The Call of Abaddon is a dark and deeply imaginative sci-fi thriller that follows Jason, a gifted young scavenger in a crumbling, post-apocalyptic Earth. Haunted by mysterious psychic voices, he and his ragtag team, his snarky brother David, the cool-headed warrior Sam, a charming robot named Talos, and others, venture into the deadly undercity ruins of New Toronto. Along the way, they uncover tech relics, battle infected machines, and confront a terrifying force known as Abaddon, which seems tied to Jason’s dark past and immense psychic power. With a powerful blend of dystopian survival, supernatural mystery, and fast-paced action, the novel builds toward a cosmic-scale threat that only Jason might be able to stop.

I loved how lived-in the world feels. Colin Searle vividly describes a decaying megacity. The dialogue is snappy and real, especially between Jason and David, who constantly needle each other like real siblings. And Sam is just a total badass. Their banter and quirks give the story heart, even when the stakes get terrifying. The tech and world-building are deep without being exhausting, and the tension ramps up fast. I could almost smell the ozone when Talos powered up his weapons or feel the chill when Abaddon whispered from the shadows. It’s that good. I’ll admit, the action scenes get a bit chaotic at times, but I’d take that over sterile precision any day.

What hit hardest, though, were the emotional beats. Jason isn’t just battling aliens or viruses. He’s fighting his own fractured mind. The scenes where Abaddon claws into his thoughts gave me goosebumps. And that growing fear that maybe you’re not in control anymore? That freaked me out. Searle really nails the horror of losing your grip on yourself. At the same time, the bond between the characters, their loyalty, their scars, their bad jokes, kept pulling me back from the edge. It’s a rough, painful, sometimes funny ride that asks big questions without preaching. What makes a person human? What’s worth saving in a world that’s already lost so much?

I’d recommend The Call of Abaddon to anyone who loves gritty sci-fi with a human soul. If you liked Mass Effect, The Expanse, or even the psychological messiness of Evangelion, this one will grab you by the collar. It’s dark, intense, and full of heart. Fans of high-stakes salvage runs, haunted psyches, and sentient evil lurking in the walls? This is your next obsession.

Pages: 414 | ASIN : B0F8PBT974