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A review by caitlinxmartin
Iron House by John Hart
4.0
Who doesn't love a story about orphanages or reform schools - those places where children are hidden away from sight, where Lord of the Flies-style children's societies form, where adults are often the worst enemy? They're like stories about asylums, full of that sense of Gothic danger.
Iron House manages to successfully combine Gothic elements within an action-type thriller. The story is well-paced, full of twists and turns, and hits all the high notes for its genre. Almost too good to be true (but not quite), Michael and his brother, Julian, are survivors of an orphanage. Damaged in different ways, but still bound together by blood and history. Michael survives by becoming a pragmatic, dispassionate killer; Julian, by retreating into madness, circling and circling for the door that will take him to a better place. Separated by years their worlds collide when Michael's mentor, a legendarily ruthless mob boss, dies leaving Michael vulnerable to his mentor's son who considers him an intolerable threat. As much as this is a thriller, it is also a story about love, forgiveness, and finding your way to home and redemption.
Yes, parts of this are improbable and yes, some of it is predictable, but it is always thrilling, always compelling, and continually delightful in the twists on genre traditions. One of the best thrillers I've read all year. Highly recommended for readers who need a roller coaster ride.
Iron House manages to successfully combine Gothic elements within an action-type thriller. The story is well-paced, full of twists and turns, and hits all the high notes for its genre. Almost too good to be true (but not quite), Michael and his brother, Julian, are survivors of an orphanage. Damaged in different ways, but still bound together by blood and history. Michael survives by becoming a pragmatic, dispassionate killer; Julian, by retreating into madness, circling and circling for the door that will take him to a better place. Separated by years their worlds collide when Michael's mentor, a legendarily ruthless mob boss, dies leaving Michael vulnerable to his mentor's son who considers him an intolerable threat. As much as this is a thriller, it is also a story about love, forgiveness, and finding your way to home and redemption.
Yes, parts of this are improbable and yes, some of it is predictable, but it is always thrilling, always compelling, and continually delightful in the twists on genre traditions. One of the best thrillers I've read all year. Highly recommended for readers who need a roller coaster ride.