The Devil Pulls the Strings (Paperback)
Language: English
Published by Self Employed Author, 2026
- Softcover
- New
Seller: Grand Eagle Retail, Bensenville, IL, U.S.A.Grand Eagle Retail
AbeBooks seller since October 12, 2005
Condition: New
£ 17.11
Quantity: 1 available
Add to basketItem description from seller
Paperback. The Devil Pulls the Strings is the pulse-pounding first tale in the Archivist series.This second edition exists because readers, producers, and studio executives took the time to share what they wanted: a protagonist who arrives sooner, whose motivation hits harder, who drives the story instead of chasing it, along with deeper backstory and expanded details. Their feedback made this story better, and this edition is the result.For readers who felt lost keeping track of the book's rich cast of characters, a character glossary was added to the front of the book. For fantasy readers who craved deeper detail on the world and its mythology rooted in authentic Slavic folklore, a comprehensive glossary was added to the back.The Librarians. The Magicians. The Dresden Files. Neil Gaiman's Sandman. The Devil Pulls the Strings belongs in that conversation, and then goes somewhere none of them have gone before.Set across modern-day Wentzville, MO, New York City, and 1813 Genoa, Italy, the story weaves bromance, Slavic mythology inherited from oral tradition, secret societies, Paganini's music, and time travel into something that operates on layers upon layers upon layers.Twenty-two-year-old Boone Daniels experiences the world differently. Music floods his vision with color and taste. Action words materialize around him like panels leaping off a comic book page. And his memory never lets anything go.Not helping is the evil spirit, a wendigo, that has haunted him since age six, nor the debilitating panic attacks and gut-wrenching guilt he feels for almost killing his best friend in a joust. And when he fills in for that same injured friend at a New York gig, he goes to meet the gig's contact at a NYC brownstone, only to watch him fall from the balcony as gunfire erupts around him.Boone barely escapes and uncovers a sinister plot to perform Paganini's secret sonata that summons the Devil, to be used to trap Baba Yaga. Not the two-dimensional villain you have seen before, but the full, ancient, terrifying supernatural force of Slavic folklore. And destroy modern-day New York City.Now he is racing through time to capture a cursed melody before it ends everything. A Romani immortal, steampunk vampires, and Baba Yaga herself set the stage for war. Boone will have to risk death for redemption. And all he really wants is to keep a promise to a friend. The same friend he almost killed last Sunday.Can a small-town Missouri musician outplay the supernatural and save NYC's soul?If you love tortured heroes, epic battles, time travel, twisted history, and secret societies colliding, and a Baba Yaga rendered in her full folkloric glory for the first time, you will love J. W. Zarek's spectacular page-turner, The Devil Pulls the Strings, Second Edition. 22-year-old small-town musician uncovers a sinister plot using Paganini's cursed music to summon the Devil and destroy NYC.Urban fantasy.Bromance, Slavic mythology, secret societies and time travel collide. This item is printed on demand. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability. …
Seller Inventory # 9798992810790
- Title
- The Devil Pulls the Strings (Paperback)
- Author
- J.W. Zarek
- Publisher
- Self Employed Author
- Publication year
- 2026
- Condition
- new
- Binding
- Paperback
- Language
- English
- ISBN 13
- 9798992810790
- Illustrator
- Johnston, Peter
- Edition
- 2nd Edition
The Devil Pulls the Strings is the pulse-pounding first tale in the Archivist series.
This second edition exists because readers, producers, and studio executives took the time to share what they wanted: a protagonist who arrives sooner, whose motivation hits harder, who drives the story instead of chasing it, along with deeper backstory and expanded details. Their feedback made this story better, and this edition is the result.
For readers who felt lost keeping track of the book's rich cast of characters, a character glossary was added to the front of the book. For fantasy readers who craved deeper detail on the world and its mythology rooted in authentic Slavic folklore, a comprehensive glossary was added to the back.
The Librarians. The Magicians. The Dresden Files. Neil Gaiman's Sandman. The Devil Pulls the Strings belongs in that conversation, and then goes somewhere none of them have gone before.
Set across modern-day Wentzville, MO, New York City, and 1813 Genoa, Italy, the story weaves bromance, Slavic mythology inherited from oral tradition, secret societies, Paganini's music, and time travel into something that operates on layers upon layers upon layers.
Twenty-two-year-old Boone Daniels experiences the world differently. Music floods his vision with color and taste. Action words materialize around him like panels leaping off a comic book page. And his memory never lets anything go.
Not helping is the evil spirit, a wendigo, that has haunted him since age six, nor the debilitating panic attacks and gut-wrenching guilt he feels for almost killing his best friend in a joust. And when he fills in for that same injured friend at a New York gig, he goes to meet the gig's contact at a NYC brownstone, only to watch him fall from the balcony as gunfire erupts around him.
