Horror Books

Having seen both of the previous movies (The Mummy & The Mummy Returns), I decided to buy the book - The Mummy: The Tomb of the Dragon Emperor and found it a rather enjoyable read. The book starts off in The Dragon Emperor's day and shows the reader what sort of man he was. The next chapter moves to the current day. The book is filled with the action in the typical style of The Mummy. While reading it, I found that I was able to visualise the characters who had been in the The Mummy movies saying the dialogue and the manner in which they say it (such as Rick & Evy O'Connell and Evy's brother Jonathon). After reading The Mummy: The Tomb of the Dragon Emperor I can't wait until the movie is released here in Australia (September 11).

It is an epic story. It has a lot of action and adventure. But it takes place in China in 1946. Overall it gives us the kind of story we want. Brendan Fraser and Jet Li who play the main characters in the movie will make it a big hit. I look forward to seeing it. But why did it take so long for it to come to life?

I loved the first book and was not disappointed with its follow up; a vampire romance for people that love their men strong and their women sassy.

When I first saw this book,I have to admit, I was very curious about it. The majority of the reviews had nothing but positive feedback on it, so I decided to take a chance and buy the book.

Not exactly one of my smartest purchases.

The plot was good, but there was way too much sex in it. Okay, so the first few sex-scenes did help further the plot, but the rest of them were completely unnecessary. They were just there to fill some space in the book because the author obviously was having some writers block. Not only were there too many pointless sex scenes, but the descriptions in each lacked originality, i.e. the same phrases were used (Heat pooled low in her belly... licked, titillated, etc.) It got to be boring.

Also, the characters were lacking in depth. It was all dialogue, and the parts when the characters were thinking were in dialogue as well! You never got to really understand them as characters... Those of you who have read the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer, or even the Harry Potter novels by J.K. Rowling, will understand what I mean when I say this.

Overall, this was not a memorable novel. It definitely had the potential to be a very good read, but this was somehow lost in the translation along the way.

Loved the plot, great excitment,, just too much sex. I love a good love plot as much as anybody, but this book was lost in it. I was disappointed in the amount of time spent on the sex. I think the book could have been a 5 if she would have left most of that out and just went with the great plot she started.

I really liked this book alot...it took a few chapters for me to really get into it...but then I really enjoyed it (read through it in two hours)...the only thing is that it is a bit graphic as far as sexual content goes...so if you are not offended by books that a bit graphic then it is good...if you are offended by graphic books, I would suggest not to read it...or if you do, be fore-warned.

This is not an original story (the heroine seeks out the vampire-hero as he is the only one who can help her avenge the death of a loved one. She is young, feisty and has nothing to lose except her quest. He is sinister, forbidding and hides a tortured soul riddled with self-blame. She is the only woman he has truly desired in almost a millenia. The shadows of both their pasts threaten both the quest and their eternal happiness) but it's an old favorite.
What made it impossible for me to finish this book were the constant cliches in the language, in every twist of the plot (I don't want to spoil the story, but of course the heroine has a vulnerable friend she would do anything to protect...) and in the characters, who, despite being stereotypes, could still have been made real with some original quirks and great dialogue.
I stuck with it almost to the end, but it became very drawn-out and I found that by the third - or was it the fourth? - battle with the villain, I really didn't care what happened to any of them and abandoned it.

It's hard to believe that this came from the mind and hands of Neil Gaiman. There is simply nothing here of any interest. It's been said in other reviews here that this simply suffers from comparison with Neil's better offerings, but I think this would fare poorly no matter who the author was. There is little mood, little characterization beyond obvious cliches, no atmosphere, no build up, no pay off. You will not be changed in any way after reading this, other than to have lost some of the time of your life.

This character from the Sandman series is not anywhere as good as the Sandman series. My advice - stick with the Sandman books.

Since Hazel has long been my favorite character in Sandman (yes, even over Death) I was happy to see a book starring her.

Her story arc shows that in her quiet, insecure way, Hazel is still loyal and even noble, and smart about the things which matter most. So I read and re-read my favorite Hazel moments, such as when she points out, to Foxglove's amazement, that they both really know what love is, or when Hazel tells Death (who is listening in a kindly older sister fashion) about protecting the memory of that first romantic moment. (It seems to me that the healing power of Hazel's devotion usually doesn't work as well in real life as it does here, but I do like a good story.)

