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dynahthirst's review against another edition
The writing was really scattered and hard to follow. The editing was poorly done. The characters were pretentious and ridiculous. The plot was boring. Abandoned!
charshorrorcorner's review against another edition
5.0
What an incredible read!
I've loved the work of Jack Ketchum ever since I read his book The Girl Next Door. In The Secret Life of Souls Jack teams up once again with Lucky McKee and together, they knock this one right out of the park.
The Cross family is as dysfunctional as they come. Pat and Bart, (mom and dad), are busy trying to make their daughter Delia a star and her brother Robbie is mostly ignored. The family dog Caity more or less belongs to Delia alone, and it doesn't take long for the reader to discover that Delia and Caity have a special connection. Caity lives to serve the Cross family, but other than Delia and Robbie, they don't deserve this loyal dog. I'm going to leave off the plot here because this story should be absorbed as the authors intended, not interpreted by a lowly blogger like me.
This book is fast paced and well written. These authors know how to pull on your heart strings and they are not afraid to do so. The characters of the Cross family are so well developed but the more you get to know them-well, you'll see. The dog, though? The dog is the star of this show, and with portions of the story from Caity's point of view, it is no mystery how she's feeling. Many times I found myself wishing I could reach out and pet Caity and call her a good girl. (Who's a good girl, Caity? You are!)
I'm not sure this is a horror story, though parts of it are certainly horrific. What it is for sure though, is a fantastic novel that takes the reader through the full spectrum of emotions: from full blown happiness to acute sadness and all the stops in between. This may even be my favorite book of the year so far. The more I turn it over in my mind, the more sure I am that it will be.
Highly recommended for everyone, but most especially to dog lovers. I think you'll adore The Secret Life of Souls.
You can buy your copy here: The Secret Life of Souls: A Novel
*Thanks to Net Galley and Pegasus Books for the free e-arc of this book in exchange for my honest review. This is it.*
Find this review and others like it at HorrorAfterDark.com.
I've loved the work of Jack Ketchum ever since I read his book The Girl Next Door. In The Secret Life of Souls Jack teams up once again with Lucky McKee and together, they knock this one right out of the park.
The Cross family is as dysfunctional as they come. Pat and Bart, (mom and dad), are busy trying to make their daughter Delia a star and her brother Robbie is mostly ignored. The family dog Caity more or less belongs to Delia alone, and it doesn't take long for the reader to discover that Delia and Caity have a special connection. Caity lives to serve the Cross family, but other than Delia and Robbie, they don't deserve this loyal dog. I'm going to leave off the plot here because this story should be absorbed as the authors intended, not interpreted by a lowly blogger like me.
This book is fast paced and well written. These authors know how to pull on your heart strings and they are not afraid to do so. The characters of the Cross family are so well developed but the more you get to know them-well, you'll see. The dog, though? The dog is the star of this show, and with portions of the story from Caity's point of view, it is no mystery how she's feeling. Many times I found myself wishing I could reach out and pet Caity and call her a good girl. (Who's a good girl, Caity? You are!)
I'm not sure this is a horror story, though parts of it are certainly horrific. What it is for sure though, is a fantastic novel that takes the reader through the full spectrum of emotions: from full blown happiness to acute sadness and all the stops in between. This may even be my favorite book of the year so far. The more I turn it over in my mind, the more sure I am that it will be.
Highly recommended for everyone, but most especially to dog lovers. I think you'll adore The Secret Life of Souls.
You can buy your copy here: The Secret Life of Souls: A Novel
*Thanks to Net Galley and Pegasus Books for the free e-arc of this book in exchange for my honest review. This is it.*
Find this review and others like it at HorrorAfterDark.com.
lauriereadslohf's review against another edition
5.0
This review and the rest of the crap I write can be seen @ my blog Bark's Book Nonsense . Stop by and say hey.
Having read Ketchum’s work in the past and watching a few of Lucky McKee's films (May is a must-see, btw), I pretty much read this book with my heart in my throat while I waited for the ball to drop on my head and I was not at all disappointed!
This is a not a feel-good story. Don’t let that lovely cover fool you. It is a story about two terrible, self-absorbed, materialistic people who never should’ve had children. But they did. Twins in fact. Now the twins are eleven and Delia, an actress, is their beautiful little money maker. Robbie is basically ignored while their stage mom drags Delia from job to job to keep up with their luxurious lifestyle and to keep herself supplied in alcohol. Dad stays home and buys himself expensive toys.
Ugh, I DESPISE these people. You will too. But you’re supposed to, so don’t feel bad about it. I sure don’t.
