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blklagoon's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Medical content, Ableism, Abortion, Cursing, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, Child death, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, and Death
Minor: Self harm
canada_matt's review against another edition
dark
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Having recently discovered the writing of Graham Masterton, I eagerly continued this dark and twisted series. He uses a chilling horror genre and mixes in the perfect dose of police procedural to keep me reading well into the night as I wonder what lurks in the coming pages. A member of a sewage inspection team goes missing underground, only to reappear without legs or eyes. His colleagues are sure they saw something, but cannot put it into words. Meanwhile, multiple women are turning up with odd foetuses inside them, claiming not to have been pregnant. What begins as a mystery, soon has DC Jerry Pardoe and DS Jamila Patel working new angles to discover what freaking phenomena might be taking place. Masterton does it again, pulling me in as he offers up some of the darkest writing I have read in years!
When called to the scene of a sewer issue, the maintenance team decides to investigate. While they find what they expect, a build-up of fat suppositories, there is something else, almost eerie, that awaits them. When one of the team goes missing underground, the others can only listen to the freakishly loud screams he makes, but cannot locate him. This will mean calling in the authorities, who are just as baffled.
Meanwhile, women around Tooting are developing awful abdominal pains and end up at the hospital. Even more confusing is the fact that ultrasounds show that they are pregnant, while none of them can understand why. Some vow chastity of late, while others purport to have terminated pregnancies in the recent past. What makes it even more baffling is the horrific state of these foetuses on the scans; malformed and looking more horrific than can be put into words. When they are analysed, these foetuses begin taking on a life of their own, attacking others and killing them for no apparent reason. Those who witness the attacks speak of smelling lemon and smoke, as well as seeing some hooded woman who appears as an apparition and speaks of ‘nestlings’.
Brought back together after their unique investigation the yer before, DC Jerry Pardoe and DS Jamila Patel try to make sense out of it all, only to be more baffled than anything. The sewage maintenance worker is found, legless and without eyes, speaking of some demon he saw before being attacked. More women have these odd foetuses within them and there does not seem to be a logical answer.
It is only when piecing together some of the odd ramblings that the police discover a few old maps that could speak some truth to what has been going on. Could these foetuses be symbolic of something larger? DC Pardoe and DS Patel will have to find some answers or Tooting could again be overrun by some spirits that take no prisoners, leaving only death and destruction.
Graham Masterton proves himself to be more than your average horror writer, tapping into deeper and more complex ideas, while leaving the reader transfixed in a state of something not easily put into words. There is an obvious horror theme that offered needed chills, alongside a well-developed police procedural to keep the reader entertained and seeking answers. The narrative flows with such ease that some of the supernatural aspects are less sci-fi than part of the larger, gory, underlying theme needed to keep the story from getting too sing-song. Great characters provide glimpses into the various aspects of intended message, some dark and others highly relatable to the reader. Masterton does not hold back at all, providing the reader with just what they need in a story that offers subtle and oft direct messages about societal values and ethnic sentiments.
The protagonist roles are again filled by DC Jerry Pardoe and DS Jamila Patel. While they work well together, both have their own backstories and development that will likely appeal to the reader. There are moments of personal growth and connection between them, but it is their police work that takes centre stage throughout. Working the case in their own ways, both bring unique skills to the table and use those to crack the case wide open. The reader will likely want to pay attention to some of the underlying comments made throughout, as it helps see the connection these two have, even if they are not usually working alongside one another. Others who grace the pages of the book offer great contrast and will likely be useful for the reader who wants a well-rounded read.
Graham Masterton does not seek to use gore for the sake of reaction, but weaves it into the middle of the story to develop an effective plot that pushes forward. The narrative clips along with ease, though nothing is as smooth as one might expect, especially with such disturbing aspects that appear in almost every chapter. The characters play their roles well, offering the reader insight into the depth of depravity needed to impact the story effectively. There are spine-chilling moments, but also much to be learned from those who play their role well. Plot twists occur regularly and keep the reader from being able to predict too much, though there are times when things get a little over the top, even for me. I often found myself wondering how well this book would translate into a movie of the horror genre, though there are times I worry it might get a little too over the top. Masterton offers some decent historical references and social commentary for the reader to consider, something I will not reveal here, as it is part and parcel of the overall reading experience. I cannot wait to get started on the latest novel, which I can only hope will be as exciting as these last two.