Boone barely escapes and uncovers a sinister plot to perform Paganini's secret sonata that summons the Devil, to be used to trap Baba Yaga. Not the two-dimensional villain you have seen before, but the full, ancient, terrifying supernatural force of Slavic folklore. And destroy modern-day New York City.
Now he is racing through time to capture a cursed melody before it ends everything. A Romani immortal, steampunk vampires, and Baba Yaga herself set the stage for war. Boone will have to risk death for redemption. And all he really wants is to keep a promise to a friend. The same friend he almost killed last Sunday.
Can a small-town Missouri musician outplay the supernatural and save NYC's soul?
If you love tortured heroes, epic battles, time travel, twisted history, and secret societies colliding, and a Baba Yaga rendered in her full folkloric glory for the first time, you will love J. W. Zarek's spectacular page-turner, The Devil Pulls the Strings, Second Edition.
"Synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author
Suzanne Purvis is a writer, artist, and editor transplanted from Canada to the northwest Florida Panhandle. She writes poetry and fiction of the long, short, and flash variety for both children and adults, usually with a touch of humor. Her awards include first place in the University of Toronto Trinity College Short Fiction Contest and RWA Launch a Star. She teaches writing workshops and offers private editing services. Find her at suzannepurvis.com.
Peter Johnston has produced concept art and illustrations for clients around the world. Born in Tooting, London and raised on a diet of military history, Greek mythology and comic books, his earliest drawings were strange re-imaginings of the Battle of Hastings with Normans fighting the Avengers. He studied visual art and printmaking in Wales, learning various techniques of painting, etching and mezzotint. He has since replaced the printing press with Photoshop and has been a digital artist for over 15 years, designing and creating illustrations in many styles and genres including steampunk, sci-fi and fantasy scenes for books, games and software. Find him at petejohnstonart.com.
"About the title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Grand Eagle Retail
Bensenville, IL, U.S.A.
AbeBooks seller since October 12, 2005
Shipping rates within U.S.A.
| Item | 6 to 14 business days | 6 to 16 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | £ 0.00 | £ 0.00 |
Payment methods
Seller's business information
APOLLO ONLINE CORP.
605 Geddes Street
Wilmington, DE U.S.A. 19805
Terms of sale
We guarantee the condition of every book as it¿s described on the Abebooks web sites. If you¿ve changed
your mind about a book that you¿ve ordered, please use the Ask bookseller a question link to contact us
and we¿ll respond within 2 business days.
Books ship from California and Michigan.
Right of withdrawal
If you are a consumer you can withdraw from the contract in accordance with the following. Consumer means any natural person who is acting for purposes which are outside his trade, business, craft or profession.
Information regarding the right of withdrawal
Statutory right to withdraw
You have the right to withdraw from this contract within 14 days without giving any reason.
The withdrawal period will expire after 14 days from the day on which you acquire, or a third party other than the carrier and indicated by you acquires, physical possession of the last good or the last lot or piece.
To exercise the right of withdrawal, electronically fill in and submit a clear statement on our website, under "My Purchases" in "My Account". We will communicate to you an acknowledgement of receipt of such a withdrawal on a durable medium (e.g. by e-mail) without delay.
To meet the withdrawal deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right of withdrawal before the withdrawal period has expired.
Effects of withdrawal
If you withdraw from this contract, we will reimburse to you all payments received from you, including the costs of delivery (except for the supplementary costs arising if you chose a type of delivery other than the least expensive type of standard delivery offered by us).
We may make a deduction from the reimbursement for loss in value of any goods supplied, if the loss is the result of unnecessary handling by you.
We will make the reimbursement without undue delay, and not later than 14 days after the day on which we are informed about your decision to withdraw from this contract.
We will make the reimbursement using the same means of payment as you used for the initial transaction, unless you have expressly agreed otherwise; in any event, you will not incur any fees as a result of such reimbursement.
We may withhold reimbursement until we have received the goods back, or you have supplied evidence of having sent back the goods, whichever is the earliest.
You shall send back the goods or hand them over to Grand Eagle Retail, Bensenville, Illinois, U.S.A., without undue delay and in any event not later than 14 days from the day on which you communicate your withdrawal from this contract to us. The deadline is met if you send back the goods before the period of 14 days has expired. You will have to bear the direct cost of returning the goods. You are only liable for any diminished value of the goods resulting from the handling other than what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods.
Exceptions to the right of withdrawal
The right of withdrawal does not apply to:
- The delivery of newspapers, journals or magazines with the exception of subscription contracts; and
- The supply of digital content which is not supplied on a tangible medium (e.g. on a CD or DVD) if you accepted when you placed your order that we could start to deliver it, and that you could not withdraw once delivery had started.
Shipping terms
Orders usually ship within 2 business days. All books within the US ship free of charge. Delivery is 4-14 business days anywhere in the United States.
Books ship from California and Michigan.
If your book order is heavy or oversized, we may contact you to let you know extra shipping is required.