If you are not a fan of Hazel or the Hazel/Foxglove relationship this is not for you. While I enjoyed it very much I would not give this to anyone not already familiar with Sandman.

I had to deduct a star for the title of this book and its companion: Death, the High Cost of Living and Death, the Time of Your Life, are so interchangeable that there are reviews here on Amazon for the opposite book. A title should help us remember what the story is about, and these only confuse. And I much prefer this one.

So I'll go find it and read it again soon.

I wasn't particularly impressed with "Death: The High Cost Of Living", which is the prequel to this book. The only reason I read this sequel is that I purchased both at the same time. Actually, I wound out liking this "Death" book better than the first, though it is less about Death and more about living.

Death has a little more power in this book, and is not as silly or giddy as before. Taking the side characters Foxglove and Hazel from "THCOL" and centering on them, this book continues with Foxglove's career taking off at a phenomenal pace. Hazel's baby Alvie is now born, and Hazel stays at home while Foxglove is out making appearances and records. On top of which, Foxglove has been advised by her manager not to reveal the nature of her lesbian relationship with Hazel.

But unknown to Foxglove, Hazel has made a deal with Death in her attempt to save Alvie's life. Foxglove is now not only going to have to choose between her family and her career, but also between life and death.

Three stars is still as high as I can go for this tale, and that is purely out of respect for Neil Gaimen. In all honesty, I dislike "touchy-feelie" books and this one has "syrup" written all over it, along with more cheesy song lyrics to be subjected to trying to finish the storyline. Gaimen's other works are much better, and if you like his books and his Sandman series, save these little "Death" graphic novels for last. They are not worthy of his other works and should be purchased only to fill in the holes in your collections.

You see, it's not that this is a mediocre work - it's definitely above average (hence the 3 out of 5 star rating) - it's just that we've been spoiled silly by the brilliant standard of writing, plotting, philosophy and character that Neil Gaiman so generously gave us through the epic run of his, 'Sandman,' series and when we come across a spin-off graphic novel that doesn't quite live up to that standard, of course we're going to be just a wee bit disappointed. With that being said, if you were a fan of the, 'Sandman,' series then you certainly dug the character of Death, and with that of course you have to read this volume as well. While the artwork is brilliant throughout (almost taking on a japanese manga look at times) the writing, sadly, just isn't quite up to snuff. Still, it's a slim enough book to make breezing through quite an effortless and pleasing experience.

Took me a while to pick this one up & I'm glad I did! The characters and relationships are fleshed out well as is the interesting setting. Felix's world is modern Britain, with the twist that an inexplicable shift has occurred around the millennium and ghosts and the risen dead linger on, commonly appearing to the living, generally in the vicinity of the site of their deaths or burial ground. Other forms of supernatural beings make an appearance in the world as well. Felix is an exorcist; a nonreligious sensitive who can banish the ghosts, but he hasn't quite mapped out his beliefs about the process & the ethics of his work. In The Devil You Know, Felix takes on a seemingly simple job of banishing a surprisingly violent ghost in an archival museum. But something bothers Felix about the case, and his investigations into the ghost's actions turn into a suspenseful race to solve the mystery of the ghost's death -- before Felix himself is murdered! Fans of somewhat dark &/or noir supernatural series like Charlie Huston's vampire "Joe Pitt", Cherie Priest's "Eden Moore", and Charlaine Harris' Grave Sight should give this one a try.

Mike Carey has written one of the most original paranormal-thrillers I've ever come across, and done so in a humorous way that will have you turning pages far into the night...and then looking over your shoulder to see if something is watching you.

Highly entertaining!

(If this plot summary leaves you longing for more, please read one of the earlier reviews!)

I had not read anything by the author and did not know what to expect...A pleasant surprise. First of all, Felix is a hoot! He is an exorcist detective with a rip-roaring, sense of British humor and a supporting caste of psychic and undead friends. Down on his luck, he takes on the exorcism of a young woman's ghost in a British archive. Meet the not so dull archivists and the adventure begins. Felix can't just bust the ghost and collect the fee. No, there is more to this haunting than just an ancient lovelorn spirit tied to some postcards or books. The plot is NOT predictable, laced with the real and unreal. Felix jumps out of windows, risks life and limb, uses his sixth sense and has a fling. Definitely not a typical spook story. The ending...well, the living collide with the supernatural and justice prevails, kinda. Plan on reading the second book in the series.

