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Reviewed by Christian Sia for Readers' Favorite
In R.L. Gemmill’s Doomsday, siblings Kelly, Jon, and Travis Bishop are orphaned by a devastating car accident. Seven years later, they are living in Chantilly, Virginia, with their foster parents, Chris and Angie McCormick. When they visit Pandora’s Cave, an earthquake thrusts them into a hidden cavern where the children witness the rallying of demons led by salesman Mr. Deel, who plots to destroy humanity. They film the whole encounter, but leave the tapes in the cave. The demons capture Jon, and when he returns, after killing many of them, he seems possessed, wielding supernatural magic and speaking in a cool British accent. Chris is gripped with the idea of inventing a grotesque “Majik Juice,” a fruit drink made from, among other things, liquefied human hair and cockroaches. With everyone doubting their story about the cave, Kelly must use her telepathic gifts to stay alive. Can these kids expose Mr. Deel and his treacherous plot against humankind before it is too late?
Doomsday features unique, vividly gifted characters facing a supernatural phenomenon: Travis is an empathic healer; Kelly is a telepathic chess prodigy; and Jon is a martial artist whose humanity is eroded by the influence of the cave. The pacing is deliberate, and it mimics the inner struggles of the characters. Domestic scenes are slow and capture the bond between the siblings, and suspenseful, fast-paced scenes move from the cave to a home invasion. The setting is atmospheric, especially the rendering of Pandora’s Cave with stalactites and the sense of foreboding that is characteristic of this book. The author uses telepathic dialogue to deepen the bond between the siblings while skillfully examining the corruption of innocence and the long path to healing from loss. This horror fantasy is delivered in a whimsical voice that augments the humor, and its energy makes it appealing.
