The story begins in 1868 London when an art curator secures a box from an estate sale and unbeknownst to him the sealed box had originated in TransylvThe story begins in 1868 London when an art curator secures a box from an estate sale and unbeknownst to him the sealed box had originated in Transylvania. The box was never to be opened since it was said a mysterious evil resided within but since these people don't believe in legends or folklore, although sometimes being true, of course they opened the box which only held small bones. They never noticed the dark, shadowy, cold mist swirling around the room yet they did feel a pervading sense of malevolence weaving between their bodies.
Vampyr's are legends and spooky stories to be told as entertainment at fancy dinners and parties but soon this one vampyr will find a new home in London if it can keep it's rare tastes secretive until it finds others of it's kind to join it so they can become a new society, because there are plenty of necessary, abundant meals for their acquired taste to be had in this overly, populated city.
I enjoyed this atmospheric book so much and I can't wait to find similar books that have such a unique twist on a well known vampire topic. This book was so well-written and edited which made it even more pleasurable to read. I loved the historic element of nineteenth century London capturing their style of speaking, the way they dressed, their modes of travel through the city, the shops, the inequality of the wealthy and the poor was depicted so wonderfully that I felt as if the story was really taking place all around me.
I thought that all the characters were richly developed and I found myself really caring or despising them. I just love when books make me feel emotions I wasn't expecting especially from a horror novel. I can't recommend this book highly enough, a true favorite read of the year for myself and I know that other horror fans will be impressed as well. I'm looking forward to reading more books from 'Richard Gadz' in the future!
I have given a rating of 5 RAVENOUS VAMPYR ...more
This story begins on October 1, 1970 and needs on October 31st and is the perfect book for the Halloween Season.
FSO GOOD, SO GOOD, SO VERY VERY GOOD!!
This story begins on October 1, 1970 and needs on October 31st and is the perfect book for the Halloween Season.
Four boys who are the closest of friends are enjoying their childhood and unburdened lives until the night the tall, old stranger dressed in all black wearing a cape and top hat arrives in Maplewood New Hampshire. The man rents a room in the only boarding house along with several other seniors living there including an old pulp horror writer who hasn't left the home in over forty years believing that some of his horror stories came true and the entities he knows he saw are still out there searching for him and he has been in hiding all this time. The boys love this author's books and visit him on a regular basis and now they want to find all the information he can share about this dark stranger.
Peculiar events started happening the day that man arrived and every day that passes a darkness envelops the town and now children are disappearing plus a few other people yet the adults don't connect the dots and find anything unusual until it's too late. Will the boys convince people that they need help to stop the evil that's taking over their once safe and comfortable town or will everyone be swallowed up by the darkness that refuses to leave Maplewood and seems to have huge plans that will take place on Halloween night especially for all the trick or treaters and anyone else who dares to be out on October 31st!
This book was deliciously atmospheric, entertaining, enjoyable and well-written. An intriguing coming of age story for the boys and a great nod to the older generation as well. The characters are very well developed with delightful humor thrown in as well as the eerie darkness that encompasses every chapter. This book was hard to put down since I was enjoying it so much and couldn't wait to find out what would happen next. This was my second book by this author 'Gregory Bastianelli' which was called "Snowball" and I highly recommend reading that if you enjoy a great Christmas or winter horror novel.
I wasn't sure how everything would come together by the end of the story but it all played out with many questions answered. The parts I didn't care for happened at the end of the book, maybe I wanted it to end more seamlessly although I believe it had more of a horror effect since it didn't wrap up with a pretty bow the way I expected. Horror books are very subjective and they don't always play out the way the reader wants it too but believe me this was a fantastic, fun, creepy, frightening horror book that I recommend to all horror readers!
I want to thank the publisher "Flame Tree Press" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this exciting horror novel and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given a rating of 4 CREEPY AND SPOOKALICIOUS ...more
This is a story of a young married couple moving into a house that the wife absolutely hates and she also happens to be pregnant.