I had looked at this book a few times either on Amazon or in Barnes & Noble and passed it up every time. I'm so glad I finally picked it up! This is one heck of a well written, interesting, fast moving and exciting story. It could be categorized as horror but not in the King, Koontz, Keene sense. "The Devil You Know" is a noirish detective story (the "detective" being an exorcist) with a supernatural background. There are ghosts and demons but they are played off more as just regular everyday occurences in the London where the novel takes place. Snappy dialogue, eccentric characters and the quick pace make this one a winner!

Having just read "The Devil You Know", I had a hard time waiting for the novel to live up to the incredible blurbs - i.e. "be prepared to stay up all night", etc. Unfortunately for me, it never comes close to the hype.

The characters are thin (the lead, Felix Castor, is downright annoying) and the scares are minimal to non-existent. This is a novel in search of an identity - horror? black-comedy? thriller? action?

The only reason I gave more than 2 stars is that the book had such a feel of wanting to be a graphic novel - and this is the format it should have been released in. Carey already pens the "Lucifer" and "Hellblazer" comic series and the jump to novel form does not make any sense. He is not a strong enough writer to create engaging characters in this format - his characters are crying out for animation!

I wish him well - but hope he goes back permanently to his comic origins.

i've tried for years to get my now 12 yr old son to read regularly, and it was not until he found this series that he truly discovered a passion for reading. he has already completed this series (in the summer! when he does not HAVE TO read) and is now onto the demon series. i only hope cirque du freak did not really end. :(

I am a middle school teacher and bought these books because my students began reading them. I work at an inner city school where getting students to read can be a challenge. They are constantly checked out, and the kids really enjoy them.

I personally love the Cirque Du freak series and all Of Darren Shan's other work. He does an extraordinary job leaving the reader entertained and anxious for the next book.It aims for teenagers so other older ages wont be as satisfied as the younger ones. ( Although I know that many younger readers read this series as well.. so w.e. It all depends on you.. and what you like.) Not many authors can succesfully quench your thirst everytime you get to the next book in just any series. As an obsessed reader/book worm..I should know. These last four books that are in this set are one of my favorite, so I hope you enjoy it as I've had.( Warning: The last book that will wrap up the story is a depressing and touching one, may cause tears;/)

When you're an average guy, suddenly trying to save a diminishing world from destruction...and oh by the way, some really nasty people are now after you, because you've put yourself between them and their goal..
The core of the story, a quote from the book, "What can be imagined, need never be lost."
Great book...great story...variety of intriguing and opposing characters...great world building...lots of action and twists and turns..

The writer has demonstrated the ability to something that is truly unique in literature, He takes the classic story of good fighting against evil and is able to give a unique and riveting insight. He creates an entirely new world which has been woven into a rug, The inhaiants of this wrld once shared their world with the human race. As the humans grew in size, the Seerkind were forced to flee from one place to anoher. In their new homes, they were able to weav their magic spells or raptures and, when danger was upon them, they returned to the Weave. There are numerous characters in this book and it is not always to keep track of them as they appeae to drop in and out of the narrative. Although this book is mot in one of my favorite genres, U am able to appreciate the ork done by the writer.

The book is exactly as referenced. Further, this is one of the best books I have ever read. If you like Stephen King and the Dark Tower series you will also like this book....awesome fantasy work

This is the best book I have ever read. In my opinion it's even better than Lord of the Rings.

WEAVEWORLD BY CLIVE BARKER: A relatively early book in Clive Barker's career when he was still living in England, it is set within his hometown of Liverpool. Starting out seemingly normal with normal people, it immediately jumps to the mundane and insane. Weaveworld is a book that will delight, appall, horrify, and leave you thinking about the meaning of place and belonging somewhere.

