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Merkabah Rider #4
Once Upon a Time in the Weird West
THE CONCLUSION OF THE ACCLAIMED WEIRD WESTERN SERIES. For years the Rider, one of the last of an ancient Jewish order of astral travelers, has sought his renegade teacher Adon across the demon haunted American west. Now it is 1882. The Hour Of Incursion is here. The Great Old Ones, beings of immeasurable power from the roiling chaos before the dawn of Creation, are stirring in their ancient slumber. It is high noon for the entire universe. Seeking to rouse the Old Ones, Adon has gathered together the Creed - an army of fallen Hasidic mystics - and a host of dark allies including skinwalkers, necromancers, an undead master gunslinger, Lilith the Queen of Demons, and the Angel of Death himself. The Rider and Kabede, in a last bid to stop Adon, recruit their own band, including an unstoppable preacher more steam engine than man, an alien entity from the dawn of time, a young witch, and the enigmatic Faustus Montague, an angelic being from another universe. But Lucifer the master of hell watches from his capitol city, ready to commit his legions to the winning side. And he has an agent among the Rider's companions....
460 pages, Paperback
First published April 9, 2013
15 people are currently reading
129 people want to read
About the author
Edward M. Erdelac
78 books114 followersEdward M. Erdelac is the author of thirteen novels including the acclaimed Judeocentric/Lovecraftian weird western series Merkabah Rider, Rainbringer: Zora Neale Hurston Against The Lovecraftian Mythos, Conquer, Monstrumfuhrer from Comet Press, Terovolas from JournalStone Publishing, and Andersonville from Random House/Hydra.
Born in Indiana, educated in Chicago, he lives in the Los Angeles area with his wife and a bona fide slew of kids and cats.
Born in Indiana, educated in Chicago, he lives in the Los Angeles area with his wife and a bona fide slew of kids and cats.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 3, 2013
With a bullet lodged near his heart and the Hour of the Incursion just days away, the Rider and his small group of stalwart friends do everything in their power to stop Adon from rousing the Old Ones and ending existence. But whose side will Lucifer take in the conflict? And which of the Rider's friends is fated to betray him...?
Here we are, the ultimate volume in the best weird western series since the big daddy, The Dark Tower. Erdelac pulls out all the stops in this one. We are treated to such wonders as a steampunk cyborg created with Yithian technology, shoggoths, a scientist with an alien mind, an angel from another universe, and a golem made of pieces of dead gunfighters. Couple this with the Rider dying of a bullet wound, a sigil-covered train, and the manure hitting the windmill on every page and you have one book that is impossible to put down.
All the seeds Erdelac planted in the previous three volumes are finally bearing squamous, cyclopean fruit. Unlike the previous three volumes, this one is a single story, not a series of linked stories. It's the biggest book in the series by a hundred pages. Any doubts I had that Erdelac could weave a novel length tale have been put to rest.
Faustus Montague, Kabede, Dick Belden, The Reverend Mr. Goodworks, and Yates made worthy allies for the Rider on his final journey. As with the previous volumes, Erdelac does a fantastic job tying together elements from Christianity, Judaism, and the Cthulhu mythos.
The ending of the saga was all I could hope for. All the big payoffs were there, from the true nature of the onager, the tzadikim and the Tzohar to the final conflict between The Rider and Adon. I'd say it was the best volume of the series.
Here we are, the ultimate volume in the best weird western series since the big daddy, The Dark Tower. Erdelac pulls out all the stops in this one. We are treated to such wonders as a steampunk cyborg created with Yithian technology, shoggoths, a scientist with an alien mind, an angel from another universe, and a golem made of pieces of dead gunfighters. Couple this with the Rider dying of a bullet wound, a sigil-covered train, and the manure hitting the windmill on every page and you have one book that is impossible to put down.
All the seeds Erdelac planted in the previous three volumes are finally bearing squamous, cyclopean fruit. Unlike the previous three volumes, this one is a single story, not a series of linked stories. It's the biggest book in the series by a hundred pages. Any doubts I had that Erdelac could weave a novel length tale have been put to rest.