Emily and Miles LawreThis is a story of a young married couple moving into a house that the wife absolutely hates and she also happens to be pregnant.
Emily and Miles Lawrence have a solid, loving relationship and are excited to start their family since they have wanted to have a baby for a long time. Emily has a stressful pregnancy with complications and their new house is making it worse for her. She hears noises and a little girl's whispering voice and the room that will be their nursery has a bad feeling plus closet door open and close on their own but Miles thinks it's all in Emily's overactive imagination from her hormonal stress. Things continue to worsen for Emily and their solid marriage is showing cracks that are turning into craters as time goes on and she knows the house is haunted but why won't Miles believe her even when he's now witnessed strange events that he shouldn't be able to ignore.
Emily suffers postpartum depression after experiencing the most unbelievable, traumatic birth of their new baby. Their marriage is falling apart and the house is dangerous but Miles still thinks it's all in Emily's head and she will get over all these irrational thoughts as the baby gets older but he will soon find out that is not what the house has in store for this family but by the time he realizes everything is out of control it will finally be too late!
This was a terrific, disturbing, creepy and very spooky haunted house novel. The writing was atmospheric and captured the eerie essence of being haunted and being powerless against evil which one can't see yet is everywhere although the people closest to you don't believe you and think everything you experience is all your imagination. I can't imagine what that would be like to be locked away with horror attacking you and your family but no-one believes you.
The author EV Knight captured a complicated pregnancy and postpartum depression wonderfully and It's important for women and men who have never experienced this horrible and misunderstood mental health issue to take a peek into what some women, sadly have to suffer through to have children of their own. This particular case was a horror novel in itself. Whoa, what an unexpected ending!!
I really enjoyed this book filled with subtle and also in your face graphic, horror! I highly recommend this novel to all horror lovers but maybe not to women who are currently or planning to get pregnant in the very near future because it will definitely give nightmares to those in a sensitive state!
I want to thank the publisher "RDS PUBLISHING/ Screaming Dog Press" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this digital copy and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given a rating of 4 DISTURBING AND SCREAMING ...more
Nicola Laughton has had a raffle death ticket from the day she was born with the horrible, unrelenting illness of cystic fibrosis. Nicola never thoughNicola Laughton has had a raffle death ticket from the day she was born with the horrible, unrelenting illness of cystic fibrosis. Nicola never thought she would ever marry but she did meet the love of her life and sadly he died shortly after their marriage in a horrific traffic accident. Anton's last words to her as he died in her arms was "I'll be waiting" and some witnesses claimed to see his spirit hover over his body for a few moments. Ever since then Nicola has visited mediums and attended seances seeking to prove or disprove of life existing after death.
Nicola rents a summer house by the sea and brings her best supporters, her brother-in-law who is a sceptic and another friend whom she met at one of her seances and who definitely believes in the afterlife and hopes Nicola will find her answers. The medium she hires is also a scientist who comes well recommended.
Shortly after they arrive strange and bizarre occurrences begin to descend upon the group, subtle in the beginning but when swarms of black insects hover outside the house where Nicola can't even go for a walk due to her breathing and the insects flying in her mouth and eyes whenever she steps outside. It is a very strange phenomena to be sure and now Nicola wonders if she's made some very bad decisions about needing to have contact with Anton since all the paranormal experiences seem aggressive and dark so maybe she's made contact with something else and how will she make it all come to an end without any harmful entity attacking her and her friends. Something at this beach house has gone very, very wrong!
Kelley Armstrong has written another suspenseful and terrifying novel that I hated putting down and coming to an end. I enjoyed all the characters and felt they were well developed and I also loved all the twists and turns that K.A. always include in her books. This novel was so enjoyable and entertaining and I am so looking forward to reading many, more books by this author.
I recommend this book to any reader who wants something spooky, unsettling, suspenseful with some tense horror that never lets up and yet a great, back and present story concerning Nicola's chronic,deadly illness and her courage and stamina of beating the odds of her life expectancy by never giving up! I also loved the fantastic, explosive ending that I never saw coming which kept me on the edge of my seat through the last few chapters!