The main character, Cal Mooney, is a person going nowhere fast in a dead-end job, until he comes into contact with this large rolled up carpet that is being moved from a house. Gazing into its intricate patterns, he sees more at work here, and discovers paradise for the first time. As the book develops and more characters are added, he discovers that the magically collected designs within the carpet is what is known as The Fugue: an ancient civilization and people who have lived since the beginning of existence but over time, after cohabiting with humanity, have lost numbers and suffered destruction. Over a hundred years ago The Fugue, using magic, picked the best pieces of their world and their people and wrapped themselves into the design of the carpet, safe and protected, until they will have a safer place to live in the future. Guardians were appointed over time to protect The Fugue, but now they are all gone. The Fugue's greatest enemy, The Scourge, was a menace while they were living in the world, but now lies dormant while they are in the carpet. That is until they are freed and begin to change the world around them; old enemies come out of the woodwork, and Mooney, along with the daughter of one of the guardians, Suzanna Parish, must work to protect and save The Fugue before it is too late. While not every question is fully answered, or every problem resolved, the book is still an incredible journey.

If you haven't read Clive Barker before, Weaveworld is the perfect introductory novel to his language, his incredible imagination, and horrors you never thought possible.
[...]

If you're interested in this third installment of the Battle Royale saga you have read the first two as well. It's just as good. Action, melodrama and unexpected twists are your part again in this volume.

If you are a John Saul reader, you don't need a review. You already know how good he is. If you are not a reader already, then get this book and get started. You will be hooked like the rest of us already are.

I thought this book was interesting and it had some elements of suspense but overall I was not into it as I have been with other John Saul books.
I felt like the characters were too stupid and that just made me hate them and not care for them.
I almost didn't finish reading it. It was a good book but not a great one.

Very predictable and a very stupid ending.

"The Unloved" (though unoriginally named and oftentimes confused with his other book, "The Unwanted"--what next, "The Unneeded"?) is a pretty good thriller by John Saul, though it doesn't fit his typical supernatural fare. This one takes place on a South Carolina family plantation (Sea Oaks), which is located on Devereaux Island. It's here that 40-year-old Kevin Devereaux has returned with his wife and two children (15-year-old Julie and 8-year-old Jeff), to visit his cruel, dying mother.

But shortly after their arrival, the grandmother dies, leaving an odd twist in her will that forces them to remain at Sea Oaks or they won't inherit anything. However, that doesn't seem to be a problem, seeing as how someone intends on making sure they cannot leave the island either way--dead or alive.

As one reviewer mentioned, "The Unloved" does have a slight V. C. Andrews/"Flowers in the Attic" feel to it in more ways than one. For starters, Marguerite Devereaux (Kevin's older sister) has an odd similarity to the deceased author--she lives with her elderly mother, is slightly crippled and interested in ballet--not to mention two common threads seen in most V. C. Andrews books: a Southern setting and abusive home life (though none of Andrews' incest exists here; Saul exchanges that for blood and violence).

I did like this book--the setting was particularly descriptive--however, it was rather obvious who the killer was halfway through it, so no major surprise there. Even though it's been years since I've read this book, it's not one I'd necessarily re-read by Saul (unless I was really, really bored)--but it is one I'd recommend to horror fans.

Leave it to gifted voice performer Sandra Burr to deliver an appropriately chilling, suspenseful reading of this enduring tale by a master of the thrillers, John Saul.

On what could be but definitely is not an enchanted island off the South Carolina coast is a once prosperous plantation. It is now inhabited only by the family matriarch, Marguerite Devereaux, and her middle-aged daughter who has discarded her personal dreams to care for the troublesome and sometimes frightening older woman.

Suddenly Marguerite Devereaux summons Kevin, the son she has not seen in many years. Accompanied by his wife and two children he returns for the first time in two decades to see a mother for whom he feels nothing but acrimony.

The older woman had said she was ill, but it begins to appear that was not her real reason for asking Kevin to return.
When Marguerite Devereaux dies a dreadful death long held secrets are revealed which may shatter once tranquil lives forever.

- Gail Cooke

Undead. The very word makes you shudder. Cold, lifeless bodies somehow still moving, running solely on instinct with an all-consuming hunger for human flesh. A horde of walking dead that don't stop clawing at you, don't stop chasing you, don't give up...until they have you.

The Undead's collection of zombie stories is just like that: unrelenting, non-stop, the-dead-keep-on-coming action, nearly each story gripping you hard and sucking you into a world of never-ending night.

Some of the stories in this book are simply exciting tales of flesh-hungry gut-munchers, where others are more atmospheric, and yet others more character-driven than zombie-driven. For me personally, it's the latter that I enjoy most (though I'm never opposed to a good old-fashioned zombie romp either).

