As I Lay Reading

Book Reviews & Occasional Author and Book - Fangirling

The Blackstone Chronicles

March 12, 2014 By Kellie Leave a Comment

blackstone-chronicles-john-saul

I finally finished reading The Blackstone Chronicles by John Saul.  It took me about 3 weeks to read this one, though not for lack of effort (just a lot going on).

The story is comprised of about 6 novellas — with a total length of about 544 pages.

The story takes place in a town called Blackstone, which is located in New Hampshire.  As the story opens, we find that the town has an old asylum that is set to be torn down so that a new mall can be put in its place.  We are introduced to a very sinister unnamed / unknown character that sends anonymous cursed “gifts” to some of the people in the town.

There are 6 anonymous cursed gifts in all and each novella / story centers around each gift.  Each gift centers around a story or memory of the asylum.

The book opens with the story of the cursed doll.  Our unknown sinister character recalls a story surrounding the doll and a little boy who dressed and thought of himself as a little girl.   Not only did the little boy realize that his true nature was that of a little girl, but the mother also saw the boy’s true nature and treated him like a girl when the father was not around.  The child’s father was outraged and sent the child to the asylum where she was exposed to horrendous shock therapy and other cruel forms of treatment.  The doll was left behind and many moons later anonymously delivered to the home of Bill and Elizabeth McGuire.  A series of unfortunate evil events happen to the McGuire family after they receive the doll.

The McGuire family’s misfortunes seem to be the kickoff to the other tragedies that happen as a result of the cursed gifts.

The Blackstone Chronicles by John Saul was a pretty good book, all in all.  There were stories that kept my attention (like “The Doll”) and other stories that didn’t fully catch my attention until I was well into them.  If you’ve ever read a John Saul novel, you will recognize that this story (like some of his other stories) follows a familiar formula.  I found myself enjoying the back story of the Asylum much more than the story in some cases.

My Rating For The Blackstone Chronicles:

3-star

 

Falling by Christopher Pike

February 10, 2014 By Kellie Leave a Comment

Review of Falling by Christopher Pike

Christopher Pike was one of my most favorite horror and suspense authors as a tween and a teenager.  I spent many nights engrossed in his stories.  They were so hard to put down!

A couple of years ago, I happened to come across a copy of Christopher Pike‘s Falling at my local library.  I had thought he dealt only in the Young Adult / teenager realm so I was pleasantly surprised to find this book.  Reading an “adult” Christopher Pike book was like reuniting with an old friend.

We start the tale off with Kelly Feinman, an FBI agent who is tracking down a dangerous serial killer by the name of Acid Man.  They have a moment in the beginning where they tangle.  A horrible moment that leaves Kelly scarred for life.  Disapproving of her job, her husband takes their daughter and leaves.  Kelly finds herself alone.  Soon, she is put on another case.  A kidnapping case.

Matt Connor is a broken-hearted man who finds out that his beloved girlfriend Amy cheated on him.  Matt decides to plot revenge against Amy by stealing her infant son — Jimmy Techer.

Kelly and Matt cross paths — Matt is the kidnapper and Kelly is the FBI Agent on his trail.   More than that, Kelly’s history with Acid Man returns to haunt her.

I literally could not put this book down.  I read it in one day.  The plot was well thought out.  No plot holes or left over questions.  There really is no question as to “who dunnit” in this book — because all of those cards are laid out on the table early on.  However, Pike is masterful in the way he weaves each separate story together.   I never thought I could sympathize with one of the “bad guys”… but I did find myself sympathizing with Matt Connor.

My Rating for Falling by Christopher Pike:

4-star

 

 

I would give this 4-1/2 stars really… maybe I need to make a graphic for that. Heh. 😀

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