Delia’s only friend is her beloved dog Caity who has her own point of view. Caity is an amazing, fully fleshed out character. Their bond is super tight and extraordinary. It is also beautifully written and completely believable. Terrible things happen, as they do in a Ketchum novel, and I’m not going to spoil any of them. Just know that you will cry even if you think you’re too tough for that and when the story ends you will feel raw, as if you’ve been turned inside out and all of your nerve ending are now exposed. But you will not regret reading through the tough bits to get to the unforgettable end. Trust me on this.
I loved this book. Books like this are the reason I keep reading through all of the “meh” one’s. It is absolutely deserving of all five stars. Delia and Caity will forever be in my heart. Now I’ve got to go and hug my dogs before I get all weepy again.
We are here. We together. We are not alone.
This one might require Daryl.
*I received a copy of this book from Netgalley. Thanks Netgalley :)
Having read Ketchum’s work in the past and watching a few of Lucky McKee's films (May is a must-see, btw), I pretty much read this book with my heart in my throat while I waited for the ball to drop on my head and I was not at all disappointed!
This is a not a feel-good story. Don’t let that lovely cover fool you. It is a story about two terrible, self-absorbed, materialistic people who never should’ve had children. But they did. Twins in fact. Now the twins are eleven and Delia, an actress, is their beautiful little money maker. Robbie is basically ignored while their stage mom drags Delia from job to job to keep up with their luxurious lifestyle and to keep herself supplied in alcohol. Dad stays home and buys himself expensive toys.
Ugh, I DESPISE these people. You will too. But you’re supposed to, so don’t feel bad about it. I sure don’t.
Delia’s only friend is her beloved dog Caity who has her own point of view. Caity is an amazing, fully fleshed out character. Their bond is super tight and extraordinary. It is also beautifully written and completely believable. Terrible things happen, as they do in a Ketchum novel, and I’m not going to spoil any of them. Just know that you will cry even if you think you’re too tough for that and when the story ends you will feel raw, as if you’ve been turned inside out and all of your nerve ending are now exposed. But you will not regret reading through the tough bits to get to the unforgettable end. Trust me on this.
I loved this book. Books like this are the reason I keep reading through all of the “meh” one’s. It is absolutely deserving of all five stars. Delia and Caity will forever be in my heart. Now I’ve got to go and hug my dogs before I get all weepy again.
We are here. We together. We are not alone.
This one might require Daryl.
*I received a copy of this book from Netgalley. Thanks Netgalley :)
meowjorie's review against another edition
5.0
This book was such a roller coaster - a thrilling and beautiful roller coaster. It was nothing like I expected it to be, and I honestly think that the labels of "horror" and "psychological thriller" apply very loosely, but it was an excellent drama.
toris_reads's review against another edition
5.0
Every time I pick up a book by Ketchum, I think to myself, "I've read his other stuff, he really can't shock me with this one!" And usually I'm wrong - in this case, I was especially wrong.
Ketchum and McKee are both famous for more gore-tastic, in-your-face kind of horror. So when I grabbed this book, the first 50 pages or so were not at all what I was expecting. It seemed more like a flawed family drama/thriller than anything else. Boy, was I wrong.
The storyline immediately took a turn about two-thirds of the way into the novel (which is, fittingly, split up into three parts) and became not entirely unlike the works of Ketchum and McKee that I was familiar with. However, this book tugged at my heart strings, and horrified me, more than any of the other works I've read/seen by them.
Maybe it's because there was a dog involved, or maybe it's because the plot surrounded children who you only wanted love and protect, but The Secret Life of Souls both mortified and frustrated me in ways that I never knew possible.
While probably not the most shocking works of either authors, this novel was definitely the most realistic - making it by far the most horrifying.
Ketchum and McKee are both famous for more gore-tastic, in-your-face kind of horror. So when I grabbed this book, the first 50 pages or so were not at all what I was expecting. It seemed more like a flawed family drama/thriller than anything else. Boy, was I wrong.
The storyline immediately took a turn about two-thirds of the way into the novel (which is, fittingly, split up into three parts) and became not entirely unlike the works of Ketchum and McKee that I was familiar with. However, this book tugged at my heart strings, and horrified me, more than any of the other works I've read/seen by them.
Maybe it's because there was a dog involved, or maybe it's because the plot surrounded children who you only wanted love and protect, but The Secret Life of Souls both mortified and frustrated me in ways that I never knew possible.
