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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
An alien spaceship crashes near a small Texas border town, its occupant a bounty hunter on the trail of another alien of a different species who has recently escaped from a prison planet. That certainly sounds more like science fiction than horror but the way Robert McCammon unfolds this plot is pure horror. Trust me. The nature of the bounty-hunter alien (nicknamed “Stinger”) is a scorpion-like, mucus producing, monster with the ability to rapidly replicate allies using spare machine parts and captured human bodies. In effect it can build its own army in its effort to capture its quarry. Awesome!
Most of the novel is devoted to developing the many characters of the small town of Inferno. It’s a town that is on its last legs due to the local copper mine being played out so all of the citizens are being forced to close up shop, finish their last few days of the school year, and prepare to move elsewhere. There is a wide variety of characters in this town, from all walks of life. The town also suffers from a racial divide due to its proximity to Mexico and a perception that illegals are taking local jobs. But a common enemy can bring even the most viral enemies to work together and begin to understand one another a little better. My only quibble with this novel is that there may have been too many characters. That served to lengthen the novel a bit and slow down the build-up to the action sequences.
A UFO/alien/horror story can be pretty standard fare but in the hands of this author, it truly shines. I first discovered Robert McCammon through his historical mystery novel, [b:Speaks the Nightbird|1525997|Speaks the Nightbird (Matthew Corbett, #1)|Robert McCammon|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1410011377s/1525997.jpg|16692325], a novel that was so impressive that it made my all-time favorite list. Subsequent novels in that series did not disappoint. But I also knew his roots lay in the horror genre so I sampled his masterpiece, [b:Swan Song|11557|Swan Song|Robert McCammon|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1271812903s/11557.jpg|2947187] and was, once again blown away by the quality of his writing. So now he is on my list of must-read-everything-he-has-ever-written-including-his-grocery-list authors.
Most of the novel is devoted to developing the many characters of the small town of Inferno. It’s a town that is on its last legs due to the local copper mine being played out so all of the citizens are being forced to close up shop, finish their last few days of the school year, and prepare to move elsewhere. There is a wide variety of characters in this town, from all walks of life. The town also suffers from a racial divide due to its proximity to Mexico and a perception that illegals are taking local jobs. But a common enemy can bring even the most viral enemies to work together and begin to understand one another a little better. My only quibble with this novel is that there may have been too many characters. That served to lengthen the novel a bit and slow down the build-up to the action sequences.
A UFO/alien/horror story can be pretty standard fare but in the hands of this author, it truly shines. I first discovered Robert McCammon through his historical mystery novel, [b:Speaks the Nightbird|1525997|Speaks the Nightbird (Matthew Corbett, #1)|Robert McCammon|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1410011377s/1525997.jpg|16692325], a novel that was so impressive that it made my all-time favorite list. Subsequent novels in that series did not disappoint. But I also knew his roots lay in the horror genre so I sampled his masterpiece, [b:Swan Song|11557|Swan Song|Robert McCammon|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1271812903s/11557.jpg|2947187] and was, once again blown away by the quality of his writing. So now he is on my list of must-read-everything-he-has-ever-written-including-his-grocery-list authors.
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
I read this as a teenager and I remember liking it. Re-reading it now, I can see why it would appeal to me. It's a good idea of a story. The book was written in the late 80's so it has the innocence of the pre-cell phone/social media era, which is actually kind of refreshing. I feel that with tighter writing and less cliched characters, this could have been better. But overall it was fun, and a good vacation read.
I just loved this book. I have to say I've heard of McCammon but have never read him before. I guess I'm lucky in a way as I've discovered a great author. Don't know how I missed him.
Absolutely loved this scifi and horror combination, one of my favourites, I wish I knew more titles like that.
Absolutely loved this scifi and horror combination, one of my favourites, I wish I knew more titles like that.
For the most part, Stinger was a fun read. I love a good mixture of horror and sci-fi, and this tale of an extraterrestrial on the run was an okay one.
I liked the concept of Daufin, and her pursuer, and I liked the relationship between Rick and Cody. Apart from that, though, I don't much else to say about it.
I think the story could easily have survived with 200 less pages. By the time I was 400 pages in, it seemed action was just a little too drawn on, and I was getting to the point of, okay, can we please just wrap this up already?
One thing did bother me because I am a stickler for accuracy: It seemed every time these gang members were in a battle-lust, it was after they had smoked marijuana. I don't know how much, if any, experience McCammon has with this, but I can't ever remember seeing a stoner engage in violent activity.
Now don't mistake me for defending the use of dope...while I admit it was a part of my youth, I think its true menace is causing lethargy, ambivalence, and loss of drive and ambition.
Hardly violence.
McCammon might have been better to choose alcohol has the gangs' battle fuel for credibility's sake.
I liked the concept of Daufin, and her pursuer, and I liked the relationship between Rick and Cody. Apart from that, though, I don't much else to say about it.
I think the story could easily have survived with 200 less pages. By the time I was 400 pages in, it seemed action was just a little too drawn on, and I was getting to the point of, okay, can we please just wrap this up already?
One thing did bother me because I am a stickler for accuracy: It seemed every time these gang members were in a battle-lust, it was after they had smoked marijuana. I don't know how much, if any, experience McCammon has with this, but I can't ever remember seeing a stoner engage in violent activity.
Now don't mistake me for defending the use of dope...while I admit it was a part of my youth, I think its true menace is causing lethargy, ambivalence, and loss of drive and ambition.
Hardly violence.
McCammon might have been better to choose alcohol has the gangs' battle fuel for credibility's sake.
An inventive and original take on the alien invasion genre, and so full of McCammon's typical heart that this novel nears perfection for his fans. Recommended for any sci-fi or horror fan. Super 80's feel as well which is a match for the current zeitgeist.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
It's not in my top 5 McCammon books, but it's a solid read and well written take on a Sci-Fi alien invasion in a small town.