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3.61 AVERAGE
3.61 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Complicated
dark
mysterious
A small New England town experiences a series of missing children. A prominent family with a dark and ominous legend stands in the middle.
I was surprised by this book. On one hand, the main family is a mess. The parents are some of the worst parents with just issues for days, however at least they get therapy. On the other hand I couldn't put this down. there were genuinely disturbing scenes in here while equal times scenes I literally wanted to slap someone to their senses. I will say I like that you can't really tell the line between blocked out memories and trauma and what might be supernatural intervention. Is this a case of thinking the legends are true and leaning into them or is it actually a ghost from the past pushing a planchette?
I was surprised by this book. On one hand, the main family is a mess. The parents are some of the worst parents with just issues for days, however at least they get therapy. On the other hand I couldn't put this down. there were genuinely disturbing scenes in here while equal times scenes I literally wanted to slap someone to their senses. I will say I like that you can't really tell the line between blocked out memories and trauma and what might be supernatural intervention. Is this a case of thinking the legends are true and leaning into them or is it actually a ghost from the past pushing a planchette?
the ending……. are you serious? dynamic characters, eerie read.
Long and repetitive at times. Almost DNF, but left it and came back.
The end of the school year is nigh, and we barely do anything in class anymore, so what is better than reading a book to kill off the unavoidable boredom? Including this book, I have read two John Saul novels in a row, and while the temptation of reading another one of his creations is big, I should go back to reading Warcross.
About the book: Well, there isn't much to say. The story was very captivating, definitely a page turner at certain times, but I feel like some things could have been tackled in a different manner. The ending was disappointing in the sense that it was left unexplained, with too much room for interpretation, or better said wondering, about what happened. I felt like the death of the Congers was a little too convenient, leaving adult Elizabeth to do as she wishes with her family's house and property. I was nicely surprised that Sarah recovered (almost) entirely, only to be extremely disapppointed when she fell back into silence the moment she remembered everything about what had actually happened. The portretisation of Elizabeth was awfully frustrating, because not only was she a psycho hiding behind the mask of the perfect elder sister, but she got away with it in every instance! I swear to God, the other characters were so god damned clueless, and the only one who was able to see through Elizabeth was Jeff Stevens, but he winded up dead before he could tell anyone. I wish there was more explanation behind the legend, Sarah's condition and the quote 'Suffer the children to come to me'.
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
About the book: Well, there isn't much to say. The story was very captivating, definitely a page turner at certain times, but I feel like some things could have been tackled in a different manner. The ending was disappointing in the sense that it was left unexplained, with too much room for interpretation, or better said wondering, about what happened. I felt like the death of the Congers was a little too convenient, leaving adult Elizabeth to do as she wishes with her family's house and property. I was nicely surprised that Sarah recovered (almost) entirely, only to be extremely disapppointed when she fell back into silence the moment she remembered everything about what had actually happened. The portretisation of Elizabeth was awfully frustrating, because not only was she a psycho hiding behind the mask of the perfect elder sister, but she got away with it in every instance! I swear to God, the other characters were so god damned clueless, and the only one who was able to see through Elizabeth was Jeff Stevens, but he winded up dead before he could tell anyone. I wish there was more explanation behind the legend, Sarah's condition and the quote 'Suffer the children to come to me'.
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
Der Einstieg in den Erstling von John Saul fiel mir schwer. Insbesondere die Eltern der Familie Conger sind sehr unsympathisch und wer will sich schon wirklich in eine schwierige Paarbeziehung einmischen. Dieses Paar fühlt nur noch Abscheu und der Leser auch.
Der Roman zieht seiner Stärke aus dem sich langsam entwickelnden Schrecken. Man weiss bis am Schluss eigentlich nicht so recht, was der Hintergrund davon ist. Ein Geist, der Familienfluch oder schlicht ein schwer psychotisches Kind. Selten ist es einem Horror-Roman gelungen, dass ich mich unwohl fühlte. Es gelang ihm einerseits durch die Ungewissheit der Ursache und andererseits auch durch die durchaus sehr gewalttätigen Szenen. Ich war etwa ab der Hälfte des Buches gebannt und konnte nicht mehr aufhören zu lesen.
Dieses Buch ist sicher nicht für alle - nicht mal allen Horror-Fans. Wer aber einmal die Höhle betreten hat, die hier eine grosse Rolle gespielt hat, kommt bis zur letzten Seite nicht mehr raus.
Der Roman zieht seiner Stärke aus dem sich langsam entwickelnden Schrecken. Man weiss bis am Schluss eigentlich nicht so recht, was der Hintergrund davon ist. Ein Geist, der Familienfluch oder schlicht ein schwer psychotisches Kind. Selten ist es einem Horror-Roman gelungen, dass ich mich unwohl fühlte. Es gelang ihm einerseits durch die Ungewissheit der Ursache und andererseits auch durch die durchaus sehr gewalttätigen Szenen. Ich war etwa ab der Hälfte des Buches gebannt und konnte nicht mehr aufhören zu lesen.
Dieses Buch ist sicher nicht für alle - nicht mal allen Horror-Fans. Wer aber einmal die Höhle betreten hat, die hier eine grosse Rolle gespielt hat, kommt bis zur letzten Seite nicht mehr raus.
dark
sad
medium-paced
dark
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes