Keene has quickly become one of my new favorite writers. For horror, the trick is to keep it new, intersting, paced well, and for god'd sake make me care about the characters. That's why I never liked the Stephen King I have read. Most were worthless characters.
Keene puts basic innocence into bad situations and allows his characters to develop along the lines of survival. What would you do?
Urban Gothic starts with some surburban white kids that are lost in inner city Philadelphia. prejudicial misunderstandings amp the tension, and soon the surburban teens are running for an "abandoned" house in the neighborhood. Wrong house.
Keene explains through characters the presence of the house is a mystery. IT has always been a part of the neighborhood, is supposedly haunted, and the locals just stay away from it. Anyone who has even gone in there has never returned.
Whether intenional or not, not gives us a Sociology lesson. Societies that are "comfortable" with their surroundings never question the unexplained, or pay no attention to them. An older African-American couple remember when the the neighborhood was friendly and folks helped one another. Somewere along the way, the inhabitants lost their focus and crime, prostitution, and drugs took over. When I really think about this book, it is more than just another horror story- it's about taking back your neighborhood and doing what's right.
Lost inside the house, the teens are hunted by deformed cannibalistic mutants. Keene's descriptions of each character's perceptions keep the reader engrossed in the very graphic fates of the friends. This book is not for the squeemish!
Members of the neighborhood agree to find out what is happening, and the story goes from bad to worse.
This was another of Keene's works that was irresistable and difficult to put down. The pace was excellent, leaving each chapter with concern and an anxious spirit for the characters. Maybe I'm a sap, but given the teen's failings, after all of he brutality they witnessed, I wanted as many of them to survive as possible.
The ending was a gutwrenching ride of uncertainty.
This book gave me the same feelings I get when I watch "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre". It has many similar elements. Both have such caracatures of evil that you almost laugh, roll your eyes, etc. until you see, hear, and touch the violence. It's disturbing, but each time a character escapes a particularly tight grip you cheer and breathe a sigh of relief.
Maybe it's not for everyone, but true horror fans will appreciate the extent of the chase, the mystery, and the *once again* very graphic scenery.
Showing posts with label Books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Books. Show all posts
Friday, June 18, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
Book- The Forest of Hands and Teeth
Hopefully, zombie is the next vampire. And if all of the young adult books on zombies are as good as this one, then it's going to be a great ride.
Carrie Ryan has taken a theme and a story that is well known and expanded it to a new level.
I've always loved a good zombie movie, and in the past few years I've looked everywhere for a good zombie apocalypse novel. Many in the genre follow similar patterns, not to say they aren't good- Zombie novels are ALWAYS good. IF you are a fan, you know what to expect. The infection, plague, government escaped virus, mysterious meteor, or the portal to another dimension opens and brings the dead to life. They eat the living. (Please, don't say they eat brains- that occurs in only one decent series of movies. Real zombies eat everything!) We meet our min characters, they meet cannon fodder that get eaten along the way and somehow the whole group tries to survive in an undead world.
Ryan has expanded on the best parts of the zombie survivor theme. We are several decades beyond "the Return" and society has tried to develop into some normalcy. Our young Heroine, Mary lives in a true "gated community" off of a large forest filled with the "Unconsecrated"- the zombies. Life has developed around "the scripture" and young people are devoted to procreating for the cotinuance of the human species. Matches are made based on necessity, not love. Mary is the rebel and toils over her decisions- hoping for love, and the possibility of an outside world away from the unconsecrated.
As will happen in an undead world- the village is attacked and a small party of teens escape through a labyrinth of fences and gates throughout the forest, constantly being stalked by zombies.
I will be honest- as I read the first half of this book, I grew tired of the angsty young heroine wishing hoping and dreaming that things were different. I understand the connections bein made, but it became tiresome at times. The great thing I found throughout the book was just as I was about to put the book down because of the aforementioned reasons, something exciting would happen and I would stick with th book for several more chapters, I would grow tired, almost put the book down, and another exciting part would appear. Ryan seemed to have a good grasp of when and where to put the tension, and possible showed me the slogging existence of the characters contrasted with their flights from danger.
Looking at the theme and story, I was saddened what I took from the book. How far are we willing to go...and lose, to hold on to our dreams? I ended up being concerned and moved by the whole part of young folk, and generally concerned for their safety.
To me, this is a great addition to all of the other great zombie literature out there, and it still asks the same questions- how do we survive, can we have a normal life again, and is their security anywhere.
A great book, even with he minor failings I mentioned. I'm glad I stuck with it and saw it through to the end.
Carrie Ryan has taken a theme and a story that is well known and expanded it to a new level.