I want to thank the publisher "St. Martin's Press" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this digital copy and thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given a rating of 4 1/2 SUSPENSEFUL AND NERVE SHATTERING ...more
Devon and her identical twin Drew (Andrea) are as different as night and day except for the fierce love between them. They share four other lifelong fDevon and her identical twin Drew (Andrea) are as different as night and day except for the fierce love between them. They share four other lifelong friends from daycare until present day who they can't survive without. Devon is fun loving teenager and wears long bleach blonde hair as well as eyebrows and the most unusual standout makeup whereas Drew is deeply serious and excels in her studies and attends an exclusive private high school as well. So when Devon discovers Drew will graduate a year early she decides to throw the best (and last) summer that the six friends will always remember with joy.
A graduation party for Drew given by her school friends and also to meet Devon and their crew, but it's not what the gang quite expected. The two groups are from two different worlds financially and socially so it is awkward for the two groups to mesh but then one of the boys suggests playing with a Ouija board containing a twist and even though Devon's crew does not like this idea, instead of speaking up Devon agrees to play. First mistake, never go against your own gut instincts especially when they are calling to you loud and strong! Within a few days all hell will break out and life will never be the same for some of these kids!
Sound good? I thought so, unfortunately this book wasn't meant for myself but for an older teen audience not less than 16 years of age yet under 25-30 years old. I enjoyed the premise of the story but for me it was just way, too slow so it became a DNF at 40% read. I dislike not finishing a book but I could not continue with this one.
There wasn't enough scares or thrills and it was just much, too talky instead of exciting action (imo). To be completely fair, maybe this book picked up on the excitement factor, further on but sadly I couldn't hang in any longer although I think it could be perfect for older, teen readers But Not the content was was not geared for the younger, innocent minds that parents would like to stay in that mode. Parenting is hard enough as it is without wild actions, promiscuity, foul language etc. I do enjoy YA horror books but this one was not for me but I can see many younger readers enjoying this one!
I want to thank the publisher "Simon and Schuster Children's Books" and Netgalley virtue opportunity to read this book and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given a rating of 2 1/2 CREEPY UNFINISHED ...more
Mina is a child psychologist who is hoping to start working in her new career while also making upcoming wedding plans with her fiancee Oscar who workMina is a child psychologist who is hoping to start working in her new career while also making upcoming wedding plans with her fiancee Oscar who works as science researcher. Mina has always struggled with her brother's death from years ago so she attends a bereavement group where she meets Sam who also continues to grieve his little sister who disappeared long ago.. Sam is a journalist and works where the stories take him. The two bond as friends over their painful grief and share some of their personal history as well. One day out of the blue Sam calls Mina to offer her a job to consult with a thirteen year old girl named Alice who lives in a small village hours away. Alice's family does not have any extra money to see a seasoned psychologist to find help but they are at the end of their rope trying to get her help. Alice has been seeing things and also claiming a witch lives in their chimney who tells her to do bad things. Her friends and others have become afraid of her so she had to leave school because her behavior had completely gotten out of hand.
Mina excitedly agrees to go with Sam against Oscar's wishes but this is a chance to get her feet wet in her chosen profession. They will be away for few days so Mina can evaluate Alice and hopefully Sam will get a good story from the eerie experiences that her family are claiming to be supernatural occurrences that they are witnessing as well around Alice. Mina was not prepared for the superstitious community of Bethanael where many people crowd outside Alice's home and want to see and talk to her. Shortly after visiting with Alice who claims everything is real and just wants it all to go away, Mina and Sam decide to stay longer hoping to see some psychic phenomena which they don't believe but strange things are happening and suddenly Alice starts going downhill and getting worse although Mina and Sam are trying to sort things out but maybe they need to leave but Alice begs Mina to stay and continue helping her. Before long many of the townspeople are blaming Mina and calling Alice a witch, even Alice's parents think she has gotten worse since Mina started treating their daughter so they want her and Sam to leave their home. When they decide to finally leave since events have gotten so out of control with most of the superstitious villagers, Mina will find there are other forces at work and they are not going to let her leave and unbeknownst to Mina or Sam someone will die tonight and their lives are in serious danger unless they leave immediately.
