NOS4R2 by Joe HillMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Time taken to read - on and off for 8 days
Publisher - Gollancz
Blurb from Goodreads
Summer. Massachusetts.
An old Silver Wraith with a frightening history. A story about one serial killer and his lingering, unfinished business.
Anyone could be next.
We're going to Christmasland...
NOS4A2 is an old-fashioned horror novel in the best sense. Claustrophobic, gripping and terrifying, this is a story that will have you on the edge of the seat while you read, and leaving the lights on while you sleep. With the horrific tale of Charles Manx and his Silver Wraith, Joe Hill has established himself as the premiere horror and supernatural thriller writer of his generation.
My Review
Imagine meeting a guy who prays on children in a way you couldn't begin to imagine. Charles Manx, travels to a place of his own making, Christmasland, where children can never be "harmed". In doing so he feeds off them and they are transformed into a shadow of their former self. With his Rolls royce Wraith, he is kept "younger" than his years and death awaits anyone who trys to stop him. He encounters a young Victoria McQueen who has the ability to travel as he does but it effects her differently and she, as a child helps those around her. Manx and Victoria "battle" and it seems young Victoria is triumphant and Manx is "dealt with".
Fast forward to the present, Vic is a grown up with scars of what happened in her past. She has destructive behaviour, addictions and a child of her own. Manx doesn't forget and soon Victoria has to face evil once again or risk losing her son, forever.
This is a great read, it took me back to my childhood to when I first discovered Stephen King. The writing pulls you in and creates a world where good and evil exist and the normal people have to rise up to the occasion.
Some of the chapters interlink, one end in an open sentence with ends with the title of the next chapter. I thought that was quite well done and I hadn't come across it before. The chapters were fairly short(ish) in length which is also good when you need to put the book down often to keep on top of a busy schedule. Overall I really enjoyed it, the ending packs quit a punch too which is always a good thing. 4/5 for me this time and I will definitely seek out more by this author.
View all my reviews
It sound's really good , great review :)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds so good - I have heard lots of people saying how much they liked it. Only problem is, I don't feel I can read it now that Christmas has gone! I know it's not an especially 'festive' book but it wouldn't feel right reading about Christmasland at any other time of year. I'll have to wait until it rolls around again!
ReplyDeleteThe description did make me think of Stephen King.
ReplyDeleteI tend to like stories that go back to earlier struggles that cast a shadow on new issues.
Happy New Year, Lainy. I am looking forward to keeping in touch during 2014.
ReplyDeleteI liked this review, but it did not inspire me to read as not a genre I enjoy.
Heart-shaped Box terrified me to death - couldn't leave bedroom at night for weeks! - so probably won't read this one, but great review Lainy... A xx
ReplyDelete