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mzzmia's review
2.0
This was a hard read. I wasn't expecting the subject manner at all and it left me a bit disgruntled. You also don't get a sense of a solid plot. There was a lot going on and explanations were rarer than Henson teeth.
longtimereader's review against another edition
5.0
I simply love this series! I totally enjoyed the first two books, and this one is not an exception. I can't even say the author's last name, much less spell it, but Bill S. has become a favorite author of mine. Thankfully the book titles stick in my head easily.
The 3rd book in this series, evil in some of it's worst forms is involved. I have to say, wow, woah and whew! This book is a roller coaster and this series is one of my favorites. Sigh, the end of the series already? I hope the author writes more spins offs or something for us next.
My copy came from Net Galley, with my profound thanks! My thoughts and opinions are my own. This review is left of my own free volition.
The 3rd book in this series, evil in some of it's worst forms is involved. I have to say, wow, woah and whew! This book is a roller coaster and this series is one of my favorites. Sigh, the end of the series already? I hope the author writes more spins offs or something for us next.
My copy came from Net Galley, with my profound thanks! My thoughts and opinions are my own. This review is left of my own free volition.
jessicamap's review against another edition
3.0
When I read the description for Bill Schweigart's THE DEVIL'S COLONY I was instantly intrigued. Monsters, skinheads, "a chilling decent into horror and human depravity". Sign me up! The only problem was that I didn't realize this was book three in a trilogy - I found this out halfway through the book, too.
Ben McKelvie had a good job, a nice house, a beautiful fiancée, until a bloodthirsty shapeshifter took it all away. Ever since, he’s been chasing supernatural beings and monsters all across the country. By his side are Lindsay Clark (zoologist) and Richard Severance (cryptozoologist). They're about to face their hardest challenge!
In the New Jersey Pine Barrens, Henry Drexler operates a private compound called Välkommen (Swedish for welcome). Drexler welcomes all visitors—as long as they’re racists or neo-Nazis. Drexler used to be Serverance's mentor, and his research could have potentially summoned a monster to the Pine Barrens. To find out the truth, Ben and Lindsay must enter the camp incognito. While there, they learn that the most evil monsters lurk inside the human heart.
So, while the premise was good I was completely lost in some points in the novel. Since I'm on book three of a trilogy - and it's not the type of detective series where they could be standalones - I was missing a lot of references and character development. So that definitely ruined the flow of the book and there were probably some events that lost some significance because I wasn't clued in. The horror element was there and the compound was really interesting to go through and see how Ben and Lindsay tried to blend in.
The writing was great and the horror was there. I'd highly recommend reading the first two in the trilogy if this one sounds appealing to you! I wish this was better marked to make it clear it was book three.
I give this 3.5/5 stars!
Big thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
Ben McKelvie had a good job, a nice house, a beautiful fiancée, until a bloodthirsty shapeshifter took it all away. Ever since, he’s been chasing supernatural beings and monsters all across the country. By his side are Lindsay Clark (zoologist) and Richard Severance (cryptozoologist). They're about to face their hardest challenge!
In the New Jersey Pine Barrens, Henry Drexler operates a private compound called Välkommen (Swedish for welcome). Drexler welcomes all visitors—as long as they’re racists or neo-Nazis. Drexler used to be Serverance's mentor, and his research could have potentially summoned a monster to the Pine Barrens. To find out the truth, Ben and Lindsay must enter the camp incognito. While there, they learn that the most evil monsters lurk inside the human heart.
So, while the premise was good I was completely lost in some points in the novel. Since I'm on book three of a trilogy - and it's not the type of detective series where they could be standalones - I was missing a lot of references and character development. So that definitely ruined the flow of the book and there were probably some events that lost some significance because I wasn't clued in. The horror element was there and the compound was really interesting to go through and see how Ben and Lindsay tried to blend in.
The writing was great and the horror was there. I'd highly recommend reading the first two in the trilogy if this one sounds appealing to you! I wish this was better marked to make it clear it was book three.
I give this 3.5/5 stars!
Big thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
lilyn_g's review against another edition
5.0
There are a handful of authors that I trust enough to read 2 books from, let alone 3. Especially in a series, because, let's face it, the second book generally sucks, and the third one rarely manages to measure up to the bar the first book set. Bill Schweigart is on the short list of authors I trust enough to keep reading, and The Devil's Colony just cemented his place on that list.
Lindsay, Ben, Severance, Alex, and Davis are all great characters that feel like the family they are to each other. Each of them are likable for their own reasons. Even Severance who - by anyone's admission - is a bit of a toerag. The first book had me side-eyeing him. The second book I was starting to appreciate him. One line - just one - in The Devil's Colony finally won me over. Any man who doesn't even hesitate to get on his knees and beg, if that's what it takes, is worth something.
It takes a while for The Devil's Colony to get rolling, but it's not a slow-burn book by any means. Once things start happening, it's one thing after another in twists you really didn't see coming. (Or some you did, and welcomed them anyways.) I went from face-palming over a particularly bad joke, to being on the edge of my seat and preparing to call the author some very naughty names in the space of like ten minutes. And then I was riding a high of arse-kicking satisfaction and watching Ben and Lindsay do their thing. (Although I'm very tempted to insert a Nyan cat gif here to mock a certain character, I won't.)
(Its a pic. Not a gif. So, it's okay.)
Schweigart did a fantastic job on The Devil's Colony. Finishing this book was definitely a good way to start my Monday morning on a high note. I didn't even mind the somewhat mushy all-the-feels wrap-up, y'all.
Well done, sir. Well done.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book free from the publisher for review consideration.
Lindsay, Ben, Severance, Alex, and Davis are all great characters that feel like the family they are to each other. Each of them are likable for their own reasons. Even Severance who - by anyone's admission - is a bit of a toerag. The first book had me side-eyeing him. The second book I was starting to appreciate him. One line - just one - in The Devil's Colony finally won me over. Any man who doesn't even hesitate to get on his knees and beg, if that's what it takes, is worth something.
It takes a while for The Devil's Colony to get rolling, but it's not a slow-burn book by any means. Once things start happening, it's one thing after another in twists you really didn't see coming. (Or some you did, and welcomed them anyways.) I went from face-palming over a particularly bad joke, to being on the edge of my seat and preparing to call the author some very naughty names in the space of like ten minutes. And then I was riding a high of arse-kicking satisfaction and watching Ben and Lindsay do their thing. (Although I'm very tempted to insert a Nyan cat gif here to mock a certain character, I won't.)
(Its a pic. Not a gif. So, it's okay.)
Schweigart did a fantastic job on The Devil's Colony. Finishing this book was definitely a good way to start my Monday morning on a high note. I didn't even mind the somewhat mushy all-the-feels wrap-up, y'all.
Well done, sir. Well done.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book free from the publisher for review consideration.
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