This was a most creepy and entertaining story dealing with a superstitious small isolated village and it's inhabitants. The atmospheric storytelling and writing are filled with wonderful eerie tension throughout the entire book. I thought the author 'Daisy Pearce' captured the essence of all the characters where I could visualize each and every person that was mentioned in this spooky story. I have to say I loved this book and I highly recommend it to any reader who loves a good horror/thriller with heart! I hope this author continues to write horror books because I will be first in line to read them!
I want to thank the publisher "ST. MARTIN'S PRESS" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this terrific book and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have give a rating of 4 1/2 TENSE AND HORROR FILLED ...more
Garrett Grove is the small type of town similar to where you might have grown up or had wished you had known while growing up where everyone knows eveGarrett Grove is the small type of town similar to where you might have grown up or had wished you had known while growing up where everyone knows every face and feeling unsafe is never an issue because families leave their homes and cars unlocked on a daily basis (if you can imagine that). The year is 1979 and only a week before Halloween so ten year old Troy Fischer is allowed to have his first real, big, kid Halloween party that he and his friend Rob are turning Troy's garage into a really scary, haunted house if they're able to pull off all the gimmicks and hijinx they have planned with the help of Troy's teenage cousins operating the gears and special effects behind the scenes, and since Troy was able to invite most of his ten-year old classmates it's guaranteed to make a couple of kids cry if not wetting their pants (at least that's his plan). There's also one special, little girl Troy hopes to impress so he really hopes he can pull off this crazy, spooky haunted house party without too many mistakes because he and Rob have been waiting a whole year planning this night of nights!
Meanwhile, on the other side of town an evil, supernatural force has been locked deep away into the cave systems for centuries, it has been biding it's time waiting for release so it can come into the light once again and feed it's hunger and it is so so Very Hungry! What will happen in this small town if this evil escapes in time for Halloween and all the children who have heard frightening stories passed down as folklore about an ancient entity which once haunted this specific area long, long ago but this would be impossible because legends and folklore are just traditional, fictional stories meant to scare the new generations of children coming up, so there's no reason for anyone to feel threatened or feel fear especially terror, rignt? WRONG! Something is coming to Garrett Grove and not just for the children either!
This was a wonderfully, nostalgic horror story centered around young kids but this was an adult story, it was definitely not a book intended for children to read. I enjoyed the storyline, the writing style and the 1979 small town America nostalgia which I couldn't get enough of being humorously entertained and spooked. The author 'Daemon Manx' did a fantastic job of capturing the essence of innocence with the children and creating such great, atmospheric scenes of small town living along with some really gripping and terrifying episodes of frightening horror which all blended seamlessly throughout the book. There was only one problem that I had with the book and it was a big one for me. It ended on a CLIFFHANGER! I cannot stand cliffhangers unless I know ahead of time, so even when I read many reviews I never got the impression that I would literally be left hanging...more
Noemi Broussard's life is finally looking up after a lifetime of bad choices and disappointments until the night her boyfriend Roddy is hit by a car aNoemi Broussard's life is finally looking up after a lifetime of bad choices and disappointments until the night her boyfriend Roddy is hit by a car and she is informed it was a suicide. Noemi cannot accept that it was a suicide because Roddy was very happy with their life and had a wonderful career plus many friends, so what happened? As she struggles to get answers she finds her uncle Louie has kept many spooky secrets from their childhood that were based on native lore but could any of these strange tales be connected to Roddy's death and if so, what else is playing out on the reservation that the elders have knowledge of and will Noemi somehow be able to find some peace with the truth or will it bring about more sadness and devastation to her as well as to the people on this reservation!
