Horror Books

This book is about the life of Thothamon who is one of the scary and well built characters in Conan comics. It's about how Thoth became one of the strongest wisard of his time. I think the story line was built perfectly. Great art, a great and long neglected story part of Conan series. I loved it.

Very nice art, worth to see Kelly Jones in one more book! You should see it.

This is supposed to be for reviews of the Book of Thoth, not the regular Conan serie.
So, having cleared that, I must say that this is one of the most true to Howard's vision comic book stories ever; from the rich narrative to the magnificent images & the surprising conclusion (at least fro Thoth-Amon who had quite a shock from the reward he was expecting) The Kelley Jones art is magnificent (but I miss John Beatty's inking) and it fits the story well. All in all a great book for Conan fans, which can be appreciated by comic book readers or diehard book fans.

Imagine...A Conan book where are favorite Barbarian is no where to be seen...It's no joke, but is indeed what you get with Conan The Book of Thoth. This volume reprints the four issue series from Dark Horse comics and lifts the veil on Conan's arch-foe, the black wizard Thoth-Amon of Stygia. It's interesting to note that while Thoth may be considered Conan's greatest foe, he actually only appeared in just one story written by Conan creator Robert E. Howard, "The Phoenix on the Sword" which first appeared in Weird Tales in 1932. It was really in the Marvel Comics' series that Thoth-Amon would become Conan's greatest enemy.

Thoth's origins were always shrouded in mystery and Kurt Busiek, who has been writing Conan's adventures at Dark Horse, along with long-time comic scribe Len Wein, tell the story of his background. Now it's hard to imagine Thoth as a boy but that's exactly how they start the story. Thoth is a street urchin, stealing what he can to appease his abusive father. Fate shines on him one day when his friend Amon, saves the life of Kharantus, the High Priest of the Ibis. The benevolent priest invites the boy to become an Acolyte at the temple. Thoth sees his opportunity, killing his friend and assuming his identity.

Thoth now finds himself in a great power and is soon seeking out the dark arts and comes across scrolls referring to the ancient, and long destroyed city of Acheron, home to great wizards and great evil. Now here's where things get a bit dicey...Thoth mentions that Acheron was home to a thousand centuries of black magic and diabolism, an archaic tradition of evil." This comment is lifted nearly word for word from the Conan story "The Hour of the Dragon" which was uttered by the priest Orastes speaking about the resurrected Acheron wizard Xaltotun. I'm not even sure Howard knew what he was writing as a thousand centuries, or 100,000 years places Acheron about 85,000 years before the Pre-Cataclysmic era of King Kull.

Okay, I got a bit side-tracked on that detail. At any rate, Thoth eventually finds the Ring of Set, the serpent God which gives him incredible power to overthrow the priests of Ibis and usher in the era of Set as Stygia's primary deity. The story takes places over several years as we see Thoth grow both in stature and power as he weaves insidious plots to gain control of Stygia.

The story is somewhat on the slow-moving side. There's only a sliver of the kind of action you expect in the typical Conan story. This is a story about more than swordplay. It's about intrigue and an insatiable quest for power. The story humanizes Thoth and I'm not sure if that's really such a good thing or not. In some ways it diminishes his stature as perhaps the ultimate force for evil in Conan's time. Still, it was interesting to see this take on Thoth's history.

While I will give moderate approval to the story, the art of Kelley Jones gets an unquestionable standing ovation from me. Jones has always been one of my favorites for his angular figures and expressive eyes of his characters. Few artists use light and shadow as well as Jones does.

Reviewed by Tim Janson

I met Sara last year . She's a wonderful person . Now I know she is an incredible writer as well . Witchcraft , immortality & music . Sara weaves a magical tale . I'm not saying this just because I'm her friend it's because it's true . It's original & the charactors just come to life & are unforgetable . A haunting tale ... even after you finish reading it .

Sara Banks is a new and imaginative writer who has created what I believe to be the first of many stories featuring the mystical character Elise. Elise has served as a muse for artist throughout the ages. We follow her through the present while we learn of her turbulent and bittersweet past. This is the birth of a new legend and I would certainly recommend this book to anyone.

I picked this book up and immediately read it from cover to cover. I had to. It wouldnt let me go! The storyline hooks you right from the start, the characters unfold and develop in front of you like how a flower opens in spring. The plot is layered, well paced and enticing. Elise (the main character) is entrancing. All through I found myself holding my breath, dying to see what was going to happen next. For her first book, the author has produced a quality piece of work here, and with a new work soon to follow, I wait in anticipation for more from her!

