Summary of All Hallows
All Hallows is an adult fantasy novel, from A.U. Link, set in modern times and quickly moving to a medieval world, weaving together elements of isekai, monsters, demons, wizards, and a richly detailed fantasy setting. The story delves into the mystical and dark origins of Halloween, drawing inspiration from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. It’s a tale of adventure, magic, and the supernatural, perfect for fans of fantasy and horror.
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Experience the enchanting world of All Hallows. Dive into a realm where magic reigns and the boundaries between worlds blur. Get your copy today and immerse yourself in this captivating adult fantasy.
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The Genre:
For those interested in more similar works, “All Hallows” fits the most cleanly into the following genres:
Very Adult!
Lots of Romance,
&
An overdose of claw-sinking Monsters!
Articles For Our Genre:
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And because LinkedIn is my more professional side, HERE is a cool Pulse article there too.
Highlights from All Hallows
The World of Samhain
In All Hallows, the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain serves as a backdrop for a world where spirits roam free, and the veil between the living and the dead is at its thinnest. The story explores the origins of Halloween, blending historical and mythological elements with modern fantasy.
Meet the Characters
- Alex: The protagonist, navigating a world of magic and mystery.
- Lilitha Nyx: A seductive succubus with a mysterious past.
- Azura Shadewind: The intelligent and charismatic Goblin Queen.
- Isidore Fireforge: An absent-minded wizard with a penchant for magic and mystery.
Medieval Fantasy Setting
The novel is set in a medieval-inspired world, complete with magical towers, enchanted forests, and bustling towns. The setting is rich in detail, drawing readers into a world of wonder and danger.
Isekai Themes
All Hallows explores the concept of isekai, where characters find themselves transported between worlds. This theme adds a layer of complexity and adventure to the story, as characters navigate unfamiliar landscapes and cultures.
Monsters and Demons
The world of All Hallows is filled with a variety of monsters and demons, from goblins to succubi. Each creature is meticulously crafted, bringing depth and excitement to the narrative.
Fun Sections
The Party Invitation
The story begins with an intriguing invitation to a Halloween party, reminiscent of the ancient Celtic traditions. The invitation sets the tone for a night of enchantment and mystery, drawing readers into the world of All Hallows.
Magical Encounters
Throughout the book, characters encounter magical beings and experience transformative events. These encounters are pivotal to the plot, revealing hidden strengths and weaknesses among the characters.
The Wizard’s Tower
Isidore Fireforge’s tower is a central hub of magic and intrigue. The tower holds secrets and surprises, serving as a focal point for many of the story’s key events.
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Get your copy today and immerse yourself in this captivating adult fantasy.
Comparing “All Hallows” with Similar Works in the Genre
“All Hallows” shares thematic elements and stylistic approaches with several notable works in the adult fantasy and isekai genres. Here’s how it compares to other authors and their works:
Similarities with Popular Isekai Light Novels
Thematic Elements
“All Hallows” incorporates isekai (transportation to another world) themes similar to popular light novels like “Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation.” Both works feature protagonists navigating unfamiliar fantasy worlds with medieval settings. The concept of characters being transported between worlds adds complexity and adventure to both narratives.
Adult Themes
Like “Torture Princess: Fremd Torturchen,” “All Hallows” embraces more mature content and darker themes than typical isekai stories. Both works balance gore and action with elements of drama and comedy while exploring adult themes. This approach appeals to readers seeking fantasy that goes beyond juvenile wish fulfillment.
Medieval Fantasy Setting
The medieval-inspired world of “All Hallows,” complete with magical towers and enchanted forests, shares worldbuilding elements with works like “The Faraway Paladin,” which also features a protagonist in a fantasy world with undead characters and magical elements.
Key Differences
Halloween/Samhain Focus
“All Hallows” distinguishes itself by focusing on the mystical origins of Halloween and the Celtic festival of Samhain. This specific cultural anchor provides a unique backdrop compared to more generic fantasy settings in many isekai works.
Character Dynamics
Unlike works such as “Lazy Dungeon Master” or “How to Kill Reincarnators From Earth” that often rely on harem dynamics, “All Hallows” appears to focus more on character development through its diverse cast, including Alex, Lilitha Nyx, Azura Shadewind, and Isidore Fireforge.
Western Fantasy Influence
While many isekai novels draw heavily from Japanese light novel traditions, “All Hallows” seems to incorporate elements more common in Western fantasy literature, potentially drawing influence from authors like Robin Hobb or Joe Abercrombie, who are known for their complex fantasy worlds.
Why Fans of These Works Would Enjoy “All Hallows”
Readers who enjoy the following aspects of fantasy literature would likely appreciate “All Hallows”:
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For fans of “Mushoku Tensei”: If you appreciate detailed worldbuilding and character progression in a fantasy setting, “All Hallows” offers a similar immersive experience with its richly detailed medieval world.
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For fans of “Torture Princess”: If you enjoy darker fantasy with Gothic elements and mature themes, “All Hallows” provides a similar balance of horror and fantasy elements.