I thoroughly enjoyed this eerie and creepy novel. The storytelling was excellent and also executed very well as it was taking place in two separate timelines yet the stories were seamlessly connected and just so entertaining. I loved some of the history of two teenage boys on the reservation and their curiosity and belief in vampires and other childhood stories which took place. Some very scary and tragic events occurred when Louie was a teen and Noemi was a toddler that were never rightfully explained during that time but it was enough for Louie to leave the reservation when he came of age and now he has come back to settle some old scores and to help his niece if possible plus attend their tribes yearly celebration as a proud warrior who had never forgotten his roots!
I want to thank the publisher "Berkeley Publishing Group" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this wonderful novel and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone and I can't wait to read more books from the author, Nick Medina!
I have given this book a rating of 4 1/2 CREEPY AND VERY SPOOKY...more
Talitha the has been running away the past twenty years trying to escape the memories of losing her mother and little sister who just mysteriously vanTalitha the has been running away the past twenty years trying to escape the memories of losing her mother and little sister who just mysteriously vanished one night. Not only her family disappeared but the whole street of eight houses just incredibly disappeared leaving a misty haze which won't let anyone enter the Velkwood vicinity as the street has been named.
Occult investigators, science teams, FBI and anyone interested in creepy and unexplainable phenomenon have tried to investigate many times over the years with no luck but there seems to be an invisible barrier that pushes back when anyone has tried to enter the empty street. Another part of the story is why were the three best friends (Talitha, Brett, and Grace) spared who were all roommates at college. Investigators have tried many times to interview the girls (now women) over the years hoping to get them to enter Velkwood to see what might happen but the young women always refused until Grace, one day she went back, but that's another mystery to be told later.
What will be the repercussions of Talitha coming back to Velkwood and how could know that it's been waiting for not only herself but it wants Brett and Grace to come back as well! Are the answers the women are seeking worth walking into a true life episode 'Twilight Zone' which could evoke devastating events where there might not be any survivors left!
This was an entertaining and very different version of the usual haunted houses or places. The storyline was very eerie and spooky and I enjoyed the uniqueness of all the content. The book centers around Talitha and her emotional connection to the loss of her little sister and how she has been stuck inside a whirlpool of longing for the unattainable which has caused her more grief that has kept her from forming any real friends or relationships in the past twenty years. The book moves slowly at first but continues to build with unexpected turns which led to some very good last chapters. The supernatural elements were very good and I would recommend to any horror book reader!
I want to thank the publisher "Saga Press" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this digital copy and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given a rating of 3 1/2 EERILY HAUNTING ...more
On a small, Scottish isolated island called Eynhallow resides a small community of only twenty hardworking people (including children) taking place atOn a small, Scottish isolated island called Eynhallow resides a small community of only twenty hardworking people (including children) taking place at the end of the 18th century. Agnes Tulloch is one of those residents who accepts her lot in life and loves her three children more than anything but most of the time she feels cheated with life itself. The wind is brutal day in day out and the storms come out of nowhere leaving their too small cottage which is in ill repair damp, leaky and cold most days and the tedious, hard work is a never ending cycle.
One day a mysterious stranger arrives on the isle and stirs up gossip about why anyone would want to come live on Eynhallow especially in the old vacant cottage rumored to be haunted for many, many years. Superstitions and folklore are abundant during those times so the residents are somewhat fearful as well as curious about why an aristocrat would want to move to their lonely isle. Meanwhile, Mr. Tulloch hires poor Agnes out as a housekeeper and in those days the wives must always abide by their husbands wishes.
The dark, brooding stranger is rude, arrogant and unfriendly as well but he is interesting and accepts Agnes in a way that she has always been denied and they quickly become friendly and enjoy one another's company although Agnes wonders why the man named Victor Frankenstein is so unhappy and why he won't reveal to her the type of work that he performs in the room he keeps locked day and night. Someone has been threatening and harming Victor and he won't tell Agnes who or why this person is after him until the day she comes across this dangerous and terrifying person and is fearful for own her life as well as Victor's and she will then make a decision that will change everything she had ever known or believed for the worse when she suddenly finds herself trapped in a living nightmare that she can never wake up from or find an escape back to her old life.
