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Book Review: Indigo by Charlaine Harris, Christopher Golden, Jonathan Maberry, et al.

Indigo by Charlaine Harris, Christopher Golden, Jonathan Maberry, Kelley Armstrong, Tim Lebbon, Kat Richardson, Seanan McGuire, Cherie Priest, Mark Morris, and James A. Moore

St. Martin’s Press, 2017

ISBN-13: 978-1250076786

Available: Hardcover, Kindle edition, audiobook

 

The authors of this book all have produced amazing dark fantasy and horror fiction, both novels and short stories.  In this shared world anthology, they collaborated to tell a novel-length story, with each writer taking a turn to continue the narrative to its end. These talented storytellers have come up with an entertaining tale that can be enjoyed both by casual readers and by fans of the individual authors, although identifying which author has written which section is not as simple as it seems.

Nora Hesper works as an investigative reporter. She’s an intriguing character, with a curious backstory, and considerable personality. When she was a teen, Nora’s parents died, and to cope, she studied the occult at a monastery to deal with the pain and solitude. That plot summary suggests a tired retread of superhero origin stories, but then the story diverts.

Nora learns to harness the powers of the night.When the light is pulled away by the shadows, she becomes Indigo in the slivers of the moonlight. Indigo can use the shadows to manipulate the darkness into weapons and slip into the passing shadows to transport herself in and out of trouble across the globe.

Nora’s opponents are the Children of Phonos, a sadistic group who hold a darkness inside that rivals that of Indigo. The Children of Phonos are murdering children across New York City, and Nora realizes that she must eliminate all of them to protect the children. Then an event occurs that sheds light on her origin and family that throws her into chaos, a mess that she must solve to find the peace again in her life.

Combining all of these voices in one novel is tough. It’s not perfect, but it is entertaining. Go into it with that mindset, and you may find an enjoyable tale.

Contains: violence, child sacrifice

 

Reviewed by Dave Simms

Posted on November 8, 2017 by , Reply

Book Review: Ararat by Christopher Golden

Ararat by Christopher Golden

St. Martin’s Press, 2017

ISBN-13: 978-1250117052

Available: Hardcover, paperback, Kindle edition. Audible, audio CD.

 

It has been several years since a novel truly unsettled this reviewer enough to produce repeated nightmares. Ararat, though, is a read that nestles under the skin.

In Ararat, a team of explorers, scientists, and scholars have discovered something embedded into the rock of Mount Ararat that may be Noah’s Ark. However, instead of animals two by two, they find a handful of human corpses… and one mummified being with horns. Something on the mountain is not quite dead, but is waiting until the time is right for it to show itself. The expedition’s members struggle to figure out the dark puzzle, as a blizzard threatens to make the mountain cave their tomb.

Golden’s characters breathe, live, and fear on every page. Adam and Meryam, who spearhead the Ararat expedition, drive the story, along with Ben Walker, sent from DARPA to assist in ascertaining the true nature of the find. Secondary characters become fully fleshed beings, with nearly everyone turning a bit part into something crucial.

Christopher Golden has penned some great tales in the past– most recently, the disturbing Dead Ringers– but Ararat just might be his best. In this novel, Golden takes advantage of tropes common to the thriller and horror genres, while stepping deftly around the typical pitfalls. Golden tears perceptions and twists the plot in unexpected directions throughout.  Is it a thriller with horror, or horror in a thriller format?  Doesn’t matter– labels will soon be forgotten once the pages whiz by.

Ararat calls to mind classics like The Thing, The Exorcist, and The Omen,  but it stands on its own. Golden’s knack for intertwining sympathetic characters and the horrific with suspense ensures that this unsettling story will be read in just a few sittings. This is a story that begs for a blockbuster-style movie, but it’s one that this reviewer won’t be viewing. The nightmares aren’t worth it. Readers of thrillers and horror will be talking about this one for year.

Reviewed by Dave Simms


Posted on April 28, 2017 by , Reply

Book Review: Of Saints and Shadows by Christopher Golden

Of Saints and Shadows by Christopher Golden

JournalStone, 2016 (reprint edition)

ISBN-13: 978-1945373213

Available: Hardcover, paperback, Kindle edition

 

JournalStone has been a treasure trove of new authors and stories, and rarely disappoints. For years now, each release has drawn strong attention from readers of horror, dark fantasy, and other speculative fiction. This time, they made a smart decision, in reprinting Christopher Golden’s Shadow Saga series.

This is not a typical or cliched vampire series: it’s a very different, strongly written and smartly plotted tale. From the amazing Strangewood to the forthcoming Ararat, Golden has never failed to entertain his readers. Writing across multiple genres, including thrillers, horror, and urban fantasy. he has created outstanding stories and characters that connect with his readers.

The first novel in the Shadow Saga series, Of Saints and Shadows, introduces readers to vampire sleuth Peter Octavian, a figure who lives in the shadows between his own kind and those who hunt him. Octavian makes his living as a private detective, and has refused to partake in the “blood song”, the drinking of humans’ lifeblood. Golden tackles several myths about vampires, and turns them upside down. It appears that most of the myths are only that, and find their power in the belief of the suggestions, such as not being able to walk in daylight. He discovers that a secret sect of the Catholic Church is hell bent on recovering the book, The Gospel of Shadows, which has the key to destroying all of the vampires. As different groups race to retrieve the tome, each with its own agenda, Peter races to Vatican City to help his brethren.

Golden has updated all of the books in the series with introductions and additional material, and hopefully Shadow Saga will find the audience it should have had the first time. Look for Angel Souls and Devil Hearts, Of Masques and Martyrs, The Gathering Dark, and Waking Nightmares. Recommended for fans of the vampire tale but more importantly, for anyone who loves a good, strong story.

Reviewed by David Simms


Posted on March 3, 2017 by , Reply
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