While this book won't grab you and shake you like a Jack Ketchum or Richard Laymon novel, Dweller will most definitely make a place for itself in your heart as one of the most endearing and saddest monster stories of all time. The first time Toby met the monster, he was 8. The experience was short and terrifying, but the memory lasted forever. Monsters, Toby knew, were real, but his parents believed it to be a part of his imagination. The next time Toby met the monster, he was 15, a loner, and very unhappy. The monster would be his friend, and take care of him and keep him safe from harm. Even if that meant things were going to get a little dangerous.
Where most modern horror writers want to smack you across the face with visceral action and suspense, Jeff Strand chooses to creep into your psyche and tear at your heart from the inside. To say that this book doesn't deliver in the gore as well, would be a lie. There's plenty here for all types of horror fans, not just the gore hounds or those who like there horror from a "different" perspective. Every page offers something new and unique to the genre, and basically ensures that the reader will be taken along on an exciting journey, made to think, and entertained, all without force.
This is a very powerful book with incredible characters and an addictive story structure. It starts off incredibly strong, and doesn't relent. In my opinion, this is the best book of 2010 so far.
PBH
Sounds like it might be a cool book, might have to check this one out sometime! The cover also has a decent look to it too!
ReplyDelete-TypH
Make sure you do. This is an incredible book that is worthy of all the praise it is getting. It's very visual too, so you may take more away with you than you'd think, TypH. I'm sure you'd get a lot of monster ideas for your art, with this one.
ReplyDeleteColum, thank you, thank you, thank you for recommending this book!
ReplyDeleteI'll be sure to check out Pressure soon :)