This was the most amazing, horror book that I will remember for a very long time! The beautiful, atmospheric writing and storytelling were so mesmerizing that I didn't want the story to end. The book begins slow and steady giving lovely and thoughtful detailed descriptions of the island and the colorful lives of the characters. Some may say this was a retelling but I considered this book an original and brilliant piece of work. The last thirty percent of the story had my pulse racing and I was holding my breath but I never expected to feel an ache in my heart by the time I was finished reading. This book was very dark, dismal, raw, unexpected, entertaining and realistically told with it's atmospheric and historical edge that will appeal to almost every single, horror reader.
I must add this was not a long book yet it captured all the substance and quality content of a novel that was three hundred pages or more but without all the silly filler words and phrases that can be so unnecessary and annoying in many books. You won't find any excessive drama although one may wish the story could have lasted longer because Agnes's story will stay with you for a long time as well as some of the other characters. Eerily sinister and the horror will creep up on you slowly and steadily and when it finally hits it may be shock to your psyche as it was to me.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough and wish I could give it more than 5 stars and I am most definitely looking forward to reading more of Tim McGregor's other books since I have been so enchanted by this author's writing! I hope that my hearfelt words will encourage other readers to pick this book up and begin a wondrous and horrific journey to the desolate island of EYNHALLOW which is actually still in existence.
I want to thank the publisher "RDS Publishing" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this tale of madness and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given a rating of 5 COMPLETELY CAPTIVATING AND MESMERIZING ...more
Brigit and her best friend and cameraman, Ian have been making ghost hunting/paranormal podcasts hoping to get some good, honest footage to get their Brigit and her best friend and cameraman, Ian have been making ghost hunting/paranormal podcasts hoping to get some good, honest footage to get their own tv show unfortunately they've been faking their own material so far since they haven't come across any paranormal activity on any of their adventures. When they receive a phone call to investigate a couple gone missing, Ian thinks this could be their big break but Brigit is resistant because it's back in her hometown where her older sister mysteriously died in the some forest that these teens went missing.
Unbeknownst to the paranormal team something dark and ancient resides in those woods and has been waiting for Bright for a long, long time!
The premise of the book sounded so appealing and scary that I couldn't wait to read it. The book did have a lot of spooky atmospheric settings and the writing was enjoyable so I really wanted to love this story unfortunately it just didn't work for me. Ian and Brigit's characters seemed very immature for their ages and many of their actions were confusing at times so I wasn't able to connect to them. There were some entertaining moments but too many unanswered questions by the end of the book and the the tension and scare factor just missed the mark for me although I think think this book may appeal to some other readers especially young adults.
I want to thank the publisher "Harlequin Trade Publishing - Mira" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this story and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
A little girl named Bela loves her family, Daddo, Mommy, and Grandma Ruth but what about Other Mommy? Bela had always tho"CAN I GO INSIDE YOUR HEART?"
A little girl named Bela loves her family, Daddo, Mommy, and Grandma Ruth but what about Other Mommy? Bela had always thought Other Mommy was her friend but lately Other Mommy has been getting more aggressive and appearing in places she never did before and when she gets mad her face changes and Bela is getting a little more scared each day. Mommy and Daddo have always thought Other Mommy was an invisible friend as many children have them in early childhood especially when they're an only child as Bela is. The parents begin to realize that something is wrong with Bela although they can't understand or believe what their daughter tells them since they're two educated and logical adults until.they begin to witness some strange events happening inside their home yet they rationalize all of it away until the night they host a party in their home and all hell begins to break out and from that day forward nothing will ever be the same in any of their lives especially poor little Bela and why won't Other Mommy stop asking her if she can go inside her heart! Maybe Bela should say yes to Other Mommy so all of the bad stuff will stop and they can all be happy again except unknown to sweet little Bela incidious evil has come to roost within their complicated lives
I thoroughly enjoyed this very creepy and scary horror novel mainly told through the eyes and mind of a young little girl who is the essence of innocence and she loves her family so much and just wants all of them to be happy. Every parent should be able to connect with one or more of the problems within this family. My oldest daughter had an invisible playmate when she was very young before her sister was born and I remember checking in with the pediatrician to make sure this was normal and okay to go along with because sometimes it could be quite strange yet very fascinating as well.