This is mythology in the making! Follow the elusive Elise as she tells the story of her immortal life and the people whom's lives she has touched along the way. Beautifully tragic this book is for fans of true literature!

Creep is a surprisingly fast read, and a truly terrifying one. I still don't know if this is a work of fiction or the confessions of some truly sick and brutal individual. I had trouble sleeping after reading this book.

I found Creep to be well-written and convincing with many graphic descriptions and extensive development of the main character.
However, a word of warning to anyone who prefers to read books that are uplifting. Creep is anything but. In fact, it's quite depressing in places. The central character is deeply disturbed and I do hope Creep is truly a novel and not the autobiography of some sicko. That said, Creep is an interesting and provocative book, well worth a read.

I only hope Creep is a work of fiction and not some psycho's truly disturbing autobiography.
Creep has a way of getting under your skin. I was immediately drawn into this book and couldn't put it down for one moment. The story is absolutely gripping - and brilliant. The reader is actually one of the central characters. The reader is an individual who mocked the Creep character and is now being tracked down for a "hit."
This book is unusual, downright weird and I highly recommend it.

Few books ever actually frighten me, especially works of fiction that you know aren't real. But is Creep really a work of fiction or is it just what it presents itself to be: The psychotic ramblings of a vicious killer? In either case, the detailed descriptions of the various kills sent chills down my spine. I truly hope this madness isn't for real. So here's my challenge to horror and true crime fans - read Creep if you dare!

In the near future, student Jay finds Cory, a strange boy abandoned near a road. This boy appears androgynous and very alien; that's because he's a real alien, of an humanoid species that can change gender at will. Humorous, fast, and pleasant to read, this novel is eminently readable and fun. Il like the prefaces to the chapters, excerpts from a wacky DJ 's radio transmission,too.
Read them, they're a worthy addition to you cross-gendered books' library section!

What can you say about a book that transcends multiple genres to tell a story with both profound sweetness while really pushing the edge -- multiple edges in fact?

Karen Haber, who is known as the First Lady of Science Fiction and a good friend to many, myself included, has the rare ability to say something so true and so well that she changes the very way you see the world -- or worlds.

"Cory liked the cats for their silken grace, immense vanity, and playful carnivorous impulses. What charming quirk of nature had made these elegant little killing machines?"

Adults as well as the right kind of kid should buy this and read this for an experience of kind and honest bravery in facing a strange, sometimes hostile, sometimes indecipherable world for a really delicious reading experience, an experience you simply won't be able to find anywhere else. Bravo!

I really enjoyed reading Crossing Infinity. As someone who usually gets distracted and doesn't finish books, I found this one fun and easy to get through. It also delves into some interesting issues, arising from one of the protagonists being a poly-gendered alien. The characters are endearing, real, very human (even when they're not actually humans), and easy to relate to.
Karen Haber, a friend of mine, is a talented author who addresses interesting issues in a way that keeps the story fun and fresh.

This is a science fiction novel of gender confusions across worlds, a fact that goes unmentioned in the above book description. You neglect to observe the main plot point of CROSSING INFINITY: that the alien refugee, Corylanus, is able to shift gender, and does so under extreme emotional pressure, from male to female, and back again. This book explores notions of gender identity -- and through that exploration underscores the beauty of unconditional love.

I had waited to read this book for a long time. And I was certainly not disappointed. Bumpy Sheffeld is an undercover DEA agent who is currently acting as the pilot for the head of a drug cartel. When this kingpin is killed by an insect-like monster mid-flight into the U.S., Bumpy is forced to crash the plane. Suddenly, he is wanted for murder, as he knows that nobody will believe what happened on that flight. A fellow DEA agent and a beautiful archaeologist set out to help him bring the beast down in an effort to clear his name.

The book does an amazing job of developing the characters. I could really get into the heads of Savannah, Bumpy, Johnny and the creatures. Yes, we even get to see what makes the monsters tick (or click, as the case would be). They are not evil creatures that would have made this book so unrealistic. They are large animals, with the intelligence and biological functions of animals. They are hunting us for food. This is always a device that works well, considering man's preoccupation with assuming that we are at the top of the food chain. We are most certainly not, and this realization has a tendency to terrify us when we are reminded of it.

As far as religion goes, the book isn't billed as religious fiction. But the author does mention prayer and show a couple of Christian characters (priests). Their faith is never seen as an excuse for some deviancy or character flaw. On another point, the background of the book basically shows what happens when man tries to play God. Even though the background is from the distant past, it is still poignant today, with our fetal stem cell research, abortions and cloning.

David L. Kilpatrick has written a marvelous page-turner that will keep you riveted from the beginning. I highly recommend it.

