is a gripping story from start to finish. Whereas the previous books in the series covered the demonic invasion on Earth and humanity’s desperate attempts to strike back, this novel offers a unique perspective from a slave inside their cruel empire. Fans of the previous books will enjoy this gritty tale with its memorable lead, while newcomers will want to check out the other entries in the series as soon as they are done reading this one.” Original review

Wishing Shelf Editorial Review

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

  • “This book is my story: the autobiography of my life as a slave on Hell.”
  • “Welcome, madam, to Hell.”
  • “Reluctantly, Mom let the rings fall from her mouth onto her hand. With tears streaming down her cheeks and her nakedness forgotten, she walked over to the pile and gently placed her rings on top.”
  • “Our choices were clear: follow the demons or die like Dad.”
  • “The devil’s words rang in my mind: ‘This will be your home for the rest of your lives.'”
  • “They stared at us, deciding our fates with a cold indifference that froze my soul.”
  • “I am Ṕêķ Ṭõṣ-ṣãhṭ, and I own you. You have arrived at Farm 36. This will be your home for the rest of your lives. Work hard for the Empire, and you will have a long and productive existence. Fail to work, and your status will change from slave to food.”
  • “The only mercy shown by the overseers was indifference to suffering, so long as the work was done.”
  • “The sky darkened as the ash began to fall, coating everything in a gray, suffocating blanket.”
  • “The administrator felt neither empathy nor pity for the slaves under its control. Catching something as minor as the common cold could end up being a swiftly executed death sentence.”
  • “Some of us had feared the administrator might cull the entire farm.”
  • “You don’t just fight to live; you fight to be remembered.”
  • “The Coliseum loomed over the city like a monument to brutality, its blood-stained walls whispering tales of countless battles.”
  • “With every swing of the blade, I felt my humanity slipping away, replaced by the cold, calculated instincts of a survivor.”
  • “The crowd’s roar wasn’t just noise—it was a living, breathing beast that fed on our pain and fear.”
  • “Every drop of blood spilled was a prayer, an offering to gods of violence and chaos.”
  • “The price of glory was steep: a soul burdened with memories of screams and dying eyes.”
  • “Escape wasn’t just a dream; it was the flame that kept hope alive in the suffocating darkness of our chains.”
  • “Power wasn’t just wielded here—it was flaunted, a cruel reminder of the hierarchy that enslaved us.”
  • “Answers didn’t bring comfort; they brought clarity to the horrors we’d endured and the truths we wished we didn’t know.”
  • “Knowledge wasn’t just power—it was a weapon, sharp and double-edged, capable of cutting both ways.”
  • “The new Coliseum wasn’t a sanctuary—it was a tomb in waiting, where the echoes of the crowd would drown out our dying cries.”
  • “They built this place not for sport, but for spectacle—a theater of death where we were both performers and prey.”
  • “In the depths of despair, camaraderie was a fragile light, one that flickered against the overwhelming darkness.”
  • “Work hard for the Empire, and you will have a long and productive existence. Fail to work, and your status will change from slave to food.”
  • “The air reeked of smoke and chemicals, a choking reminder of the cruel efficiency with which the demons pursued their goals.”
  • “It was not just the physical labor; it was the dehumanization, the forced acceptance that our worth was measured solely in our output.”
  • “Down in the mines, hope was as rare as sunlight. It flickered faintly in the hearts of those too stubborn to let go.”
  • “Gladiators were not born; they were forged, hammered into shape by the relentless trials of training and survival.”
  • “The games were not merely entertainment—they were a cruel mirror reflecting the demons’ twisted sense of honor and hierarchy.”
  • “This was not just a fight for survival; it was a fight for freedom, dignity, and the hope of a better tomorrow.”
  • “The master’s eyes gleamed with cruel satisfaction as he revealed his latest ‘gift,’ a symbol of his ultimate control.”
  • “A gift from a master was always a double-edged sword, one that cut deeper the closer you held it.”
  • “Even in the depths of despair, love blossomed, defiant and unyielding against the cruelty that surrounded us.”
  • “The personal guard was not merely protection; they were an extension of the master’s will, his enforcers and shadows.”
  • “To stand among the guard was both a privilege and a curse—a position that came with power but also placed you closer to the abyss.”
  • “There are moments when even the strongest bonds crack under the weight of the impossible, but from those cracks, resolve can grow.”
  • “Shattered pieces may never fit together perfectly again, but they can still create something whole.”
  • “Desperation can be the most powerful motivator, driving us to acts of bravery—or foolishness—that we never thought possible.”
  • “Her presence was overwhelming, a divine authority that demanded submission and promised destruction to those who defied her.”
  • “In her gaze was the weight of millennia, an ancient and unyielding force that knew no compassion.”
  • “The red sparks formed a glowing circle, and out of it stepped the Goddess herself. The air seemed to grow heavier as if the weight of her power filled the room.”
  • “The coliseum erupted in a cacophony of cheers and jeers as the first blow was struck, the sound of steel on steel ringing through the air.”
  • “They said Earth was unprepared, but they underestimated the resilience of humanity when pushed to the brink of extinction.”
  • “It wasn’t enough to escape; it was time to make them pay for every lash, every scar, and every stolen life.”
  • “For the first time, I wasn’t running. I was standing tall, wielding my chains as weapons of justice.”
  • “Freedom lay beyond the glowing threshold, but the weight of those left behind bore heavily on my heart.”
  • “We weren’t just refugees; we were warriors bringing intelligence from the front lines of Hell itself.”
  • “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

Share this Book on Your Social Media

Record Link on Delicious Submit Link to Digg Share on Facebook Comment on Goodreads Share on Google+ Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on StumbleUpon Share on Tumblr Tweet on Twitter

Send Email

Comments are closed.