I've always loved a good zombie movie, and in the past few years I've looked everywhere for a good zombie apocalypse novel. Many in the genre follow similar patterns, not to say they aren't good- Zombie novels are ALWAYS good. IF you are a fan, you know what to expect. The infection, plague, government escaped virus, mysterious meteor, or the portal to another dimension opens and brings the dead to life. They eat the living. (Please, don't say they eat brains- that occurs in only one decent series of movies. Real zombies eat everything!) We meet our min characters, they meet cannon fodder that get eaten along the way and somehow the whole group tries to survive in an undead world.
Ryan has expanded on the best parts of the zombie survivor theme. We are several decades beyond "the Return" and society has tried to develop into some normalcy. Our young Heroine, Mary lives in a true "gated community" off of a large forest filled with the "Unconsecrated"- the zombies. Life has developed around "the scripture" and young people are devoted to procreating for the cotinuance of the human species. Matches are made based on necessity, not love. Mary is the rebel and toils over her decisions- hoping for love, and the possibility of an outside world away from the unconsecrated.
As will happen in an undead world- the village is attacked and a small party of teens escape through a labyrinth of fences and gates throughout the forest, constantly being stalked by zombies.
I will be honest- as I read the first half of this book, I grew tired of the angsty young heroine wishing hoping and dreaming that things were different. I understand the connections bein made, but it became tiresome at times. The great thing I found throughout the book was just as I was about to put the book down because of the aforementioned reasons, something exciting would happen and I would stick with th book for several more chapters, I would grow tired, almost put the book down, and another exciting part would appear. Ryan seemed to have a good grasp of when and where to put the tension, and possible showed me the slogging existence of the characters contrasted with their flights from danger.
Looking at the theme and story, I was saddened what I took from the book. How far are we willing to go...and lose, to hold on to our dreams? I ended up being concerned and moved by the whole part of young folk, and generally concerned for their safety.
To me, this is a great addition to all of the other great zombie literature out there, and it still asks the same questions- how do we survive, can we have a normal life again, and is their security anywhere.
A great book, even with he minor failings I mentioned. I'm glad I stuck with it and saw it through to the end.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Book- Abraham Lincoln- Vampire Hunter
I remember seeing the cover of this book a month or so ago coming through the library. A somewhat silent photograph of Lincoln passed my eyes, but there was something strange about it. I took a second glance. Reading the cover carefully, I had to laugh. Seth Grahame-Smith (author of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies- another book I need to read) has created a wonderfully readable, "fantastic" version of Lincoln's life.
Suppose America had been overrun with vampires- and suppose said vampires work behind the scenes of American history, including a secret battle over slavery- not just Southern slavery that culminated in the American Civil War, but the slavery of mankind by vampires. And then suppose that America's greatest president had personal dealings with these creatures of the night throughout his life, vowing to destroy all vampires on American soil.
Grahame-Smith's book blends historic truth, fable and fantasy in a fast paced story to save mankind's soul from dark tyranny.
Lincoln's life is described through a nararrator who has obtained, somewhat mysteriously, certain manuscripts and diaries of Lincoln's valiant conquests. Axes fly and heads are decapitated as Abraham hunts vampires supporting the spread of slavery and using humans as cattle.
Though somewhat slow in the beginning, the story quickens early enough to keep the reader engrossed in Abe's next conquest. History enthusiasts will find humor in which historical figures Grahame-Smith claims are vampires, vampire hunters, and collaborators to the vampires.
Have a fun time reading this book, and admire the "doctored" photography throughout. Rumor has it that Hollywood is already looking into a film version with the likes of Tim Burton asking for the script. Only Tim could bring this book to the screen. My guess- Johnny Depp as Henry.
Suppose America had been overrun with vampires- and suppose said vampires work behind the scenes of American history, including a secret battle over slavery- not just Southern slavery that culminated in the American Civil War, but the slavery of mankind by vampires. And then suppose that America's greatest president had personal dealings with these creatures of the night throughout his life, vowing to destroy all vampires on American soil.
Grahame-Smith's book blends historic truth, fable and fantasy in a fast paced story to save mankind's soul from dark tyranny.
Lincoln's life is described through a nararrator who has obtained, somewhat mysteriously, certain manuscripts and diaries of Lincoln's valiant conquests. Axes fly and heads are decapitated as Abraham hunts vampires supporting the spread of slavery and using humans as cattle.
Though somewhat slow in the beginning, the story quickens early enough to keep the reader engrossed in Abe's next conquest. History enthusiasts will find humor in which historical figures Grahame-Smith claims are vampires, vampire hunters, and collaborators to the vampires.