Kudos, Mr. Masterton, for this unique reading experience. You never cease to amaze me and I hope your fan base counties to grow!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
brittanyfrost's review
5.0
I really liked this one; it was a lot of fun! It definitely kept my attention and kept me wanting more (which has been hard to find lately). It wasn’t disgustingly gory (IMO), and it was so friggin weird. I mean, the description of some of these things are... just... wow. Loved it!
etakloknok's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
samanthapearl's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
First I have to say, this book will not be for everybody. In The Children God Forgot women are turning up with impossible pregnancies. When the babies are removed via cesarean section they are severely malformed and incredibly alive. And things just get weird from there.
While I found this book to be a little long, it was still interesting enough. There were a lot of things happening throughout the book that kept my attention. I didn't find it to be as scary as I anticipated however, it did have a few creepy moments. The story line was very dark and incredibly unique.
As I previously stated, this book won't be for everybody but if you want something that is dark, twisted, and weird this could be something for you.
Strong trigger warnings for abortion and miscarriage.
First I have to say, this book will not be for everybody. In The Children God Forgot women are turning up with impossible pregnancies. When the babies are removed via cesarean section they are severely malformed and incredibly alive. And things just get weird from there.
While I found this book to be a little long, it was still interesting enough. There were a lot of things happening throughout the book that kept my attention. I didn't find it to be as scary as I anticipated however, it did have a few creepy moments. The story line was very dark and incredibly unique.
As I previously stated, this book won't be for everybody but if you want something that is dark, twisted, and weird this could be something for you.
Strong trigger warnings for abortion and miscarriage.
melissalynne81's review against another edition
4.0
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I am a fan of Graham Masterton since reading his Katie Maguire series, and this book did not disappoint. This book was creepy and dark. I love the different perspectives, it made the book move fast. I love a good horror book and this was perfect for a cold night in.
Would definitely recommend to horror fans, especially supernatural horror fans.
I am a fan of Graham Masterton since reading his Katie Maguire series, and this book did not disappoint. This book was creepy and dark. I love the different perspectives, it made the book move fast. I love a good horror book and this was perfect for a cold night in.
Would definitely recommend to horror fans, especially supernatural horror fans.
kaz_loves_books's review against another edition
5.0
Chiasoka was driving her car when she almost crashed with a bus due to agonising pains in her stomach. A woman kindly called an ambulance to take her hospital. Once there and the hospital had done the tests, she was informed about being pregnant. She said she couldn’t be, she’d had an abortion and it had been successful. They all agreed to terminate the pregnancy but when the doctors saw the baby open its lovely blue eyes, they just couldn’t kill it. They put the baby into an incubator in a separate room with a nurse monitoring it. When Dr Macleod took Professor Karounis to check on the baby it was missing from the incubator. The nurse had left it alone so a search of the building was made and CCTV checked to see who could have been near that wing, with no luck. They had to bring the police in to investigate.
Gemma, worked as an engineer in the sewers for Crane’s Drains and usually loved it.
Only she had felt spooked after seeing a child-like face peering down at her earlier when she was in the sewer, Newton hadn’t seen it. When Martin arrived, he joined the team going into the sewer for a look himself at the fatberg. Their helmet lights gave off enough light to work with. They found a severed woman’s hand in the fatberg and Martin said the police had to be called. He asked Newton to take a few pictures and then, ping, all their helmet lights went out. They turn to leave the sewer, Gemma catches a glimpse of white in the distance, it’s a child-like thing floating towards them, then there’s more of them. It then goes pitchblack while the team are being attacked and their helmets are being torn off. The team tries to make their way back to the sewer opening. They then realise Martin is missing. They call the police. MIT decided this is a case for their crime busting time of DC Jerry Pardoe and DS Jamila Patel.
I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Had me hooked from the start and I just couldn’t put the book down. I like both Jerry and Jamila and would like to see them again. They work well together. It was a great story. This is true horror! One of Masterton’s best that I have read.
