- Paperback: 304 pages
- Publisher: Gollancz; paperback / softback edition (17 April 2008)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0575080272
- ISBN-13: 978-0575080270
- Product Dimensions: 22.9 x 15.2 x 2.5 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 705,635 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
The Ninth Circle (GOLLANCZ S.F.)
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Product Description
Review
"Bell's debut novel effectively fuses theological fantasy with psychological mystery to create a gripping narrative." (Eric Brown THE GUARDIAN )
"A haunting, engrossing story with a unique aura of its own. Alex Bell's remarkable debut is original, cleverly plotted and so well written the pages just flew by." (Raymond Khoury )
"Accomplished stuff." (SCI FI NOW )
"...highly engaging... Bell skillfully conveys the panic and paranoia Gabriel experiences as he descends into a nightmare world of revelation. Bell successfully taps into the rich vein of deep-seated biblical superstition that is so compelling in works like The Omen or even The Da Vinci Code." (John Berlyne SF REVU )
"I found this to be a rather enjoyable novel - pacey, easy to read, and interesting enough to keep me turning the pages. I'll be very interested to see where author Bell goes from here." (HORRORSCOPE )
"...powerful and bizarre British debut with supernatural overtones and a genuine quirky voice. Worth investigating." (MURDER ONE )
"This is a very readable debut novel... it will be worth keeping an eye on Bell." (Tony Chester CONCATENATION )
"It's well enough done as a thriller, and the conclusion sets us up perfectly for a long-running series. [An] assured debut." (Andrew McKie THE TELEGRAPH )
"A haunting, engrossing story with a unique aura of its own. Alex Bell's remarkable debut is original, cleverly plotted and so well written the pages just flew by." (Raymond Khoury )
"Accomplished stuff." (SCI FI NOW )
"...highly engaging... Bell skillfully conveys the panic and paranoia Gabriel experiences as he descends into a nightmare world of revelation. Bell successfully taps into the rich vein of deep-seated biblical superstition that is so compelling in works like The Omen or even The Da Vinci Code." (John Berlyne SF REVU )
"I found this to be a rather enjoyable novel - pacey, easy to read, and interesting enough to keep me turning the pages. I'll be very interested to see where author Bell goes from here." (HORRORSCOPE )
"...powerful and bizarre British debut with supernatural overtones and a genuine quirky voice. Worth investigating." (MURDER ONE )
"This is a very readable debut novel... it will be worth keeping an eye on Bell." (Tony Chester CONCATENATION )
"It's well enough done as a thriller, and the conclusion sets us up perfectly for a long-running series. [An] assured debut." (Andrew McKie THE TELEGRAPH )
Raymond Khoury
'A haunting, engrossing story with a unique aura of its own. Alex Bell's remarkable debut is original, cleverly plotted and so well written the pages just flew by'
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
THE NINTH CIRCLE is Alex Bell's début novel, published by Gollancz. The story revolves around a man who wakes up in a flat in Budapest, suffering from amnesia and unable to remember how he came to be there. In fact, he can't remember anything. Who is he, what does he do, where are his friends and family? By piecing together the clues he finds scattered around his apartment and through interactions with the few people he can bring himself to talk to, he starts to discover who he really is.
Which might not be a good thing, given what he starts to unearth. Fantastical and horrific visions and dreams also plague him, making him question his own sanity. And so would you, if you kept seeing a man dripping with fire in your apartment...
The opening chapters of the novel are very haunting and you can really feel Gabriel's loneliness and longing coming through, as he tries to survive in a universe he feels so misplaced within. All this is captured in the pages of the journal that Gabriel is maintaining, to both keep himself sane and note down clues that might help him to remember his past.
Before I began reading this book, I figured that I had the ending all worked out. I thought I knew what had really happened to Gabriel Antaeus and was waiting to be proven right. And, indeed, during the course of the story, a number of elements seemed to confirm my suspicions. However, I was wrong.
Or was I?
The story throws in a number of twists that I never saw coming. I always enjoy a good twist and a big reveal in a story - the sort that picks you up and slaps you in the face when you're least expecting it. The conclusion, too, was quite unexpected. Without spoiling anything, Gabriel's past is revealed and the pieces of the puzzle mostly all slot together... however, we are left with dangling thought. Was this real? Was it in his head? And, for my own opinion, was he really in Budapest..?
So, all in all, there is a lot to love about this book.
The bad? Well, I'd have to say that I'd be clutching at straws to find things wrong with this book. Since the novel is written in a journal-like format, some of the chapters only take up a few pages, so you get through the book quickly. Other than that..? No, can't think of anything.
The Good: Well written, haunting, and very intriguing
The Bad: The journal format can make it a short read and the ending is somewhat ambiguous.
Note: The Ninth Circle has been optioned to become a motion picture.