While probably not the most shocking works of either authors, this novel was definitely the most realistic - making it by far the most horrifying.
onewingedpsycho's review
3.0
I don't feel like this was a bad effort, it just wasn't for me I like more gore in my stories and this had a far more cosy mystery vibe.
veereading's review
4.0
This is an advanced copy given to me by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
For a full review, go here: https://veereading.wordpress.com/2016/10/30/the-secret-life-of-souls-by-jack-ketchum-and-lucky-mckee
This book is more than just a heartwarming narrative about a dog and a girl. It is a chilling narrative on how fame and fortune can change family dynamics and lead to disintegration in a minute. I had thought this would be an endearing novel about triumph after tragedy; I had not expected it to be as thrilling and suspenseful as it was. This novel takes multiple genres and weaves them together in a way that is both beautiful and haunting. I don't think I have ever read a novel like this one, and I don't think I ever will. I'm still in awe as to how the authors were able to make this novel so deep and target so many different emotional and psychological feelings in such a perfect way. If you are looking for a unique novel, one unlike anything you have ever read, then please do yourself a favor and go read this one!
For a full review, go here: https://veereading.wordpress.com/2016/10/30/the-secret-life-of-souls-by-jack-ketchum-and-lucky-mckee
This book is more than just a heartwarming narrative about a dog and a girl. It is a chilling narrative on how fame and fortune can change family dynamics and lead to disintegration in a minute. I had thought this would be an endearing novel about triumph after tragedy; I had not expected it to be as thrilling and suspenseful as it was. This novel takes multiple genres and weaves them together in a way that is both beautiful and haunting. I don't think I have ever read a novel like this one, and I don't think I ever will. I'm still in awe as to how the authors were able to make this novel so deep and target so many different emotional and psychological feelings in such a perfect way. If you are looking for a unique novel, one unlike anything you have ever read, then please do yourself a favor and go read this one!
bookertsfarm's review
5.0
This book was beautiful and haunting, yet nasty and disturbing all at the same time. While I loved the writing and the immediate connection I felt with Delia and Caity, I am once again faced with the fact that some of the most horrific "creatures" in horror tales are humans themselves. The story centers around Delia Cross, a child actor, her twin brother Robbie, and her parents Patricia and Bart. Delia has grown up in front of the camera and early on, the reader is quite aware that the family is surviving and making a living off of Delia's talent. Meanwhile, Delia is missing her childhood and is wise beyond her years. Robbie, Delia's twin brother, often feels left out of the family dynamic and he is at the root of a trick which goes horribly wrong and leaves Delia injured and the family struggling now that their "cash cow" can no longer work as she once did. And I mustn't forget Caity! Caity is a 3 year old Queensland Heeler. She is loyal and brave and tolerant. She loves her life, but more importantly, she loves Delia. Originally bought to be Caity and Robbie's first pet, the bond she forms with Caity is immeasurable and by the end of the novel, the reader fully comprehends that the two of them are connected souls. I also felt so badly for Robbie. He is a forgotten child in this dysfunctional family and is probably already smarter than his mother and father put together. The way he acts in the beginning is not out of cruelty, simply out of confusion and I found it extremely easy to forgive him as the book continued.
As I eluded, this book is downright nasty at times. I absolutely could not stand Patricia and Bart. Patricia is clearly trying to be a "stage mom" and fulfill some desire she had to be a famous actor which obviously failed. Bart loves expensive toys and at the best of times, is totally clueless about what goes on in his household. Being a dog lover, there were parts of this book which were hard for me to stomach. However, I don't think the author's should have changed a thing because everything that happens is integral to the story and makes the end that much more satisfying.
It's hard to talk about this book and not give anything away. I didn't know a whole lot about the plot when I started reading and I think it's almost better to go into it that way. If you are a dog lover, you simply mist rush out to the nearest store and grab a copy when it is released November 8th. I always believed that dogs were 4-legged miracles and Caity definitely fits that description.
I received a beautiful copy of "The Secret Life of Souls" from Pegasus in exchange for an honest review.
As I eluded, this book is downright nasty at times. I absolutely could not stand Patricia and Bart. Patricia is clearly trying to be a "stage mom" and fulfill some desire she had to be a famous actor which obviously failed. Bart loves expensive toys and at the best of times, is totally clueless about what goes on in his household. Being a dog lover, there were parts of this book which were hard for me to stomach. However, I don't think the author's should have changed a thing because everything that happens is integral to the story and makes the end that much more satisfying.
It's hard to talk about this book and not give anything away. I didn't know a whole lot about the plot when I started reading and I think it's almost better to go into it that way. If you are a dog lover, you simply mist rush out to the nearest store and grab a copy when it is released November 8th. I always believed that dogs were 4-legged miracles and Caity definitely fits that description.
I received a beautiful copy of "The Secret Life of Souls" from Pegasus in exchange for an honest review.