It is a rare thing to find a book that will literally keep me awake at night. CUQUI is just such a book. The only real disappointment is that the author is not really a "horror" writer. In fact, this is his only "horror" novel.

Magnificent story, maginificent Bumpy, Jhony,Savana and Steve even magnificent Cuqui! I loved the story since the beginning. This writer rocks and I can't wait for other stories of him to come.
It is a fun tale, with lots of gore( in spanish) and American fun.
So to the author of
In the way that elepahts do, I say you rock!

I just finished reading Cuqui and enjoyed it immensely. It starts off a little slow, but if you hang with it, you will find you can't turn the last few pages quickly enough to end the suspense.

I continue to be astounded by the versatility of this author.
From the deeply researched, and very well written In The Way That Elephants Do, to the hilarious Undercover White Trash, and now to Cuqui, a terrifying, gory, but fascinating tale of grotesque monsters.

I anxiously await Mr. Kilpatrick's next book!

Alex is 12 and wants to be a Med-jai. Ardeth Bay thinks it's time to send Alex on his "lone walk". But Alex doesn't expect the Scorpion King to come back wanting revenge and Alex's only help is a 13 year old girl.

Twelve-year-old Alex O'Connell, the son of Rick and Evelyn from the movie The Mummy, who are now married, is living in Egypt in the year 1937. He wants to grow up and be a member of Medjai, who work to keep the dark forces from being reawakened. But before he can be a Medjai, he must prove himself. When he notices some shifty-looking Nazi soldiers, he decides to follow them to discover what they are up to. What he discovers blows him away. The Germans have made a deal with the Scorpion King - the evil creature Alex thought his father destroyed for good four years ago. In exchange for a human soul, the Scorpion King's master, Anubis - the God of the Dead - will allow the Nazis to rule to world for a thousand years. Now, it's up to Alex, along with a girl named Rachel who has her own reasons for hating the Nazis, to stop this evil bargain before it's too late. This was a thrilling read for fans of the movie The Mummy and was based on characters from the soon-to-be released movie sequel titled The Mummy Returns.

Twelve-year-old Alex O'Connell, the son of Rick and Evelyn from the movie The Mummy, who are now married, is living in Egypt in the year 1937. He wants to grow up and be a member of Medjai, who work to keep the dark forces from being reawakened. But before he can be a Medjai, he must prove himself. When he notices some shifty-looking Nazi soldiers, he decides to follow them to discover what they are up to. What he discovers blows him away. The Germans have made a deal with the Scorpion King - the evil creature Alex thought his father destroyed for good four years ago. In exchange for a human soul, the Scorpion King's master, Anubis - the God of the Dead - will allow the Nazis to rule to world for a thousand years. Now, it's up to Alex, along with a girl named Rachel who has her own reasons for hating the Nazis, to stop this evil bargain before it's too late. This was a thrilling read for fans of the movie The Mummy and was based on characters from the soon-to-be released movie sequel titled The Mummy Returns.

Even though he's had plenty of dangerous adventures recently, twelve-year-old Alex O'Connell thought a cruise down the Nile to find the lost temple of Osiris would be relatively safe. But the journey becomes dangerous when kidnappers through Alex overboard. He's about to be devoured by crocodiles when he finds an amulet. In his mind, he wishes he would swim faster than the crocodiles, and suddenly, he is. Returning to Cairo, he shows the amulet to his friends Matt and Rachel. They discover that the amulet will grant any wish thought or spoken by the one who holds it. They also discover that an evil sorcerer is imprisoned in the amulet, and will be released if anyone uses it to make three wishes. They also discover that their enemy Ungricht wants the amulet. Alex, Matt, and Rachel have to escape Ungricht and find a way to destroy the amulet without releasing the sorcerer. This thrilling book will be enjoyed by all readers who liked the first two Mummy Chronicles books.

Bunn nails the hard-boiled noir dialogue and narration without ever once resorting to cliche. At the same time he delivers a unique horror story with simple (i.e. non-convoluted) original concepts. Just plain great.

Take mobsters and tommy guns. Add demons, monsters, and a small-time fixer with a very interesting curse. Shake well, season with a femme fatale, and voila, you have The Damned: Three Days Dead. It's hard-boiled with spiky bits, and a great deal of fun. If you like noir with a little bit of a twist, you're enjoy the hell out of this.

Crime, greed, murder, the living dead. What's not to love about this new comic by Cullen Bunn? When the late mobster, Eddie, is dug out of his grave to find a missing bookkeeper, he is forced to continue his work as a gangster against his will in order to release the curse keeping him alive. This is a fast-paced, action-packed read you're sure to enjoy.

