Even more, this is the first book that I've
ever "Not wanted to put down." Part One of this book sucked me in,
sank its gargoyle fangs into my neck, and wouldn't let me stop reading until I
reached Part Two. Really, I read that whole first chunk (also probably because
there are no “official” chapter breaks) in one evening/night. Though, it
might’ve been the fact that I couldn’t stop chewing my already nubbins of
fingernails down even further.
I loved the tone, right from the get go. It
felt like a well-versed tribute to the horror genres of old. It felt like a
“thinking man’s” horror story, and that’s what pushes it above and beyond a
regular “scary” story—especially with all the film references. I was giddy with
all the allusions and footnotes and explanations peppered throughout the novel.
Each new note either made me feel smart for already knowing the reference, or if
I didn’t know what the hell Jones was talking about, then I liked learning the
explanations.
Film nerdiness aside, the fast-pace,
playfulness, frightening moments, and the twisting of basic horror-genre tropes
dug their claws deeper into my “Don’t put this book down” impulse. The pace
helped keep that sensation alive, too. The novel clips along at a wonderful
pace but still doesn’t forget to take the time for a few jokes—some darker than
others, but always amusing. And Jones pays tribute to
and pulls from every film out there, while at the same time builds something
very original—and something that I would love to see hit the big screen in the
full, trilogy form (though that might take away from that “thinking man” feel.)
Basically, if you’re into horror, you need to
read this book. And if you simply like a scary story, then this is just as much
for you. I’ll admit, I don’t normally read much by way of horror or scary
stories—and I hardly watch many such films anymore—but if more folks wrote like
Jones, then I’d be more than willing to wade through all the blood and gore.
