I wish all horror novels were like this! Or, at least most of them . . .
This book was great! Suspenseful and action-packed throughout. The narrative fI wish all horror novels were like this! Or, at least most of them . . .
This book was great! Suspenseful and action-packed throughout. The narrative flowed perfectly, keeping me engaged the whole time. There were enough plot twists to keep M. Night Shyamalan happy. Horror fans should be very pleased with this one - I can comfortably say I recommend this book to you if you like horror.
A note about the writing: The writing is very basic, but I like that. Not lots of long, descriptive paragraphs, which I think would have slowed the place. Instead there is a lot of dialogue and quick paragraphs that give you only what you need. I think some might complain about this claiming it is too simplistic and not "literary" enough, but I thought it was perfect for this story.
A note about the setting: I went into this not knowing the setting, but it turns out that the story takes place in central Indiana, which is where I live. At one point they mentioned the south side of Indianapolis and that was where I was sitting at the time reading it! Because of this, I could very easily connect to the environment.
One final note with a spoiler: (view spoiler)[ The ending left the book in cliffhanger mode. I need to look into Janz's other books to see if he has already or will be connecting it (hide spoiler)]
Here is Pumpkinhead from the Pumpkinhead movie series - after you read this, you will know why I have added this here. Tell me if I am right or not!?
I rarely give one star reviews. I am sure Paul Tremblay is a nice guy, but after two of his books, I cannot stand him as a writer.
The story in this boI rarely give one star reviews. I am sure Paul Tremblay is a nice guy, but after two of his books, I cannot stand him as a writer.
The story in this book was silly and contrived. The characters were blah and I didn't believe their motivation for anything they did. If someone got mad, it felt forced. If something weird occurred it felt like it was just there so something could be weird.
The book is not thrilling. It is not scary. It is bad Exorcist fan fiction. I am not sure if anyone was ever really possessed, but at no point did I care. I can't even say it tries hard but falls flat . . . I don't think it even tries at all!
Sometimes I can say that a book is not for me, but I can see how others like it. I can't say that with this one. If you like it, that's okay . . . but I don't know why.
Sorry, Paul - again, I am sure you are a great guy, but I am done with your books!
Side note: Ironically enough, this book is the six-hundred and sixty sixth book I have listed as read on Goodreads...more
What a weird mystery - I guess some of my review may be spoilerish, so proceed with caution.
It started out like a normal serialWow, what happened!?!?!
What a weird mystery - I guess some of my review may be spoilerish, so proceed with caution.
It started out like a normal serial killer mystery, but then things just got weird. You start to wonder what's real, whats a hallucination, and what might really be dark magic/demonic possession.
I think the main point the author is trying to get across are the dangers of social media. It is a strong theme throughout the book - characters craving attention, paying the price for over exposure, etc. Even the final resolution (view spoiler)[deals with turning off the feed to the public. (hide spoiler)]
I enjoyed this one, but I cannot say for sure I understand what happened - but I am not sure that we are supposed to understand it. We are just supposed to accept the fact that there are demons out there, and if we open ourselves up without caution, bad things could happen to us....more
This was enjoyable, suspensful, and dark. Koontz even says in the afterward that it was not necessarily his best work, but he was hoping for a page tuThis was enjoyable, suspensful, and dark. Koontz even says in the afterward that it was not necessarily his best work, but he was hoping for a page turner - so he succeeded!...more
For me, this was just okay. I really liked the first 2/3 or so; it really reminded me of vintage King storytelling. But, when it got toward the end itFor me, this was just okay. I really liked the first 2/3 or so; it really reminded me of vintage King storytelling. But, when it got toward the end it felt disjointed and confusing. Sort of like things were happening for no other reason except to help the story reach a conclusion - and only with a very loose relation to what had already been previously presented in the story....more
Enjoyable, but not great writing. This was early on in Saul's writing career, so perhaps it gets better (view spoiler)[ I get the impression after reaEnjoyable, but not great writing. This was early on in Saul's writing career, so perhaps it gets better (view spoiler)[ I get the impression after reading this and Suffer the Children that Saul is not a happy ending type of guy (hide spoiler)]...more
This is one of my favorite King books; Suspenseful, unique, and all too possible. It is one of the few books that I have read more than once. Highly rThis is one of my favorite King books; Suspenseful, unique, and all too possible. It is one of the few books that I have read more than once. Highly recommended for someone looking for a good place to start with King....more
Joe Hill writes from a dark and mysterious place. When I read this book, I was enthralled and uncomfortable at the same time. With every Hill novel IJoe Hill writes from a dark and mysterious place. When I read this book, I was enthralled and uncomfortable at the same time. With every Hill novel I have read, the evil is unconventional and twisted. In this novel, the protagonist connects with the dark forces through mysterious horns growing out of his head . . . and it only gets stranger from there.
My guess is that 9 out of 10 readers will have no idea exactly what happened, but there is a good chance that most of them will have enjoyed it (I was one of those)....more
This book was just okay. I did not believe the characters or their relationships. I may think twice before reading more John Saul. This was his firstThis book was just okay. I did not believe the characters or their relationships. I may think twice before reading more John Saul. This was his first effort, so maybe the books will improve after this one....more
This was a good series. I think I liked the last two books the best - they were a reboot of the story with what felt like a much more suspenseful atmoThis was a good series. I think I liked the last two books the best - they were a reboot of the story with what felt like a much more suspenseful atmosphere. I love Dean Koontz for his quick and thrilling reads that always have the most twisted of characters and plot lines....more