Have a fun time reading this book, and admire the "doctored" photography throughout. Rumor has it that Hollywood is already looking into a film version with the likes of Tim Burton asking for the script. Only Tim could bring this book to the screen. My guess- Johnny Depp as Henry.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Books- The Thin Executioner Part II
My goal is to finish this book this weekend. It slowed in the middle with a lot of "hobbit-type" traveling (for fans of Tolkien. Once I got past the middle of the book, it started to get more interesting. The main characters Jebel, the boy, and his slave, Tel Hesani have been spearated, rejoined, and now with about a quarter of the book to go are separated again. There are some great passages I'll have to post. Tel is the voice of reason, compassion, and maturity. Jebel is growing through the book from his impulsive and spoiled temperment to more maturity as the two are tested by some pretty extreme situations.
This mildly fantastic world has so many cultures to study and understand, so far Shan has done an excellent job of walking us through little villages and meeting with strange,unusual peoples, all with different religions, that it seems like a book of anthropology mnore than a novel.
Major focus in the story has been an acceptance of differences and questioning beliefs. Are we loyal to our beliefs because of where we were born? or who we really are?
The lessons are nothing new, but for a Young Adult novel, these messages at the correct time in a teen's life might just chnage their thinking for the better.
An interesting story, a bit of adventure, an homage to Mark Twain, and a few lessons to learn create a somewhat quick paced and fun read.
Darren Shan is probably better known for his "Cirque Du Freak" and "Demonata" series for Young Adults So, he is not a stranger to unveiling a dark fantastic world. Maybe I'll try those series next.
This mildly fantastic world has so many cultures to study and understand, so far Shan has done an excellent job of walking us through little villages and meeting with strange,unusual peoples, all with different religions, that it seems like a book of anthropology mnore than a novel.
Major focus in the story has been an acceptance of differences and questioning beliefs. Are we loyal to our beliefs because of where we were born? or who we really are?
The lessons are nothing new, but for a Young Adult novel, these messages at the correct time in a teen's life might just chnage their thinking for the better.
An interesting story, a bit of adventure, an homage to Mark Twain, and a few lessons to learn create a somewhat quick paced and fun read.
Darren Shan is probably better known for his "Cirque Du Freak" and "Demonata" series for Young Adults So, he is not a stranger to unveiling a dark fantastic world. Maybe I'll try those series next.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Books- The Thin Executioner
I picked up an advanced reader copy of this book by Darren Shan when I was in Portland for PLA. I wanted to blog some ideas about it as I read it. It's fairly good sized, but has a decent pace to it. Technically, a YA book, I'm finding it hard to put down. Not the best I've read, but enough tokeep me interested.
Quick synopsis- Skinny boy's dad is the local executioner- Dad is going to retire- Dad hopes it's his other sons who take his place, not his skinny son who shows no promise- Skinny boy is shamed and quests to homeplace of a god to gain invincibility to win the competition to win the Executioner post, thus restoring his name and proving to his dad that he is worth something.
Okay, not the best description, look it up on Amazon, I'm sure their's will be better ;]
The clincher is that Shan has borrowed much from Huckleberry Finn (It's no secret- it says it on the back of the book) That gave me something to think about.
The real story is turning out to be about friendship, growth, and eventually, I think we'll see a message of walking a peaceful path rather than violent.
Some allusions to Huck Finn are just too apparent, and grant me license here. It's been..what? 20 years since I've read Finn. I remember little parts and the basic story.
Right now, I'm 1/3 through and it's turned into a travel book. What started at a good pace has slowed somewhat and turned into another Tolkien book. I think I see what will come, but it's not overly predictable.
I'll give more review as I finish the book in a few days.
Quick synopsis- Skinny boy's dad is the local executioner- Dad is going to retire- Dad hopes it's his other sons who take his place, not his skinny son who shows no promise- Skinny boy is shamed and quests to homeplace of a god to gain invincibility to win the competition to win the Executioner post, thus restoring his name and proving to his dad that he is worth something.
Okay, not the best description, look it up on Amazon, I'm sure their's will be better ;]
The clincher is that Shan has borrowed much from Huckleberry Finn (It's no secret- it says it on the back of the book) That gave me something to think about.
The real story is turning out to be about friendship, growth, and eventually, I think we'll see a message of walking a peaceful path rather than violent.
Some allusions to Huck Finn are just too apparent, and grant me license here. It's been..what? 20 years since I've read Finn. I remember little parts and the basic story.
Right now, I'm 1/3 through and it's turned into a travel book. What started at a good pace has slowed somewhat and turned into another Tolkien book. I think I see what will come, but it's not overly predictable.
I'll give more review as I finish the book in a few days.
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