Imagine the idea of a Road to Perdition, except literally. A world of Prohibition era mobsters squabbling over territory, playing chess game over merchandise, and vying for power - a criminal underworld run, apropos enough, by demons. That is the world created by horror writer, Cullen Bunn, with The Damned. Brian Hurtt (Queen and Country, another fave book) delivers art reminiscent of Matt Wagner - a perfect blend of clean lines and moodiness - infusing each character with personality.

The Damned is a moody romp. Bunn has an ear for tough guy dialogue, and a feel for action pacing, while Hurtt's art alone is worth the price of admission. A blend of two of my favorite genres, gangland epic and horror, I hope this title gets extended well beyond its initial six issue run.

The author has brought together my two favourite genres in one explosive novel...the story of a serial killer at large and a dedicated FBI profiler on his trail, and the magic ingredient, a powerful family of super sexy vampires who may, or may not help him. The story captures your attention and sweeps you along on a terrific ride, and ultimately leaves you wanting more....so more please !

As someone who loves crime fiction and is fascinated by the vampire myths, this book was just what I was looking for. T.D.McKinney has merged these two genres seamlessly to create a compelling and dark tale that is as addictive as a vampire's blood. I could barely put the book down, and the very real characters have stayed in my mind. I look forward to reading the sequel, and hope it won't be too long coming!

Thank you, T.D.McKinney, for this wonderful book.

...of not judging a book by its cover. While the cover art for this novel can be initially off-putting, don't let the illustration fool you. This is not a book about transvestites, though that would have been entertaining in its own right.

This is a book about crime, crime fighting, vampires, lovers, underworld intrigue, the FBI, dirty dealings, sexual escapades, and much more. It's set in New Orleans and shows an obvious love for the grand old city, despite showing the readers all sides of her- the good, the bad, and the ugly. There's a great possibility for sequels in this universe, and I challenge you not to want to read more about Jack and Baby when you're done.

This is the ultimate escape- the perfect book for passing the time on airplanes. While not for the squeamish or faint of heart- it is very graphic in both sex and violence- for people who love crime novels, vampire novels, and the city of New Orleans, this is one wild and very entertaining ride.

In mixing vampires with the newly popular world of criminal profiling, T.D. McKinney has gifted us with a creative and suspenseful new genre that reaches beyond the usual boundaries of mystery or paranormal novels. Her characters are intriguing because they have interesting flaws that make them compelling rather than the usual, cloying stereotypes. The storyline is erotic and suspenseful both in the characters' relationships and the twists & turns the action takes. I highly recommend this book and look forward to seeing more from this author.

My son read this book straight through on our recent road trip. He recommends it highly, saying it was one of the best he's read (and he reads a ton.) We had "spook" upddates along the way, which were fun to hear. Five stars.

I am glad I am not Dario Figg, but this book is scary and very fun to read. I will read it again sometime.

This book is cool. I especially like the dog. It also has an annoying sister, so that's realistic. The monsters are cool, too. This is the second book I've read by Mark Harris and I can't wait for the next one. My friends always want to borrow these books when I'm done.

The story turns upside-down, with a normal boy like yours and mine finding himself befriending oddball characters and fleeing from goblins and ghouls. Our kids found themselves enmeshed in an imaginative plot filled with both dark and funny characters, wondering how Dario would get out of ... or into ... his next escapade. That it keeps a youngster reading avidly while it creatively depicts the battle between evil and good is what a parent likes. That it is an intriguing, engrossing story is what the kids liked! Best for older pre-teens.

The Dark is a great book I highly recommend it! One of the best books I've ever read. Couldn't put it down.

I have always loved this book. I read it when I was in junior high and now I am way beyond my high school days. I have remembered this book and constantly think about it. The way it gets your imagination going and keeps it going for years after makes me want to recommend this book to anybody, young or old.

The Dark is a great book I highly recommned it! One of the best books I've ever read. Couldn't put it down.

Shiloh loves mysteries, so she decided to go to archaeology camp. She gets there and they put her right to work. She goes to her tent and finds her roommate sitting there hiding from the work. The next day they are ready to start working, and she meets Perry, the guy that is working in the cave.After a while she gets over her fear of it, and goes in there with him. They find her other roommate, Kerrina, in the cave. They have no idea what she is doing, but they try to go find out the next night. They go in the cave and find her chopping at a wall. The next time they go in there would be their last. They are running away from something and somebody. They get in the cave and make a discovery of a lifetime. Some people get hurt, and some have fun, but nobody escapes the curse of Rue Cave. Anybody who likes suspense will love this book.