After reading the reviews by the 5* reviewers I have come to the conclusion that they must have read a different book than the one I picked up. I would call this an anti spoiler, because reading it will save you spoiling a good few hours of your time... This is the first Herbert book I have read and it will definately be the last.
I got half way through this book and wanted to pick up the yellow pages instead because it has more content. Some of the reviewers said this was a scary book?? Where?? The only thing remotely scary about this book is the fact that someone deems it publishable...
Ok instead of bashing this book to death for no reason I will tell you why I didn't like it. Herbert went through 380 pages describing "the cold atmosphere and shadows" in every building, in every patch of woodland, under every bed in Sleath. Now some people will undoubtebly say "he is setting the scene".. well no, we get it , its supposed to be spooky, like someone is watching you- you dont have to repeat, repeat, repeat the same sentence in 30 different ways... The plot of the story is stupid... You are left at the end wondering how many of the people in the village were in on the , wait for it "Satanic Cult". They all died from freak accidents which were supposed to have been caused by paranormal activity, the trouble is it just doesnt ring true and it reads even worse. There is little explanation as to why the cult is formed, what they do etc, except a vague and all to brief brushing of the facts garnered from the church archives... Also the love affair between ash and grace is totally unneeded adds nothing to the book and it seems as though it was slung in there just to fill a few pages...
The characters are boring, Ash gains no sympathy as the hero, Grace is about as engaging as a stick on a tree and phelan seemed to be just a rip off of the psychic out of the poltergeist films...
Trust me, do not read this book if you have the will to live, if not go ahead, it just might finish you off
