When I first picked up the book, I wasn't sure what to expect from it, as it didn't seem to be my type of book. However, after reading Malarkey, Warehouse and Happy, and really enjoying them, I was sure I had a great book in my hands.
I spent the day after my last exam reading the book, not putting it down until I had finished - yet again! All the characters came alive and you could really feel Tim's emotions. I found it to be a totally new book - I have never read anything similar and it is very tactful with the issues it deals with.
The book is exciting and un-put-downable. Many issues are dealt with in this book, from peer pressure and bullying, to beliefs and legends. Could seemingly natural disasters actually be caused by a monster?
Tim as a character is believable and realistic, from refusing to believe he has the worst job in the world to his doubting of the legends that he has been brought up to believe. Wanting to please his parents, yet live his own life, you can really sympathise with him and see his point of view. His relationship with his girlfriend also comes under strain, and Gray tactfully deals with more intimate relations. His relationship with his father is really interesting - can the 16 year old actually be right? His father is seen as a joke in the town, how can Tim be himself when everyone knows what his future has to be, and his father in confident that Tim will fulfil it?
The detail in the book is brilliant, after looking at the contents page and seeing it covers a week time-span I was amazed that the book could move as fast as it did (though possibly because I was reading as fast as I could just to move on and find out more!).
They say don't judge the book by its cover...The Fearful is mysterious, dark with a little light, strange and individual, all of which is expressed through the cover too.
This is Gray at his best, The Fearful is a different genre to Malarkey, Happy, Warehouse etc. and I feel it is also for a more mature audience. Best read where you won't be disturbed and you can be comfy for hours, with a supply of food and drink (you won't want to put it down)!
Now one of my favourites, I highly recommend this book to everyone who is curious - do you believe in monsters?
