Theron Ware is a renowned scholar and Doctor of Divinity. He is also secretly one of the world's great Black magicians. And when a rich megalomaniac industrialist, Baines, enlists his aid in summoning a demon from Hell to assassinate the governor of California (in an "excess of horror"), Ware has no scruples about accepting the assignment. But this terrible and devilish deed is only a warm-up, a test from Baines to see whether Ware can help him to accomplish his ultimate purpose: opening the gates of Hell and allowing the legions of infernal demons to overrun the world ... Best known as a science fiction writer, James Blish (1921-1975) shows a darker side in his classic Black Easter (1968), a harrowing tale that blends horror, science fiction, fantasy, and a generous dose of black humor. The sequel, The Day After Judgment (1971), is also available from Valancourt. "A fine break-through novel for the public that loved Rosemary's Baby." - Publishers Weekly "A book which will fascinate, absorb and scare the hell out of you." - San Francisco Examiner "The ending is an unexpected shocker. Mr. Blish has a capricious, deadly sense of humor. One you'll remember." - Kirkus Reviews