books | see-no-evil

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Christopher Ransom - The Fading

From the day of his birth, Noel Shaker has been able to fade in and out of reality, rendering him completely invisible to those around him. As a child he doesn't understand this gift he possesses, but as he grows older he comes to realise that it is not all beneficial. He cannot control when he is taken by his Fade, and has to learn to be ruthlessly careful and disciplined with it. First he uses it to his advantage, a brilliant cheat to steal anything he wants without being caught, but then he is seen while invisible to the world and his life is flipped upside down to the horrors that his Fade can produce. His Mother incarcerated, Father wanting nothing to do with him, Noel only has one friend to turn to - Julie - and when she goes missing it is down to Noel to use his power to track her down and rescue her from a menace far beyond his reach.

Horror Is Seeing Yourself Disappear.

Conrad Williams - One

While deep sea diving, the world as Chris Jane knew it vanishes and in its place lies a post-apocalyptic wasteland full of destroyed buildings, desecrated bodies and a brand new vision of malicious weather. This beautifully written horror novel tells the story of a man devoting his life to finding his son in the aftermath, walking from the top of Scotland all the way down to London witnessing horrific events described in very graphic detail. The transitions between chapters flows incredibly smoothly, making this book hard to put down for want of answers and more often than not, out of fear for each characters safety in a world of perilous dangers where all is not as it seems.

This is now. This is you. And our number is up.

Dean Koontz - 77 Shadow Street

Dean Koontz has been one of those writers that I struggle with. The first book I read of his amazed me - I was only about 13 at the time - but then after progressing through more of his work I felt more and more let down. Until I picked up 77 Shadow Street and my faith in his writing was fully restored. Without doubt, this is the creepiest house I have ever read about in a novel, and the creatures Koontz has dreamed up secure the horror factor while the widespread array of characters provide a thought provoking mystery to the scene. With twists and turns through every chapter, this chilling novel builds and builds to a conclusion that you won't see coming.

Are you brave enough to enter?

Joe Abercrombie - The Blade Itself

Guest Review by Aaron Jones

This is the first novel in a trilogy written by an author riding the wave of excitement and thirst for fantasy that seems to have grown in stature of late. Abercrombie writes his characters as flawed, well rounded people who are all capable of stealing a scene or two. It is a sign of his talent that you will find yourself rooting for a professional torturer - who seems to revel in the suffering of others - and a warrior whose bloodlust causes him to almost blackout in a frenzy of flying limbs. You care for these warped characters and are most definitely rewarded for your investment. The novel is well paced and leaves you wanting more. With two more books already out to complete The First Law trilogy, and three more set in the world he has created; Abercrombie seems to have a skill for knowing what his readers desire and long may that continue.

Darian Leader - What Is Madness?

Through studying cases such as Harold Shipman and The Wolf Man, this is a non-fiction book exploring the psychosis element of mental illness and, in particular, discreet madness. Darian Leader challenges the way mental illness and being "crazy" are portrayed through various media outlets, arguing that the general public are fed misconceptions about the way "madness" manifests itself differently within people. Having struggled with mental illness for quite some time, I found this book extremely helpful with understanding my diagnoses and the way doctors distinguish and pin-point symptoms to a particular section of mental illness diagnoses. With discussions on the cause, triggers, and stabilization of psychosis, this is a definite read for anyone interested, or even diagnosed themselves.

Stephen King - Joyland

A bittersweet coming-of-age tale of love, loss and growing up, Joyland combines the emotional impact of 'The Green Mile' and 'The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon' with the thrills and mystery of 'The Dark Half' and 'Cujo' to leave even tough-skinned readers like myself deeply moved. We follow the story of Devin Jones who takes a summer job at the Joyland theme park to help move forward from the girl who broke his heart. Things are looking up for Devin; he has new friends, he enjoys - and is good at - his job. Soon enough he begins asking questions. Questions that will lead him down a dark path and into dangerous waters. The legacy of a brutal killing and the fate of a dying child twist and turn through the novel, all leading to an unavoidable finale where the life of Devin Jones could be changed forever.

This is a fine novel and though it didn't feel like King's traditional writing, it was hugely entertaining and is definitely recommended for lovers of crime, thriller, mystery, love and drama all the same.

Who dares enter the funhouse of fear?