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lckeser7's review against another edition
2.0
I read this book years ago. I don't remember it very well. The one detail that remains with me is that it seems Mr. McCammon had just learned the term prefab and used it somewhere in the ballpark of 9000 times.
ethanz's review against another edition
4.0
For Robert R. McCammons debut novel. Let me just say…WOW.
That’s very impressive to be your first book. I can’t say I’m surprised though. This author did give us some good ones like…
-Boys Life
-They Thirst
-Stinger
-Ushers Passing
-Mystery Walk
-Swan Song
I have always believed him to be an underrated author. He deserves a wider audience. But hey, that’s just the opinion of a Joe Shmoe.
If you do pick this up I hope you enjoy it.
That’s very impressive to be your first book. I can’t say I’m surprised though. This author did give us some good ones like…
-Boys Life
-They Thirst
-Stinger
-Ushers Passing
-Mystery Walk
-Swan Song
I have always believed him to be an underrated author. He deserves a wider audience. But hey, that’s just the opinion of a Joe Shmoe.
If you do pick this up I hope you enjoy it.
paperbackstash's review against another edition
3.0
Reading the two-page afterword that followed this book, I learned that Robert McCammon considers this his "Angry Young Man novel", and that this was his first full-length publication. The story was born from feeling surrounded by powerless circumstances - in the twenties with little money, a dead-end job catering to under-appreciative employers, little respect from peers. Baal rose up to form a story that has been told and retold in so many ways before. It's not new, but as far as these types of tellings go, it's damn good.
The thing I appreciate most is that McCammon stuck to the viewpoints of a select few, staying with them a good length in between, not head-hopping too much, something that drives me bonkers with these types. It was subtly apocalyptic until the end, where it still felt sheltered and isolated, but that was the trick of the hand and the weight over the eyes. Focal settings help the story succeed well - told through the POV of the unlucky parents for the first segment; Baal's interesting choice of carriers to fame through the boy's home as a teenager; Virga, the quiet and subtle hero at the college; the destruction and desolation as Baal gains power in the middle east; and ultimately the long, perilous journey that three heroes bear on the ice. Each of these segments drew out to highlight the power of the story, not needing to jump around, and in staying amidst themselves and having respect/importance for each scene, making each segment count as much as the first and the last - well, that is where this story truly succeeded.
Virga was such an awesome hero because, like in so many biblical stories and lessons, he was an ordinary man. Aged, not strong in stature, not particularly brave, he helped as best as he could but was not saved in any way through good fortune, talent, luck, or skill. He couldn't fight, he couldn't shoot weapons, he couldn't track, and he was the slowest of the group in the ice, slowing them down. An unassuming hero with his own brands of flaws. Baal was truly evil, yicky with his intents and his purposes, a one-dimensional foe. While I usually prefer my heroes AND villains with grey spots, Baal could be nothing but pure black to be convincing considering what he is supposed to be.
McCammon writes well with his pacing and scenes. At over 350 pages, this novel doesn't need trimming or editing. He especially excelled with convincing dialogue, especially when Baal either speaks or bellows. There is a small twist at the end (but it's not surprising) and the battle is almost anticlimactic - perhaps a little weak - but ultimately it works with the subtle, apocalyptic story.
No real flaws, but a three-star rating is earned because the story only entertains semi-far due to it's content. Plotting structure is fine and well constructed, but the story's material is simple.
The thing I appreciate most is that McCammon stuck to the viewpoints of a select few, staying with them a good length in between, not head-hopping too much, something that drives me bonkers with these types. It was subtly apocalyptic until the end, where it still felt sheltered and isolated, but that was the trick of the hand and the weight over the eyes. Focal settings help the story succeed well - told through the POV of the unlucky parents for the first segment; Baal's interesting choice of carriers to fame through the boy's home as a teenager; Virga, the quiet and subtle hero at the college; the destruction and desolation as Baal gains power in the middle east; and ultimately the long, perilous journey that three heroes bear on the ice. Each of these segments drew out to highlight the power of the story, not needing to jump around, and in staying amidst themselves and having respect/importance for each scene, making each segment count as much as the first and the last - well, that is where this story truly succeeded.
Virga was such an awesome hero because, like in so many biblical stories and lessons, he was an ordinary man. Aged, not strong in stature, not particularly brave, he helped as best as he could but was not saved in any way through good fortune, talent, luck, or skill. He couldn't fight, he couldn't shoot weapons, he couldn't track, and he was the slowest of the group in the ice, slowing them down. An unassuming hero with his own brands of flaws. Baal was truly evil, yicky with his intents and his purposes, a one-dimensional foe. While I usually prefer my heroes AND villains with grey spots, Baal could be nothing but pure black to be convincing considering what he is supposed to be.