Which might not be a good thing, given what he starts to unearth. Fantastical and horrific visions and dreams also plague him, making him question his own sanity. And so would you, if you kept seeing a man dripping with fire in your apartment...
The opening chapters of the novel are very haunting and you can really feel Gabriel's loneliness and longing coming through, as he tries to survive in a universe he feels so misplaced within. All this is captured in the pages of the journal that Gabriel is maintaining, to both keep himself sane and note down clues that might help him to remember his past.
Before I began reading this book, I figured that I had the ending all worked out. I thought I knew what had really happened to Gabriel Antaeus and was waiting to be proven right. And, indeed, during the course of the story, a number of elements seemed to confirm my suspicions. However, I was wrong.
Or was I?
The story throws in a number of twists that I never saw coming. I always enjoy a good twist and a big reveal in a story - the sort that picks you up and slaps you in the face when you're least expecting it. The conclusion, too, was quite unexpected. Without spoiling anything, Gabriel's past is revealed and the pieces of the puzzle mostly all slot together... however, we are left with dangling thought. Was this real? Was it in his head? And, for my own opinion, was he really in Budapest..?
So, all in all, there is a lot to love about this book.
The bad? Well, I'd have to say that I'd be clutching at straws to find things wrong with this book. Since the novel is written in a journal-like format, some of the chapters only take up a few pages, so you get through the book quickly. Other than that..? No, can't think of anything.
The Good: Well written, haunting, and very intriguing
The Bad: The journal format can make it a short read and the ending is somewhat ambiguous.
Note: The Ninth Circle has been optioned to become a motion picture.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I initially found the main character hard to relate to and the pace a little slow but after the 1st 50 or so pages the story really picks up, the characters become much more interesting and the supernatural element adds depth and insight. I especially enjoyed the dream sequences and the exploration of the blurry line between good and evil. Good stuff for a light read.
Format:Paperback
On reading the synopsis for this book, I thought hmmm, sounds like a really intriguing story. It sounds great - man wakes up in a pool of blood with no memory of who or where he is. I did start to wonder if it would be a little like The Bourne Identity as there were similarities to begin with. As the story unfolds, you do kind of get sucked in, though occasionally there are moments when I was frustrated because it was sort of predictable in places. I did like the story, and though it does get a little fantastical, it was an OK read. I read all sorts of books, from fantasy to comedy, horror to thriller, pyscological to mythical, and this book was a little like all of these, excepting the comedy. I would kind of recommend it, but if you want something really exciting and with lots of action, then this probably isn't for you. When and if it gets made into a film I probably will watch it, because I am hoping there will be more action-y bits put in.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Dull and unconvincing
This should be a fantastic story (a man wakes up in a pool of blood in a shabby room in Budapest, unable to remember anything) but unfortunately everything is ruined in the clumsy... Read more
Published on 15 Feb 2010 by Paul
It was enjoyable enough
Interesting enough story - I enjoyed the mystery surrounding the major character, with the hints of the Bourne Conspiracy behind it. Read more
Published on 22 Jan 2010 by P. W. H. Bradley
Dante it isn't
What starts as a standard 'bloke wakes up with amnesia after a shelf falls on his head' story descends at glacial pace into an unsatisfying story about hell. Read more
Published on 19 Sep 2009 by Mr. J. J. Atkinson
I cant believe people have only gave this 1*
This book is amazing, you will be hooked from the first page. I read this in 1 day as it is just impossible to put it down. Read more
Published on 27 Aug 2009 by Katie L. Perry
not altogether unredeemed rubbish
The beginning of this book isn't bad. It evokes no chills, has none of the twists and turns one might expect, but it's interesting. Read more
Published on 30 July 2009 by monica
Not Sci Fi
I bought this book because it came up in a sci fi search on Amazon and whilst the book is well written it is not science fiction. Read more
Published on 11 Jun 2009 by A. J. Tster
Such a good idea...
Intriguing idea, a good plot, I even like the idea of the ending. It's a pity that it is actually poorly written, I only read to the end because I thought it may get better. Read more
Published on 15 May 2009 by Garscadden
Utter Pants
I don't usually submit book reviews, but having seen the number of 5 star reviews for this drivel I felt compelled to warn readers of the direness of this book. Read more
Published on 5 Feb 2009 by G. Crone
An accomplished debut
The Ninth Circle is a mystery written in the form of diary entries by the protagonist, Gabriel Antaeus, after he wakes up one morning in Budapest, Hungary, with amnesia. Read more
Published on 27 Jan 2009 by A. Whitehead
Intriguing and inventive
I started of reading this book slowly, not convinced I was going to enjoy it, but soon found myself racing through it, loving the inventive and entertaining unravelling of various... Read more
Published on 29 Aug 2008 by V. Nicholl
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