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For fans of “The Faraway Paladin”: If you’re drawn to stories that explore deeper themes within fantasy settings, “All Hallows” similarly uses its fantasy framework to examine meaningful concepts.
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For readers of Western portal fantasies: If you enjoy works like “The NeverEnding Story” that deal with transportation between worlds, “All Hallows” offers a more adult-oriented take on this classic premise.
“All Hallows” stands out by combining the transportation elements of isekai with the rich tradition of Western fantasy literature, creating a unique blend that should appeal to fans of both styles while offering its distinctive take on the Halloween/Samhain mythology.
Get Your Copy
Get your copy today and immerse yourself in this captivating adult fantasy.
More From Our Original Thoughts On The Book:
All Hallows is an A.U. Link adult Halloween novella contest entry for a cool $500!
The story starts with a failure to follow the invitation directions. You will make a sharp turn into a collision with a Druid and a Succubus. Then detours around that first issue, straight into some Goblins and a Wizard. And then summons a screaming demon out of hell.
All Hallows has been a lot of fun to write!
I have not decided if I want to publish that one for real or not. But we’ll see where it goes!
All Hallows Published:
Because the story All Hallows is part of a story contest, it will remain exclusively available on Stories Online Net’s 2023 Halloween contest page on 30 October 2023.
All Hallows – Story Characters:
Typically, I do not produce and then publish story character sheets. There are just too many spoilers that can easily ruin the story.
That is doubly difficult with this story because we published the first half as part of a story contest. There is still a large remainder of material that needs to be told for this story, after the scope of the Halloween Story Contest.
The difference with this story was that I experimented with Mid-Journey to create character sketches to go along with the character sheets. So, therefore, I will break tradition and publish the character sheets for the eight main characters in the story.
That post is here if you would like to check it out!
Historical Origins of All Hallows’ Eve:
The origins of Halloween, or All Hallows’ Eve, trace back to a blend of Celtic, Roman, and Christian traditions. While it has evolved over the centuries, its roots can be found in the following pagan and early Christian practices.
Celtic All Hallows, The Festival of Samhain:
Halloween’s origins are linked to the Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced “sow-in”). Samhain was celebrated by the ancient Celts, who lived in what is now Ireland, the United Kingdom, and parts of France. It marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. Samhain celebrated the time when the boundaries between the living and the dead blurred, allowing spirits to roam the Earth. People lit bonfires and wore costumes to ward off malevolent spirits.
Roman All Hallows Influence:
In the 1st century AD, the Roman Empire conquered the Celtic lands, and over time, the Roman festival of Feralia, which honored the deceased, and Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit and trees, became intertwined with Samhain. This fusion of traditions influenced the evolving Halloween celebrations.
Christian Adaptation of All Hallows Eve:
In the 7th century, the Christian Church established November 1st as All Saints’ Day, a day to honor all Christian saints and martyrs. To supplant the pagan Samhain festival, the Church introduced All Hallows’ Eve on October 31st, the night before All Saints’ Day. The term “Hallow” means “holy” or “saint,” and “eve” refers to the evening before a religious feast day.
The Blend of Traditions:
Over time, Halloween incorporated elements from Samhain, such as costumes and the belief in the presence of spirits. People continued to light bonfires, but these eventually evolved into the practice of carving lanterns from turnips or pumpkins, which we now know as Jack-o’-lanterns.
Halloween has pagan origins rooted in the Celtic festival of Samhain, but it also absorbed influences from Roman and Christian traditions. Over the centuries, these various customs and beliefs merged to create the modern celebration of Halloween, characterized by costumes, decorations, trick-or-treating, and a focus on themes of the supernatural and the deceased.
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Get your copy today and immerse yourself in this captivating adult fantasy.
All Hallows Historical Research Quotes:
Halloween began over 2,000 years ago among the Celts and their pagan priests called the Druids. The Druids are, without question, history’s king of the occult. Witchcraft, Satanism, paganism, and virtually all facets of the occult acquired instruction from the Druids. From the popular jack-o’-lantern and trick-or-treat costumes, to the pranks, ghoulish ghosts, demons, goblins, and witches, Halloween owes its morbid birth to the Druids.
Druidic Origin:
Halloween-the day itself, is of Druidic origin. (Myers, Robert J. Celebrations: The Complete Book of American Holidays, p. 258)
Beltane and Samhain:
The mystic rites and ceremonies with which Hallow’en was originally observed had their origin among the Druids… (Douglas, George William. The American Book of Days, p. 566) The Druids celebrated two special nights of the year: Beltane and Samhain. Beltane took place on May 1 and marked the birth of summer. Samhain occurred on November 1 and signified the death of summer. Samhain, a night celebrating death and hell, was the Druids’ most important ritual. It was a terrifying night of human sacrifices. And it was the original Halloween.
