Moloch Rising (The Demon Hunters #1)

In the fog-drenched streets of 1920s San Francisco, some demons wear pinstripe suits. Others wear the faces of children.

Byron Hayes is no stranger to the darkness that lurks beneath the city’s glittering façade. As the church’s reluctant expert on the occult, he has dedicated his life to fighting the supernatural forces that prey on the innocent. But when his mentor is found dead in a desecrated cathedral—the victim of a gruesome spiritual torture—Byron knows this is no ordinary evil. The demonic signature belongs to Moloch, the ancient demon-lord who shattered Byron’s life fourteen years ago, killing his wife and driving his sister to madness. He’s back, and he’s hunting for something.

A mysterious woman with eyes as green as absinthe and a past as dark as the city’s alleys holds the key. Raven claims to have escaped the clutches of a ruthless mob boss, but her knowledge of the demonic underworld is too precise for a mere moll. She speaks of a legendary blade—the Sword of Michael—an artifact powerful enough to kill a demon forever. It’s the one weapon Moloch craves, and the one thing Byron must find first. To do so, he must trust the one person his instincts scream is a liar.

As a supernatural storm brews over the city, Moloch’s demonic twin assassins unleash a wave of terror, leaving a trail of bodies in their wake. Byron and Raven are plunged into a desperate race through illicit speakeasies, shadowy back alleys, and the haunted ruins of the great earthquake, searching for a prophesied champion destined to wield the sword. In a battle where faith is the only shield and redemption is paid in blood, Byron must confront his past to save the future. But will the woman he’s forced to protect be his salvation, or his ultimate damnation?

Read the Character Compendium.

Included Tropes

The MacGuffin: The mysterious sword, initially referred to as “Michael’s Sword,” that Moloch desperately seeks. Its specific nature and location drive much of the plot.

Reluctant Minion / Minion with a Conscience: Raven’s character arc, starting as Moloch’s servant but deeply conflicted by his cruelty and the violence she witnesses. She recoils from torture and murder.

The Big Bad: Moloch, the ancient, powerful demon-lord. He is the primary antagonist, orchestrating events, commanding other demons and human servants, and posing the ultimate threat.

The Chosen One: Falan, the young man destined to wield the sword and defeat Moloch. Prophecies and a special connection to the sword identify him as this individual.

The Exorcist: Athalie, who possesses unique gifts and knowledge to banish and fight demons. Her powers are crucial for combating powerful entities like the twins.

The Mark of the Beast: A physical, painful, and tracking mark left by Moloch on his victims and servants (Byron, Jimmy, Raven, Julia, Nora, Perkins). It causes pain and allows Moloch to exert influence.

Traumatic Backstory: Byron’s past, particularly the death of his wife Julia and his sister Nora’s descent into madness, both directly caused by Moloch, fuels his determination.

Abusive Relationship: The dynamic between Damien and Raven, characterized by his physical and emotional abuse, control, violence, and threats.

Dying Oracle / Prophecy: Tobias’s cryptic last words to Raven, telling her she’s “meant for more,” and Nora’s disjointed but insightful statements about “the feathered girl” and “protect the dark one.”

Sanctuary / Safe Haven: Driskoll’s house, protected by her deep faith and spiritual defenses, which actively repels demons and offers a refuge from Moloch’s direct attacks.

Badass Grandma (Spiritual/Protective): Driskoll, a seemingly gentle landlady, possesses potent spiritual power that actively wards off demons, even terrifying Moloch’s twins.

Honey Trap / Femme Fatale (Attempted): Raven’s initial plan to use her looks and a fabricated sob story to gain Byron’s trust and gather information for Moloch.

Redemption Arc: Raven’s transformative journey from a self-serving criminal entangled with demons to an active, selfless ally who fights against Moloch, culminating in the disappearance of her demonic mark.

Obstructive Bureaucrat: Archbishop Rossi, whose rigid adherence to dogma, skepticism about the supernatural, and concern for the church’s reputation often hinder Byron’s efforts to combat Moloch.

