Leviathan Kings of Terror, has been described as Deliverance, and Winter’s Bone, meet Louise Erdrich. The strongest qualities for standing out from the other works are the elements of Faith. The messages of hope throughout this story express the importance of Faith, and resiliency of the amazing human spirit. This book is based on true crimes. Peter Saul Hotman (pseudonym) comes to terms with his humble beginnings in the Ozarks, and haunting ghosts from the past–a turbulent, miserable and sometimes phenomenal childhood. This narrative is told in-part with the first-person voice of a child. The author describes how Faith and belief in a higher power sustained him through life’s storms as a child. Peter Hotman’s unfeigned report spotlights crimes against the most vulnerable in modern society. This true crime memoir is an account of migrant worker children’s survival during the 1950 and 60’s, leading to the main character’s salvation. The book contains some criminal subject matter, a mature audience is suggested. Hotman’s story addresses the impact of mental illness, addictions, domestic violence, criminal activity, and child abuse on families in modern society. A few artistic liberties have been taken with the time-line for flow of the story. Two minor characters are composites of real individuals, fictionalized a bit for privacy sake. Appearance and names of the characters have been changed to protect the innocent. There are many evil Kings of Terror in this world for children to fear, including, but not limited to hunger, insecurity after losing parents, loss of a safe home environment, bulling by peers, as well as physical, and emotional abuse. Other topics of injustice addressed in this book are race discrimination, extreme radical religions, domestic violence, crimes perpetrated by pedophiles, and other types of neglect and abuse. Hotman’s personal, but universal tale addresses these topics from the viewpoint of a survivor. This story is not only entertaining, but informative and educational. A must read for all parents who want to protect their children, social workers, law enforcement, and mental health professionals. It is not the story that is important but the message to never be silent about abuse. Breaking the generational cycles of domestic violence is the goal even if this story only helps one child or battered adult it will have met its purpose. There is hope of escape, new beginnings for a joy fulfilled future. Finding a moral compass, having Faith, and resiliency of the amazing human spirit transform victims into strong survivors.