Faustus Montague, Kabede, Dick Belden, The Reverend Mr. Goodworks, and Yates made worthy allies for the Rider on his final journey. As with the previous volumes, Erdelac does a fantastic job tying together elements from Christianity, Judaism, and the Cthulhu mythos.
The ending of the saga was all I could hope for. All the big payoffs were there, from the true nature of the onager, the tzadikim and the Tzohar to the final conflict between The Rider and Adon. I'd say it was the best volume of the series.
May 11, 2014
Close to death and the end of everything speeding closer, our hero needs a miracle. Can he look within himself to find that last shred of hope when all is lost? This ends the trials and tribulations of the Rider, a man of faith facing the greatest of evils. His story will reside in the "Book of Life" forever. Mr. Erdelac has given us a hero to cheer, curse, and believe in. Thank you for the weird ride!
May 5, 2015
The final book in the Rider series is now a full length novel. Ed moves from novellas to the full deal and it's a thick book. But that's not a bad thing, hell no. It's great. It expands on everything before it and also manages to pepper in a lot more references. A lot. A loooooot. There's one scene in particular where it's basically "count the references." That was fun. And the ending, well, no spoilers, but the ending makes perfect sense in the context of this world, and is pretty satisfying. So get this book, finish off the collection, and then leave your own love for the series.
July 24, 2020
The weirdest Wild West story I've ever read ends with a grand finale! The Jewish rider that does good and searches for his old master is one of the best characters, and the addition of a solid new cast like Dick Belden and Kabede is fantastic.
And a darn grand finale it is! Zombies, dinosaurs, Lovecraftian monsters, there's everything in here!
The stakes are higher now that we know what kind of otherworldly threats humanity faces, and the long conclusion builds perfectly until you understand everything, all the implications, all the little hints given since the beginning.
Ed Erdelac shines not only in his descriptions, but in the fantastic world building and the slow cooking of all the little plots, the characters, the situations, revealing everything that needs to be known at the best times and not before.
The story might seem complicated and vague, but at the end you get that rare satisfaction that you were told everything and not treated like a baby, nor had the meanings hidden from you just to appear "mysterious". I certainly am glad for that.
The entire 4-book series gets my highest possible recommendation!
And a darn grand finale it is! Zombies, dinosaurs, Lovecraftian monsters, there's everything in here!
The stakes are higher now that we know what kind of otherworldly threats humanity faces, and the long conclusion builds perfectly until you understand everything, all the implications, all the little hints given since the beginning.
Ed Erdelac shines not only in his descriptions, but in the fantastic world building and the slow cooking of all the little plots, the characters, the situations, revealing everything that needs to be known at the best times and not before.
The story might seem complicated and vague, but at the end you get that rare satisfaction that you were told everything and not treated like a baby, nor had the meanings hidden from you just to appear "mysterious". I certainly am glad for that.
The entire 4-book series gets my highest possible recommendation!
September 5, 2020
I don't often review books but Edward M. Erdelac's "Merkabah Rider" series deserves a recommendation. Part western, part Jewish mysticism, part Lovecraft-lore, the "Merkabah Rider" series follows a Hasidic Jewish gunslinger called The Rider who sets out to kill his old teacher when he finds out he has betrayed their Order.
That's what the book jacket will say, but deep down this series is about faith; faith in God, in your friends, and most of all in yourself. The Rider's journey across the weird west chronicles not just his battle with evil but also his struggle with his doubts and shortcomings. The conclusion of the series had me cheering, laughing, and crying. I do not remember the last time I was this heavily invested in a group of characters.
Erdelac's "Merkabah Rider" series has compelling characters, fascinating stories, amazing gunfights, and plenty of emotion. I cannot recommend this series enough. The "Merkabah Rider" series is my kind of weird.
That's what the book jacket will say, but deep down this series is about faith; faith in God, in your friends, and most of all in yourself. The Rider's journey across the weird west chronicles not just his battle with evil but also his struggle with his doubts and shortcomings. The conclusion of the series had me cheering, laughing, and crying. I do not remember the last time I was this heavily invested in a group of characters.