The Druids believed, during Samhain, that the mystic veil separating the dead from the living opened. The Druids taught these roaming spirits, loosed on Samhain, to go searching for a body to possess. The frightened Celts would masquerade as demons, evil spirits, and ghosts, hoping to convince the roaming evil spirits that they were another evil spirit and leave them alone.
The Celts also prepared meals as “treats” to appease the evil spirits from “tricks” or malicious acts; hence our custom of “trick or treat.” The Druids performed horrifying human sacrifices and other vile rituals during Samhain. Let there be no doubt-Samhain night was a terrifying “covenant with death, and with hell.” And let there be no doubt – Samhain was the original Halloween night.
Celtic Festival of Samhain:
All histories of Halloween inevitably wind back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain … (Skal, David J. Death Makes a Holiday: The Cultural History of Halloween, p. 20)
Halloween had its origins in the festival of Samhain among the Celts of ancient Britain and Ireland. (Encyclopedia Britannica 2005 “Halloween”)
Halloween can be traced directly back to Samhain, the ancient Celtic harvest festival honoring the Lord of the Dead. (Thompson, Sue Ellen. Holiday Symbols and Customs, p. 251)
Pagan Ritual to Party Night:
The rituals of the Druids reek from the deepest hell. Their most repulsive activities involve their human sacrifices of children on the night of Samhain or Halloween. First-born sacrifices are mentioned in a poem in the Dindshenchas, which records that children were sacrificed each Samhain … (Rogers, Nicholas. Halloween: From Pagan Ritual to Party Night, p. 17)
Night of Dread:
Halloween. That was the eve of Samhain … firstborn children were sacrificed… Samhain Eve was a night of dread and danger. ( National Geographic. May 1977, pp. 625-626)
The Druids would drink their victims’ blood and eat their flesh. They [Druids] sacrificed victims by shooting them with arrows, impaling them on stakes, stabbing them, slitting their throats over cauldrons (and then drinking the blood)… (Guiley, Rosemary Ellen. Harper’s Encyclopedia of Mystical & Paranormal Experience, p. 167)
End of The Druid Cult:
Therefore, we cannot too highly appreciate our debt to the Romans for having put an end to this monstrous cult, whereby to murder a man was an act of the greatest devoutness, and to eat his flesh most beneficial. (Pliny, Natural History , xxx, 13)
The Druids “counted it an honorable thing” to eat their father’s flesh and perform incest with their mothers and sisters. …since they are man-eaters as well as heavy eaters, and since, further, they count it an honorable thing, when their fathers die, to devour them, and openly to have intercourse, not only with the other women but also with their mothers and sisters;… (Strabo, Geography )
Ancient Legends, Mystic Charms, and Superstitions of Ireland:
May I remind you that this is what occurred on the original Halloween night! Today, Halloween lives and breathes with the foul stench of the diabolical Druids. The Druids also celebrated the festival of Beltane. The word Beltane (Beltaine, Beltinne, Beltain, Beiltein) means the “fires of Bel.” Bel is the same god called Baal, found over 80 times in the King James Bible. The Lord condemns Baal worship probably more than any other false “god.” …then the Druids lit the Baal-Tinne, the holy, goodly fire of Baal. (Wilde, Lady Francesca Speranza. Ancient Legends, Mystic Charms, and Superstitions of Ireland)
The god whom the Druids worshipped was Baal, as the blazing Baal-fires show, and… children were offered in sacrifice to Baal. (Hislop, Alexander. The Two Babylons, p. 232)
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HALLOWEEN – BAAL WORSHIP:
The original Halloween was a hellish night of Baal worship and child sacrifice. Most of our current Halloween customs are derived directly from Baal rituals! On November 1st was Samhain [Halloween]… Fires were built as a thanksgiving to Baal… (Kelley, Ruth Edna, The Book of Halloween, Lothrop, Lee and Shepard Co., Boston, 1919)
The mystic rites and ceremonies with which Hallow’en was originally observed had their origin among the Druids… ancient Baal festivals from which many of the Hallow’en customs are derived. (Douglas, George William. The American Book of Days, p. 569)
Baal is also a synonym for the devil. (Burns, Cathy. Masonic and Occult Symbols Illustrated, p. 327)
Halloween glorifies death in worship of Baal or the devil!
Glorification of Death:
The Druid festival of Samhain was a celebration of death. Strutting its hellish death images of skulls, skeletons, ghosts, demons, devils, and incarnate evil, today’s Halloween glorifies Death. David Skal titled his history of Halloween – Death Makes a Holiday: The grand marshal of the Halloween parade is, and always has been, Death. (Skal, David J. Death Makes a Holiday: The Cultural History of Halloween, p. 18)
Halloween can be traced directly back to Samhain, the ancient Celtic harvest festival honoring the Lord of the Dead. (Thompson, Sue Ellen. Holiday Symbols and Customs, p. 251)
The Devil glorifies death. Hebrews 2:14 says, “…that through death he [Jesus] might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;” Proverbs 8:36 says All they that hate the Lord love death .” Revelation 6:8 says the rider of the antichrist’s pale horse, “…and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him .”
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