“Burn, Beautiful Soul,” the novel from Quakertown-area author William J. Donahue, has won the horror category in the 12th annual International Book Awards.
“Burn, Beautiful Soul,” which was published by UK-based Cosmic Egg Books in November, follows Basil, a demon king who has come to a crossroads. Basil has grown tired of life underground and regretful of the atrocities he has committed to maintain his hold on power.
Wanderlust leads him to the surface, where he lives among humans. As Basil makes his messes in the human world, he feels drawn back home to deal with the troubles he left behind – namely, a cunning foe who craves the throne, a monstrous kraken, and an ancient evil as cold and dark as the soil.
Much of the novel is set in a place modeled after Hell, which abounds with horror and violence. Even so, Donahue suggests the novel has its share of humor and tenderness.
“Basil comes to the surface looking for something better, but he realizes the human world may not be much better than the one he left behind,” he said.
“Some readers who have finished this book say it read like a horror novel or dark urban fantasy, whereas others have seen a satire about modern-day America. That’s the great thing about fiction – two people can read the same story and come away with completely different ideas.”
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