My favorite character-driven stories for this anthology were, "Home" by David Moody and "Ann at Twilight" by Brent Zirnheld.

"Chuy and the Fish" by David Wellington is also a huge favorite. So very original, in this reviewer's opinion.

Other cool and well-written tales I thoroughly enjoyed were: "Hotline" by Russell Calhoun, "Graveyard Slot" by Cavan Scott, "13 Ways of Looking at the Living Dead" by Eric Pape, "Undead Prometheus" by Rob Morganbesser and "Pale Moonlight" by D.L. Snell.

There were a few stories that fell short and one in particular that I remember reading and going, "Okay, not really sure what that was supposed to be."

There are three more books in Permuted Press's Undead Anthology series.

They're on my list.

This first volume got me hooked.

This collection should be given a miss, not even really one compelling story among the lot. I have read about half the stories and am a bit disapointed. Anyone want my copy for 5 bucks? :-)

Worth the money and the best of the three. Liked the different takes on the Zed's but the art work was cheesy. With all due respect to the artists it was a distraction to the writing.

Many different genres and styles represented. A great read. It was over much too soon.

I really liked this book. There were a couple of stories I didn't care for, but it really scratched that itch I have for the zombie genre. There needs to be more of these!

This book made my love for Darren Shan's works rise to a level I hold no other author. This is the book I would take with me to that deserted island, I love it that much. The only bad thing was I have not been able to enjoy another book because I keep on thinking how much better this one was.

The thrilling and daring style of Darren Shan has made this book quite the book!!
Cetainly, if I like it you'll like it too.

Surprised as a was this book, the second of the serie, had another main caracther, I got the point. In this book you learn more about the world of the Demonata, through another view.
Like the first one, this book also has a slow start. But once it has started, it never really stops. This just is a great book. Even better than the first!

Demon Thief is about a teenage boy named Kernel Fleck who grew up in a big city with his little brother Art and his mom and dad. One day he wakes up and his brother Art is missing. Then a portal opens up above his bed and a demon appears and kidnaps him. The next day he reappears in his bed with his brother Art. His parents are so scared they flee the city with Kernel and Art, moving to a small country town far away from the big city.

When school starts in the town, Kernel has to go whether he wants to or not. Shortly after school starts, his parents decide to leave on vacation, leaving Kernel and his brother with a neighbor. One day when he's at school an old woman shows up and summons a portal to the Demonata universe, unleashing demons upon the school children. One of the demons steals Art and runs back into the Demonata, forcing Kernel to chase after him.

Once Kernel lands in the Demonata he finds a group of humans calling themselves "The Disciples." They are demon hunters and Kernel must join forces with them to find his little brother Art. Shortly after entering the Demonata, he notices he has certain powers. One of them is being able to open a portal any where at any time to any place using floating light fragments that only he and a few other people can see.

Kernel and the Disciples chase the demon that has Art all the way to a castle in the Demonata. When they get there a demon master comes out to meet them. A demon master is a king of demons and is more powerful than a normal demon. This demon master is called Lord Loss and he says that for Kernel to get his brother back, Kernel must find out the name of the demon thief who stole Art.

Lord Loss teleports Kernel, and a few of the Disciples, into a giant maze where Kernel must find the demon thief, and find out his true name. Kernel finds the demon thief and guesses his name, but he guesses wrong. Lord Loss reveals the demon thief's true name: "Kernel." Kernel had stolen Art from the Demonata, while Kernel was asleep, because he wanted a brother, but Art is really a demon.

Kernel goes home to find out that his parents have moved on and tried to forget about Kernel leaving. But when Kernel shows up, they don't know how to deal with it. So soon after Kernel's reappearance his parents hint that they don't want him, and that they wish he had never come back. So Kernel takes the hint and leaves to go back to the leader of the Disciples. The leader tells Kernel that Kernel is one of the pieces that make up the Kah-Gash. The Kah-Gash is the one weapon powerful enough to destroy the demons forever.

Still a marvelous book, Demon Theif catches the minds, ears, and eyes of many readers. Amazing details shows the action, and you can hear the anger and hatred in the book. You feel lonely when the characters do, and you pee your pants when your scared. This book was awesome, and DO NOT SKIP THIS BOOK IF YOU READ THE DEMONATA, ITS REALLY GOOD.