I was completely entranced and entertained and literally couldn't put the book down! This story may not appeal to everyone but I highly recommend it to all horror readers or Josh Malerman fans since it truly is just dripping with sinister events and the darkest of secrets that just broke my heart. I loved reading the book from Bela's perspective and how she only wanted to make everyone happy.
I really loved Bela, Daddo and Grandma Ruth but I didn't care for real Mommy at all although I'm sure that was the writer's intentions plus it made for some extremely dark and devastating situations that were great to chew on. I thought this book was very well done and can't wait to read more from this fine horror author in the future!
I want to thank the publisher "Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given this SPOOKY book a rating of 4 1/2 INSIDIOUS AND EVIL ...more
Tommy and Kate Puglisi make a life changing decision to move to Becchina, a small village in Sicily when they learn certain houses are being offered fTommy and Kate Puglisi make a life changing decision to move to Becchina, a small village in Sicily when they learn certain houses are being offered for one-euro in hope to repopulate the almost ghost towns and help them thrive again. Tommy's loving, paternal grandparents live over there and they are all he has left of his family and Kate and he want to make something special of their lives so they up and move without knowing much of the language or how superstition plays a huge part in many old Sicilian's history so the couple may not be accepted as easily as they originally thought.
The house needs work but is otherwise breathtaking and huge! Over fifteen glorious rooms to renovate. Kate is over the moon although Tommy feels a bit of trepidation yet doesn't understand why. Neither Kate or Tommy are religious although respectful to others but are shocked when they learn that a priest had lived in their house for over forty years. Soon they find out the horrible history of their new home and are devastated by the news which doesn't help their mental states when doors slam, whispers or shadows moving in the corners and rats appearing and disappearing as if they want Tommy's attention. Kate sleep walks and talks about a priest in her sleep. As the couple struggles to keep their new lives together, unknown to both of them a real nightmare has been waiting for them and people will die unless Tommy and Kate find the light to lead them out of the darkness that has wanted and waited for Tommy for many, many years.
This was an interesting, dark and entertaining story based around the power and. strength of love, faith, superstitions and certain beliefs and rituals of the Roman Catholic church. The book was a nice, slow-burn built around the strong and everlasting love of a naive young couple who have their whole lives ahead of them and are at the peak of their happiness which is tested when they encounter happenings that occur only in horror books and nightmares and they try to handle the events themselves.
The characters were very intriguing and entertaining especially with the language barrier and different customs. Christopher Golden really captured the atmosphere and essence of this small fictional town in Sicily. The writing describing the cultural architecture of the old homes and the very creepy catacombs was so darn good and I could visualize the village and it's culture so vividly that I felt as if I was an invisible observer keeping step to step with Tommy and Kate from page one until the very end of the book.
The last thirty percent of this book was worth waiting for when it becomes super dark, creepy and very frightening. The book was so sweet and calm for so long that I never expected the story to become so scary that I couldn't read it anymore in the middle of the night!
I enjoyed all of 'Christopher Golden's' books that I've read so far, some more than others so I definitely recommend this novel. Hopefully in the future, books similar in nature to the outstanding "Road Of Bones" will be written again or have a sequel? I just found that book to be an unforgettable horror novel in every way!
I want to thank the publisher "St. Martin's Press" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this digital copy ad any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given a rating of 4 EERIE AND NIGHTMARISH ...more
I read this book many years ago and absolutely loved it! I plan to read it again hopefully in the near future.
This is an older book of Koontz but one I read this book many years ago and absolutely loved it! I plan to read it again hopefully in the near future.
This is an older book of Koontz but one of his best so I highly, highly recommend it to any new readers of 'Dean Koontz' or any one just looking for a great horror read and author to discover!
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