McCammon writes well with his pacing and scenes. At over 350 pages, this novel doesn't need trimming or editing. He especially excelled with convincing dialogue, especially when Baal either speaks or bellows. There is a small twist at the end (but it's not surprising) and the battle is almost anticlimactic - perhaps a little weak - but ultimately it works with the subtle, apocalyptic story.
No real flaws, but a three-star rating is earned because the story only entertains semi-far due to it's content. Plotting structure is fine and well constructed, but the story's material is simple.
vailynst's review
3.0
Notes:
The setup has a great 80's horror vibe. That part was great! The rest of the story was a funky mess for a predictable and messy end. Not a bad story for an author's early works. A fun choice to read on Halloween. =)
The setup has a great 80's horror vibe. That part was great! The rest of the story was a funky mess for a predictable and messy end. Not a bad story for an author's early works. A fun choice to read on Halloween. =)
sammystarbuck's review
4.0
Another very enjoyable book by McCammon, this one his debut, I believe. Nothing new here, even for the time it was written, but told in an engaging way that had me devouring the whole thing in one sitting.
Elevated even further in the audio version by the always excellent Ray Porter.
Elevated even further in the audio version by the always excellent Ray Porter.
paulmoore's review
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A short tale of terror that's as much a thriller as it is a horror.
"A woman is ravished...
and to her a child is born...
unleashing an unimaginable evil upon the world!"
That pretty much sums up the storyline to this one. Dipping into demonic cults and steeped in Mythology this book is perfectly written to match its subject matter.
I'm surprised to see that this was McCammons first novel as he writes with confidence. It's not hard to see why he went on to have such a great career as a horror author.
4 stars for this short and not even slightly sweet novel.
"A woman is ravished...
and to her a child is born...
unleashing an unimaginable evil upon the world!"
That pretty much sums up the storyline to this one. Dipping into demonic cults and steeped in Mythology this book is perfectly written to match its subject matter.
I'm surprised to see that this was McCammons first novel as he writes with confidence. It's not hard to see why he went on to have such a great career as a horror author.
4 stars for this short and not even slightly sweet novel.
biblio_beth's review
3.0
3 1/2 stars. McMammon's first novel is a bit rough but still entertaining. Listened to the audio version narrated by Ray Porter, always enjoyable.
theneverendingtbr's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
"Call me BAAL" 👹
I thought BAAL was very similar to the stories Rosemary's Baby and The Omen, I'm not saying it's an act of plagiarism; I believe he was influenced as this was his debut novel and he was influenced by those stories - nothing wrong with some influence.
But the same goes for Swan Song, I found that similar to Stephen King's The Stand; but I guess any author would want such a brilliant book in their bibliography.
Robert McCammon is one of my favourite authors and I've enjoyed all of the books I've read of his and there's no exception with BAAL but it's probably my least favourite of the bunch.
If you're just starting out with his books, I wouldn't recommend this one first - go for They Thirst or even better Swan Song.
If you like the stories Rosemary's Baby and The Omen, give 'BAAL' a try!
I thought BAAL was very similar to the stories Rosemary's Baby and The Omen, I'm not saying it's an act of plagiarism; I believe he was influenced as this was his debut novel and he was influenced by those stories - nothing wrong with some influence.
But the same goes for Swan Song, I found that similar to Stephen King's The Stand; but I guess any author would want such a brilliant book in their bibliography.
Robert McCammon is one of my favourite authors and I've enjoyed all of the books I've read of his and there's no exception with BAAL but it's probably my least favourite of the bunch.
If you're just starting out with his books, I wouldn't recommend this one first - go for They Thirst or even better Swan Song.
If you like the stories Rosemary's Baby and The Omen, give 'BAAL' a try!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism, Blood, Body horror, Death, Excrement, Genocide, Gore, Rape, Sexual violence, and Violence
smcscot's review
2.0
This is Robert McCammon's first book, and now I understand why he wanted to keep it from future print runs. The whole novel is more like a character sketch of an evil paragon, but never actually amounts to anything. The first section is a poor rendition of "Rosemary's Baby" and "The Omen" all fit into one. Personally I would have liked to see the genesis in a matter of pages and extended his works, which was by far the best of what was here. The second part of the book is Baal's rise to power. This was fairly well done. There is horror here, there is danger, there is intrigue and mystery. This is what the majority of the story should have been, but then we go into the third section. This portion didn't even make sense. You have a long drawn out chase, and then such an incredible anti-climax, that the reader feels cheated. This was more of an adventure than a horror novel. What IS good about it, is you can see the writer that begins to emerge. He hit some of the same mistakes in "The Night Boat", but that story is much more evolved and more mature. I love his later stuff, and wanted to get to this one to know what it was like, but if you aren't a super fan, this one really isn't worth it.