Gemma, worked as an engineer in the sewers for Crane’s Drains and usually loved it.
Only she had felt spooked after seeing a child-like face peering down at her earlier when she was in the sewer, Newton hadn’t seen it. When Martin arrived, he joined the team going into the sewer for a look himself at the fatberg. Their helmet lights gave off enough light to work with. They found a severed woman’s hand in the fatberg and Martin said the police had to be called. He asked Newton to take a few pictures and then, ping, all their helmet lights went out. They turn to leave the sewer, Gemma catches a glimpse of white in the distance, it’s a child-like thing floating towards them, then there’s more of them. It then goes pitchblack while the team are being attacked and their helmets are being torn off. The team tries to make their way back to the sewer opening. They then realise Martin is missing. They call the police. MIT decided this is a case for their crime busting time of DC Jerry Pardoe and DS Jamila Patel.
I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Had me hooked from the start and I just couldn’t put the book down. I like both Jerry and Jamila and would like to see them again. They work well together. It was a great story. This is true horror! One of Masterton’s best that I have read.
annarella's review
5.0
A highly entertaining, weird and creepy story that kept me hooked.
I loved the world building, the fleshed out characters and the tightly knitted plot.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
I loved the world building, the fleshed out characters and the tightly knitted plot.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
barnsey's review against another edition
4.0
I always start a review of any Graham Masterton book with a little of my own (ancient) history. During the 1980s my teenage years were spent devouring Masterton's horror novels. School homework? Pfft, what school homework?! I loved getting my hands on anything he'd written. As he has aged so have I. Now, almost 40 years later, I feel immensely nostalgic whenever a new Masterton book is published.
Well, what can I say except that this was one crazy bizarre read! Malformed foetuses are hopping from womb to womb. Yes, you heard me right! Imagine going to bed and sensing movement underneath the bedcovers. Suddenly you're wide awake fighting off a spider-like creature with an oversized cherubic baby's head. As if that's not terrifying enough, it's creeping up your legs trying to burrow itself inside you, EEK!
I really enjoyed this book, the second in the series featuring DC Jerry Pardoe and DS Jamila Patel. It was such a fun read with likeable characters. Yes, it was gory and definitely not for the fainthearted but those of us who've grown up reading twisted 1980s horror will love it.
Set in multi-cultural London, it contained a fair amount of British humour which lightened the mood — there were moments when I literally couldn't stop laughing at the sheer craziness! It was outrageously entertaining and I do hope a third book is in the pipeline.
Book Source: Review copy from the publisher
Read my review on my blog: https://bit.ly/2LTuoxO
Well, what can I say except that this was one crazy bizarre read! Malformed foetuses are hopping from womb to womb. Yes, you heard me right! Imagine going to bed and sensing movement underneath the bedcovers. Suddenly you're wide awake fighting off a spider-like creature with an oversized cherubic baby's head. As if that's not terrifying enough, it's creeping up your legs trying to burrow itself inside you, EEK!
I really enjoyed this book, the second in the series featuring DC Jerry Pardoe and DS Jamila Patel. It was such a fun read with likeable characters. Yes, it was gory and definitely not for the fainthearted but those of us who've grown up reading twisted 1980s horror will love it.
Set in multi-cultural London, it contained a fair amount of British humour which lightened the mood — there were moments when I literally couldn't stop laughing at the sheer craziness! It was outrageously entertaining and I do hope a third book is in the pipeline.
Book Source: Review copy from the publisher
Read my review on my blog: https://bit.ly/2LTuoxO
wellwortharead's review against another edition
4.0
There is a lot going on in this book. Mysterious pregnancies, murderous mutant fetuses, deformed children skulking through sewers clogged with body parts. I think this is the craziest story I have read in quite some time, but I don't mean that in a bad way. Oh and there's a witch, lets not forget the witch. There are characters in this book from a previous novel "Ghost Virus" which I believe I described as gruesome gore fest of a story but you don't need to have read that to get onto the wild ride of The Children God Forgot. I am pretty good with handling gore but the graphic descriptions of what went on in the sewer had me holding my breath and trying not to suffocate.
I received an advance copy for review.
I received an advance copy for review.