This book threw me for a loop, but I really enjoyed it, overall. It's a crime thriller with stomach-churning, cringey torture scenes and a hint of theThis book threw me for a loop, but I really enjoyed it, overall. It's a crime thriller with stomach-churning, cringey torture scenes and a hint of the paranormal. It's fast-paced and I had trouble putting it down (except for the torture scenes--I had to put it down for those to regroup). The descriptions of the torture scenes are terrible, but they're not really prolonged. It's just that the images get in your head and you can't stop thinking about what it would have been like, and that's when I would have to put the book down and walk away. This is only the first of Masterton's books in this series, and I have already spent some time seriously considering whether he is going to up his game in the next book, or if that is even really possible. Is it possible to think of something more painful, both physically and psychologically, than what was done to the women in this book? I'm SO afraid that the answer to that question is yes! I've also spent some time wondering if anyone has ever actually done this or tried to do this to a person in real life. People can be so freaking evil--is there anything under the sun that someone HASN'T tried to do to someone else at some point in time?
I liked Katie as the protagonist, but I couldn't see why she stayed with her husband. I felt like his eventual departure was a blessing all around. I loved the ambiguity of the ending--was the witch actually coming or not? I also wonder if John Meaghan will be making a reappearance in Katie's life.
Anyway, Masterton clearly pushed my buttons with this one, but I am going to continue the series. I do have my fingers crossed that torture will not be figured as prominently in the next one, though! ...more
I decided to try this as an audiobook, and I feel it was a really good choice. The narrator is excellent, and I think he had excellent material to worI decided to try this as an audiobook, and I feel it was a really good choice. The narrator is excellent, and I think he had excellent material to work with. The vampires are wonderfully evil, with nary a sparkly emo bloodsucker in sight! There's also a serial killer with mommy issues, lots of 80's-style partying, leather-clad biker gangs, sassy barrio kids, and a genuine old-world vampire slayer in the form of a Hungarian police detective.
I was immediately drawn into the story, and it never let up. I only listen to audiobooks in the car, so my exposure is limited to my commutes, which are fairly short. I found myself driving slower and dawdling in the driveway, loath to turn the car off. I felt the action was intense and frequent, and the tension built steadily. I got annoyed with some of the characters who didn't adjust to their new reality quickly enough. Several of them would survive a horrific encounter with the vampires, only to dash into the street to wave down an approaching person or group of people. Hello! Shouldn't you make sure they are actually people before you start yelling and waving your arms? I have the same problem with people in zombie books, too. When your town is overrun with zombies or vampires, you have to show a little caution, people!
*** SPOILERS AHEAD ***
The ending was a little too convenient, although I expected the epic nature of it. McCammon had raised the ante for the vampires to such a pitch that only a natural disaster or act of God would be able to wipe them out--they were too entrenched to be taken out by a handful of brave souls. I think the ending would have been more fitting if McCammon had spent a little time developing the good vs. bad theme. Stephen King did this in some of his stories, such as The Stand. If there had been just a little touch, here and there, of divine intervention on the side of our protagonists, it would have been more natural. He developed the supernatural evil well, the timeless forces of evil that were gathered on the side of the vampires. It wouldn't have been out of place to suggest that some of our protagonists were also being guided and supported by the forces of good, and it would have made the ending seem less pat.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend it for anyone who loves a good horror story, or has a fondness for vampires. You won't regret it!...more
I loved it! I thought I was picking up a YA book, and the protagonist is indeed 12 years old, but that is about the limit of the juvenile aspects of tI loved it! I thought I was picking up a YA book, and the protagonist is indeed 12 years old, but that is about the limit of the juvenile aspects of the book. The style is very Dickensian, and I know some people don't like his wordiness, but I LOVE it! How can the proper usage of a variety of well-chosen words, especially some of those splendid, multi-syllabic gems currently shunned by so many, possibly annoy anyone?? When you find evidence of improper usage, then you have something to complain about! The story itself is rife with suspense, monsters, death, and carnage galore. Horror-maven that I am, I watch the goriest scenes from The Walking Dead and Hannibal with glee, but even I was grossed-out by some of the descriptions in the book (one in particular--you'll know it when you get to it!). I absolutely loved it, but it is definitely not for the faint of heart! I teach high-school juniors, but if I put it in my school library, I'm definitely putting a warning on it--I don't want an angry parent emailing me about the nightmares induced by the reading material I supplied to their child! ...more
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