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thomaswjoyce's review
5.0
Wish I'd read this sooner. Supernatural horror noir with a dash of fantasy and a body-horror chaser, this novel is refreshingly different to most books out there. While the concept is wild (three resurrected killers tasked with murdering a woman who is imprisoned with a large group of other women and subject to terrible experiments, while a 12 year old girl wise-beyond-her-years dabbles in the supernatural, and they all seem to be pawns in a greater narrative), it is also immensely enjoyable.
The characters really shine throughout, not an easy task considering the smothering darkness of the story. Strong violence and wonderful dialogue drip from almost every page like so much blood. Foster never gives too much away, maintaining an air of mystique around his characters while giving them enough humanity to really engage the reader.
The "bigger picture" is only hinted at throughout the whole book - understandable, given that it is only book one in a projected trilogy. This is never an issue as there is plenty of action to keep the story moving and keep us interested every step of the way. Foster handles the pacing extremely well, possibly something learned during his time as a screenwriter, and the book felt like a very quick read.
It feels like a daring move by an author publishing his debut novel, rather than sticking to the tried and tested plot, instead opting for something more experimental, more "out-there". But the publisher is known for taking chances on a more progressive style of book and it has certainly paid off in this case. Foster and PMMP have delivered a tight, gripping, action-packed first part of a story and have absolutely hooked this reader for future installments.
The characters really shine throughout, not an easy task considering the smothering darkness of the story. Strong violence and wonderful dialogue drip from almost every page like so much blood. Foster never gives too much away, maintaining an air of mystique around his characters while giving them enough humanity to really engage the reader.
The "bigger picture" is only hinted at throughout the whole book - understandable, given that it is only book one in a projected trilogy. This is never an issue as there is plenty of action to keep the story moving and keep us interested every step of the way. Foster handles the pacing extremely well, possibly something learned during his time as a screenwriter, and the book felt like a very quick read.
It feels like a daring move by an author publishing his debut novel, rather than sticking to the tried and tested plot, instead opting for something more experimental, more "out-there". But the publisher is known for taking chances on a more progressive style of book and it has certainly paid off in this case. Foster and PMMP have delivered a tight, gripping, action-packed first part of a story and have absolutely hooked this reader for future installments.
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