Eldritch Abomination: The true, monstrous, and often subtly manifesting forms of Moloch and the Despair Demon, which are unsettling and beyond conventional human understanding.

Will They/Won’t They: The unresolved romantic tension and deep affection between Byron and Athalie, which is repeatedly acknowledged but put aside due to their duties.

Star-Crossed Lovers: Byron and Athalie, whose mutual love is undeniable but ultimately sacrificed for their devotion to a higher cause—fighting demons and their respective callings.

Corrupting Artifact: The sword, possessing immense divine power, also exerts a subtle but strong allure, tempting even righteous individuals like Byron to crave its control.

Demonic Possession: Jimmy’s temporary possession by a demon, orchestrated by Moloch to weaken the house’s spiritual defenses.

Psychological Warfare (Villainous): The twins and Moloch employ emotional manipulation, taunts, and replaying traumatic memories to demoralize and break the protagonists’ resolve.

The Team / The Chosen Many: The core group of Byron, Athalie, Jimmy, and Raven, who coalesce into a functional unit around Falan, each with a designated role (Prophet, Exorcist, Instructor, Protector) in the fight against Moloch.

Similar Novels

Moloch Rising falls into the Urban Fantasy / Paranormal Thriller genre, with a strong emphasis on good vs. evil, chosen ones, and a secret supernatural world existing within a historical urban setting (1920s San Francisco).

The Dresden Files series by Jim Butcher: (Urban Fantasy) Features a wizard private investigator in modern Chicago who fights various supernatural threats, often involving ancient evils, magical artifacts, chosen ones, and a reluctant hero with a complex past.

Rivers of London series by Ben Aaronovitch: (Urban Fantasy) Follows a London police constable who becomes an apprentice wizard, investigating supernatural crimes. It shares the urban fantasy setting, hidden magical elements, and ancient evils.

Hellboy series by Mike Mignola (comics/films): (Dark Fantasy/Paranormal) Features a demon who fights supernatural threats, often involving ancient evils, powerful artifacts, prophecies, and a team of paranormal investigators. Themes of destiny and fighting against one’s nature are prominent.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV series/comics): (Urban Fantasy/Supernatural Drama) A classic example of a Chosen One fighting supernatural evil with a core group of friends (the Scooby Gang) who have specialized roles, facing personal sacrifices, and dealing with powerful, ancient villains.

The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare: (Young Adult Urban Fantasy) Focuses on Shadowhunters (human-angel hybrids) who fight demons. It includes a chosen protagonist, powerful artifacts, a hidden supernatural world within cities, and complex family dynamics with evil forces.

Prominant Themes

Redemption: Raven’s journey from a conflicted minion to a selfless ally, seeking to atone for her past.

Good vs. Evil: The overarching conflict between the forces of Moloch and the protagonists fighting for humanity.

Destiny vs. Free Will: Falan’s choice to accept his role as the champion, and Raven’s assertion of her free will against Moloch’s control.

Loss and Grief: Byron’s ongoing struggle with the deaths of his wife, mentor, and Mrs. Driskoll, and his sister’s madness.

Faith and Doubt: Byron’s spiritual journey and the characters’ varying levels of belief in divine intervention and the supernatural.

Found Family: The strong bonds and loyalty among Byron, Athalie, Jimmy, and Mrs. Driskoll, which provide strength and support.

Sacrifice: The willingness of characters to risk their lives or make personal sacrifices for the greater good, as seen with Mrs. Driskoll and Raven.

The Corrupting Influence of Power: The sword’s alluring nature and Moloch’s destructive use of his demonic abilities.

The Unseen World: The existence of demons and supernatural forces hidden within the seemingly ordinary urban landscape of San Francisco.

The Past Haunting the Present: Byron’s traumatic memories directly influence his current fight, and Moloch’s cyclical return from the past.

Compassion and Forgiveness: Tobias’s kindness to Raven, Mrs. Driskoll’s acceptance, and Byron’s willingness to see the good in Raven despite her lies.

Identity and Self-Worth: Raven’s struggle with her grandfather’s judgment and her journey to define herself outside of Moloch’s influence.