Erdelac's "Merkabah Rider" series has compelling characters, fascinating stories, amazing gunfights, and plenty of emotion. I cannot recommend this series enough. The "Merkabah Rider" series is my kind of weird.
March 17, 2020
This is a manuscript I read in preparation for an upcoming illustration project. Having been involved as illustrator in the new editions of the previous three Merkabah Rider collections, I know and love the character and was ready to experience the next set of tales. Edward Erdelac
reached endgame with this book. Honestly, I am speechless as to the outcome of everything, and hate that this will be my last venture into the Rider's series. Man, now the even harder part; figuring out just how to depict these tales visually...
reached endgame with this book. Honestly, I am speechless as to the outcome of everything, and hate that this will be my last venture into the Rider's series. Man, now the even harder part; figuring out just how to depict these tales visually...
July 4, 2021
Satisfying Conclusion
It all comes to a head in the satisfying conclusion to the Merkabah Rider series. Unlike previous volumes, this follows a single consistent story all the way through, and feels less like a collection of sequential novellas. A few new characters are introduced and the fantastic elements get more fantastical….but it all hangs together reasonably well.
I sincerely hope Erdelac returns to some of these characters again some day.
It all comes to a head in the satisfying conclusion to the Merkabah Rider series. Unlike previous volumes, this follows a single consistent story all the way through, and feels less like a collection of sequential novellas. A few new characters are introduced and the fantastic elements get more fantastical….but it all hangs together reasonably well.
I sincerely hope Erdelac returns to some of these characters again some day.
October 10, 2021
Amazing Story
Edward Erdelac builds an amazing world, based in the Cthulhu mythos, and strung together by the pulse-pounding adventures of his hero,The Rider.He's is a hard-bitten former Son of the Essenes turned deadly gunslinger trying to save the world.
Edward Erdelac builds an amazing world, based in the Cthulhu mythos, and strung together by the pulse-pounding adventures of his hero,The Rider.He's is a hard-bitten former Son of the Essenes turned deadly gunslinger trying to save the world.
November 14, 2021
The fourth and final book of the Merkabah Rider series is very long and very weird, I would say unnecessarily so.
I’ve never read anything like these books before and found them highly entertaining, but this was my least favorite of the four as it was in need of a good editor.
I’ve never read anything like these books before and found them highly entertaining, but this was my least favorite of the four as it was in need of a good editor.
March 28, 2016
I expected to like this more than I did. Perhaps I lost momentum while I was reading the third instalment or perhaps the four month gap since then wasn't conducive to sustaining my interest. I was never the ideal reader for this series in any case. There's too much of everything - too many characters (some unnecessary), too many pointless deaths (gratuitous to the point of disrespect for the characters), too much overwrought description, too much bad editing, too great an admixture of religious traditions real and imagined (when the Goddess appeared, I groaned), too much confused meandering... Since I caught a few errors on the author's part I would have to assume that he was confused as well. I liked the idea of the thing but there's enough in Merkabah literature to make a damn fine story without complicating matters overmuch. That's just me, of course. In the end, I felt that I'd been dragged through four volumes towards a conclusion that left me unsatisfied, full of questions (mostly what the hell?), and mildly irritated. Cory Gross says here (don't read unless you're spoiler-friendly) that the final volume "foregoes those quiet moments of religious insight that made the first and third novels such a unique pleasure" but that the sparsity of such insights is made up for by the richness of the mythological syncretism and the 'what we now know it all means' of the final chapters. I agree about unique pleasures (hence my chugging through the four volumes) but as for the rich syncretism - if I had a cat it would be laughing.
October 28, 2016
A great book! A departure from the first books as it is more of a traditional novel rather than a series of connected stories that make up the book.
A great story with wonderful characters and lots of action. The author blends together the western and weird in a perfect balance. Highly recommended series of books!
A great story with wonderful characters and lots of action. The author blends together the western and weird in a perfect balance. Highly recommended series of books!
November 23, 2014
I'm so sad that it's over :/ I enjoyed the books maybe a little to much and the rider became you new favorite hero! I loved all the characters! The author did good with this one way to go! Please write more!!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews