Epeolatry Book Review: Demon Drink by Kris Ashton
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Title: Demon Drink
Author: Kris Ashton
Genre: Occult Horror
Publisher: Crystal Lake Publishing
Publication date: 25th April, 2025
Synopsis: A night out becomes a nightmare in this dark supernatural novel that blends demonic possession, occult rituals, and the chilling consequences of temptation.
Times are tough in Black Wattle. Drought and forest fires have ravaged the town and its lifeblood, tourism, is on the wane. Nobody is feeling the pinch more than divorcee Shirley Goodsall, who is trying to keep the historic Ironstone Hotel afloat while quelling animosity between her ex-husband and their teenage daughter. So when the business manager for a microbrewery, Damon Prince, offers her a promotional deal that includes free kegs of beer, it’s a deal that seems too good to be true.
And it is. Shirley’s elation soon turns to horror as she discovers she has unwittingly helped Prince unleash dark forces in her town. Black Wattle’s residents are plunged into a nightmare of infection and blood-curdling transformations. Shirley and a handful of survivors band together to try to foil Prince’s fiendish plot, but Prince is no ordinary man. He will stare into their souls and turn their most shameful personal demons against them…
Fans of King’s earlier novels such as ’Salem’s Lot and Needful Things will revel in every ghastly, page-turning detail of Demon Drink, a master class in small-town horror from Australian Shadows Award Winner, Kris Ashton.
Can you handle your drink?
Demon Drink by Krist Ashton is one for the record books. My early thoughts? Existential noire (not a fan) but loved the LQBTQIA+ representation. So, on I read.
I got super excited halfway through the second chapter. The vibe changed to something reminiscent of a crossroads devil-deal.
I didn’t enjoy that each first few chapters focused on its own main character. By chapter five, I would have liked to have seen more plot development and not be introduced so deeply to yet another character.
That being said, each character is interesting. Ashton is clearly talented at writing descriptions, dialogue, and inventing authentic characters. Now, before you start thinking that I didn’t actually enjoy this tome of terror, let me say that Ashton has become a favorite of mine, especially because of how well he writes. Even if I’m not fond of the character leapfrogging, I have fallen head over heels in love with Ashton’s ability to write.
The dialogue is great, and the internal monologues are equally satisfying. Something that regularly irks me, is when a writer doesn’t know the technical side of writing. Simply having an idea/story isn’t enough. One needs to know how to construct a sentence, paragraph and chapter. Ashton is clearly a master of the written word, as well as wildly creative.
I know, I’m sounding like a stuck record here but Ashton’s word smithery is excellent and entertaining with phrases such as “widowed arm,” “sprained-ankle face,” “fearsome as fairy floss,” and many more wonderful terms that will have you giggling at what ought to be gruesome.
Don’t get me wrong, this is not a comedic horror. Ashton is a writer who utilizes wit and humor to make the characters authentic and enjoyable amidst the chaos that threatens to reign over the small town of Black Wattle.
Demon Drink burns a little slowly at first, but when it kicks into gear you’ll be thinking “WTF” in the best kind of way. Honestly, I think this book is on track to become a classic. The action and gore are on point. The story is creative but not fantastically so all while keeping strong ties to reality, melding fiction and non-fiction beautifully. I give this book a four and a half ravens.
/5
- About the Author
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Luc Dantes is a high school English teacher by day and aspiring author by night. Their writing style is shaped by their experience living with ADD, as well as their identity as part of the LGBTQIA+ community. Luc finds comfort in the horror genre, seeing it as a place to explore darker themes in a safe environment. Their work has been featured in Ghostwatch Zine’s Winter’s Warning quarterly issue in 2025, and they are set to be published in “Twisted Horrors,” a queer anthology curated by River Gardner in 2025.
As an avid reader, Luc has consistently ranked among Goodreads’ top users, placing in the top 25% of readers in 2023 and advancing to the top 10% of readers and top 1% of reviewers in 2024. Their literary interests span a wide range of genres, with a particular passion for horror, fantasy, and autobiographies.
As a writer, Luc aims to bring an honest, relatable perspective to readers through their work. Their experience as both a prolific reader and reviewer informs their writing, allowing them to craft stories that resonate with diverse audiences. Above all, Luc’s greatest passions are their loving spouse and children, who continue to inspire and support their literary journey.
Instagram: @thebibliobabbler
