Duel of the Damned

Shadow King Series, Book 1

By: Ian Fortey, Ron Ripley, Scare Street

Narrated by: Thom Bowers

Length: 7 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

Shane Ryan’s ultimate battle is about to begin....

In back alleys and hellholes across the world, ravaged souls and scarred warriors whisper of the Iron Tournament. A savage game of death, pitting living fighters against caged spirits, all for the amusement of a mysterious audience.

But a new challenger is about to enter the ring—ghost hunter and retired Marine Shane Ryan. He’s never backed down from a fight. And he’s not about to start now.

When a mysterious invitation arrives on his doorstep, Shane finds himself swept into a world of underground death matches, supernatural gladiators, and tortured souls. And in this sadistic arena, there is only one rule: Winners live, and losers die....

But Shane quickly discovers a sinister presence behind these dark, bloody battles.... A ravenous force that feeds on death and suffering.

Can he defeat this supernatural enemy in mortal combat before it unleashes unthinkable carnage upon the world?

Or will Shane have to back down from a fight for the very first time?

©2022 Scare Street (P)2022 Scare Street

Loved it!

This book was so good! The story was amazing! I love Shane and I just wish I hadn’t finished it all in one day. Excited for the second one, which I just started!

Absolutely spooktacular!!!

Loved it!!! Only Shane Ryan could find himself in such a savage state of affairs... .and only he could disrupt them so stellarly !!!! .

Shane Ryan is simply fantastic!

I loved Ron Ripley and Ian Fortey’s, Duel of the Damned! The story is simply fantastic! Together Ripley and Fortey weave a tale with all the imagery one has come to expect of the often cynical, always charming, Shane Ryan of Berkley Street fame. They have built a cast of great characters and a well written story that makes for a 5-star review so full of action and suspense that I couldn't stop listening. Every free moment was spent lost in the tale of how Shane Ryan had to once again pull his fat out of the supernatural fryer so to speak, and prove his worth whether he wanted to or not.

This time finds Shane really not wanting any of it! But he finds he has little to no choice. Shane has been invited to a very special, one of a kind event, called The Iron Tournament where living fighters are pitted against bound spirits in a savage fight to the death. The winner of course gets to live on to fight another battle. And so on the tournament progresses until the last man or ghost is standing.

It was an absolutely amazing story! Certainly one of my favorites, not soon to be forgotten. And one that I would happily recommend for some good light hearted entertainment.

Twist

Thom Bowers did an amazing job narrating as always. Honestly I don't think anyone else could do a book by Ron Ripley better. Ian Fortey and Ron Ripley did an incredible job on this book. Although it's not exactly like what Ron Ripley normally does with his books about Shane Ryan it is still extremely well done

you will be hooked

this is one of the best collaborations of authors I've read!
can't wait for the next one I was fan of both already this gave everything you want strong story line & characters keeps u wanting more

What a ride!

This was amazing!! I so love Shane Ryan and pitting him against ghosts in a ring was simply awesome. Can't wait for book 2.

couldn't wait

I had been looking forward to a new story in the shane ryan serie, I liked the book and can't wait for #2, however, I found the story line a little short an at times just a tiny confusing at times but it is still good. if you are a shane ryan character lover, you will be fine. good luck in your adventures.

fist first, face off later

Oh, let me tell ya, constant readers, about the wild ride I took with the audiobook "Duel of the Damned," the first installment of the Shadow King Series by the sinister trio of Ian Fortey, Ron Ripley, and the folks over at Scare Street. And let me tell ya, I was in for a treat, a spine-tingling treat that sent shivers down my spine in the most delightful way!

Narrated by the one and only Thom Bowers, this audiobook took me on a journey through the darkest corners of imagination. Bowers weaved a tale so vivid, so evocative, it's like he whispered these cursed words directly into my ear, leaving me both chilled to the bone and grinning from ear to ear. He's got a voice that could melt butter, but in "Duel of the Damned," he uses it to freeze blood.

Now, let's talk about the story itself. Oh, what a tangled web of horror and intrigue these three authors have spun! It's like they gathered around a cauldron, tossing in equal parts dread, suspense, and a dash of devilish humor. The Shadow King Series kicks off with a bang, a thunderous clash of supernatural forces that had me hooked from the first sentence. Fortey, Ripley, and Scare Street have conjured a world where the line between the living and the damned blurs, where ancient curses and malevolent entities lurk in every shadow.

The characters, my dear readers, are a motley crew of the damned, the cursed, and the just plain unlucky. They're not your average heroes, but that's what makes them all the more intriguing. They're flawed, haunted by their pasts, and desperately fighting for their survival against the forces of darkness. Each character is a piece of a puzzle, and as the story unfolds, you'll find yourself piecing together their stories with a sense of morbid fascination.

The pacing of "Duel of the Damned" is a masterclass in tension-building. It's like being on a roller coaster that never quite lets you catch your breath. Just when you think you know where the story is headed, it takes a hairpin turn into the heart of darkness. It's a nail-biter, a heart-pounding ride through a nightmarish landscape that had me gripping my armrest and wondering what lurked around the next corner.

And let's not forget the setting, folks. The atmosphere is so thick, you could cut it with a knife. It's the kind of place where the wind whispers secrets, and every creak of a floorboard sends shivers down your spine. The authors paint a picture so vivid, you'll swear you can smell the musty decay of forgotten crypts and feel the cold sweat of fear trickling down your back.

In conclusion, "Duel of the Damned" is a macabre masterpiece that had me utterly captivated. It's a symphony of darkness conducted by three diabolical maestros, and Thom Bowers is the one who brings it to life with his voice that's equal parts velvet and venom. So, if you're in the mood for a tale that'll chill you to the bone while also leaving you with a wicked grin, look no further. This audiobook will haunt your dreams in the best possible way. Happy listening, my friends!

Great book !

The books Scare Street put out are awesome books. My favorite are the books with Shane Ryan. This one is very good. I think with 2 authors writing this the writing is somewhat different than when just Ron Ripley is writing about Shane. It is still an excellent book. The book is read well by the narrator. It will keep you engaged ....... it's very exciting. You won't be disappointed !

Great listen

I enjoyed this book immensely. Shane Ryan is a great character, and this story had a fresh theme to it.