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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
While talking to his friend on the phone, Mark Stone is startled by a cacophony of otherworldly screams. Seconds later, a tragic accident claims his friend’s life. When this happens several more times—screams followed by an untimely death—he is compelled to act. Battling his failure as a husband and struggling with his own damaged faith, Mark embarks on a mission to find the meaning behind the screams and hopefully stop death from calling on its next victim. When his estranged wife is kidnapped and he again hears the screams as she calls from her cell phone, his search becomes much more personal and much more urgent.
Scream is Mike Dellosso’s second published novel, and as the back-cover blurb divulges, Scream has a refreshingly original plot and extremely important message which swirls in and out of the reader’s thoughts long after the book is finished – a very good thing indeed.
That’s what I really appreciate about Dellosso’s stories. Firmly rooted in the Christian thriller/chiller genre, while containing strong faith-based morals/teaching – leaving the reader satisfied by the ride and exhorted by the message.
As I expressed in my last review, Peretti and Dekker have raised the bar very high when it comes to Christian thriller/chillers, and I imagine every author of the same genre must dread the inevitable comparison to them.
I’m happy to say I agree with C.J. Darlington when he wrote:
Mike Dellosso could very well be the next Frank Peretti – if you liked The Oath and Monster, you are going to love The Hunted.
One last thought, and it is not a criticism of Scream, but a hole I have dug myself. Regarding the genre, I find myself anticipating the twist/surprise-ending in many of these stories which kinda dooms me to being disappointed every time with the familiar “I didn’t see that coming… not” response.
Can anyone else relate?
Scream is Mike Dellosso’s second published novel, and as the back-cover blurb divulges, Scream has a refreshingly original plot and extremely important message which swirls in and out of the reader’s thoughts long after the book is finished – a very good thing indeed.
That’s what I really appreciate about Dellosso’s stories. Firmly rooted in the Christian thriller/chiller genre, while containing strong faith-based morals/teaching – leaving the reader satisfied by the ride and exhorted by the message.
As I expressed in my last review, Peretti and Dekker have raised the bar very high when it comes to Christian thriller/chillers, and I imagine every author of the same genre must dread the inevitable comparison to them.
I’m happy to say I agree with C.J. Darlington when he wrote:
Mike Dellosso could very well be the next Frank Peretti – if you liked The Oath and Monster, you are going to love The Hunted.
One last thought, and it is not a criticism of Scream, but a hole I have dug myself. Regarding the genre, I find myself anticipating the twist/surprise-ending in many of these stories which kinda dooms me to being disappointed every time with the familiar “I didn’t see that coming… not” response.
Can anyone else relate?
great and easy read. I love a book that can keep me engaged and I can't put down. Even though I figured it out almost half way through, I couldn't wait to see how it ended.Not to preachy. but definatly made you think about your own mortality. Would love to read other books by this author.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I got to page 100 before I gave up. All the main character, Mark, does is complain about how his wife left him. For a horror/thriller novel, the story is oddly slow going and rather boring. I don't even care enough to figure out why the antagonist is kidnapping women. Honestly, I think my biggest problem is the writing. The religion aspect seems somewhat forced and in your face, which takes away from the story. Dellosso just isn't my cup of tea.
The premise of the horror component behind this book is wonderful. Did it keep me up at night with nightmares? No. But it was creepy enough to make me want to read more. The ending is the most thrilling part of the whole book. It's a huge plot twist that I'm sure many readers weren't expecting. However, I am aware that the author is Christian, but I felt as though I was being preached to throughout the book. That combined with the underlying "horror" of the story made for an odd duo. Not sure I like the combination of Christian and horror writing. Other than that, great book!!!!
Okay.
The idea of this story is awesome.
The actual execution of the story is actually pretty good.
Including elements of Christianity/God, etc., I have no issue with at all.
I just can't handle fictional stories that include random sermons in the middle of the story.
Now, don't @ me. I love Jesus. I'm a Christian. I'm all for authors including their faith in their writing. Just not as a sermon. That's what I go to church for. That's what my daily Bible study is for. When I read fiction, I just want story, especially in a thriller. Mostly because 99.9% of Christian fiction, whether it be books or movies, is horribly cheesy. Faith-based stories can be done well, but I have yet to come across one that can include conversations like the ones found in this book that don't make me cringe uncontrollably.
It's a shame, because this is a great book with a unique story and I love seeing faith protrayed in books that isn't over-the-top and villainous. Take out the random passages of sermons, and this is a 4-star read.
The idea of this story is awesome.
The actual execution of the story is actually pretty good.
Including elements of Christianity/God, etc., I have no issue with at all.
I just can't handle fictional stories that include random sermons in the middle of the story.
Now, don't @ me. I love Jesus. I'm a Christian. I'm all for authors including their faith in their writing. Just not as a sermon. That's what I go to church for. That's what my daily Bible study is for. When I read fiction, I just want story, especially in a thriller. Mostly because 99.9% of Christian fiction, whether it be books or movies, is horribly cheesy. Faith-based stories can be done well, but I have yet to come across one that can include conversations like the ones found in this book that don't make me cringe uncontrollably.
It's a shame, because this is a great book with a unique story and I love seeing faith protrayed in books that isn't over-the-top and villainous. Take out the random passages of sermons, and this is a 4-star read.
It had a theme of "accept Jesus" into your life and pray. I didn't expect that and I'm not really into those type of books.I thought it'd be more type of a horror book, but again, it had a religious aspect to it that I didn't expect and there really wasn't anything horror about it. I was disappointed.
"Do I know where I'll go when I die?"
The major theme in this heart pounding, breathing stealing book: Do you hear the screams of hell coming for you?
I started reading this book around 7 pm and couldn't tear my eyes from the pages until I finished shortly before 12.
Just when you thought you figured it out, a curve ball was thrown.
This may be just an entertaining thriller, but it's a story that will have you looking into your own soul: do you really Trust Jesus and Accepted Him or do you laugh at what some would refer to as "religious nonsense"?
I hope the former, because even though this is a work of fiction, the truth is that if you really never accepted Jesus, then the "repo" man will come for you and hell follows him.
Dellosso is definitely on my list of favorite authors and he will always have a permanent spot on my bookshelf.
The major theme in this heart pounding, breathing stealing book: Do you hear the screams of hell coming for you?
I started reading this book around 7 pm and couldn't tear my eyes from the pages until I finished shortly before 12.
Just when you thought you figured it out, a curve ball was thrown.
This may be just an entertaining thriller, but it's a story that will have you looking into your own soul: do you really Trust Jesus and Accepted Him or do you laugh at what some would refer to as "religious nonsense"?
I hope the former, because even though this is a work of fiction, the truth is that if you really never accepted Jesus, then the "repo" man will come for you and hell follows him.
Dellosso is definitely on my list of favorite authors and he will always have a permanent spot on my bookshelf.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes